Civic Space Park

How can a downtown park become a campus commons?

Through a collaborative partnership, the park provides meeting, classroom, recreation, event and open space for ASU downtown campus students as well as workers, residents and visitors

Located in a formerly blighted part of downtown, Civic Space Park is the result of a unique partnership between the City of Phoenix, ASU, and other partners. A city bond election provided funding, in addition to ASU. The park provides a venue to support varied activities, hosting 150,000 visitors throughout the year.

Civic Space consists of extensive lawns, shaded seating areas, an outdoor performance venue, and a renovated historic building with large meeting/classroom spaces and a public café. The park is actively used by a wide variety of people, drawing surrounding residents, students, downtown ofﬁce workers, and visitors from other parts of the city. The park is recognized by the prominent Janet Echelman art installation, which hovers above the park, suspended from four tall pylons and visible from a considerable distance.

Numerous environmentally sensitive features are included in the design, including photovoltaic panels on shade structures, permeable paving, and underground detention tanks for storm drainage that recharges the groundwater.