accommodate markets, small concerts, The Process parties, etc.) Initial Community-Driven Design (March Park Design Considerations/ Concerns t Maintenance A previous design team in collaboration with the t Safety (especially the discouragement of the Friends of Historic Fourth Ward Park developed an homeless population from settling, and the initial program for park development in March 2006. constant patrol of the park) Their efforts suggested the following elements and t Provision for a future influx of children to the identified concerns to be addressed during the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood as younger subsequent design of the park. couples begin to start families t Handicapped accessibility Proposed Park Program Elements from “Initial t Fencing (used to define the edges of the park Community-Driven Design” rather than to discourage use) t Sport fields (maintenance and control) t A soft edge to the lake (without allowing t Parking (could be accommodated along access to the water) Ralph McGill in bulb-outs) t A dog park (clearly defined, and within the t Bringing early evening and nighttime life to less desirable/under-utilized parcels of the the park (this could be accomplished through park) restaurants, cafes, retail or festivals) t Trails (multi-use, including pedestrian, bike, t Future street connections (both North/South, in-line skating, etc.) and East/West across the BeltLine t Sport fields t The creation of way-finding devices that t Interesting water features (perhaps a waterfall, speak to the historic and industrial character or some type of interactive fountain) of the area t A space for community interaction (spaces t Potential to raise money through a permanent for meeting rooms) fundraising device (for instance through the t Event space (such as a rental space like the selling of bricks with donors names, as was Trolley Barn, but not as grand as Magnolia done in Centennial Olympic Park) Hall in Piedmont Park) t Bringing the feel and texture of the adjacent t An outdoor theater (which would neighborhoods into the park accommodate between 500 and 3,000 guests t Pocket parks with a consistent theme (one with both permanent and flexible seating, example was a music theme) and would encourage BeltLine use, rather t WiFi accessibility throughout the park than neighborhood parking) t Play areas that have easily monitored access t Large lawn space points t Picnic areas (both smaller scale picnic tables, t Involving the local community in helping to and pavilions for larger gatherings) landscape the park t Active recreation areas (occurring south of Ralph McGill and including multi-purpose Concept Park Master Plan – Steering fields) $PNNJUUFF$PNNFOUT 0DUPCFS t Public restroom facilities t Concession stands (to be located in small In a meeting with the Subarea 5 Steering Committee kiosks throughout the park) on October 23, 2007, the consultant presented t A library (with a focus on children’s literature, three different concept plans. Each plan featured and a potential space to hold smaller events, a different combination of program elements and such as movie screenings) different configurations of potential park parcels t A flexible outdoor event space (able to for acquisition. 7 ATLANTA BELTLINE HISTORIC FOURTH WARD PARK MASTER PLAN REPORT tMarch 16, 2009 SUBAREA 5 Figure 01 - Park Master Plan Concept A Concept Plan A Likes Comments t Feel of a linear park t Playground functions better next to picnic t Placement of tennis courts area t A single pond concept t Potential exists for multiple picnic areas t Orientation of the outdoor theater t Does it have the ability to expand west or t Use of a large wall for art or activities east? t Multiple uses and connections t Parking lots may need to be larger t Skate park and fields in a remote corner might attract crime t The position and size of the pond walls might pose a security risk 8 SUBAREA 5 ATLANTA BELTLINE HISTORIC FOURTH WARD PARK MASTER PLAN Figure 02 - Park Master Plan Concept B Concept Plan B Likes Dislikes t Minimal grading for a split pond t Disconnection of Cox property leaves it hard t Splash pad to maintain and keep safe t Festival space t Not enough sports fields and associated t Feels like two separate parks…one active and parking one passive t Splitting the pond in two t Traffic circulation on eastern side t Number of street crossings t Amount of park space fronting Ralph McGill, and the isolation of the festival space 9 ATLANTA BELTLINE HISTORIC FOURTH WARD PARK MASTER PLAN REPORT tMarch 16, 2009 SUBAREA 5 Figure 03 - Park Master Plan Concept C Concept Plan C Likes Dislikes t Separation and location of the dog park t Connections to the eastern parcel are not t Trails surrounding the pond optimal t Grouping of playground, picnic space and t Discontinuous flow of circulation throughout associated parking the park t Length of the pond t Entrance on Ralph McGill isn’t grand enough t Compact nature of the park t Issues with the pond elevation, and the t Grand promenade from North to Ralph amount of space it takes up McGill t Not as much programming t Isolation of the Cox property 10 SUBAREA 5 ATLANTA BELTLINE HISTORIC FOURTH WARD PARK MASTER PLAN General Steering Committee Comments Likes Dislikes t Use of a splash pad rather than a public pool t Lack of playground in the more active t Open programmable festival space southern half t Multiple parking lots associated with different t No public restrooms park programming t Lots of tennis and no skate park t A mixture of passive and active uses t Flow from Elizabeth to North Avenue works Translation of the Vision Into Park well Elements After review of the comments and concerns raised Comments from the evaluation of the initial three concept t Pedestrian access to the park crossing Ralph park designs, the planning team assembled a list McGill should put the pedestrian as the of desired elements for inclusion in the final park priority plan. The list of elements included the following t Splash park and playgrounds should be items, with other elements to be added as space adjacent to one another allowed: t Make sure that the festival space is accessible Multi-use Fields for loading and unloading t t Dog Parks (for small and large dogs) Picnic Areas Dislikes t t Lawns t No strong western entrance to the park from t Playgrounds Glenn Iris and the neighborhood t Splash Pad t Street going through the park…even a t Festival Space temporary road could become permanent t Garden Rooms t Use of a tall fence around the pond creating a t Community Gardens visual and physical barrier to the water t Skate Park t Some of the parcels seem remote and may be t Outdoor theater space more difficult to maintain and keep safe t Fitness Stations t Not enough thought about the needs of an aging population Previous suggestions from the initial community- t No designated community meeting space driven design and from the BeltLine Northeast Study Group were discussed and either added Draft Park Master Plan Steering to the above list, or removed from consideration $PNNJUUFF$PNNFOUT /PWFNCFS due to factors such as cost, feasibility of use by neighborhood residents or space requirements. Likes t Hierarchy of circulation routes t Flexibility and quantity of programming t Proximity of playground to splash pad t Separation of active and passive uses t Flexible space for festivals, markets, etc. as gateway to Ralph McGill t Opportunities for public art throughout the park t Variety of parking options t Single pond concept as an opportunity for a bold statement 11 ATLANTA BELTLINE HISTORIC FOURTH WARD PARK MASTER PLAN REPORT tMarch 16, 2009 SUBAREA 5 This page intentionally left blank 12 SUBAREA 5 ATLANTA BELTLINE HISTORIC FOURTH WARD PARK MASTER PLAN Master Plan The Master Plan celebrates two key elements in the park: public art and innovative stormwater management. The Master Plan envisions a park with a balance of passive and active recreation uses. The Master Plan re-envisions parking lots, buildings, and groves of trees as a green oasis linked by a network of pedestrian paths. Program Elements Vehicular Circulation To maintain the continuity of the park, the plan proposes the permanent closure of several east- west streets to vehicular traffic. The idea is not to discourage access, but rather to encourage Eco-sensitive paving option at Ladd Statium in Mobile, AL includes pervious pavement and bioswales circulation around the perimeter of the park. In activating the area, it also adds safety and security Parking by putting eyes on the park. In addition, the new The concept proposes primary day to day parking roadways will provide critical north-south routes needs serviced with on street parking spaces. In for local residents and commuters who currently addition, two distinct parking areas service the use Glenn Iris, Freedom Parkway, or Highland park. The first is on North Angier Street at the corner to get from North Avenue to their respective of the proposed Dallas connection to the BeltLine, destinations. servicing the northern portion of the park. This parking could either be a surface lot or a parking In addition, the closed streets can then be refitted structure that could generate funds. Demand into the primary pedestrian/bike circulation routes for this type of parking should be determined by with only some minor changes to the hardscape. the ultimate use for the amphitheater, with an initial estimate of approximately 50 spaces. One additional parking area would service the active recreation for the Southern portion of the park and should accomodate around 30 vehicles.