Construction Term of the Month: Greensward

Greensward is a fancy way of describing grass-covered ground, but it has come to mean much more than its simple definition. When construction professionals, landscape architects, and others in the industry refer to a Greensward, it typically indicates a very large public park or green space.

The famous “Greensward Plan” of the late 1850’s is how New York City has Central Park today. Greensward can often be controversial with some community members wanting protection and conservation while business use can often include parking and festivals that damage the land. Finding a balance can be difficult and the persistent battle between conservation and development is frequently reflected in pop culture: “They paved paradise to put up a parking lot.”

Silverman CPM worked with the Piedmont Park Conservancy on the Northwoods Expansion, the Active Oval, and other projects that increased the usable greensward space for everyone to enjoy for years to come.

Piedmont Park – Active Oval Greensward