MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE ANCHORAGE PARKS & RECREATION

Transcription

1 MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE ANCHORAGE PARKS & RECREATION PRC DATE: March 3, 2011 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Parks & Recreation Commission Suzanne R. Little, Senior Park Planner PRC Neighborhood Park Fix-it Projects Overview Approaching our third year of Volunteer-Powered Park Fix-it Projects done in collaboration with the Anchorage Park Foundation and Community Volunteers, Park Planning Staff is enthusiastic about implementation of neighborhood park improvements. Parks were selected for a fix-it based upon information from the 2008 Parks Report Card process as well as input from Parks Maintenance Staff concerning major maintenance needs. Key Goals for 2011 Neighborhood Park Fix-its: 1. Take Better Care of What We Have 2. Plan Smart Don t Create Unreasonable Work for the Long-Term Local & Internal Planning: Very Important Parks (VIP) Committees were appointed by local Community Councils for each Fix-it Park. The VIP Committees assisted Parks Staff in planning each project a total of 90 VIP Committee Volunteers contributed 540 hours of planning time to date. Department Staff assured good communication and coordination with Community Work Service, Park Maintenance, Horticulture, Youth Employment in Parks functions to assure implementation is coordinated and maintenance expectation is achievable post-construction. Leveraged Resources, Efficient Process: The Anchorage Park Foundation leveraged capital funding for all the Neighborhood Park Fix-it improvements and contributed its own Clean and Green funds for each project. Volunteers will implement Volunteer-powered components of each project enabling us to stretch the dollars farther. The Park Foundation will hold the construction contracts for all the Neighborhood Park Projects and construction management will be accomplished by The Boutet Company, also under contract with the Anchorage Park Foundation 2011 Neighborhood Park Projects 1. Harvard Park Government Hill Community Council VIP Committee Robert Atkinson, Aaron, Darlene & Kyle Beasley, Bobbie Bianchi, Bob French, Melinda Gant, Gaby Brion, Dan, Ingrid & Zoey Lowery, Nick Szymoniak, Mavis Hancock 2. Cope Street Park Spenard Community Council VIP Committee Chair Rene Haag 2011 Neighborhood Parks Page 1 of 4

2 3. Carlson Park Rogers Park Community Council VIP Committee Per Pedersen, Jim Wright, Peter Briggs, Harvey Dougherty, Bob Churchill, Barbara Edwards, Lori Horning, Kristin Main, Georganna Derrick, Wendy Davis, Rob & Jana Church 4. Ira Walker Park North East Community Council VIP Committee Aaron & Hollie Beebe, Scott Kohlhaus, Terry Cummings, Lant Platner, Jeff Linderman, Tamonica Shannon, Ptarmigan Principal Lori Cheek 5. Little Dipper Park Phase I Spenard Community Council VIP Committee Franklin Durr, Ruth Durr, Michelle Pamer, Jerianne Lowther, Cathy Cart, Judy Alward, Sidney Alwarad, Mark Hill 6. William B Lyons Park - Phase I Mountain View Community Council - VIP Committee Ms. McIntyre s Entire Class at Clark Middle School, Clark Middle School Principal Cessilye Williams, Scott Williams, David Varney, Glenn Howson, Clark Yerrington, Kep Pierce, Marge Chord, Kevin Doniere, Chad Taylor, Amber Craig, Breanne Davis, James Barbee Jennifer Walker, Steven Bassett, Rhian Gay, Robert & Wisteria Ward 7. Sand Lake Park Russian Jack Community Council VIP Committee Marietta Ed Hall, David Moore, Connor & Lily VanAlstine, Jay & Moira VanAlstine, Sand Lake Elementary Principal Patrick Garrity, Lyn Lemon, Anette Heckert VIPs Who Are They? Each Community Council was asked to recruit volunteers for the Very Important Park Committee with the following affiliations: 2 Community Council representatives 2 Unaffiliated Representatives from the neighborhood 2 Children, between the ages from the neighborhood accompanied by their parents VIP Committee Member s Job Identify what is special about the park and achieve a supported priority list for Park Improvements Make consistent reports to the Community Council on action taken by the VIP Committee; Recruit neighborhood volunteers for the volunteer-powered project and Volunteer on the volunteer-powered day; and Join in the neighborhood celebration of the completed park project! Park by Park Highlights - What are the main elements? At each park entry signage will be updated in an effort to reduce maintenance costs and improve the entrance appearance. This includes a single post-supported park sign, an updated park rules kiosk, a trash can and a dog mitt station. Harvard Park Located on Government Hill, Harvard Park is a beloved neighborhood park used for recreation and walking year-round, sledding in the winter and tennis & basketball in the summertime. The Curling Club and the Square and Round Dance Buildings are located in this park and are responsible for winter maintenance of the parking lot. Old basketball equipment and courts need updating and the VIP Committee decided to prioritize improvements at the entrance, the tennis court and trails. The Improvement plan allows for rehabilitation of ½ of the basketball court, turning the other half into a picnic area. The Youth Employment in Parks crews will be improving the trail from the East end to Brown s Point Park and contractors will carefully improve the views at Brown s Point and Suzan B Nightingale Park. The Volunteer-powered work day at Harvard Park is scheduled for Saturday, May 21 st from 9 Noon with a Neighborhood Celebration from Noon to 2 PM. The Total In-The-Ground Budget for Harvard Park is $69, Neighborhood Parks Page 2 of 4

3 Cope Street Park A sweet little neighborhood park, Cope Street will benefit from the VIP Committee plans to improve signage, update picnic tables, install a picnic plaza and new pathway to the playground. The Volunteerpowered work day at Woodland Park is scheduled for Saturday, June 11 th from 9 Noon with a Neighborhood Celebration from Noon to 2 PM. The Total In-The-Ground Budget for Cope Street Park is $38,000. Ira Walker Park Located on 6 th Avenue East of Boniface in the Eastern Part of town, the park is only accessible from 6 th Avenue. VIP Committee priorities include expansion of the children s play area and installation of 4 new play equipment pieces. We will purchase components to repair existing play equipment and replace the fall-surfacing with engineered wood fiber, a handicap accessible material. We are still exploring the possibility of volunteer-powered removal of the existing picnic shelter with permanently-installed picnic tables on the remaining concrete plaza. The Volunteer-powered work day at Ira Walker Park is scheduled for Saturday, June 25 th from 9 Noon with a Neighborhood Celebration from Noon to 2 PM. The Total In-The-Ground Budget for Ira Walker Park is $92,258. William B. Lyons Park Phase Two Located adjacent to the Mountain View Community Recreation Center that is operated by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Alaska, William B. Lyons Park was named after the long-time pastor of the adjacent church. An exciting plan has been established for William B. Lyons Park consisting of two phases Phase One which was accomplished in the summer of 2010 re-claimed part of the adjacent parking lot and removed dilapidated play equipment. Phase Two has engaged Clark Middle School Students under a Career Exploration class at Clark Middle School encouraged by Principal Cessilye Williams and Teacher Heather McIntyre (a former YEP Crew Member) and led by American Society of Landscape Architect Volunteers Kevin Doniere and Chad Taylor. Students have achieved a design concept the Global Village and the design team will be presenting the completed design to the Parks and Recreation Commission at the April meeting. The Volunteer-powered work day at William B Lyons Park is scheduled for Saturday, July 23 rd from 9 Noon with a Neighborhood Celebration from Noon to 2 PM. The Total In-The-Ground Budget for William B Lyons Park is $182,063. Little Dipper Park Phase One Little Dipper Park s Eastern edge abuts Fort Richardson property and consequently has stunning views of the Chugach Range from the center of the park. The VIP Committee is very concerned about unsafe and mischievous use of the park so made recommendations for improvements to create additional safety. The existing entrance path is sometimes used by youth who ride bikes off the slide and right out into the street on a blind curve. This entrance will be removed and trees planted as barriers with the entrance path relocated to the East. Play equipment will be repaired and Eagle Scout Franklin Durr will coordinate removal of the sand fall-surfacing for contractor replacement with engineered wood-fiber. The Utility gate will be moved from the main entrance to the South and slight fill will be installed to make the lawn area even. The Volunteer-powered work day at Little Dipper Park is scheduled for Saturday, July 9th from 9 Noon with a Neighborhood Celebration from Noon to 2 PM. The Total In-The-Ground Budget for Little Dipper Park is $52,775. Carlson Park Located behind residential lots with only a pathway entrance, Carlson Park contains Lake Otis and is not far from Lake Otis Elementary. A very secluded and private-feeling park, the VIP Committee was concerned about upgrading play opportunities in the playground for local children. A composite play structure will be installed and one existing element removed. The sand fall-surfacing will be replaced with engineered wood-fiber fall surfacing. A bench will be installed at the lake edge and updated signage will be installed at the pathway entrance. The Volunteer-powered work day at Carlson Park is scheduled for Saturday, June 8th from 9 Noon with a Neighborhood Celebration from Noon to 2 PM. The Total In- The-Ground Budget for Carlson Park is $63, Neighborhood Parks Page 3 of 4

4 Sand Lake Park As early as weather allows, volunteer divers have agreed to remove fishing debris and broken glass from Sand Lake, a concern expressed by the VIP Committee. Other priorities for the park include improving the North entrance where a culvert extends under the path, replacing existing benches and trash cans and repairing the burned dock. Volunteers will build an access trail from the South entrance of the park to the dock and rocks will be placed in the path to discourage foot-traffic onto adjacent private property. The Volunteer-powered work day at Sand Lake Park is scheduled for Saturday, July 16 th from 9 Noon with a Neighborhood Celebration from Noon to 2 PM. The Total In-The-Ground Budget for Sand Lake Park is $37,560. Upcoming Project Schedule VIP Committee Members will meet one more time for a walk-through after the snow melts to see talk-andwalk about the plan details and to agree on the tasks for the volunteer work day and neighborhood celebration. Each VIP member is in charge of recruiting neighborhood participants for the volunteer work day and celebration. Any play equipment or park amenities like benches, trash cans or picnic tables will be ordered through the Anchorage Park Foundation enable delivery by the scheduled work days. The Department Maintenance, Horticulture, Planning, Recreation and Administrative Sections are all collaborating together to make the 2010 neighborhood parks projects successful. Staff Recommendation The Parks & Recreation Department, the Community Council s VIP Committees and the public have made good achievements to find common ground resulting in prioritized Fix-It Plans with Detailed Budgets for Seven Neighborhood Parks and schedule for construction. Staff recommends the Commission approve the attached PRC Resolution for the Fix-It plans for all parks except William B Lyons Park (to be presented at the Commission s April meeting) Neighborhood Parks Page 4 of 4

5 MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE ANCHORAGE PARKS & RECREATION PRC RES Neighborhood Park Fix-It Plans WHEREAS, the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commission serves in an advisory capacity to both the Mayor and the Assembly; and WHEREAS, the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commission has the responsibility and duty to provide for the long-term vision of our park system by ensuring that a balance of parks, natural resources, and recreation facilities provides for the health, welfare, and safety of all residents of the Anchorage Bowl; and WHEREAS local Community Councils cultivated seven Very Important Parks (VIP) Committees, 90 people total, giving them responsibilities for advising the Department on prioritization of remediation work in selected neighborhood parks, and WHEREAS, the VIP Committees have concluded the first phase of their work, the prioritization of tasks at each selected neighborhood park with the presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission of fix-it plans, priorities and scheduled for work at Harvard Park, Cope Street Park, Carlson Park, Ira Walker Park, Little Dipper Park and Sand Lake Park. (William B Lyons Park improvement plans will be presented to the Commission at the April PRC meeting). NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commission approves the improvement plans, priorities and schedules submitted by the Department and VIP Committees for the six submitted 2011 Neighborhood Parks projects. PASSED AND APPROVED by the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commission this 10th day of March, Chair Parks and Recreation Commission ATTEST: John Rodda, Director Parks & Recreation Department

6 The Boutet Co. Department of Parks and Recreation Municipality of Anchorage Parks People NW PARK DISTRICT HARVARD PARK 711 E. LOOP ROAD ANCHORAGE, AK PRELIMINARY IMPROVEMENTS

7 The Boutet Co. Department of Parks and Recreation Municipality of Anchorage Parks People NW PARK DISTRICT HARVARD PARK 711 E. LOOP ROAD ANCHORAGE, AK PRELIMINARY IMPROVEMENTS

8 Anchorage Parks & Recreation Harvard Park What we will do: Refurbish Tennis Courts Refurbish ½ court basketball Replace Old Signage Install New Trash Cans Install New Benches Build D-1 Pathway Brown s Point with YEP Crew Plant 3 Ornamental Trees Project Construction Budget $69,230

9 The Boutet Co. Department of Parks and Recreation Municipality of Anchorage Parks People NW PARK DISTRICT COPE STREET PARK 3405 COPE STREET ANCHORAGE, AK PRELIMINARY IMPROVEMENTS

10 Neighborhood Parks Project Cope Street Park Fix-It Day June 11th What we will do: Remove Graffiti Replace Trash Cans, Picnic Tables Add Benches Improve Informal North Pathway to 4 D-1 Path Repair Existing Play Equipment Install 881 Square Feet of Pavers for Seating Area Upgrade Sign, Kiosk at Entrance Total Park Improvements: $38,000

11 NE PARK DISTRICT CARLSON PARK The Boutet Co STANFORD DRIVE ANCHORAGE, AK IMPROVEMENT PLAN

12 NE PARK DISTRICT CARLSON PARK The Boutet Co STANFORD DRIVE ANCHORAGE, AK IMPROVEMENT PLAN

13 Neighborhood Parks Carlson Park What we will do: Remove Graffiti Replace Trash Cans Add Bench Near Lake Enlarge Play Area & Install New Play Equipment Remove Sand Fall-Surfacing and Install Engineered Wood Fiber Upgrade Sign, Kiosk at Entrance Total Park Improvements: $63,772

14 The Boutet Co. Department of Parks and Recreation Municipality of Anchorage Parks People NE PARK DISTRICT IRA WALKER PARK 5850 E. 6th AVENUE ANCHORAGE, AK PRELIMINARY IMPROVEMENTS

15 Neighborhood Parks Ira Walker Park What we will do: Replace Damaged Parts on Play Equipment Install 4 New Play Equipment Pieces Replace sand fall-surfacing with engineered wood fiber Upgrade Sign, Kiosk and Trash Cans Add Lighting at Light Pole Repaint Hop Scotch Total Park Improvement Value: $97,258

16 The Boutet Co. Department of Parks and Recreation Municipality of Anchorage Parks People NE PARK DISTRICT LITTLE DIPPER PARK 8551 LITTLE DIPPER AVENUE ANCHORAGE, AK PRELIMINARY IMPROVEMENTS

17 Anchorage Parks & Recreation Neighborhood Parks Little Dipper Park Replace! What we will do : Replace damaged parts on Play Equipment Relocate Dangerous Pathway Replace sand fall-surfacing with engineered wood fiber Relocate maintenance access gate from front entrance to South Upgrade Sign, Kiosk and Trash Cans New Picnic Table Eagle Scout to provide labor for excavation of sand and installation of park sign Total Park Improvements Valued at $52,755

18 The Boutet Co. Department of Parks and Recreation Municipality of Anchorage Parks People SW PARK DISTRICT SAND LAKE PARK 3886 CARAVELLE DRIVE ANCHORAGE, AK PRELIMINARY IMPROVEMENTS

19 Sand Lake Park What we will do: Update Signage Repair Asphalt at Culvert Crossing New Benches & Trash Repair Burned Dock Install D-1 Gravel Path from South Entrance Remove dead & down trees Work Total Park Improvement Value $37,560

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21 William B Lyons Park Project In Design Development Clark Middle School Students led by American Society of Landscape Architect Volunteers, Kevin Donierre & Chad Taylor, developed Global Village design concept. Parks staff will present design next month. Total Park Improvement Value $182,036