Industry
Parks + Recreation
Challenge
The City of Middleton sought to build a more cohesive brand identity across its entire park system by implementing a standardized selection of durable, high-quality site furnishings.
Results
The strategic rollout of standardized site furnishings has successfully unified Middleton’s neighborhood and community parks, providing a high-end enhancement to key facilities.
Key Product
Walden Picnic Table, Monona Bench, Walden II Bench, Monona Table, Monona Flat Bench, Pierce Bike Racks
About The Partner
The City of Middleton is dedicated to maintaining high-quality outdoor spaces that enhance the quality of life for its residents. Led by Kiley Scherer, the Parks & Recreation department manages a diverse portfolio of neighborhood and community parks, focusing on long-term planning and design excellence.The Challenge
The primary objective for the City of Middleton was to overcome the visual fragmentation that often occurs in growing park systems. The department faced several specific needs:
- Visual Consistency: Establishing a "standard" set of furnishings to ensure a recognizable look and feel across different locations.
- Functional Diversity: Finding a suite of products, ranging from seating to bike security, that could serve various park types while maintaining a unified design language.
- Facility Enhancements: Integrating new amenities into specialized locations, such as sports complexes and shelter areas, without clashing with existing infrastructure.
The Solution
By partnering with Thomas Steele and Madrax, the City was able to source a comprehensive range of benches, tables, chairs, and bike racks. This multi-product approach allowed the department to tie various neighborhood and community parks together under a single aesthetic standard.
"We’ve really enjoyed creating a more consistent look and feel across our park system with the new standard benches, tables, and chairs from Thomas Steele, along with bike racks from Madrax. Using these pieces in both our neighborhood and community parks has helped tie everything together and build a more cohesive identity across all of our spaces."
— Kiley Scherer, CPRP, CPO - Director of Parks & Recreation
The Results
The implementation of these standards has successfully streamlined the identity of Middleton’s public spaces:
- Enhanced Specialized Facilities: Recent installations at high-profile locations like the Lakeview Park Tennis & Pickleball Court Facility and the Parisi Park Shelter have demonstrated the versatility of the chosen designs.
- Design Integration: The new furnishings have integrated seamlessly into the overall landscape design, providing an immediate upgrade to the user experience.
- Unified Community Presence: The consistent use of these pieces has helped reinforce a sense of place and professional maintenance throughout the city.
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