HADDAD | DRUGAN

A “watercourt” for Colony Park is inspired by the original town plat of Anaheim, an historically agricultural community. Various paving colors depict irrigated fields (green), non-irrigated land (sand), water canals (blue), and streets (gray). In the center of the court, sixty-four concrete blocks represent the houses and public buildings of the town center. These act as a structure for sitting and climbing. An etched stainless steel plaque mounted on a concrete block in the corner of the court includes early maps that inspired the design.

Water runs through the court in various playful ways, including through etched stainless steel “water runnels” embedded in the paving. One of these runnels feeds a wading pool, and one releases a thin sheet of water across a section of paving. Ornamental grasses are planted in some of the “irrigated field” areas of the map. Orange groves on two sides of the watercourt reference historic plantings, and symbolically terminate the irrigation canals depicted in the paving. 

Two artist-designed cedar picnic shelters are inspired by historic displays of Anaheim’s Valencia Orange Show. Orange acrylic spheres are “strung” on overhead stainless steel rods, referencing historic Orange Show displays, and creating a beautiful shadow play on the ground plane.

Colony Park was built by Brookfield Homes, working with the City of Anaheim. Watercourt collaborators include HoldenWater, GGLO, Shaw & Sons, Atomic Fabrications, and Western Metal Arts.