Poley Park utilizes sleek design and activity. The park’s renovations have begun to improve the area, and place in it a stylish and functional area that serves the purposes of Norristown’s residents. Poley Park uses light and shadow to provide sense of motion and comfort on the jogging trail. In addition, the entrance and exit points lend a sense of openness to the park while the use of green space is fantastic because it provides a further sense of openness to the park. Finally, the placement of facilities takes advantage of the acoustics of the woods, and the open green space provided by the turf area.

Poley Park’s use of light is one of its most brilliant aspects. I really enjoy the level of shade that the trees provide around the green space, as well as the structures that provide shade all along the sides of the jogging trail. It is clear that the architect wanted to emphasize sense of style and the aesthetic sense of motion with the metallic structures on the jogging path. The landscape architect described on his website that he was inspired by motion theory and film in his design, and conducted walkthroughs of the park to understand it from a jogger’s perspective (Luke Keller, 2011).

This sense of motion is further reinforced by the ease of access both for pedestrians and motor vehicles. There is parking from West Marshall Street, as well as pedestrian entry available from Carson Street and across from Airy Street. This allows approach from multiple angles, and gives an open feel to the park as a whole. This is more impressive with the realization that the park was designed to create as much parking space as possible.

Additionally, Poley Park utilizes its green space well. The circular stabilized turf area provides a lot of room inside the enclosure provided by the forestry on the outside. The central area, meant for gatherings and use of facilities, provides a welcome entry for people entering the park while leaving the view of the open turf area and woods in open view from all around. The landscape architect was going for an open feel here, to provide enough green space for enjoyment away from the central facilities.

The use of water is quite interesting as well. Poley Park makes use of Stoney Creek by allowing visitors access to the creek from the parking lot. In addition, the bridge that extends over the creek lends a fantastic view of the water, as well as the activity area below, including the stage and turf area. This is a great use of the position of the bridge, and the water.

The well-placed facilities lead to an interesting use of visibility and sound. The stage area is placed in the middle of the open turf area, projecting outward toward the trees, providing an acoustic environment for public performances, and room for a large number of visitors. It provides a great opportunity for the county to get some real use out of the park by providing a venue for local musicians and other artists, using natural elements to provide theatrical quality acoustics.

In all, I feel that Poley park is stylish, and makes excellent use of its surroundings. On Michael Felsher’s website, he describes how the minimization of water runoff and maximization of parking spaces led to the design (Michael Feldsher, 2011). Normally, it is hard to achieve those goals while also creating an open environment, and I find that Poley Park accomplishes that goal quite well.