Johnson Oak Park and Jettie S. Tisdale Schoolyard

Bridgeport, CT

CLIENT: City of Bridgeport

SiteWorks, with Tom Tavella, worked with TPL on a three-month participatory design process to re-design Johnson Oak Park and the Jettie S. Tisdale Schoolyard in the East End neighborhood of Bridgeport, CT. The design process involved community engagement, workshops, neighborhood meetings, and working closely with Tisdale students. A multi-purpose turf field, outdoor classroom, rain garden, dry stream beds, sports courts, and accessible play events became integral pieces of the student-programmed plans. The East End Neighborhood Revitalization Zone wish list included creating a picnic grove with a green roof pavilion, a dynamic water play feature, and a community garden. The schematic design also managed and infiltrated stormwater on-site, preventing it from entering Bridgeport’s over-taxed combined storm/sewer system. This project marks the first of its kind - a collaboration of the City of Bridgeport and TPL’s Park for People, Bridgeport program. SiteWorks/Tavella produced schematic designs, plans, cost estimates, renderings, and promotional materials for the project.