Project Name:  Bentzin Family Town Square 
Location:  Watertown, Wisconsin
Design Team:  SmithGroup

The City of Watertown wanted a central gathering place to activate the heart of Watertown’s historic downtown. The Bentzin Family Town Square is a highly compelling attraction for the 22,885 residents of Watertown as well as its visitors. The new destination enlivens Main Street, promotes local businesses and community functions, and bolsters economic development. The 1-acre project incorporates the square and the street into a four-season space that is comfortable for small groups every day but can flex to accommodate a wide variety of community events. It connects people to Watertown’s namesake natural feature, the Rock River, which has gained visibility as a destination and water trail. Programming features include a festival street; library plaza with custom furniture elements; flexible splash play area; performance venue with multiple options; shade structure + stage; stormwater improvements; flexible seating; lawn; connection to riverwalk; kayak launch; and historical interpretive elements.

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The landscape architect led every facet of the project including initial outreach and engagement, the development of the preliminary plan, and final design through build out. The landscape architect guided an integrated team of engineers and architects, plus a lighting designer and fountain designer. The landscape architect wrote grant applications that secured over $1 million in project funding.

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The City of Watertown’s goal was to create a hub for the community. The Bentzin Family Town Square officially opened on May 20, 2023, with a dedication and a full day of music and family-friendly activities. Between opening day and January 2024, the city program hosted 36 major events at the site attracting visitors downtown. The improvements have increased developer interest, including a proposal multifamily project directly adjacent to the site which will bring more residents downtown – a primary goal of the project.

Vibrant downtowns depend on quality open space, and landscape architects can play a vital role in reinvigorating smaller communities through planning, design, and development. As populations shift to larger cities, many small communities experience disinvestment, which in turn leads to fewer opportunities for remaining residents. These communities hope to rekindle vibrancy with a high-quality public realm that drives an overarching positive perception of a community. Prospective businesses and residents seek out communities that invest in vibrant downtowns with walkable spaces and plenty of opportunities. By leveraging the knowledge and resources of a variety of design professions, landscape architects play a vital role in crafting public spaces that contribute to the health and wellbeing of a community. Watertown’s new town square is a key embodiment of the impact that landscape architects can have on a community.

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The Bentzin Family Town Square brings downtown Watertown a welcoming, expansive, and flexible public gathering space. A significant change to the downtown brought about heightened public perception, so a stakeholder-based approach was used to develop potential programming and build consensus on the design of the square.