GREEN CORRIDORS. Greening Downtown 2. MOVEMENT

Transcription

1 SW 3RD ST SE 6TH ST OP I-235 WEST I-235 EAST OP C ML PS CS CENTER STREET C PS GRAND AVE CS ML NP LOCUST ST WALNUT ST MS GP MS GP CH MK CH NP MK COURT AVE LQ UNION RAILROAD UNION RAILROAD LQ FLEUR DR FLEUR DR SE CONNECTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARKWAY. PP PP MEREDITH RA SE 1ST ST / SCOTT AVE RAILROAD (ABANDONED) RA SW 9TH ST SW 7TH ST JACKSON OP MS GP ML PS NP CH MK CS C PP LQ RA EXISTING GREEN CORRIDORS EXISTING GREEN (PED/BIKE) CORRIDORS PROPOSED GREEN PROPOSED CORRIDORS GREEN CORRIDO PROPOSED GREEN CORRIDO PROPOSED GREEN CORRIDORS WITH BIKE LANES ACTIVITY CORRID ACTIVITY OP OAKRIDGE CORRIDOR PARK AND SCHOO OAKRIDGE PARK MS AND MEREDITH SCHOOL SQUARE MEREDITH SQUARE GP GATEWAY PARK GATEWAY PARK ML METHODIST HOSPITAL GREEN PS PRINCIPAL PLAZA METHODIST HOSPITAL GREEN NP NOLLEN PLAZA PRINCIPAL PLAZA CH COURTHOUSE SQUARE NOLLEN PLAZA MK DEPOT PARK COURTHOUSE CS SQUARE CITY HALL PLAZA DEPOT PARK C CAPITOL & STATE PEOPLE'S P PP PRINCIPAL PARK CITY HALL PLAZA LQ ELM STREET SQUARES CAPITOL & STATE RA PEOPLE'S ADVENTURE PARK RECREATION PRINCIPAL PARK ELM STREET SQUARES ADVENTURE RECREATION greening downtown includes a network of parks created by new and existing trails, bike lanes, parks and open spaces in downtown 60 A.7.1 GREEN CORRIDORS SCALE: 1" = 1000'-0"

2 DOWNTOWN DES MOINES COMPLETED TRAIL PLANNED TRAIL POTENTIAL TRAIL provides movement initiatives that enhance the quality and increase the quantity of green spaces and places in downtown. In some cases, it is easy to see the direct relationship between movement and the proposals of this section: riding bikes, playground frolicking, kayaking. This section proposes increased capacity for such recreational activities in downtown. In other cases, movement is more strategic and aligned with the connectivity goals outlined in this planning work. Each of the proposals in this section have system or network elements where bike trails and bike lanes, open space, and the rivers are utilized for their unique capacity to connect various parts of downtown. The section addresses parks-related proposals including: urban bike lanes and trails a network of parks celebrating downtown s rivers This section begins with a proposal to leverage our trails, the premiere existing movement system around downtown to create a network of bike lane and cyclist amenities that promote movement in downtown. then shifts to a proposal that considers downtown parks as a system for moving in and through downtown. Finally, the proposals regarding the Rivers begins with movement ideas such as touching the water and bridging the Rivers, and then transitioning to the development section of the report as the section concludes with a discussion about Riverfront development and its role in supporting connections and movement in downtown. Urban Bike Lanes and Trails Downtown Des Moines is the hub for hundreds of miles of Central Iowa trails. Trails along the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers and ML King Jr. Parkway head out in all directions from downtown: north to Saylorville Lake on the Neal Smith Trail, east to the Chichaqua Valley Trail and 4-Mile Creek Greenway, south on the Great Western Trail or Summerset Trail, and west on the Raccoon River Valley Trail. The network that has been in the process of forming in recent years and, while still needing development and implementation, is astounding and well-used. Meanwhile, trail use and bicycling in downtown has been growing. Participation in the annual Bike to Work Week in Des Moines has been steadily increasing, with nearly 1500 riders last year. The Mayor s Ride for Trails annually attracts over 1000 riders. And, of course, the 30-plus-year-old state-wide bike ride, RAGBRAI, draws tens of thousands of people to bike across Iowa at the end of July each summer. Downtown should leverage this momentum and create a network of bike lanes and bicyclist amenities that link to the existing trails network. This network would: provide a safe, viable alternate mode of transportation enable trail-users to safely and clearly access downtown s commercial areas connect downtown with adjoining and nearby neighborhoods facilitate national recognition as a Bicycle Friendly Community ; despite an outstanding trails system, without a network of bike lanes, recognition by this coveted designation is not possible. The following pages outline this proposal for bike lanes and bicyclist amenities in greater detail. Downtown Des Moines is the hub for a growing network of regional trails. Hundreds of miles of trails of trails can currently be accessed from downtown. Central Iowa Trails map prepared by the Natural Heritage Foundation. trails into downtown include this auto bridge converted to a trail over the Raccoon River (left photo) and trails from Gray s Lake Park (right photo). Bike lanes can provide trail connectivity and downtown access, resolving the issues noted on this trail end sign along ML King Jr. Parkway (left photo). More high quality signage such as this Central Iowa Trails sign (right photo) is needed to direct people to various parts of the trail system and into downtown. 61

3 Urban Bicycling in U.S. Cities and Abroad European cities have long been champions of biking as a viable mode of transportation. High gas taxes and dense, congested city centers coupled with bike-friendly policies and cyclist amenities have encouraged bicycling as a part of their culture. American cities are beginning to follow the lead -- and not just in warmweather climates. Minneapolis, Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, Denver, Indianapolis, and Portland are U.S. leaders in creating bicycle-conducive environments. While spring, summer, and fall ridership is certainly higher in these cities with climates similar to Des Moines, devoted riders will bike year-round and bike lanes provide a safer mechanism for biking any time of the year. Each of these cities combines an extensive city trails system with a network of bike lanes that more-safely serve their urban areas. Cities such as Chicago also provide high-profile bike stations that offer cyclist amenities including bicycle parking, maintenance, lockers, and shower facilities, helping to ease any hassles associated with biking as a daily form of transportation. Many places are providing low cost bike rentals or free bike check-outs for pleasure- or convenience-use throughout the city. For example, Tulsa s system is free through sponsorship by the local health care system. The pink Tulsa Townies are rented by scanning a credit card in a solarpowered machine and charges are only issued if the bike is not returned within 12 hours. Oakridge Methodist Hospital d k Iowa Event Center 1 CENTER STREET GRAND AVE LOCUST ST I-235 WEST I-235 EAST Skating Plaza Upper East Side State Historical Bldg. E. 6st Street g Capitol existing and proposed: BIKE LANES and TRAILS 3 WALNUT ST E. 2nd Street TC-2 l a 10th Street 7th Street TC-1 Nollen Plaza COURT AVE UNION RAILROAD UNION RAILROAD j 2 f FLEUR DR FLEUR DR Walnut Street b 15th Street e SCI SE CONNECTOR i MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARKWAY. Principal Stadium clockwise from upper left: bike lanes in the sidewalk zone in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tulsa Townies -- a free bike check-out system in Tulsa, OK, bike lanes in downtown Minneapolis, MN, McDonald s Cycle Center in Millenium Park in Chicago, IL, and bike lanes along the busy Embarcadero in San Francisco, CA As biking in a number of these exemplar American cities has expanded from a recreational activity to providing a viable transportation option, cities such as Portland and Madison have found the need to make organizational changes so that biking priorities are accomplished. While capital costs to complete biking initiatives are modest relative to a number of other urban agendas, they can fall between the cracks from lack of institutional voice. Many of these cities have formed public Bike Offices in order to span the interests of traditional Parks and Recreation and Transportation Departments. Gray's Landing c SW 9TH ST SW 7TH ST JACKSON SW 3RD ST A.6.2 MEREDITH SE 1ST ST / SCOTT AVE RAILROAD (ABANDONED) 1/2/3 TC-1/2 TRAMWAY - EXTENDED NETWORK RAR MAIN BUILDINGS TRAMWAY ROUTE TERMINAL TRAMWAY STOP TRAMWAY STOP PROPOSED ADDITIONAL TRAMWAYS PROPOSED TRANSFER STATIONS PROPOSED ADDITIONAL STATIONS POTENTIAL NETWORK EXTENSIONS OPTIONS FOR TRANSIT KEY : CENTER The map below and adjoining chart indicate routes for proposed bike lanes and trails. The map also shows locations for cyclist amenities -- such as bike parking, maintenance, rentals, showers. Each of these cycling facilities is along a trail or bike lane and associated with either an existing or future parking facility or an existing downtown amenity. Proposed downtown transit is also shown on the map below. h SE 6TH ST SCALE: 1" = 800'-0" KEY : existing trails proposed trails existing trails existing bike lane proposed trails existing bike lane proposed bike lane proposed bike lane bike bike rental, storage and storage rider and facilities rider facilities March 30, 2007 March 30, ' 200' 600' 1400' 0' 200' 600' 62

4 Close-up: Portland, OR, a bicycling leader Portland, OR is recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau as the city with the largest rate of bicycle commuters and is one of six U.S. cities recognized with a gold Bicycle Friendly Community rating. Some interesting aspects of their support for two-wheeled travel: - strength in numbers: since 1990, bicycle use quadrupled in Portland, meanwhile the number of accidents involving bicycles held steady. - the greatest increase in bicycling in Portland occurred in the past three years; in 2007, about 15,000 cyclists/day traveled into downtown via bike. - the City of Portland has 5 full time staff in their Transportation Office dedicated to working on improving bicycling in the city. PROPOSED BIKE LANES and TRAILS - 40 bike specialty retailers have businesses in the Portland area and contribute ~$34M / year to the region s economy - 40,000 people participate in ~2,100 annual bicycle events in the Portland region - 4% of Portland-area commuters travel to work by bicycle map ref BIKE LANE LENGTH (blocks) LOCATION a Walnut Street th Street to State Capitol Grounds b 15th / SW 16th Streets ~18 Ingersoll Avenue to Gray's Landing (incl. E-W Riverside Dr.) c SW 11th Street ~7 ML King Trail to Gray's Landing and Gray's Lake via new pedestrian bridge d 8th / 9th Streets 5+ Walnut Street to NWside neighborhoods e 5th Street 8 Walnut Street to Raccoon River trails f East 6th Street 11 E. Walnut Street to Adventure Recreation Park and riverfront trails (potential future park) g East 9th Street 10+ E. Walnut Street to NEside neighborhoods h trestle bridge at ~3 Adventure Recreation Park to riverfront trails adventure recreation park (potential future park) i SE Connector 6+ Riverwalk to eastern neighborhoods j Railroad Park 11 Riverwalk to State Capitol grounds k Crocker Avenue 20 Riverwalk to Oakridge and Sherman Hill l Ingersoll Avenue 4+ 15th Street to western neighborhoods With 10 blocks of bike lane stripes painted on East Walnut Street in 2006, the advent of bike lanes in downtown Des Moines began. To be effective, these blocks need to be woven into a network of bike lanes and trails. The proposal for linking new bike lanes with downtown to trails would increase number of blocks with bike lanes ten-fold. A Network of Parks Downtown has traditionally been a commercial center and its public spaces and parks have followed suit, mainly serving a downtown workforce and supporting civic and cultural places. Open spaces such as Nollen Plaza, the plaza at Principal Financial s campus, and the Riverfront were designed largely to serve downtown workers and function mainly as a lunchtime space and as aesthetic relief from office windows. In many ways, they provide pleasant images; they are interesting spaces to spend a half hour, but they tend to be passive spaces that do not generate activity and play. As downtown transitions increasingly towards a greater balance of residents, visitors, and workers, parks and open spaces need to respond accordingly. Downtown parks need to provide more active uses and spaces geared towards those living downtown and those visiting downtown for leisure and recreation. With recent park work and construction, the quantity of open space in downtown will nearly double, from about 25 acres to over 40 acres with the completion of Principal Riverwalk. Gateway Park, the Riverwalk, and the West Capitol Terraces add a significant amount of developed parkland to downtown. The proposals offered herewithin are intended to enhance the programs of downtown parks to serve residents and visitors, as opposed to significantly increasing the quantity of open space. Proposed new parks are largely those that have early support in the community, namely the Adventure Recreation Park on the southeast side of downtown and the Green Line linear park at the abandoned railway line in the Lower East Village. Both park ideas are in the very early conceptual stages; no formal commitments for implementation have been made. Additionally, new park spaces is likely to be added incrementally as development is planned in various area and neighborhoods. Investment in parks is a good way to assist and guide development, offering a public good to adjacent developments as well as to the public as a whole. The following pages review the existing downtown parks, propose new parks and modifications to existing public spaces, and ends with a description and precedents from other cities that exemplify the envisioned qualities of these new and revamped downtown parks. A map locating the open spaces and showing the proposed network of parks relative to bike lanes, trails, the pedestrian network, and other cultural amenities can be found at the end of this section. 63

5 EXISTING and PLANNED DOWNTOWN PARKS, OPEN SPACES, and TRAILS map USE TARGETED USERS PARK / OPEN SPACE / TRAIL SIZE (acres) LOCATION OWNERSHIP ref passive active local residents downtown workers regional destination DESCRIPTION / AMENITIES A Nollen Plaza 2 between Walnut and Locust & 3rd Streets. City of DSM x x x 1-acre plaza, tree grove, public art, water feature, benches, landscape planters B Botanical Ctr. and Grounds 14.4 on John Dorrian Trail along Des Moines River City of DSM x x enclosed dome with formal garden displays and water features, meeting rooms and convention space, exterior horticultural displays, public art, adjacent to River and Neal Smith Trail system, benches C Jim Muto Rec Area 7.3 Robert D. Ray Drive. & I-235 City of DSM x x x x x contains Chinese Pavilion and future Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens, adjacent to River and Neal Smith Trail system, benches D Whitmer Park 0.5 Lyon & East 6th Streets City of DSM x x playground, benches, tables E West Capitol Terraces 20 E. Grand Ave - E. Walnut St. & E. 7th St. State of Iowa x x terraced gardens at foot of Capitol, benches, drinking fountains, future fountain, planned expansion north and south F Cohen Park 1 SE 10th & Scott Avenue City of DSM x x historical operable water trough, playground, benches G Allen Park 1 SE 6th & Allen Streets City of DSM x x playground, picnic tables, public restrooms park eliminated with SE Connector construction H Principal Riverwalk.5 miles riverfront Des Moines River -- Union Pacific converted City of DSM x x x public art, water feature, benches, tables, formal/natural landscaping, rehabilitation railroad bridge to new Center Street ice skating rink, public restrooms, café, amphitheater, trail (east and west sides) Pedestrian Bridge I Pete Crivaro Park 25.5 SE 14th Street & Railroad Avenue City of DSM x x water feature, playground, benches, picnic tables, trail connections disc golf, basketball courts, shelters, restrooms J Principal Park 20 Line Drive & Water Street City of DSM x x 12,000-seat baseball stadium for AAA I-Cubs, picnic tables, public art, water feature, trail connections K Western Gateway Park 11.8 Between Grand & Locust, 10th to 15th City of DSM x x x public art (future world class sculpture park), water feature, benches, open field, Public Library, Pappajohn Higher Education Center L Principal Plaza 1.25 Watson Powell Dr. between 7th and 8th Sts. Principal x x plaza with mist fountain, seating, tables, and seasonal plantings M Gray's Lake 166 Fleur Drive & George Flagg Parkway City of DSM x x x x lake with beach, trails, pedestrian bridge over lake, playground, (including a 100A lake) public restrooms, drinking fountains, boat rental, boat ramp, café, benches, picnic tables, native plantings, mature trees N Waterworks Park 1,375 Fleur Drive & George Flagg Parkway DMWW x x x adjacent to Raccoon River, arboretum, woodlands, disc golf, connection to trails, picnic shelters O John Dorrian Trails 7.25 mi City of DSM x x x x x including 1.9 mi. Kruidenier Trail (O1), 3.3 mi. E.T. Meredith Trial (O2), 4.1 mi. MLK Trail (O3),.8 mi. Principal Riverwalk (H), 4.35 mi. Neal Smith Trail (O4) existing downtown parks, open spaces, and trails (keyed with map reference) A A B B C F H I J 64

6 PROPOSED DOWNTOWN PARKS, OPEN SPACES, and TRAILS map APPROXIMATE SIZE USE TARGETED USERS PARK/OPEN SPACE/TRAIL LOCATION OWNERSHIP ref (acres) passive active local residents downtown workers regional destination DESCRIPTION / AMENITIES 1 Riverpoint Park 20 between future Gray's Landing development City of DSM x x x park with recreation fields, playground, trails connections, and and Raccoon River pedestrian bridge to Gray's Lake; potential for river boat launch 2 Walnut Street School playground 0.33 west of Walnut Street School DMPS x x x playground for Walnut Street Elementary School (10th and Walnut Streets) with evening/weekend public access, potentially at skywalk level 3 18th Street Promenade 2 blocks 18th St. between Woodland and Ingersoll Ave. City of DSM x x x connection between Sherman Hill and downtown, potentially with playground and recreation court(s) 4 Methodist Hospital Green th and Woodland IA Health x x x lawn and gardens over below-grade parking Systems 5 Nollen Plaza 2 between Walnut and Locust & 3rd Streets. City of DSM x x x x x water feature, plaza for civic gatherings, public art, outdoor eating, transit stop at Walnut/3rd St., potential playground for Downtown School 6 Courthouse Square 1.5 Court Avenue between 5th and 6th Streets Polk County x x x plaza and stately public gardens at renovated historic courthouse with traffic round-about at 5th and Court intersection 7 Technology Plaza 2 blocks Market Street between Water and 3rd Streets City of DSM x x x x inventive streetscape linking Riverwalk with SCI 8 Riverwalk extension.5 miles riverfront Des Moines River -- Union Pacific converted City of DSM x x x x x southern extension of Riverwalk with public art, water features, rehabilitation railroad bridge to trestle bridge south of benches, tables, formal/natural landscaping, kayak course, (east and west sides) Scott Street Dam indoor/outdoor recreation facilities, trail 9 Adventure Recreation acres Scott Avenue to Raccoon River to SE 6th St. City of DSM x x x kayak course, affiliated facilities, and viewing area, skate park, indoor recreation center with rock climbing 10 Green Line Parks / 7 blocks Riverwalk to Capitol Grounds City of DSM x x x x linear park with trail connecting Riverwalk with Capitol Grounds, Railroad Linear Park recreation courts, playground, dog park, community gardens 11 Elm Street Squares 1 E. Elm Street at SE 2nd Street City of DSM x x x residential / commercial square with water feature, cafes, benches 12 City Hall Plaza 1 Robert D. Ray Drive between City of DSM / x x x x formal plaza east of City Hall preserving views to historic Locust and Walnut Streets private civic building 13 Botanical Center grounds 14.4 Robert D. Ray Drive, north of I-235 City of DSM x x x x enhanced public display gardens (precedent: Rieman Gardens) on John Dorrian Trail along Des Moines River potential for community gardens, public art at I-235 underpass 14 State of Iowa People's Park 165 State Capitol Grounds State of IA x x x public gardens and grounds, cultural/historical exhibits, trail connection 15 Water Works Park 1,375 Fleur Drive & George Flagg Parkway DMWW x x x x regional park with boat launch and rentals, picnic grounds, trails, large events venue such as concerts, metro opera, Shakespeare, 16 Depot Park.5-1 acre south of Court Avenue, north of Depot City or Private x x x x small urban park/plaza for neighborhood activities, small impromptu between 4th and 5th Streets gatherings, small-scale recreational games, and/or market 17 Gateway Sculpture Park ~5 Between Grand & Locust, 13th to 15th Streets City of DSM x x x x x integration of world class John and Mary Pappajohn sculpture collection into Western Gateway Park C D E K K L M M N xi. 65

7 Proposed Parks 1. Riverpoint Park. This park has adequate scale (~20A) to support recreations programs, such as ballfields and playing courts. It will be adjacent to the new Gray s Landing neighborhood and should contain residential programs, such as playgrounds, a dog park, and recreational areas. A pedestrian bridge crossing the Raccoon River to Gray s Lake Park is proposed and, when combined with the size of this well-used Park, the two will create a regional draw. 2. Walnut Street School playground. The Walnut Street Public School, serving preschool and elementary students, has site constraints that make developing a playground different from other DMPS facilities due to its urban location. As with other public schools, this proposed playground has the potential to serve as an amenity to the surrounding neighborhood. Through City and DMPS collaboration, the playground should be designed to meet the unique needs of this urban school, while helping to fill a void in playgrounds in downtown th Street Promenade. The primary goal of this open space is to connect the existing Sherman Hill neighborhood and emerging South of Sherman Hill area with downtown through a landscaped, pedestrian way. The open space would include a landscaped walkway with some residential park amenities such as a playground, dog park area, and/or recreation courts in a re-captured 18th Street right-of-way alignment and on vacant land adjoining the walkway. Other than the Edmunds School and the grounds of Hoyt Sherman Place, Sherman Hill does not have a park. The 18th Street Promenade becomes important both as a connector and a neighborhood open space. 4. Methodist Hospital Green. This open space will provide a gracious downtown front yard for Iowa Health Systems and help to organize the southward re-orientation of the medical campus and hospital. The space below the Green should offer underground parking that serves the hospital campus and events in Gateway Park. 5. Nollen Plaza. Credit civic leaders in the 1970 s with carving out this block of public space in the heart of downtown. This 30-year old urban plaza should be re-invigorated and refurbished. It should continue to provide an urban plaza that can accommodate large gatherings and has the potential to serve as an information hub in the center of downtown. The space plays a role in supporting the Walnut Street Transformation (transit, bike lanes, street level activity), acts as a forecourt to the Civic Center, provides a connection between the traditional commercial core of downtown and the Riverwalk, and links the Iowa Events Center to Court Avenue along 3rd and 4th Streets. 6. Courthouse Square. Iowa has a unique tradition of creating urban, community squares with magnificent County courthouses set square in the center and the Polk County Courthouse follows this model. The grounds should befit the dignity of this tradition and the Courthouse s grand civic architecture. The square around the Courthouse should become a lushly landscaped civic public green. 7. Technology Plaza. This open space was first identified as a part of the Riverwalk masterplan and would provide a 2-block connection between the Science Center of Iowa and the Riverwalk along Market Street. Technology Plaza envisions a celebration of water and science in the creation of a memorable streetscape. 8. Riverwalk extension. As the completion of the first phase of the Principal Riverwalk is in sight, planning should begin for the extents of the Riverfront south to the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. Planning should include active program elements and aspects that allow people to encounter the water -- touching the water. When compared to the first phase of the Principal Riverwalk, the areas to the south are less developed and future Riverwalk improvements can be made incrementally in conjunction with redevelopment. Planning should be in-place so that improvements can submit to the larger vision for the Riverfront. 66

8 9. Adventure Recreation. This significant new open space at the southern end of the Riverwalk would serve as a downtown destination and regional attraction. It envisions activation of the Des Moines River through creation of a navigable waterway, an array of active recreational uses along the River, and a pedestrian bridge that overlooking this lively area. Its implementation depends upon a major infrastructure initiative -- safing the Center and Scott Street dams. Creating safe, active waterways and this associated open space would bestow a legacy to future generations. 10. Green LIne Parks. This series of open spaces connected by a greenway would be created through reclamation of a vacated railway alignment and utilization of vacant land adjacent to the railroad line. The greenway would connect the Capitol grounds to the Riverwalk. Open spaces along the greenway should include programs with residential focus -- playground, dog park area, recreational courts, and community gardens. The park should serve as a catalyst to neighborhood development in the East Village and Lower East Village. 11. Elm Street Squares. These urban squares around the intersection of E. 3rd and Elm Streets have the opportunity to provide structure and character to the future Lower East Village neighborhood. Depending on the way that uses develop in this neighborhood, these squares could tend more towards landscaped plazas with retail uses at the edges or towards green park spaces serving future residents. They should be programmed and implemented in conjunction with development plans for the surrounding area. 12. City Hall Plaza. Ensuring preservation of the civic nature of City Hall and of its notable Beaux Arts architecture is the primary goal of this open space. The site immediately east of City Hall has been a parking lot for decades. While the lot should respond to development pressure with a great mixed use project, views to the distinctive government building and natural light illuminates the Great Hall should be maintained through creation of City Hall Plaza on the western part of this lot. The Plaza should contain programs that help to animate the space including activity that spills out from adjoining development and, perhaps, a water element. 13. Botanical Center grounds. The Botanical Center is an outstanding resource that should have better connection to downtown. The grounds should be developed to connect to the northern end of the Riverwalk and south below the I-235 underpass. The Botanical Center grounds could spur development and provide open space for the new Northeast Riverfront neighborhood, described as a garden district. Creative attention to the underpass will be needed to foster greater connection. 14. State of Iowa People s Park. At 165 acres, the grounds of the State Capitol have the potential to be a world-class resource that forms the east edge of downtown. The grounds were masterfully planned in the early 20th Century to produce a majestic array of architecture and monuments. The first phase of the West Capitol Terraces (completed in 2007) begins to recapture the importance of the grounds and encourage public use of this resource. The bridge that once spanned Court Avenue connecting the Capitol and the Judicial campus and uniting the monuments on the grounds should be replaced. The bridge, along with improvements to Grand Avenue along the Capitol grounds could form distinguished gateways to downtown. 15. Water Works Park. At nearly 1500 acres, this Park with a note-worthy arboretum is among the largest urban parks in the country. With the Raccoon River running through the Park, it connects to many more acres of parkland at Ashworth, Greenwood, and Gray s Lake Parks. This unique resource, adjacent to downtown, should have increased programming and park-wide improvements such as clearlymarked trails, roadways, river access, and potentially formalized performance space to foster its emerging use for outdoor concerts. Water Works Park should be a major regional resource. 16. Depot Park. This urban park for the growing Court Avenue neighborhood should provide residents with surrogate backyard. It should include space for small gatherings and small-scale recreational games such as bocce or horseshoes. Additionally, it should provide space that supports the Downtown Farmer s Market on Saturday mornings and, perhaps, fosters a smaller, mid-week market targeted to residents and downtown workers. 67