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HomeMy WebLinkAbout41. 13-163 MARCH 26, 2013 13-163 RESOLUTION (CARRIED__6-0___LOST_______LAID OVER_______WITHDRAWN_____) PURPOSE: APPROVE CITY OF OSHKOSH RAINBOW PARK MASTER PLAN INITIATED BY: PARKS DEPARTMENT ADVISORY PARKS BOARD RECOMMENDATION: Approved PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Approved WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh adopted a Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan in 2011; and WHEREAS, comprehensive plans provide a means of identifying, analyzing, promoting and responding to changes in the community; and WHEREAS, a comprehensive plan assists the City in the preparation of and competition for grants to improve park services and facilities; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan recommended development of a Rainbow Park Master Plan; WHEREAS, the plan has been reviewed by the Advisory Parks Board and Plan Commission; and WHEREAS, said plan will serve as a guide for making future decisions relating to improvements and development of Rainbow Park. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh, Winnebago County, Wisconsin, hereby adopts the 2013 Rainbow Park Master Plan, on file at the City Clerk’s office, as the basis for future improvements and development of the park. la) OfHKOIH ON TIC WATER TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Ray Maurer Parks Director DATE: March 21, 2013 RE: Approve City of Oshkosh Rainbow Park Master Plan (Plan Commission and Advisory Park Board recommend approval) BACKGROUND An update to the City of Oshkosh Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, which is a formal document designed to assist the community in the development of parks and open spaces, was adopted by the City Council in October, 2011. A recommendation within the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan was to develop a master plan for Rainbow Park, the 17 acre community park located along roughly .45 miles of Fox River shoreline on its east and bordered by Oshkosh Avenue/STH 21 on the south, Rainbow Drive on the west, and Punhoqua Street on the north. Rainbow Park is used extensively by fisherman and boaters, including use of the four boat launches and three fishing docks. The park also includes playground equipment, restroom/shelter buildings, hard court area, open space and parking areas. ANALYSIS A master plan, to be utilized for future development and management efforts of the park, has been created. It was developed through review of existing conditions and an investigation of current community needs employing user group surveys, general public surveys and public meetings as well as detailed discussions with city representatives and staff with all input reviewed and prioritized by the Advisory Parks Board. A concept plan was developed and presented at an Advisory Parks Board meeting in February, 2013 where it received a recommendation for approval and at the March 19, 2013 Plan Commission meeting where it also received a recommendation for approval. The proposed Rainbow Park Master Plan is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan in that it is a recommendation of the City's Outdoor Recreation Plan. FISCAL IMPACT The fiscal impact for future years will be based upon the projects approved by the Common Council in future operating budgets or the Capital Improvement Program. The estimated total of all projects included in the plan is $3,751,087. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of this plan. Respectfully Submitted, Approved: F as rks Director City Manager ITEM: APPROVE THE CITY OF OSHKOSH RAINBOW PARK MASTER PLAN Plan Commission meeting of March 19, 2013 GENERAL INFORMATION Petitioner: City of Oshkosh Parks Department Actions Requested: The City Parks Department and Advisory Parks Board requests the Plan Commission provide a recommendation of approval for the Draft City of Oshkosh Rainbow Park Master Plan to the Common Council. BACKGROUND/NARRATIVE An update to the City of Oshkosh Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, which is a formal document designed to assist the community in the development of parks and open spaces, was brought before the City Plan Commission and adopted by the City Council in October, 2011. A recommendation within the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan was to develop a master plan for Rainbow Park, the 17 acre community park located along roughly .45 miles of Fox River shoreline on its east and bordered by Oshkosh Avenue/STH 21 on the south, Rainbow Drive on the west, and Punhoqua Street on the north. Rainbow Park is used extensively by fisherman and boaters, including use of the four boat launches and three fishing docks. The park also includes playground equipment, restroom/shelter buildings, basketball backstop and hard court, open space and parking areas. A master plan, to be utilized for future development and management efforts of the park, has been created. It was developed through review of existing conditions and an investigation of current community needs employing user group surveys, general public surveys and public meetings as well as detailed discussions with city representatives and staff with all input reviewed and prioritized by the Advisory Parks Board. A concept plan was developed and presented at an Advisory Parks Board meeting in February, 2013 where it received a recommendation for approval. Numerous recommendations are included with the document and are located in Section 1.5 (pages 8-11)that are also supplemented by conceptual renderings. The proposed Rainbow Park Master Plan is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan in that it is a recommendation of the City's Outdoor Recreation Plan, which is referenced within and part of the Comprehensive Plan's Utilities and Community Facilities Element under Park and Recreation Facilities (Chapter 7-page 142-143). RECOMMENDATION/CONDITIONS Staff recommends approval of City of Oshkosh Rainbow Park Plan. The Plan Commission approved of the Rainbow Park Master Plan as requested. The following is the Plan Commission's discussion on this item. Mr. Buck presented the item and discussed the existing conditions and the conceptual master plan prepared for the park. He stated that it was reviewed by the Advisory Parks Board who recommended approval and he reviewed some of the maps included in the plan displaying future features for the park. He further stated that the Rainbow Park Master Plan was consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan and the Outdoor Recreation Plan. Chad Dallman, Operations Manager for the Parks Department, stated that the Outdoor Recreation Plan designated that master plans would be developed for the three major parks in the City- Menominee Park, South Park, and Rainbow Park. Menominee Park was completed last fall and South Park was still in the process. He questioned if anyone had anything particular they wanted addressed. Mr. Borsuk stated that he had concerns with the traffic on Oshkosh Avenue and Rainbow Drive and the amount of green space that appears to be removed from the park on the master plan. Mr. Dallman stated that they were improving the boat launch area as this was one of the main features utilized in this park which was the reasoning for expanding the parking areas. He further stated that the entrance to the park was a one-way turn and that Graham Avenue and Catherine Avenue were the other two access points to it. Mr. Borsuk questioned if there will be a preferred access choice if approaching from the west. Mr. Dallman responded that Punhoqua Street would lead to access to Graham or Catherine Avenues which leads to the park. Mr.Nollenberger inquired what a splash pad was. Mr. Dallman explained that it was a surface with water features for children but that it was not a swimming pool. Mr. Thorns commented that with the addition of a lot more impervious surface in the park, how storm water runoff was going to be prevented. Mr. Dallman responded that it was only a conceptual plan at this point and they would be working with the Department of Public Works on storm water management options. Mr. Fojtik stated that boater access to the water would have significant improvements with this plan. Mr. Thorns commented that his boat would not fit at the present boat launch as it was not deep enough and questioned if the angles of the docks would be changed. Mr. Dallman replied that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will be involved with that process and described some of the changes to the parking area to better accommodate larger boats. Mr. Cummings inquired what the fee was the City charged to launch a boat. Item-Menominee Park Plan 2 Mr. Dallman responded that it was $3.00 per day. Mr. Bowen questioned if Rainbow Park was the most heavily used area in the parks system for boating purposes. Mr. Dallman replied that Rainbow Park and Menominee Park were the two most heavily used for these purposes. Mr. Bowen commented that he could understand why we would want to accommodate the boat launch feature as access to the water in the city is important. Mr. Hinz stated that the complaint he hears most often from boaters is regarding the no wake zones on the river and he felt that was one reason the Rainbow Park launches were more popular than the other boat launches and there was a need to provide ample access. Ms. Propp stated that her first reaction was that we are paving too much of the park area but it sounds as though there is not enough parking for the boats. She hoped that there was a way to scale back on the parking when the plans start moving forward. She also stated that she would like to see the detention areas in the park labeled appropriately for educational purposes and she felt more walking and biking trails would be an improvement. She felt there was a lot of areas used up with ball parks and other recreational areas. Mr. Dallman responded that some of the single stall parking spaces may be eliminated to allow for more green space. Mr. Cummings commented that the single stall parking was about 115 spaces and questioned if it would be adequate for events held at the park. Mr. Dallman replied that it would depend on the participation levels at events and they were trying to reduce the amount of parking on the streets. Mr. Cummings questioned how we restrict people from parking in the stalls meant for the boat launch. Mr. Thorns questioned if parking was allowed on both Rainbow Drive and Punhoqua Street. Mr. Dallman responded affirmatively. Mr. Thorns commented that we could eliminate some of the parking stalls in the park if on street parking was allowed in the area. Mr. Buck indicated that storm water management will take the additional asphalt surface into consideration when these phases are actually developed. Mr. Borsuk stated that left turns on Oshkosh Avenue are difficult and way finding signage to turn on Punhoqua Street would be helpful. Item-Menominee Park Plan 3 Mr. Bowen questioned if the master plan being reviewed today was a conceptual plan only as he had concerns with the north end of the park and inquired if these features would be coming back through the Plan Commission for review at the time of development. Mr. Bunch responded that the features would not come back to Plan Commission for review again and that the Advisory Parks Board reviews items for the parks and that the Plan Commission's role in the process is to determine if the Master Plan is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan and whether it is appropriate land use. Mr. Bowen commented that open space is one of the elements of the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Bunch replied that there are conflicting elements within the Comprehensive Plan as there are competing elements in various sections and the Commission needed to determine if this plan is consistent with the land use plans for the city. Mr. Bowen stated that he did not like the softball diamond on the site. Mr. Bunch reiterated that the determination should be if overall the plan is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Thorns commented that he would rather see a ball diamond in the park and questioned if the impact on the neighborhood had been considered. More amenities in the park will mean more traffic and he was not aware if the Transit Department had looked at this plan. He further stated that there are not many boat launches on this side of the river but he felt that the Transit Department needed to review the impact on the neighborhood and he also felt that issues with storm water detention should be reviewed as well. Ms. Propp stated that it was the Advisory Parks Board's responsibility to review these details of the plan. She further stated that fencing in the ball diamond field hopefully would not prevent children from its use and she felt there was too much area dedicated to the pickle ball courts. She concluded with that fact that budgetary restraints will resolve some issues. Mr. Vajgrt commented that he did not know why we needed another ball diamond in the City parks however no gates are installed to keep children out. Mr. Cummings stated that everything included in this master plan may not be what we need today however it may be developed in 20 years or more. There is limited space to launch boats in the city and having the access to the water is necessary to attract boaters to the area. He felt we have to look to the future when considering these types of plans. Mr. Hinz commented that the proposed ball diamond is only a 200 foot field and therefore would not be sized for adult use and would be for children only. Motion by Borsuk to approve the City of Oshkosh Rainbow Park Master Plan. Seconded by Bowen. Motion carried 9-0. Item-Menominee Park Plan 4 General Description Rainbow Park covers approximately 17 acres with roughly 0.45 miles of shoreland. The site is bordered by Oshkosh Avenue/State Highway 21 on the south, Rainbow Drive on the west, and Punhoqua Street on the north. The Fox River defines the entire east side of the park. Land use around the park is entirely residential with the exception of the Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course to the north. Visitors can enter the park from the adjacent city streets as well as three (3) formal access points; two (2) along Rainbow Drive and one (1) along Punhoqua Street. Rainbow Park topography is generally flat with no more than (2) feet of drop from west to east. The highest area is in the south end which contains a hill rising six feet above the lake at about a 4% grade. Rainbow Park provides a large boat launch area, open shelters for formal gatherings and/or picnic use, open green space, play equipment areas, and a recreation level baseball backstop and hard court area used for Pickle Ball. S Narrative In 2011 the City of Oshkosh updated their Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, a formal document describing overall goals and objectives for the entire park system. One of the objectives was to develop long range master plans for specific parks within the system. Rainbow Park, one of the busiest and prominent boat launch areas in the city, was recommended for development of a Master Plan. The Rainbow Park Master Plan describes the current physical conditions and public usage of playgrounds, boat launches, sports fields, shelters and other outdoor facilities found in the park. The plan also includes a review of facility needs and requirements to meet current and anticipated demands as well as laying out the vision and capital improvement plan for comprehensive future redevelopment. The planning process included a review of the existing conditions through an onsite inventory and meetings with staff. Topography, drainage, site circulation, utility locations, environmentally sensitive areas, etc have been reviewed and evaluated to identify the impacts of future planning and development efforts. Needs criteria was gathered by meetings with staff and public input meetings. A comprehensive list of planning goals and park needs was reviewed and finalized by the Advisory Park board. Conceptual plans were reviewed in meetings with input from the public and board members. A preferred concept was developed and presented at an Advisory Park Board meeting on February 11, 2013. A final master plan and an associated construction cost estimate have been created. This plan will be utilized for future development and management efforts for the park. Future development will be driven by need and funding and ultimately reviewed by city staff and applicable boards prior to approval and implementation.