John Shearer: New Miller Park Is Functional Architecturally

  • Saturday, September 15, 2018
  • John Shearer

The completely rebuilt Miller Park was dedicated late Friday morning by such elected officials as Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, and Chattanoogans had their first opportunities to examine it up close.

Even a couple of dogs were enjoying it within moments after the ceremonial ribbon was cut. Based on the way they were pulling on their master’s leashes, they must approve of the look and design, at least the grassy parts.

Overall from an architectural and design perspective, the park could be described as somewhat simplistic – except of course for the interesting EPB Community Stage.

But on a good note, the park is also quite functional.

As one person remarked, it looks usable.

The same could not have been said of the old Miller Park in its entirety with its own praised 1970s look – unless someone wanted to jump into the various water aspects against the likely wishes of the then-park officials.

And the new park definitely outdoes the undulating former park in offering nice vistas. Panoramic sight lines are available in about any direction toward the various nearby buildings.

There are also likely great and unobstructed views back toward the stage. In fact, the openness of the park makes one realize how truly big that square block is, which one could not have imagined with the previous park.

Watching a show might be so much fun that some people might prefer watching a Nightfall-like event there instead of looking through the crepe myrtles at the stage at Miller Plaza.

The surrounding grandstand-like steps going back almost to M.L. King Boulevard on the Georgia Avenue side also, along with the grass, offer great views back to the stage. And in an example of good design, they also seem to serve a dual purpose, as they are equally as good at serving as places to sit and eat lunch or whatever when a concert is not taking place.

The only drawback about the various steps – particularly up near the stage – is that they are kind of irregularly designed and patterned in places. This is showcased by how they seem to disappear into the ground like those in an escalator. That makes them nice aesthetically but maybe not so much functionally. As a result, someone has to be careful walking down them to avoid losing any footing.

But the main draw of the park for the eyes, other than the stage, is the grass. Shaped like a giant green egg or football, it is much bigger in person than the area looked from outside the fence during construction.

Whether the green space will get too much use with people wanting to sit on it, toss Frisbee there or maybe just jog on it remains to be seen, but the sight of grass in the center of a city wanting to be an outdoor capital is noticeably welcome.

Of course, the main drawback right now of the landscaping is that on moderately hot days like Friday, the tiny trees that have been planted provide zero shade for the time being.

The trees in turn will likely block some of the sightlines when they get bigger.

The EPB Community Stage area is also quite nice in that, like the surrounding steps, it seems to have a dual purpose. It can be closed up and used for special events, or opened for concerts or other events requiring a stage.

But what is special is how this is demonstrated – through a garage door-like side that, when opened and lifted, becomes a covering for those on the stage below it. That is almost genius!

Its very asymmetrical and irregular look also complements the rest of the park nicely.

Another interesting feature of the park is the collection of small-sloped climbing walls with limestone sides and sandstone caps. They are reflective of the region not only in the materials used, but also in that they loosely look like mini-mountains in East Tennessee, so to speak.

Children will enjoy them, while parents will like the sand-like material surrounding them for safety purposes in case someone falls or jumps.

The parents – at least those who like historic buildings -- might also like how the materials on these climbing walls look like parts of giant government buildings of old made of stone.

Other interesting features of the park are the eye-catching and randomly patterned ground tile pieces that, with their various colors, carry this asymmetrical look to another step.

There is also a large and flat upper level along Georgia Avenue that has tables and might be a great place for sitting. It seems to be calling for a food truck type business to be located nearby.

That could be a possibility on the corner by 10th Street and Georgia Avenue, which at present does appear to be a little bit of an awkward space, with no view of the stage area. Perhaps it is just designed for coming and going, or to have a place for gathering that does not distract from the stage activities.

Overall, however, the park appears to have passed the test quite well architecturally. Now the city of Chattanooga will have to wait and see if it meets the needs of all the citizenry on the more elusive social basis, too, and if all feel comfortable and welcome there.

* * * * *

Among the architects and designers of the new Miller Park were Spackman Mossop Michaels/Eskew+Dumez+Ripple (A joint venture); WMWA Landscape Architects; March Adams and Associates; and Hefferlin + Kronenberg Architects PLLC. The general contractor was Thomas Brothers Construction.

* * * * *

Note: This is another in a series of stories looking at, analyzing and critiquing Chattanooga’s architectural, urban and pastoral landscape. To see the previous story in the series, read here.

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