Public spaces can have profound community impact. A thoughtfully designed space can engage residents and visitors, while also improving safety and catalyzing economic activity. For years, Tallahassee residents have advocated to improve our downtown public spaces.
The Bicentennial Square project seeks to kickstart this revitalization. As a member of the 2024 Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI) volunteer Catalyst team leading this project, I am excited to participate in transforming the underutilized area next to City Hall into a vibrant park.
KCCI has generated several Tallahassee placemaking projects including “Discovery” play area in Cascades Park, “Crosswalks to Classrooms,” the iconic “TLH sculpture,” and “Red Hills Rhythm” musical park. These projects have resulted in significant positive economic impact and community engagement.
Since beginning the Bicentennial Square project in January to help celebrate Tallahassee’s bicentennial anniversary, our team has volunteered more than 2,000 hours. We have received input from more than 450 community members and met with community partners, local businesses, and city staff to develop a park vision plan.