Gas Works Park is a treasured part of Wallingford, the stage for many summer events, and a favorite tourist stop. But do you know much about its history?
The Center for Creative Land Recycling produced this video, using dozens of historical photos to show the evolution of Gas Works Park. Landscape architect Richard Haag describes in the video: “This is the first time in history that an industrial site was converted into a park without complete demolition of the structure. It’s unique.”
Recycling Gas Works Park from CCLR on Vimeo.
Here’s a tidbit from Wikipedia that was news to us: “It was originally named Myrtle Edwards Park, after the city councilwoman who had spearheaded the drive to acquire the site and who died in a car crash in 1969. In 1972, the Edwards family requested that her name be taken off the park because the design called for the retention of much of the plant.”
Haag went on to receive the American Society of Landscape Architects Award for design excellence for his Gas Works Park design.
Thanks to David Albright for sharing this video with us.
I hate the old gas works, and have wished for years they would take it down. I'll probably go to my grave without my wish being fulfilled. The park would be so much nicer without that ugly thing.