Successful Outdoor Revitalization

Our Projects

Danbury Library Plaza

The urban center is the plaza - Danbury, CT

The Challenge

An antiquated plaza was the entrance to the Danbury Library. The space had several public hazards of deteriorating walks and steps. The Library had been renovated after a major fire and the plaza did not provide an adequate introduction to a new state of the art facility. The plaza was at the major intersection of Danbury’s Main Street and provided a poor introduction to the city.

The Plan

A strolling park that provides a respite from the Main Street activity
Areas for gathering, seating, relaxing and playing.
A new entrance for the Danbury Library
The incorporation of the historical features including the old City Hall wall and the sculpture of Sybil Ludington.
A garden that provides seasonal interest and diversity
A place for Library events including storytelling hour and performances
A visual and physical respite from the downtown activity and congestion
A place to celebrate Danbury

The Results

The park has won a design award, and has become the heart of the city. It is used for many community activities and everyday activities by Danbury Library patrons and City of Danbury residents.

Elmwood Park — Danbury, CT

Elmwood Park revitalized as a strolling park along Main Street, Danbury

City of Danbury 9/11 Memorial within Elmwood Park

Wide view of Elmwood Park along Main Street

Town green in Danbury revitalized by Didona Associates

The Challenge

Originally called Fountain Park and then later Elmwood Park, this small urban park was a centerpiece of Danbury’s life and culture from the late 1890’s through the 1950’s. Since the 1960’s, the park had deteriorated into two mud filled traffic islands due to lack of maintenance and road realignments. The challenge was to create a design that revitalized the park, celebrated the history of the area yet functioned within the context of its current configuration.

The Plan

A strolling park that provides a respite from the Main Street activity
Historical research indicated location of the original fountain and general configuration
The intent was to honor the history of the place not provide a historical restoration
Create a gateway to Main Street
Create a four season planting display
Create areas for seating and gathering

The Results

The park has won two awards, and has been called “The Precious Treasure Of Danbury.” All work was done within the budget. The park has been featured as an iconic place of Danbury in several marketing materials for the city including the Chamber of Commerce. It became the home for the City of Danbury 9/11 Memorial.

Village of Georgetown in Western CT

New look for Georgetown town center designed by Didona Associates

Plan for the Village of Georgetown streetscape and public space

Street life in a new town center - Georgetown

Respite in a new town center - Georgetown

The Challenge

HVCEO provided Redding with a grant to create a Streetscape Enhancement and Traffic Plan for Central Georgetown as a first step towards improving the downtown of Georgetown.

Divided by two state highways
A village that spans four towns
The downtown is entirely in Redding
Never recovered from loss of main industry
The abandoned wire mill is being planned privately and is a brownfield
An eclectic collection of structures
Lack of parking
The Main Street Right of Way is very narrow
Two major waterways flow through the downtown
Two property owners do not want any change

The Plan

Traffic calming techniques
New public spaces
New pedestrian circulation
New parking plan
New trail system
New environmental plan
New design guidelines
Phasing and implementation plan
Funding and grant strategies

The Results

The Town has received a State grant of $500,000 to create detailed implementation plans for concurrent development of Plan Phases 1 & 2 and a Norwalk River Watershed Initiative grant of $50,000 for cleanup of the Gilbert & Bennett Brook within the guidelines of the vision plan. The resulting park won an award from the CT Urban Forestry Council.

Downtown New Fairfield

Downtown New Fairfield gathering space and gateway plan

Downtown New Fairfield streetscape connection to the senior center

The Challenge

A downtown with no identity, sprawling with little opportunity for the pedestrian. The first task was to develop a downtown master plan through extensive community outreach and analysis. Then, various phases of the plan were implemented including the streetscape in front of town hall and the streetscape connection to the senior center.

60 Acres divided by two state roads
Individual strip shopping centers
No pedestrian access
Major destinations including town hall and post office
Limited community support
Limited financial commitment from town

The Plan

A new pedestrian pathway plan connecting activity centers
Design guidelines
Connections to open space with trails
Public gathering spaces and parks
Traffic calming techniques
Wayfinding plan
Gateway plan
Phasing and implementation plan
Budgets and funding plan
Creation of a Beautification Committee

The Results

Funding for the town hall project was obtained through a TEA grant. Smaller projects such as tree planting, welcome signs, beautification planting, flagpoles, gateway sign, and benches have been funded by smaller grants and volunteers. Another piece of the pedestrian paths connecting town hall to the senior center was installed using ARRA money. Private developers are using the design guidelines to develop and improve their properties. The town’s bond rating was upgraded as a direct result of these improvements.