(A) Purpose. These guidelines shall be used by the Design Review Board in reviewing any proposals for the development of town park land. The guidelines shall be used in conjunction with the general design review guidelines found in Title 14 of this code. It is the intent of these guidelines to leave as much design freedom as possible to the individual designer while at the same time encouraging park development that will complement the natural beauty of our park land. The purpose of the guidelines is to provide continuity in the character of the parks which will be developed over many years. The guidelines will provide consistent design criteria to maintain the quality of town parks through all phases of development.
(B) Building materials and design.
(1) General.
(a) Natural materials are strongly encouraged in park construction. Materials and detailing must complement the park’s environment as well as be functional and attractive.
(b) Materials and designs should be chosen that are economical to maintain.
(2) Stone. Natural rock should be used for architectural features such as exposed building walls and small retaining walls. Sandy gray and brown colors are encouraged, as they blend in with the natural environment. Construction should minimize exposed mortar, and detailing should reflect concern for local climatic conditions.
(3) Pedestrian walks; plazas. Impervious surfacing may be used to emphasize important features or pedestrian areas. Natural materials and colors are encouraged, as they blend in well with wood, stone and plant materials. Asphalt is discouraged except when necessary for bike paths and parking areas.
(4) Children’s play areas. Children’s play areas are to be designed with challenge and safety in mind. Multilevel play structures, tunnels and other climbing apparatus are to be designed to excite and to encourage free expression. Native landscaping materials shall be incorporated into the play areas to soften and blend into the environment. Plant materials shall be provided for the enclosure of the play areas and for summer shading. Play areas shall be oriented to take advantage of warm winter exposure and to utilize natural buffers from the wind.
(5) Visual impact.
(a) Structures, shelters or other site buildings shall be designed in a low profile or be set into slope areas to reduce their vertical dominance upon the site.
(b) Major architectural structures shall be designed and accented to attract visitors without becoming a distracting visual element to other visitors of the park or to adjacent developments.
(C) Landscaping; site planning.
(1) General.
(a) Plantings should be used to soften the edge between developed and natural park areas and to heavily screen conflicting adjacent uses. Such plantings unify developed and natural areas as well as provide a protective buffer where the adjacent land uses conflict with recreational activities. As an example, gently sloping lawns are desirable for picnic areas and open field play. Irrigated and manicured lawn areas can transition into natural areas through the use of native grasses and shrubs. Fences shall be discouraged between active and passive areas.
(b) Noise generating and active play areas should be integrated together and placed away from passive or natural areas. Needed service facilities, such as restrooms, drinking fountains and the like, should be located in or adjacent to activities with a high user demand.
(2) Views. Plantings and site work should be used to direct views by framing interesting and attractive features such as distant mountain ranges, ponds or Gore Creek. Visual screens of plant materials may be used to close off undesired views such as the interstate, frontage roads or neighboring development.
(3) Accent plantings and materials. In areas of special interest or activity, and in pedestrian areas, plantings should be used to provide color, texture, form and scent to highlight and emphasize the special character of these places. Horizontal ground plane textures such as native shrubs, ground covers, colored pavers and smooth boulders may also be used to complement the environment.
(4) Lighting. If site lighting is deemed appropriate, the lighting should provide for clear visibility while at the same time eliminating any glare within the park or on adjacent properties. Lighting fixtures shall be as subtle as possible so that they blend in with the natural park setting. A lighting plan designating location and appropriate styles of lighting shall be designed for each park that requires site lighting.
(5) Signage. Any signs within the park shall conform to a unified park signage program. Private signs are prohibited from the park.
(D) Access and parking.
(1) Pedestrian walks and bike paths.
(a) Pedestrian walks and bike paths shall be provided in the areas of developed facilities and circulation routes. Walks and bike paths shall be accessible to the physically handicapped and should be constructed of a hard material.
(b) Pathways through natural areas shall be placed where little grade change is required. Surface materials which provide a hard surface and have a natural appearance should be encouraged.
(2) Parking.
(a) Parking areas shall be sensitively planned to provide needed parking without impacting the natural or recreational use areas. Parking shall be visually screened to as great a degree as feasible.
(b) Landscaping should be provided along public perimeter roads and between parking areas to provide screening of noise and visual pollution.
(E) Site preservation and maintenance.
(1) Site preservation. Open meadows of native grasses and flowers, and permanent stands of evergreens should be maintained in undeveloped areas of the parks.
(2) Site revegetation. Natural areas that are disturbed during construction shall be vegetated to encourage plant associations that develop naturally on the site. Revegetation should match preexisting conditions as closely as possible.
(3) Erosion control.
(a) Temporary erosion control measures during construction, and permanent control measures after construction shall be established to prevent sediment pollution of the creek and to stabilize disturbed areas. Straw bales shall be used for temporary control measures and jute netting should be used to permanently stabilize slopes. Any park projects shall be required to include a site preservation program during construction phases.
(b) Limits of site disturbance shall be clearly and physically defined as well as enforced in order to minimize disturbance to other areas in the park.
(Ord. 4(1986) § 1; Ord. 29(2005) § 30)