Master Plan ProcessIntroduction

Vision for the FutureWhat will the Park System look like for the next generation?

Vision for TodayHow will we meet today’s immediate needs and close the service and performance gaps?

IntroductIonThe Process to Create The Park City Master Plan » Team » Process » Schedule » Agenda

Project Schedule

1: Framework

• Kick-off & Stakeholder Interviews

• 2011 Parks Inventory

• Needs Assessment

• Existing Conditions Analysis

• Community Survey Development

Kick Off Parks Board Stakeholder WorkSession

Client Review

Client Review

Public Meeting #1Community

Survey

2: Concepts 3: Master Plan

• Develop 3 Scenarios

• Plan Refinement

• Draft Action Plan

• Launch Public Outreach

• Final Master Plan

• Implementation Strategy

AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

Client Review

Stakeholder Worksession

Stakeholder Worksession

Public Meeting #1

Public Meeting #1

Public Meeting #1

Public Meeting #2

APRIL MAy JUNE JULy

Client Leadership• Mayor Bill Finch

• Charles Carroll, Parks Director & Public Facilities Director

• Ted Grabarz, Sustainability Director & Deputy Director of Public Works

• Steve Hladun, Project Coordinator

• Mike Nidoh, Director of Planning

• Board of Parks Commissioners: James Brideau, James Giles, Banjed Labrador, Mark Marko, Frank A. Mercaldi, Ann E. Owens, Rosa Cruz

Sasaki• Jason Hellendrung-Managing Principal

• Gina Ford-Design Principal

• Brie Hensold-Project Manager, Planner

• Eamonn Hutton-Landscape Architect

• Stephen Gray-Urban Designer

Heller & Heller• Barbara Heller-Parks & Recreation Planner

Stakeholder Group• Board of Parks Commissioners

• Public Facilities-Charles Carroll + Ted Grabarz

• Parks Manager-Andy Valeri

• Recreation Superintendent-Luann Conine

• Tree Warden/Urban Forester-Steve Hladun

• Planning & Economic Development-Bill Coleman; Donald Eversley, Director of Planning and Economic Development

• Neighborhood/NRZ Coordination-Angie Staltero

• Downtown Special Services District-Rick Myers + Michael Moore

• Bridgeport Regional Business Council-Paul Timpanelli

• Historic Preservation Commission-Stuart Sachs

• Small and Minority Business Resource Office-Deborah Caviness

• Lighthouse Program, Office of Education and youth-Tammy Pappa

• Greater Bridgeport Regional Business Council-Brian Bidolli

• City Council-Lydia Martinez, Martin C. McCarthy, Susan Brannelly, Denese Taylor-Moye, Anderson Ayala, Robert S. Walsh, M. Evette Brantley, Howard Austin, Sr., Thomas C. McCarthy, Michelle Lyons, AmyMarie Vizzo-Paniccia, Warren Blunt, Richard Bonney, Angel M. DePara, Jr., Carlos Silva, Manuel Ayala, Richard M. Paoletto, Jr., Robert Curwen, James Holloway, Andre F. Baker

Builds on Foundation of Existing Plans and Activities

Green Energy & Buildings

Businesses & Jobs

Waste, Materials & recycling

BGreen 2020

Greenfields & Green Wheels

Green Spaces Water resources

Marketing

Complete Streets

Black Rock & South End Bike Paths

Save the Sound Green Infrastructure Feasibility Scan

Master Plan of Conservation and Development (2008)

downtown Jobs Education

2011 Parks Master Plan

7 NRZ Plans Complete Streets Policy & Action Plan

neighborhoods Infrastructure Environment

New Signage

Knowlton Park“Surprise, it’s Bridgeport”

Tennis Courts Improvements

School Renovations

Main & Gold Pocket Parks

Community Development Block Grant Public Park Improvements Program

New Parks Amenities and Improvements

Board of Education BRBC & DSSD

Groundwork Bridgeport

Parks Board

Bridgeport Arts & Cultural Council

Parks & Rec. Department

Mayor’s Office

Trust for Public Land

Fairfield County Community Fndn.

BGreen 2020 Parks, Water, Open Space Committee

GBRC: Pequonnock

River Initiative, Monroe, Trumbull,

Bridgeport

34 Seaside Day Campers

Hundreds of survey responses

80+ people at Public Forum #1

2011 Parks Master Plan

Regional Coalitions

The NeighborsLocal Leadership

Public Leaders

Builds on Community Support

tHank you...

Community Survey Hundreds of online and paper responses

More family-friendly parks and amenties are desired• playgrounds

• splash pads

• picnic shelters

• swimming facilities

top 3 parks for improvement are large, city parks1. Seaside

2. Pleasure Beach

3. Veteran’s Memorial Park

98

Community Survey

Very DISSatISfIeD Very SatISfIeD

Bridgeport Parks System

A little more than half of households have NOT participated in Bridgeport rec programs or events in the last 12 months.

Residents often use other providers, and do not participate/visit programs/parks due to lack of information and maintenance.

Bridgeport Recreation Programs

Very DISSatISfIeD Very SatISfIeD

46%54%

Parks are not convenient to location of my house

I use other providers of park and recreation services

I don’t feel safe in the parks

I do not know where parks and facilities are located

Facilities and parks are not well maintained

Fees are too expensive

yeS NO

05 25 50

Responses from online park system survey

Community Survey1110

Community Survey

Most residents learned about Parks & Rec services via newspaper, city web site, and city staff.

Residents believe park maintenance and the quantity of walking/biking trails require the most support in the next 3-5 years.

18%

21%

14%6%

9%

20%

2% 10%Newspaper

CityofBridgeportWebsite

Socialmedia(Facebook,Twitter,etc.)

Promotionalmaterialorflyers

FromCityStaff

Fromfriendsandneighbors

MaterialsattheParksandRecreationDepartment

Ihavenotseenorheardanythingaboutparksservices

Park maintenanceQuantity of walking/biking trails

Quality of outdoor swimming poolsAdult programs

Youth programsQuality of playground equipment

Quality of programs and facilities for adultsAvailability of info about programs/facilities

Number of parksQuality of indoor ice rink

User friendliness of Park District website

0 100

1110

Community Survey

Most residents learned about Parks & Rec services via newspaper, city web site, and city staff.

Residents believe park maintenance and the quantity of walking/biking trails require the most support in the next 3-5 years.

18%

21%

14%6%

9%

20%

2% 10%Newspaper

CityofBridgeportWebsite

Socialmedia(Facebook,Twitter,etc.)

Promotionalmaterialorflyers

FromCityStaff

Fromfriendsandneighbors

MaterialsattheParksandRecreationDepartment

Ihavenotseenorheardanythingaboutparksservices

Park maintenanceQuantity of walking/biking trails

Quality of outdoor swimming poolsAdult programs

Youth programsQuality of playground equipment

Quality of programs and facilities for adultsAvailability of info about programs/facilities

Number of parksQuality of indoor ice rink

User friendliness of Park District website

0 100

1110

Community Survey

Most residents learned about Parks & Rec services via newspaper, city web site, and city staff.

Residents believe park maintenance and the quantity of walking/biking trails require the most support in the next 3-5 years.

18%

21%

14%6%

9%

20%

2% 10%Newspaper

CityofBridgeportWebsite

Socialmedia(Facebook,Twitter,etc.)

Promotionalmaterialorflyers

FromCityStaff

Fromfriendsandneighbors

MaterialsattheParksandRecreationDepartment

Ihavenotseenorheardanythingaboutparksservices

Park maintenanceQuantity of walking/biking trails

Quality of outdoor swimming poolsAdult programs

Youth programsQuality of playground equipment

Quality of programs and facilities for adultsAvailability of info about programs/facilities

Number of parksQuality of indoor ice rink

User friendliness of Park District website

0 100

Most residents learned about Parks & rec services via newspaper, city website, and city staff.

residents believe maintenance and the quantity of trails require the most support in the next 3-5 years.

Community Forum # 1 August 10, 2011assessment of overall Park System

Strengths• Many diverse park types in the system

• Access to water and location on the Long Island Sound

• Special parks like Beardsley Park and Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

• Park City – history of park system and large quantity of parks

Weaknesses• Overcrowded

• Lack of access or transportation options

• Lack of diverse activities, rec centers or recreation program

• Maintenance/upkeep/cleaning

What’s Missing?• Connection to nature and ecology

• Education for children and adults

• Safety: lighting needs to be addressed

Highest Priorities• Education

• Access/access, visibility and safety of parks

• Natural resources and protection of habitat

• Secure finances so Parks Master Plan recommendations can be implemented

• Upkeep and maintenance

august 10th at cesar Batalla

80+ people signed in

“connEct” • Streets as connectors to parks

• Enhanced water access

• Like ability to access parks without access

“EnHancE” • Big Wins make sense

• School grounds as publically accessible amenities are great

• Durable surfaces and focused programming (ie. Old Mill Green as a hyperpark)

• Support for pocket parks and enhanced small parks

“EXPand” • Partnerships and more friends of parks groups

• Support school partnership but requires coordination

• Neighborhood investment would be useful and lead to creativity

• Volunteers are good for parks

• Like funding programs, but responsibility issues surrounding “sponsored by” parks

Community Forum # 1community Feedback on 3 Scenarios• Stories about how Bridgeport’s future might unfold for its parks

• A method for finding appropriate movements down each path

Refined Plan

FuturE VISIon What is the plan for the next generation of parks?

A Healthy, Connected FutureAs the population grows and resources become scarcer, urban centers like Bridgeport are an essential component of a sustainable society—and one critical key to livable cities is a successful park system. Bridgeport’s park system will lead the way by being:

Physically connected

• Envision Bridgeport’s parks as part of a green infrastructure system throughout the city that keeps people and the environment healthy

• Connect Bridgeport’s signature regional parks to its neighbors

Ecologically diverse• Celebrate the range of open space types in Bridgeport’s system

• Bring renewed brownfields, vacant lots, and neglected lands back into the open space system

accessible to all• Offer more diverse programming

• Improve communications and ensure parks are highly visible

Economically Viable

• Support growing population trends with new parks to serve needs

• Create value for future development

Physically ConnectedPUBLIC ACCESS ALONG

yELLOW MILL CREEK AND

PEQUONNOCK RIVER

WATER TAxI ACCESS TO

WATERFRONT

PARK AVENUE

COMPLETE STREET

PUBLIC ACCESS

ALONG ALL CITy

WATERFRONTS

UTILIZE RAILROAD

AVENUE FOR

CROSS-CITy TRAIL

CONNECTION

LINK TO REGIONAL

HOUSATONIC RAIL-

TRAIL SySTEM

CREATE EAST/WEST

CONNECTIONS

Ecologically Diverse

PROTECT KEy HABITAT AREAS WHILE

PROVIDING PUBLIC ACCESS

REHABILITATE

RIPARIAN CORRIDORS

RENATURALIZE

LARGE PARKS

INCREASE TREE CANOPy

ALONG STREETS THROUGH

TREE PLANTING PROGRAM

Accessible to All

• OFFER MORE DIVERSE PROGRAMMING

AND IMPROVE SERVICE TO ALL

• IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND

ENSURE PARKS ARE HIGHLy VISIBLE

THROUGH SIGNAGE AND PUBLICATIONS

SUCCESS PARKOLD MILL GREEN

IMPROVE SERVICE

TO HIGH NEED BELT

THROUGH HyPER-PARKS

WEST SIDE II WENT FIELD

UPCHURCH PARK

Economically ViablePARTNER WITH LAKE SUCCESS

ECO-BUSINESS PARK

DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES

AS PARK STEWARDS

CONTINUE OPERATING FAIRCHILD

WHEELER GOLF COURSE

PARTNER WITH DEVELOPMENT

TO CREATE PARK SPACES

ENHANCE WATERFRONT TO

STIMULATE GROWTH

INCREASE VENDOR

OPPORTUNITIES AT

SEASIDE PARK

The Future of the Park City

MEEtInG today’S nEEdHow do we close the service gaps?

What are the Gaps Today?•accessibility

•neighborhood Parks

SA/HHNRPABPT4.4

72

67 NA

MINI-PARK ToTAl AcReAge

SA/HHNRPA

216 289

BPT

203

86

NeIgHBoRHood PARK ToTAl AcReAge

SA/HHNRPA

1,082 577

BPT

286

291

coMMuNITy PARK ToTAl AcReAge

RegIoNAl PARK ToTAl AcReAge

SA/HHNRPA

1,082 577

BPT

286

551

26

REGIONAL

Special UseMini

Neighborhood

COMMUNITy

% of ToTAl AcReAge

distribution of Park types

new Main and Gold mini-park

What are the Gaps Today?•Play / Family friendly activities

•durable court sports

court Sports

Play

BASKeTBAll TeNNIS volleyBAll

BPT BPT BPTNRPA NRPA NRPASA/HH SA/HH SA/HH

1729 29 24 472 NA48 5

241

INdooR PoolSPRAy PAd ouTdooR PoolIce SKATINg RINKPlAy gRouNdS

19

53

115 72BPT NRPA SA/HH

1

1

1 2BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH

7 312

BPT NRPA SA/HH

7 312

BPT NRPA SA/HH

5 53

2

11

Longfellow Playground

Success Park

Park Need

Population Density

Car Access

Diversity

Income

Where is the Need Highest?

HIGH

LOW

Park System

1,346 acres 45+ parks

What are the Gaps Today?•Maintenance

•recreation programming / staff

14 22 3

20

47 63

BPT

RecReATIoN

MAINTeNANce

NATL. COMPS

USUAL STND. BEST PRACTICE

current Staff Size

PartnershipsSustainable

MaintenanceAdding

AmenitiesConnections Visibility +

Outreach

2011 Parks Master Plan

How does the plan meet the need?

5 Strategies

PartnershipsSustainable

MaintenanceAdding

AmenitiesConnections Visibility +

Outreach

2011 Parks Master Plan

How does the plan meet the need?

5 Strategies

Schools

Board of Education

5 Strategies

Quick Wins

Examples

Partnerships

46 Parks & growing

• City-wide parks

• NRZ neighborhood adopted parks

• Downtown parks

• Key natural resource parks

• Shared school parks

• New hyper parks

• Small or specialized parks

We need everyone’s help to keep the parks safe, clean, active, and living up to the Park city legacy.

Beardsley

Seaside

Fairchild Wheeler Golf course

• Stewards major city and regional parks

• Protects the Olmsted Parks legacy in Bridgeport

• Provide large, diverse park offerings for citizens

• Seeks revenue-generating opportunities

Protect the Legacy - 3 olmsted Landscapes

* *

*

ToTAl ANNuAl ReveNueS

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

$2.5 M

$2 M

$1.5 M

$1 M

0.5 M

0

GOLF COURSE

OTHER

F.W. Golf course provides city revenue

city

Washington Parks & People , Washington dc

Boston Ave/Mill Hill Manilla Park

Black Rock Ellsworth Park

Brooklawn/St. Vincent Alice St. Lot

Downtown Baldwin Plaza

East End Newfield/Jessup

East Side Washington Park

Enterprise Zone NO PARKS

The Hollow Lafayette Park

North Bridgeport Beardsley Park

North End Puglio Park

South End Seaside Park (shared)

West Side McGovern Park

Whiskey Hill Glenwood Park

nrZ• “Adopt” a neighborhood park

• Contribute ‘sweat equity’, improvements, daily care and stewardship

• Pursue official non-profit organization status or partner with neighborhood non-profit

McLevy Green Farmer’s market

Jackson Square, nyc

Waterfront Park

Wheeler Park

Broad Street Steps

McLevy Green

down-town

• Sponsor a highly visible downtown park

• Work with DSSD, BRBC, and the City on programming and events

• Integrate public art and coordinate with Bridgeport Arts and Cultural Council and local arts organizations

New Main and Gold pocket park

Majestic Park

Baldwin Plaza

City Hall Annex Park

Pleasure Beach (c Emmett unlimited)

Volunteer clean-ups

Pleasure Beach

Fairchild Memorial Park

Elton Rogers Park

Veterans Memorial Park

Vacant lands and future community gardens

Already active in this area:

Save the Sound

Connecticut Audubon

Groundwork Bridgeport

Ash Creek Foundation

nature

• Support city by initiating conservation initiatives (Save the Sound’s Green Infrastructure Feasibility Scan and the Pequonnock River Initiative)

• Help organize volunteer efforts

• Incorporate education and community outreach into activities

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School yard amenities• 216 acres of park space

• Playgrounds - 31 playgrounds

• Basketball - 15 courts

• Baseball - 8 diamonds

• Football / Soccer - 9 fields

Sources: http://www.bridgeportedu.com/schools/Schools%20Elementary.html and Google Earth

Waltersville/Barnum School contains 2 courts and play facilitiesamenities in Schools today

Schools

# f

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# l

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Field Sports

court Sports

Play

Leisure

BASeBAll/ SofTBAll

BASKeTBAll TeNNIS volleyBAll

fooTBAll/ SocceR

25

4

29 29 17 14 14BPT BPTNRPA NRPASA/HH SA/HH

BPT BPT BPTNRPA NRPA NRPASA/HH SA/HH SA/HH

1729 29 24 472 NA48 5

241

INdooR PoolSPRAy PAd ouTdooR PoolIce SKATINg RINKPlAy gRouNdS

19

53

115 72BPT NRPA SA/HH

1

1

1 2BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH

7 312

BPT NRPA SA/HH

7 312

BPT NRPA SA/HH

5 53

2

HoRSeSHoeS SHelTeRSBocce

1 2 3 3 12 7 3 6 3 6BPT BPT BPTNRPA NRPA NRPASA/HH SA/HH SA/HH

11

Parks

amenities in Parks today

# f

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Parks + Schools

Schools and Parks combined amenities

Field Sports

court Sports

Play

Leisure

BASeBAll/ SofTBAll

BASKeTBAll TeNNIS volleyBAll

fooTBAll/ SocceR

32 29 29 23 14 14BPT BPTNRPA NRPASA/HH SA/HH

BPT BPT BPTNRPA NRPA NRPASA/HH SA/HH SA/HH

829 29 26 472 NA48 5

1

INdooR PoolSPRAy PAd ouTdooR PoolIce SKATINg RINKPlAy gRouNdS

37

35

115 72NRPA SA/HH

1

1

1 2BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH

7 321

BPT NRPA SA/HH

7 312

BPT NRPA SA/HH

5 53

2

HoRSeSHoeS SHelTeRSBocce

1 2 3 3 12 7 3 6 3 6BPT BPT BPTNRPA NRPA NRPASA/HH SA/HH SA/HH

20

SCHOOLyARDS OPEN DURING OFF-HOURS

PARTNERSHIP OF PARKS DEPT, DEPT OF EDUCATION, AND THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND

School PartnershipsSchoolyards to Playgrounds, new york ny• Supports 10–minute walk for all to a park or playground.

• 258 schoolyards will open by 2013.

• Open after school, on weekends, and during breaks.

• Parks Department, the Department of Education (DOE), and Trust for Public Land (TPL) are working together to improve 161 of the 258 schoolyards.

• NyC is investing $95 million for playground improvements

• The 258 sites will be maintained by the DOE.

PoPuLatIon0 25 50 100 200

Board of EducationJohnson oak + tisdale School• Reconfigure layout and circulation so that public park zone is

accessible off of main streets

• Allow public use of the school area during agreed non-school hours

• Shared maintenance and security through partnerships of Parks Department, school security, neighbors and police

Secured school area

Proposed future conditions diagram

clarify access

accessible public area

Johnson oak Park

PartnershipsSustainable

MaintenanceAdding

AmenitiesConnections Visibility +

Outreach

2011 Parks Master Plan

How does the plan meet the need?

5 Strategies

Schools

Board of Education

Hyper Parks

Success Park synthetic field

5 Strategies

Quick Wins

Examples

Successold Mill Green

upchurch/James Brown Waterview

Went Field

West Side II

Hyper-park Program

Neighborhood Population

Need by Neighborhood

Amenities Deficit

Physical Potential

Where do we add amenities?

destination Playground

Successold Mill Green

upchurch/James Brown Waterview

Went Field

West Side II

Hyper-park Program

Centrally Located

Accessible to all

Distinctive Identities

Durable + Highly Programmed

Where do we add amenities?

north Bridgeport/East Side

Old Mill Green• Under programmed space

• Limited pedestrian access

• High maintenance mowed surface

east

mai

n st

reet

east

mai

n st

reet

pem

bro

ke st

reet

rt. 1

rt. 1asylum street

north Bridgeport/East Side

Old Mill Green• Increased amenities including 8 tennis courts, skate park, dog run,

playground, and historic park

• Close 2 streets for pedestrian safety (North Hallett and Goddard)

• Historic, shaded open space serves as gateway to the park

• Traffic calming through improved and increased number of crosswalks to improve pedestrian access

• Builds on adjacent Fire Department and Parent Center resources

0 100 250 500

fIRe dePT AcceSS ANd PARKINg

60,000 Sf deSTINATIoN PlAy gRouNd

SKATe PARK

IMPRoved cRoSSwAlK AT TRAffIc SIgNAl

PReSeRve HISToRIc TReeS ANd MARKeR

east

mai

n st

reet

putnam street

east

mai

n st

reet

pem

bro

ke st

reet

rt. 1

rt. 1asylum street

PlAzA

PlAzA

8 TeNNIS couRTS

dog PARK

East Side

Upchurch and James Brown• Unrealized potential connection betrween parks

• Potential partnersip with school and housing authority

• Limited connection to yellow Mill Creek

crescent ave

hal

lett

stre

et

yell

ow

mil

l cre

ek

East Side

Upchurch and James Brown• Gateway to the yellow Mill Creek Corridor

• Waterfront path and internal trail circut

• 2 destination playgrounds:

1. Educational and environmental focused waterfront play

2. Neighborhood play & recreation zone

PoPuLatIon0 100 200 400

eNvIRoNMeNTAl educATIoN PlAy AReA

TeNNIS couRT

exISTINg BASKeTBAll couRT

PAvIlIoN

oN-STReeT PARKINg

cRoSSwAlKS

TRAIl coNNecTIoN

TRAIl To jAMeS BRowN PARK ANd ecologIcAl ReSToRATIoN AReA

HouSINg AuTHoRITy develoPMeNT SITeS

crescent ave

hal

lett

stre

et

yell

ow

mil

l cre

ek

couRTyARd/ coNNecTIoN

exISTINg couRTS

BARNuM ScHool

wAlTeRSvIlle

RevITAlIzed PlAyfIeld

P

P

Boston ave/Mill Hill

Success Park• Backed by housing

• Limited visibility

• Field in poor condition

GranFielD ave

pear

l har

bor

stre

etcourt D

Boston ave/Mill Hill

Success Park• Synthetic turf play field planning already underway by City

• New through road provides better access, visibility, and overall neighborhood connectivity

• 2 basketball courts, 1 tennis court, synthetic turf, and destination playground

PoPuLatIon0 25 50 100 200

25,000 Sf deSTINATIoN PlAy gRouNd

RAIN gARdeN

eNTRy SIgNAge

BuffeR PlANTINg

PAvIlIoN ANd PIcNIc AReA

ReSToRed exISTINg TeNNIS couRTS

eNTRy SIgNAge

New TeNNIS couRT

2 BASKeTBAllcouRTS

New coNNecTIve RoAd

SyNTHeTIc TuRf PlAy fIeld

GranFielD ave

pear

l har

bor

stre

et

court D

P

PartnershipsSustainable

MaintenanceAdding

AmenitiesConnections Visibility +

Outreach

2011 Parks Master Plan

How does the plan meet the need?

5 Strategies

Schools

Board of Education

Hyper Parks

Success Park synthetic field

Complete Streets

Pleasure Beach fishing pier

5 Strategies

Quick Wins

Examples

Connections

complete Streets and reinforce walkability to parks

restore ecological connections and amplify the Pequonnock and yellow Mill

transform bare infrastructure through plantings and green infrastructure

Build on current initiatives

Progress at knowlton Park along the Pequonnock river new sidewalks improve walkability at Seaside

Sliver by the River today...

Sliver by the River ... tomorrow

Sliver by the River ... tomorrow

STAMFORD’S MILL RIVER PARK URBAN GREENWAy

Greenway PartnershipMill river Park and Greenway, Stamford ct• The channelized Mill River runs through the center of Stamford.

• In 2002, Mill River Collaborative was formed.

the Mill river collaborative• Initiated by Stamford Partnership, City of Stamford, Urban

Redevelopment Commission and Trust for Public Land.

• A 501c3 non-profit corporation

• Many partners contributed to its success.

33 Broad Street Associates II, LLCBoehm Family FoundationBridger ManagementCarlson Family FoundationCummings & Lockwood Charitable FndnFairfield County Community FoundationFirst County Bank Foundation, Inc.GE Asset ManagementGeneral Reinsurance CorpGreenwich Capital Markets, Inc.Melissa Anne Leonhardt FundOverbrook FoundationPitney Bowes Employee Involvement FundPitney Bowes FoundationPurdue Pharma L.P.RBS Securities

SLGreenRobinson & ColeRobyn Rubinstein Memorial FundS L Green ManagementSamuel Lotstein Realty Company LLCSelkowitz Family FoundationThe Edith & Herbert Lehman FoundationThe Insurance ExchangeThe Malkin FundThe Trust for Public LandThe Velaj FoundationUBS AGW&M Properties of CT, Inc.William & Sylvia Silberstein Foundation, Inc.xRAM LTD

2009 Financial Partners

yELLOW MILL CREEK TODAy

Pleasure Beach fishing piercentral avenue, Bridgeport

PartnershipsAdding

Amenities Connections Visibility + Outreach

2011 Parks Master Plan

How does the plan meet the need?

5 Strategies

Schools

Board of Education

Hyper Parks

Success Park synthetic field

5 Strategies

Quick Wins

Examples Complete Streets

Pleasure Beach fishing pier

Sustainable Maintenance

Naturalized Landscapes

Ash Creek Enhancements

developed Parks

BeARdSley PARK181 acres

SeASIde PARK370 acres

Sustainable Maintenance• Seek big wins by focusing first on the large parks

• Renaturalize the edges and “roughs” of large regional parks

• Renaturalize small, underutilized parks to minimize mowing

• Low-maintenance vacant lots/community gardens program

Large Parks - Beardsley, Seaside, F.W. Golf course

underutilized - Manila Street, Majestic, West End

1,346 Total Park Acres

711

WHAT 17 FULL-TIME STAFF TyPICALLy

MAINTAIN

WHAT BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES RECOMMEND FOR 17 FULL-TIME STAFF

WHAT 17 FULL-TIME STAFF MAINTAIN IN

BRIDGEPORT

635

308 210

Undeveloped Park Space

Developed and Maintained Park Space

Sustainable MaintenanceGreener Management in Bridgeport Means:• Renaturalize 180 acres total - 25% of Beardsley, Seaside, and

Golf Course

• Potential operations savings of $1,005/acre vs. traditional landscape or $180,900 annually in operations costs*

• Savings can result from staff time, equipment, and materials

• Upfront costs for conversion from turf followed by longterm savings

Benefits• Introduction of native plants

• Restoration of former habitat

• Enhanced biodiversity

• Reduction of carbon impact from mowing and maintenance

*Potential savings estimated based on current Bridgeport parks spending and maintenance

practices in Bridgeport, and case studies of similar changed landscape managment practices.

Sustainable Maintenance training & new Skillsets

• Restoration ecology techniques

• Awareness of new landscape types

• Education among staff and community

Minneapolis Parks & recreation Board • Natural areas converted to prairie grasses, storm water ponds and

shoreline buffers

• Management standards:

» Athletic Field - Maintained daily to weekly, grass height of 2.5 to 3”. Potential for durable astroturf

» General Park Turf Maintenance - Maintained on a less frequent basis. Grass height can exceed 5” at times.

» Reduced Mowing in Natural Areas - Maintained on an infrequent basis.

Buffalo olmsted conservancy • Goal to convert 20% of each park to maintained meadow areas.

• Meadows contain native plants and are mowed 1-2 times per year.

“Managing and maintaining a man made landscape is anything but natural. We have to cut the lawns, fertilize the trees, water the plants and spray for diseases and pests.” - Buffalo Olmsted Conservancy

“

Sustainable MaintenanceVacant Lots• Potential for new park space on lots larger than 1 acre

• Small scale productive landscapes and community gardens

Vacant Lots

Large vacant sites provide the opportunity to introduce new parks to the system, while the integration of durable, sustainable systems will help minimize impact on maintenance operations.

vIRgINIA Ave

HuNTINgToN

Ash Creek Enhancement

PartnershipsAdding

Amenities Connections Visibility + Outreach

2011 Parks Master Plan

How does the plan meet the need?

5 Strategies

Schools

Board of Education

Hyper Parks

Success Park synthetic field

5 Strategies

Quick Wins

Examples Complete Streets

Pleasure Beach fishing pier

Sustainable Maintenance

Naturalized Landscapes

Ash Creek Enhancements

Parks Guide

Parks Map

Visibility & Outreach• Improved Parks and Recreation Department website

• Branded, consistent wayfinding and signage

• Enhanced Recreation program offerings

• Recreation program guide and “parks passport”

“Bridgeport has a great story to tell, and it needs to get out there,” Curtatone said. In Somerville, we’ve implemented a branding plan because we’re still fighting generations of negative perceptions.” - Mayor Joe Curtatone, Somerville, MA

Recreation Program Guide

Black Rock

South End

The Hollow

West End/West Side

East Side

East End

Boston Ave/Mill Hill

EnterpriseZone

Downtown

Brooklawn/ St. Vincent

North End

North Bridgeport

Reservoir Whiskey Hill

A Parks Master Plan for

THE

PARKCITY

BridgeportConnecticut

PROGRAM GUIDE

Connect with the Park City

Watch For More Indoor Programming

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Dogs In The Parks

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Olympic Athlete to Visit Seaside Camp

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The Curtain Rises at Bijou Theater

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Amazing Art with the Bridgeport Arts + Cultural Ipsam, si ommoluptat. Dicipsant, simi, oditect atemodion pro core poreni rem eos volessi mporionsedi sit ata et ommoloresci optatem eos erspidios experum vendus et dolum im as non num utatusam, quo quas dolum nobitem hicimus est asperferia nonetus, cum fuga. Ut volumquis et, quiassin nos expedignis unt pelest repudit aut eossunto

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Improved Training For Volunteer Coaches

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Park City Park System and Amenities Map• Coordinate with Greater Bridgeport Transit maps

• Link to future bike and complete streets maps

• Inventory provides families, downtown employees, and athletes with information about walkable playgrounds, event locations, and recreation training facilities

Washington Park

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Place Stamp Here

A Parks Master Plan for

THE

PARKCITY

BridgeportConnecticut

PASSPORT

“Park City Passport”• Incentives program to encourage residents and visitors to visit all

of Bridgeport’s parks

• Users receive a “stamp” in their parks passport

• Enhances visibility, awareness, and appreciation of the park system

Quick Wins

PartnershipsSustainable

MaintenanceAdding

AmenitiesConnections Visibility +

Outreach

2011 Parks Master Plan

5 Strategies

Schools

Board of Education

Foundations and Nonprofits

Naturalized Landscapes

Ash Creek Enhancements

EPA and Brownfield

Grants

Hyper Parks

Success Park synthetic field

CDBG Grants & Public Private Partnerships

Complete Streets

Pleasure Beach fishing pier

Federal and State

Transportation

Parks Guide

Parks Map

Corporate and Downtown

Sponsorships

5 Strategies

Funding Sources

Examples

What’s Next for the Park City & How Can You Help?Visit http://www.bridgeportct.gov/

Parks Standards

Black Rock

South End

The Hollow

West End/West Side

East Side

East End

Boston Ave/Mill Hill

EnterpriseZone

Downtown

Brooklawn/ St. Vincent

North End

North Bridgeport

Reservoir Whiskey Hill

A Parks Master Plan for

THE

PARKCITY

BridgeportConnecticut

PROGRAM GUIDEPARKS STANDARDS

Partner

neighborhood city / Government nrZ Private Schoolsnature/ conservation

HighBoston ave / Mill HillSuccess Park Hyper ParkEast EndJohnson oak Park Hyper ParkPleasure Beach improvementsrail trail/ Linear ParkEast Sidethe Hollow South EndWest End / West Side

ModerateWhiskey Hill / reservoirBrooklawn / St. VincentdowntownBlack rock

Low