Comment NATURAL ELEMENTS & PLANTINGS

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1 Park at Gables N. Rolfe Public Meeting, 4/09/14 Public Comments by Topic Location of Comment Comment NATURAL ELEMENTS & PLANTINGS #1 [Like] The preservation of nature [Like] The large amount of green [Like] The natural planting Liked natural plants [Like] A lot of naturalized areas I like natural but we also have to serve the community Given the density of area, the structure of the park, the more inviting it could be for enjoying the natural areas #2 Too built up, not enough natural space Connections/complimentary planting in adjacent setbacks #3 All year tapestry of massed perennials Field of Daffodils 5 Other Natural approach to site is good. Curves, lush plants. SEATING #1 Seating should be adjacent to play area. #2 Seating should be adjacent and include at least one or two traditional benches. I don t see a seating/relaxation area. Maybe with a small patio or a widened sidewalk? #3 Seating to included traditional bench, or two Metal Curving Bench 3 Comment: More interesting focal point, sculpture does not have to be surrounded by seating but seating would be very important Stone/paver Bench 1 Depressed red seating 1 Seating and seating in the shade is very important. It should be a small refuge. Other Recommend some mulched seating with checker/chessboards, and a water feature for enjoyment and noise mitigation. Also needs some lighting for safety If seating wall at gateway it should not enclose the space too much Park should have tables, chairs, opportunity for picnic, moveable furniture PLAY

2 #1 [Disike] Formality of playground or plantings Needs opportunity for play area but should be small in scale I liked this best but it needs some small scale play area. Natural materials for play spaces within natural plantings o I agree [another commenter] #2 [Like] A place for children to play While play areas are important features I advocate for natural feel, flexible activity. The community needs play areas for young children. Ft. Myer Heights Park is not enough [Like] Play areas [Like] The two play areas. I think this level of programming is the right amount [Like] Good balance of active / passive uses [Dislike] Formality of playground or plantings Not sure about having so many play areas. Should you put something in and then possibly add to it? Play areas should be included leaving some open space as play. Worried about height for kids [sculptural play elements] There are kids and there are not a lot of parks. Play is good Play area should be cohesive with adjacent seating (multi-purpose) Play elements should focus on young children #3 Play as something that you watch over time to see if it s used and if not used change to other use Children Sculpture 2 Climbing Boulder 1 Climbing Spider Web 0 Comment: Might be too active use for this park. Like the more natural looking play equipment Climbing Frog 2 Hollow Log 4 Comment: Really like this item Not too tall on play features for children s safety Water feature/water around perimeter suitable to amuse children and suppress traffic noise for both park goers and residents Very large sandbox for small/smaller children to use (should fit the neighborhood demographic) 1 Other Recommend some mulched seating with checker/chessboards, and a water feature for enjoyment and noise mitigation. Consider low-impact play areas, including permeable surfaces, to be located in root zones at some spaces. PATHS #1 Like wavy, no straight paths. #2 Missing a path, not as much opportunity for seating Park connections from side Connection to project s courtyard is not providing the prominence it deserves. Many residents will use this path. #3 Two entry points to park are good; a pathway connecting the two through the park would cut down on informal usage as a cut through at 14 th and Rhodes

3 Paved Walkway 1 Wooden Crosswalk 3 Tree Scored Pathway 2 Wooden Plank Walkway 1 Comment: Some massed perennials that rotate through the year? Pebble Paved Walkway 3 Tree Trunk Base Walkway 5 Comment: Path through/around the trees? Other The bridge idea of a path through the forbidden zone is a good one, or a stepping stone path. What will be the characteristics of the entrance to the private courtyard? Will it be secure? UNDER TREES/WITHIN ROOT ZONE #1 No place to walk dog means residents will use the tree preservation zone (even if not a resident, they will come from existing residents on other side of street Trees are exercised by swinging makes limbs stronger just like muscles Need to monitor people s movement through the root zone area and then adapt/adjust Tarzan (vines), ropes on oaks to swing between logs or other natural platform, lots of wood chips; swings have been proven (studies) to exercise limbs and make them stronger Add naturalistic stepping stones to limit impact? #2 #3 Also understory in oak zone if there is such a thing, natural benches, carved logs, etc. This would be a great play feature where kids can use it their own way [small natural play features] Naturalistic stepping stones or deal with reality of where people will go (cutting through) Other Heavily plant tree preservation zone or it will be a hillside hangout (mulch is not enough). Native plants with a season appeal. Various types of seating. DOG AMENITIES #1 #2 No place to walk dog means residents will use the tree preservation zone (even if not a resident, they will come from existing residents on other side of street #3 [Like] A leash area---too many pets here, not enough place to walk them Dog area could be noisy and crowded. The lower walkway below dog area is too close to building [Like] Space for dogs Park too busy. Dog area would be too small for the impact it would receive. Park area too small to include dog amenity area

4 Dogs are important in our community and should have their place, but this may be too small of an area The dog area might be too much program for this area Concerned about dog area adjacent to transitional living building being congested Dog amenities near sidewalk rather than dedicate space because on leash anyway Seems too small of an area to include dog area Would there be enough room for play area and dog area? Possibly a dog area with astro turf and something to hose it down with. Very limited space, but high number of pets in the neighborhood Dog park does serve a purpose, even if it is small. Stones/Tree for Dogs 2 Comment: Like the horizontal tree, but needs to be lower Roof should have dog diddle areas with astro turf and some ability to hose down [private roof] Other PUBLIC ART & FOCAL FEATURES #1 (possible focal spot at the hill) There should be public art on site There should be a piece of public art with seating nearby Focal feature is not integrated. Feels more like a sign. #2 Public art should be on site. Art ok, probably not so good for pets Art that is more substantial than seating wall/signage Public art on site o at corner or near pathway [another commenter] o natural, low key, work with trees [another commenter] Public art/sign imbedded in stone wall. Public art can be overdone, but something that announces that it is a park #3 Public art should be on site On site piece of public art, appropriate small scale. In keeping with peaceful, low key pocket park Other Would like to have public art located in the area not to a fund that could go anywhere in the County FACILITIES #1 #2 Should have some lighting in park given half-way house prevents conducting activity not conducive to their transition #3

5 Other Needs to be some lighting in the park for safety and to prevent unwanted activity under cover of darkness. Also needs some lighting for safety BALANCE OF PARK USES #1 [Like] could be a very calm/tranquil area for such high density Simple, passive approach to park. Would provide a more relaxed, oasis-like atmosphere. [Disike] Too passive #2 What is the makeup of the neighborhood park needs how space could be used? A middle ground between passive and active use is good. Areas in neighborhood, there should be some aspects for this in the new park This is the best compromise between meeting the needs of tree protection and a place for children to play #3 [Like] A place for pets and children and nature Like the full activity plan but would emphasize all elements being native natural---tarzan swings, logs (boulders, stream bed arrangement) and yes to dog area An attempt is made to appeal to many groups Space is small so that the non-separate types of activities will make park seem more congested Too much programming for so small a space [Like] Would provide a variety of uses. Would not want to close off a large area for dogs or play areas. They should be integrated. Possibly too congested for a small area and such a dense area Provides some activity to animate space. Roof closest to DC should have an observation deck to see Washington Monument [private roof] Other Look to Francis Scotty Key Park (Georgetown) for example of successful park in small space Will there be an assessment of area demographics to determine park users and needs, specifically play areas?