10 Great American Public Spaces
What the APA Says: It won for its “welcoming design and public accessibility, unique design integrating the park’s two basic elements, land and water, and its role in the successful revitalization of downtown Charleston.”
Why They’re Right: Though a Great Lawn invites group activity, Waterfront Park was intended to remind Charleston of its place in the natural world—its proximity to the Copper River and the harbor, and the borderline between civilization and the wild. Pathways meander along the river; a grand avenue of trees passes smaller, more intimate garden spaces; walkways intersect with quiet piers jutting over the water; and then, as the path gets farther from the city streets, it runs alongside salt marshes. Wading birds, porpoises, and working boats dominate the view on the water, but a slight turn brings you back to Charleston’s charming architecture and bustle.
10 Great American Public Spaces
