On the heels of its centennial anniversary (and the new evening lighting fixtures), the Knight Memorial Community Library gardens may soon get a new look.
Landscape Architect Adam Anderson discussed his in-progress designs and solicited feedback from community members and stakeholders at a meeting at the Library the evening of Feb. 27. Supported by a grant from Bloom RI, the project will likely roll out in the coming years, and there will be further opportunity for community input and iteration.
Attendees discussed their ideas about community gardening spaces, incorporating art into the fabric of the landscape, and creating opportunities for engagement and play outside of the library building.
The Sankofa World Market, a weekly farmers market coordinated by the West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation, takes place Wednesday afternoons from May through October on the front lawn of the library. Anderson emphasized the importance of preserving that space, and also encouraging other events — such as performances or concerts — to take place in front of the library.
Attendees also discussed how the landscaping could integrate native plants and serve as a connective force for the local ecosystem, including pollinators, birds, and other critters. One participant mentioned that the Steel Yard has planted butterfly milkweed and spotted bee balm, for example, which has attracted local wildlife.
For the space behind the library, Anderson included sketches of “discovery gardens,” which could include different types of ecosystems or serve as outdoor classrooms. The design aims to be flexible, adapting to the various needs of nearby residents and the library’s programming.
One participant also raised the importance of tree canopy, referencing the PVD Tree Plan, and that the library is located in a tree equity focus area.
Some folks were concerned about the long-term maintenance of the space, and strategies for ensuring overall sustainability of the landscaping so that it won’t become additional work for library staff.
The Knight Memorial Library was designed by Edward Lippincott Tilton and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was completed in 1924 on undeveloped land that had belonged to the textile industrialist Robert Knight (1826-1912) since 1869.
At present, the landscaping in front of the building includes grass, a few trees, and some shrubs in the warmer months. Anderson envisions incorporating some hardscape and some structures into the landscaping as well to make the space more inviting and exciting to passersby.
By Katy Pickens / Planning & Preservation Writer / kpickens@ppsri.org