News 2021: Phillips Avenue Pocket Park Enhancements

Over the past year, Stephanie McGoldrick, faculty member in Interior Architecture + Design, has worked alongside her students to propose solutions for revitalizing a pocket park space in New Bedford.

Over the past year, Stephanie McGoldrick, faculty member in Interior Architecture + Design, has worked alongside her students to propose solutions for revitalizing a pocket park space in New Bedford. The Phillips Avenue Pocket Park has been under scrutiny by local politicians due to unsafe conditions. However, many local individuals, including Stephanie’s community partner the Community Economic Development Center (CEDC) in New Bedford see the park space as a necessity for recreation, respite, and green space which is lacking in this busy area along Acushnet Avenue. Stephanie and her students began by proposing lighting additions which would improve safety and security, as well as shade structures, and interactive elements to engage children and families. Upon receiving a Wicked Cool Places Grant coordinated by New Bedford Creative and funded by the City of New Bedford’s Arts, Culture and Tourism Fund, Stephanie purchased new solar-powered lighting and worked with her students to install the lighting in Fall 2021. The addition of interactive elements and perhaps a future shade structure is still underway. One of the values of this project and others that Stephanie has pursued in New Bedford is that they do not target a specific group of individuals; they are meant to improve the safety and enjoyment of these spaces for all community members. Students have appreciated the opportunity to gain real-life design experiences and are proud to make an impact in their community. The following UMassD IA+D students should be recognized for their participation in this project: Isaac Ramos, Caroline Gresh, Kyla Ellis, Amanda Horne, & Molly O’Donnell (2020 graduates) and Axel Jeremie, Alexis Canady & Jay Weygand (IA+D Senior Students).