Sandy Hook Memorial Park

Sandy Hook, CT

A commission was created to establish a public memorial honoring the twenty-six victims and the survivors of the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Seventy Acres’ submission in this international competition presented multiple spaces for intimate and grand scale gatherings.

Our design concept is based on ripples of water echoing out beyond the original event that causes the ripple.  An event can take place, and its repercussions can have far reaching and long-term effects in the community, the region, and the nation.

In consideration of the visitor’s agenda, access to the park is from three specific areas:  An ordered ornamental orchard leads to a woodland trail descending to the largest group gathering space.  From this circular space one can continue to a dramatic boardwalk overlooking a quiet pond enclosed by woodland.  Venturing beyond, the visitor finds an enclosed circular reflection space with benches for more smaller, more private, family gatherings.  Woodland trails lead around the two ponds through an open understory where one can discover additional hidden gathering spaces.  The varied terrain and trail system provides unlimited exploration and child play away from the quiet areas of reflection.