Draft Master Plan for Franklin Park

Transcription

1 Draft Master Plan for Franklin Park Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop November 2009

2 I. overview & background Process & History Master Plan Process The Master Plan is based on a community involvement process including three public meetings and input from a steering committee made up of members of the community, local business, and city agencies. The process involved a three-step approach: 1) understanding, background research, and analysis; 2) exploring design alternatives; and 3) deciding on a final direction to guide future improvements to the park Bond Program Statement Replace playground equipment New site furnishings Field improvements Replace wading pool with sprayground Landscaping enhancements New picnic shelter History In 1909 W. W. Seymour, former Mayor and Park Board Commissioner, donated two lots to be used as a park Additional land was gifted by the West End Playground Association, donated by parcel owners, and purchased with money raised by organizations and community members The park officially opened in 1941 The wading pool was added in 1949 Beginning in 1969, Parks drained the lake and filled it in because of safety concerns 2 Master Plan for Franklin Park Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop

3 I. overview & background Neighborhood Context Parks and other public open spaces within one mile (walking distance) of Franklin Park. Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop Master Plan for Franklin Park 3

4 II. Master plan Concept Plan Master PLAN 1 Central Gathering Area Improved access and circulation New gathering plaza with relocated picnic shelter Existing wading pool replaced with sprayground New play equipment in existing play area Additional play area for swings Additional picnic shelter located south of the plaza Area 1: Top wading pool; Bottom play area 2 Northwest Entry & Skate Park Add skate bowl and other skateable elements Eliminate tennis courts Limb trees along north border to increase visibility into park from S. 12th St. Baseball field remains in current location Maintain open lawn for passive recreation 3 Northeast Slope & Meadow Thin hillside vegetation and restore with native plantings Create walking and running circuit that connects with larger loop path below Provide new entry from S. 12th St. Add active recreation area (eg. BMX, Frisbee golf, etc.) Restore stone wall along S. 12th St. Area 2: Northwest corner of park and sidewalk along S. 12th St. 4 Southeast Slope & S. Lawrence St. Thin part of hillside and restore with native plantings Landscape hillside Improve upper park at S. Lawrence St. Create street end access Improve access and circulation with paths and stairs Terrace hillside; expand community garden on lower terraces 5 South Lawn & Community Garden Maintain open south lawn for passive recreation Improve drainage with addition of bog / rain garden New tool shed in community garden 6 Offsite Improvements Curb, gutter, and street parking at S. Puget Sound Ave. Curb ramps at S. 12th St., S. Puget Sound Ave., and S. Lawrence St. Streetscape improvments at S. 12th St., S. Puget Sound Ave., S. Lawrence St. Area 4: Southeast slope 4 Master Plan for Franklin Park Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop

5 I. MASTER PLAN Concept Plan Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop Master Plan for Franklin Park 5

6 II. Master plan Precedents COMMUNITY GARDEN DRAINAGE FEATURE GATHERING & PLAY TRAIL / PATH 6 Master Plan for Franklin Park Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop

7 II. Master Plan Precedents MOUNTAIN BIKE & BMX TRAILS PLAZA / SKATE DOT SKATE BOWL Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop Master Plan for Franklin Park 7

8 II. Master plan Area 1: Central Gathering Area AREA 1: Central Gathering Area This central part of the site currently consists of the most active-use areas including a wading pool, play area, picnic shelters, and an asphalt basketball court. Much of the park s circulation is centered around (originates/ends) in this area. Main park entry at S. Puget Sound Ave. Existing picnic shelter to be relocated Master Plan Recommendations Create a sense of arrival at this primary point of entry into the park. Improve circulation and ensure that there is an accessible route of travel from S. Puget Sound Ave. into the park. Provide a gathering plaza at this central node of the park with benches and picnic tables. Relocate the existing picnic shelter to the area to maximize visibility and accessibilty. Replace the existing wading pool with a new sprayground. Locate the sprayground equipment in the existing restroom and storage building. Retain the relatively new existing play area curb and ramp, but replace existing play equipment. Add a new play area for swings. The restroom building and basketball court are both in good condition and will be retained. Estimated Construction Cost: $1,010,000 Existing wading pool to be replaced with sprayground Existing restroom and play area 8 Master Plan for Franklin Park Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop

9 II. Master Plan Area 1: Central Gathering Area RESTROOM & MECHANICAL SWINGS PLAY AREA GATHERING S. PUGET SOUND AVE. SPRAYGROUND PICNIC SHELTER BASKETBALL COURT Central Gathering Area (NTS) Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop Master Plan for Franklin Park 9

10 II. Master plan Area 2: Northwest Entry & Skatepark AREA 2: Northwest Entry & Skatepark Streetfront along S. 12th St. This is a predominantly open lawn area with an existing baseball field and tennis courts. The area is relatively flat overall with small slopes on its west and north sides where the open field meets S. 12th St. and S. Puget Sound Ave. There are a number of low points that do not drain well, including a large one in the existing baseball fields making the fields relatively unusable for a good part of the year. The tennis courts are in poor condition. Master Plan Recommendations Create skate plaza with the addition of a skate bowl and other skateable elements. Eliminate tennis courts. Limb trees along north border to increase visibility into park from S. 12th St. Retain baseball field in current location. Maintain open lawn for passive recreation. Provide perimeter path and connection with the circulation network at the central gathering area. North slope along S. 12th St. Estimated Construction Cost: $480,000 Open lawn and northeast slope beyond Open lawn, tennis courts, and conifers at northwest entry 10 Master Plan for Franklin Park Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop

11 II. Master Plan Area 2: Northwest Entry & Skatepark S. 12 TH ST. SKATE BOWL S. PUGET SOUND AVE. BASEBALL FIELD Northwest Entry (NTS) Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop Master Plan for Franklin Park 11

12 II. Master plan Area 3: Northwest Slope & Meadow AREA 3: Northwest Slope & Meadow Edge of wooded slope This densely vegetated hillside and high point serves as the eastern boundary of the park. The understory is made up of a mix of native and non-native shrubs and groundcovers. A large portion of the area is being overtaken by understory weed species like Scotch Broom, English Ivy, and St. John s Wort, as well as invasive cherry trees. A number of social paths and a defined maintenance path traverse the area. A number of homeless camps are also present. Edge of wooded slope Master Plan Recommendations Thin hillside vegetation, remove invasive species, and restore with native plantings. Create walking and running circuit that connects with larger loop path below. Provide new entry from S. 12th St. near school entry drive. Add active recreation area (eg. BMX, Frisbee golf, etc.) Restore north facing slope by removing weeds and selectively clearing areas to increase visibility and sitelines inot and out of the park. Estimated Construction Cost: $160,000 Social path Maintenance access path 12 Master Plan for Franklin Park Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop

13 II. Master Plan Area 3: Northwest Slope & Meadow S. 12 TH ST. NORTH SLOPE NEW ENTRY PERIMETER WALKING PATH MEADOW BMX TRACK FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY Northwest Slope & Meadow (NTS) Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop Master Plan for Franklin Park 13

14 II. Master plan Area 4: Southeast Slope & Lawrence AREA 4: Southeast Slope & Lawrence St. This densely vegetated west-facing slope consists of both broadleaf and coniferous trees with a mixed understory. However, the overall health and phsical state of this south slope appear in be in poorer condition than the north wooded slope. The topography here consists of steep slopes that give way to a plateau on the easternmost part of the site that is bounded by S. Lawrence St. Wooded slope Master Plan Recommendations Thin part of hillside, remove invasive species, and restore with native plantings. Improve upper park at S. Lawrence St. with lawn area, trees, and furnishings. Create street end access to S. 17th St. Improve access and circulation with paths and stairs down hillside into main part of park. Improve and widen entry path along east side of community garden. Terrace hillside to accommodate expansion of community garden into lower terraces. Estimated Construction Cost: $200,000 Existing desire path that provides street-end access at S. 17th St. Degraded conditions of southeast woodland 14 Master Plan for Franklin Park Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop

15 II. Master Plan Area 4: Southeast Slope & Lawrence TERRACED GARDENS LAWN / UPPER PARK S. LAWRENCE ST. EXISTING COMMUNITY GARDEN Southeast Slope & Lawrence Street (NTS) Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop Master Plan for Franklin Park 15

16 II. Master plan Area 5: South Lawn & Garden AREA 5: South Lawn & Community Garden South lawn and parking adjacent to community garden The southwest plateau, which is open lawn with mature trees, is perched roughly 15 feet above the adjacent central lawn and community garden. The central lawn contains several stands of mature broadleaf and coniferous trees and acts as passive open space. The community garden has about 60 usable plots and 25 plots that are seldom or never used because of the wet conditions. A small gravel parking area adjacent to the community garden is access from S. Puget Sound Ave. Existing community garden Master Plan Recommendations Maintain open southwest plateau and central lawn for passive recreation. Reorganize and expand path network. Provide perimeter path that connects to main loop path circumnavigating the park. Improve drainage with addition of bog / rain garden. Provide a tool shed in community garden. Locate a new picnic shelter in the central lawn area. Provide new benches along main loop path. Estimated Construction Cost: $220,000 Poorly drained walking paths Poorly drained soils in the garden 16 Master Plan for Franklin Park Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop

17 II. Master Plan Area 5: South Lawn & Garden BOG / RAIN GARDEN S. PUGET SOUND AVE. PICNIC SHELTER CENTRAL LAWN COMMUNITY GARDEN SOUTHWEST PLATEAU LAWN South Lawn & Community Garden (NTS) Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop Master Plan for Franklin Park 17

18 II. Master plan Area 6: Off-Site Improvements AREA 6: Off-Site Improvements Off-site improvements include right-of-way improvements for S. Puget Sound Ave., S. Lawrence St., and S. 12th St. Improved S. Puget Sound Ave. Master Plan Recommendations Potentially provide curb, gutter, and street parking at S. Puget Sound Ave. Potentially provide curb ramps at S. 12th St., S. Puget Sound Ave., and S. Lawrence St. Provide street trees at S. 12th St., S. Puget Sound Ave., S. Lawrence St. Potentially provide stormwater quality and detention associated with street improvements. Estimated Construction Cost: $140,000 S. Puget Sound Ave. Unimproved portion of S. Puget Sound Ave. 18 Master Plan for Franklin Park Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop

19 II. Master Plan Area 6: Off-Site Improvements S. 12 TH ST. S. 12th St. looking west S. PUGET SOUND AVE. S. 12th St. looking east S. LAWRENCE. ST. Off-Site Improvements (NTS) Metro Parks Tacoma with SiteWorkshop Master Plan for Franklin Park 19

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