Sunday Park Revitalization Plan
1001 Boulders Parkway Suite 300 Richmond, VA 23225
P 804.200.6500 F 804.560.1016 www.timmons.com
Sunday Park Revitalization Plan Minutes: Project Kick-off Meeting – June 7, 2016 7:00 p.m. – Sunday Park Pavilion Meeting with Timmons Group, BCA Staff, and BCA Sunday Park Revitalization Subcommittee Attendees: J.B. Bailey, BCA, Community Manager Jennifer Strader, BCA, Director of Community Services Lisa Pelfrey, BCA Subcommittee member Meredith Robinson, BCA Subcommittee member Bob Sempek, BCA Subcommittee member Trevor Buckley, Timmons Group Frank Hancock, Timmons Group
1. Introductions The BCA subcommittee provided Timmons Group with a copy of the Sunday Park section of the 2009 Brandermill Master Plan. In reviewing the project goals, Jennifer Strader and the committee members were in concurrence that asides from the playground, which is included in the BCA’s 2017 budget, they are open to design ideas not included in the Master Plan. 2. Review of base map information Timmons Group staff reviewed the base map with the BCA staff and subcommittee. Jennifer Strader is looking into existing boundary survey and plans that the BCA may have, which Timmons Group can incorporate into the base map. After reviewing the Master Plan concepts with the group, it does not appear that any of the recommendations have been implemented. According to Jennifer Strader, this was largely due to project costs. 3. Identification/review of project areas The group discussed priority projects for the revitalization plan (to total three projects). The first project should be a playground or play area, as there are monies available ($77,000) in the capital reserve fund for playground replacement in Sunday Park, subject to approval. Community discussion over improvements in Brandermill have centered on the concept of a look that “natural but neat.” There is a desire to not detract from the natural aesthetic of Brandermill, but there are issues of erosion and heavy wear on facilities in Sunday Park that need to be addressed. Overall improvements. Bob Sempek put forth the idea to make the “Initial Improvement Projects” recommended in the Master Plan (page 188) one of the three revitalization projects for Sunday Park. These improvements would include a package of basic amenities such as seating, waste receptacles, signs, and new plantings to be implemented across the park. Frank Hancock suggested that this suite of amenities could be presented as high, medium and low-cost options. Lisa Pelfrey noted that the majority of visitors seem to make it as far as pavilion, so that perhaps the most energy should be placed between the Boathouse/Church area and the Pavilion. Jennifer Strader noted that residents have complained that the quantity and variety of signs near the Sailing Center is detracting from aesthetic of the area. The group observed that there is currently no kiosk or sign with a trail map posted. In regards to signage posted about residents-only access to Sunday Park, the group agreed
CIVIL ENGINEERING
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ENVIRONMENTAL
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SURVEYING
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GIS
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LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
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CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
that the policy is enforced as needed and when issues arise. Facility rentals, such as for the Pavilion, are for residents only. Playground. Discussion of the playground began with a brief review of the recent Harbour Pointe playground project with which Lisa Pelfrey was involved. This $22,000 project was sited on a former parking lot and was installed by BCA maintenance staff. Lisa Pelfrey gave Frank the contact information for the play equipment representative (Ben Tilley). It was suggested that the play area might be made more central or clustered (there are currently two play areas at Sunday Park that are spaced out). Lisa Pelfrey suggested, and other concurred, that the play area need not be separated into distinct areas for different ages, as younger children seem to be interested in/drawn to equipment for older children. In regards to a natural look, J.B. Bailey said that he was not in favor of wood materials for play equipment, because of the amount of maintenance required. The staff and subcommittee members expressed interest and appreciation for natural play areas. The group is open to relocating play equipment, taking into account proximity of bathroom and parking. Lisa Pelfrey observed that more swings are needed at the current playground. Pavilion. The group agreed that the Sunday Park Pavilion is too small for rentals and the size of the main structure could be increased. The multi-leveled nature of the decking may not be the most functional use of the space and, according to Jennifer Strader, it makes it difficult to demarcate that the entire area is included in an event rental (visitors not attending an event may use lower decks while an event is taking place in the Pavilion). Jennifer Strader stated that the rental capacity is 50 people on weekend days and 75 people on weekdays, but the group observed that actual numbers are often larger. There was discussion about both removing/replacing the existing structure and incorporating components of the Pavilion into a new design, depending on anticipated costs. The Pavilion could be paired with a seating area. The look of a new structure should incorporate materials that are in keeping with “Brandermill Green” and other elements of the neighborhood palette (though the structure will not have to undergo ARB approval). The group also discussed landscaping and drainage improvements between the pavilion and the lake; these improvements should be included in the estimate for the price of the pavilion project. There is currently no budget established for this project. The group agreed that the three revitalization projects that Timmons Group will work on are the: Playground Pavilion and deck Park-wide improvements (stemming from “Initial Improvement Projects” from the Master Plan) 4. Project schedule It was agreed that the Final Design should be completed ahead of October BCA Board Meeting. The group reviewed and approved the draft schedule from Timmons Group with the addition of a meeting date to review schematic designs. The schedule is as follows. June 7, 2016 June 2016 June–July 2016 July 28 2016 July–August 2016 August 31, 2016
Kick-off Meeting Due Diligence Schematic Design Meeting to Review Schematic Alternatives at BCA Office Development of Final Design Meeting to present Final Design/Master Plan to Community
The meeting concluded with discussion about what still makes Brandermill a unique community in the Richmond metro area. J.B. Bailey and Jennifer Strader commented on the community’s desire to maintain its character and not emulate other newer developments, while still improving and updating its amenities. Improvements at Sunday Park can showcase what Brandermill has to offer.
P 804.200.6500 F 804.560.1016 www.timmons.com
Sunday Park Revitalization Plan Minutes: Project Kick-off Meeting – June 7, 2016 7:00 p.m. – Sunday Park Pavilion Meeting with Timmons Group, BCA Staff, and BCA Sunday Park Revitalization Subcommittee Attendees: J.B. Bailey, BCA, Community Manager Jennifer Strader, BCA, Director of Community Services Lisa Pelfrey, BCA Subcommittee member Meredith Robinson, BCA Subcommittee member Bob Sempek, BCA Subcommittee member Trevor Buckley, Timmons Group Frank Hancock, Timmons Group
1. Introductions The BCA subcommittee provided Timmons Group with a copy of the Sunday Park section of the 2009 Brandermill Master Plan. In reviewing the project goals, Jennifer Strader and the committee members were in concurrence that asides from the playground, which is included in the BCA’s 2017 budget, they are open to design ideas not included in the Master Plan. 2. Review of base map information Timmons Group staff reviewed the base map with the BCA staff and subcommittee. Jennifer Strader is looking into existing boundary survey and plans that the BCA may have, which Timmons Group can incorporate into the base map. After reviewing the Master Plan concepts with the group, it does not appear that any of the recommendations have been implemented. According to Jennifer Strader, this was largely due to project costs. 3. Identification/review of project areas The group discussed priority projects for the revitalization plan (to total three projects). The first project should be a playground or play area, as there are monies available ($77,000) in the capital reserve fund for playground replacement in Sunday Park, subject to approval. Community discussion over improvements in Brandermill have centered on the concept of a look that “natural but neat.” There is a desire to not detract from the natural aesthetic of Brandermill, but there are issues of erosion and heavy wear on facilities in Sunday Park that need to be addressed. Overall improvements. Bob Sempek put forth the idea to make the “Initial Improvement Projects” recommended in the Master Plan (page 188) one of the three revitalization projects for Sunday Park. These improvements would include a package of basic amenities such as seating, waste receptacles, signs, and new plantings to be implemented across the park. Frank Hancock suggested that this suite of amenities could be presented as high, medium and low-cost options. Lisa Pelfrey noted that the majority of visitors seem to make it as far as pavilion, so that perhaps the most energy should be placed between the Boathouse/Church area and the Pavilion. Jennifer Strader noted that residents have complained that the quantity and variety of signs near the Sailing Center is detracting from aesthetic of the area. The group observed that there is currently no kiosk or sign with a trail map posted. In regards to signage posted about residents-only access to Sunday Park, the group agreed
CIVIL ENGINEERING
|
ENVIRONMENTAL
|
SURVEYING
|
GIS
|
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
|
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
that the policy is enforced as needed and when issues arise. Facility rentals, such as for the Pavilion, are for residents only. Playground. Discussion of the playground began with a brief review of the recent Harbour Pointe playground project with which Lisa Pelfrey was involved. This $22,000 project was sited on a former parking lot and was installed by BCA maintenance staff. Lisa Pelfrey gave Frank the contact information for the play equipment representative (Ben Tilley). It was suggested that the play area might be made more central or clustered (there are currently two play areas at Sunday Park that are spaced out). Lisa Pelfrey suggested, and other concurred, that the play area need not be separated into distinct areas for different ages, as younger children seem to be interested in/drawn to equipment for older children. In regards to a natural look, J.B. Bailey said that he was not in favor of wood materials for play equipment, because of the amount of maintenance required. The staff and subcommittee members expressed interest and appreciation for natural play areas. The group is open to relocating play equipment, taking into account proximity of bathroom and parking. Lisa Pelfrey observed that more swings are needed at the current playground. Pavilion. The group agreed that the Sunday Park Pavilion is too small for rentals and the size of the main structure could be increased. The multi-leveled nature of the decking may not be the most functional use of the space and, according to Jennifer Strader, it makes it difficult to demarcate that the entire area is included in an event rental (visitors not attending an event may use lower decks while an event is taking place in the Pavilion). Jennifer Strader stated that the rental capacity is 50 people on weekend days and 75 people on weekdays, but the group observed that actual numbers are often larger. There was discussion about both removing/replacing the existing structure and incorporating components of the Pavilion into a new design, depending on anticipated costs. The Pavilion could be paired with a seating area. The look of a new structure should incorporate materials that are in keeping with “Brandermill Green” and other elements of the neighborhood palette (though the structure will not have to undergo ARB approval). The group also discussed landscaping and drainage improvements between the pavilion and the lake; these improvements should be included in the estimate for the price of the pavilion project. There is currently no budget established for this project. The group agreed that the three revitalization projects that Timmons Group will work on are the: Playground Pavilion and deck Park-wide improvements (stemming from “Initial Improvement Projects” from the Master Plan) 4. Project schedule It was agreed that the Final Design should be completed ahead of October BCA Board Meeting. The group reviewed and approved the draft schedule from Timmons Group with the addition of a meeting date to review schematic designs. The schedule is as follows. June 7, 2016 June 2016 June–July 2016 July 28 2016 July–August 2016 August 31, 2016
Kick-off Meeting Due Diligence Schematic Design Meeting to Review Schematic Alternatives at BCA Office Development of Final Design Meeting to present Final Design/Master Plan to Community
The meeting concluded with discussion about what still makes Brandermill a unique community in the Richmond metro area. J.B. Bailey and Jennifer Strader commented on the community’s desire to maintain its character and not emulate other newer developments, while still improving and updating its amenities. Improvements at Sunday Park can showcase what Brandermill has to offer.
