Hot fun at The Oval

On Wednesday, Eakins Oval debuted its new summer identity – “The Oval” – wearing a fresh paint pattern and outfitted with temporary features aimed at inviting people to linger and enjoy the Parkway over the next five weeks.

I stopped by The Oval on its opening afternoon to check out the transformation and see if anyone was braving the heat.

The crowd was thin but a steady flow of visitors stopped by while I was there. Teenagers played twister, giant checkers, and ping-pong. College kids goofed with chess pieces, dancing to the tunes being piped throughout the space. Little kids played in the sandboxes. Tourists and couples lingered in Adirondack chairs, enjoying the shade on the hot afternoon.

It’s not a flashy space, but Parks and Rec succeeded in creating an easygoing and inviting environment – something like block party meets super-sized parklet. The painted pavement, done by Mural Arts Program crews, does a good job of making the central asphalt strip feel less like a parking lot. Aquamarine café tables give folks a place to eat under white umbrellas, and the red Adirondack chairs beneath strings of lights and lanterns give the formal allée of trees a distinctly backyard feel.

Wednesday was so hot that the central parking strip – repainted as a “beach, blanket, and boardwalk” – was absolutely blazing. A few folks played chess under an umbrella or took advantage of the fan misters on the “beach” – which were positively refreshing after a long walk on a hot afternoon.

The loveliest feature during the heat of the day was the red Adirondack chairs under the tall trees that flank the repurposed parking lot. People were lingering in the shade, taking a welcome break from the heat of the “beach” and the Parkway beyond.