Brent C.
Yelp
Green spaces are a precious thing in the Phoenix area. Not only because we live in the middle of a desert, but because the astronomical growth of the valley is driving a development culture that threatens many of our green spaces. Cash strapped local governments could easily sell these spaces to a developer to make a quick buck, particularly in the rapidly growing urban core of Downtown. Not too many years ago, Phoenix's old Patriots Square Park suffered this fate as the city sold the park to a developer and built what is now Cityscape. Not everyone was sad to see Patriots Park go (many thought it was hideous) and many (myself included) are happy with how the Cityscape project has turned out. But with Patriots Square gone, Downtown was in need of a new more vibrant green space for the community. In the early 2000s, the City of Phoenix got to work on purchasing a number of old dilapidated structures on a plot of land between Polk Street, 1st Avenue, Central Avenue, and Fillmore Street. The intent was to create a new green space for the masses. Completed in 2009, this plot of land is now Civic Space Park.
Of the structures the City of Phoenix bought, two were preserved and rehabilitated. The old Downtown US Post Office was saved and still functions as a post office for the public, for ASU Downtown students, and also acts as a gathering space with offices for a number of ASU organizations. The AE England Building, built in 1926 and originally home to a Downtown auto dealership, has also been restored and serves as an art gallery, an events venue with a beautiful ballroom to boot, and there's even a Fair Trade Cafe coffee shop at the basement level of the building. The remaining spaces of the park are green spaces with various solar powered shade structures, a mini amphitheater with a main stage just behind the England building, as well as expansive grass lawns with trees providing natural shade in spots. When the weather is perfect, its not unusual to see ASU Downtown students studying or playing pickup games of frisbee or football down here. You'll also see a number of Downtown residents walking their dogs through here. And there are a number of public events held at the park from concerts, to nighttime public movie viewings, as well as arts and culinary festivals.
And yes, there's that goofy structure in the middle that almost immediately gets everyone's attention (particularly at night). For the record, that funnel shaped objected that sits above the park and lights up in blue, purple and red hues at night is a $2.5 million art sculpture called "Her Secret is Patience". According to the artist, the structure is meant to encompass the movements and colors of the valley winds, the clouds, and cacti. It's been a source of debate, mystery, and even controversy ever since it was erected. Some think its beautiful, some think its ugly, some people have even told me its sexually suggestive. Whatever your opinion, you can't miss it and it leaves no doubt that your in Civic Space Park.
If you're looking for an excuse to come down here, I would recommend coming down on movie nights. Movie nights are typically held during the cool weather months, are free to the public and the Downtown nighttime skyline provides a beautiful backdrop. There are also events held here often for First Fridays as the AE England building often opens up their doors for art displays and you might even catch a food truck or two parked outside. I recently had the pleasure of coming here for a race and democracy discussion put on by ASU at the beautiful AE England ballroom. Check the Civic Space Park Facebook page for the latest upcoming events as they do update it frequently.
Downtown Phoenix needs more spaces like this. Admittedly the price of land Downtown has gone up significantly since the City bought up the land to create Civic Space Park, so securing more green spaces like this going forward won't be easy. But this park has been a huge boost for Downtown as a gathering space, as a hedge against the heat island effects of the concrete jungle, and as a source of pride for the neighborhood. The march of progress will continue, but the pride of a great neighborhood park is frankly something money just can't buy.
