Paul
Wittenbraker
Camp DuSable
Two objectives
guide the concept for Camp Dusable:
1. The rejuvenation
and preservation of the 3 acre parcel as a natural habitat.
2. Facilitating extended and deep experiential engagement as a platform
for cultural and community development.
The focus
of programs would be rooted in the physical and cultural history of this
site. These would include actual historical and informational activities
as well as the celebratory and imaginative. The key factor in all programs
is attention to the visual and experiential as a substantive form of learning
and civic/community engagement.
Access to
the park would be designed to restrict motorized vehicles and facilitate
an experiential transition from the urban environment of the city to the
isolated 3 acre parcel. A plaza consisting of a centrally located mowed
field would be maintained for gatherings and projects.
Six months
of the year the park would accommodate a limited number of primitive (tent)
camp sites. These would be open to residents of the city and visitors
from out of town. The camping concept allows for an extended and deep
experience at the park. The park could also be reserved for conferences,
meetings, and retreats. The park would be open to the general public for
a fixed time frame every day and closed at a given time.
Basic structures
would be built to include a primitive bathhouse and possibly small cabins
for staff. An important structure would be the central Pavillion which
would be placed adjacent to the open Plaza area. This structure would
consist solely of a floor or platform and a ceiling. Additionally, a small
workshop/studio could be constructed to support temporary projects and
artist residencies. A possible concept for the building designs would
be to use international style structures which connect with Chicago as
an important city in the development of modernist architecture. While
seen mostly in large buildings using expensive materials, this design
approach with attention to proportion and space could also be implemented
in common, open and inexpensive forms.
Each year
the camp would select a camp host; volunteer families who bring their
own camper and stay for the season. The camp hosts personalize the camp
experience and perform regular maintenance.
The revenue
from camping would go to support operations, maintenance, and projects
implemented as part of the park's programs. With a maximum capacity of
40 campers a night paying $20 a piece daily revenue could be $800 a day.
Grants could be given for those who could not afford the daily rate. Estimating
50% capacity (with grants and vacancies), the park could earn $2,800 a
week, $11,200 a month totally $67,200 for the 6 month season.
Not-for-profit
and community groups could evolve based around the park. Groups could
organize small festivals and events that celebrate and explore the physical
and cultural history of the area through experiential events. This could
begin by engaging with the existing groups that have organized to work
on either the park or on commemorating Jean Baptiste Pointe Dusable. Visual
and experiential in their nature, documentation of the events and temporary
structures could become an important record of the ideas explored at the
park.
A critical
component of the development of the part would be the environmental clean-up
of the site. Further rejuvenation and preservation of the site as a natural
habitat could be done in association with city and state agencies as well
a community groups such as the Save the Prairie Society.
Actual detailed design of the park would take place over time with the involvement of community members and interested parties. Much of the planning and designing would be done on site in an experiential manner. Extended time spent at the site building temporary "mock" structures would would be a part of the process.
Paul Wittenbraker
Grand Rapids, MI
wittenbp@gvsu.edu
Artist and teacher (Grand Valley State University) living in Grand Rapids Michigan.