Meeting Three Saginaw Fairgrounds Urban Park Plan New Beginnings Enrichment Center June 7, 2016
Acknowledgements Local Partners The following is a list of organizations who contributed input during the planning and design process: oone Week One Street ocity of Saginaw osaginaw Housing Commission osaginaw County onew Beginnings Enrichment Center osaginaw County Parks and Recreation Commission The Michigan State University Team Michigan State University (MSU) and the School of Planning Design and Construction (SPDC) is led by co-principal investigators Wayne Beyea and Warren Rauhe, lead designer Jack McDonough, and Research Assistants Christina Ignasiak, Sean Campbell, and Sarah Wallace.
Project Sponsors
Outline 1. Project Overview 2. Session One: Community Visioning Results 3. Session Two: Design Input Results 4. Recommendations and Next Steps
Sustainable Built Environment Initiative Assisting communities to address physical planning, design and land use issues It offers a graphic visioning process that provides citizens with a set of images and recommendations to guide improvements in their community with a sustainability theme.
Scope 1. Summarize existing conditions, community input process, overarching goals of the urban park plan 2. Recommend physical improvements 3. Identify opportunities such as programs and initiatives to execute the plan
Project Timeframe November 2015 February 2016 June 2016 July 2016 Session One: Community Visioning Session Two: Design Input Final Presentation Final Report Delivery
Session One: Community Visioning Community leaders and citizen made comments and recommendations for the site of the Old Saginaw Fairgrounds on November 16, 2015 at New Beginnings Enrichment Center They answered the questions: 1. What are you proud about for the project site and the immediate area? 2. What are you sorry about for the project site and immediate area? 3. What would you like to see as you float over the site in a hot air balloon 15 years from now?
Community Input Results What are you proud about for the project site and the immediate area?
Community Input Results What are you sorry about for the project site and the immediate area?
Community Input Results What would you like to see as you float over the site in a hot air balloon 15 years from now?
Key Design Considerations osustainability oconnectivity to the surrounding area, especially the neighborhoods ohistorical reflection osetting for activities oyear round opportunities ofamily oriented oopportunities for all ages and abilities, especially youth ocohesive design opublic art
Key Design Considerations Cont. omultiple use facilities and areas oactive and passive recreation opportunities obeautification oopportunity for community resurgence oconsider maintenance needs othink security and safety othink green ocreate positive energy orespect culture, diversity and inclusion oareas for festivals and events ocreate a unique place to be
Key Design Considerations Cont. oimprove visual appearance along Genesee and also other streets othink county wide and beyond as to appeal, not just an East Saginaw park oclean up and re-landscape, but also respect the natural regeneration of the native landscape ofun and adventure ocultural activities and elements ovibrancy omixed use, but limited oa place of peace and harmony
Session Two: Design Input February 26, 2016 New Beginnings Enrichment Center
Alternative One Comments
Would these docks be vandalized like the ones on Ojibway Island? I like the fishing opportunities.
Historic feel/ interactive signage I would love to maintain the history of the property!
I like the natural habitat areas. It s more of a connection to nature in the city. Love all the nature, we could use it for education
Having a public safety building would light up the neighborhood and make everyone feel safe Add a walking path around the site and more recreation I m concerned with neighborhood kids unsupervised with the pond There s not a lot of sit down restaurants near the site I like the pond I like the no through traffic idea Have more fun activities everyday
The pond is concerning due to the liability and the cost of staffing to keep it safe I would love to see a garden program
Make sure there is a cover over the amphitheater for performers I like that the sledding hill also acts as an amphitheater The amphitheater could be a place for school and community bands to perform
Beautiful, easy to maintain, easy to build
I love the showcasing of the gate. It s a great nod to the history of the site.
I love this nod to the grandstand, plus it s practical and artistic I like the recycled materials, reuse, reduce Eliminate all of the grand stand
I like the community pavilion it s welcoming and inviting for outdoor social activities Good idea Great idea Gardens can be added later when there is programming on site
Awesome The education center is wonderful
I love the entry, it looks like the old entry but more natural looking I like the promenade it encourages the use of the gate and makes a statement
I love the splash park it s a fun outdoor activity without needing to know how to swim
I love the sledding hills to encourage winter exercise Sledding is a good idea
Alternative Two Comments
How much use would the grandstand actually get? Would it be worth the investment? I m concerned with the through traffic All the sports facilities would get a lot of use I love the new fire station
We need positive active things to do for local kids Local teens need more organized sports How do we make people feel safe?
I like the grandstand but I don t want it to compete with the FirstMerit Bank Event Park
I love all the green. We need more places that promote environmentally responsible living I like the idea of a community center. I love the green architecture
How with traffic flow not get backed up? Don t spend money to keep the grand stand
I don t like the roof it will block the sun There s already an event pavilion in downtown, which is very close to here
I like the introduction of new types of activities and winter sports
Saginaw Fairgrounds Steering Committee Input April 11, 2016
Saginaw Fairgrounds Steering Committee Input
Final Design Images
Planning and Design Recommendations
What makes a great urban park? Green Space Shared community place for recreation, services, and leisure Community Engagement Incorporating public values into decision making and reducing conflict between stakeholders Creating spaces where community members uses skills such as teamwork, collaboration, and trust Green Infrastructure Parks can help manage storm water, flood control, and protect biodiversity within the city Recreational Components A variety of recreational features and areas can promote positive engagements between community members
Case Studies CLARK PARK, DETROIT GAS WORKS PARK, SEATTLE Provides year-round activities such as hockey clubs, festivals, after school homework assistance and other community focused gatherings Successful public-private partnership manages and funds the park (Clark Park Coalition and the City of Detroit) Revitalized a neighborhood and created a place to celebrate the rich culture of the neighborhood Provides large amounts of green space Uses existing infrastructure in a new unique way to create a new space from an old industrial use Promotes a variety of activities through recreational components such as a playground for youth, walking paths, a pavilion for community events, etc.
Year-Round Components to Increase Functionality oensure that outdoor seating and features in the park are durable and will withstand different elements. oestablish scheduled maintenance to allow the park to be accessible and useable year round. o Include low/no maintenance landscaping oprovide year-round programming and activities including winter festivals, sledding, ice skating, etc.
Safe and Inviting oimplement Safe Design Standards from the Safe Design Council oadd lighting to the park ocreate a timeframe where the park is open and closed mitigating activity to occur after hours. oinclude the Saginaw Fairgrounds to be incorporated into the Parks Grounds Maintenance program opartner with the City of Saginaw and Saginaw County to become involved in their Adopt-A-Park program
Accommodate All Community Members oprovide barrier free access to the park and recreation facilities. Work with the city to provide suitable access to parking, walking pathways, restrooms, signage, barrier-free amenities, and activities. oensure that the design of park access points are both identifiable and inviting to the pedestrian. opermit food trucks/carts or vendors within the park oencourage and permit community gardening in the park.
Historic Preservation oimplement the City of Saginaw s Master Plan, by Preserving historic buildings and areas ofollow LEED guidelines for Neighborhood Development and Historic Preservation to preserve and adapt the historic site orefer to the Land Policy Institute Placemaking Guidebook to understand how to utilize historic structures for the local economy and community benefit
Next Steps 1. Delivery of Final Report: July 2016 2. Explore funding opportunities and operating logistics 3. Meet with the interested groups and stakeholders to develop a timeline to design and construct improvements to the Saginaw Fairgrounds site
Thank You For more information, contact: Wayne Beyea, beyea@msu.edu Warren Rauhe, rauhe@msu.edu