AGENDA Pony Barn Recreation Area Working Group

Transcription

1 AGENDA Pony Barn Recreation Area Working Group Monday, December 15, 2014, 6:30 pm Meeting Purpose: The Working Group has been established to develop and review potential changes to the Pony Barn Recreation Area, including the pavilion and riding ring sites, and recommend alternatives to the Reston Association (RA) Board of Directors for final consideration and implementation by staff. A. Call Meeting to Order & Opening Remarks Larry Butler, Senior Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Resources B. Member Comments NOTE: Individual Members representing their own interest or opinion are allotted three (3) minutes to speak. Individuals speaking on behalf of a Reston-based organization are allotted five (5) minutes to speak. C. Review Minutes of November 10, 2014 Working Group Meeting Larry Butler, Senior Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Resources D. Update on Site Survey and Landscape Architect Larry Butler, Senior Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Resources E. Discussion/Clarification of Site Amenities Listed and Overlooked Items Working Group Members F. Presentation of Working Group Status Update for Board of Directors Working Group Members G. Next Steps: 1. Establish Next Meeting Date and Time 2. Suggested Agenda Items for Next Meeting 6:30 pm 6:35 pm 6:40 pm 6:50 pm 7:00 pm 8:00 pm 8:15 pm H. Adjourn 8:30 pm Alignment with Reston Association Strategic Plan The purpose of this evening s meeting aligns with the following components of RA s Strategic Plan: Strategic Area of Focus Strategic Goal Objective to Achieve Strategic Goal Community Leadership & Engagement Sustainability & Community Viability To be the leader, representing Reston s interests, promoting partnerships, and fostering community involvement. To effectively manage all resources, resulting in a sustainable and viable community. To obtain a complete copy of the Association s Strategic Plan, please visit 1. Regularly engage the diverse elements of the community on issues and opportunities that impact Reston. 1. Develop and allocate appropriate financial resources to sustain and enhance the Association s physical infrastructure. VISION Leading the model community where all can Live, Work, Play, and Get Involved. MISSION To preserve and enhance the Reston community through outstanding leadership, service and stewardship of our resources. CORE VALUES Service. Collaboration. Stewardship. Innovation. Leadership. Updated: 12/12/14

2 Improvement Rank Votes Improve floor of pavilion 1 15 Improve play structures with accessible equipment 1 15 Provide viewing platform off County pathway 1 15 Improve meadow with additional plantings 2 14 Upgrade landscaping at pavilion site 3 13 Improve play structures with artistically interesting pieces 4 12 Re-arrange site to move porta-jon 5 9 Improve access from Steeplechase Drive 6 8 Improve parking area 7 7 Incorporate public art at pavilion site 7 7 Connect site features with ADA accessible walk 8 6 Install benches at/near meadow 8 6 Add grill 8 6 Add seating/benches (to Pony Barn site) 8 6 Provide electrical service at pavilion 9 5 Remove dumpster from site 9 5 Add kiosks noting equestrian history 9 5 Re-arrange site to move dumpster 10 4 Install an ADA van accessible parking space 10 4 Improve lighting in pavilion 11 3 Install a walk to access meadow 11 3 Incorporate public art as meadow element 11 3 Improve County pathway along Steeplechase 11 3 Build serving shelf on outer wall for grill 11 3 Improve path connection at front of site on Triple Crown 12 2 Restrict roadside parking 13 1 Decrease footprint of pavilion 14 0 Remove porta-jon from site 14 0 Expand parking area 14 0 Decrease parking area 14 0

3 Categorized by Area Pavilion Area Improvement Rank Votes Improve floor of pavilion 1 15 Improve play structures with accessible equipment 1 15 Upgrade landscaping at pavilion site 3 13 Improve play structures with artistically interesting pieces 4 12 Re-arrange site to move porta-jon 5 9 Improve access from Steeplechase Drive 6 8 Improve parking area 7 7 Incorporate public art at pavilion site 7 7 Connect site features with ADA accessible walk 8 6 Add grill 8 6 Add seating/benches (to Pony Barn site) 8 6 Provide electrical service at pavilion 9 5 Remove dumpster from site 9 5 Add kiosks noting equestrian history 9 5 Re-arrange site to move dumpster 10 4 Install an ADA van accessible parking space 10 4 Improve lighting in pavilion 11 3 Build serving shelf on outer wall for grill 11 3 Improve path connection at front of site on Triple Crown 12 2 Restrict roadside parking 13 1 Decrease footprint of pavilion 14 0 Remove porta-jon from site 14 0 Expand parking area 14 0 Decrease parking area 14 0 Butterfly Meadow Area Improvement Rank Votes Provide viewing platform off County pathway 1 15 Improve meadow with additional plantings 2 14 Install benches at/near meadow 8 6 Improve County pathway along Steeplechase 11 3

4 Install a walk to access meadow 11 3 Incorporate public art as meadow element 11 3

5 Theme Improvement Rank Votes A - Pavilion Structure Improve floor of pavilion 1 15 A - Pavilion Structure Provide electrical service at pavilion 9 5 A - Pavilion Structure Improve lighting in pavilion 11 3 A - Pavilion Structure Decrease footprint of pavilion 14 0 B - Road access Improve access from Steeplechase Drive 6 8 B - Road access Improve path connection at front of site on Triple Crown 12 2 C - Porta Jon Re-arrange site to move porta-jon 5 9 C - Porta Jon Remove porta-jon from site 14 0 D - Parking Improve parking area 7 7 D - Parking Restrict roadside parking 13 1 D - Parking Expand parking area 14 0 D - Parking Decrease parking area 14 0 E - Dumpster Remove dumpster from site 9 5 E - Dumpster Re-arrange site to move dumpster 10 4 F - ADA Access Connect site features with ADA accessible walk 8 6 F - ADA Access Install an ADA van accessible parking space 10 4 G - Play Structures Improve play structures with accessible equipment 1 15 G - Play Structures Improve play structures with artistically interesting pieces 4 12 H - Pavilion Site Misc. Upgrade landscaping at pavilion site 3 13 H - Pavilion Site Misc. Incorporate public art at pavilion site 7 7 H - Pavilion Site Misc. Add grill (to pavilion site) 8 6 H - Pavilion Site Misc. Add seating/benches (to pavilion site) 8 6 H - Pavilion Site Misc. Add kiosks noting equestrian history 9 5 H - Pavilion Site Misc. Build serving shelf on outer wall for grill 11 3 I - Butterfly Meadow Provide viewing platform off County pathway 1 15 I - Butterfly Meadow Improve meadow with additional plantings 2 14 I - Butterfly Meadow Install benches at/near meadow 8 6 I - Butterfly Meadow Install a walk to access meadow 11 3 I - Butterfly Meadow Incorporate public art as meadow element 11 3 I - Butterfly Meadow Improve County pathway along Steeplechase 11 3

6 PONY BARN PAVILION AND RIDING RING AREA IMPROVEMENTS Pavilion Area Improve floor of pavilion Improve lighting in pavilion Decrease footprint of pavilion Provide electrical service at pavilion Improve access from Steeplechase Drive Improve path connection at front of site on Triple Crown Re-arrange site to move porta-jon Remove porta-jon from site Improve parking area Expand parking area Decrease parking area Remove dumpster from site Re-arrange site to move dumpster Install an ADA van accessible parking space Connect site features with ADA accessible walk Improve play structures with artistically interesting pieces Improve play structures with accessible equipment Upgrade landscaping at pavilion site Incorporate public art at pavilion site Riding Ring/Butterfly Meadow Area Improve meadow with additional plantings Install a walk to access meadow Install benches at/near meadow Incorporate public art as meadow element Improve County pathway along Steeplechase Provide viewing platform off County pathway Additional Proposed Items (Either Area)

7 Purpose of the Pony Barn Parks The Working Group recommends that these parks be refreshed rather than repurposed. Specifically, the parcel north of Triple Crown Road should remain a picnic pavilion and playground for families and children. It should be on a par with the other rental picnic facilities in Reston. The Butterfly meadow should continue to support wildlife without human interference. However, both parcels could benefit by improvement. Pony Barn Picnic Pavilion Park Pavilion Problem: The pavilion is not on par with the other picnic pavilions rented by RA. The lack of light and the mulch floor in the interior limit how the facility can be used. One grill is inadequate for groups. Lack of electricity restricts possible types of food service and any presentations. There is no recognition of the historic nature of the pavilion as a part of Reston s equestrian past. Possible solutions: Dot exercise list Improve the floor of the pavilion (15) Add an additional grill (6) Add seating/benches (6) Add a kiosk or other structures to tell the story of Reston s equestrian past (5) Provide electrical service (5) Improve lighting (3) serving shelf on outer wall (3) Additions Replace the information board with a more attractive kiosk consistent with the other elements in the park Add skylights to the pavilion Seek registration with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources Paint barn and tables Add new bike rack Picture boards in the pavilion with pictures of the pony barn over the years

8 Playground Problem: The current equipment, two swings, is inadequate for the number of children in the neighborhood and in groups that might rent the pavilion. There are no playgrounds for small children (under age 5) within a mile of the park. There are no playgrounds for disabled children. Possible solutions: Dot exercise list Improve play structures with accessible equipment (15) Improve play structures with artistically interesting pieces (12) Additions Add playground equipment for small children (Create a tot lot) Add a standin board Park area Problem: The overall appearance of the park is rundown. The dumpster and porta johns are unsightly and not hidden from view. Because the dumpster is so large, it is used to dump furniture and other large objects that are not from use of the park and is used by RA as a collection station for trash from throughout the south side of Reston. The porta johns are not handicapped accessible. The metal and glass information board replaced a more attractive board that was consistent with the other elements in the park. It is often fogged up. Possible solutions: Dot exercise list Upgrade landscaping (13) Re-arrange the site to move the porta johns (9) Incorporate public art at the site (7) Remove the dumpster (5) Rearrange site to move dumpster (4) Additions Replace the information board with a more attractive kiosk consistent with the other elements in the park

9 Parking and accessibility Problem: The parking lot has 11 parking spaces on gravel without a handicapped parking space. Overflow parking for events must be on Triple Crown. There is no access for wheelchairs or strollers to any of the park s elements. There is only a goat trail to connect the park to Steeplechase and there are no sidewalks on this part of Triple Crown. Possible solutions: Dot exercise list Install an ADA van accessible parking space (10) Improve access to Steeplechase (8) Connect site features ADA accessible walk (8) Improve the parking area (7) Improve path connection at front of site on triple crown (2) Restrict roadside parking (1) Additions Add permeable paths that are also wheel chair accessible Improve drainage Butterfly meadow and field Problem: The butterfly meadow appears to be underutilized because it s purpose to support wildlife is not apparent. It contains wildflowers and one bluebird house but no other features to support wildlife habitat. The railing/fence on the County path next to Steeplechase fell down and a temporary fence was put up. The open field is often extremely soggy. Possible solutions: Dot exercise list Add a viewing platform off County pathway (15) Improve the meadow with additional plantings (14) Install benches at/near meadow (6) Install a walk to access meadow (3) Incorporate public art as a meadow element (3) Improve county pathway along Steeplechase (3) Additions Add signboards and with educational kiosks

10 Add more bird and bat houses and mason bee hives Get acknowledgement for the purpose of the meadow by seeking designations as a Monarch Waystation and a Audubon At Home Wildlife Sanctuary Team with other groups to create curricula about the wildlife in the parks and the Glade Stream ecosystem Create a Podcast for a walking tour of the meadow Explore drainage solutions for the field Add a standin board