Cities across the world are making efforts to lift stay-at-home orders as regions review their progress in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. And as we mask up and emerge from quarantine, many of us are feeling a renewed sense of awe and appreciation for our community outdoor spaces. 

The thousands of recent social media posts of people visiting together in their local parks, at monuments and other communal spaces show that we’re embracing outdoor gatherings as safe, responsible opportunities to be more social with family and friends. The possibility of taking short car trips to reconnect with local sights and public spaces that may have been underappreciated in recent years takes on a new appeal as travel plans for trips far from home are canceled or postponed. 

And as we learn to be together again—six feet apart—we see more and more examples of people valuing our community’s open spaces instead of indoor areas. 

Kiener Plaza is a perfect example. Part of the Gateway Arch Park in St. Louis, MI, Kiener Plaza is distinguished by its remarkable use of a variety of natural stone, and anchors the community space that includes a 1.5 mile riverfront promenade, a museum, a natural amphitheater, and green spaces designed to welcome people to gather and enjoy spending time together in the open air.

The design of the park is punctuated by the iconic arch designed by renowned architect, Eero Saarinen. The Plaza itself offers prime views of the Old Courthouse, framed by the arch, and features walking paths, a shade garden with an outdoor cafe, benches and a fountain garden.

Everywhere you look in this lush, communal space, you see Polycor natural stone from local, North American quarries.

A pattern of mixed pavers include Georgia Marble - Pearl Grey™ American marble and Laurentian Green™ granite. Marble for the curved, carved bench planters and pavers is sustainably sourced from Polycor's NSC-373 Certified U.S. quarry in Tate, Georgia. And thanks to its superior strength and resilience, children who walk on those pavers today will be walking with their children’s children on those same pavers a century from now.

Polycor was the natural choice for this project, and for hundreds of similar projects throughout North America. We look forward to architects new designs for gathering spaces as cities focus on providing more open-air public plazas and parks where natural materials, and especially stone, play a key role in connecting us to our local communities.

Find more urban landscape projects to visit and experience this summer in our projects portfolio.