Plantings & Trees

What We Heard:

• Preserve the square’s iconic, mature canopy trees.
• Begin planning for the next generation of canopy trees and plant new trees.
• Interest in plantings to buffer the experience inside the square from the streets without sacrificing a porous, open feel and views in and out of the square.
• Maintain some open, flexible lawn space.
• Interest in use of native plants, and a richer, more layered planting design (including flowering and seasonal interest), where appropriate.

Draft Concept Plan Proposal: The preservation of existing trees (and their critical root zones) is a top priority. The design is intentionally responsive and flexible to these important features. Planted islands protect existing trees and provide space for new ones. Curb extensions at the edge of the square and the surrounding streets provide additional space to incorporate street trees on all sides. The proposal adds over 100 trees to the square and surrounding streets.

The planting design balances the open quality of the square today while selectively incorporating areas for shrub and groundcover planting, to add textural and seasonal interest to the experience of the square. The plant palette will respond to sun and shade, moisture conditions, and important views. The Draft Concept Plan maximizes open lawn for flexible use, which was prioritized by the community. Along Hargett Street, planted areas with curb cuts allow for capture and treatment of stormwater runoff. Within the square, the historic creek alignment, which is damp and often wet, is expressed through planting that responds to those conditions.

Hargett Street Design

What We Heard:

• Martin Street and Hargett Street are unique and do not require an identical design.
• Add a midblock crossing for pedestrians on Hargett Street between the square and the new City Hall.
• Activate the park edge with smaller pockets of seating and gathering opportunities.

The Draft Concept Plan Proposal: A more generous sidewalk experience, with an extended out curb edge and new furnishings and lighting. A raised, mid-block crossing is added, with different paving materials, to create a safe pedestrian connection between the new City Hall and Nash Square. Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) and new planting along the Hargett Street edge is added to increase shade and extend the feel of the park. Accessible parking is maintained and the street will remain open to vehicular and bus traffic.

NC Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial

What We Heard:

• Respect for the memorial’s purpose and history within the square.
• Consider alternative locations for the memorial to impove ease of access for maintenance and ceremonies.
• Improve capacity for adding new names to the memorial into the future.

Draft Concept Plan Proposal: In collaboration with the North Carolina Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation, we propose relocating the memorial to a dedicated "memorial grove" space at the North end of the Square, along the Hargett Street edge. Proposed designs work around existing trees to create a plaza for the "Heroism & Sacrifice" sculpture. Plans propose to expand space for names of honorees, add seating, and incorporation of the existing illustrations and flagpoles. The space should feel devoted to the memorial and peaceful while still connecting with the rest of the experience of Nash Square.

Martin Street Design

What We Heard:

• Martin Street and Hargett Street are unique and do not require an identical design.
• Prioritize the pedestrian experience on Martin Street and design for traffic calming.

The Draft Concept Plan Proposal: A more generous sidewalk experience, with an extended out curb edge and new furnishings and lighting. New tree planting on both sides of Martin street increases shade and creates a stronger identity. The new “Civic Steps”, incorporate the existing slope of Martin Street provide new space for gathering that activate the park edge.

Corners, Entrances & Park Circulation

What We Heard:

• Increase pedestrian safety and slow traffic with curb extensions (a.k.a., bump-outs) at the corners.
• Create welcoming entrances that include more seating and shade.
• Balance direct access with a meandering experience getting into the Square.
• Pathways and places that support everyday movement through the park and opportunities to linger, sit, and socialize.
• Provide a variety of seating/gathering options.
• Balance wider paths with expanded areas for gathering with quieter, individual moments.

Draft Concept Plan Proposal: Paved plazas and planted islands create welcoming and open entrances into the square while preserving existing trees and providing space for new ones. New seating, signage, and lighting are incorporated at each corner. The design of each corner is slightly varied to best respond to the site conditions at each location. 

The circle path is historically significant to Nash Square across eras. Plans expand this path to support community use with new seating, open views across the square, space on flat ground for small groups to gather, and new garden areas and canopy trees.

The Park Center

What We Heard:

• Support for an expanded, flexible central space.
• Enthusiasm for a multi-purpose water feature, but some wanted to better understand maintenance requirements.
• Interest in relocating the North Carolina Fire Fighters Memorial, but wanted to understand where it would move.

Draft Concept Plan Proposal: With the North Carolina Fire Fighters Memorial relocated, the center of the square becomes a new destination. The center is expanded to serve a wider range of audiences, including day-to-day use and small-scale programming. It is supported with a variety of seating (two-sided benches with views in and out and cafe tables / chairs) and new canopy trees for added shade.

A new multi-purpose water feature at the center is designed to be flexible throughout the seasons, with a shallow pool that reflects the canopy and sky. In hotter months, small jets will bring a playful, cooling element. The water feature will also have the ability to drain, allowing it to function as a small stage or outdoor classroom.

Park Signage & Public Art

What We Heard:

• Look for opportunities to incorporate public art.
• Interest in the history of the square and surrounding area and how its unique history can be interpreted or highlighted via art.
• Recognition that Nash Square is an important connection between downtown and the Warehouse District.

Draft Concept Plan Proposal: Identify the square with signage at the two corners oriented towards vehicular traffic moving in and out of downtown (NE and SW). Incorporate interpretive signage along pedestrian paths at each of the corners, covering a range of topics that highlight the history and evolution of the square and its context, as well as simple directional signage to support wayfinding. Raleigh Arts recommends prioritizing temporary public art (performances and installations) over permanent sculptures.

Furnishings & Lighting

What We Heard:

• Create more places to ‘be’ and encourage people to spend more time in the square.
• Include a range of amenities that support everyday use, including more furnishings and lighting.
• Support individuals and small groups with different places that appeal to a range of users.

Draft Concept Plan Proposal: Incorporates a range of furnishings, including benches, picnic tables, cafe tables, seat walls, bike racks, covered bus stops, and water fountains. Upgrade existing lighting to meet dark-sky standards and add new lighting along sidewalks and streets as needed.