2. Chris Yanez then gave an introduction to the formal presentation.

Transcription

1 stream design, LLC 1245 east colfax ave. #300 denver, co (p) Meeting Notes Project: La Alma Playground Meeting Date: August 11, 2015 Re: Public Meeting #2 Location: Lincoln La Alma Recreation Center Date Issued: August 12, 2015 Present: Councilman Paul D. Lopez District 3 Jesús Orrantia Council Aide Paul D. López, District 3 Chris Yanez, DPR Jeru Parikh, DPR Jesse Clark, Stream Design Claire Kesecker, Stream Design Attached attendee sign-in sheet Topics Discussed: 1. Councilman Lopez welcomed everyone and gave an introduction to the meeting. He encouraged attendees to think big about the possibilities for the park in the long run, but to keep focused on the project at hand. He also pointed to other successful projects around the City for reference points. Following his introduction, a community member spoke up and strongly expressed that they would like the amphitheater to be preserved, as it is important to the neighborhood s culture. Council responded that while there are no current proposals to change or remove the amphitheater some considerations may be evaluated to ensure safety for all park users. 2. Chris Yanez then gave an introduction to the formal presentation. 3. Jesse Clark began the formal presentation with a recap of the previous public meeting and a summary of what the design team heard from the public he summarized major issues and concerns (see attached presentation slides for reference). A brief description of the Criminal Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) theory was explained to help the public understand how design strategies can improve the safety of a park. Then, two graphics were shown to illustrate DPR s plan to remove several picnic tables and the shelter at the playground in October (to address safety and code measures). At the beginning of the presentation during a description regarding community input, an attendee interrupted the presentation to express that she felt that the use of the term community was being used incorrectly with regard to community input on desires and concerns she felt that the concerns raised were not representing everyone at the meeting and that there was too much focus on input from newer community members who tend to be white. Chris Yanez responded to assure the attendees that there are several ways for community members to reach out, and to express ideas and concerns beyond attendance and that the team is very cognizant of the neighborhood background, and of the spectrum of issues presented by a variety of neighbors. Councilman Lopez also responded and described that the community member base is ever evolving and it is possible and desirable to continue to evolve the park and its character while preserving and respecting the heritage of the neighborhood.

2 Jesse continued the presentation with a diagram showing potential improvements for the whole park that respond to the issues outlined emphasizing that although the scope of the project is primarily for rehabilitation of the south playground, the design team wanted to address the comments that were made in the first meeting for the entire park and provide guidance for future planning on a park-wide scale. A few meeting attendees expressed their concern that the design will disturb the amphitheater. They are here to preserve the culture of the park. Councilman Lopez again responded that while there are no current proposals to change or remove the amphitheater some considerations may be evaluated to ensure safety for all park users. Jesse then completed the presentation by revealing the two different concepts for the playground. He discussed the two concepts similarities, differences and equipment possibilities. 4. Following the formal presentation, Chris Yanez opened the room for comments and questions before everyone was asked to stand up and look at the presentation boards. Comments from the attendees included: After polling local children, one attendee found that swings, slides, merry-go-rounds, and ADA accessible elements are desired in the playground. Several comments were focused on overall park visions, and it was explained by the design team that the scope of this project is primarily for the playground rehabilitation, not the entire park. Someone asked how the design team is addressing ADA. The design team answered that all new DPR parks are ADA compliant, and Urban Play Studio (the playground consultant for the project) frequently exceeds ADA compliance in their projects. An attendee who identified himself as the Principal of Colorado High School: wanted to make it known that the path from the amphitheater to the corner of 11 th and Mariposa is used as very heavily by high-school students who use it as a passageway through the park connecting their commutes from west to east. He asked that the design team consider this, as the planning can either invite those teenagers to using the spaces along the path (i.e. shade structures) or to keep them moving through the park. He also mentioned that a new school will be opening, which will double the number of teenagers using that pathway. He thinks that removing or moving the pavilion will help reduce incidence of kids stopping there to do bad things. One family explained how their child is physically challenged, and would like to see play equipment that would help her therapy (climbing, hanging, balancing). One attendee expressed their preference to remove the concrete blocks, do not reuse because they will just become another place for people to sit and congregate in a negative manner. Flip the 2-5 and 5-12 play areas, so that the 2-5 is separated/buffered more from the basketball court. Would like to see more gateway features to invite people into the park. Positive responses to the play equipment shown. Comments were made to express cultural cues via paving, sculpture/art, and in other ways. i.e. reference Hispanic heritage in some ways Comments were made requesting formalized trail connections between the amphitheater and the pool to the rec ctr entrance AND between the baseball field and tennis courts behind the building to the spine trail. People seem to like the idea of several small shade structures as opposed to one large structure. Like placing the shade structure on the north side of the play area, so that it abuts the open lawn and is further from the parking area east colfax ave. #300 denver, co Stream Design, LLC

3 5. Next Steps: Public Meeting #3: Design team will present final concept Stream Design believes this report accurately reflects what transpired at the meeting. Please provide comment to the appropriate project manager if you have a different understanding of what occurred or would like to add specifics or additional information. Notification should be made within 5 working days of issuing this report, after which, it is assumed that all parties agree that this report is accurate. CC: file, Councilman Lopez office, Chris Yanez, Jeru Parikh, Kerry White east colfax ave. #300 denver, co Stream Design, LLC

4 LA ALMA/ LINCOLN PARK PLAY AREA RENOVATION COMMUNITY MEETING #2

5 AGENDA Summary of Last Meeting - What We Heard Future needs and overall planning Play Area Concepts 13th Avenue A B C What things do you want in the park? Qué cosas desea en el parque? I Family Activities Actividades para la familia C D E F H Osage Street F G B J Mariposa Street G H I Picnic area Área de Picnic Natural Elements Elementos naturales BBQ Grill Asador Lighting Luces Shade Área de Sombra Bulletin Board Tablero para Anuncios Benches Bancos E D A J K L K L 11th Avenue Flowers Flores Trees Árboles Boulders Rocas La Alma / Lincoln Park Public Meeting #1 July 8, 2015 What things do you want in the park? Public Meeting #1 Qué cosas desea en el parque? July 8, 2015 La Alma / Lincoln Park G A B Sports Deportes F H C D C Basketball Court Cancha de Básquetbol Volleyball Cancha de Voleibol Kickball Patear el balón 4 Square 4-Cuadrado Soccer area Área para fútbol Handball Balonmano A D E B E F Play Equipment Equipamiento de juego G H Swings Columpios Skate elements Elementos de skateboarding Climbing structure Estructura para Escalar Slides Resbaladera Play equipment (for 2-5 and 6-12 year olds) Equipo de Juego (para 2-5 y 6-12 años) La Alma / Lincoln Park Public Meeting #1 July 8, 2015 La Alma / Lincoln Park Playground Public Meeting #1 July 8, 2015

6 SUMMARY OF LAST MEETING - WHAT WE HEARD Plan for more than just the south play area - i.e. masterplan Address safety and personal comfort Make the park and play areas serve all age groups (young, teens, adults) Preserve the amphitheater - but reduce undesirable activity Distribute activity areas to encourage use of the whole park Make play areas complement each other Integrate nature play/adventure based elements to augment traditional play areas Increase seating for parents

7 ADDRESS SAFETY AND PERSONAL COMFORT Use CPTED Principles Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design The proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in the fear of crime and incidence of crime, and to an improvement in quality of life. Refuge and Prospect Provide sense of protection and visual access Surveillance Allow for the natural surveillance by public (i.e. no hiding places) Maintenance Promote a positive message that the park is well cared for Access control Create a sense of risk for criminals and safe egress for others CLEAR SIGHT LINES - source: urbanistdispatch.com LIGHTING -source: urbanistdispatch.com

8 ADDRESS SAFETY AND PERSONAL COMFORT

9 SERVE ALL AGE GROUPS Make play areas comfortable for children and guardians. i.e. seating and shade Provide Universal Activities - i.e. things to do for more ages and abilities Loop trails (away from roads) Contemplative areas and Exercise, nature, and adventure activities for all ages Activate the spine of the park

10 PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS AND CONNECTIONS Enhanced routes and connections to, through, and around the park Stronger hierarchy for main activity areas (i.e. entrance to rec ctr.) More access = more eyes!

11 FUTURE NEEDS AND OVERALL PLANNING 13th Avenue 3 crushe r Additi ition ona l seatin g at nor orth Existing ing Tot/M ixed Play Rea alig ligned spine t rai l Osage Street Mariposa Street Modify to remove 1 fen ce par kin ing and service are a with mounta ble cur urb New pl aza at amp mphitheahea eater er Mod ify wall for be tter visib ibi lity Exist ing Tenni s Existing ing Ball Field Exist ing Pool ol Existing Rec Center Meadow Play Rem ove existi sting pic nic tab les al ong Mariposa 3 cru sher All ages play nod es: Adv enture Skate Nat ure ent ry pla za New age separate ted play and ex panded par king New ga teway entry Imp rov ove lighting 11th Avenue

12 SOUTH PLAY AREA RENOVATION CONCEPTS Both concepts provide: Variety of play experiences - climbing, swinging, sliding, spinning and imaginative play. Natural materials, shade, and boulders. Age separated play for ages 2-5 and Preservation of large existing mature elm tree. Concept A Concept B Existing walk and curb wall Existing tree New planting bed within existing play pit Seating plaza with small shade shelters Existing tree 5-12 Reuse existing blocks Play Area 5-12 Play Area Existing walk and curb wall 2-5 Play Area Existing basketball court Fitness Fitness Zone Zone 2-5 Play Area Planting bed with shade trees, typical Nature play balance circuit Proposed new picnic shelter Sod Sod 11th Avenue 11th Avenue

13 SOUTH PLAY AREA RENOVATION CONCEPTS Concept A 1. Reuses existing walks and curbing = less spent on infrastructure => more spent on play elements Existing basketball court remains in place Existing walk and curb wall Existing tree New planting bed within existing play pit 5-12 Play Area 2-5 Play Area Seating plaza with small shade shelters Reuse existing blocks Existing walk and curb wall Existing basketball court Fitness Zone Sod

14 SOUTH PLAY AREA RENOVATION CONCEPTS Concept B 1. and will likely have fewer, smaller, or less expensive play elements. 2. Existing basketball court is removed. 3. New larger shade shelter moved to northeast of the playground for better visibility from the street. 4. Includes a stump, log and boulder adventure balance circuit. Planting bed with shade trees, typical Existing tree Nature play balance circuit 5-12 Play Area Proposed new picnic shelter Fitness Zone 2-5 Play Area Sod

15 SOUTH PLAY AREA RENOVATION CONCEPTS Equipment selected for: 1. Unique to Denver system. 2. Visual Transparency (CPTED) Main Structure/Climber 3. Ease of Maintenance 4. FUN!! HIGHLY CUSTOMIZED HIGHLY CUSTOMIZED CH Cocoon Wald HIGHLY CUSTOMIZED CH Cocoon Wald HIGHLY CUSTOMIZED TILTED ARCHES Spinner Shade Swings Balance Circuit

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