Creation of a new Park and Mixed-Use Building on the former Porter Paints site (PP).
LMHA seized the opportunity to purchase the 5.74-acre Porter Paints property when it became available in 2018. With frontage along Muhammad Ali Boulevard, and position next to the redeveloped Beecher site across 13th Street, it provides the perfect location for a new, accessible, ADA-compliant park to replace the 3.59-acre Old Walnut Park which was formerly located at Roy Wilkins Avenue (9th Street) and Muhammad Ali. The new park’s design reflects the needs and desires expressed during the planning process held with residents and community stakeholders this past year.
Planned park amenities include a:
- Accessible playground,
- Multi-use sports court,
- Tennis court,
- U-12 soccer and football field,
- Outdoor exercise stations,
- Splashpad,
- Walking path,
- Areas for games such as chess and ping pong, and
- Parking.
The park will feature a state-of-the-art pavilion with an outdoor kitchen, picnic tables, storage for equipment and restrooms.
To further the community’s vision of recreating Muhammad Ali Boulevard into the thriving arts and cultural corridor of its Walnut Street’s halcyon days, frontage along Ali has been reserved for a 15,000 square foot mixed-use building to be developed in conjunction with a partner. The pavilion and multi-use building will be connected by a plaza designed to host a variety of events, including markets, family gatherings, and performances. Metro Parks is also committed to operating the new park.
