Summary
The community connections alternative opens the site to pedestrian and view access from the north, west, and south. The connections not only provide entry to the site but access through the site. The site provides easy access to a number of public, semi-public, and Neighborhood House-specific features. Much of the land will be dedicated to wildlife preservation, but the rest of the site will focus on food and people.
Needs Addressed
Neighborhood House approached this project with the desire to engage the community, so the site took on a public orientation from the start. While working with members of the community, several other needs came to light. Safety and cleanliness were key requirements for many community members. Many community members and Neighborhood House clients and staff members expressed a desire to be able to grow food in the area. All involved felt it appropriate to honor the local natural surroundings and to celebrate each other’s contributions to the community.
This alternative addresses these needs in a number of ways. A feeling of safety is promoted by straight, wide sight lines from the public roads to highly visible art and water features within the site. The connection with the community comes from the access the community has to the site on the north, south, and west. The community space for food includes opportunities for growing, preparing, and eating food together on the site. The alternative honors natural habitat by conserving much of the riverfront for it, with opportunities to observe wildlife in the area. We celebrate others through a memorial garden for remembering those who have passed on and an amphitheater for community gatherings, presentations, performances and the like.
Elements
- 10000 sq ft community garden
- 6000 sq ft permaculture orchard (plus overflow seating area for the amphitheater)
- 5000 sq ft amphitheater (including roughly 75 seats)
- 1000 sq ft barbecue structure
- 1000 sq ft art intersection
- 1000 sq ft water feature intersection
- 3000 sq ft xeriscape garden
- 30000 sq ft memorial and therapy garden
- 30000 sq ft playground for Neighborhood House children
- 45000 sq ft of natural habitat (conservation easement)
- 150 sq ft river wildlife observation deck
- 60’ by 10’ bridge over the river
Phasing of Development
- Year 1:
o Weed mitigation on site
o Dedication of conservation easement to
o Removal of fence between the river and conservation area.
o Addition of interpretive signs along the natural wildlife areas.
o Grading of community garden site and construction of raised beds
o Establishment of community garden and commencement of permaculture orchard.
o Plant first segment of therapy garden.
- Year 2:
o Construction of barbecue hut and establishment of rules for its use.
o Construction of path from 500 S to northern edge of the community garden
o Construction of first art hinge on lower pathway intersection and commission of art on the intersection.
o Plant second segment of therapy garden.
- Year 3
o Construction of new fence, including establishment of rules and times when entry will be allowed.
o Construction of paths from the Neighborhood House Children’s facility to the river.
o Construction of path from adult facility to the barbecue hut.
o Construction of path from 1100 W to future site of upper art intersection.
o Construction of path from 1100 W to the
o Construction of the river wildlife observation deck.
o Plant third segment of therapy garden.
- Year 4
o Construction of upper art hinge on pathway intersection and commission of water feature at its center.
o Construction of bridge and pathway from
o Plant fourth segment of therapy garden.
- Year 5
o Construction of amphitheater.
o Plant xeriscape garden.
o Install memorial stones in therapy garden and complete planting.
Fiscal Analysis
3 comments:
The "art hinge" idea is good.
Are the yellow lines paths on the map? If so, I think they should have more shape and possibly follow some contouring of the site. Have a cost estimate?
One of the coolest things about this plan is the food space that brings together growing, prepping, and sharing. That's a keeper!
For the layperson: what is an "art hinge?"
The attention to a feeling of safety in the design is admirable. I wonder if some more curves can be utilized on the pathways and line of sight issues can be remedied through choice of plantings. This would make the space feel more relaxing and natural.
I'm concerned about the addition of a water feature. It provides a surface for vandalism and will require upkeep and repair which is costly.
With the close proximity of other bridges, I feel that the bridge is unnecessary. Bridges impede proper water flow and alter wildlife habitat.
I'm glad to see attention to weed mitigation coming first in the schedule. The budget should show the cost for the mitigation plus restoration of the natural area.
The locations of various items in this plan feel comfortable.
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