Recently purchased by the city of Clemson, Ashley Dearing park is comprised of approximately 12 acres of land. With nearly 90% of the property situated in a flood zone, the majority of the park experiences flooding and standing water regularly. With users ranging from grade school to seniors, the park is central to a variety of demographic needs. The site is also centrally located to surrounding neighborhoods, schools, and other civic facilities. Currently, the site acts as a connection for the crescent trail, as well as a location for recreational activities. 

In order to maintain the park as a community hub, our design is focused on storm water management and connectivity to the surrounding communities. Inspiration for our design is driven by the issues of flooding and water retention that persist currently. To address these challenges, the design of Wetland Park is centered around a boardwalk experience that loops a large retention pond, constructed wetlands, and newly implemented natural play features. The focus of this design is to effectively manage stormwater run-off while embracing the surrounding nature. Rather than implementing gray infrastructure to mitigate the flooding, our design leverages the flooding as an integral component of the experience.