Design Charrette Public Meeting

Transcription

1 Design Charrette Public Meeting Citizen Advisory Committee Members of the Public November 2, Theodore Wirth Chalet - 6:30-8:30 p.m.

2 Park Background: Visitation Estimation 2010 Regional Visitation Estimation (1,000's) Cedar Lake RT Central Mississippi Riverfront RP Columbia Parkway RT Kenilworth RT Luce Line RT Minneapolis Chain-of-Lakes RP Minnehaha Parkway RT Mississippi Gorge RP 1276 Minnehaha RP Nokomis-Hiawatha RP North Missisippi RP Ridgeway Parkway RT St Anthongy Parkway RT Theodore Wirth RP Vicotory (Wirth) Memorial Parkway RT Data source: Annual Use Estimate of the Metropolitan Regional Park System for

3 Visit Estimates (1,000's) Park Background: Graphic Visitation Estimate Theodore Wirth Park Visitation Estimates Theodore Wirth Park Year Data source: Annual Use Estimate of the Metropolitan Regional Park System for

4 CAC Process: The Theodore Wirth Citizen s Advisory Committee was reconvened with the following charge: Prepare recommendations for the Board of Commissioners on the prioritization of improvements throughout Theodore Wirth Park. The CAC shall consider existing plans and other park needs such as winter recreation/active sports facilities, operations facility consolidation, Wirth Chalet revitalization (including consideration of a restaurant), picnic pavilion rehabilitation, and trail and parkway upgrades. The CAC recommendations shall attract visitors to the unique historical, environmental, and recreational qualities of the park, while reducing maintenance and operating costs. The CAC has held 10 meetings since December 2010 including one site van tour of the park. The CAC has been working toward final prioritization of improvements within the park and has completed analysis of multiple areas of focus within the park which did not have other adopted plans, or where plans were not current with the state od park development.

5 CAC Design Statements: Provide a variety of activities/facilities, during all seasons, that help all park visitors experience the natural features of the park Increase safety and the perception of safety for park visitors Minimize conflicts between park facilities/activities Improve the ease and safety of street crossings for park visitors and maintenance staff Encourage volunteers to participate in park programs, maintenance, etc Provide improved access for visitors from throughout the region and especially from north Minneapolis neighborhoods Maintain trails so they are central to the park visitor s experience and provide trail systems that are useable by all park visitors throughout the year Improve parking and expand with caution Protect, enhance and maintain Wirth Park s natural resources Protect, enhance and maintain Wirth s history and make it more accessible to visitors Design facilities to be long lasting and easy to maintain Take care of the assets that are well used before adding new

6 CAC Analysis Areas Twin Lake/Back 40 North Wirth Northeast Wirth Southwest Wirth Dog park

7 CAC Analysis Areas- Twin Lake/ Back 40 Consensus items Off road cycling and ski trails Connections to Golden Valley via Luce Line and Hidden Lakes Unauthorized swimming and bathing activity Difficult access for maintenance and security Invasive vegetation, steep slopes Lack of wayfinding or interpretive signage Lack of positive use, great natural area for wildlife, and nature study, potential small watercraft access

8 CAC Analysis Areas- North Wirth Consensus items Using it as a year-round space Enhancing the experience for all users

9 CAC Analysis Areas- North Wirth Areas of Focus Relationship of Summer and Winter Activities Golf (Par-3 and 18 Hole), Bicycle/Walking Trails, Mountain Bike Trails, Cross-Country Ski Trails Potential Multi-Sport Welcome and Training Center Possible Location, Service Levels/Focus Maintenance Facility Possible Location and Level of Service

10 CAC Analysis Areas- Northeast Wirth Key Concepts: -Connect to North Minneapolis -Railroad is a big barrier -Look for opportunities to make improved connections where informal connections exist -Connect to Chalet, make chalet area more inviting to neighborhood and trail users -Eastern pedestrian trail is well used by neighborhood, but in very poor condition (and more damaged by tornado and tree clearing) Gateways to park: -Plymouth Ave on east side of bridge -Golden Valley Road -Hwy 55 underpass and at east side

11 CAC Analysis Areas- Southwest Wirth Key Concepts: -Quiet nature -Trails are key amenity in area, maintain and reduce conflict, increase access and usability -More or less trails was big discussion topic Ranked Areas of Focus 1-Improve maintenance of trails and facilities 2-Preserve the tamarack bog 2-Continue to remove buckthorn 3-Provide safe parkway crossing for skiers and hikers 4-Improve safety and security 5-Improve directional signage 5-Add benches along trails 5-Reduce hiking/walking trails 6-Replace/improve bog walk 6-Reduce ski trails 7-Add interpretive signs about natural/historic features 8-Improve screening of the I-394 Corridor 9-Add: winter hiking opportunities (9), hiking/walking trails (11), off-road bike trails (11), more ski trails (13) 10-Improve trail access to the area (connections) 12-Expand convenient parking 14-Designate some existing trails as snowshoe trails

12 CAC Analysis Areas- Dog Park Sites discussed: Site A Par 3 search area Site B and B-2 West of Parkway, adjacent to Humane Society land Site C-removed Northwest of Xerxes and Plymouth Site D-added North of Hwy 55, SW corner of Oak Park Ave. and Washburn Ave N (county-owned land)

13 Wirth Park Funding Sources (Secured) $5,690, Met Council Bond Funding Phase 2 $539, Parks and Trails Legacy Grant (SG ) Phase 2 and 3 $1,651, Parks and Trails Legacy Grant (SG ), half of grant (pavilion) Pavilion $500, Parks and Trails Legacy Grant (SG ), half of grant (Phase 3) Phase 3 $500, Metropolitan Council Regional Park Bond (SG ) Phase 3 $1,500, Parks and Trails Funding Future Phase $1,000, Uses $ 5,255, Phase 2 Fitol Hintz Contract Total $ 1,089, Phase 3 Ebert Construction Contract Total (through CO 7) $ 2,896, Wirth Pavilion Rehabilitation (less consulting) $ 400, Professional Services (Phases 2 and 3) $ 204, Consulting (Phase 2, 3, Pavilion design, charette) $ 666, Balance * $434, Additional Change Order and testing are still outstanding, reimbursement from FEMA expected Sources Future $4,353, Met Council and State Bonds Future Phase $1,743, Met Council Bonds Future Phase $1,500, Parks and Trails Funding Future Phase $1,110,000.00

14 Design Charette Overview Nov. 2: 6:00-9:00 p.m. CAC and Public Presentation Nov. 3 : Design Team Studio Time Nov. 3: 4:00-5:30 p.m. Open Studio Nov. 4: Design Team Studio Time Nov. 5: 9:00-11:30 a.m. Open House Nov. 8: 6:30-8:30 p.m. CAC Meeting