A view of the Providence community enjoying Grant’s Block Park, an 8,000-square-foot open space oasis in downtown Providence, RI.

An aerial view of the completed park shows three distinct gathering spaces: a dog park in the foreground, followed by a larger open space for public events, and a more intimate brick and cobblestone courtyard with bistro lights for chairs, tables, and conversation.

BEFORE: A view of the project site from the opposite corner of Westminster Street, before construction began.

AFTER: A view of the park entrance from the opposite corner of Westminster Street after construction. Cedar benches were installed on the inside perimeter and street-side exterior of the park to encourage community engagement.

DURING: Site conditions included the presence of significant demolition debris just below the surface. Here crews are removing rebar from historic building foundations on the site.

DURING: The tight urban site and limited laydown areas required carefully timed deliveries. Safety and construction mitigation plans were an important factor for the adjacent and active city streets, sidewalks, and operating businesses surrounding the site.

DURING: Blocking, which frames landscaping beds, is complete and ready to be clad with Northern White Cedar to create inviting bench seating for park patrons.

AFTER: A view of the park from a similar angle highlights the finished cedar benches, and the addition of trees, flowering perennial plants, and shrubs.

The 1,736-square foot dog park is open every day from 7AM to 7PM (9PM during summer hours) and has played a central role in increasing pedestrian traffic in the neighborhood.

A canine guest enjoys the public water fountain on a hot summer day.

Entrances to the park were inspired by traditional Japanese Torii gates, reinterpreted in a contemporary Yankee context.

Overhead string lighting creates a sense of intimacy above the courtyard. This was added as part of our scope along with perimeter lighting and improved lighting in the adjacent parking lot.

AFTER: An inviting view of the newly completed park from Union Street. Cedar benches were thoughtfully placed along the exterior perimeter as well to welcome the community in.

Park rules ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Owner Buff Chace and Brett Smiley, the Mayor of Providence, at the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the new park.

A vintage streetscape of Westminster Street (undated) shows the former WT Grant’s Department Store, for which the park is now named.

A recent weekend street fair brings the park to life, as seen in this aerial view, fulfilling its design purpose of fostering community.