ATTACHMENT a Park Design and Location Criteria
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
ATTACHMENT A Park Design and Location Criteria From: Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) 2005-2010 Park and Recreation Designs This section is presented in the interest of assisting park and recreation agencies in the development of a system of parks and recreation areas. A recreation system is composed of many different components, the combination of which provide facilities and landscapes for outdoor recreation. Many entities are involved in the development and management of recreational areas and facilities for a community or region. Facilities provided by these entities should be complementary and serve a particular geographic area or recreational need. For this plan, parks and recreation areas have been classified on the basis of their service areas. They are described as the following: . Mini Park . School Park . Neighborhood Park . County Park . Community Park . State Park . Special Use Park . State Forest Mini Park terms of distance from population served is limited to less than a quarter mile, or within a 1. Definition Summary: super block space, unless the playground is A play lot or playground provides space for incorporated into a larger park. (*Stand-alone parental supervised recreation of toddlers and play lots require more land area than play lots young children within a neighborhood, or as incorporated into larger parks.) part of a larger neighborhood or community park and urban center, including retail 6. Orientation: shopping areas. Small geographic areas, sub-neighborhoods, or neighborhoods, when combined with a 2. Size Objectives: larger park unit, serves youth ranging in age 0.5 to 1.5 acres. from toddler to 12 years, with adult 3. Service Area Objectives: supervision. Playgrounds also serve important needs in city business districts and Generally within a neighborhood of a half inner city areas where a mix of commercial mile radius or population of 2,000-3,000. and recreation activity is desired. Mini parks may be included in parks that serve a larger population or service area. 7. Function: 4. Location Objectives: Provides outdoor play experiences for youth under parental supervision. Generates Located in protected areas with separation neighborhood communication and provides from street traffic and high visibility; serving diversion from work and domestic chores. local neighborhoods and adjoining schools, Promotes neighborhood solidarity. libraries, or police and fire facilities. Population Ratio to Acreage: 0.25 to 0.5 acre per 1,000 population to achieve a Neighborhood Park park unit size that serves 2,000 to 3,000 1. Definition Summary: people. A neighborhood park, by size, program, and 5. Space, Design, and Service Area: location, provides space and recreation The size of a play lot or playground may activities for the immediate neighborhood in range from as small as 2,500 sq. ft. to 1.5 which it is located. It is considered an acres.* Amenities offered by these facilities extension of neighborhood residents' "out-of- generally include sand play areas, play yard" and outdoor use area. apparatus, play equipment, and other special 2. Size Objectives: child-oriented features. The service radius 5 to 25 acres. for these parks in Source: 2005-2010 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) 3. Service Area Objectives: 6. Orientation: Generally a one mile radius, but actually Serves all age groups, with an emphasis on defined by collector street patterns which youth and families in neighborhood settings. form the limits of a neighborhood or 7. Function: recreation service area. Population served To provide a combination of active recreation may range from 2,000 up to 5,000. and passive activities, both outdoor and 4. Location Objectives: indoor facilities and special features as Centrally located for equitable pedestrian required or needed. access within a definable neighborhood 8. Space, Design and Service Area: service area. Adjoining or adjacent to an A minimum size of 5 to 25 acres with elementary school, middle school, high amenities including sports facilities, picnic school, fire station, or library, if possible. areas, swim facilities, cultural activities, arts, 5. Program Objectives: crafts, and individual passive activities. The Compatible with the neighborhood setting park should primarily serve a defined and park site constraints. Generally includes neighborhood area population of 2,000- the following facilities, which are determined 5,000. Distance from this neighborhood will with public input as to use and activities: vary depending on urban development a. Parking for 10 to 20 vehicles. pattern, zoning, and densities in the 1) On-street parking is acceptable if respective neighborhoods being served. negative impact to residential units Efforts should be made to allow easy can be mitigated. On-site parking is pedestrian access to the park. preferable as a planning objective. Community Park 2) Bike racks with Class II trail connections where possible. 1. Definition Summary: b. Restrooms A community park, by size, program, and 1) Men's restroom with 2 water closets, location, provides space and recreation 2 urinals, 2 lavatories. activities for a defined service area, the entire 2) Women's restroom with 3 water city, or significant geographic segment of the closets and 2 lavatories. city's population. 3) Utility and minimum park janitorial storage space. 2. Size Objectives: c. Tot lot/children's play area Usually more than 25 acres. d. Family event/group picnic facility e. Informal family picnic area with benches 3. Service Area Objectives: and tables Generally a 2 to 5 mile radius within the city f. Unstructured turf grass play area/play or and adjacent neighborhoods outside of city practice field for children, young adults, limits. and families. g. Sport facilities—compatible with 4. Location Objectives: neighborhood setting and park site Centrally located if planned to serve a constraints. particular geographic segment of the city. 1) Basketball—half court, full court, or Located adjoining or immediately adjacent to tri-court configuration a collector street providing community-wide 2) Volleyball area vehicular access, thereby reducing 3) Softball field/soccer practice or game neighborhood traffic impacts. Connected overlay with Class II on-street and/or off-street 4) Other features as needs or site community trail and bike lane system. conditions allow Adjoining or adjacent to an elementary, middle, or high school if possible. Source: 2005-2010 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) 5. Program Objectives programmed field sports, swimming, and Elements that fulfill the service area, park special events. facilities and recreation program demands. The following facilities may be compatible 8) Space, Design, and Service Area: with community setting and park site The minimum space for a community park is constraints: 15 acres. Facilities typically provide for a. Off-street parking calculated to satisfy some sports activities, through emphasis is on demand of park and recreation activities passive cultural and community centers with provided. Includes bike racks and a recreational programming and organized public transit station at the site as well as activities. The community park may serve both on-site and street parking. populations within a 2 to 5 mile radius, a b. Restrooms designed to accommodate the scope that would allow residents of other level of park and recreation activities communities to use the park as well. provided and the number of people Special Use Park served. Restrooms should be located within a reasonable walking distance from children's play equipment and other 1. Definition Summary: high-use areas. A special use park is often designed as a c. Community recreation center revenue-generating enterprise created to d. Park maintenance and equipment storage satisfy demand for a particular sport, building recreational activity, or special event. A e. Tot lot/children's play area special use park may also be a sports park f. Group picnic shelters combined with enterprise activities and g. Family picnic facilities administered as a community recreation h. Sport/recreation facility fulfilling the resource. overall city demand 2. Size Objective: Appropriate program elements include: The actual size of a special use park is 1) Community pool/water feature determined by land availability and 2) Soccer fields facility/market demand for special uses or 3) Softball, little league baseball, junior recreation programs. pony league baseball 4) Football 3. Service Area Objectives: 5) Roller hockey/skateboard area Community or area-wide and determined by 6) Tennis courts the type of recreation program, special events 7) Basketball courts or use activities. 8) Amphitheater/performing arts center 9) Volleyball (indoor and outdoor) 4. Location Objectives: 10) Jogging trails Determined by the property opportunity, 11) Other facilities as desired and as service area and size objectives. permitted under park site plan 12) Concessions (food and beverage) 5. Program Objectives: Special use parks require facility 6. Orientation: programming that is user- or market-driven Multi-purpose service area or community- and based on community needs or economic wide recreation resource serving most or all and service principles for public and private of the population. partnerships. The magnitude and type of special use facilities may include: 7. Function: a. Water play park Provides opportunities for a diverse mix of b. Amphitheater indoor and outdoor