PETERSEN STUDIO

Belo Garden is a 1.75-acre oasis in the heart of downtown Dallas, one of three recently-completed urban parks created through the implementation of the Downtown Dallas Park Master Plan.  Sinuous drifts of prairie-inspired native grasses and perennials and groves of native trees give the park its unique regional identity.  The central plaza at the confluence of the park’s flowing paths is activated by dramatic leaf-shaped fountains which emerge from the plaza paving to the delight of children and park visitors. 

Jacob Petersen was Principal-in-Charge of the Belo Garden Design Team from Schematic Design through Construction Observation, with prime firm Hargreaves Associates.  Belo Garden was developed through a public-private partnership between Belo Corp and the City of Dallas.   

Photo: Justin Terveen

The gardens are designed for four-season interest, transitioning from the exuberant greens of spring growth, to the multi-colored flowering perennials and maturing seed heads of early summer, to the reds and oranges of fall leaf change, and finally to the subtle browns and yellows of winter.  The extensive use of native plants minimizes maintenance and water consumption, and anchors the gardens within the broader regional ecology.

Photo: Jacob Petersen

The gardens are designed for four-season interest, transitioning from the exuberant greens of spring growth, to the multi-colored flowering perennials and maturing seed heads of early summer, to the reds and oranges of fall leaf change, and finally to the subtle browns and yellows of winter.  The extensive use of native plants minimizes maintenance and water consumption, and anchors the gardens within the broader regional ecology.

Photo: Jacob Petersen

The gardens are designed for four-season interest, transitioning from the exuberant greens of spring growth, to the multi-colored flowering perennials and maturing seed heads of early summer, to the reds and oranges of fall leaf change, and finally to the subtle browns and yellows of winter.  The extensive use of native plants minimizes maintenance and water consumption, and anchors the gardens within the broader regional ecology.

Photo: Jacob Petersen

The gardens are designed for four-season interest, transitioning from the exuberant greens of spring growth, to the multi-colored flowering perennials and maturing seed heads of early summer, to the reds and oranges of fall leaf change, and finally to the subtle browns and yellows of winter.  The extensive use of native plants minimizes maintenance and water consumption, and anchors the gardens within the broader regional ecology.

Photo: Jacob Petersen          

A central plaza at the confluence of the park’s flowing paths is activated by dramatic leaf-shaped fountains which emerge from the plaza paving to the delight of children and park visitors.  The cascading waters of the fountain soften street noise, and elegantly curved benches set beneath overhanging branches of native Shumard Oaks provide shaded seating along plaza and path edges.  The fountain is simply turned off to accommodate plaza events such as music performances and weddings.  The hill serves as an informal amphitheater overlooking plaza and fountain activities

Photo: Jacob Petersen

A central plaza at the confluence of the park’s flowing paths is activated by dramatic leaf-shaped fountains which emerge from the plaza paving to the delight of children and park visitors.  The cascading waters of the fountain soften street noise, and elegantly curved benches set beneath overhanging branches of native Shumard Oaks provide shaded seating along plaza and path edges.  The fountain is simply turned off to accommodate plaza events such as music performances and weddings.  The hill serves as an informal amphitheater overlooking plaza and fountain activities

Photo: Richard Petersen   

A granite wall along the east edge of the park encloses the edge of the Garden Grove seating area, and separates it from the adjacent service drive.  Every afternoon the wall is animated by the dancing shadows of the elm branches blowing in Dallas’ ever-present breezes.  

Photo: Jacob Petersen

A granite wall along the east edge of the park encloses the edge of the Garden Grove seating area, and separates it from the adjacent service drive.  Every afternoon the wall is animated by the dancing shadows of the elm branches blowing in Dallas’ ever-present breezes.  

Photo: Jacob Petersen

Belo Garden is a 1.75-acre oasis in the heart of downtown Dallas, one of three recently-completed urban parks created through the implementation of the Downtown Dallas Park Master Plan.  Sinuous drifts of prairie-inspired native grasses and perennials and groves of native trees give the park its unique regional identity.  The central plaza at the confluence of the park’s flowing paths is activated by dramatic leaf-shaped fountains which emerge from the plaza paving to the delight of children and park visitors. 

Jacob Petersen was Principal-in-Charge of the Belo Garden Design Team from Schematic Design through Construction Observation, with prime firm Hargreaves Associates.  Belo Garden was developed through a public-private partnership between Belo Corp and the City of Dallas.  

Photo: Jacob Petersen

Belo Garden is a 1.75-acre oasis in the heart of downtown Dallas, one of three recently-completed urban parks created through the implementation of the Downtown Dallas Park Master Plan.  Sinuous drifts of prairie-inspired native grasses and perennials and groves of native trees give the park its unique regional identity.  The central plaza at the confluence of the park’s flowing paths is activated by dramatic leaf-shaped fountains which emerge from the plaza paving to the delight of children and park visitors. 

Jacob Petersen was Principal-in-Charge of the Belo Garden Design Team from Schematic Design through Construction Observation, with prime firm Hargreaves Associates.  Belo Garden was developed through a public-private partnership between Belo Corp and the City of Dallas.  

Photo: Jacob Petersen

Belo Garden establishes a high bar for park sustainability.  The post-industrial brownfield site was extensively remediated in preparation for park development.  The design minimizes water and energy consumption with native and regionally adapted plant materials, water recycling and stormwater capture at the interactive fountain, dry wells to enhance on-site infiltration, locally-quarried granite and decomposed granite, and carefully calibrated lighting levels.

Photo: Justin Terveen

Flowing paths, drifts of native grasses and perennials, and the iconic leaf fountain provide dramatic visual relief within downtown Dallas’ street and building grid, particularly when viewed from surrounding office towers.