Public Meeting 3 Sasaki Progressive AE Friends of Grand Rapids Parks Heller & Heller ETC Institute
Introduction TODAY’S AGENDA I. Master Plan Process IV. A Vision for the Future of GR Parks • Enrich Programming II. Citywide Ecological Legacy • A Connected & Accessible System • “Kit of Parks” - strategies for citywide improvements III. Your City - Your Parks... What • Raise Awareness We’ve Heard V. Charrette - Tell Us How to Improve the Plan!
Introduction MASTER PLAN PROCESS Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 1 Project initiation May 7 2 Visioning Public Meeting Mission, Cultural and Community Alignment Ongoing community engagement process July 22 Analysis & Visioning Public 3 Parks Inventory and Recreational Analysis Sept 19-20 Presentation of 4 Vision and Recommendations Future Needs, Opportunities, and Vision Plan 5 Presentation of Final Final Plan, Plan Recommendation & Action Plan
TODAY’S AGENDA I. Master Plan Process IV. A Vision for the Future of GR Parks • Enrich Programming II. Citywide Ecological Legacy • A Connected & Accessible System • “Kit of Parks” - strategies for citywide improvements III. Your City - Your Parks... What • Raise Awareness We’ve Heard V. Charrette - Tell Us How to Improve the Plan!
CITYWIDE LEGACY: A FRAMEWORK FOR DIVERSITY
ECONOMY ECOLOGY CULTURE
Analysis Highlights: a Citywide Legacy UNIQUE ECOLOGICAL LEGACY 4 Ecological Zones RIVERSIDE The Grand River Valley Paleo-channel created by meltwater of the Saginaw Lobe exiting proglacial Lake Saginaw The Tributaries Smaller rivers and streams draining into BELKNAP the Grand River The Bluffs Topographic transition from the Grand River Valley to the rolling Upland Moraine landscape GARFIELD The Upland Moraine Mosaic Part of the Valpariso end moraine PLASTER CREEK
TODAY’S AGENDA I. Master Plan Process IV. A Vision for the Future of GR Parks • Enrich Programming II. Citywide Ecological Legacy • A Connected & Accessible System • “Kit of Parks” - strategies for citywide improvements III. Your City - Your Parks... What • Raise Awareness We’ve Heard V. Charrette - Tell Us How to Improve the Plan!
What We’ve Heard 3000+ 60+ WE’VE HEARD FROM YOU... THANK YOU! ) 0 0 ) people attended public events were held across the 0 4 ( 0 4 a ( t s engagement events city over 6 months y e t r i F a P y l k i m c 1000+ o a l F B k e r h a t P k 1 t c # l o e v E R e S C s responses from public U o N o O I L R H ) 0 400 3 engagement events and N 3 E ( P k a O surveys e p ) s n 0 d o 0 i i K 2 t a ( r t b i m e 3 4 l m e # # C 300 u E E S l S o S d o U U o h O O o c h H S H r o N o N PARTICIPANTS T b E E h k P P g c O O i a e B 2 N # S P E 200 R S G U O H N 3000+ people E P O reached since 100 March! MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV
Movies in the Park What We’ve Heard WE’VE HEARD FROM YOU... THANK YOU! Fulton St Farmers Market Friday Night Art Walk
What We’ve Heard WE’VE HEARD FROM YOU... THANK YOU!
What We’ve Heard Access to a variety 5 Fitness and Outdoor Recreation of fjtness options for all ages and “walking paths” WHAT WE HEARD: KEY THEMES abilities is a clear priority “ziplines or rope courses!” Most recreational 1 Active Adult and Family Programming “group workout classes with dogs!” programming comments focused “more recreational activities for families...like art classes, on multigenerational “more skate parks!” yoga, and pottery” activities, primarily for active adults “fjshing program!” “exercise equipment for seniors/adults” 6 Better Connectivity Many emphasized the importance “provide cooking “a bike trail that connects of having a well classes at a park” the entire city!” connected park system and “true park corridors network of trails running through the city and connecting to rural areas” Many requested more 2 Special Events + River Activation music and family- oriented events and “nonpaved trails “free and affordable “Entertainment activities walkable in the winter” recreational activities family events ” around the river, e.g. along the river waterski show.” “continous trail (ped/bike) network between all EN: We want parks, or a loop of the major ones, with directions a path around “disc golf tournament!” “open mic night for young musicians! ” and distances between them” “live music! ” the park Many comments “cookouts!” 7 Outdoor Education “boathouse for rowing, canoe, kayak focused on and stand-up paddle at Riverside Park ” enhancing trees labeled! Several suggested opportunities 3 System Identity & Awareness ideas to diversify to connect with the park system and “nature play scape” nature and create “signature park in each “I would like to see ‘themes’ enhance department educational quadrant of the city” in our parks like an exercise communication experiences “tree recognition self- park or a musical park ” guided system” “bilingual maps!” “Better access to knowing “more community gardens EN: more tree about events/parks ” maintained by local youth” planting programs for families
What We’ve Heard WHAT WE HEARD: KEY THEMES ETC SURVEY 71% said they had a need for walking and biking trails 1 Park Access and Usage Downtown and riverfront parks are popular (3 out of top 5 parks with highest attendance) Lots of competition citywide for indoor and outdoor recreation activities comes from state parks and religious groups 2 Amenities Walking/biking trails and natural areas/ wildlife habitats are in high demand TOP 5 MOST IDENTIFIED NEEDS
What We’ve Heard WHAT WE HEARD: KEY THEMES 17% 3 Recreation Recreation programs/activities have low participation rates 83% 83% of all households have NOT participated in City recreation programs or activities
TODAY’S AGENDA I. Master Plan Process IV. A Vision for the Future of GR Parks • Enrich Programming II. Citywide Ecological Legacy • A Connected & Accessible System • “Kit of Parks” - strategies for citywide improvements III. Your City - Your Parks... What • Raise Awareness We’ve Heard V. Charrette - Tell Us How to Improve the Plan!
Vision for the Future FROM PRINCIPLES TO IDEAS Future Ideas Key Principles Access and Equity : our parks should be more Enrich Programming : broaden the range of accessible, and serve residents equitably, offerings to serve a growing, diverse population regardless of location, age, ability, or socio- Connected & Accessible System : link the economics. city’s neighborhoods, parks, natural resources, Diversity: our parks should refmect the waterways and the Grand River together rich ecological diversity of our city and its “Kit of Parks” : city-wide guidelines to enhance increasingly diverse population. the program, ecology and identity of parks Identity : our parks should be high-quality, Raise Awareness and Participation : visible, and recognizable assets to the city. Drawing from GR’s unique assets, improve Economy : parks are good for our economy! communications in order to raise participation Investments in our parks will benefjt the entire city.
Vision for the Future: Enriching Programming Vision for the Future: Enriching Programming What Does Greater Diversity ENRICHING Mean to the Parks System? PROGRAMMING How Can We Enrich Parks and Recreation Offerings to Meet Demands and Attract Users?
Vision for the Future: Enriching Programming YOU TOLD US... Important Program Areas YOUR RECREATION PRIORITIES Based on the survey, the most important programs for re-investment and growth are: • Adult fjtness & wellness programs • Nature programs and environmental education Move from Good to Great • Adult continuing education programs 83% of residents assess program quality as excellent or • Senior programs good, vs. 89% nationally. • Special events Increase participation 18% indicated that they participated in GR programs over Environmental Education Adult Fitness Classes the past 12 months. Nationally, this number averages 35%. Raise awareness Almost 36% of residents do not participate because of a lack of awareness.
Vision for the Future: Enriching Programming NATIONAL TRENDS IN PARKS AND Healthy Lifestyles • Outdoor gyms RECREATION • Functional fjtness, senior fjtness • Active design (walking loops etc) • Pop-up programming Potential for Active Sports • Grow adult fjtness activities • Incorporate sports tourism Water-based Activities, All Ages Water Activities • Canoeing/kayaking rated high on a market potential study. • The Grand River can develop active programming. • Nationally, there is increased desire for water based recreation. Outreach to Ethnic Minority Groups Pop-up Games • Dedicated outreach to ethnic communities should continue to support cultural program development • Programs include events, classes and new activites
Vision for the Future: Connected and Accessible System A CONNECTED & ACCESSIBLE SYSTEM
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