Riverfront Park Feasibility Study Prepared for: Wrightsville Borough, York County, Pennsylvania Study Committee Lori Harmer, Wrightsville Municipal Authority Secretary Janelle Hobbs, Wrightsville Borough Council John Klinedinst, Wrightsville Borough Engineer Mark Lentz, Resident Greg Scritchfield, Wrightsville Borough Council Ed Sipes, Wrightsville Borough Council Ann Walko, York County Planning Commission Teresa Weaver, Eastern School District Melissa Wirls, Wrightsville Borough Secretary Consultants Yost Strodoski Mears, York, PA Recreation and Parks Solutions, Lancaster PA This Project was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Park Partnership Program, Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. December 2011 Riverfront Park Feasibility Study Table of Contents Chapter 1 – Background Information Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 1‐1 Planning Process........................................................................................................................... 1‐1 Riverfront Park ............................................................................................................................. 1‐1 Background and History……………... .............................................................................................. 1‐2 Demographics............................................................................................................................... 1‐4 Chapter 2 – Public Participation Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 2‐1 Findings of the Public Participation Process................................................................................ 2‐2 Project Goals. ............................................................................................................................... 2‐4 Chapter 3 – Resource Analysis Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 3‐1 Regional Context ..........................................................................................................................3‐1 Regional Connections................................................................................................................... 3‐2 Riverfront Park Assessment of Feasibility .................................................................................... 3‐4 Riverfront Park Site Analysis......................................................................................................... 3‐8 Resource Analysis Conclusions and Planning Implications ........................................................ 3‐17 Chapter 4 – Conceptual Alternatives Conceptual Alternative A ............................................................................................................. 4‐1 Conceptual Alternative B.............................................................................................................. 4‐4 Pre‐Final Designs .......................................................................................................................... 4‐7 Riverfront Park Feasibility Study Table of Contents - ii Chapter 5 – Park Master Plan Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 5‐1 Recreation Opportunities............................................................................................................. 5‐1 Riverfront Park Master Plan ......................................................................................................... 5‐1 General Park Design Considerations ............................................................................................ 5‐8 Sustainability and Green Design Considerations........................................................................ 5‐15 Chapter 6 – Cost & Implementation Analysis Park Improvement Phasing .......................................................................................................... 6‐1 Early Implementation Projects .................................................................................................... 6‐2 Probable Construction Cost Opinions ......................................................................................... 6‐2 Implementation Tasks .................................................................................................................. 6‐3 Chapter 7 –Operations & Financing Riverfront Park Operations and Budget ....................................................................................... 7‐1 Administration.............................................................................................................................. 7‐1 Recreation Activities..................................................................................................................... 7‐1 Maintenance ................................................................................................................................ 7‐2 Recommended Minimum Level of Maintenance......................................................................... 7‐3 Maintenance Tasks....................................................................................................................... 7‐6 Potential Partners....................................................................................................................... 7‐11 Operational Revenues and Expenses ......................................................................................... 7‐12 Implementation Strategies for Funding the Development of Riverfront Park .......................... 7‐14 Appendix A – Demographic Profile List of Maps Riverfront Park – Site Analysis ...................................................................................................................3‐20 Riverfront Park – Conceptual Alternative A .................................................................................................4‐3 Riverfront Park – Conceptual Alternative B .................................................................................................4‐5 Riverfront Park – Pre‐Final Plan ...................................................................................................................4‐8 Riverfront Park – Master Plan....................................................................................................................5‐18 Riverfront Park – Master Plan Perspective ................................................................................................5‐19 Riverfront Park – Phasing Plan .....................................................................................................................6‐5 Table of Contents - iii Riverfront Park Feasibility Study Chapter 1 Background Information Chapter 1 – Background Information Introduction Ownership and opportunities for park development were explored. This assessment defined the feasibility of This project explored the feasibility of enhancing and updating undertaking future improvements. Riverfront Park in Wrightsville Borough, York County, Pennsylvania. Riverfront Park is owned by the Safe Harbor Water Power 2. Public Participation Corporation and leased to Wrightsville Borough for public use. Citizen input was sought throughout the planning process to While the park has provided a riverfront site for public recreation inform the assessment of feasibility and guide the development for many years, this project explored the potential of enhancing the of a relevant master plan for Riverfront Park that reflected the park to meet the current and future recreation needs of Borough desires and recreation needs of the community. Public input residents as well as visitors to the municipality and region. A was gathered by working with a study committee, completing component of the feasibility study was the development of a master interviews with stakeholders, holding a river stakeholders plan for Riverfront Park which illustrates enhancements and forum, and conducting public meetings. improvements to achieve the goals identified as part of the feasibility assessment and planning process. 3. Park Master Plan Conceptual alternative designs were developed to illustrate different Planning Process approaches to rehabilitating and developing Riverfront Park to achieve the goals of the community. The study committee reviewed The Riverfront Park Feasibility Study planning process included four the conceptual alternatives and provided direction for the parts: preparation of the pre‐final design. The master plan for Riverfront 1. Inventory and Assessment of Feasibility Park was finalized based on the outcomes and conclusions of the planning process. Probable construction cost opinions and a phasing 2. Public Participation plan for implementing the master plan were completed. 3. Park Master Plan 4. Strategic Operations, Budget and Financing Assessment 5. Strategic Operations, Budget and Financing Assessment An operating budget for the improved park was developed with 1. Inventory and Assessment a recommended maintenance schedule. Strategies for funding The natural resources and existing features of Riverfront Park