PRESENTED SEPTEMBER 25, 2000
Flicka Bateman, Council Member
Joyce Brown, Council Member
Pat Evans, Council Member
Kevin Foy, Council Member
Lee Pavão, Mayor pro tem
Bill Strom, Council Member
Jim Ward, Council Member
Edith M. Wiggins, Council Member
By the PRITCHARD PARK CONCEPTUAL
PLAN COMMITTEE
Pam Hemminger, Vice Chair, Greenways Commission
Eunice Brock, Parks & Recreation Committee
John Carroll, At large
Jimmie Haynes, Public Arts Commission
Bitty Holton, Library Board
William Koch, At large
Debbie Morris, At large
Beth Tillman Logan, Library Board
RESOURCES
Bill Webster, Chapel Hill Parks & Recreation Department
Dan Sears, Sears Design Group, P.A., Landscape Architects
Kevin Kahler, Sears Design Group, P.A., Landscape Architects
Summary of the Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 4
History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 7
Description of the Park . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
The Planning Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
A. Final Council Resolution (Anticipated in November 2000)
B. Existing Conditions Plan (graphic)
C. Concept Plan (graphic)
D. Recommendations Priority List Worksheet
E. Land Uses Considered but not Incorporated into the Concept Plan
F. Study Map Provided to the Committee by John Carroll (graphic)
G. Board and Commission Recommendations (Anticipated in October 2000)
H. Siena Hotel Proposal
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
These recommendations are divided into two categories: those that deal with policy issues and those that are concerned with the proposed park program elements. These are listed by the committee’s recommended priority.
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
(listed with top priority first and lowest priority last)
A. Trees: The most valuable resource of Pritchard Park is its trees. This urban forest should be protected and preserved for the use and enjoyment of park users now and in the future.
B. Initial Program Implementation: The Town should immediately undertake a number of site improvements that can be made without violating the Library’s Special Use Permit.
C. Passive Recreational Uses Only: The committee reaffirms the Council’s past direction that Pritchard Park be a passive park.
D. Administration of a Public Art Garden: The Committee wishes to emphasize that the recommendation for an Art Garden is coupled with the recommendation that the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, Library Board, and Parks and Recreation Commission all be involved in the design and administration of this arts program. (See Program Element recommendation #13).
E. Siena Hotel: The Committee finds the Siena Hotel’s proposal for leasing park property to be interesting and recommends that the Council consider the request. We recommend that the Parks and Recreation Commission, Library Board, and Public Arts Commission be involved in any consideration of a possible lease. See the Appendices for a copy of the Siena Hotel’s letter requesting that the Town lease a portion of the Pritchard Park property.
The Committee recommends that the Town enter into a short-term lease arrangement with the Siena for use of the property until such time as the Art Garden is ready for development.
F. Modification of the Library’s Special Use Permit: It is recommended that the process to amend the Library’s Special Use Permit be initiated in order to accomplish the recommended park program.
G. Coordination with other Departments: In order to maximize the project budget, the Town should accomplish as much work as possible in-house.
1. Trails: Foot trails would encircle the site and provide access to other park program elements and the Library.
2. Playground for Small Children: A small whimsical, artful play yard for young children with “art benches” for the caregivers. This would be located near the Library entrance.
3. Art Benches: Artistic, whimsical benches, no two alike, should supplement, or even replace standard-issue park benches. These would reflect the art theme being promoted for Pritchard Park.
4. Label Trees and Shrubs: Plants along the trails would be labeled to educate park users as to uniqueness, uses, and species.
5. Drinking Fountain(s): Drinking fountains would be placed near the children’s play area and possibly another at the gazebo/belvedere on the pinnacle.
6. Native Plantings and Butterfly Attracting Plants: It is recommended that only plants native to our region, or those that are adaptable to our climate and soils, be used in the Park. To add interest, butterfly attracting shrubs and flowers are encouraged.
7. Refuse/Recycle Collection Stations: It is recommended that both refuse and recyclable products be collected.
8. Screen Plantings: Native or adaptable evergreen screen plantings should be located where adjacent land uses negatively impact the Park site.
9. “Adopt a Garden”: It is recommended that a collection of specialized gardens be placed alongside the walkway at Library Drive. These gardens would display different horticultural features/plantations such as a daylily garden, a bog garden, a white garden, a garden of ornamental grasses and so on. These would be planted and maintained by volunteer organizations.
10. Gazebo/Belvedere: It is recommended that a Gazebo/Belvedere be built atop the pinnacle at the overlook. The structure should be of a design suitable to this site. It would be a multi-use small structure of architectural uniqueness.
11. Picnicking: A very limited number picnic tables would be placed at the Children’s Play Area and Gazebo/Belvedere.
12. Birdfeeder Stations: Stations to feed and attract birds would be developed and maintained by volunteer groups. These stations would promote bird watching in the Park.
13. Art Garden: A display garden of public art is recommended for the southeastern part of the Park. (See policy statement “D.” above.)
14. Remove Asphalt/Create Trail Head at Audubon Street: Existing pavement would be removed in the stub-out. A trail would be established through the stub-out to the south, joining the existing and proposed park trail system.
15. Game Boards: Tabletop game boards and seats would be provided in the Community Space and near the Children’s Play Area. Game boards could include checkers, chess, tic-tac-toe, and others.
16. Community Space: A common area would be provided with benches and game boards. The Children’s Play Area and a small stage-like platform would anchor either end. Most internal trails would originate or terminate in this space.
17. Remove existing Bike Trail: The existing asphalt bike path, located parallel to the walkway along Library Drive, would be removed and recycled. The space would be re-used as exhibit or demonstration “Adopt a Garden” programs.
HISTORY
In 1986, the citizens of Chapel Hill approved $2.5 million Parks and $5 million Library general obligation bonds.
The various tracts that comprise the Pritchard Park/Chapel Hill Library site were purchased in FY 1988-89. The primary 35-acre site that forms the core of the park was purchased from the Pritchard family for $1,052,000. The initial land purchase was followed by the purchase of two smaller parcels on Estes Drive that included several small houses. These additional lots were purchased for $98,000 and $181,000. The total cost of land acquisition was $1,330,000. This amount was split evenly between the 1986 Parks and Library bonds.
At the time the land was sold to the Town, the Pritchard family donated $100,000 for the development of a public park on the site.
The Chapel Hill Library was opened on May 22, 1994. The Library building design concept was to wed the building to the site and provide window walls to increase the indoor-outdoor relationship of the building to the site. Parking and other site development elements were clustered tightly together so as to not spread all over the site. This saved many of the natural features of the site for future park users. The Library was designed to allow a future expansion. Funding limitations prevented the first phase of the building from containing all the space that was desired. The master plan of the Library calls for a compact footprint for the expanded Phase Two building and an additional parking area.
In 1996 the Town began the planning process to develop the Pritchard Park program. The process was halted in April 1996 when the owner of the Siena Hotel petitioned the Council to consider leasing or selling a portion of the park property to the Hotel. In 1997, the Council decided to postpone a decision until after completion of a Concept Plan for the Park. In 1999 the Council authorized the formation of a Pritchard Park Conceptual Plan Committee. The Committee was formed and first met on November 29, 1999.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PARK
Pritchard Park is a thirty-seven acre tract of land rising from a low point near the Estes Drive and Franklin Street intersection to a high point near Audubon Road. The property is located northeast of Estes Drive; west of Franklin Street; and south of Audubon, Michaux, and Velma Roads. The eastern boundary adjoins the filling station/convenience stores, apartments, hotel and businesses along Franklin Street. The northern, southwestern and western boundaries lie behind homes.
A small creek flows through the western portion of the site. The stream forms a wetlands area immediately adjacent to Estes Drive in the southern end of the site, immediately east of Library Drive.
With the exception of the Library site and a one-half acre site near Estes Drive, all the property is heavily wooded with mixed hardwoods and pines. Pine Beetles are beginning to infest the site. We may lose much of the pine cover in the near future because of this infestation. The Library was landscaped after construction. There is a one-half acre open space near Estes Drive that is weedy and is being invaded by volunteer species of pines and briars. The area is also used for employee parking from an adjacent business. The topography of the overall site creates two major coves of large mature trees.
Within the creek environment the soils are White Store loams with slopes of 2% to 6%. These are characterized by shrink-swell potential, wetness and erodability. As the land rises out of the creek the soils become Wedowee sandy loams with slopes of 15% to 25%. Mature woods, steep slopes and associated surface runoff, characterize these soils.
The Library is located about 50 feet above Estes Drive with the high point of the site another 50 feet higher. The high point offers a spectacular view of the “Hill” and Bolin Creek Valley. When one reaches this point, he or she feels a real sense of having arrived at a special place.
THE PLANNING PROCESS
The Pritchard Park Citizens’ Planning Committee was formed in 1999 by the Town Council to develop a Concept Plan for Pritchard Park. The Committee representatives include at-large citizens (4), Parks and Recreation Commission (2), Greenways Commission (1), Public Arts Commission (1), and the Library Board of Trustees (2). Parks and Recreation and Library staff and a consultant supported the Committee.
The Committee met regularly from November 1999 through mid-summer 2000.
A Public Forum was held on June 19, 2000 with over 25 persons in attendance. All of the citizens in attendance were neighbors of the park. Two representatives of the Siena Hotel were in attendance. Comments received at the Public Forum included:
Early meetings consisted of “dreaming” of what the park could be and discussing the site in terms of the “dream” possibilities and the Library’s and Parks and Recreation’s programs. There was also a review of an earlier request by the Siena Hotel to use part of the site for parking.
Throughout the planning process, it was assumed that both now and in the future, there would be a wide variety of purposes that could be served by this Park. These ranged from the general idea that it would be desirable to preserve the natural beauty and almost primordial character of a park situated in the middle of a developed town, to the notion that people of all ages could enjoy facilities that could be added to the park to provide new experiences and delights. At the same time it was believed that the facilities that might be added to the park should be relatively limited, in order to avoid clutter and distraction from the main purpose of the park, namely, to provide a pleasurable and convenient location for the Chapel Hill Public Library.
The Committee considered a number of questions as part of the discussion of each program element. Major questions included:
The Committee agreed to a series of recommendations and approved the final report.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Concept Plan Committee adopted the following recommendations unanimously, with the exception of Recommendations #10 and #17.
The recommendations are in two separate categories, those that are most concerned with policy and those that are most concerned with the proposed program elements of Pritchard Park.
These recommendations are listed in priority order as determined by the Committee. The first recommendation has the highest priority. The last recommendation has the lowest priority.
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Trees: The most valuable resource of Pritchard Park is its trees. This urban forest should be protected and reserved for the enjoyment of park users now and in the future. Therefore any new programs should be implemented in concert with good forestry stewardship practices.
The Town’s Urban Forester should be consulted throughout the final design and construction phases. Some trees will, by necessity, have to be removed; however, the Committee recommends that this be done infrequently and after on-site study.
B. Initial Program Implementation: A number of site improvements should be made immediately for the sake of safety. These include the replacement of an existing unsafe footbridge, the eradication of poison ivy on the existing trails and the cleanup and maintenance of the area near the businesses along Franklin Street.
Other minor improvements should also be completed prior to modifying the existing Special Use Permit. We believe these items could be completed without violating the conditions of the Library’s current Special Use Permit. These include such things as new foot trails that would not require cutting of trees.
C. Passive Recreational Uses Only in Pritchard Park: The committee reaffirms the Council’s past direction to provide passive recreational uses within this park. The Committee feels that active recreational uses would not be in keeping with the Library use of the site or with the concept of an urban forest reserve.
D. Administration of a Public Art Garden: The Committee wishes to emphasize that the recommendation for an Art Garden within this Park is coupled with the recommendation that the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, Library Board, and the Parks and Recreation Commission all be involved in the design and administration of this arts program. These groups should together recommend what the Art Garden should be, where it would be located, how it would be configured, how art works would be selected for viewing in this garden, how long the art would remain on view and all other issues relating to a Public Art Garden within this Park. (See Program Element recommendation # 13).
E. Siena Hotel: The Committee found the proposal submitted by the Siena Hotel for leasing parkland adjacent to the hotel to be interesting. The Committee recommends that the Council consider the request. We also recommend that the Parks and Recreation Commission, Library Board, and Public Arts Commission be involved in any consideration. The lease could contain language that would protect the Town’s long-term interest in the property.
The Committee recommends that the Town enter into a short-term lease arrangement with the Siena for use of the property until such time as the Art Garden is ready for development.
The Committee recommends that any funds derived from either a short-term or long-term lease be allocated to construction of Pritchard Park.
F. Modification of the Library’s Special Use Permit: It is recommended that the process to amend the Special Use Permit be initiated in order to accomplish the recommendations for programs outlined within this Concept Plan.
G. Coordination with other Town Departments: In order to better allocate the spending of Pritchard Park’s limited budget Town forces should do as much of the work as possible. For example, the Committee recommends removal of the asphalt pavement and the curb and gutter at the Audubon Drive stub-out. This could possibly be accomplished by the Public Works Department as a part of their normal activities. The Public Works Department might also remove the existing bike trail parallel to Library Drive.
PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Trails: Several types of trails and trail amenities are recommended. These include:
The existing trails would be renewed, storm-fallen debris removed/chipped, and poison ivy removed from the walking trails. Thereafter the trails should be maintained as free of poison ivy as is feasible.
Most new trails would be narrow, unpaved walking trails that would completely encircle the site and link all major park and Library elements. These trails could be marked for distances for exercise-conscious users. Trails could have “Share the Trails” signs to address concerns about mountain bikes in the Park, similar to the signs on the Battle Branch Trail.
One hard-surfaced trail could be built from Audubon Road to Michaux Road. This trail would connect with the existing paved path that leads from Michaux to the Library. This path would provide a handicap accessible access to the Library and park to accommodate handicapped persons, persons with baby carriages, in-line skaters, and bicycle riders. This path could be initially built as a natural surface path and improved at a later time when funds are available.
2. Playground for Small Children: A play area would be located near the Library and the Community Place. This would be a very small area where caregivers could take small children to “decompress” after visiting the Library. The play area would be designed for young children and would include “non-standard” equipment that would be of artistic forms. These could be pre-fabricated or custom designed but should not be the normal off-the-shelf equipment found everywhere. Instead, the play area should be whimsical and artistic. In conjunction with this activity area there should be seating for adults, a water fountain, a picnic table and trash receptacles.
3. Art Benches: The Committee’s consensus was that there is a great need for benches in Pritchard Park. These would be placed along the trails, near the Library, in conjunction with the Children’s Play Area, at the pinnacle overlook, within the Art Garden and in the Community Space. It is felt that these should not be “store bought” standard park benches. Many of these could be custom designed as unique seats of art. These would be of various materials, sizes, shapes, etc. as long as the bench function works. These art benches would be a theme of Pritchard Park. Perhaps one of the first exhibits in the Art Garden might be a showing of art benches submitted to an art bench competition.
4. Label Trees and Shrubs as a part of a Nature Study Program: Interpretive markers would be placed along the trail system to provide labels for tree species, flowers, special habitats, and other natural features of the site. The Concept Plan urges volunteer groups to design and operate these nature study programs. In addition to interpretive centers within the Park these groups could lead special nature walks, give lectures and provide special focused studies.
The Town Council should study the possibility of reinstating a nature study program as a part of the Parks and Recreation Department. Such a program could be partially supported on the Pritchard Park Trail System.
5. Drinking Fountain(s): At least one drinking fountain would be placed on the site near the children’s play area. A second fountain might be placed at the Gazebo/Belvedere at the overlook.
6. Native Plants and Butterfly Attracting Plants: Native plants, or plants found to be adaptable to our climate and soils, are recommended for park use.
It is recommended that vegetation that encourages wildlife be planted throughout the Park. Plants that provide habitat and food for animals should be selected where practicable. Bird and butterfly attracting plants can supplement the Library landscape, the Art Garden trails, the Community Space and other open landscapes.
7. Recycle/Refuse Station(s): Containers for recyclable products and refuse would be conveniently located to serve Park and Library users. These would be located where Town maintenance vehicles could easily service them. The Committee recommends that these be attractive, conveniently located, yet somewhat hidden.
8. Screen Plantings: Dense evergreen screen plantings to buffer or completely hide commercial and residential land uses from the Park are recommended at the most critical areas, those where the other uses are exposed to the Park, as well as where the Park users would be exposed to adjacent property users.
Supplementary streetscape plantings of shrubs and shade trees are recommended along Estes Drive.
Small, flowering understory tree plantings would be planted along the woods’ edges, along the Community Place, and in the land area remaining if the Audubon Stub-Out is removed.
9. Adopt-A-Garden: A grouping of small gardens, designed for exhibit of various collections of plants, would be established along the walkway from Estes Drive to the Library. This could be located between the walk and bikeway, or it could be a place where the bikeway is now aligned if the bikeway were removed in the future.
These gardens could include such collections as butterfly-attracting plants, bird-attracting plants, humming bird-attracting plants and vines, a white garden, a variegated foliage garden, a garden of ornamental grasses, an herb garden, a daylily garden, a bog garden and so on. These gardens would contain a number of garden structures such as trellises and columns for climbing plants. There would be benches and markers identifying the plants and their uses. Planting, care and maintenance of these gardens would be by community-based service and volunteer organizations.
10. Gazebo/Belvedere: A Gazebo/Belvedere would be constructed near the edge of the overlook above the Library on the Pinnacle. The Committee recommends that this structure be relatively small, have a paved floor, and be of a visually exciting design. The Gazebo/Belvedere should be designed for small group picnics, readings, classes and other small meetings. It would also be available for individual hikers and individual Library patrons. The structure would be designed to take full advantage of the view. The roof would be designed to have an interesting shape (not round).
For pedestrian safety purposes, a protective vegetative barrier would be required at the top of the existing retaining wall. The “barrier fencing” would be a densely planted area that would discourage visitors from traveling to the top of the retaining wall.
Access to the Gazebo/Belvedere would be by a path paved to A.D.A. accessible inclines from the emergency access trail that leads to Michaux Road. In addition, steps would provide access from the Library. The path would be located in a way that would minimize the loss of existing trees.
11. Picnic Facilities: A limited number of tables for picnicking would be provided at the Community Place/Children’s Play Area near the Library and at the Gazebo/Belvedere on the pinnacle. Picnic facilities should be confined to these areas because of easy service vehicle access.
12. Bird Feeder Station(s): A program for attracting birds by creating several bird feeder stations is recommended. These stations would contain both large “table” feeders as well as feeders for special seeds, suets and grains. These would be furnished and maintained by volunteer groups. It is recommended that these stations be located convenient to vehicle access in order to help volunteers transporting heavy bags of feed.
13. Art Garden: The Committee recommends that art be located throughout the Park including “Art Benches”; artful play structures; an architecturally exciting Gazebo/Belvedere; and traditional art works such as sculpture, outdoor paintings and environmental art. Visual arts would be a theme throughout the Park.
A primary art program, called Art Garden, would be located on the flat, open, dry land east of Library Drive and north of the creek. This “garden” would be home to outdoor public artwork, both permanent placement and rotating exhibits.
In addition to the artwork, this garden would be beautifully landscaped; offer artful benches, and have a grassed multi-use open space.
To design the Art Garden Program as well as the physical garden space, it is recommended that the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission work closely with the Library Board of Trustees and Parks and Recreation Commission. The Public Arts Commission provided the following statement:
“The Chapel Hill Arts Commission supports a project to develop a sculpture garden at Pritchard Park. The Commission will coordinate the planning and fundraising for such a project. The Commission will follow established guidelines to involve the public and Town commissions and Library representatives. It is possible that additional public art will be placed through the Pritchard Park site, thus becoming a major element of Pritchard Park.”
14. Remove Asphalt/Create Trail Head at Audubon Street: The Committee recommends that the deteriorating asphalt at the Audubon Street stub-out be removed and the area replanted. We believe that this will accomplish several goals including remove unwanted impervious surface, beautify the park entrance, extend the existing trail, help solve the problem of illegal parking in the stub-out, and stop the source of the severe erosion that is currently affecting the park.
The right-of-way property has been closed and deeded to the two adjacent property owners. In order to accomplish this goal the Town would need the permission of the property owners who now own the land.
The Town has an access and maintenance easement over the old right-of-way that accommodates public access to the park and existing trail. This would remain if the asphalt is removed. There is an OWASA facility that requires regular maintenance. The area around this facility would remain paved (the existing pavement). All other pavement, curbs and gutters are recommended for removal and recycle. The existing road would receive a new curb and gutter where the street stub-out is now located.
The eroded areas at the end of the existing pavement would be repaired and stabilized with vegetation.
15. Game Boards: Outdoor all-weather game boards are recommended for the Community Place near the children’s play area. These could include tables marked for chess/checkers, and tic-tac-toe. One could also read, study, or eat lunch at these tables.
16. Community Place: An area approximately 20’ x 50’ in size could be located in a level clearing near the Library for the purpose of providing an outdoor seating area. This place would be suitable for a number of purposes. It would be enclosed by forest trees and anchored at one end with the small play area. (See #2 above.) The opposite end would contain art or other items that would create an interesting focal point. Several of the Park’s trails would radiate from the open space. The Committee recommends that a series of artistic benches be placed in this area. The area could be designed to allow enough sitting room for the Library staff to conduct outdoor programs. Understory trees such as dogwood, redbud, witch hazel and goat willow could be added for seasonal flower interest. The surface would be pervious material such as Chapel Hill gravel. The space would be shaded in the summer but in sunshine and protected from winds in the winter.
17. Existing Bicycle Path along Library Drive: The Committee feels that the existing bicycle path does not serve its intended function. One possible reason for the lack of use could be the steep grade from Estes Drive to the Library. This trail, which is located a few feet from the parallel sidewalk, is a redundant, unattractive, impervious surface. The Committee recommends that the Public Works Department remove and recycle the asphalt path and return the land to a more natural state complete with landscaping. The Adopt-A-Garden program (#9 above) could be placed where this trail is now.
BUDGET
The $164,000 in funds allocated by the Council for the proposed park development was assembled from several sources. The primary source was a $100,000 donation by the Pritchard family to be used for the development of the park program. The remainder of the funds include accumulated interest on the Pritchard gift and income from rental properties that were once located on the park property.
AVAILABLE FUNDING (current) $ 164,000
Consultant Fees:
· Concept Plan - 13,750
· Preliminary Design and Modification to Special Use
Permit Process - 12,000
· Construction Documents
Bidding Documents
Bidding
Construction Contract Administration - 12,000
Current Funds Available for Construction $ 126,250
APPENDICES
A. Final Council Resolution (Anticipated in November 2000)
B. Existing Conditions Plan (graphic fold-out)
C. Concept Plan (graphic fold-out)
D. Recommended Priority List Worksheet
E. Land Uses Considered but not Incorporated into the Concept Plan
F. Study Map Provided to the Committee by John Carroll
G. Board and Commission Recommendations (Anticipated in October 2000)
H. Siena Hotel Proposal