HUGO DOCK - 2018
JACOB ABBEY
This redesign of Hugo Park in central Winnipeg was part of a design studio ran by Jean Trottier in my Bachelor of Environmental Design's final year. This studio sought to design attractive dock locations that will boost interest and use of the Winnipeg river taxi. In a city that treats the river like its back lane, the goal was to connect the people back to the water.
HUGO DOCK - GATEWAY
INQUIRY
Located in Winnipeg, MB the site of Hugo Dock lies on Wellington Crescent adjacent to an Assinaboine River bend. It is located in the Corydon district of Winnipeg, across the river from Armstrong’s Point, a historically affluent gated neighborhood.
Present day Hugo Park is a long axial pathway that leads straight from the street to river. On one side there is a parking lot for an adjacent apartment complex, and on the other is a mid rise residential building/parkade. About halfway through the park stands a red steel arch marking the threshold into the more natural space below. Past this threshold lies a long set of stairs, landing next to the entrance to the dock area. To the north-east, directly adjacent to the landing, is a topographical shelf that is home to a riparian forest.
WINNIPEG, MB
SITE PHOTOS
DEVELOPMENT
The goal in the design process was to generate more use for the site. Hugo Park already being an established river taxi dock, it generated some use already. Having this baseline, I set out to attract more people to the park through additional activities and uses.
Initially I wanted to connect people across the river to the site via a physical connection like a bridge. This idea was deemed unrealistic due to the heritage and likely resistance of the connected neighborhood, Armstrong's Point. Connection during the summer was ruled out, but there was still the winter! The city of Winnipeg plows a stretch of the Assinaboine River from The Forks heading west. Conveniently, the plows stop at Hugo Dock. This creates the potential for the site to be a hub for winter activity in Winnipeg, a link connecting The Forks, the Corydon Cultural area, and the Historic Armstrong's Point. Seizing this potential I decided to create a park that pulls people from the bars and restaurants of Corydon towards the river. I would achieve this through warming spaces, recreational areas, food, and beautiful riverside scenes. At Armstrong's Point a new river access point would be created at the end of an existing road. I had particular interest in the wooded area just north of the axial park. The riparian shelf there was relatively clear, which I saw as an opportunity to invite riverside exploration.
DESIGN SITE
CONCEPT ENTRANCE SKETCH
The design of this park was an evolutionary process, tweaking and adding to the existing park until a new one had emerged. Throughout I learned to have more confidence in my design work; to make bold changes and not be afraid to wipe the slate clean. But at the same time I persevered to protect existing vegetation, accepting its survival as a challenge.
FOREST WALK SKETCH
RIVER IN WINTER SKETCH
CANTEEN SKETCH
DESIGN
Hugo dock is now separated into two distinct areas: an upper urban plateau and a playground by the river. A strong threshold, indicated by the existing red archway, divides these areas. The urban condition is being extended towards the river in an attempt to draw the cities attention towards its more natural state.
ENTERING THE PARK
FOREST LOOKING IN
THE RIVER IN WINTER
CROSSING THE THRESHOLD
HUGO PARK
WELLINGTON CRESCENT
ASSINABOINE RIVER
DESCRIPTION
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The urban plateau is characterized by the use of dark brick paver, wrought iron fencing, precise/maintained planting, and red brick finishing. In contrast, the river playground is characterized by crushed gravel walkways, wood mulch for ground padding, and wooden play structures.
The urban area is meant to feel an extension of the street, making the transition from the street into the park feel public and natural. The individual is drawn off the street by the visible activity of the restaurant and outdoor patio area(1). This initial attention grab may draw in the passerby, facilitating continued exploration of the site.
The red archway stimulates curiosity to further explore the park. Once through this threshold, a riverside playground shrouded by trees is revealed(2). Wooden structures and loose paver provide a relief from the urban setting only meters away. Once fully immersed in the river area, one is found at a crossroad; Stay put to enjoy the playground(2), to the right, a walkway leading into the riparian forest(3), or steadfast to a staircase to the river's edge(4).
In the summer this space will fill with children enjoying treats from the canteen up above, while playing in the grounds below. The river taxi services the dock; and the outdoor seating near the restaurant provides a comfortable place to wait and socialize. During the winter season the site would be primarily a destination and entry point for the river skating trail. The restaurant will cater to people throughout the year, to accommodate both winter and summer visitors.
GATE
CANTEEN
PLAY AREA
SEATING AREA
RESTAURANT
BIKE RACK
SPRING FLOOD LEVEL
SUMMER WATER LEVEL
WARMING HUT/ VIEWING DECK
URBAN | RIVER
ASSINABOINE RIVER
PLAN
SKATING ACCESS
ASH WOOD PLAY STRUCTURES
DOCK
WARMING HUT/ROOF
RIVER VIEW
BRICK
WOOD MULCH
PLAY STRUCTURE/SWINGS
RESTAURANT
SEATING AREA
PRIVACY HEDGE
BRICK
HONEYLOCUST ROW
FORSYTHIA/JUNIPER PLANTING
COBBLE PAVER
GRAVEL PAVER
PARKING
LOT
WROUGHT
IRON FENCE
GATE
WELLINGTON CRESCENT
PLANTS
BUR OAK
Quercus Macrocarpa
Mature Height: 24 m
Mature Spread: 18 m
Used as shade tree on the south of main path next to existing ash tree. To be used to replace ash tree in case of death.
HONEY LOCUST
Gleditsia triacanthos 'Harve'
Mature Height: 13 m
Mature Spread: 11 m
Used in mass planting in upper area. Chosen to mimic street trees, their hardy nature, and yellow fall colour.
GOLDEN FORSYTHIA
Forsythia x 'Northern Gold'
Mature Height: 2.5 m
Mature Spread: 1.75 m
Used as back layer of mass planting in upper area. Chosen for its brilliant yellow flowers.
HEDGE COTONEASTER
Cotoneaster lucidus
Mature Height: 2.5 m
Mature Spread: Prune to 1 m
Used in front of fence as a privacy screen along south side of upper area. Chosen for its affinity for hedge plantings.
HORIZONTAL JUNIPER
Juniperus sabina 'Buffalo'
Mature Height: 0.3 m
Mature Spread: 1.5 m
Used as the front later of mass planting in the upper area. Chosen for its low mature height and ever green nature.
MATERIALS
"Used Red"
Source: Rodger's Red Bricks
Recycled red bricks are used in the construction of the warming hut and restaurant. recycled bricks are specifically to match the neighborhood architecture.
Brick
Cobble Paver
"Ebony Cobble"
Source: Barkman Concrete
Dark grey concrete cobble bricks are used in the upper area as a paved surface for pedestrians.
Cedar Wood
Source: Windsor Plywood
The main playground structures are made from treated cedar wood. Chosen for its resistance to rot and weathering.
New Material Play Structures
Gravel Paver
3/4" Down Crushed Limestone
Source: Reimer Soils
Pathways in the lower area consist of crushed limestone.
Ash Logs
Source: Trees downed by EAB
Peripheral play structures are constructed from local ash trees killed by the emerald ash borer. In order to resist rot all ash logs will be elevated by treated cedar supports.
Play Structures
Wood Mulch
Ash Wood Mulch
Source: Trees downed by EAB
Impact absorbent ash wood mulch is used underneath the play structures on site.
CEDAR PLAY STRUCTURE SCHEMATICS
ASH PLAY STRUCTURE SCHEMATICS
