Sep 20, 2017 - Improve playground and fencing. ⢠Expand pathway system to connect ... Middlesex Rd (12 stalls). ⢠New parking area at West ... New parking and informational sign at. Littlebrook Road (5 stalls). ⢠New emergency parking at Fairmead. Road (2 stalls). ⢠Reconstructed pathway and bridges in select locations.
Parks & Recreation Master Plan Town of
Darien Connecticut Draft Recommendations Meeting September 20, 2017
Daniel Biggs, RLA TEAM LEADER | Weston & Sampson
Art Thatcher, CPRP, MPA PRINCIPAL-IN-CHARGE | GreenPlay, LLC
DESIGN STUDIO
List of Tasks o o
o o o o o o o
Strategic Kick-off Community Input o Focus Groups o Stakeholder Meeting o Survey Inventory Trends and Demographics Level of Service Analysis Findings Presentation Draft Recommendations Draft Plan Presentation Final Plan Presentation
DESIGN STUDIO
Park Satisfaction
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Importance vs. Needs Met
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Most Important Needs
DESIGN STUDIO
Darien’s Parks • Parks distributed mainly along I-95 corridor/ major growth areas of town • Access primarily by automobile; major pedestrian barriers (ie. major road corridors, limited sidewalk/ trail connectivity) • Most parks relatively small (< 10 ac)
Edgerton
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Baker Park • • • •
Reconstruct parking lot maximize use New basketball court Improve playground and fencing Expand pathway system to connect with existing trail system • New interpretive signage • New shade trees • New shade structures
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations McGuane Park • • • • •
Expand existing playground New playground fence New shade structures at playground Reconstruct existing asphalt sidewalk New bicycle racks
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Edgerton Center • • • • •
New paddle ball courts New warming hut & restrooms Rehabilitate existing parking (75 stalls) Rehabilitate pathways/ sidewalks New entrance sign and landscape
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Woodland Park Nature Preserve • Enhance pathway system and signs • Reconstruct parking area at Middlesex Rd (12 stalls) • New parking area at West Avenue ( 8 stalls) • New woodland dog run (1 acre) • New interpretive signage • Reconstruct pathway bridge • Improve trail markers and signs
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Diller Property • New parallel parking and informational sign at Nutmeg Lane (4 - 5 stalls) • New pathway loop in park with connection to High School CC route • New nature-themed accessible play area
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Frate Park • • • •
New shade pavilion Preserve open space New crosswalks at intersections New sign, flagpole, and memorial garden areas
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Ox Ridge Hunt Club Parcel (A) • New Park Area in compliance with Town restrictions (Note: Not Dedicated Park Land) • New parking area (60 stalls) • New multi-use fields
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Ox Ridge Hunt Club Parcel (B) • New Park Area in compliance with Town restrictions (Note: Not Dedicated Park Land) • New parking area (120 – 180 stalls) • New multi-use fields • New comfort station (1,000 s.f.) and plaza/picnic area • New shade structures • New pathway network (0.7 mi) • New entry sign and landscaping
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Cherry Lawn Park (A) • • • • • • • • •
New fenced small & large dog runs New path system with boardwalks New shade structures Renovate/ Expand bathroom facility Reconstruct dock/ new fountain at pond Expand community gardens Relocate basketball court Develop arboretum Improve parking (50 stalls)
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Cherry Lawn Park (B) • New outdoor pool, splash pad, and pool building • Create perimeter path system, utilizing boardwalks in wet locations • Expand parking area (100 stalls) • Reconstruct dock at pond • New shade structures • Renovate/ Expand bathroom facility • Develop arboretum
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Selleck’s Woods Nature Preserve • New parking and informational sign at Littlebrook Road (5 stalls) • New emergency parking at Fairmead Road (2 stalls) • Reconstructed pathway and bridges in select locations
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Tilley Pond Park • New inclusive playground • Stripe parking and signage along Lakeside Ave. • New pathway along edge of pond and West Avenue • Enhance pathway network • Restore existing pavilion at pond • Restore landscape at old foundation • New interpretive signage • New drinking fountains • New shade pavilions
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Stony Brook Park • Reconstruct parking area • Expand pathway system with bridge • New benches
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Pear Tree Point Beach (A) • New comfort/ lifeguard station with outdoor seating • New beach wall at edge of parking lot • New pier • New shade structures • Restore living shoreline to prevent beach erosion • Restore dune grass/ native beach landscape around parking lot • Extend path along edge of parking lot
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Pear Tree Point Beach (B) • Renovate/ expand comfort/ lifeguard station with outdoor seating • Restore dune grass/native beach landscape • Construct pier • Extend path along edge of parking lot • Restore living shoreline to minimize beach erosion • New shade structures
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Weed Beach (A) • • • • • • • • • •
New outdoor pool and splash pad Expand parking area (82 stalls) New boardwalk along beach New small boat storage and soft launch Restore beach shoreline to minimize erosion Construct two new paddle ball courts New walking pathways & fitness trail New boardwalks and interpretive signs New shade structures Restore damaged landscaping
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Weed Beach (B) • New splash pad, badminton, and bocce ball courts • Expand parking area (36 stalls) • New outdoor amphitheater • New boardwalk along • New small boat storage and soft launch • Restore beach shoreline to minimize erosion • Restripe one tennis court for pickleball • New walking pathways & fitness trail • New boardwalks and interpretive signs • New shade structures
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Town Hall & Holahan Field (A) • New path system around fields and connect with Cemetery with bridges • New Cherry Street pocket park • Improve access to memorial • Restore/ enhance existing softball/ baseball fields • New picnic area seating
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Town Hall & Holahan Field (B) • New indoor swimming facility (2,300 s.f.) • New parking area (120 stalls) • New path system around fields and connect with Cemetery with bridges • New Cherry Street pocket park • New picnic area seating
DESIGN STUDIO
recommendations Summary • • • • • • • • • •
Preserve open space/ acquire new park space (Ox Ridge, Short Lane) Improve/ enhance existing facilities where feasible (ie. Pear Tree, McGuane, Stony Brook) Provide new aquatics facility (outdoor pool, splash pad or indoor facility) (Town Hall, Weed Beach, Cherry Lawn) Expand/ improve pathway system (ie. Baker, Tilley Pond, Selleck’s Woods, Woodland) Improve accessibility at all sites Develop/ enhance park facilities for a variety of users (ie. Ox Ridge, Cherry Lawn, Edgerton) to accommodate growing recreation demands Develop and implement an ADA transition plan Develop and implement design/maintenance standards Seek opportunities to increase community events (ie. Farmers Market, Weed Beach Fest) Continue to evaluate existing programs and make adjustments based on demand and trends DESIGN STUDIO
Next Steps
Project Timeline: o Draft Recommendations – Sept 20 o Draft Recommend Public Hearing – Oct 4 o Draft Plan Presentation – Oct 18 o Final Plan Presentation – Nov 15 Next Steps: 1. Refine concepts & recommendations based on feedback 2. Prioritize recommendations based on stakeholder input 3. Prepare Draft Plan 4. Finalize Master Plan
DESIGN STUDIO
Parks Master Plan
Thank you!
Questions & Discussion Daniel Biggs, RLA TEAM LEADER | Weston & Sampson
Art Thatcher, CPRP, MPA PRINCIPAL-IN-CHARGE | GreenPlay, LLC
DESIGN STUDIO
