TEMPE, ARIZ. (Sept. 30, 2024) – The Arizona Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) recently recognized a City of Mesa project for which Terracon Consultants, Inc. served as the prime design consultant.
The Monterey Park expansion project in Mesa, Arizona, was the 2024 Project of the Year winner in the Structures $5 million to $25 million category.
Terracon’s Phoenix Landscape Architecture group worked closely with the City of Mesa, the design team, and Hunter Contracting Co., which served as the construction manager at-risk overseeing construction.
“It’s always our goal to bring value to the communities our projects serve. It was exciting to work with our design team and the City of Mesa whose community-driven vision for the expansion of Monterey Park and the new Mesa Express Library was already focused on innovative ways to bring new services into what could have otherwise been a nice but common ballfield park,” said John Griffin, the design team project manager and landscape architect with Terracon, a consulting firm specializing in design, environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services.
“They really championed exploring new ways to make the project something special. Hunter Contracting was a true partner throughout the construction process, always great to work with, and really adding value to the final results,” Griffin added.
The park expansion project was driven by public demand for new improvements leading to doubling the park’s size, adding four youth baseball and softball fields, four pickleball courts, two ramadas, and restrooms.
Water conservation and site resiliency were key considerations during design, including extensive water harvesting throughout the parking lot, protection of mature trees for shade, and right-sizing turf areas.
“With the expansion of Monterey Park, the surrounding neighborhoods have a point of pride that is a gem,” said Andrea Moore, City of Mesa Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities Director. “The diversity in activities available in the park creates a destination that is enjoyed by all ages. It promotes a healthy community with physical activity, social opportunities, and literacy.”
A central feature of the project is the new Mesa Express Library, a one-of-a-kind self-service library residents can access using their library card to find something new to read as well as reserve park equipment. Outside of the library building, patrons are also able to retrieve reserved books and equipment through self-service electronic lockers.
They can also follow the story trail signs that lead young readers on a looped route around the library area. A large shade structure and tot lot and an outdoor reading amphitheater adjacent to the library further integrate the library with the park.
“The library is thrilled to partner with our Mesa Parks and Recreation Department to offer services in a reimagined way,” said Polly Bonnett, City of Mesa Library Director. “Monterey Park and the Mesa Express Library have truly become a focal point in the neighborhood, offering amenities that serve a variety of interests and ages. This initiative blends education, leisure and wellness and strengthens the connections in our community.”
The collaborative design team also included civil engineers, Ardurra Group, Inc.; architects, Architectural Resource Team; plumbing and mechanical engineers, Säzän Group; electrical engineers, Wright Engineering Corp.; and structural engineers, Caruso Turley Scott Inc.
The mission of the Arizona Chapter of APWA is to support those who operate, improve, and maintain public works and infrastructure through advocacy, education, and member engagement. The award was presented at the annual Arizona APWA Public Works Conference at the El Conquistador Tucson.
The APWA Awards Program recognizes outstanding individuals, groups and chapters representing the best in public works.
Members of the winning design team at the Arizona Chapter of the APWA Awards in Tucson. (Photo courtesy of Hunter Contracting Co.)
###
About Terracon
Terracon is an employee-owned multidiscipline consulting firm with more than 6,000 curious minds focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 175 locations nationwide. Our talented employee-owners provide on-time and real-time data-driven insights to create an unmatched client experience that spans the lifecycle of any project, any size, anywhere. Terracon consistently ranks as a top 25 design firm by Engineering News-Record. Start to explore with us by visiting terracon.com.