***NEW DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES - MAY 17, 2010***
 
The Designing the Parks bicoastal conference raised the level of discourse about the role, significance, and meaning of parks in public life and about the importance of defining a tangible future for park planning and design. As a result, six design principles emerged as the outcome of this broad-based international dialog. The principles are:
 
Park planning and design must demonstrate:
1. Reverence for place;
2. Engagement of all people;
3. Expansion beyond traditional boundaries;
4. Advancement of sustainability;
5. Informed decision-making;
6. An integrated research, planning, design, and review process.

 
A significant next step in this initiative is to seek and recognize existing exemplary examples of these design principles through the Denver Service Center Design Awards Program. The goal of this program is twofold: First, we want to recognize, highlight, and publish planning and design solutions that best illustrate the principles as they emerged from the conferences. Second, we intend to build a web-based library of outstanding examples; through identification of tangible planning efforts and completed physical designs that characterize these principles, park managers and users will better understand their application and value. Finally, we anticipate that entries to the first few awards cycles will be critical in helping us further refine the guiding principles and begin to inform guidelines that help park managers, planners, and designers implement the principles in a practical, comprehensive, holistic way.
 
 
The proposed awards program is intended to reach both park planning and design communities. This call for entries is extended internationally and to parks and public open spaces that are administered by all levels of government.
 
Entry Categories:
The awards program seeks to recognize quality examples of the principles that are demonstrated through Master Plans, Design Guidelines, Building Design, Site Design, and Transportation Design. Submissions must demonstrate the application of these principles using innovative and sensitive strategies. Parks of all sizes and scales are eligible, including but not limited to recreational parks, historical parks, nature reserves, and park systems.

 
Master Plans
Master Plans must exhibit exceptional land based planning that clearly illustrates innovative thought consistent with the principles. Plans must be applicable to a specific park or public open space and address all aspects of physical land planning. Entries must be plans that qualify as adopted or approved by the governing agency for the designated area.
 
Design Guidelines
Guidelines must focus on a specific park, public open space, or park system and provide solid examples and direction of how to preserve or build new infrastructure. Entries must be guidelines that qualify as adopted or approved by the governing agency for the designated area.
 
Building Design
Building projects must be complete and open for use. Entries may be for new construction or historic preservation projects. Historic preservation projects must clearly differentiate between before and after conditions.
 
Site Design
Site projects must be complete and open. Entries may be for new areas or restored landscapes. Restoration projects must clearly differentiate between before and after conditions.
 
Transportation Design

Transportation projects must be complete, open and operational. Entries must focus on public circulation that represents these principles.
 
Criteria
 
All submittals will be judged on the following criteria:
 
• Leadership and innovation demonstrated in the application of principles.
• Creativity and sensitivity demonstrated in the application of principles.
• Number of principles illustrated.
• Complexity of park or open space problem solved.
• Compliance with entry requirements.
 
Jury
 
Jury will include a multidisciplinary, international mix of design and planning professionals, professors, park managers, community leaders, and policy makers. Check back for additional updates and the full list of jurors.
 
Time Frame

Mail submissions must be postmarked by May 17, 2010.  Entries will be juried in early June. Awards will be announced by the beginning of July.
 
For further information, see FAQs/Entry Details