On September 9, the Rodney Square Conservancy (RSC) and community leaders broke ground to begin “Rodney Square Works,” a multi-phase renovation to the iconic Rodney Square in Wilmington, DE. Construction will now begin on the century-old public square to upgrade the lighting and landscape, restore fountains, improve irrigation systems, create new overlook terraces, and more.
Working closely with the RSC, the City of Wilmington, and the State of Delaware, the design team led by OLIN aims to improve accessibility to the square and offer a space that welcomes more community events both big and small. The Lighting Practice’s Al Borden, Caitlin Bucari, and John Conley were tasked with increasing illumination levels in the park while reducing glare and keeping views unobstructed. Shielded light sources are integrated into handrails and plant beds. Tall poles with adjustable luminaires, masked by trees in the Bosque, light the central lawn from the corners of the park. The result will be a more attractive nighttime destination for the growing residential population in the neighborhood. All sources are warm 3000K LED.
Rodney Square was built in 1921 under the plan of Pierre S. duPont to create a public space that unified the surrounding area. The square’s design was influenced by the “City Beautiful Movement” at the turn of the 20th century and led by architects, landscape architects, and civic reformers to bring more beauty into the urban landscape.
Phase one of the renovation project is expected to be completed in early 2020.
Groundbreaking at Rodney Square renovation in Wilmington
Delaware Online | September 2019
Photos Gallery: Local leaders break ground for a Rodney Square renovation project on Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. View the photos here.