Avery Park sits two homesites in the northwest corner of Kirkwood. The homes were past their prime, so the City purchased the properties in hopes of developing a neighborhood park. Kirkwood underwent a long process with community involvement to develop a conceptual plan for the park.
This plan included two play areas, swings, a shelter, a basketball court, and conneting walks and plazas. The city desired that several large trees remain in place and suggested retaining walls to protect root systems. There was also a desire to take a site that sloped at 7% from west to east and develop several walking paths that would meet ADA 5% maximums.
In an 11 week timeframe, Loomis Associates developed a design development package, a site amenities package, and a full set of construction documents and specifications. Loomis Associates was also hired to perform the construction administration, and Loomis personnel guided the contractor through an aggressive 120 day construction window.
Loomis Associates was retained in February, 2012 to provide construction documentation and construction administration for Avery Park. Following an aggressive schedule, construction documents were completed by May, construction began in June, and the Avery Park Grand Opening was in held on October 14, 2012.
Located in the northwest corner of Kirkwood in an area of the city that had no parks, Avery Park has become a neighborhood destination.