Development Type - Open Space Open Space Introduction The provision of open space within a neighbourhood presents opportunities for individuals to interact with other people, increase their levels of physical activity and to participate in sport and recreation activities. Open space can also contribute to improved mental health as the provision of natural, green spaces where people can rest and relax can help alleviate stress. This fact sheet details the design and planning considerations specific to neighbourhood parks. Neighbourhood parks, as outlined in the Parks and Open Space Design Element, are parks that serve the needs of the residents of the neighbourhood within which they are located. Neighbourhood parks include children s playgrounds, pocket parks, playing fields and lineal parks connecting other parks or forming part of the broader network of open space and the movement network. Local Park, Jerrabombera, NSW Source: Planning Institute of Australia PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS Open space is an integral component of the neighbourhood structure and needs to be planned strategically to ensure it encourages use. Spatial Location Neighbourhood parks should be: Distributed throughout a neighbourhood providing equitable access to all residents 1
Within a walkable catchment (400m or a 5 minute walk for a pocket park and up to 800m or a 10 minute walk for playing fields) of the majority of residences (Sunjara, 2008) Co-located with other community facilities to enable dual use of the space and multi use destinations, eg. playground facilities located adjacent to a community hall Connected with the broader open space network Transport Network and Design Neighbourhood parks should: Be connected with the walking and cycling network with safe crossing of the street network Have a choice of access routes Be accessible by public transport Be wheelchair and pram accessible Health and Planning Fact Recent research undertaken for the Department of Human Services, Victoria found that for each additional km 2 of public open space, younger children (5-6 year olds) performed almost nine additional minutes of physical activity per day (Timperio et al., 2005) Amenity Neighbourhood parks should: Reflect the character of the land and the neighbourhood by incorporating features characteristic of the area, eg hilltops, remnant bushland, natural water features Be welcoming and attractive Create interesting spaces through novelty and surprise, eg public art, water features (Sunjara, 2008)) Incorporate a range of facilities to cater for a range of users, eg. Children s play equipment, playing fields, shade, drinking fountains Provide with appropriate irrigation and drainage of grassed areas (Sunjara, 2008) Be well maintained. 2
Development Type - Open Space Local Park, Albury, NSW Source: Planning Institute of Australia Safety Locate surrounding development so it overlooks the park Streets to edge the park to allow for natural surveillance Provide lighting to illuminate entry/exit points and those parts of the park to be used after dark (Sunjara, 2008). Useability Parks should be of sufficient size, appropriate dimensions and number to cater for the neighbourhood catchment and the intended use. Pocket parks usually range from 3000-5000m2, whilst playing fields range between 2.5-7 hectares (Sunjara, 2008) Provide seating where walking traffic flow is high to create rest and meeting areas Orient seating to overlook play areas or sports areas and to face each other to encourage social interaction (Sunjara, 2008). Health & Planning Fact People who use public open spaces are three times more likely to achieve recommended levels of physical activity than those who do not use the spaces. Users and potential users prefer nearby, attractive, and larger parks and open spaces (Wolf, 2008). PRACTICE ADVICE The following sets out advice for practitioners on good practice or minimum standards for this development type. 3
Good Practice Spatial Location Provide a number of neighbourhood parks throughout a neighbourhood (based on the population catchment) and cater to a range of uses and users Ensure all dwellings have access to open space within 400m or a 5 minute walk for a pocket park and up to 800m or a 10 minute walk for playing fields (Sunjara, 2008) Where appropriate, locate in distinctive parts of the landscape, eg. Riparian corridors, hilltops, etc Ensure the walking and cycling network connects the park to the broader open space network as the network of parks may form a key component of a journey through a neighbourhood Transport Network and Design Locate on a public transport route with a stop being located close by Locate on the walking and cycling network Enable recreational walking and cycling around the park, where size and function permits Ensure surrounding development overlooks open space Amenity Enhance the comfort and attractiveness of the park through the provision of facilities such as, water feature, public art, natural landscape features, trees and gardens, shade, paths, accessible areas for dogs Provide a range of amenities (depending on the role of the park and its size) such as, children s play equipment, toilets, seating, garbage bins, drinking fountains Ensure ancillary buildings are of a scale that maintains the visual dominance of the open space setting Ensure the park is well maintained Usability Ensure the location, shape, size and design of open space caters for the intended use of the site for passive or active recreation. Optimum practice For new residential areas and redevelopment areas, ensure an adequate amount of open space is provided, and that it is well located, maintained and has appropriate infrastructure available. Avoid Parks that are physically isolated as they may not be used due to poor accessibility and lack of safety and surveillance Poorly embellished and maintained spaces as this may lead to lack of use Busy streets edging the park as this can hinder access and reduce the mental health benefits of open space 4
REFERENCES Wolf, K.L., 2008, City Trees, Nature and Physical Activity: A Research Review, Aborist News, Vol17, No. 1, viewed 26 February 2009, www.naturewithin.info Sunarja A, Wood G, Giles-Corti B, 2008, A factsheet on healthy public open space design for multi-users and multi-uses, Perth, Western Australia: Centre for the Built Environment and Health, School of Population Health, The University of Western Australia, viewed 3 March 2009, www.populationhealth.uwa.edu.au Timperio, A., Ball, K., Roberts, R. & Salmon, J, 2005, The built environment and children s eating, physical activity and weight status, prepared for the Department of the Human Services, Victoria by the Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University. 5