Vanderbilt University was recognized by the Nashville Civic Design Center for its participation in PARK(ing) Day 2018. The university won the “Best Use of Space” award and “Golden Phone” award for the most text-in votes by visitors.
Hosted by the Division of Administration and supported by the Nashville Civic Design Center, Vanderbilt’s contribution to PARK(ing) Day featured 18 parking spaces located at the corner of Broadway and 20th Avenue that were transformed into a temporary park highlighting sustainable features and materials for the community to enjoy.
“I am so proud of this team,” said Eric Kopstain, vice chancellor for administration. “Their creativity and hard work paid off and really showcased what Vanderbilt is capable of. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next year.”
The team of Division of Administration staff and Vanderbilt students, led by program coordinator Ashley Majewski, began their planning this summer and used their respective areas of expertise to create and implement innovative ideas and site plans for the pop-up “parklet.”
Emphasizing aspects of FutureVU and its guiding principles, the park included local and sustainable features such as a solar panel demonstration, an umbrella installation using bamboo from campus, a succulent garden and a water feature using captured storm water.
The design and planning team included:
- Laura Barker – Plant Operations
- Zac Dupwe – Vanderbilt University Real Estate
- Andrea George – Sustainability and Environmental Management Office
- Jason Hall – Parking Services
- Chelsea Hamilton – Sustainability and Environmental Management Office
- Alejah Love – Undergraduate student
- Ashley Majewski – Office of the Vice Chancellor of Administration
- Paul Marshall – Campus Planning
- Danny McKissack – Plant Operations
- Mike Meadows – Plant Operations
- Maryam Muhammad – Undergraduate student
- Leshuan Oliver – Public Safety
- Kara Parker – Professional fellow
- Mark Petty – Plant Operations
- Ryan Storey – Plant Operations
- Corwin Thomas – Public Safety
- Jimmy Thompson – Plant Operations
- Alex Valnoski – Division of Communications
- Robert Waits – Campus Planning
- Maren Wilder – Undergraduate student
- Lindsay Williams – Undergraduate student
- Paul Young – Plant Operations
Additional staff, students and campus partners, including the Plant Operations Move Crew, Vanderbilt Catering and the Vanderbilt Recreation and Wellness Center and Nashville vendor Las Paletas, helped make the event a success. Vanderbilt’s participation in PARK(ing) Day is part of its pop-up event series held on campus to activate outdoor spaces.
