The modern bandshell was designed in 1954 by local architect William Harvard and received both the Award of Merit and Test of Time Award from the American Institute of Architects.
More recently, the park has served as the site for the beloved Saturday Morning Market in the summer months and Localtopia, the community’s annual celebration of all things local.
Despite its historic and design significance, parts of the bandshell structure, which consists of a stage area, backstage space, public restrooms, and storage space, have fallen into disrepair, prompting Parks and Recreation to commission local firm Harvard Jolly Architecture to conduct a feasibility study for improvements in 2019.
That study identified $780,000 in needed repairs to the bandshell and just over $500,000 in upgrade opportunities. Repairs range from major, such as replacing the bandshell’s deteriorated roof panels for up to $457,600, to minor, including repairing bathroom wall tile.
Proposed upgrades include providing collapsible staging platforms and noise control features to accommodate larger events, upgrading and enlarging the existing back-of-house space, and improving handicap accessibility across the property.