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03-06-26 | News

Chason Park

Bainbridge, Georgia
by TSW Design

In 2018, the City of Bainbridge launched a master plan to reimagine Chason Park, a two-acre park dating back to 1921, as a bridge between downtown and the Flint River. The centennial vision expanded the park into a dynamic, intergenerational destination celebrating Bainbridge's natural and cultural heritage and connection to the river.

The Parks Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. Chason Park is one of several great projects we are excited to showcase on LandscapeArchitect.com.

Led by TSW, the design effort introduced the "River Story" concept - an interpretive framework that connects visitors to the region's past, present, and future through storytelling, play, and landscape. Developed with input from public schools, environmental scientists, and a local historian, the revitalized park integrates recreation, sustainability, and education.

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Located on a bluff overlooking the Flint River, the park now features a grand staircase and ADA path to the riverwalk, playgrounds, splash pad, event lawn, and shaded seating. Educational narratives are woven into signage and site details, highlighting local ecosystems, agricultural history, and the city's cultural roots.

Sustainability was central to the design. Limestone boulders reclaimed from nearby farms were reused throughout the park, and LID strategies - such as bioswales, pervious pavements, and greywater reuse - manage stormwater and irrigation. Native plantings reflect the local ecology.

The park's layered design strengthens Bainbridge's connection to the river and downtown, positioning Chason Park as a model for place-based storytelling and community-centered green space renewal. Since completion in 2023, it has become a beloved community destination and catalyst for downtown revitalization, spurring renewed connection between Bainbridge and the riverfront.

Recipient of the 2025 Georgia ASLA Merit Award for Built Projects.

To see more Park projects, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/landscape-articles/call-for-editorial-parks#article1

For more information about submitting a project, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/research/editorial/editorial-submissions.php

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