These corridors are signature addresses and great amenities for the adjoining neighborhoods. Winding streets follow the edges of these corridors and are fronted by houses with great views of the open space. The streets are typically collector streets and are wider to accommodate higher traffic volumes. Houses are set back from the street with deeper front yards. The landscape transitions from native plant species in the open space corridors to manicured front lawns.
History
The Prairie Trail Parks and Trails Plan is a master plan that focused on three new parks within the Prairie Trail development. These new parks include:
• Dean Park
• Precedence Park
• Chautauqua Park
Also included in this planning effort are the proposed enhancements along SW State Street from Oralabor Road, to one block north of Vintage Parkway.
Several planning efforts and corresponding documents were employed to bring continuity to this planning process and to each park plan. The planning effort for the SW State Street improvement also relied
on these previous master planning efforts. The following documents were heavily utilized in the planning process:
• Prairie Trail Master Plan
• Prairie Trail Pattern Book
• Prairie Trail Stormwater Guidelines
This plan also relied heavily on the Parks & Facilities Comprehensive Plan. The classifi cation of parks, facilities proposed and quality recommended are a direct extension from the Parks & Facilities Comprehensive
Plan in concert with the Prairie Trail Pattern Book.
Process and Project Team
Phase One, the planning process for the Prairie Trail Parks and Trails Plan, started shortly after the Prairie Trail master planning process was completed. Led by RDG Planning and Design, in close partnership with LaQuatra Bonci Associates and Nilles Associates, a
three phased master planning approach was developed. Phase One was built upon existing planning studies. It also provided an opportunity for the design team to work directly with City and DRA staff in developing a comprehensive understanding of the complex nature of
the current landscape. These discussions also provided an understanding of the proposed environmental enhancements that are scheduled to take place in the foreseeable future. One of the real strengths of this
design team was the knowledge and input that LBA and NA provided due to their involvement in some of the previous planning efforts. Phase Two entailed a three day charrette that included the development
of a set of design and development principles, built upon previous efforts and from phase one discussions. These principles include:
• Traditional – Cohesive and Understated
• Safe and Accessible
• Native and Natural
The Charrette and Public Workshop
At the end of a three day charrette, the design team conducted both a
staff review presentation and a public workshop in which the program
for each of the parks was presented as well as the designs. The charrette
helped develop design direction for the trail system, Dean Park,
Precedence Park, Chautauqua Park, State Street, the architecture, and
a recommended site furnishings package.
• Distinctive Destinations
• Ecological Principles
• Maintenance and Management
• A Rich Vocabulary – Architecture, Landscape
• Pedestrian Connections
• Story
• High Quality
The charrette process concluded with a master plan for each of the
parks identifi ed earlier and an enhancement plan for SW State Street
from Oralabor Road to one block north of Vintage Boulevard. A
rough opinion of probable construction costs was also developed. At
the end of the charrette, a presentation to City Staff, DRA, and to the
public was made.
Phase Three includes the refinement of the master plan and estimated
opinion of probable costs and design guidelines. During the refi nement
of each park plan, sustainable design considerations were utilized
signifi cantly. The design for each master plan was heavily aided
by the work Wenk Associates presented in the Prairie Trail Stormwater
Guidelines. From storm water detention/retention and conveyance
to porous pavements systems in the Chautauqua Park parking lot,
each plan identifi ed pre-established Best Management Practices and
implemented them into the design of each park.
