Our vision for the intersection of 9th Street and 4th Avenue focuses on the cyclist and pedestrian experience while allowing traffic to flow with ease. The primary objective, which our model demonstrates, is to build aesthetically pleasing boundaries, ensuring a safe and pleasant atmosphere for each individual group.

In the interest of allowing traffic to move freely without compromising the pedestrian experience, we’ve created an elevated park, called Bear Park, to promote free space and community gathering. The design features a wide walkway for leisure strolling, several benches and open grassy areas for lounge and play. The center of Bear Park houses an expansive fountain as a focal point and relief from hot days. This fountain can function as a wading area for children and adults to dip their feet. The fountain centerpiece is a bear hunting for salmon. The twenty feet separating the park area and the traffic below gives the impression of a haven far above the noise and clutter of city streets.

Convenient access is a top priority to ensure that everyone can enjoy the benefits of the Bear Park. Wide stairways provide four points of entrance for park goers and an elevator is located near the intersection.

The elevated park extends in all four directions. Staircases on the east, west and south ends of the park lead to a continuation of the walkway. This central street level path features the same wide space for pedestrians, as well as fifteen foot sidewalks on both sides of the street. Benches on the street level also allow rest stops and places for groups to gather.

Our concern for cyclists was the frequent intrusion of parked and moving vehicles in real estate reserved for cyclists. Our model shows cyclists can instead benefit from spacious five foot lanes on both sides of the road. The lane is ensured to be respected as it is separated from all parking and traffic by a three foot median. The median will be populated with trees to enhance shade and the exercise experience. Cyclists have the opportunity to lock their bikes near Bear Park to engage in the rest areas or fountain above.

Fourth Avenue is a major point of traffic flow and while our main goal is to enhance the pedestrian and cyclist experience, we recognize the importance of allowing necessary traffic to move through the area. Fourth Avenue will have three ten foot wide car lanes in either direction, while Ninth Street will have two ten foot wide traffic car lanes in either direction. Pedestrians, cyclists and drivers will all benefit from a clearly delineated yet cohesive environment, preventing accidents and ill will.

One of the biggest challenges was solving the subway overpass. The area as it stands is dark and generally deserted. Our street level walkway extends underneath the overpass and creates a feeling of continuity. The black underside of the overpass will be painted bright white with alternating colorful mosaic tile depicting scenes of Brooklyn. Street lamps distributed throughout the park will come in handy in this area to brighten an otherwise dreary space. The two sides of the overpass will be surfaced with ivy.

Our model creates a unique set of benefits for anyone who engages with the intersection. While providing built-in respect for each group’s space, it also promotes a cohesive and harmonious atmosphere.