Neighborhood Park Workshop Village of East Syracuse Neighborhood Park Workshop

agenda Welcome + Introductions Overview of the BOA Parks + Recreation Analysis Characteristics of a Neighborhood Park Let’s Start Designing! Next Steps Photo: Lismore&nimbin Tourism

Overview of the BOA

BOA = Brownfield Opportunity Area What is a BOA? BOA = Brownfield Opportunity Area A state funding program that provides financial and technical assistance to complete area-wide planning efforts to support community revitalization in areas that have been impacted by the presence of brownfields and/or underutilized sites.

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 BOA 3-Step Process Preliminary understanding of Study Area to identify opportunities & constraints Step 1 In-depth planning level studies & analysis aimed at furthering redevelopment / revitalization projects Step 2 Detailed strategies for achieving the vision of the BOA, including Site Assessments Step 3

Strategic Sites

Implementation Strategy Action item Timeframe Responsible party Potential funding sources

Benefits of the BOA Program Identify strategies for business attraction and investment Add predictability to site clean-up and redevelopment Ensure future plans reflect vision of the community Identify funding resources / pursue grants Identify roles and responsibilities Position the Village for reinvestment

Parks + Recreation Analysis

VILLAGE of EAST SYRACUSE NRPA Level of Service NRPA PARK METRICS VILLAGE of EAST SYRACUSE 1 park per 2,266 residents 1 park / 3,084 residents 9.6 acres per 1,000 residents 1.64 acres / 3,084 residents 1 playground per 3,633 residents 2 playgrounds / 3,084 residents

(3 miles per hour translates to ¼ mile in 5 minutes) The 5-minute walk is a standard that is best described as the average distance that a pedestrian is willing to walk before opting to drive, and is often represented by a radius measuring ¼ mile (TND) (3 miles per hour translates to ¼ mile in 5 minutes)

W. Ellis Street N. Center Street Village-owned Just over ¼ acre (~13,500 SF) Centrally located Pedestrian-friendly Adjacent to the municipal building Shovel-ready

483 total parcels within ¼ mile of the park 171 parcels in the BOA 74 residential 69 commercial

Characteristics of a Neighborhood Park

Neighborhood + Community Parks Range in size up to ~ 30 acres Owned and maintained by the local municipality Often serve as the focal point for neighborhoods, and are the basic unit of the park system Generally include a mix of passive and active recreation Accessible by foot or public transportation, within a 5-10 minute walk (1/4 mile)

Neighborhood + Community Parks “Greenscape” is a landscaped park that is primarily for passive recreation (not programmed) Credit: Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects

Neighborhood + Community Parks “Recreation Center” is facility that serves active functions, such as organized sports and playgrounds Carpenter Recreation Center, Thornton, CO, Landscape Structures

Neighborhood + Community Parks Other types include “pocket” parks which are the smallest neighborhood park and “squares” or “plazas” which are hardscaped public areas

Design Considerations Who is the park for? People go to parks and recreation areas to relax and have fun Therefore, plans should be developed to enhance the enjoyment for the user Planning should support the work of those who operate and manage park facilities

Successful Planning of a Park Consists of 3 things: Technical Knowledge Example: Slopes and Contours You do NOT need to know everything about planning, in fact, you shouldn’t… Common Sense Example: A trail adjacent to smooth-bark tree such as a beech. Don’t be surprised when… Be able to explain in simple terms how and why your design will function Creativity Most difficult part Tip: Put yourself in the user’s place!

Local Example

Let’s Start Designing!

Break into 4-5 groups Each group is given a basemap and set of markers Develop a design concept for the site (30-45 minutes) Identify top 3 “wish list” items Each group will present their final designs Wrap-up discussion

Next Steps Project team will compile results from the workshop and create a preliminary design Conceptual design will be presented to the public at a follow-up meeting (date TBD) Project team will work with the Village to develop final design and cost estimates Funding applications will be submitted for the final design