4 Park Planning and Design

Transcription

1 4 Park Planning and Design Park Constellations Elliot Gateway/Mills Loring North Loop Commons Twins Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Downtown Service Area Master Plan 4-1

2 PROJECT APPROACH REFERENCE The Downtown Service Area Master Plan (DSAMP) project approach has been comprehensive and multi-faceted examining demographics, recreation needs, condition of current assets, best practices in urban park and recreation, and existing service gaps. Throughout the document the project approach diagram will be referenced, where appropriate, to depict how the information collected connects to these facets. This chapter addresses landscape and design character. 4-2

3 PARK PLANNING & DESIGN INTRODUCTION Under this service area master plan, the five existing parks and one or more potential new parks of the Downtown Service Area will evolve as a part of a constellation of public spaces. This section presents design directions for the parks in the Downtown Service Area and, as a key to completing the constellation concept, shows the relationship of MPRB parks to other park-like spaces throughout Downtown. Each constellation is described as a collection of public spaces and the links between those spaces (Figure 4.1). Where parks exist in a constellation, they are described with information intended to demonstrate the basis for its evolution under the Downtown Service Area Master Plan, including: A description of the history of the park, its neighborhood context, and its extant conditions; A narrative description of the proposed plan and the ways in which changes respond to conditions and input; An illustration of the proposed park plan; A chart indicating the evolution of input that resulted in the proposed park plan; A list of key initiatives those actions proposed to be undertaken by the MPRB along with a likely sequence of implementation for various components proposed for the park; An estimate of the costs of implementing the proposed park plan Each constellation also includes other public spaces, not owned by the MPRB, that are important in supporting a downtown park user s recreation experience. For those spaces, this section describes the public space and its key features those elements supporting activities or uses that might be unique in Downtown or perhaps cannot be reasonably accommodated in a park within a particular constellation. In the case of one part of the Downtown Service Area, no parks exist other than those along the Mississippi River. While the river and the existing riverfront parks are a significant recreational opportunity, the North Loop constellation demonstrates several sites as potential parks that might evolve with guidance from the MPRB. Each constellation is formed by connections between parks and public spaces. This section identifies those connections and in some cases more fully describes them as a part of the downtown experience. Park designs are shown as concepts, with directions based on a range of factors including input gained from the public and other advisory committees during the master planning process, conditions of the parks, and a projection of the ways in which each park might serve park users during the time horizon of the master plan. In most instances, funding limits opportunities for wholesale change within a park, so the drawings demonstrate an ultimate design that would be achieved incrementally. A plan included in this section demonstrates a concept that: identifies and organizes the general patterns and uses for the park; shows the general form and extent of the landscape, play features and courts, gathering spaces, structures, special features, and natural elements; and illustrates the extent and general location of paths accommodating pedestrians and bicyclists. Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Downtown Service Area Master Plan 4-3

4 A park plan, as shown in this section, is a guide. It does not intend to show the specific design for any element, and it does not necessarily show details or locations of minor features such as benches and tables, signs, or other smaller components typically included in a park. While significant interactions with the public formed many of the core master plan directions for each park, the process of engaging park users will continue as a part of any physical changes to the park. A final plan one based on the concepts of the Downtown Service Area Master Plan, will be created in concert with further public input as capital funding becomes available for a park. TWINS NORTH LOOP GATEWAY/MILLS Additionally, as the parks and park-like spaces of Downtown are related by the experiences of users, programming becomes a particularly important aspect. The intentions of this master plan are that park-like spaces will be infused with activity, beyond just being spaces that have park-like character alone. In some cases, especially in existing parks, programming might be lead by the MPRB. In other cases, especially in new parks or Downtown s many park-like spaces, collaboration in programming is the more likely path. LORING COMMONS ELLIOT Figure 4.1 Constellation Concept Diagram 4-4 Park Planning & Design Introduction

5 TWINS CONSTELLATION Existing Park-Like Space 1 Target Field Station Proposed Park-Like Space 2 Skyway Commons Pocket Park Park Connectivity and Wayfinding Priorities South 5th Street Cedar Lake Regional Trail TWINS CONSTELLATION The Twins Constellation contains no spaces currently programmed or operated by the MPRB. Target Station Plaza, on the north side of Target Field, is recognized as a public and park-like space complete with plaza, green space, and amphitheater intended to support year-round events. Skyway Commons Pocket Park is a multiuse park proposed by the Midwest Skateboarding Alliance to replace an existing vacant lot with a small skate park, seating, public art, and green space. 1 2 Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Downtown Service Area Master Plan 4-121

6 Images by SEH Target Field Station In 2014, Hennepin County opened a space on the north side of Target Field that was designed to be an engaging and dynamic public plaza. Originally referred to as The Interchange, Target Field Station is a point of convergence for more than 500 trains per day, which includes Metro Transit s Blue and Green Lines for light rail service, and the Northstar Line for commuter rail service. It is also a point of convergence for local bus service and regional bicycle trails. Target Field Station offers pre-function space for Target Field events with a 60,000 square foot plaza, green space, and amphitheater, all intended to support year-round events. For the Downtown Service Area Master Plan, Target Field Station is recognized as a public, park-like space that offers a significant venue for gathering. Events are programmed in concert with the Minnesota Twins. Key Features Gathering spaces supporting major events at Target Field Connections to transit and regional trails, creating a hub of activity for the North Loop Amphitheater for performances and casual gathering at other times Destination for the North Loop neighborhood with features that can t be easily replicated in other North Loop parks or park-like spaces Park Planning & Design Twins Constellation

7 Site Existing Conditions and Design Concept by Damon Farber Skyway Commons Pocket Park The vacant lot at 2nd Avenue North and North 4th Street has the potential to provide much-needed recreation and green space in this dense urban neighborhood. It is located under a skyway system linking parking garages which serve Target Field as well as adjacent businesses and multi-family housing developments. The lot is highly visible, located at a common access point for the thousands of visitors that stream into the Downtown West neighborhoods for entertainment and special events every year. Currently it is an unwelcoming left over space populated by weeds and broken paving. The Midwest Skateboarding Alliance in collaboration with Damon Farber Associates has proposed construction of a multi-use pocket park in this site, to include a small skate park, seating, trees and plantings. Key Features Lunch and relaxation spot for downtown workers, residents and visitors Safe and contained recreation amenity in a welcoming outdoor urban area Designated place for skateboarders to visibly recreate, to proactively reduce nuisance complaints or property damage elsewhere downtown Space that encourages foot traffic and eyes on the area to activate the space and increase safety Green infrastructure with the addition of rain gardens, shade trees, innovative stormwater management, and native plantings for pollinator/bird habitat Downtown beautification with displays of public art Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Downtown Service Area Master Plan 4-123

8 4-124 Park Planning & Design Twins Constellation