Jefferson Avenue runs true north and south, which means that each edge of this unique park falls on a north/south, east/west axis. This allowed the design of the Park itself to be an educational tool for geographic placement of cultures and nationalities, in addition to it being a place to share stories, our geographical history, our personal histories, our spiritual stories. Everyone has a story to contribute and we each learn something unique from each story.

The center of the Park became the center of the compass, the Atlantic Ocean. This area became the main gathering point for activities, story-telling and performances. The stage in the center brings all the cultures together, while the water feature becomes the central symbolic element of the ocean and shows how water plays a roll in each geographical region.

Looking at each section of the Park based on the compass allowed us to place each interpretive village and cultural space. The Northwest corner of the Park represents North America and the Native American Village, the Southwest corner of the Park represents Central and South America and the Aztec Village, the Southeast corner of the Park represents Africa and the African Village, while the Northeast corner of the Park represents the Scandinavian countries and the Scandinavian Village.

Within the Native American Village there are two structures that are representative of longhouses once used for home, shelter and storage. There is a section for growing vegetables such as gourds, corn and sunflowers. The Aztec Village becomes the active play area of the Park. The structures within this area are designed to represent the house styles of Aztec Villages. The use of boulders in the African Village represents a fire ring and area for performances and gathering. The main focus of the Scandinavian Village is the design and construction of the Park’s tool shed to represent a sod-house.