Esprit Park Renovation Project

All the plans have the following goals and amenities in common:

1. Enjoying nature

• Keeps the park’s natural feel
• Increases habitat planting 
• Nurtures and replaces ailing trees

2. Sitting & Picnicking

• Increases picnic table and seating by 68% 
• Increases bench and seat wall seating capacity by 55% to 72% 
• Includes more options for seating location and adjacencies, sun or shade, and views

3. Strolling, walking & running

• Paths meander through bordering trees and plantings
• Better accommodations strolling, walking and running 
• Renovated paths will meet ADA requirements, look natural and require less maintenance 

4. Exercising & playing

• Exercise stations will be increased from 4 locations to 5
• New stations offer the same workout opportunities but are more in keeping with the park’s natural feel
• Stations will be meet current codes and will be usable by a broader range of age groups
• Four “nature exploration areas” made of natural materials will be placed around the park for children to discover and explore

There are three main differences between the plans: the configuration of the meadows and surrounding paths; how the meadows will be used; and lawn material options.

1. Two meadows or one?

• Two of the plans retain the single open meadow from the park’s original design; any separation of uses between the meadows would be encouraged by signage
• Four of the plans use planted berms and seat walls to gently create a double meadow to accommodate a wider variety of uses (the berms and seat walls would keep a low profile to preserve the views across the meadows)
• In the double meadow plans, the figure 8 path creates a varied circuit for walking or running in the park (four laps equal one mile)

B.    Accommodating dogs 

• Many park users asked that off-leash dog play be officially accommodated in the new designs
• There is an off-leash dog play area in 5 of the 6 plans 
• Dogs are allowed on-leash in other areas such as the paths and picnic areas

3. Lawn materials

• All plans include natural grass meadows 
• One plan offers a hybrid off-leash dog play area that includes both a natural grass area and a synthetic turf area, the other 5 plans show natural grass only
• Off-leash dog use creates extra wear and tear – urine burns, digging, run patterns, etc. – that can worsen in wet weather
• RPD best practices call for smaller off-leash dog play areas to include a resilient material, such as the newer type of synthetic turf (no crumb rubber) to ensure that the area can be open year-round and withstand a high intensity of use, by providing a 365-day a year dog play area, it discourages off-leash dog use in non-designated areas
• The use of any synthetic turf has been opposed by many neighbors for health, aesthetic and ecology reasons
• A natural grass off-leash dog play area will require extra maintenance and portions of the area will likely be fenced off and closed in a rotating pattern during the spring and fall with a full closure in winter

All plans have:

• Picnic areas – 68% more tables and seating and more types of tables
• Benches and seat walls – 55% - 72% more seating, more views, sun exposure, adjacencies
• Expanded and improved exercise stations – 5 updated, attractive fitness areas
• Children’s nature exploration areas – added fun for kids
• Expanded and protected planted areas – more habitat, better conditions for plants
• Water fountains - with bottle fillers and dog basins
• Improved lighting – makes the park safer and more attractive at night

(U)  Dog-free/On-leash Plan

         Dog-free Meadow, Dogs on-leash in other areas

• Figure 8 Path 
• Meadow uses separated
• Dog-free Meadow (adjacent to group picnic area)
• Dogs on-leash in other areas

(V)  Hybrid Material Plan

         Dog-free Meadow, Off-leash Dog Play Area with synthetic turf all-weather area

• Figure 8 Path 
• Meadow uses separated
• Off-leash Dog Play Area, natural turf + synthetic turf
• Dog-free Meadow (adjacent to group picnic area)
• Dogs on-leash in other areas

(W)  Dog-free/Off-leash Plan

Dog-free Meadow, Off-leash Grass Dog Play Area

• Figure 8 Path 
• Meadow uses separated
• Off-leash Dog Play Area, all grass 
• Dog-free Meadow (adjacent to group picnic area)
• Dogs on-leash in other areas

(X) On-leash/Off-leash Plan

  Off-leash Grass Dog Play Area, dogs on-leash in other areas

• Figure 8 Path 
• Meadow uses separated
• Off-leash Dog Play Area, all grass
• Dogs on-leash in other areas (on-leash meadow adjacent to group picnic area)

(Y) Single Meadow

  Off-leash Grass Dog Play Area north, dogs on-leash in other areas

• O Path 
• Single, continuous meadow
• Off-leash Dog Play Area to the north, all grass
• Dogs on-leash in other areas (on-leash meadow adjacent to group picnic area)

(Z) Single Meadow Plan Flipped

  Off-leash Grass Dog Play Area south, dogs on-leash in other areas

• O Path 
• Single, continuous meadow
• Off-leash Dog Play Area to the south, all grass (adjacent to group picnic area)
• Dogs on-leash in other areas

Plan Comparison