CHAPPLES PARK MASTER PLAN

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1 CHAPPLES PARK MASTER PLAN Presentation of Preliminary Development Options Public Open House #2 Wednesday November 2 nd, 2016

2 TONIGHT S AGENDA 1. Welcome & Introductions 2. Presentation by Sierra Planning & Management and EDA Consulting Team 3. Q & A Session 4. Informal Walkabout to share views at stations 5. Wrap-up & Next Steps

3 1 PROJECT BACKGROUND The City of Thunder Bay is developing a Master Plan FIT Together, to guide municipal investment in recreation services, programs and facilities over the next years. The core of FIT Together is the City s Recreation and Facilities Master Plan. - Plan for the provision of recreation and facilities. - Project will be completed November, 2016 Recreation and Facilities Master Plan FIT Together also includes detailed Master Plans for core recreational assets. This includes the master plan for the Chapples Recreation Area. The Chapples Park Master Plan will provide direction as to municipal investment in the park. Park-Specific Master Plans

4 PURPOSE OF MASTER PLAN Develops a program of existing and future park uses Provides a framework to guide the development of park amenities and facilities over the short, medium and long-term Provides a strategy for how and when park improvements are recommended to occur Considers changes in trends, demographics, and recreational needs to create vibrant and liveable communities Addresses site specific issues identified in previous asset reviews Advocacy by user groups for change

5 PROJECT PROCESS What has been done? Existing Conditions Analysis Visioning Where are we now? Program Development Preliminary Concept Development Next Steps Preliminary Master Plan Master Plan Report

6 2 WHAT WE HEARD & UPDATE ON FIELD CONDITIONS June, 2016 Public open house Online exit survey Comment forms The physical condition of the soccer fields is a safety concern. Improve the condition of the soccer fields before investing in new facilities in the park. Investing in field turf should be a priority. Plant trees to improve drainage, and to add shade and shelter. Weigh the cost of bandaid solutions over long-term fixes. Chapples should be a central sports facility for Thunder Bay. Separate cyclists and pedestrians. Add an entrance to improve flow of traffic. Add more parking, and better organize it around the different facilities. Community desire for an indoor soccer and tennis facility, either separate or together. Investment in the park as a strategy to attract and retain residents. Improve lighting on the trails to improve security. Chapples golf course is often waterlogged in places. Connect Chapples with other trails in Thunder Bay.

7 3 DRAFT VISION AND GOALS Chapples Park is a city-wide destination for year round recreation, wellness, and open space. It is a hub that celebrates equity, inclusiveness, community, and recreation in a safe and fun environment. Through sound stewardship of assets and a focus on sustainability, the park will continue to provide high quality facilities, access to nature, and open space that can be enjoyed for generations.

8 DRAFT VISION AND GOALS 1 Chapples Park is Accessible to All Users 2 Chapples Park is Dynamic and Diverse 3 Chapples Park Fosters Community Engagement 4 5 Chapples Park is a Destination The Ecological Character of Chapples Park is Celebrated and Enhanced 6 Chapples Park is Flexible

9 4 CURRENT PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES Current Program / Activity Opportunities for Future Park Programming Soccer Baseball / Softball Football Track and Field Chapples Golf Course Walking / Running (Paved Trails) Reorganize fields, improve drainage and grading, centralize parking, convert some fields to artificial turf, provide central washroom / change facility, explore potential for indoor fields. Reorganize fields into clover leaf, improve drainage and grading, centralize parking, provide central washroom / change facility. No upgrades needed to this facility. Improve access and parking. Provide additional facilities to create a track and field hub around Delaney Arena. Improve access and parking. Golf course future is dependent on City budget. Portions of the course may be converted to park space resulting in reduction from 18 holes to 9 or par 3 executive course. Maintain and enhance connectivity, add amenities (benches, lighting, fitness circuits), improve signage.

10 CURRENT PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES Current Program / Activity Tennis Playground Skatepark Skating / Hockey / Figure Skating (Indoor) Skating (Outdoor) Tobogganing Opportunities for Future Park Programming Indoor tennis facility. Opportunity to provide linked activities (wet/dry park), greater range of equipment to promote development of different skills and to appeal to wider range of ages. Skatepark could be relocated and redeveloped to provide greater range in difficulty, skill requirements, etc. and appeal to larger range of ages, combine with BMX facilities. Potential to twin the arena. Improve conditions in Friendship Gardens pond for skating or provide new pond/lake or expand program to new location within the park. Benches, lighting, and connectivity with newly developed seniors facility are an additional opportunity to increase use of this feature for all age groups. Winter activities should be expanded to promote the year round use of the park.

11 5 POTENTIAL NEW PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES New Program / Activity Ideas Festivals / Large Events Cross-country skiing BMX/Pumptrack Stormwater Management Enhanced Ecology and Wildlife Habitat Recommendation Explore options to include flexible open space for events. Incorporate trails on Golf Course, consult with maintenance to avoid damage to turf. Explore opportunity if space is available. Multiple small constructed wetlands, bioswales and stormponds located throughout the park will be needed. Increase tree planting and diversity, naturalize areas along the rivers and floodway, naturalize underutilized areas of the park.

12 POTENTIAL NEW PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES New Program / Activity Ideas Multipurpose Facility (tennis, soccer, badminton, pickleball, pool, library, fitness centre, arena, etc.) Splash Park Day Use Activities Off Leash Dog Park Recommendation Investment in new facilities should look to combine a range of uses into one building where possible. Integrate with playground adjacent to new multipurpose facility. Provide more passive recreation opportunities throughout the park including day use sites. Explore opportunity if space is available.

13 6 POTENTIAL PROGRAM ELEMENTS & STRATEGIES Sports Fields (Soccer, Baseball, Football) Organize fields and diamonds in an efficient manner (i.e. cloverleaf pattern for baseball) to allow for sharing of amenities (washrooms, change rooms, concessions, etc.). Group fields together to create hubs of activity. Dimensions of fields are dependent upon intended use. Ensure adequate setbacks. Provide a diversity of fields that can accommodate a range of users and skill levels. Arrange fields and diamonds in close proximity to parking facilities. Ensure adequate surface and subsurface drainage is achieved. Install artificial turf for tournament quality facilities and on fields experiencing high use.

14 POTENTIAL PROGRAM ELEMENTS & STRATEGIES New Active Recreation Opportunities Provide indoor recreation opportunities (pickleball, badminton, tennis, soccer, etc.). Where possible, combine several uses into one multipurpose facility (arena, pool, tennis, soccer, etc.). Provide a range of unorganized recreation activities that appeal to a range of age groups such as spray/play parks for younger children and BMX/Skate parks for older children and teenagers.

15 POTENTIAL PROGRAM ELEMENTS & STRATEGIES Passive Recreation Enhance the passive recreation opportunities within the park by providing more flexible open space around the active recreation hubs. Provide picnic and day use sites that allow residents to enjoy nature. Create designated off-leash dog park areas where conflicts between park users can be avoided. Integrate fitness circuits along the existing trail system that can be used by people of all ages. Provide open space for community events.

16 POTENTIAL PROGRAM ELEMENTS & STRATEGIES Year Round Activities Provide adequate lighting to make users feel safe and welcome. Set tracks on the golf course for cross country skiing that respects the maintenance requirements of the course. Clear trails so that the park is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists throughout the year. Provide space for informal activities such as tobogganing and snowshoeing. Expand the outdoor skating opportunities.

17 POTENTIAL PROGRAM ELEMENTS & STRATEGIES Stormwater Management Explore the use of alternative stormwater management facilities such as bioswales, rain gardens and constructed wetlands to alleviate existing drainage conditions. Ensure adequate drainage throughout the park, especially adjacent to the sports fields. Provide an amenity/stormwater pond.

18 POTENTIAL PROGRAM ELEMENTS & STRATEGIES Signage + Wayfinding Create entrance features that highlight the prominence the park has within the community. Ensure trail systems have adequate signage and maps that illustrate connections and destinations within the systems. Provide clear directional signage throughout the park to provide safe and efficient vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist traffic. Showcase the ecological features and local wildlife through educational and interpretative signage throughout the park. Connections Ensure trails within the park are connected to the City-wide network. Improve access to the park by providing alternate vehicle access via Dease Street or Legion Track Drive.

19 POTENTIAL PROGRAM ELEMENTS & STRATEGIES Amenities Integrate site furniture (benches, waste receptacles, water fountains, etc.) throughout the park to provide areas of rest and to maintain a clean environment. Provide adequate lighting throughout the park to provide a safe and welcoming environment. Ensure washroom facilities are located in convenient and accessible locations and in close proximity to sports fields. Landscape Improvements+ Greening Increase tree planting throughout the park to provide visual interest, wildlife habitat and shade. Increase the diversity of plant material by planting a range of native species. Utilize Low Impact Development (LID) strategies in all new construction (i.e. permeable pavers, rain gardens, swales, bioretention, etc.).

20 7 SITE PLAN OPTIONS Option One: Balanced Park for the Community A balance between active and passive recreation through the reduction in the overall number of sports fields and the provision of more open space that can be used for non organized or passive uses. The idea is to provide less fields but at a high standard that can serve the recreation needs of the surrounding communities. Improvements are confined to the existing developed areas of the park.

21 SITE PLAN OPTIONS Option Two: City Wide Sports Park Focus on providing high quality sports fields that serve the recreation needs of the city. The central area of the park would be devoted to high quality sports fields and supporting amenities.

22 SITE PLAN OPTIONS Option Three: Premier Sports Hub and Community Park Focuses on providing the premier sports park in Northern Ontario. The golf course is reduced to nine holes, or an executive par 3 course, to allow for the expansion of the sports facilities and the provision of additional passive recreation opportunities. The result: A park that can accommodate major regional and national sporting events while providing open space and access to nature for the surrounding communities.

23 8 Q & A What comments do you have about the concept options? What do you like? What could we improve about the concept options? What other programs would you like to see in Chapples Park?

24 9 NEXT STEPS Listening to the Community Public Open House Online exit survey Next Steps Preliminary Master Plan Master Plan Report

25 QUESTIONS? Thunderbay.ca/fittogether Online Exit Survey: