Tokyo Legacy Parks’ “Meiji Park” (5-1 Kasumigaoka-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) was partially opened and put into service on October 31. A preview of the park was held on the occasion of the opening, and the following is a report on the event.
Tokyo Legacy Parks is a consortium led by Tokyo Tatemono, and consisting of Mitsui, Nihon Koei Urban Space, Seibu Landscaping, Yomiko Advertising, and Nittele AXON. The consortium will develop, manage, and operate the new park using the “Park-PFI (Publicly solicited Facilities Initiative)” system based on the Urban Parks Law. This is the first such project for a metropolitan park.
The area with five retail buildings, which will house cafes, restaurants, outdoor activity stores, and relaxation facilities, is still under construction and is scheduled to open in January 2024, which will mark the opening of the entire park. In addition, a popular NTV program “The! DASH! has also announced that it will help develop the “Forest of Pride” in the park as a new project of the popular NTV program “The!
The location is in the 1.6 hectare Senjuin intersection corner area between the National Stadium and the Japan Olympic Museum. It is connected to the entrance of the National Stadium by a pedestrian walkway and has good connectivity with JR Sendagaya Station. The west side of the park is also adjacent to Gaien Nishi Dori Avenue. Before the National Stadium was newly reconstructed, the area was occupied by the Toei Kasumigaoka Apartments.
The newly opened areas include Michi Plaza, Step Garden, Plaza of Hope, Inclusive Plaza, Rain Garden, and Forest of Pride, as well as specific park facilities such as the park administration building and restrooms.
The concept is “TOKYO LEGACY PARKs,” a new type of park created under the philosophy of diversity and inclusiveness, greenery and environment, sustainable relationships with local communities, ethical thinking, and mental and physical health and happiness.
The design is conscious of the sequence of gradual transition within the park, from the greenery to be shown in Michihiroba and Step Garden on the west side, to the greenery to be used in Hope Plaza, and to the greenery to be nurtured in the Forest of Pride on the east side.
Michihiroba,” facing Gaien Nishi Dori Avenue, has an artificial stream. The stream is inspired by the Shibuya River, which is now culverted and flows under the plaza. The “Step Garden” is a staircase that leads up to the grass “Plaza of Hope. Thirteen varieties of cherry trees have been planted in this area, and it is expected to become a popular hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spot in early spring.
The “Plaza of Hope” is an area of approximately 1,000 m2 planted with natural grass. Surrounding the area are steps that can be used as benches. The turf is the same as that used at the National Stadium. It is expected to become a place of relaxation for many people on fine days.
On the east side of the park are the Rain Garden and the Forest of Pride. This forest was created from the soil. The dry, graveled area is a dry stream, but it is designed to become a river when it rains.
Other features include a layer of gravel under the soil on the site, which will allow the temporary park to function as a rainwater reservoir during heavy rains. The park has a maximum height difference of approximately 7.8 m between the east and west sides of the park, which is also designed to prevent soil from flowing away.
This area is inspired by the Musashino Plateau and is planted with 700 trees of about 60 species. The forest is intended to encourage biodiversity and sustain itself for 100 years. A tree-planting ceremony was held during construction, and 85 community members planted saplings. Dead leaves were spread as ground cover, which were collected from a metropolitan park and brought to the site. The trees were planted by Prof. Shuyasu Hamano of the Tokyo University of Agriculture, who is also a visiting professor. The trees have just been planted and it is currently autumn, so there is not much greenery yet, but in about three years, the trees will have grown and the scenery will be different.
On the Senjuin intersection side of the park, around the deck connecting to the National Stadium, there is an “inclusive plaza,” a park administration office, and restrooms.
The “inclusive plaza” aims to be a space where anyone can play, and the playground equipment is not fixed, but can be changed to meet the needs of the visitors and moved during events. As a first step, the latest model of “RESILIENCE PLAYGROUD,” a series of playground equipment by Jacuetsu, is placed. This is the first time that Jacquets playground equipment has been installed in Tokyo.
The grass is artificial turf with long fur and soft texture. Restrooms and an administration building are located below deck, and all-gender restrooms are available. The building has elaborate hand-painted exterior walls in earth colors that blend in with the landscape. The interior design is clean and relaxing, and baby care rooms (nursing rooms) and diaper changing stations (which are also located in the men’s restroom) are available.
This is not the only restroom building that will be constructed; another restroom building will be constructed in the store area, which is scheduled to open in January 2024.
At the preview, Mr. Satoshi Kuroda, Director of Tokyo Legacy Parks, spoke in front of the park, “In March 2021, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government solicited applications from the public, and in November of the same year, Tokyo Legacy Parks was selected as the operator to develop the park. We intend to utilize the expertise of the six companies that make up the park to create and enliven a park that will lead to the future.
The key word “Legacy” is in the company name, but we would like it to be taken in the sense of future rather than as a legacy of the past. We hope that the park will remain as a memory in the future. The plural form of the name “Parks” is also intended to express our hope that this type of park will spread not only in Meiji Metropolitan Park but also in the future.
The park will be the first park in Tokyo to use the Park-PFI system. The project will run for 20 years, and the stores and other facilities will be dismantled and returned to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government after the project. We hope that people will be attached to the park for a long time,” he explained.
In addition, Kenichiro Noguchi, representative of N2 LANDSCAPE, Keisuke Shioi, assistant manager of the Design Engineering Section, Seibu Landscaping Sales Department, and Chikara Yoshinari, manager of the Business Strategy Office, Nippon Koei Toshi Kankaku Tokyo Branch, provided commentary at various park locations.
On November 3-4 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, an unveiling event, “Meiji Park Festival” will be held (cancelled in case of rain), where visitors can enjoy performances by students, a stage performance by the National Noh Theatre, a chess corner by the Japan Shogi Federation, a yoga experience, and more. Food sales and workshops are also planned. Dr. Hiroyuki Beniya, the doctor who supervised the Jacuetsu playground equipment installed in the “Inclusive Plaza,” will also give an explanation.
© Source travel watch