Today’s parks offer a wide range of activities and facilities for people of all ages. A park’s design can allow people to enjoy quiet, scenic areas and natural habitats, as well as high activity areas that encourage socialization and group activities (Fig. 1.1) —sporting events, picnics, family outings. With proper design, and consideration of the natural environment to meet human needs, a park can be a valuable asset that will be enjoyed by people for years to come. Park design must follow a deliberate process. The first step of such a process is provided below.

Figure 1.1: Encourage socialization and group activities.

In the earliest stages of the design process, you will need to:

1.    Set goals

2.    Conduct a site inventory

3.    Evaluate advantages and constraints

4.    Determine the activities & experiences  to be offered

5.    Consider the orientation of the activities and experiences offered

 There are six role experiences for each recreational activity, according to the Park Planning Handbook by Monty L. Christianson. Each of these role experiences needs to be considered when designing park facilities.

Entry-level Participation

 This involves participants at a beginner’s skill level, such as young children learning to swim or climb a jungle gym. (Fig. 1.2)

Figure 1.2: Entry level participation is geared towards young children.

Skills-improvement Participation

 This experience involves participants of an intermediate skill level, such as active swimmers and children scrambling over a jungle gym.

Figure 1.3: Here is an example of programmed participation of rowing team.

Programmed Participation

 Where activities or events are organized specifically for a purpose—weekly nature hikes and summer camps fall into this category. (Fig. 1.3)

Unstructured Participation

 Unplanned events, such as a Frisbee game started spontaneously by a group of friends at the park.

Competitive Participation

Usually sports events where participants are from two or more competing teams. (Fig. 1.4)

Figure 1.4: Sports events are a great way to provide the excitement and thrill of competitive participation.

Vicarious Participation

 This type of participation is about enjoying the excitement or atmosphere, without actually being involved, like spectators at an event, or the visual experience of open space. Fig.  1.5)

 Figure 1.5: These spectators are enjoying the excitement of the game without actually playing.

There are three main forms of circulation within parks:

1.    Vehicular

2.    Pedestrian

3.    Maintenance

Bicycle, in-line skate, skateboard, and emergency vehicle circulation will often overlap these three forms.

Vehicular Circulation Issues

·        Protect resources

·        Have a large impact on use & maintenance

·        Can control & channel movement throughout the park (Fig. 1.6)

·        Can be dangerous to the recreational setting

·        Helps to separate vehicular traffic from pedestrian and bicycle traffic (Fig. 1.7)

Figure 1.6: This wide highway can help channel movement towards a park area.

Spinal Configuration

 There are 4 major park road configurations. However, they can be most effective when combined with one another or varied slightly.

This always offers more than one entrance to the park, but usually divides it into two halves.

Peripheral Configuration

 The road is located near the park boundary, with activities located to one side.

Terminating Configuration (cul-de-sac)

 This road provides one entrance into the park, and often ends in a parking lot area.

Loop Configuration

  Loop roads are often used for internal circulation within the park, and can consist of several loops or an open loop form.

Figure 1.7: Vehicular and bicycle traffic should be separated for safety reasons.

Road Width

 When planning road width, traffic volume must be taken into consideration. One-way single lane roads should have a minimum 10 ft. width. Two-way roads should have a minimum 20 ft. width.

There are countless types of parking lot and stall designs (Fig.1.8). However, 90° parking stalls will always afford the most number of parking spaces.

Typically, at least 5% of parking will accommodate handicapped parking. Handicapped parking stalls must be clearly marked, with a minimum width of 8 ft. and an adjacent 5 ft. aisle for accessibility. (Fig. 1.9)

Shade trees are an important part of parking lot design in areas with warm to hot summers. They will improve aesthetics while providing much needed shade for cars that would otherwise bake in the sun (Fig. 1.10). A goal of 50% shade cover 10 years after construction is an suitable goal.

Figure 1.8: This is an example of angled parking lot design.

Figure 1.9: Handicapped parking must have a minimum 5 ft. aisle way for accessibility.

Figure 1.10: If this parking lot was designed with more planting strips, it could accommodate more shade trees and improve the viewscape.

Pedestrian Circulation

The main forms of pedestrian circulation within parks are:

Walks: These are utilitarian support routes and provide access to main areas throughout the park. (Fig. 1.11) Minimum width for wheelchair access is 6 feet.

Trails: Generally trails are narrower and less formal than walks. They are well-suited to hiking and mountain biking. (Fig. 1.12)

Paths: These are considered a compromise between walks and trails, and are informal in design. (Fig. 1.13)

Figure 1.11: This walk provides main access to many shops and buildings.

Figure 1.12: This trail is narrow and is better suited for mountain biking.

Figure 1.13: This path is less formal than a walk, yet it still provides access to main areas.

Maintenance Circulation

 Circulation routes for maintenance vehicles is necessary in parks of almost any size. It will increase the efficiency of maintenance and can serve the dual purpose of providing  the infrequently needed (but very necessary) access for emergency vehicles.

Accessory park facilities include:

1.    Lighting

2.    Drinking Fountains

3.    Restrooms

4.    Trash Receptacles

Lighting

Lighting is necessary for the safety of people, the security of property, and in the emergency of power failure. Light fixtures are available in many forms and styles. (Fig. 1.14)

Figure 1.14: An example of old fashioned style lampposts.

Drinking Fountains

 Drinking fountains should be conveniently located and sanitary. An artistic flair can add much character to the simple necessities of light fixtures and drinking fountains. (Fig. 1.15)

Figure 1.15: Drinking fountains can even add character to a basic amenity.

Restrooms

Restrooms should also be conveniently located, especially near areas of high concentration such as ball fields and playgrounds. (Fig. 1.16)

Figure 1.16: Here is an example of a brick restroom that is conveniently located.

Trash Receptacles

 These need to be functional, yet attractive, have adequate capacity, and must be conveniently located to encourage use. (Fig. 1.17)

Figure 1.17: A good example of a functional and attractive trash receptacle.

Parkscape

 This is the atmosphere of the park, including visual appearances and aesthetics (Fig. 1.18). Some ways to create a pleasing parkscape are:

·        Screening undesirable areas (dumpsters, utility sheds, etc.)

·        Using plants that harmonize with the existing vegetation

Figure 1.19: Open spaces create a visual experience for roads and trails.

·        Use views and open spaces to create a visual experience for roads and trails (Fig. 1.19)

·        Buffer areas against noise pollution (parking lot or highway noise)

Figure 1.18: Parkscape includes visual appearances and aesthetics.

There are several facilities that are an integral part of many park designs. These are:

1.    Picnic Areas

2.    Athletic Fields/Courts

3.    Amphitheaters

4.    Interpretive Signs/Trails

Figure 1.19: Open spaces create a visual experience for roads and trails.

Picnic Areas:

Picnic areas should be located near areas with a high concentration of activities in order to allow for visual participation and access by car.

Alternative picnic areas should be located in naturalized parts of the park. (Fig. 1.20)

All picnic areas should be paved with hard surface materials in order to facilitate easy access and maintenance. 

Figure 1.20: This picnic is located in a naturalized area of a park.

Athletic Fields/Courts

 Open space or designated fields should accommodate sports such as football, baseball & softball, soccer, volleyball, basketball and tennis.

Amphitheaters

·        Should be located in an area that naturally accommodates an amphitheater and requires the least amount of grading

·        Is protected from the sun by trees (Fig. 1.21)

·        Offers scenic views.

·        Is lighted for evening use

·        Has access aisles with a 8 ft. minimum width

·        Optimum orientation for afternoon use has audience facing North to NE

Figure 1.21: This natural-looking amphitheater is well shaded by trees.

Figure 1.22: Interpretive signage can provide easy to read directional information.

Interpretive Signs/Trails

These facilities will:

·        Help visitors enjoy the park through better understanding and appreciation of its purposes and resources.

·        Increase knowledge of ecology and the role in the natural environment

·        Help visitors develop interest in past history

·        Gives practical geographic and directional information (Fig. 1.22)

Park Design

The tower on the right is located in Barcelona, Spain. It is known as a welcome feature to the Olympic parking Barcelona. As you can see in the aerial picture, it really stands out, making it a good focal point for this region. Hayden may not have a need for such a high architectural structure, but some kind of historical building or monument could be rebuilt or fixed up to create a focal point.

After a focal point is used to draw people in to the park, "spaces" are needed to keep people in the park. These different spaces should contain or provide different types of activities for everyone. For instance, people are more likely to stay in a park where they can play in a fountain, sit around and play music, or simply just sit down and relax. These spaces will improve the social atmosphere within the park.

Access and linkage are also important topics in a park design. People want to see that there are activities for them to participate in. When it is easy to see and access the activities, more people are likely to enter the park. There is also a safety issue to keep in mind. If a park is not visible from the street, it becomes dangerous to elder people and children. Better visibility equals a safer feeling for everyone.

Restoring a park is also important. Spaces can be beautified by rebuilding them, whether it be replanting an area, rebuilding a pathway, or even fixing up an old structure. By revitalizing a space, it enhances the overall aura of the environment and surrounding spaces.

Figure #18-South West corner

Figure #19-South West corner

Figure #20-South West corner

Figure #21-South West corner

Figure #22-Pedestrian Spaces

Figure #23-Pedestrian Walk ways.

Figure #24        Figure #25-

Before                      After

Figure#26 Before

Figure#27 After

Park Design

WORK WITH NATURE

Natural Characteristics

The greatest challenge in achieving sustainable site design is to realize much can be learned from nature. When nature is incorporated into designs, spaces can be more comfortable, interesting and efficient. It is important to understand natural systems and the way they work together for increased efficiency. (Figure 2)

It is important to work within these constraints with the least amount of environmental impact. Like nature, design should not be static but always evolving and adapting to interact more intimately with its surrounding. Native planting should be incorporated into all new developments to improve the visual integrity or natural fit of the new construction into a natural setting. (Figure 1) Natural vistas should also be used in design whenever possible.

PARK DESIGN FOCUS

Mission statement of sustainable design:

Communicate the values of restoration to the public.

Community involvement to raise awareness and education.

Promote responsible uses of resources and local materials.

WHY IT WORKS

Since its restoration in the1980's, Bryant Park, originally built a hundred years earlier, has become one of the best "new" urban parks in America.

Its overall design and elements support a range of activities and uses for people who work, shop, or live nearby, as well as those who are just visiting. (Figure 3) The park's center is a three-acre open green surrounded by tall, arching trees. Kiosks at its northwest corner offer coffee and light meals, and directly behind the library on the east side is an indoor restaurant with outdoor and roof-deck dining.

Other attractions include flower gardens. A fountain at the west end of the park (Figure 4) and a variety of vantage points from which to just sit and watch the world go by. (Figure 5)

DESIGN THEORY

There are several important steps involved in creating parks that are important as community places. One step involves the process of renewal, which begins with understanding a community's concerns about a particular space.

It is then necessary to determine how the assets of the community can be used to develop both the programming, and the plan for the park. (Figure 6)

Observing how the park is used and measuring people's perceptions of it are also key elements in understanding what changes can be made to transform a park into a successful "place." (Figure 7)

A good park provides a range of things to do - there are a many activities for different age groups and types of people to use. It should be easy to get to, and connected to the surrounding community-accessibility. It should be safe, clean and attractive place to meet other people.

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