Cradock, Portsmouth
Cradock streets and civic spaces shaped by recurring flooding. Cradock is a historic planned neighborhood with a deep-rooted identity, but its aging infrastructure and low-lying geography have made flooding a recurring challenge. Because past planning efforts often failed to materialize, residents were initially cautious. CoPe Urban C5 chose to focus here to rebuild that trust through a design process that puts resident voices first.
Current Stage: Moving Toward Implementation
Cradock is currently at the design stage. While physical projects have not yet been built, the blueprints reflect exactly what residents said they wanted. The team is now moving forward with these co-designed concepts, with the goal of securing funding to turn this community vision into a reality. Achieving this vision also means addressing flooding along the corridor, which is why nature‑based Best Management Practices (BMPs) were identified as key design elements for managing stormwater while enhancing the everyday walking experience.
The Vision: Connecting the Square to the Park
Through workshops and field visits, residents identified a clear priority: improving walkability and safety along Victory Boulevard. The community co-designed a vision for a pedestrian greenway that would link historic Afton Square to Paradise Creek Nature Park.
A proposed conceptual greenway combining walkability with nature‑based stormwater management.
Community-Driven Solutions Include:
Safe Pedestrian Connections: Creating a shaded, accessible walkway between the neighborhood’s heart and its nearby nature park.
Nature-Based Infrastructure: Integrating rain gardens and bioswales along the parkway to capture stormwater before it reaches homes.
Intentional Green Space: Using native plantings to manage flooding while enhancing the neighborhood’s historic beauty.
