Powell Park Development, Powell, Ohio

By Deborah Edsall, ASLA, APA, ORPA, managing director, and Annie Craven, associate, landscape architect technician, Edsall & Associates LLC

Few communities have undertaken the development of six park sites at the same time. Yet, when Powell, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio grew from a village of 2,154 in 1990 to a city of 6,247 in 2000, the establishment of a Agreenbelt@ town became a priority in creating the city?EUR??,,????'???s rural identity.

(Editor?EUR??,,????'???s note: Agreenbelt@ derives from the creation of three towns envisioned by Rexford Guy Tugwell, advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and created under the Resettlement Administration in 1935. Greenbelt, Md. was the first built, followed by Greendale, Wis. and Greenhills, Ohio. A fourth, planned for New Jersey, was never built.)

Public officials, elected representatives, and a landscape architectural team combined six construction contracts into one, allowing Powell citizens to realize a savings of $750,000 to one million dollar on the over $5 2 million dollar venture.

As the city grew in size and population, Powell?EUR??,,????'???s park system increased from 19 acres to 83.4 acres as a commitment to open-space planning. The incremental increase in park land occurred, in part, through acquisition, but mainly through land dedication during 10 years of subdivision development. For every dwelling unit a developer was required to pay either $1,550 or one acre of nonresidential land to the recreation fund.

Based on community needs assessments conducted by the city in 1993, 1998 and 2003, citizens consistently identified preservation of natural areas, walking/biking trails and children?EUR??,,????'???s playgrounds as most desirable. In response to the community needs assessments, city leadership determined a bond issue would best finance Powell?EUR??,,????'???s park and recreation improvements. A Political Action Committee (PAC) was formed to manage a campaign for the Park Bond Issue, followed by the creation of a promotional document and met with citizen groups at homes throughout the community. The PAC, which campaigned to ?EUR??,,????'??increase your living space by more than 3.5 million square feet,?EUR??,,????'?? enticed voters to the polls, and in May 2002, the $7 million bond issue for land acquisition and significant development in six major parks was approved.

In mid-2002, the city hired the landscape architectural firm, Edsall & Associates LLC, to work with Powell?EUR??,,????'???s citizens on the creation of concept plans, construction cost estimates and phasing plans. Integrating the mission of the Powell Park and Recreation Department into the conceptual planning stage was the community?EUR??,,????'???s goal. Facilitators and participants alike sought to create and provide recreational opportunities for Powell?EUR??,,????'???s citizens by 1) improving the quality of life for the residents; 2) providing/expanding access to recreation resources, services and experiences in the community; 3) managing and protecting the community?EUR??,,????'???s natural resources; and 4) creating/expanding partnerships. As concept plans were developed, standards were fashioned for restroom buildings and summer houses (shelters) to help establish Powell?EUR??,,????'???s park identity.

With the acceptance of the concept plans, construction cost estimates and establishment of phase 1 development, the city contracted with the landscape architects to prepare construction documents, perform contract administration and construction observation. During construction document preparation, 12 disciplines were involved in the project, coordinated by the landscape architect. The consulting team included an agronomist; arborist; naturalist; geotechnical engineer (subsurface investigation); environmental scientist (wetland delineation and mitigation); hydrological engineer (preparation/submittal of a conditional letter of map revision to FEMA); surveyor; architect; civil engineer; electrical/mechanical engineer and skate park consultant. In addition, a local graphics consultant developed a series of pictographs that the landscape architects integrated into the park rules signage.

To maximize the citizen dollars and offset the nearly quarter million dollar water and sewer tap fees by Delaware County, separate bids were taken for tree demolition/relocation/trimming work, general contract work, landscaping, furnishing and installation of playground equipment (four contracts) and the construction of the skate park. The city negotiated a contract with the skate park consultant to construct the skate park based on defined drawings and specifications. The benefits of this approach contributed to a reduction in mobilization costs by sequencing development operations related to grading, paving, building construction, site improvements, seeding and landscaping. Savings were further realized by combining all six parks into a common larger bid package, which resulted in better and more competitive bidding by contractors.

 

The collaboration of the Powell Parks and Recreation Department with the local schools and other park and recreation providers in the area enabled the city to continue providing recreation services during construction. This often entailed using school sites for summer programs while the park construction was undertaken. Throughout the detailed planning, design and preparation of construction documents, citizen involvement continued. Emphasis was not just to design one or six parks, but to create a ?EUR??,,????'??park system?EUR??,,????'?? which emulated the citizen and community standards. Special attention was given by the landscape architects and their team to blend park elements with the surrounding residential development, preserve the community?EUR??,,????'???s natural features and serve the community?EUR??,,????'???s rapidly growing youth population.

The Major Park Construction Elements

Oak Park?EUR??,,????'??+a 3.5 acre site located at the southern entrance to the city opposite Library Park on the west side of South Liberty Street. Primary improvements in this park involved selective clearing and development of an unpaved path system.

Arbor Ridge Park?EUR??,,????'??+an undeveloped 8.5 acre site dedicated as a part of the Falcon Ridge Subdivision. Park development included asphaltic concrete walks, fencing, landscaping, a parking area, a new unique playground, a restroom/storage building, two tennis courts, site improvements (benches, bicycle racks, drinking fountain, picnic grill, picnic tables and waste receptacles), along with related grading, signage and site utilities.

Beechwood Park?EUR??,,????'??+a 12.5 acre site, acquired through dedication of the Woods at Big Bear Subdivision. The area consisted of a small intermittent stream meandering through the site from west to east and a very fine mature stand of beech and maple trees. A tunnel under the CSX railroad to the east connects the park to Memorial Park with an asphaltic concrete walk system. Initial park improvements included landscape screening along the north property line.

The Village Green?EUR??,,????'??+an 11.5 acre site, purchased by the city from a former trust company. The building serves as the Powell City Hall. Primary development at the Village Green included the amphitheater with state-of-the-art lighting system, the splash pad and children?EUR??,,????'???s playground with artfully designed poured-in-place safety surfaces. Further park improvements included asphaltic concrete walks, landscaping, a retention pond with fountain, improved site lighting, three flag poles, picnic tables and waste receptacles, along with related grading, signage and site utilities.

Murphy?EUR??,,????'???s Park?EUR??,,????'??+a 5.9 acre site, acquired by the city through land dedication when the surrounding subdivision was developed. The area was the site of the former Murphy?EUR??,,????'???s Party Barn. It has a number of fine, mature trees including specimens of ash, hickory, maple and oak. Park development included the addition of amenities suitable for family gatherings, such as bocce ball courts, two horseshoe courts, a unique playground, a restroom building, a large summer house, benches, bicycle racks, a drinking fountain, grills, picnic tables and waste receptacles.

Meadow View Park?EUR??,,????'??+Here, preservation of the woodland was the primary focus. The site was obtained by the city through dedication of its 12.5 acres when the Ashmoore subdivision was developed. An existing pond at the southern end occupies approximately one-quarter of the site. A trail system, children?EUR??,,????'???s playground and short grass prairie were a part of the park?EUR??,,????'???s development plan. Improvements further included educational panels, picnic tables and waste receptacles, along with related grading, signage and site utilities.

Adventure Park?EUR??,,????'??+a 19-acre site, purchased in the late 1980s for a service building and park. In 1994, with a land and water conservation fund grant, a basketball court and children?EUR??,,????'???s play area were developed. A small swimming pool owned and operated by a private association is also located on the site. Park improvements included asphaltic concrete walks, parking areas, an upgraded/expanded unique playground, a restroom building, a summer house and a concrete custom-designed skate park, considered one of the best skate parks in central Ohio. Further site improvements included benches, bicycle racks, drinking fountain, grills, picnic tables and waste receptacles along with grading, signage and site utilities.

Library Park?EUR??,,????'??+These 10 acres were acquired through a land trade and purchase. It was originally developed through general revenue funds with a basketball court parking area, a children?EUR??,,????'???s play area, landscaping, a multipurpose field for Little League, a sand volleyball court and softball and soccer fields. The Delaware County Library shares the site with the city park. The redevelopment of the park included asphaltic concrete walks; conversion of the basketball court into a multipurpose court; fencing; landscaping; expansion of the parking area; an improved and expanded unique playground; a restroom building; and site improvements (benches, bicycle racks, a drinking fountain, funnel ball, picnic tables, tetherball, and waste receptacles).

The delivery of the Powell Park Development System involved numerous hours and commitment by city council members and the development committee; the Powell Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; the city manager; the city engineer, police chief, law director, finance director, chief building official, director of development, the community affairs/special events coordinator and of course the director of parks, recreation and public service. The city community affairs coordinator kept citizens regularly informed of the park construction through updates on the city website. Park construction update signs with the city?EUR??,,????'???s web address were also strategically placed throughout the community.

The plan created an identifiable park system for the citizens of Powell, a unique signature for that community. In August 2005, Powell was recognized by CNN Money Magazine as the 18th best place to live in the country, with the park planning playing a major role in establishing a better quality of life for the people of Powell. The city and landscape architect received a Superior Award in 2005 for park facility development in the over 5-million dollar category from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association, the highest award given by that association. The project and landscape architect also received a Merit Award in 2006 from the Ohio Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

POWELL PARK DEVELOPMENT

CLIENT CONTACT: POWELL, OHIO

Prime Consultant
Edsall & Associates LLC

Landscape Architects/Planners
Columbus, Ohio

Contractors
Arborist
Oberlander?EUR??,,????'???s Tree & Landscape
Bucyrus, Ohio

General Contractor
Corna/Kokosing Construction Co.
Westerville, Ohio

Landscape Contractor
Buckeye Landscape
Columbus, Ohio

Skate Park Contractor
Team Pain Enterprises, Inc.
Winter Springs, Fla.

Play Equipment Contractors:
Jennings, Inc.
Cincinnati, Ohio

M.G. Walsh Co.
Johnstown, Ohio

Miracle Recreation Equipment Co.
Monett, Missouri

Service Supply Ltd., Inc.
Columbus, Ohio

CONSULTANT TEAM:

Arborist
Ahlum & Arbor, Hilliard, Ohio

Architect
Schorr Architects
Dublin, Ohio

Electrical/Mechanical Engineer
Prater Engineering Associates
Dublin, Ohio

Geotechnical/Wetlands Engineer
CTL Engineering Inc.
Columbus, Ohio

Graphics Consultant
eyethink
Powell, Ohio

Hydrological Engineer
Hartman Engineering
Delaware, Ohio

Naturalist
Paul Knoop, Jr.
Laurelville, Ohio

Skate Park Consultant/Contractor
Team Pain Enterprises, Inc.
Winter Springs, Florida 32708

LIST OF MAJOR SUPPLIERS:

Asphaltic Concrete Color Coating
Neyra Industries, Inc.
Cincinnati, Ohio

Benches/Waste Receptacles
Du Mor Inc.
Mifflintown, Penn.

Bicycle Racks
Bicycle Parking Project
Philadelphia

Drinking/Pet Fountains
Haws Corp.
Sparks, Nevada

Lighting
LUMEC
Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada

Poured-In-Place Safety Surface
SURFACEAMERICA
Williamsville, New York

Splash Pad
Vortex Aquatics Structures International, Inc.
Montreal, PQ, Canada

Subgrade Drainage System
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
London, Ohio

Summer Houses
W. H. Porter, Inc.
Holland, Michigan

Village Green Pond Fountain
Hydro Dramatics
St. Louis, Missouri

Wood Fiber Safety Surface
The Fibar Group
Armonk, New York 10504

Playground Equipment:
KOMPAN, INC.
Johnson City, New York

Landscape Structures Inc.
Delano, Minnesota

Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
Monett, Missouri

Playworld Systems, Inc.
Lewisburg, Penn.