A Commitment to Parks:
Kirkwood, Missouri

By L. Andrew Franke, ASLA, Principal, Planning Design Studio, Saint Louis, Missouri

Kirkwood, Missouri is one of the most sought after communities in which to live and raise children in the St. Louis area. This community has long been known for its charm, high quality schools, vibrant downtown main street business community and, most of all, for its parks. To continue the quality and growth of its parks the Kirkwood Park Board embarked in 2004 on an ambitious plan to develop a needs analysis and 10-year comprehensive master plan for its 325 acre park system. The plan, prepared by the staff landscape architects of Planning Design Studio, provided an overall strategy for meeting Kirkwood's recreational needs through the year 2015. It included separate master plans for eight of the individual parks, which focused on upgrading the parks to meet current needs, while preserving the natural environment of each park. The planning was championed by the Kirkwood Park Board and included significant public input.

Kirkwood Park
Improvements to Kirkwood Park, one of the city's oldest and largest parks, emerged as the highest priority in the master plan. This park was established in 1941 with the purchase of two 20-acre tracts. The park had grown to 92 acres, but had been "loved to death," in the words of Murray Pounds, the parks director, requiring many facility improvements.

The master plan for Kirkwood Park envisioned a main linear pedestrian core organizing the most significant features of the park; significant improvements were required. Planning Design Studio was retained to prepare four phases of improvements along what's called the "Ridge," focusing on replacing outdated facilities with modern ones in locations with the most value to users. Three phases of the Ridge are complete; the final phase should be under construction by September of 2013.

Phasing in the Changes
The city chose to implement the Kirkwood Park master plan in phases for a number of reasons: Money was on hand for smaller projects, thus avoiding large, lengthy bond issues to raise funds. The city also correctly reasoned that public support for the projects would grow as each successive phase was completed. Smaller construction projects would allow the majority of the park to remain open for people to enjoy. Further, Kirkwood Park is home to the annual Greentree Festival, a significant event for area residents that enhances community spirit. Residents volunteer their time, and nonprofits also get involved. The three-day attendance for the festival is typically 30,000-35,000 people. Implementing smaller park projects can to be sequenced to start immediately after the end of the festival in September, with completion a month before the start of the next year's event.

Phase One Improvements
Key to phase one improvements was the design and installation of utility upgrades. The challenge was to develop design documents for future phases that adequately located and sized all anticipated utilities and connections. All new utilities are underground to preserve the park environment. New utilities designed for phase one included a water main; underground electric with additional R.V. pedestals for the Greentree Festival; communications and data lines; and sanitary and storm sewers.

The focus of the architectural improvements was a new rustic central concession stand with a comfort station and family restroom. Associated with this facility was a new central plaza incorporating memorial bricks with an existing tree bosque, and much needed ballfield bleachers. A remote Scout Pavilion, a comfort station, parking lot and open space designed to support various outdoor scouting activities replaced facilities dating from the 1960s. The impact of all proposed phase one improvements on festival layout and operations were carefully evaluated and adjusted. This became a standard consideration for each additional phase of the project.During an initial site visit, it was decided the previously identified need for a pedestrian connection between the Community Center and the park was an immediate need and should be included as part of phase one. The pedestrian link design was decorative pavers, generous landscape plantings, lighting and banners.

This round about with the central willow oak has ramps that connect the two playgrounds. This is the 5-12 age group playground by GameTime. The circular seating area is perfect for adults to monitor both playgrounds. The benches and trash receptacles are from Wabash Valley; the drinking fountains from Most Dependable Fountains.

Phase Two"?uthe Playgrounds
The phase two centered on replacing the playground. The playground was wildly popular with park users and the summer camp kids, however, like many of the park facilities, it was outdated and needed improvement. The project team immediately recognized the playground was located among some of the parks more mature trees, thus one construction challenge was working in a very sensitive root zone area; grading had to be kept to a minimum, while still meeting ADA requirements.

The new playgrounds feature an inclusive 2-5 year old area and a separate play space for 5-12 year olds. A central plaza with seating links the playgrounds to give parents a comfortable place to view and supervise the playground action. The playgrounds have a poured-in-place rubber safety surface constructed over a gravel subbase. Gravel was chosen instead of concrete to afford more root zone air space and water permeability. The mature trees show not signs of construction trauma. A renovated spray feature with a cushioned, anti-slip safety surface was also part of this phase.

The second area of work for phase two was the Lions Amphitheater. Improvements to this facility focused on improving ADA access and accommodations with an accessible route from the central plaza to the amphitheater. The project designers decided to accomplish this without the use of handrails, which required the walkway grade not exceed five percent.

This was accomplished by carefully aligning a gently curving walkway, while avoiding damaging any tree roots. Since many of the amphitheater performances run late into the evening, lighted bollards illuminate the new pathway.

Phase Three Implementation
Phase three focused on the replacement of the historic Lions Pavilion, originally constructed of native limestone by the Kirkwood Lion's civic organization in 1947 with volunteer labor and donated materials. The pavilion showcased the local masonry talent. Over the years successive modifications were completed, however, by 2005 the restroom could not be modified to comply with current accessibility codes and was slated for replacement. Wishing to preserve the legacy of the Lion's efforts, designers were tasked with preserving the structure while adapting it to current park needs. The solution included removal of the comfort station in the pavilion and converting the structure into an open-air pavilion. To accomplish this, an internal steel substructure was incorporated into the old stone columns.

To meet the growing demand for pavilion space a second companion pavilion was constructed, matching the design of the renovated Lions Pavilion. Separating these two structures was a small outdoor plaza with an outdoor fire pit. A new rustic comfort station, matching the previously constructed comfort stations, was located adjacent to the second pavilion to serve both facilities. The two stand-alone pavilions have given the city greater flexibility to accommodate groups throughout the picnic season.

The old playgrounds required substantial updating. The mature trees on site required preconstruction aeration, fertilization and root pruning. The contract documents specified tree preservation provisions and required a tree bond. The new playgrounds are separated by age group, but connected via a direct pathway for easy access. Safety surfacing (Sports Surface Specialties) was added to both playgrounds. This image shows the 2-5 year old play area.

Phase Four, Coming Up
The last of the Ridge series of projects is scheduled to begin in late 2013. This work will include:

• A renovated Tennis/Court Center Building with a pro shop, changing space and a unisex restroom.

• An outdoor handball court.

• Renovation of a tennis court, plus adding two USTA "Quick Start" courts, smaller versions of official courts. The kids also used smaller rackets more appropriate to their size.

• Parking lot renovations.

• New Tennis Center walkways, furnishings, bleachers and associated shade structures.

The success of the Ridge series of projects was apparent after completion of the first phase.

Residents and users have eagerly anticipated each additional phase of improvements.

Completion of the project as it stands today reflects the city's commitment to bringing first-rate facilities to its residents, ultimately supporting the Kirkwood Parks and Recreation Department's goal of providing the highest level of park services to its citizens. The city, its staff, and the Kirkwood Park Board should be recognized for this outstanding achievement!

Andrew Franke, ASLA, RLA is a principal and founding member of Planning Design Studio (PDS). He is the project manager for the Kirkwood projects and has been assisting the Kirkwood community with park projects for over a decade. Founded in 2006, PDS is a landscape architecture firm in historic Laclede's Landing in downtown St. Louis. Other than parks and recreation work, the firm does greenways and trails, commercial, corporate and residential, planning and design, public realm and urban design.

PROJECT TEAM
Owner: City of Kirkwood, Missouri
Department of Parks and Recreation
Murray Pounds, Director

Team Lead and Landscape Architect
Planning Design Studio, St. Louis, Missouri
Dan Bockert, ASLA, RLA, Principal-in-Charge
Andrew Franke, ASLA, RLA, Project Manager
Robbie Walter, Landscape Architect

Architect
Ottolino Winter Heubner St. Louis, Missouri
Bob Winters, Project Architect

Civil, Structural, MEP Engineers:
William Tao & Associates, Inc., St. Louis
Phase I General Contractor: Benz-Parks, Inc.
Phase II General Contractor: The Harland Co.
Phase III General Contractor: Frederick Construction, Inc.

VENDOR LIST
BBQ Pits: Wabash Valley
Benches and Trash Receptacles: Wabash Valley
Bollards: Canterbury International, Inc.
Bollards: Lighted: Holophane
Drinking Fountains: Most Dependable Fountains
Light Fixtures: King Luminaire
Masonry: Boulder Creek Stone Products, Inc.
Pavers: Kirchner Block & Brick
Playground Equipment: GameTime
Playground Safety Surface: Sports Surface Specialties
Precast Stone Building Medallions: Pineapple Grove
Retaining Wall Materials: Kirchner Block & Brick
Roofing: Firestone Metal Products
RV Electrical Pedestals: Midwest Electric Products