LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT'S ROLE:

The Landscape Architect collaborated closely with multiple Clients, the Architect, the City of Frisco and General Contractor from design conception through implementation. The concept of an 'Olmstedian' garden in a ballpark setting was studied by the Landscape Architect and Architect. This led to a powerful connection between the planned perimeter urban development and stadium. The Landscape Architect designed unifying site elements such as plazas, garden concourse areas, paving and circulation systems, site drainage and pedestrian amenities. In addition, the Landscape Architect prepared all construction documentation including hardscape details, a sub-surface drainage system, grading plans, tree lighting, plant material layout and irrigation design. A plant availability list was also developed and all plant material were selected and secured. Throughout the construction and completion of the project, the Landscape Architect performed construction administration. Post­construction maintenance guidelines and standards were also provided.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

A seventy-four acre multi-use master planned development located at the confluence of the Dallas North Tollway and State Highway 121 in Frisco, Texas, this project is a unique partnership between public and private entities. Located on the north end of the development is the Dr Pepper StarCenter, practice facility of the Dallas Stars and home of the Texas Tornado. The centerpiece of the development is the Dr Pepper / Seven Up Ballpark, home of the Frisco Roughriders. The ballpark is a ten thousand five hundred seat bowl with a ring of pavilions connected by pedestrian walkways.

The program's objective was to:

§               Create a 'park within a ballpark'

§               Create an open-aired roofless concourse, able to circulate thousands of users in a short amount of time, but intimate enough to provide an informal experience during the baseball off-season months

§               Address circulation, scale, spaces for large and small groups of people, shade, shadow and drainage

§               Utilize alternate permeable paving surfaces that are informal yet low maintenance and durable

§               Plant specimen shade trees to provide summer shade and a perennial/evergreen understory mix to provide seasonal color without the operational expense of

§               annual change-outs

§               Design lighting for the concourse without the use of pedestrian scaled decorative

§               pole fixtures

PROGRAM LIMITATIONS:

Designing an open-air garden concourse in lieu of a covered and paved one was the major limitation for the landscape architect. Working closely with the City of Frisco and Owner, numerous mock-up panels of the decomposed granite paths were constructed. Establishing the fact that there were alternatives to paved surfaces for pathways, the landscape architect proved that decomposed granite would suffice as a viable walking surface for the lifetime of the ballpark. Additional limitations were a limited budget, an aggressive schedule, a flat rocky site and a complex system of underground utilities and tunnels.

PROGRAM SCOPE and INTENT:

The Landscape Architect's role was to create a park-like setting within a 'turn-of-the­century' ballpark. The creation of a sequence of spaces lead the user trom pavilion to park and trom park to stadium seating, providing a twelve month oasis in a high density urban development.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY:

Adjacent to the planned high density mixed use development tracts, a green oasis was created within an urban environment. Based upon the idea of a 'Olmstedian' park, the concourse was imagined as an informal connection to the pavilions and stadium bowl.

The main entry at Home Plate is predominantly specialized paving for large groups of people while the concourse paths are compacted decomposed granite. Red Oak are along the perimeter of the ballpark and penetrate into the outfield concourse area, providing shade for the grass-sloped bleachers. Espalier Magnolia are used to screen the stairways leading to the upper floors. Along the decomposed granite path, informal masses of specimen Live Oak, Cedar Elm, and Chinese Pistache provide shade during the heat of the summer and frame views to the ballfield. Understory accents of Redbud and River Birch define entry points to stadium seating and exterior party decks. Dwarf Yaupon Holly define the edges of the trail and circulation patterns while Pfitzer Juniper and Dwarf Wax Myrtle are used for informal screening of condensing units, air handlers and definition of the outer edge of the park. Large masses of Daffodils, Daylilies, Iris, Salvia Greggii, Italian Jasmine, Dwarf Crepe Myrtle and Encore Azalea provide color throughout the season.

IMP ACT AND SIGNIFICANCE:

The project is an outstanding example of how the collaboration of design professionals and multiple clients can create a successful project. Located centrally to the development, the ballpark provides a space for current and future users to enjoy beyond the baseball season. This project has generated a flurry of development including new hotel, condominium, office and retail projects as well as a new fountain plaza currently under construction. A centerpiece and gathering area for a growing community, the Dr Pepper / Seven Up Ballpark provides Frisco's citizens with a venue to congregate, not often found in high density urban developments.