Ragan-Smith developed a schematic master plan for the park following the severe damage the park received in the April 1998 tornado. The plan redesigned pedestrian and vehicular flow, realigned view axes to the Parthenon, redesigned the parking around the lake, and recommended regarding of the front lawn. One of the most important aspects was the design of a one-mile inner loop that never intersects traffic. To accomplish the redesign of the popular 100-year-old park, Ragan-Smith met with park staff, city officials, and user groups to inventory how the park is currently used, with an eye towards future needs.