Leonard Gordon Park Master Plan Report
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Leonard Gordon Park Master Plan Report Submitted To: Jersey City Division of Architecture February 2019 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Honorable Steven M. Fulop, Mayor Department of Administration: Brian D. Platt, Business Administrator Brian Weller, ASLA, LLA, Division of Architecture, Director Keith Donath, Mayor’s Office Robert Byrne, RMC, CMR, City Clerk Municipal Council for the City of Jersey City: Department of Housing, Economic Development & Commerce: Rolando R. Lavarro, Jr. Council President Tanya Marione AICP, PP, Division of Planning, Director Joyce Watterman, Councilwoman-At-Large Dan Wrieden, Historic Preservation Officer Daniel Rivera, Councilman-At-Large Denise Ridley, Councilwoman, Ward A Laura Skolar, Jersey City Parks Coalition, President Mira Prinz-Arey, Councilwoman, Ward B Arthur Williams, Department of Recreation, Director Richard Boggiano, Councilman, Ward C Michael Yun, Councilman, Ward D All of the Jersey City residents that energetically participated James Solomon, Councilman, Ward E in the public meetings and questionnaires providing positive input that was utilized in the Leonard Gordon Park Master plan Jermaine D. Robinson, Councilman, Ward F development and other City Park development projects. ii City of Jersey City | Leonard Gordon Park Master Plan Report TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ...........................................................................................1 Section 1: Master Plan Process and Context ............................................ 5 Introduction ........................................................................................................6 Using this Master Plan .......................................................................................9 Master Plan Process Summary .......................................................................10 Leonard Gordon Park History ..........................................................................12 Demographics/Trend Analysis ........................................................................37 Local Parks Supply & Demand Analysis .........................................................40 Section 2: The Master Plan ........................................................................ 43 Vision Statement ..............................................................................................44 Master Plan Layout ..........................................................................................46 Rehabilitation and Preservation ..................................................................48 Re-Thinking the Active Recreation Center ...................................................54 Integrating New Features .............................................................................58 Improving Access, Circulation, and Lighting ...............................................62 Incorporating Green Infrastructure .............................................................64 Cost Estimate ...................................................................................................65 Anticipated Next Phases of Planning & Development ...................................66 City of Jersey City | Leonard Gordon Park Master Plan Report iii iv City of Jersey City | Leonard Gordon Park Master Plan Report Leonard Gordon Park Master Plan Executive Summary INTRODUCTION WHY HAVE A MASTER PLAN? The City of Jersey City has commissioned the Leonard Gordon Park Master Plan to guide the restoration and revitalization of Leonard Gordon Park. Constructed in the 1910’s, this 5.7-acre park in the Jersey City Heights is notable for its large bear and bison statues, dramatic topography, and interesting views to the west. Also known as “Mosquito Park”, this unique public space has reached a point in its existence where it is necessary renovate and re-invest to preserve The park is in need of extensive The park retains a wonderful it for future generations and meet the recreational needs and repairs and upgrades in nearly all of potential, and there is intense expectations of the community. its facilities and infrastructure. community interest in making the park a great place. The Master Plan takes a community-driven, proactive, and holistic approach to sensibly, strongly, and concertedly address Leonard Gordon Park’s problems and plan for the future. By commissioning this Master Plan, Jersey City shows a commitment to responsible The Master Plan Serves to... management and deployment of resources dedicated to Leonard Gordon Park. PURPOSE The purpose of the Leonard Gordon Park Master Plan is guide renovations and improvements based on community vision and input. With a Master Plan in place, the City can identify a logical sequence (critical path) for park improvements and avoid overspending on ...capture the Community’s ...develop and ...inform City staff haphazard repairs. vision and input and build communicate a holistic for detailed design, consensus. vision for the future of applications for funding the park. assistance, and long-term park management. City of Jersey City | Leonard Gordon Park Master Plan Report | Executive Summary 1 METHODOLOGY & OUTCOMES The Leonard Gordon Park Master Plan was developed through a series of public meetings in 2018 that progressed through the following steps: » Assessment of existing conditions and park history; » Identification and refinement of community vision for park program and features; VISION STATEMENT: » Discussion and assessment of three potential concepts and refinement into a single master plan concept. Leonard Gordon Park will be a The public meeting process produced the following outcomes: beautiful, safe, sustainable, and » Vision Statement for Leonard Gordon Park inclusive public park that emphasizes » Master Plan Layout for Leonard Gordon Park nature, preserves historical features, These outcomes are expanded upon in the Leonard Gordon Park Master Plan Report, which identifies specific, actionable steps associated with park improvements related to: and integrates a range of passive, » Rehabilitation & Preservation active, and cultural recreational » Re-Thinking the Active Re creation Center opportunities within a holistic design. » Integrating New Features » Improving Access, Circulation, and Lighting As a rare and relieving patch of green » Incorporating Green Infrastructure space within the urban mosaic, the park will implement a sustainable green infrastructure approach to celebrate natural site features as design assets, maximize stormwater mitigation, and support native plants and wildlife. The Vision Statement is a written statement, agreed upon by public meeting participants, for how the park should look and function. The Vision Statement and will be used as a benchmark against which to assess future detailed design decisions. 2 City of Jersey City | Leonard Gordon Park Master Plan Report | Executive Summary UPGRADE ENTRY FOR ADA LIBERTY AVE INVESTIGATE HYDROLOGY FOR STORMWATER MITIGATION POTENTIAL WATER FEATURE PLANTING, TYP. M A N A G E D M E A D O W OPEN TERRACE FOR ORCHARD PLAY / EVENTS DOG RUN (BIG DOG) DOG RUN MULTI-USE (SMALL DOG) COURT HUTTON ST G UPGRADE ENTRY ATIN GARDEN LL SE FOR ADA HI ITH N G W ARDE IN ALK IN G DD W RA LE OK S LO VE ER R OV STORMWATER MITIGATION SE E COMMUNITY R PLANTING, TYP. P CENTER EN D R A G STAGE PLAYGROUND IN RESTORE A R TERRACE R E T A FLEXIBLE SPACE E TH HI AMP MANHATTAN AVE MANHATTAN RESTORE PAVILION WATER MASTER PLAN LAYOUT FOR LEONARD GORDON PARK PLAY BASKETBALL COURT EVENT PLAZA PLAYGROUND GREAT LAWN RELOCATE TOTEM & PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE PATH DURABLE FOUNDATION 10-12’ WIDE, TYP. FLAG POLE UPGRADE ENTRY FOR ADA RAIN LIBERTY AVE OPEN INVESTIGATE HYDROLOGY FOR STORMWATER MITIGATION GARDEN TERRACE POTENTIAL WATER FEATURE PLANTING, TYP. RAIN GARDEN M A N A G E D M E A D O W ENTRY OPEN TERRACE FOR ORCHARD PLAZA PLAY / EVENTS DOG RUN (BIG DOG) PRESERVE/RESTORE ALL SCULPTURES, MAINTENANCE/EMERGENCY HISTORICAL CONCRETE WORK, IRON DOG RUN MULTI-USE VEHICLE ACCESS (SMALL DOG) COURT EMERGENCY VEHICLE ACCESS FENCING, AND FRONTAGE GARDENS JOHN F. KENNEDY BLVD HUTTON ST G UPGRADE ENTRY ATIN GARDEN LL SE FOR ADA HI ITH N G W ARDE IN ALK IN G DD W RA LE OK S LO VE ER R OV STORMWATER MITIGATION SE E COMMUNITY R PLANTING, TYP. P CENTER EN D R A G STAGE PLAYGROUND IN RESTORE A R TERRACE R E T A FLEXIBLE SPACE E TH HI AMP MANHATTAN AVE MANHATTAN RESTORE PAVILION WATER PLAY BASKETBALL COURT EVENT PLAZA PLAYGROUND GREAT LAWN RELOCATE TOTEM & PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE PATH DURABLE FOUNDATION 10-12’ WIDE, TYP. FLAG POLE RAIN OPEN GARDEN TERRACE RAIN GARDEN ENTRY PLAZA PRESERVE/RESTORE ALL SCULPTURES, MAINTENANCE/EMERGENCY HISTORICAL CONCRETE WORK, IRON VEHICLE ACCESS EMERGENCY VEHICLE ACCESS FENCING, AND FRONTAGE GARDENS JOHN F. KENNEDY BLVD City of Jersey City | Leonard Gordon Park Master Plan Report | Executive Summary 3 ORDER-OF-MAGNITUDE COST ESTIMATE NEXT STEPS The following cost estimate represents a planning level order-of-magnitude Detailed Design Development & Funding prediction of costs associated with improvements identified in the Leonard » Conduct geotechnical studies (hydrological, hydraulic, and Gordon Park Master Plan. The cost estimate will be further developed and stormwater). refined in the detailed design phase that will have to take place before any » Refine Master Plan in light of geotechnical studies to include construction can proceed. further detail and clarification of site improvements such as layout, grading, green infrastructure/stormwater management, landscaping, furnishings, and lighting. Item