Ringer Park
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Ringer Park Public Art Tribute in Boston, MA
Project Summary The Stanley A. Ringer Park Public Art Tribute envisions wayfinding, solar lighting and a public art installation celebrating four cherished community members: Stanley A. Ringer, Brian Honan, Dawnn Jaffier and William Margolin. The project is intended to contribute to the safety of Ringer Park while recognizing the civic and community contributions of the honorees. Summary of general criteria for the project: • Celebrate the honorees with a transformative public art installation • Enhance existing active or passive recreational areas • Design will offer a sense of place • Appropriateness for the site, including scale and safety • Low maintenance, permanent materials • Adhere to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines as appropriate Site Description Stanley A. Ringer Park is a 12.38-acre Olmsted-designed public park nestled between the Allston and Brighton neighborhoods of Boston, MA. The park is adjacent to the West End House Boys and Girls Club and the Boston Public Schools’ Jackson Mann Educational Center. The landscape features grassy rolling hills with stands of trees, a softball field, two basketball courts, tennis courts, and an urban wilds wooded area with hiking trails. The Park further houses a playground with play equipment for children aged toddler to 13+, along with chess tables and a water feature. Ringer Playground is an all ages, family friendly, pet friendly green space with multiple tree shaded areas. Diverse residential communities abut the park. Project Partners The project is a collaborative effort between the City of Boston's E. I. Browne Trust, the Boston Art Commission (BAC), Boston Parks and Recreation, the Boston Police Department – District 14, the Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation and the Ringer Park Crime Watch Group. The Urban Culture Institute facilitated the art selection process. Siting The creative placemaking elements celebrating civic contributions in Ringer Park are envisioned at the main entrances and at the top of the hill: • Markers identify Stanley A. Ringer at the main Allston and Gordon St. entrances. • A feature celebrating Dawnn Jaffier, Brian Honan and William Margolin at the top of the hill. Budget The project is partially funded by the Edward Ingersoll Browne Trust Fund, a public charitable trust administered by the City of Boston Trust Office, and by a matching grant from Harvard University. The total anticipated budget for fabrication and installation is $250,000. |
Process Overview and Schedule of Public Meetings November 14 – December 10, 2016 | Open RFQ Competition The open competition resulted in 129 entries. Following a thorough review by the Ringer Park Public Art Tribute art selection committee, five experienced artists, design and landscape architecture practices from the greater Boston area were invited to develop site-specific schematic proposals: Ted Clausen, Richard Duca, Ground Inc., Ross Miller and Selbert Perkins Design Collaborative (SPDC). During the design development process the public was invited to a series of public forums and provided feedback on the Ringer Park Public Art Tribute. Wednesday, February 1, 11:30 a.m. | CREATIVE DIALOG with Finalist Artists West End House, 105 Allston St., Allston Purpose of the meeting was to provide the 5 finalists with information on the civic/community contributions of Bill Margolin, Brian Honan and Dawnn Jaffier. Wednesday, April 12, AND Thursday, April 13, 6 p.m. | Proposal Presentations Jackson Mann Community Center, 500 Cambridge St., Allston Five artists presented public art proposals celebrating civic contributions by the honorees on two consecutive evenings. Download the meeting flyer. Friday, April 14 – Friday, April 21, 12 a.m. | Public Comment Period The public provided feedback on the five design concepts. Comments gathered by the Urban Culture Institute were shared with the art selection committee for consideration. The proposal review resulted in an invitation to SPDC to further develop its concept. Wednesday, May 17, 6 p.m. | Presentation of Revised Proposal Jackson Mann Community Center, 500 Cambridge St., Allston SPDC developed the winning proposal. Download the meeting flyer. Status The Ringer Park Public Art Tribute Committee has completed the fundraising effort. Fabrication of the design developed by SPDC is underway. Documentation Ringer Park Request for Qualifications Five Ringer Park Finalist Proposals: Ted Clausen Richard Duca Ground Inc. Ross Miller & Mitch Ryerson Selbert Perkins Design Collaborative/SPDC Ringer Park Winning Proposal by SPDC Contact For additional information please email Christina Lanzl. |