Lowe Park Master Plan Update Marion, IA August 25 th, 2011
Lowe Park Master Plan Update Concept Plan - June 1 st, 2011 Agenda 1 - INTRODUCTION Vision Statement Aerial of Existing Condition 2 MASTER PLAN UPDATE Plan Update 3 AMPHITHEATER CONCEPT Concept Development 4 RECOMMENDED PRIORITIES
INTRODUCTION
Lower Park Master Plan - 2011 Vision Statement Lowe Park is a unique destination that welcomes and captivates individuals, families, and the community in a sustainable way focused on the health of people, place and community..
MASTER PLAN UPDATE
Master Plan Update Visual Imagery Cultural 1. Art and Environmental Center 2. Maintenance Facility 3. Passive Environmental Education Area 4. Meditation Retreat 5. Multi-Use Activity Recreation Area 6. Lowe Memorial Garden 7. Future Development Pad 8. Trail a. Art b. Recreational c. Natural 9. Amphitheater/Ice Skating/Meditation/Retreat 10. Natural play 11. Adult exercise 12. Shelters/restrooms/rest station Program Environmental 1. Storm Water Management Facilities/Pond 2. Wetland Educational/Recreational Area 3. Passive Environmental Education Area Community 1. Work with City staff to develop favorable adjacent land use patterns.
Lowe Park Master Plan Update Concept Plan - June 1 st, 2011 PROCESS
Lowe Park Master Plan Update Concept Plan June 20 th, 2011 PROCESS During the planning efforts, the proposal to address the park edges in a more integrated way was discussed. The adjacent graphic illustrates the willingness of the City to work with adjacent land owners and developer in the creation of a truly integrated park plan. Integrated with the adjacent neighborhoods and the community.
Lowe Park Master Plan Update Concept Plan Development PROCESS The master plan for Lowe Park recognizes that the park will need to function at several different scales. The neighborhood park area to the north and south provides a very pedestrian scale to the surrounding neighborhood both existing and proposed. The Arts and Environmental Center and the proposed outdoor amphitheater provide regional attraction and serve the greater community. Neighborhood Park Proposed Neighborhood Development Restored Prairie Proposed Neighborhood Development The Meadow Pond The Lawn Meditation Retreat Pond The Great Lawn Art Walk Sports Complex Pond Neighborhood Park
Lowe Park Master Plan Update Master Plan The Master Plan focuses on create a landscape that is restorative in nature. The large open expenses will be restored prairie. Existing and proposed trees will create a woodland savanna. The ponds are for both recreation and stormwater management. Neighborhood Park Proposed Neighborhood Development PROPOSED Proposed Neighborhood Development Oak Ridge School The Meadow Sports Complex Meditation Retreat Pond The Lawn Pond The Great Lawn Art Walk Pond Neighborhood Park Proposed Neighborhood Development
Master Plan Update Visual Imagery Program Park as Community Focus The master plan illustrates a concept development option for the areas to the north and south of the site. It is the intent of this plan to integrate the future residential development and street alignment with the park design. This provides a connectivity between the park land and the surrounding community through street alignment, trail access, stormwater management, lighting, signage and landscaping. Note: The depicted residential development will be privately owned, will be privately developed, and the layout is meant to be only for conceptual purposes only. Meditation Area This area is design to provide a place for quiet contemplation for park users with a focus on a restored landscape and respite away from the more active park facilities. The shelter will prove shade and pond and surrounding landscape will provide a place of Quiet Beauty. Community Gardens The community gardens building upon the current gardens at Lowe Park. During the master planning process, much discussion arose around an area that could unite the theme of farming, sustainable agriculture, urban farming and locally grown food. This could be such a place. The structure adjacent to this area are meant to depict the opportunity to develop shelters, greenhouses or support facilities for both the community gardens and the amphitheater. The illustration depicting this area provides a level of flexibility as the park matures and unique opportunities present themselves.
Master Plan Update Visual Imagery Program Youth Sports Complex Improvements The existing youth sports complex will be enhanced through improved trail access, increased plaza space, enhanced landscape and extensive stormwater management best management practices. Pathway & Trail Development Pathways and trails will be provided extensively though out the park. The pathways and trails will be classified as follows Pathways /Nature Trails: 6-8 Wide Mowed Pathways Pathways: 5-6 Wide Paved Sidewalks Passive Recreational Trails: Paved Trail 8 Wide Trail Active Recreational Trail: Paved 10-12 Wide Trail Ponds & Wetlands The proposed ponds will serve many role including stormwater management, urban fishery, wetland restoration and provide the park with a greater diversity of habitat. This habitat will serve wildlife verywell. All of these considerations will enhance the overall scenic beauty of Lowe Park..
AMPHITHEATER CONCEPT
Amphitheater Study Visual Success PROGRAM The following program elements were discuss and established for the amphitheater 1. Seating Capacity a. Frequent seating 800people / week b. Periodic seating 1,200 people / monthly event c. Larger events will be in another facility 2. Stage Capacity a. Small group: 3 to 10 People b. Medium sized group: 11 to 20 c. Large group: 20 to 40 d. Minimum size of stage: 30 x 50 3. Stage Configuration a. Two tier, upper (main) and lower b. Accessibility: the stage and performance area should be accessible. c. Service Access: Ability to provide a straight truck or pickup truck access. d. Structure: * Back wall optional * Side walls optional * Roof, preferred * Roof structure required. e. Restrooms attached to the structure are not required. f. Storage not required 4. Sound and Lighting Control Local a. Some storage attached to stage with remote sensors.
Amphitheater Study Case Studies In the Planning Stages Waterloo, IA Invision Simon Estes Theater Des Moines, IA Civic Green Park Highlands Ranch, CO Cedar Rapids, IA - Sasaki Council Bluffs, IA - Sasaki Scott Outdoor Amphitheater Swarthmore College, Penn. Red Rock Amphitheater Morrison, CO
Lowe Park Amphitheater Study Concept Plan Pond Restored Prairie Amphitheater Neighborhood Park Community Gardens The Meadow Sports Complex Meditation Retreat Pond The Lawn Pond The Great Lawn Art Walk Pond Neighborhood Park
Lowe Park Amphitheater Study Plan Enlargement Meditation Retreat Restored Prairie Pond Stage Stone Seating 300 Capacity Lawn Seating 800 Capacity Structures Neighborhood Park Lawn Community Gardens
Lowe Park Master Plan Update Concept Plan Pond Service Access Ramp Lawn Seating Upper Stage Lower Stage Overflow Seating Overflow Seating Drop-Off Stone Seating Capacity 300
Lowe Park Amphitheater Study Nature as Inspiration IMAGERY
Lowe Park Amphitheater Study Concept Development
Lowe Park Amphitheater Study Concept Sketch Concept Plan
Lowe Park Amphitheater Study Concept Sketch
Lowe Park Amphitheater Study Concept Sketch Night Shot
Lowe Park Amphitheater Study Concept Sketch
Lowe Park Master Plan Update Concept for Structures PROPOSED
Lowe Park Amphitheater Study Concept Sketch Greenhouse and Shelter Structures
RECOMMENDED PRIORITIES
Master Plan Update Timing, Priorities & Construction Costs TIMING The recommended improvements identified in this plan are anticipated to be implemented over time. Some recommendations require more detailed planning and design which would extend implementation of those recommendations. Projects that require less planning and design and can be done with limited funds may be completed earlier. PRIORITIES Higher priorities are assigned to those recommendations that are more responsive to the goals of the plan. Projects related to the development of the amphitheater, meditation area, improving trails, and environmental restoration and education opportunities are considered high priority. Additionally, those projects that improve park access, provide greater accessibility for people with disabilities and serve the greater community are also considered high priority projects. COST ESTIMATES Cost estimates have been developed for each recommendation within this plan. These estimates are intended for budget planning efforts only and will be updated over time. Project design and contract administration costs are not included in these estimates. The following cost estimates are summarized by category. Projected costs for implementing this plan in its entirety range from $X-X million. These estimates are current year costs and do not reflect future year inflation. Projects completed in-house may result in cost savings. Annual operations and maintenance costs associated with the existing facilities are not included in these estimates. More detailed cost estimates will be developed when planning and design is completed on individual projects and as funding becomes available..
Lowe Park Master Plan Update Phasing Plan This illustration represents compatible projects that provides flexibility when determining phasing and implementation strategies. Priorities 1. Amphitheater 2. Grading Meditation/Pond Area Grading Access Drive & Parking 3. Art Pond/Walk 4. South Neighborhood Park 5. North Neighborhood Park 6. Internal Trail 7. Urban Farm 8. The Lawn & Existing Pond 9. South Park / The Meadow. Proposed Neighborhood Development 5. North Neighborhood Park 9. The Meadow Note: Entry Signage Priorities could charge due to funding sources, availability of land to south & north of other park and other unforeseeable reasons. Proposed Neighborhood Development Storm Water Management Access- Drive and Parking 3. Art Pond 8. The Lawn Meditation Retreat 1. Amphitheater The Great Lawn 3. Art Walk 8. Existing Pond 4. South Neighborhood Park 7. Urban Farm Proposed Neighborhood Development
Master Plan Update Timing, Priorities & Construction Costs
Lowe Park Master Plan Update Recommended Improvement Priorities FUNDING STRATEGY OPTIONS The proposed improvements within this plan for Lowe Park must be integrated into the overall budget/program needs of the City of Marion. As master plans are completed for other parks within the Park System, the proposed improvements will be considered comprehensively across the entire system. Additionally, the needs associated with maintaining the existing facilities within the park system will be considered along with the proposed improvements. Some recommendations may be completed through the annual program of work as part of the continuing operations and maintenance of the Cities Park System. Potential funding sources include annual appropriations, grants, partnerships and long-term public financing.