I worked with the Village of Elwood to prepare a Preliminary Park Plan for Deer Run Park. The challenge of this 37-acre linear park was to transform the space from industrial buffer to a neighborhood park. This presentation illustrates the final Preliminary Plan as approved by the Park & Recreation Committee and Village Board including construction costs and implementation schedule.

1. Village Board Workshop Presentation
Date: May 5, 2010
y5
Doug Hammel

2. Design Process
Design Process
 Conducted 4 meetings with Parks and Recreation
Board
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 December 2009‐vsioning meeting
F b
February 2010‐presentation of initial concepts
t ti f i iti l t
 March 2010‐general costing of preferred program
elements
 April 2010‐selection of preferred design concept
 Coordination meetings with technical design team
 Applied for rezoning of park properties
 Will modify OSLAD application based on Village Board
endorsement of concept plan

3. Influences on Park Design
Influences on Park Design
 Existing site characteristics
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 Vision for Elwood park system
 Parks and Recreation Board
 Community input
 Parks and Open Space Master
Plan
 OSLAD requirements

4. Influences on Park Design
Influences on Park Design
 Existing site characteristics
g
 Vision for Elwood park system
 Parks and Recreation Board
 Community input
 Parks and Open Space Master
Plan
 OSLAD requirements

5. Park Objectives
Park Objectives
 Improve the quality and vitality of the park
 Enhance the larger park system
 Improve multi‐modal access and safety
 Capitalize on previous investment
 Provide flexibility in park spaces
 Balance today’s needs and tomorrow’s
opportunities

6. Preferred Program
Preferred Program
 Recreation  Beautification
 Flexible field  Landscaped plantings
 Tot playground and buffers
 Regulation softball  Interpretive plantings
p p g
diamond and signage
 Walking/running oval  Park gateways and
 Fitness stations
entry features
t f t
 Amenities
 Concessions facility
 Picnic shelter(s)
 Trail system
 Parking

7. Preferred Program
Preferred Program

8. Initial Working Concept
Initial Working Concept
 Keeps southern softball
diamond
 Relocates parking towards
activity areas
i i
 Includes a
concessions/picnic facility
 Creates flexible lawn for
field sports and events
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 Places fitness stations in
southern portion

9. Initial Working Concept
Initial Working Concept
 Substantial infrastructure
costs for concessions
facility
R l
Relocated parking removes
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previous investment
 Lack of visibility from
Mississippi Avenue

10. Preferred Concept
Preferred Concept
 Shorter infrastructure
lines
 Existing parking lot used
 Activity areas are
centralized
 A ti iti
Activities more visible
i ibl
from Mississippi Avenue
 Regulation softball
diamond
 New approach to fitness
pp
area

11. Preferred Concept
Preferred Concept
 Shorter infrastructure
lines
 Existing parking lot used
 Activity areas are
centralized
 A ti iti
Activities more visible
i ibl
from Mississippi Avenue
 Regulation softball
diamond
 New approach to fitness
pp
area

12. Preferred Concept‐Cost Impacts
Preferred Concept‐Cost Impacts
 Cost savings:  New cost items:
 Parking lot removal
k l l  Relocation of one
l f
 $40,000 savings softball diamond
 Parking lot  $20,000
construction
i
 $34,000 savings  Optional cost items:
 Sanitary sewer line  Additional picnic shelter
 $20,000 savings
 Reduced grading work  Lighting for softball
 $40,000 savings
diamond and
concessions area
 Hard court sports

13. Preferred Concept‐Conditions
Preferred Concept‐Conditions
 Endorsed with
following condition: As
final costing is
developed, include the
following amenities as
f ll i ii
prioritized below:
1.
1 Additional picnic
shelter between
softball diamond and
open field
fi ld
2. Lighting for softball
diamond and
concessions
3. 2 tennis courts

14. Preferred
Preferred
p
Concept
 Questions?