| Address | 315 S. 3rd St. |
| Phone | 785-587-2757 (Parks & Rec) |
| Website | Parks & Rec / Discovery Center |
| Social Media | Parks & Rec |
The Blue Earth Plaza is a new, high-end, urban-style public space. It’s a park that doesn’t boss you around. It doesn’t shout “Swing!”, “Slide!”,“Walk in circles!”, or “Bounce the ball!”—all those things can be fun, but the Blue Earth Plaza lets you figure out what to do. Non-denominational spaces like an open field, an artificial stream with water jets, shaded seats and tables, an on-demand fireplace, and an open paved area only softly says “Welcome, please enjoy.”, in a classy and hospitable way.
You might feel a little uncomfortable with that freedom at first, but once you realize this is your park, and that plazas are designed to function as public living rooms, the park turns into a peaceful, cozy place where you are more likely to strike up a conversation with someone new precisely because of the way this urban plaza leaves you to choreograph your own park experience.
I think Blue Earth Plaza is at its best at the end of a long summer’s day. With the sun finally sitting low, young kids and their parents gather around the stream and its arching jets—the sounds of splashing water, splashing kids, and small-talking parents, set in the soft light and warm air makes the plaza buzz in a soft convivial glow. A peaceful Manhattan magic hour not to be missed.