Bancroft Park Action Plan

Parks Advisory Board May 11, 2017

Overview

Project Overview Bancroft Park History Project Goals and Process Review of the Online Survey Community Meeting Feedback Proposed Action Plan Next Steps/Timeline

Planning Team • Karen Palus, Director, Parks Recreation and Cultural Services

• Kurt Schroeder, Manager, Parks Operation, Maintenance, and Development

• Matt Mayberry, Cultural Services Division Manager

• Sarah Bryarly, Interim Manager, Design, Development and TOPS

• David Deitemeyer, Park Planner

• Steve Bodette, Capital Project Coordinator

• Jon Carlson, SIMD Administrator

• Dennis Will, Staff Forester

• Shawn Riley, South District Maintenance Supervisor

• Michelle Bies, Special Events Coordinator

• Carly Kobasiar, Special Events Supervisor

What is an Action Plan

Documents Visions and Goals

Identifies Land Use and Physical Improvements

Provides Basis for Future Funding

Represents Community Consensus

Follows a Master Plan Process

Neighborhood Park

Provide nearby recreation and leisure opportunities for the individual neighborhoods

• Common area for neighbors of all ages to gather, socialize and play

Relatively flat to accommodate facility development

• Paved multi-purpose area, • Play equipment • Shaded areas for picnics and seating

Typically 3.5 to 20 Acres • Bancroft Park 1.2 AC

Service Area: 0.5 mile radius

Bancroft Park Service Radius

Bancroft Park Service Radius

Colorado Ave

Pikes Peak Ave

Band shell

Pavilion

Cabin

Activity Plaza

Bancroft Park History

Bancroft Park History

Band Shell Fire

Existing Conditions

Existing Conditions

Existing Conditions

City Council March 13 – Update regarding steps being taken to address damage sustain to the band shell

March 27 – Bancroft Park Action Plan process update

March 28 – Approval of supplemental funding in the amount of $250,000

April 24 – Bancroft Park Action Plan Update

Community Online Survey March 22nd thru April 10th 242 Responses

Community Meetings April 5th - Park information and initial community feedback April 18th - Present Action Plans and receive community feedback

Bancroft Park Action Plan Process: What has happened

Proposed Action Plan April 28th thru May 10th – Bancroft Park Action Plan Online Survey

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

April 13th – Project update by Staff May 11th – Presentation of the proposed Action Plan

Print and TV Media Stories Westside Pioneer, Gazette, Colorado Springs Independent KRDO, KKTV, FOX 21, KOAA

Bancroft Park Action Plan Process: What has happened

Bancroft Park Action Plan Guiding Principles

Modify Bancroft Park to fit the existing and historic character of Old Colorado City and be respectful of the neighborhood context Provide a balance between the protection of the historic elements of the park and surrounding community with the renovation of the park

Bancroft Park Action Plan Guiding Principles

Provide for both active and passive recreational needs within the community, to address everyday use as well as special events Create an Action Plan that is affordable and can be implemented

Online Survey Results March 22nd thru April 10th

• Available on Project Website • Hosted by Survey Monkey ® • 242 Responses

Online Survey Results Annually, how often to you visit Bancroft Park?

• Visited often both for events and for leisure • Band shell, farmers markets and park

benches/picnic tables most used

What do you like most about Bancroft Park?

• Location to Old Colorado City • Special events • Area’s rich history • Farmer’s Market

What do you like least about Bancroft Park?

• Homeless presence • Safety concerns • Restroom condition

Taste of Old Colorado City

Online Survey Results If you could improve Bancroft Park what elements would you add?

• Restricted access to the band shell (52%) • Additional restrooms (43%) • Convert Colbrunn Ct. to a pedestrian plaza

(43%)

Due to the recent fire in the Bancroft Park band shell what improvements would you like to see made to the structure?

• Improve usability for events (62%) • Remove restrooms from band shell (50%) • Secure band shell outside of the use

during special events (50%)

Online Survey Results What are your top 3 priorities for improvements to Bancroft Park?

• Repair band shell (56%) • Improved bathrooms (42%) • Space for farmers markets (37%) • Security lighting (37%)

If you could change one thing about Bancroft Park, what would that be?

• Family oriented (playground) • Restrooms • Address the homeless concerns • Improve park safety/lighting • Band shell fixed asap

Community Meeting #1 April 5th, 2017 6:30-8pm

• Westside Community Center • 85 participants • Park History, Process and initial Public Feedback

– Favorite elements of Bancroft Park – Priorities for improvement

Community Meeting #1

What three elements of the Bancroft Park are the most favorable? • Band shell • Trees and open lawn • Open areas for events • Historic aspects of the park and

neighborhood setting

Community Meeting #1 Please define what success means for Bancroft Park

• Maintain historic charm • Safe, secure and open areas • Better utilization of park • Community gathering • Family friendly • Welcoming and inviting

Community Meeting #1

Identify the top three priorities for improvements to Bancroft Park. • Bathrooms • Band shell • More events • Improved safety • Improved park lighting • Consideration of rental fee

reduction

Bancroft Park Action Plan Project Goals

• Repair and Improve the band shell

• Improve the public restrooms with a new building

• Improve the park amenities to meet ADA requirements

• Improve public safety within the park

• Enhance the neighborhood and special events through park renovations and improvements. Encourage more use of space

• Protect and enhance the historic values • Create park improvements that are low

maintenance and more sustainable

Community Meeting #2 April 18th, 2017 6:00-7:30pm

• Westside Community Center • 45 participants • Review of public feedback and survey results • Presented 3 alternatives of the Action Plan and design

concepts

Colorado Ave

Pikes Peak Ave

Band shell

Pavilion

Cabin

Activity Plaza

Community Meeting #2

Consensus with Alternative 1 • Restrooms up front • No pavilion • Open line of site from

Colorado Ave • Additional plaza space • Simplicity of design • ADA improvements • Parking remains • Historic character

As a group, what is your preferred alternative and why? As a group, what three elements of the preferred alternative does your group agree are the most favorable?

Community Meeting #2

• Integration of Park with Colbrunn Ct. • Keeping the historic markers in place

Additional comments: • Keep the pavilion but remove the walls • No playground • Break down into phases

As a group, If you could change one thing about the preferred alternative what would that be?

Proposed Action Plan Posted plan on project website April 28th to May 10th online survey

Email notification April 28th Gazette Article “ Old Colorado City’s Historic Bancroft Park set to get $1 million face-lift”

• Repair and Improve Band shell Work underway to repair, accessible access to stage, storage area, electrical service, securing the stage

• Improved safety and security Placement of restrooms along Colorado Ave, removed pavilion, improved park lighting, and enhanced park visibility from Colorado Ave

• Enhance the neighborhood and special events through park renovations and improvements. Encourage more use of space Passive recreation areas, open lawns, parking, playgrounds, enlarged plaza spaces

• Protect and enhance the historic values

Keep historic markers in place, expand interpretation opportunities, simplistic, symmetrical design, buildings to match historic character of park

• Low maintenance and more sustainable Improved hardscape, larger concrete plaza space for events, removal of pavilion, restrooms along Colorado Ave

• ADA improvements Accessible ramps, concrete repairs, park amenities

Proposed Action Plan Achieving Project Goals

Comments in support • Overall well received • Preservation of historic character • Maintains the unique park • Space for special events

Comments of concern • Playground (not needed or too small) • Removing Pavilion • Plan was “rushed”

Proposed Action Plan Feedback

Phase 1 Band shell damage demolition Band shell building repair Band shell enhancement

Phase 2A - Planning Architectural plans for restroom Electrical service plan Park amenities design & development Public meeting Park construction drawings Additional fund raising and acquisition Release bid documents

Phase 2B - Construction Park site demo and prep Restroom building construction Hardscape and amenities installation Tree and landscape installation Park Dedication

Next Steps / Timeline * Draft Timeline – Subject to Change

2017 2018 May Sept Jan April

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Next Steps

Information available on website www.ColoradoSprings.gov/Bancroft Proposed Motion: A motion recommending the approval of the Bancroft Park Action Plan, amending the Bancroft Park Master Plan

THANK YOU!