sitka community playground

Sitka Community Playground A partnership project between CBS Parks Division, Sitka Parks and Recreation Committee and the Sitka Community Playground Group

October 22, 2014

Sitka Community Playground Vision

Project Introduction – Identified Need CBS Deferred Maintenance Priority since 2007 • Last upgrade in 2000, scheduled replacement 2007 • Listed for funding in FY13 on CBS deferred maintenance

list First Tier Goal 2011 Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Plan Sitka Parks and Recreation Committee Goal since 2008 Goal Sitka Health Summit 2011 Assembly Legislative Priority for three years Statewide Comprehensive OR Plan playgrounds listed as top priority 247 FACEBOOK followers; 81 signatures of support

Sitka Community Playground Goals

The community of Sitka is in need of a playground! Yes, we have playgrounds, but most of them are closed during the day when school is in session and

afterwards during the afterschool care and none of the community playgrounds meet current accessibility standards.

We would like to build a playground for the 21st Century! • Accessible: All children need access to safe play grounds regardless of

their abilities. • Sustainable: We plan to build a playground that will require minimum

maintenance in the years to come, using materials that are long lasting and safe.

• Sitka Appropriate Scale and Theme: We plan to replace playground equipment with beautiful structures that will blend in and compliment the surroundings while making them attractive and fun for children to play on.

• Safety: Safety is the #1 priority! This playground will have a safe surfacing and be built to the current safety and accessibility standards.

• A vibrant community space: A space that honors Sitka’s cultural diversity and inspires multi-generational play.

Community Playground Steering Committee Goals:

Sitka Community Playground – Why Now?

Sandra Gelber’s passing and her inspirational

devotion to health and to kids with physical special

needs!

Sitka Community Playground: Why Now?

Partnership opportunity with Sitka Community Playground group of volunteers with a strong interest and willing to assist CBS with

all aspects, including fundraising, to create a PLAYGROUND of

the 21st CENTURY.


Crescent Playground built 1972; upgrades: 1993 & 2000


CBS Existing Playground: Moller Park built 1976;

last upgrade 1998

Sitka Community Playground – Why Now?

Inspiration of other successful Community Playground projects in Alaska (Seward, Haines, Soldotna, Juneau,

Homer, Kenai and Talkeetna)

Sitka Community Playground

Project Activity so far……

• Volunteer Steering Committee formed • Neighbors of Crescent contacted • Signatures of support gathered • Public Meeting held with unanimous support for Crescent site • Approval from Planning Commission, Historical Commission

and Parks and Recreation Committee for Crescent • Assembly request for more public process

GOAL for tonight’s meeting: Public Comment on Site selection :

Crescent or Turnaround?

Sitka Community Playground Site Alternatives

Sitka Community Playground – Pro’s

CRESCENT PARK SITE PRO’S:

• UPGRADES (deferred maintenance) AN EXISTING PLAYGROUND PARK AREA

• LOW SITE DEVELOPMENT COSTS - TENNIS COURT ASPHALT

• PROXIMITY TO RESTROOM, SCHOOL, 4 DAYCARES • PARKING AVAILABLE • EXCELLENT PEDESTRIAN AND VISITOR ACCESS • HIGHLY VISIBLE LOCATION • ACCESS TO UTILITIES – WATER AND ELECTRIC • DOES NOT ELIMINATE OR CONFLICT WITH OTHER

RECREATIONAL USES • POTENTIAL FOR FULL ACCESSIBILITY • AESTHETIC SITE WITH GOOD SUN EXPOSURE • EXISTING LWCF PLAYGROUND SITE

Sitka Community Playground – Pro’s

TURNAROUND PARK SITE:PRO’S

• MODERATELY LOW SITE DEVELOPMENT COSTS • PROXIMITY TO GROCERY AND SKATEPARK • PARKING AVAILABLE • SITE MAY ALLOW SOME EXPANSION • PEDESTRIAN ACCESS POSSIBLE • AESTHETIC SITE

Sitka Community Playground – Con’s

CRESCENT PARK SITE CON’S:

• REMOVES ONE OF THREE TENNIS COURTS • ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERSHIP MAY LIMIT ACCESS • ADDITIONAL PARKING AT FAC IS NOT FULLY RESOLVED • FUTURE EXPANSION POTENTIAL UNKNOWN

Sitka Community Playground – Pro’s & Con’s

TURNAROUND PARK SITE CON’S:

• UTILITIES NOT PRESENT, HIGH COST FOR INSTALLATION • NO RESTROOM ACCESS • VISIBILITY BEHIND SKATE PARK LIMITED • ELIMINATES OTHER RECREATIONAL USE – DOG PARK • POTENTIAL FOR FULL ACCESSIBILITY ONLY VIA CAR • LIMITED SUN EXPOSURE • ADDS AN ADDITIONAL PLAYGROUND SITE TO CBS

PARKS DIVISION FACILITIES WITHOUT ADDRESSING CONDITION OF EXISTING PLAYGROUNDS

• DANGEROUS, SUBSTANDARD, NON-ADA COMPLIANT PARK ENTRANCE FROM HPR

Sitka Community Playground – Comments/Feedback

• Why haven’t you done this sooner? • Accessibility requires more space. Adequate space for accessible

ramps and walkways and spacing around play features. Current small triangular configuration of two sides of playground doesn’t allow proper spacing.

• Four daycares nearby. Space perfect since it’s prominent and downtown.

• Important to focus on playground features that foster games and imaginative play ie. a pirate’s ship vs. swing.

• Parking available at Crescent and walk to the playground via the Sea Walk as extra play opportunity.

• Another enhancement for the newly upgraded area. Should be a prominent feature for visitors and locals.

Sitka Community Playground – Comments/Feedback

• Parking across the street at the Fine Art camp. In the process of transfer to the City.

• Variety of accessible toys but all don’t need to be fully accessible • All kids love accessible features that they can “move through

quickly” • Bike shed there but may need additional bike racks. • Juneau’s Twin Lakes playground is “great” but Sitka’s needs to be

in scale with the community.

• Proper scale and character and that the play features not be too high or too bright.

• Playgrounds are big business. • Include an educational component – SSSC tie-

in with salmon life cycle • Walking destination • Separate tot lot important as well as

adequate seating for parents


Project Schedule at a glance

Sitka Community Playground – Process

SITE SELECTION (VOTE Crescent or Turnaround) and SITE APPROVAL by the ASSEMBLY this fall.

DESIGN PUBLIC PROCESS –Potential for Grant funding

Sitka Community Playground - Process

FUND RAISE!! – Grants, Donations, In-kind


BUILD IT! Spring 2016

TALKEETNA COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND


SITKA’S CHILDREN ENGAGE IN ACTIVE AND IMAGINATIVE PLAY

SEWARD’S COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND


SITKA’S CHILDREN ENGAGE IN ACTIVE AND IMAGINATIVE PLAY!

JUST IMAGINE……

Sitka Community Playground A partnership project between CBS Parks Division, Sitka Parks and Recreation Committee and the Sitka Community Playground Group

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sitka community playground

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