Elmer Thomas Park Phase 1

While I was designing an Aquatic Center for the City of Lawton in Elmer Thomas Park, we discussed future expansion options for the aquatic center and how it could be integrated into the surrounding park. The City liked the initial idea of an enhanced park, so we were hired to develop a master plan for the park. We met with city leaders, community stakeholders, and citizens to understand how they currently use the park and what is missing. For phase one of the master plan, we focused on the area around Lake Helen. We developed a program that would serve the whole community with an array of functions and spaces. We focused on creating ways for park-goers to access the water and the area around the lake, and on elements that would reinforce the park’s current events and attract new visitors to the city. The project list includes an amphitheater, boardwalk, boathouse, large sculptural bridge, interactive sculpture, city monument sign, lake trail, waterfall adventure trail, food truck plaza, and a fitness tower.

We focused on delivering high-quality buildings and features that are beautiful, constructible, and easy to maintain. We developed an architectural language that would work with the three other projects that were currently being built or designed in the park by my team. Conceptually, we used local materials and building forms that speak to the locus and culture. We used stone in multiple ways that speak to the geological nature of the area.