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Park Planning, Design and Development
Park Category Descriptions
PARK
CATEGORY |
SIZE IN
ACRES |
SERVICE
AREA |
DESCRIPTION |
| Neighborhood Serving: |
Neighborhood
Parks |
5 to 10 acres |
1/2 mile |
A park intended to be used primarily
by the people who live nearby,within a half-mile radius of the park.
Some neighborhood parks are situated adjacent to an elementary school
and improvements are usually oriented toward the recreation needs
of children. In addition to landscaping, improvements might include
a tot lot, adventure area, and unlighted sport fields or courts. |
| Urban plazas/ pocket parks |
Less than 5 acres |
1/2 mile |
A specialized neighborhood park or facility to be
used primarily by persons living, working or visiting nearby. Likely
more appropriate for areas of denser urban and mixed use development.
Amenities may include: smaller scale features such as community gardens,
children’s play areas, sitting areas, tables, fountains, hardscape,
public art, walkways and landscaping. |
| Primary Design Elements |
|
|
Basic landscaping/irrigation/turf/trees; site furniture/walkways/entry
improvements/signage/drinking fountain; children’s play area
(tot lot and adventure area); picnic area with shade structure; sport
court; sports field |
PARK
CATEGORY |
SIZE IN
ACRES |
SERVICE
AREA |
DESCRIPTION |
| Community Serving: |
| Community Parks |
10 to 60 acres |
2-3 miles;drivable from several neighborhoods |
A park or facility developed primarily
to meet the requirements of a large portion of the City. In addition
to neighborhood park amenities, a community park may include: a large
group picnic area with shade structure, a community garden, a neighborhood/community
Skate Park, restroom, on-site parking, bicycle trail, a nature area,
a dog park, lighted sport fields or sport courts. Specialized facilities
may also be found in a community park including: a community center,
a water play area and/or a swimming pool. Some of the smaller community
parks may be dedicated to one use, and some elements of the park may
be leased to community groups. |
| Primary Design Elements |
|
|
All Neighborhood Park primary design
elements; water element; field lighting; sports complex; amphitheater;
restroom; parking lot; nature area |
PARK
CATEGORY |
SIZE IN
ACRES |
SERVICE
AREA |
DESCRIPTION |
| Citywide/ Regionally Serving: |
| Regional Parks |
Varies; generally larger than comm. parks
and/or have destination attraction(s) |
Citywide & beyond |
A park or facility developed with a
wide range of amenities, which are not found in neighborhood or community
parks to meet the needs of the entire City population. In addition
to those amenities found in neighborhood and community parks, improvements
may include: a golf course, marina, amusement area, zoo, and other
region-wide attractions. Some facilities in the park may be under
lease to community groups. |
| Open Space/ Parkways |
Varies. |
N/A |
Open spaces are natural
areas that are set aside primarily to enhance the City's environmental
amenities. Recreational use of these areas may be limited to natural
features of the sites, such as native plant communities or wildlife
habitat.
Parkways are similar to open space areas because
they also have limited recreational uses. They are used primarily
as corridors for pedestrians and bicyclists, linking residential areas
to schools, parks and trail systems. Parkways are typically linear
and narrow and may be situated along a waterway, abandoned railroad,
or other common corridor. |
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