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RESOLUTION: 2002-62
SUBJECT: Adoption of Master Plan for Gary R. McDonnell Park
ADDRESS: 1001 Simms Street
RECOMMENDATION: The Department of Community Resources recommends that the City Council adopt the proposed master plan for Gary R. McDonnell Park Dated October 2001.
FUNDING SOURCE: N/A
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER: See policy report
RESOLUTION ADOPTION DATE: September 9, 2002
ORIGINATED BY: Ross Williams, Facilities Planner
STAFF PERSON RESPONSIBLE: Ross Williams, Facilities Planner, 303-987-7814
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED: Resolution 2002-62
Policy Report
Master Plan Graphic
*Note: This may take a few seconds to download
Phase I Implementation
*Note: This may take a few seconds to download
Site Vicinity Map
SUBMITTED BY:
Kathy Hodgson, Director of Community Resources
REVIEWED BY:
Joni D. Inman, Director Mayor and City Manager's Office
Michael J. Rock, City Manager
City of Lakewood
Policy Report No. 2002-4
TO: Mayor and City Council
THRU: Kathy Hodgson, Director of Community Resources
FROM: Ross Williams, Facilities Planner
DATE: September 6, 2002
SUBJECT: Gary R. McDonnell Park Master Plan
Recommendation:
The Department of Community Resources recommends the approval of a resolution
adopting the Master Plan and phase one development plan for Gary R. McDonnell
Park, 11982 Katherine Street (1001 Simms Street).
Consideration:
History:
The park property known today as Gary R. McDonnell Park was acquired over many
years. The original acquisition began in the late 1970's as part of the Simms
Street improvement project. These small parcels along Simms Street amounted
to approximately 6.4 acres. They were improved in 1979 and 1980. This original
park was called Simms Park. Between 1984 and 1986 an additional 9.4 acres was
acquired west of Simms Street, south of Katherine Avenue. This portion of the
park was utilized by the area developer for soil stockpiling. This was a use
the City continued until 1998. In 1987, a citizens committee recommended and
the Council adopted a plan to consolidate the parcels under one name, being
Gary R. McDonnell Park. Gary McDonnell was the City's first Director of Parks
and Recreation from 1970 to 1993. Under his direction the City park system grew
from 12 sites containing about 120 acres to one that managed 77 sites and over
6700 acres. Gary was instrumental in the development of Fox Hollow Golf Course,
the Clements Community Center, the Whitlock Recreation Center, and Green Mountain
Recreation Center. For his dedication to the Lakewood Community this park site
was named for him.
Site Description:
Gary McDonnell Park is made up of 17 parcels of land containing approximately
15.8 acres. It is located on the west side of Simms Street from Colfax Ave.
south to Tabor Street It contains a developed linear park along Simms Street,
as well as an undeveloped portion between Simms Street and Union Street. It
is surrounded by single-family residential properties to the north and west,
apartments and town houses on the south and Tabor Street frontage on the east.
Jackrabbit Gulch, an engineered drainage way, defines the southern perimeter.
A timber-walled detention basin exists in the eastern corner dominating the
view from Simms Street. The Agricultural Ditch traverses the parcel near the
eastern end in an underground pipe. The undeveloped portion of the park is relatively
flat, sloping gently to the northeast. It contains a few small 'volunteer' trees.
Native grasses are the established groundcover due to seeding efforts of Parks
staff following topsoil stockpiling on the property in the 1990's.
Planning Process:
In February 2000 the City held a public meeting to receive input on park elements
desired by the surrounding neighborhood. At that time a park design concept
was submitted by representatives of the Welchester-Daniels HOA to City staff
illustrating preferred park components for a "semi-passive park".
This plan was used as the basis for the development of two Conceptual Development
Plans for the undeveloped portion of the park by the City's staff Landscape
Architect. These 'conceptual' plans were presented at a second public open house
held in April 2001. Plan modifications reflecting participant comments and design
refinements have resulted in the final Park Master Plan and the Phase 1 Implementation
Plan. No additional improvements are proposed for the linear portion of the
site along Simms Street. These plans were presented at a public open house November
29, 2001 and were greeted with support and enthusiasm by attendees.
Master Plan:
The Master Plan illustrates a long-term vision for the property to be realized
in a succession of phases. (See accompanying double-sided plan illustration).
Funding available for Phase 1 implementation is limited. Phasing priorities
originated from the April 2001 open house are reflected in the first phase of
construction. These improvements include a pedestrian bridge crossing of the
gulch at Union Street, a trail connection from Union Street to Katherine Avenue,
and the establishment of perimeter berming, screen plantings and basic irrigation
along the western park boundary. Construction of Phase 1 is tentatively scheduled
for fall of 2002.
The Master Plan illustrates the layout of elements common to most neighborhood parks plus other activities integrated at the request of local residents. The linear configuration of the site and relative lack of street frontage helped guide the layout of the Plan. For example, a future parking lot is shown adjacent to Tabor Street, the only practical access, and a softball/multi-purpose filed is designated on the western end of the parcel on the largest usable space. An equestrian arena was included in the Plan at the request of residents. It is located on the eastern half of the site to maintain a safety buffer between other park uses.
Other park elements include a looped trail system (1/4-mile circuit), a central 'core' area with playground, playcourt, picnic shelter and adjoining plaza, and perimeter berming & landscape screening for adjacent residences. Less typical neighborhood park elements include two pedestrian bridges, the parking lot (limited on-street parking), retention pond (potentially fed by gulch or ditch water) and a detention pond redesigned for wildlife habitat and viewing. The southwest corner of the park is designated passive open space with landscape improvements to enhance habitat and screen neighbors.
The core area will provide good access from all directions and will be on a slight rise to enhance views both in and out. A proposed bridge connection to the private greenbelt trail will provide direct access from high-density residential to the south and hopefully encourage better maintenance of the trail. The location of the playcourt was determined by several factors including good patrol visibility from Union Street, separation of age groups (playground vs. playcourt) and good access from Union Street. Play court location was also supported by its proximity to the Phase 1 trail, facilitating development of this feature should funding become available. The court is approximately 145' from the nearest residence.
Financial Considerations:
Overall the park is designed to minimize maintenance expenditures and water-use.
The use of turf grass is limited to the active playfield area, the 'picnic grove'
near the core and the streetscape along Simms and Tabor to minimize mowing and
irrigation. The remainder of the park will exhibit a low-maintenance native
grass groundcover, reflecting the local preference for passive open space. Following
drainage improvements, it is anticipated that Jackrabbit Gulch can be included
in the Urban Drainage maintenance program.
The City has allocated funds for the development of the first phase of construction of the park in the CIPP. These include thirty-three thousand dollars ($33,000) from the Neighborhood Participation Program, one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) from the Conservation Trust Fund, and thirty-six thousand dollars ($36,000) from private sources. Maintenance for the first phase improvements has been anticipated in the Urban Parks program area. Future phases of park development will be evaluated by Urban Parks management to verify that staff and funding for maintenance needs are met prior to implementation.
The estimated cost, in 2002 dollars, to develop the site as shown in the master plan is $1,350,000. The annual cost, in 2002 dollars, to maintain and operate the site once fully developed is estimated to be $29,000 per year (including the portions already developed). The staff of the Department of Community Resources is actively seeking funding for additional improvements. Potential sources being approached include Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), Jefferson County Open Space, and private granting agencies.
Submitted By:
Ross Williams, ASLA, CLP, Facility Planner, Department of Community Resources
Recommended By:
Kathy Hodgson, Director Department of Community Resources
Reviewed By:
Joni D. Inman, Director Mayor and City Manager's Office
Michael J. Rock, City Manager
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