Cape May County Creative Placemaking Plan

Cape May, New Jersey

WHY

In 1989, Cape May County initiated a taxpayer-funded program to purchase or protect open space and farmland throughout the County. The program proved successful and was eventually expanded to include funding of parks, recreational amenities, and historic preservation projects. While the program has been extremely successful in meeting its mission, it has relatively low public recognition.

HOW

To build awareness of the program and to increase the quality of funded projects, the County initiated a Creative Placemaking Plan which created a brand identity, standards for park design elements and amenities, and a demonstration site design. Designing Local was selected through a competitive process to lead the creative placemaking plan. The team facilitated four total workshops to garner input from key stakeholders and to develop and test ideas.

WHAT

A key part of the process was the creation of a community character framework which defines the unique sense of place present in Cape May County. This was utilized to drive the creation of the brand identity guidelines. The community character framework was also utilized in the design of various signage, site amenity, and architectural concepts throughout the County.