6A - Update on the New Dakota Ridge Smaller Neighborhood ParkCITYOFBOULDER
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM
MEETING DATE: January 28, 2008
AGENDA TITLE: Update on the New Dakota Ridge Smaller Neighborhood Park
PRESENTERS: Jan Geden, CPRP, Director, Pazks and Recreation
Alice Guthrie, Pazks and Planning Superintendent
Mike Gurrola, Project Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this agenda item is to update the Pazks and Recreation Advisory Boazd
(PRAB) on the smaller neighborhood park in Dakota Ridge located at Piene Street and
Laramie Boulevazd in north Boulder.
The city of Boulder acquired the pazksite in 2000 through an agreement with Richard L.
McCabe, the developer of the Dakota Ridge Village Subdivision Phase I. The agreement
required the city to fund development of all streets, sidewalks and right of way
unprovements adjacent to the pazk. Additionally, the city fixnded the final grading and
drainage and grass seeding. The city's contribution to the pazk infrastructure and
development was approximately $275,000. The current budget for improvements is
$1,200,000. Funding is from the .25 Cent Sa1es Ta~c Fund and the Permanent Pazks and
Recreation Fund (PPRF).
The Pazks and Recreation Master Plan identifies the need for pazks in new growth areas
of the city. Staff is proceeding with the design and construction for this new three-acre
park. Two public meefings were held in late 2007 to gather information from the
neighbors. Thir[y-nine people attended the first meeting with 34 at the second. Three
plan options were displayed at the second meeting. One preferred concept option has
evolved from the neighborhood comments (see Attachment A Location Map, Attachment
B Preferred Concept or Attachment C Playbay Layout). The preferred design includes
open play hxrf, shade trees, walks, benches and age-appropriate play azeas (for ages 2 to 5
and ages 5 to 12). In an effort to accommodate any future water budgeting procedures in
city parks, the plan also includes lower water use ground cover zones. Staff is currently in
the process of completing construction documents and ground breaking is planned for
spring 2008.
BACKGROUND
The Pazks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) unanimously approved this pazk land
acquisition in January 2000. This three-acre neighborhood park will help fulfill the
Master Plan recommendation. There has been neighborhood interest for this park for
AGENDA ITEM # VIA PAGE 1
several years, with the development of this site being a priority for the neighbors and,
since the 1990's, City Council and Planning Board members. In 2002, the existing street
trees were installed by the developer with funds from the Parks and Recreation
Department.
A private home owner association (HOA) pazk is located at the corner of Pierre and
Dakota, across the street from the site. At the first public meeting the topic of city
acceptance of this parcel was discussed. In 2002, the Dakota Ridge North HOA Boazd
proposed to donate this existing pazk site to the city. The PRAB held a public hearing at
that time and respectfully declined the offer. The City Attorney`s Office recommended
the non-acceptance in 2002 and again in 2007 citing that this would set a unsustainable
precedent. There are many homeowner association outlots, open space, and park sites
throughout the city of Boulder. All of these homeowner associations aze responsible for
provision, maintenance and liability associated with these amenities as part of the
subdivision agreement, and there is no basis for the public to subsidize such amenities. If
donations such as the existing Dakota Park site were accepted by the city, other
homeowner associations could request equal treatment and this could have a significant
financial impart for the department and the city.
ANALYSIS
Smaller neighborhood pazk planning principles established in the city's 2006 Pazks and
Recreation Master Plan, Appendix I -Park Service Area Guidelines suggest that smaller
neighborhood pazks should be/consist of:
• A minimum of three acres offlat, grassy, flexible-use space with at least one acre
that is not programmed
for active recreation or for storm water detention.
• (An) area for children's playground equipment.
• Areas for sitting and picnicking.
• Easily accessible to neighbors by sidewalks and/or paths.
The proposed site is approximately three acres, with about one acre for flat open grass
play. The remainder of the site contains a children's playground, picnic tables, benches,
pedestrian walks, an area for small scooters, a climbing rock and a drainage detention
pond.
In addition, a number of elements for neighborhood pazk development are identified in
Master Plan Policies, and include the following (excerpted from Appendix C), The
excerpted Master Plan policies aze outlined below and aze followed by staff comments
addressing how the proposed project will meet these Master Plan policies.
AGENDA ITEM # VIA PAGE 2
4. Facility and Resource Policies
4.5 Neighborhood Responsiveness
The Parks and Recreation Department shall weigh neighborhood concerns and
community needs in the development of neighborhood parks and other
neighborhood
facilities. Activities and amenities generally will be limited to those
appropriate for a residential area. Neighborhood
facilities typically will be
designed to encourage walking and biking and will not provide specialized
facilities that would draw from a larger area.
Two public meetings were held in October and November of 2007 to discuss
development options regarding the pazk site. Prior to the meetings, flyers and postcazds
were sent to the homes, a sign was posted on the site announcing the meeting and a-mails
were sent. Three plan options were shown to the neighbors at the November meeting.
Comments from that meeting and additional a-mail comments have been incorporated
into the Preferred Concept Plan. Comments heazd from neighbors regazding the latest
concept have been positive.
4.8 Design Consideration
Park design should be sensitive to the natural features of the site and the
character of the surrounding built environment, incorporating natural features
and integrating the local ecology whenever possible. Parks, playgrounds and
other facilities should provide unique features that help define the neighborhood
they serve and contribute to a "sense of
place. "
Open vistas to the Flatirons or to the neazby hills will be framed by trees. Low water
grasses will be used on site. Staff and consultants met with Michael Mazkel, the
developer, to consider park shade shelter aesthetics and neighbors concerns.
4.9 Sustainable Asset Development and Management
Parks and Recreation Department assets will be developed based on high
performance standard~or sustainable building practices such as those
exemplified by LEEDr certification and sustainable park and landscape design.
In the proposed design, walkways aze kept to a minimum with acknowledgement of
maintenance vehicle and pedestrian access. Pedestrian steps are not part of the design
since this would add hand snow shoveling and potential liability issues.
5. Environmental Management and Maintenance Policies
S.l Environmental Sustainability
The Department considers the goal of environmental sustainability in all its
decisions regarding planning, development and maintenance ofpark lands and
facilities.
AGENDA ITEM # VIA PAGE 3
In the proposed design, trees will be planted for future shade and protective cages for the
trees will be installed to protect the bark from deer.
5.6 Water Conservation
The Department shall promote water conservation through the use of alternate
sources of water, including ditch water, improved plumbing and outdoor
irrigation methods and
ftttures; water-eff cient landscaping and site design. The
Department is committed to reducing water use by planting drought tolerant and
native species where appropriate and installing and maintaining efficient
irrigation systems. The Department will work with the Utilities Division to ensure
compliance with city water conservation efforts.
Dr. Paul Lander and Joanna Crean of the city of Boulder Public Works Department have
been consulted in regazds to water conservation and potential water budget issues on the
site. Funding from Public Works Department will be used for soil improvements and
irrigation equipment upgrades. The perimeter of the pazk will have a subsurface drip
irrigation system to help conserve water. Approximately one-half of the site (one and-a-
half acres) will have either native grass, a drought tolerant hybrid blue grass such as
"Reveille," or have no irrigation (as in the play bay).
5.9 Recycling
The Department encourages and supports recycling efforts in its facilities and
special events and promotes the use of
products and services that are durable,
repairable, reusable, recyclable or otherwise represent a low waste solution,
including the recycling of organic waste. The Department complies with city
purchasing guidelines that promote the purchase of recycled and recycled-content
products.
Play equipment will be purchased from vendors that use recycled content material. The
additional cost is anticipated to be 10 to 15 percent greater than non- recycled play
equipment. Recycling containers will be installed on site for neighbors to use.
COUNCIL AND BOARD FEEDBACK
City Council and Planning Board approved subdivision and annexation plans for a
Dakota Ridge pazk in 1996 at the time of Major Site Review. No further public heazings
by City Council or Planning Board aze anticipated.
COUNCIL FILTER IMPACTS
Economic: There aze no known impacts to the business community other than potential
increased real estate value to the neazby neighborhood. Funds for maintenance (staff and
equipment) will be required at this site.
Environmental: This site is undeveloped pazk land. There are telephone, gas, electric
lines and a drainage detention basin on site. Maintenance staff will access this site with a
truck and trailer during the summer for turf care purposes and in the winter for snow
removal. Gasoline fuel or biodiesel will be used in maintenance vehicles. Trash and
AGENDA ITEM # VIA PAGE 4
recycle containers and dog waste bag dispensers are planned for the site. The existing
street trees and proposed pazk trees will provide shade during the summer months.
Weeding may increase initially with the new site. Parks and Recreation staff will provide
caze as needed.
Social: This is public park and will be used primarily by residents within a three to five
block radius. The site will provide an opportunity for neighbors to gather in a common
outdoor azea. Benches, picnic tables and a playground will be provided for resting,
conversation and/or play.
OTHER IMPACTS
Fiscal: Approximately $1,200,000 in consultant and construction contracts costs are
anticipated and budgeted for this project. An additional $15,000 to $20,000 will be
requested in the 2009 budget process for maintenance staff and material.
Staff time: Oversight of this pazk development project is included in the 2008 work plan
for the department.
NEXT STEPS
Construction of the project is expected to begin in the spring 2008 and will take
approximately six months to complete.
There is no formal pazk name for this pazcel. A park naming process is anticipated within
the next 12 to 18 months and will be brought to the PRAB for a public hearing.
Approved By:
Jan Geden
Parks and Recreation Department Director
ATTACHMENTS
ATTACHMENT A: Location Map
• ATTACHMENT B: Preferred Option
ATTACHMENT C: Playbay Layout
AGENDA ITEM # VIA PAGE 5
Attachment A
CITY 4F 60ULDER
PARKS ~ RECREATION
~v
.F ti ~r~•~r,} _ 3L :yes
h^ + ~ ~ ~'.~v ~It :I DAKOTA PARKSITE .7
.r-r.. ro n A
_ Y•~
' ~ ~ ~:HOLIDAYPARKSITE - ;
.,:4 -
' ~M S~j' fit, , I,.: I. _ - r;?
~f.i ...-t • _ 1. r' 1 It.//.Zl rt - J I . `lr ~ t ~ ~ ..r~_ '1~,
J 7 ~ , r.. 'may{ ~S I. Y
- Ya~~ n ~ rt ~ ~ l ~ "1 1 1f ? ~ ryr~- ~ S'am`
FOOTHILLS COM:~PARK~ „7~f_'!~~ts)~ .~-~..;~__z,, '4~1:'~~++t:c~^~~,y~ r-G[±~'~: Y:. ~ •
-".,fib. VIOLET~PARKSITE~'~~'.~
a`•, -`+y:f«~) r, l"t~11 ~ + ~ l.i.. a 3Yj.-1 ~I•?I tir
''~~6't~~~ R~lf~.'fa.b`+a.'."4~ ~,..~'~-,,;~~1 `'~'~;JI`~ , +~1'~' ~ Fes' `k• ~.~I ! 'ice
. "'l~~~y~,~:~1".'':,d;,~i~.c i-('n°!'F, .A.,' ~~c'il~tirl -3 `.\~~'~('_+~..-~.~'+C~ ~f.`Fl,l•~ `+KA_ r.wy`-"r
Y~~_ ~N: ~ 1 Y. 1J rP Y I rtr. ~ .A! Y i l 1 • ~ -ti l~
~ - ~4 C`' RESTVIEW_P.ARK~ r_,?~+/'+/yM=.
' ~ I ~ Fit-rr'~'~ 1
I
DAKOTA PARKSITE
Feet NEIGH60RHOOD MAP
0 375 750 1, 500
Jnnunry 28, 2008
1 inch equals 1,000 feet
Aericl flight date :2006
By: MA6
a~~f~®~ o~E~ . Y~
Attachment B
`tee, V15TI1.G HONES-
, ~ LEGEND
`1 1 //~~DD_RROJ6HT "O~ERAN
' ` ~ / 'N_K.' GA-'JAY ~~.a...
~ORCWIII TOLEF.Vtf T!R
'IVTEJ.YfRED CONCRETE
?RFYn4Y ThE CRA6lF;
.In r~, - ~-9•:gvcxE sln_.v,\LK ~ nNTED/scoRED
Cdl:=~iLON?
NFL ATIVC ~ _ ~ • GwC1ETE ?ANb
SPA:.E Y'4' lOW 3ERM5 '
ON _T•aEET 5 DE / ?
_ ` ~ '
T VT_D,rLORED GOVJRcfE _I~~{` ` l J_ c _ ~ 7~t i ~ eHaoe T,rtEe
ENT¢Y GA.EWAY ~ ~ 1 / ~ S l ®rloac T.eLe
SHAG 'FECS W.`-~ I ~ ~ r
TRE.. SLARD3 ~-0¢ PR0ITC.T10\ L
IN PLAY A¢EA ~ I'~'_ - 1~ ~ I ~-QIIC'/GOkTENPLATI JC
I I SPAG~ rvr LGW 3ERNS ® e!x-
SWIkGS _ i ~ ~ ~i~ ' GH STQP-T SID=
AGES'<-I~ _ ~ - / 1 ~
I ~ ~ ~uoc e.eueR
SANDS"ONE '
I
R_TA k AG WA L _ _ ( ~ I I 5 .Iws ~5
PLAY EG:: PMEN' .I _ ~ _ _ - ~ ~ - N..
A6.6 5-12 ~ I. a 1 ~ I
K_TCRS : E' x b 1 ~I ` =I /L ..Ah - _ L `-_O _N B:.r_GR453 ~R' ARCA
LG{GtL-TE W TIKE 1 - ' - ~ _
DE00¢ATIV= SLCR - _ ' Vr PO-L'NTIAL AR' OPcORTNITY
FLAY =OI F'yICYi-- ~ I
1 _ ~ ~ I I '~7 _-.NATf J' GRASS AR[4
LGNG FAD I ~ 1 ~ /'-NAT ~/C 6¢A55 EOAL 'O'.ASED
RU~Sf __._._.i ' ~ Ir a ` 1 / „NF~4J 5 ARE4 GEPINEG
REGULAT.ON5 _,.J. - 1 H
..OARD 'L.:GiTIOV ~ ~ 1
T7 EC GCTE¢N kEGI p • , \ ~ 1 q1F' CtiOG'TER
lRF TREE LAWN----'~ 1 • ~ ~I , ~ ~ KE ¢AGK CN GOkL. °AD
WITH 3V'B3RPAGE 1 ~ I~ -
RR'GATION ~ I I
OPEN °LUEGR455 - -1 - - ~ O ~ l
tr4F A¢EA 'll I ~ ~ T
I ( 8 e , , ~c\,~TN,
DROUG~~ TGi_ERAVT ~ ,
~ 1
_
~ ~ j W ~ PREFERR LAN
~x,:a,~.o~:_ I ~ ~ e ~ ~ ~„Ax&`R
EsNCG.G ~ ED CONCEPT P
/y~ ~~o t • - ~ ~ , J - , _K I, DAKOTA RIDGE PARK
.v~ ~ _ ~ y q X111 1'~i II CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO
.iH .--Gs~ ~ I ~ i JANUARY 28TH 2008
~ 1
c.NTRY GAi.W\Y- ~ ~+ti•.^_: ~A _ _ l.d .l/.~,(~.J. l~~ ~.r
TINTECFxO¢cD-~ -~4:f
:q\L¢E-? ENTRYWAY
LL'Ng k6 ROOt, ~=VTRY 6ATErvAY
DRO.GHT TOL[RAkr? I.TFDSLOREV LONGFLT:
TLRF ` =NTRYWA~
1 ~ W~IN~SfO/TN ~~s9wpway
? i-L3 ti.e..,....a
AGERIDA YTEM # ,PAGE
Attachment C
A_ , -
a
f, ~
i I
~ ,1. \ / \ \
MANUFACTURER: LANDSCAPE STRUCTURES ~ /
PRODUCT: SINGLE POST SWING W/TODDLER ADDON ~ ,Y,„Dior-a:: ~ cREF i ,;;;cs~.;.t~E ~ f RUCTU RES
AGES 2-12 PRODUCT: EVOS IDEA STRUCTURE 271 2
~
~ ) ~ ~ ® AGES 5.12
O ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ` ~ 1
~ ~
® ~
/ 1 '
~ r ® ~ ~l
' / ~i1~+
oo
~ . _ ~...sf 1Xiq-
I _ _ ~ F
MANUFACTURER: COLUMBIA CASCADE ~ MANUFACTURER: PARK PETS AND BOULDERS
PRODUCT: PIPELINE 9603 ~ ~ ~ PRODUCT: DOG PARK PET
AGES 2-5 ~ AGES: 2-5
PLAYBAY LAYOUT
DAKOTA RIDGE PARK
CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO
JANUARY 28TH, 2008
~r~ •0 4S asx1~.l^tes F-~
'~GE~Ir)A ITEM # ,PAGE ~