city of titusville fleming park improvement plan

TITUSVILLE Birthplace of the Oil Industry - 1895

Trail Town - 2013

City of Titusville

Fleming Park

Improvement Plan

Crawford County, Pennsylvania

for the

Titusville Redevelopment Authority

By:

STIFFLER McGRAW

Engineers Surveyors Architects

&

Titusville Redevelopment

Authority Staff

1. Project Introduction

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

2. Description and Background • Public Involvement • Analysis of issues • Inventory of existing conditions

3. Recommendations • Consistency with local and regional plans • Responsibilities • ADA Compliance

4. Projects • Actions • Individual projects • Itemized cost estimates

5. Pictures, Maps & Drawings

Titusville Fleming Park Improvement Plan

Titusville Redevelopment Authority Staff

Titusville Fleming Park Improvement Plan 1

Fleming Park displaying sign advertising Farmer’s Market on Tuesdays and Thursdays

1. Project Introduction

The Titusville Redevelopment Authority and residents of Titusville, a city rich in historical significance, have demonstrated their dedication to downtown enhancement through recent projects and a continued vision for the re-development of urban spaces. The proposed improvements to Joseph E. Fleming Jr. Park are another example of this urban beautification. Currently, the City of Titusville has developed a Trail Town Master Plan, which highlights the city’s location and potential to capitalize on the planned Erie to Pittsburgh trail system that will travel through downtown Titusville. As designed in the trail town master plan, trail users will be brought into the city from the trailhead into Fleming Park and then directed through the city’s downtown district. This plan has been developed to be consistent with the trail town master plan as well as all city codes and

ordinances. Progress is slowly being made to implement the suggested projects within the Trail Town Master Plan. As the trail is developed and signage is installed, Fleming Park will steadily increase in its use and importance in providing the trail user amenities and information.




2. Description and Background

• Public Involvement –

Specific public meetings to discuss the Fleming Park Plan were held on September 3, 2014 and October 29, 2014. Previously the park was discussed and toured at several of the Trail Town Master Plan public meetings. Since it is directly in line with the trailhead that brings the Queen City Trail into the community, it was prevalent in Trail Towne Master Plan meetings.

The first public meeting specifically on the just the park was held at the Titusville Towne Square Conference on September 3, 2014. The people attending were primarily individuals and entities that had a stake in the park improvements. Representatives were present from the Titusville Housing Authority, Titusville Leisure Services, Titusville Chamber, Shade Tree Commission, Titusville Renaissance, Farmers /Open Air Market, Titusville Garden Club, City of Titusville and Titusville Community Development Agencies. During the meeting Joe Roddy of Stiffler McGraw, the firm hired to develop the Fleming Park Improvement Plan, presented two preliminary drawings and some pictures of suggested pavilions and kiosks. (Items included in Appendix) Comments and suggestions were made concerning the plans and a second meeting was planned for following month. In the meantime, attendees were asked to think about what they might like to include in the plan and make that information available to Joe through the Titusville Redevelopment Authority.

After receiving input from various individuals and entities, a new design was formulated and a meeting time was set for October 29, 2014. Representatives were present from Titusville Housing Authority, Titusville Chamber, Shade Tree Commission, Titusville Renaissance, Farmers /Open Air Market, Titusville Garden Club, City of Titusville and Titusville Community Development Agencies. A video presentation of the plan was shown and questions answered. Everyone present was pleased with the plan and urged the continuation and completion of the plan.




View of Downtown from Fleming Park

• Analysis of Issues (Current park design and areas for improvement) Being centrally located and accessible for a variety of site users, Fleming Park should be

engaged with the downtown corridor and full of activity. However, the current park design has a lack of emphasis and focus, which results in an overall disconnect from downtown Titusville. There is an unbalanced flow as several linear walkways direct park users to a central open area consisting of a clutter of park benches, a bicycle rack, ornamental trees and an electric meter box. The randomly placed ornamental trees, landscape mounds and site amenities can create a sense

of disorder and confusion among park users. The Fleming Park Improvements will combine some of the existing features with the parks ideal location and downtown vantage points to capture local residents and tourists into downtown Titusville.

• Inventory of Existing Conditions (Existing Site Location and Features) Fleming Park is located on the Eastern side of downtown Titusville, two blocks north of Oil Creek, at the intersection of South Martin Street and Diamond Street. The park offers direct views to downtown and is bordered by the Central Towers Apartments, which is a senior living facility. The park offers some attractive features such as several mature Oak trees, the Titusville historical clock, and a memorial sign dedicated to Joseph E. Fleming Jr. The Park is also the preferred location for the Titusville Open-Air Market that attracts vendors and consumers throughout the summer and fall.

Clock Memorial Sign




Northwest Corner of Fleming Park

3. Recommendations • Consistency With Local and Regional Plans (Overall Project Goals)

The concepts outlined in this plan are consistent with and supports local and county comprehensive plans, including the Crawford County Comprehensive Plan, The Crawford County Greenways Plan , the City of Titusville’s Comprehensive Recreation, Park and Open Space Plan, and the Titusville Trail town Master Plan.

The Crawford County Comprehensive Plan written in 2014 incorporates the Crawford County Greenways Plan into its Recreation Plan, and calls for implementation of its recommendations as crucial to meeting the on-going needs of County residents. The Crawford County Greenways Plan of 2009 outlines the process for implementing the proposed Crawford County greenways network. The implementation strategy identifies and prioritizes

tasks required to carry the greenways plan from Vision to Implementation. Establishing Titusville as a Trail Town along the regionally significant Erie to Pittsburgh Greenway corridor is identified as a short-term priority. This type of project in the near future, such as renovationing Fleming Park lay the foundation for successful implementation of the county’s greenways plan recommendations. Additionally, the Greenways Plan recommends using the establishment of Titusville Trail Town as a “demonstration project”, whose early success can be used as a guide and example for others. The Titusville Trail Town Master Plan was completed in 2013. This Plan is a guiding document to capitalize on economic development opportunities stemming from Titusville’s location as a trailside town along the regional trail system. The Plan recommends establishing an informational and welcoming center for trail users at Fleming Park as a priority project. This Fleming Park Improvement Plan takes that recommendation to the next step with projects and specifications that can be implemented. This park improvement plan also addresses two key recommendations in the City of Titusville’s Comprehensive Recreation, Park and Open Space Plan written in June of 2013. The first goal of the City’s Comprehensive Recreation, Park and Open Space Plan is to “upgrade, enhance, and restore the area’s municipal parks to the level of quality they once had”. An additional goal and recommendation is to complete the trail system within the Titusville Area and its supporting amenities. The comprehensive plan




Center of Fleming Park

states, “One of the most significant issues identified from the public input portion of this study was the need to set a higher standard of design, development, and care for the Titusville area parks. Sustainability of parks and their facilities is a function of advanced planning. All parks need to be planned, designed, and upgraded to be maintained and used for many years to come. The investment in these practices will provide for easier maintenance, a greater life-span, and better quality facilities. In the end, they will be more cost-effective and provide better recreational opportunities for Titusville area residents.” The City of Titusville demonstrated its commitment to this sustainability of parks by investing in the cost of the Fleming Park Improvement Plan. With the emphasis on the Titusville Trail Town Master Plan suggestions and ideas from other recreational planning documents, the current uses of Fleming Park, and the centralized park location, certain project objectives have been specifically designed and incorporated to meet overall project goals. The primary project goals include an enhanced identification of place for bicycle trail users, a fully accessible space for a variety of park users, a central area for performances and public gatherings, a more user-friendly space for the open-air market, and an enriched view to the downtown corridor.

• Responsibilities The city of Titusville is the owner of Fleming Park and provides all maintenance. That will continue once the park is renovated. The park is named to honor a former city mayor, Joseph E Fleming Jr., who cared deeply about his community and its citizens. The city continues to honor him through the upkeep and maintenance of this park. The actual renovations will be administered through the Titusville Redevelopment Authority on behalf of the city. They will seek funding, bid out the work and oversee its completion. Currently Titusville Renaissance organized the Farmer’s Market present in the park during the summer and fall months. Once the park’s renovations are completed and it is more suitable for community events, the Titusville Chamber of Commerce, the Titusville Leisure Service Commission, Titusville Council on the Arts and the Titusville Garden Club will work together to schedule events in the park.




Section of Concept Drawing

• ADA Compliance

The renovation plans, not only are compliant with the 1990 and 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act, but also focus on the close proximity to a senior living facility. There will

be nine oversized parking stalls that have no barriers to the level concrete surface forming a sidewalk in front of the spaces. This continual flat surface will be essential for handicapped accessibility. In the picture on the left number 19 shows the parking areas, while number 4 shows the concrete sidewalk. Wide sidewalks (also number 4) not only will allow ample space for vendors, but will also

allow a wheelchair or walker plenty of room to navigate among the booths. One of the picnic tables (number 12) will have spaces on either side for wheel chairs and is on a concrete surface rather than the grass for ease of movement. Note the grass is around the table, but the table itself is set on concrete. The restroom will be installed according to all ADA specifications.




Pavilion & Gathering Area Pavilion & Gathering Area

4. Projects

• Individual Projects (General Description of Site Design, Detailed Explanation of Design Elements, Conclusion)

With the potential for bicycle tourists visiting Fleming Park, users will be provided an information kiosk that will provide descriptions of downtown Titusville and listings of businesses to encourage connection between the park and the downtown district. The kiosk will be custom designed to draw interest, provide current information about events, local locations of interest and reflect the rich historical history of the community.

With many park users being residents in the adjacent Central Towers Apartments, Fleming Park and all of its amenities will be fully accessible. All improvements shall comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. In an effort to help encourage the use and overall success of events in the park, nine oversized parking stalls will be provided. The use of these spaces could include parking for open-air market vendors, equipment loading for bands or stage productions or as additional space for bicycling events. Adjacent to the parking stalls, wide sidewalks will be incorporated for vendor tables and market consumers.

A central gathering area with a customized pavilion will be the focal point of Fleming Park. This will be an inviting space and will encourage public gatherings for

performances, use during the open open-air market and general use for a variety of park visitors. Seating will be provided in the form of benches and seat walls, and open space will allow free movement of park users. The pavilion will be positioned to capture views out of Fleming Park to the downtown corridor, through two existing Oak trees.

While the above design items meet the overall project goals, some additional design features

have been incorporated to enhance the park atmosphere. With the possibility of large crowds gathering in the park, a bathroom and storage facility will be provided for site users. Also, to encourage use of the park by children and families, a large lawn space will be provided around the central gathering area.

To develop Fleming Park into an inviting and functional public space, the placement and repetition of materials will create a more balanced and harmonized experience than the current layout of the park. Many of the existing features will be removed including all hardscaping, landscape mounds, lighting, benches, waste receptacles and ornamental trees. Two existing Oak trees will be removed and four will be salvaged to enhance the proposed design. Also, six columnar trees will be saved and two existing




Kiosk, Bicycle Racks & 'Fix-it' Station

Existing Park Bench

Light Pole

Kiosk, Bicycle Racks & Fix-it Station

light poles will be relocated to allow for concrete sidewalk to be placed along the adjacent Central Towers Apartments parking lot.

Park users will be able to freely circulate within and around the site using concrete sidewalks. The walks will line the perimeter of the site and allow for entrance into the park at three of the parks’ corners. As users arrive at the gathering area, the pavement material will transition into stone pavers and then into a combination of concrete and pavers. To enclose the space, stone seat walls frame the sidewalks and arch around the pavilion in a symmetrical fashion to create small lawn areas between the sidewalks and seat walls. The walls and pavers will be constructed of similar materials and in complimentary colors to produce continuity between the horizontal and vertical planes. Concrete will be placed beneath the pavilion to match the shape of the roof line, and will be stained a different color for a visible variation between the two concrete surfaces.

Site amenities will be situated throughout the site for the experience of park users. Two of the existing black, iron benches will be salvaged and reused, and two additional benches will be provided to match this existing style. Two of these benches will be situated in the gathering area, and two will be placed along the concrete walkways. Additional seating will be provided with the seat walls and four picnic tables, one of which will be handicap accessible. Four waste receptacles and four recycling receptacles will be provided throughout the site, and ten light poles will be placed to provide sufficient lighting for a safe environment during all periods of the day. The light poles will match the current lighting standard that is being implemented within downtown Titusville. This repetition is another feature that will help connect Fleming Park to the downtown corridor. One of the light poles will be placed as a design feature at the Diamond Street / South Martin Street main park entrance. At the other primary park entrance on South Martin Street, the information kiosk will be placed as for design emphasis. Additionally, two bicycle racks and a bicycle ‘fix-it’

Existing Park Bench

Light Pole




station will be sited at this location which will allow trail users to stop at the park and be encouraged to visit downtown Titusville.

To accommodate the park lighting and bathroom facility, additional utility services will need to be provided. Electrical conduit and metering will be supplied for the light poles and to the pavilion, storage unit and bathroom facility. Also, sanitary sewer and water will be supplied to service the bathroom facility.

Lastly, to compliment the open lawn space as mentioned in the General Description of Site Design, landscaping areas will be implemented throughout Fleming Park. Landscaping beds will be created around the four existing Oak trees and will include a mix of native shrubs, grasses and perennials for seasonal interest. These same plantings will be carried throughout the site where landscaping will be installed around the seat walls and adjacent to the parking areas. Also, six ornamental flowering trees will be placed in the planting beds that surround the gathering area.

In continuing the enrichment of urban spaces in the City of Titusville, the Fleming Park Improvements project will be a tremendous benefit to the open-air market, local residents, bicycle trail travelers and in connecting these users to the downtown Titusville corridor.

Joseph E. Fleming Jr. Park ~ Viewing East




• Actions

Fleming Park Plan Projects

1. Establish a Fleming Park Action Team to lead, direct and delegate implementation of recommendations. Coodinate with businesses, agencies, non-profits and local government.

2. Explore what projects can be done in coordination with other projects to reduce costs and any possible donations. Search types of funding appropriate for the projects.

3. Renovation: a. Demolition and Removal – Removing of trees concrete, pavers, light poles and

other obstacles to installation of new renovations. b. Earthwork – Remove topsoil and stockpile for later use, flatten out raised mounds

of dirt and install erosion and sediment controls. c. Pavement – Installation of asphalt and curbs for new parking area, replace

concrete on E Spring and S Martin, add new sidewalk, install pavers and stone curb.

d. Utilities – Create trench for electric conduit, add new light poles. e. Structures – Put in Polygon Kokomo Amphitheater (30 x 25) or alternate choice,

install bathroom and storage facility. f. Site Amenities – Add trash and recycling receptacles, park benches, bicycle

racks, “fix-it” station, Informational Kiosk and picnic tables. g. Landscaping – Relay topsoil and add new, add topsoil and planting medium for

planters, put down mulch, plant seven trees, plant shrubs, perennials and grass and build stone retention wall for seating.

4. Other Projects:

a. Promote use of park by planning community events to raise awareness of park and bike trail

b. Make sure bike trail points riders to park for information and relaxation c. Promote Farmer’s Market to the community during summer and fall months

5. Have a picnic and enjoy the new park




• Additional Recommended Enhancements

In the redesign of Fleming Park and the enhancement of the connection to downtown Titusville, some additional improvements may be beneficial to the Fleming Park site. The surrounding sidewalks and curbing along Diamond Street and South Martin Street are in poor condition. It may be favorable to remove these sidewalks and replace them with new concrete walks and curbing, which should also include PennDOT approved curb ramps.




• Itemized Cost Estimates

ITEM DESCRIPTION QTY UNIT UNIT PRICE ITEM PRICE

1

Demolition and Removal

a Remove trees (3 large & 8 small) 1 LS $ 7,500 $ 7,500

b Remove concrete/pavers park and E. Spring 5000 SF $ 2 $ 10,000

c Remove Pavers along E. Spring & S. Martin 250 SF $ 2 $ 500

d Light Pole removal 5 Each $ 200 $ 1,000

e Other miscellaneous Removals 1 LS $ 2,500 $ 2,500

f Erosion & Sedimentation Controls 1 LS $ 5,000 $ 5,000

Total $ 26,500

2

Earthwork

a Stripping Topsoil & Stockpiling 1 LS $ 2,000 $ 2,000

b Earthwork 1 LS $ 5,000 $ 5,000

Total $ 7,000

3

Utilities

a Electric Conduit & Trenching 350 LF $ 20 $ 7,000

b Light Pole 10 Each $ 2,500 $ 25,000

c Relocated Existing Light Pole 2 Each $ 750 $ 1,500

Total $ 33,500

4

Pavements

a Asphalt & Base for Parking Area 220 SY $ 50 $ 11,000

b Concrete curbing for parking area 140 LF $ 30 $ 4,200

c Line Striping for Parking Area 1 LS $ 200 $ 200

d Concrete replacement along E Spring & S Martin 250 SF $ 12 $ 3,000

e Concrete sidewalk and base 5200 SF $ 12 $ 62,400

f Unit Pavers & Base 600 SF $ 18 $ 10,800

g Stone Curb 65 LF $ 45 $ 2,925

Total $ 94,525

5

Structures

a Polygon Kokomo Amphitheater (30 x 25) 1 Each $ 35,000 $ 35,000

b Bathroom Facility (Tie to sewer system) 1 Each $ 10,000 $ 10,000

c Storage Facility 1 Each $ 3,000 $ 3,000

Total $ 48,000

6

Site Amenities

a Trash & Recycling Receptacles 8 Each $ 750 $ 6,000

b Park Bench 4 Each $ 1,200 $ 4,800

c Bicycle Rack 2 Each $ 1,000 $ 2,000

d Bicycle "Fix-it" Station 1 Each $ 1,200 $ 1,200

e Custom Kiosk 1 Each $ 5,000 $ 5,000

f Picnic Table (1 Handicap Accessible) 4 Each $ 500 $ 2,000

Total $ 21,000

7

Landscaping

a Topsoil for Lawn Areas 4" depth 100 CY $ 30 $ 3,000

b Topsoil for Plant Beds 12" depth 92 CY $ 30 $ 2,760

c Shredded Hardwood Mulch 3" deep 20 CY $ 35 $ 700

d Medium / Flowering Deciduous Trees 7 Each $ 250 $ 1,750

e Shrubs, Perennials, Grasses 250 Each $ 20 $ 5,000

f Grass Seed 900 SY $ 2 $ 1,575

g Stone / Retention Seat Wall & Base 24" height 160 LF $ 80 $ 12,800

Total $ 27,585

Construction Total $ 258,110

Contingencies

$ 25,811

Engineering

$ 30,973

Costs

$ 28,392

Grand Total $ 343,286




The above Itemized cost estimate is based on purchasing items and paying for all work at the full rate. By seeking help in several of the individual items, the cost can be significantly reduced. In addition, the work can be separated into different phases and funding can be sought for a portion of the renovations at one time. For example under Demolition and Removal, perhaps the trees could be removed under the city’s Shade Tree Commission’s tree removal program and reduce the cost in half and the light pole removal be combined with the city’s Downtown Street Light Project currently underway by the Titusville Redevelopment Authority. A portion of the paving could be done during the city paving cycle also reducing that cost by getting the contractor to include it in their city project at the reduced bid price. . The Site Amenities, such as the trash and recycling receptacles, park benches and bicycle racks may be available free of charge through the Titusville Renaissance Downtown project. The “Fix-it” station has recently been donated by the Trail Town advocate, the Progress Fund and the custom Kiosk could be paid for with an already approved grant for a Titusville Kiosk by Oil Region Alliance. At one point, the local Boy Scout troop was interested in building picnic table as a project and the topsoil for the lawn can be used from removed sod that was stockpiled. It is estimated that these partnerships could save over $35,000.

5. Pictures, Maps and Drawings

city of titusville fleming park improvement plan

Documents