The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About66-84 RESOLUTIONRESOLUTION NO. 66-84 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION OF A MASTER PLAN FOR COMBS PARK. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: That Dr. Al Einer:£ j is hereby authorized to proceed with the development of a master plan for Combs Park in accordance with the proposal attached hereto, marked Exhibit "A", and made a part hereof, provided the design fee shall not exceed $2,200.00. PASSED AND APPROVED. this +.` f7AYE7-I cr { .,t?oat 1 '•. TTESTr:= ' By: Y Cler 5th day of APPROVED: By: June 1984. Mayor • • • ALFRED ERW I N EI N ERY LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT ROUTE 8 FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS .72701 April 30, 1984 Board of Directors City of Fayetteville, Arkansas City Administration Building 113 W. Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 This letter constitutes a proposal for providing design services for site analysis, planning and development of a master plan for Comb's Park, City of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Department. I have obtained the topographic map, an aerial photographic map and user documents from the Parks and Recreation Department. Site visits were conducted to assess vegetation, spacial relationships and suitability of location for suggested park functions. Site Description: Comb's Park consists of approximately 97.0 acres adjacent to the City of Fayetteville Industrial Park. The parcel lies south of the old pump station with its accompanying residence and west of the West Fork of the White River. The park site is generally divided into 3 major portions separated by hedge- rows of native trees. The northern parcel contains a major north/south drainage channel which lies in a wooded area providing a positive habitat for local wildlife (plant and animal). While almost the entire park site is below the 100 -year flood elevation (1193'), the entire site seems to lend itself to park development for recreational and passive pursuits. The White River is a significant attribute of the park by serving as an inviolate east boundary and affording possibilities for creational use of the water (boating) and a most enjoyable riverside walking path. The park bank of the river is lined with many large shade trees, understory blooming, trees and forest herbaceous perennial flowering plants. A well defined path- way (created by livestock and human travel) exists along the river and allows a "river walk" which should not interfere with development of organized play areas. Considerable wildlife exists along the River, and a great amount of beaver damage to large trees is evident. An abandoned railroad trackbed divides the central land parcel from the southern parcel. This trackbed is now heavily wooded and may provide a nice pedestrian way to the river from the Commerce Drive entry to the park site. The distinct compartmentalization of the entire park land is very beneficial to separation of activity and harmony between diverse recreational pursuits in a single park. A ME RICAN EXhiBQT A SOCIETY OF L A NDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AEE -2 i The site is generally well kept as a result of the present agricultural manage- ment practices. The only clean-up needed appears to be the removal of dead trees and fallen limbs. Developmental Statement: Comb's Park can become a unique city park affording several good, separate active recreation sites and also distinct zones for appreciation of the local natural environment through passive park use. This park should be developed with pedestrian access to the Babe Ruth baseball field area to allow the River to be a continuous spine of a larger linear park concept. While the old pump station and its residence are presently under private lease, the pump station parcel should be evaluated as a new location for Park and Recreation maintenance facilities presently in Wilson Park (the old pump station building appears structurally sound, and the residence would lend itself well to office space). Because the park land is presently compartmentalized by natural vegetation and existing topographic features, the site should be considered for development to accommodate three major recreational pursuits. These should be: a model air- plane field, practice soccer fields, and practice ballfieids. These three activity facilities must be planned to minimize conflict (vehicular, noise, distraction, people movement) and maximize efficiency of the site improvements. Development criteria for these facilities must be based on a premise of minimal necessary development because flooding of the site (or portions) is predictable and minimal development will disturb the existing natural environment least. Although there are three primary compartments of the park land, two smaller yet secluded open areas (one at the northwest corner and one at the southeast corner of the park) seem to be ideal for picnic areas. Present tree shelter belts make both areas "private," yet they can be made convenient to active play areas. The^tree groves should be maintained as havens for wildlife, particularly bird populations. The River and the tree -lined "west bank" should be developed as a linear park in which a meandering path through the tree belt would allow people to view the river and enjoy the vegetation and wildlife preserved along the river. Certain points should be identified and enhanced for fishing from the bank and the possibility of limited small boat (canoe) use of the river should be investi- gated. Comb's Park could become a first phase in development of a White River Park network extending from Black Oak Road north to Beaver Lake and affording extensive travel along the River corridor by footpath and perhaps on water. The linear "river walk" feature of Comb's Park might logically be connected to the west side of the park (in the vicinity of Commerce Drive) via a pedes- trian way on the beautiful, tree covered abandoned track bed extending from the park's west edge to the former railroad bridge across the river. • Proposal of Services: • To develop a Master Plan for Comb's Park the following services will be provided. a. Site analysis - This will include an inventory of major geologic features, significant plant and plant communities, and a survey of existing animal wildlife for the site. Inventory data will be evaluated to determine planning opportunity and limits. This analysis will be presented in graphic form and narrative summary in the Master Plan Report. b. Site planning - Site data will be evaluated to determine the most appropriate use of all areas of the park. Information from personal interview and standard facility specifications will be collected for the needs of the model airplane field, the ballfields and soccer fields. Similar information and attitudes will be obtained from wildlife groups (notably Audubon Society) which presently use the area and also from industrial neighbors of the park. A preliminary plan for park development will be made and reviewed with the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Department. The planning rationale will be presented and explained in a written report. c. Master Plan and Master Plan Report - Following acceptable review of the preliminary site plan, a Master Plan drawing shall be made to include general locations for all improvements to the site. A reproduceable master drawing will be provided. General specifica- tion and master plan explanation will be given in a bound report. Three additional drawings shall be provided, each giving, in more detail, specific developmental schemes for each of the major (3) site divisions. An oral presentation of all these materials shall be made to the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (and to City Board of Directors, upon request). The work outlined will be conducted by Alfred Erwin Einert, ASLA (Arkansas landscape architect license no. 1, CLARB certificate no. 224) and Merlin E. Seamon, Jr., ASLA (Arkansas landscape architect license no. 91). The design fee for the proposal of services stated shall not exceed $3,100.00. Reproduceable graphic documents shall be submitted and 20 bound copies of the Master Plan Report are included. A project duration of 90 days following notice to proceed is considered reasonable for a site of this size and 90 days is requested. I appreciate your consideration of this proposal and will gladly appear in person to comment or respond to questions concerning this proposal. Sincerely, • A.. E. inert, ASLA