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OPTIONS
Park Classification Models
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The intent of park and recreation classifications is to aid in ,
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Facilities and the organization of recreation space, which is =~f ~ "
responsive to public needs, creates quality recreational ~
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Park classifications are based on standards that aid in making design decisions when considering
property size. The following are classifications used that can adequately respond to various recreation
needs and available space of the City of Yelm and the master planned community.
• Mini Parks
• Neighborhood Parks
• Community Parks
• Special Use Parks
• Trails and Pathways
Each classification has certain site design and physical development guidelines and is described in the
following text. Several factors must be considered in connection with park classification and planning
decisions. These include:
• Determination of specific needs in neighborhood service areas or community settings.
• Relationship of need, design criteria, service capability and suitability of a specific site to support
the defined recreation service need.
• Probability of school/park interrelationship in terms of school site development and facility use for
public recreation purposes.
• Probability of creating publiclprivate partnerships for special use parks or in combination with a
traditional public neighborhood or community park.
• Operational, maintenance and program service requirements for the population to be served by
a particular park unit that is being considered.
Park classifications establish several essential elements for parkland requirements based on population
ratios and the types of recreational uses and services to be provided. These elements include a)
orientation, b) function and c) space, design and service areas. A particular park may be oriented to the
needs of a single local neighborhood, a service area, or the community. The physical improvements in a
park should respond to the preferences or needs of residents who will use the park. The amount of park
land, design and location within a service area, is also influenced by accessibility and amenities to be
provided.
Park classifications for the City of Yelm are described below. Conceptual site plans for each type of park
follow the narrative descriptions.
Draft Yelm Parks & Recreation Plan - May 2008 40
Mini Parks
• Summary Definition: A play lot or playground that provides space for parental-supervised
recreation of toddlers and young children within a neighborhood, or as part of larger
neighborhood park (see Figures 2).
• Size Objective: 2500 sq. ft. to 1.5 acres.
• Service Area Objectives: Generally within a neighborhood of a one-half mile radius or population
of 2,000 to 3,000; however, playgrounds may be included in parks that serve a larger population
or service area.
• Location Objectives: Located in protected areas with separation from street traffic, yet in areas
with high visibility; serving local neighborhoods and adjoining schools, libraries or police and fire
facilities.
• Orientation: Small geographic areas, sub-neighborhood or neighborhoods, when combined with
a larger park unit; serves youth in ages ranging from toddlers to 12 years, with adult supervision.
• Function: Provides outdoor play experiences for the young, under parental supervision;
generates neighborhood communication by offering a neighborhood meeting space, provides
opportunity for diversion from work and/or home chores; and promotes neighborhood solidarity.
• Space, Design and Service Area: Size of play lot or playground may range from as small as
2,500 square feet to 1.5 acres; amenities are generally sand play areas, play apparatus, play
equipment and other special child-oriented features; service radius in terms of distance from
population served is limited to less than one-quarter mile.
Note: In Master Planned Community mini parks are also called "pocket parks" and generally serve
the same purpose as noted above. These may be planned to serve a specific number of homes for
each pocket park.
Figure 2. Mini Park / Pocket Park - Conceptual Site Plan A.
Draft Yelm Parks & Recreation Plan - May 2008 41
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Source: Robert W. Droll, Landscape Archrtect, PS.
Neighborhood Parks
• Summary Definition: A neighborhood park by size, program and location provides space and
recreation activities for the immediate neighborhood in which it is located; it is considered an
extension of neighborhood residents' "out-of-yard" and outdoor use area (see Figures 3).
• Size Objective: Minimum 2 acres to 5 acres.
• Service Area Objectives: Generally a one mile radius, but actually defined by collector street
patterns, which form the limits of the neighborhood or recreation service area; population served
may range from 2,000 to 5,000.
Draft Yelm Parks & Recreation Plan - May 2008 42
• Location Objectives: Centrally located for equitable pedestrian access within a definable
neighborhood service area; adjacent to an elementary school, middle school, high school, fire
station or library, if possible.
• Orientation: Serves all age groups with an emphasis on youth and families in neighborhood
settings.
• Program Objectives: Compatible with the neighborhood setting and park site constraints;
generally including the following elements (which may be determined with public input as to use
and activities):
a. 10 to 20 parking spaces
b. restrooms
c. tot lot/ children's play area
d. family event/group picnic facility
e. informal family picnic area with benches and tables
f. unstructured turf grass play area/play or practice field for children, young adults and
families
g. sports facilities - compatible with neighborhood setting and park site constraints.
• Function: Provides a combination of active recreation and passive activities, both outdoor and
indoor facilities (if possible), and special features as required or needed.
• Space, Design and Service Area: A minimum size of 2 to 5 acres, with amenities that include
sports facilities, picnic areas, cultural activities, arts and crafts, and individual passive activities;
service radius in terms of distance from population served may vary depending on development
pattern, zoning and densities in the respective neighborhoods being served.
Figure 3. Neighborhood Park - Conceptual Site Plan A.
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Source: Robert W. Dro!!, Landscape Architect, PS.
Draft Yelm Parks & Recreation Plan - May 2008 43
Community Parks
• Summary Definition: A community park serves a more broad purpose than neighborhood park.
Focus is on a meeting community based recreation needs, and a community gathering space that
serves the purposes of a traditional town square, including special event space for small or large
groups.
• Size Objective: Minimum 2.5 - 8 acres. Actual size is determined by functions to be served and
anticipated. Needs of the community as the population continues to grow.
• Service Area Objective: Community or area-wide, determined by the type of events or activities
thatoccur
• Location Objective: City center, core area or some other activity center such as adjacent to - or
~ part of - a mixed use center.
• Orientation: Serves all age groups and a broad spectrum of community interests by providing
space for special events such as fairs, festivals, entertainment, educational, cultural or artistic
activities
• Program Objectives: Compatible with city center or activity center settings with supportive
infrastructure for the type of events anticipated including active and passive activity functions (i.e.
skate court as well as covered and uncovered picnic areas and stage) park equipment and
furnishings including such items as barbeque grills, vendor stalls, kitchen facilities, tables and
benches, lighting, children's play equipment, restroom, public address system, seating areas,
informational kiosks, parking and sidewalk connections that seamlessly connect to adjacent city
center or activity center.
• Function: Active and passive activity, meeting and event space and community gathering space
for fairs, festivals, educational, cultural and artistic activities
• Space: Plan for accommodating needs of today as well as anticipated future needs based on
projected population growth and anticipated community event needs appropriate for a city, or
community activity center park.
Special Use Parks
• Summary Definition: A special use park is often considered a revenue-generating enterprise
created to satisfy the demand for a particular sport, recreational event or special event; special
use parks may include publicly-developed and administered facilities operated by the private
sector with local agency participation (see Figures 4).
• Size Objective: Actual size is determined by market demand and special uses, or recreation
programs being facilitated to serve market and program production needs.
• Service Area Objectives: Community or area-wide, determined by the type or recreation, special
events or use activity being facilitated.
• Location Objectives: Determined by the property opportunity, service area and size objectives.
• Orientation: Provides special event attractions and activities to all age groups within a given
markeUuser area for which the special use park is focused.
• Program Objectives: Special use parks require facility programming that is market-driven and
based on community planning objectives for establishing public/private partnerships for
recreation; examples of special use facilities may include:
a. water play park
b. amphitheater
c. festival/farmers' market
d. sports complex
Draft Yelm Parks & Recreation Plan - May 2008 44
e. family fitness/entertainment center
f. skateboard/in-line hockey park/dog park.
• Function: special events, fairs, festivals, expositions, symposiums, sports, community
gatherings, ethnic/cultural celebrations, plays and numerous other activities that draw spectator
and participants to a specific location.
• Space, Design and Service Area: The minimum size for special parks varies depending on the
intent of use and programming; accommodates major parking space, audiences, performance
areas and multi-use areas; serves populations within a 1-hour+ drive zone.
Figure 4. Special Use Park - Conceptual Site Plan A.
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Source: Robert W. Droll, Landscape Architect, PS.
Trails ~ Pathways
Trails and pathways vary in purpose, design and use depending on the location of the trails and its
linkage to other use areas or destinations.
• Users: The typical users are pedestrians and bicyclists; other users of trails or bike lanes and
walkways in urban areas include in-line skaters, skate boarders, people in wheelchairs and
others who may have specialized trail or pathway needs. In more rural areas trails may be used
for equestrian recreation as well. A major distinction between users is: those who use trails and
pathways as commuters, compared to recreational users.
• Accessibility: Multi-use trail systems are designed to be accessible to a predetermined class of
users. Access points to and from neighborhoods via the trails or from connecting sidewalks, to
parks, civic centers and roadways are important elements in trail access and design.
Draft Ye/m Parks & Recreation Plan - May 2008 45
Figure 5. Shared Use Path
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Source: Brcycle Facilities, Chapter 1020. 2006. Washington State Department of Transportation Design Manua! (wrth slight
modifrcatron).
Types of Trails: Bicycle trails have a set of classifications that determine use and design considerations
such as hard surfaces, widths, signage, and lane configurations:
• Class I Trail (Shared-Use Path): Regional trail facility with exclusive rights-of-ways for the principal use
of pedestrians and human-powered wheeled vehicles; typically physically separated from roads and streets
and have their own physical corridor of use.
• Class I[ Trail (Bicycle Lane, One Side): A two-way striped bike lane on one side of the road within the
paved area of the road for the preferential use of bicyclist. Lane widths vary from 5 feet to 8 feet.
• Class IIA Trail (Bicycle Lane, Both Sides): A one-way striped bike lane on both sides ofthe road with the
direction of travel being the same as the motorist. Lane width should be 5 feet minimum.
• Class III Trail (Shared Roadway): Occur on public rights-of-way and share the roadway with motorized
vehicles. Bike routes are established along routes not served by bike paths or bike lanes. Bike routes are
established by placing bike route signage along the public street/highway
• Class IV Trail (Pedestrian): A natural pedestrian trail is a 4- to 6-foot wide, unpaved trail (boardwalk,
crushed rock, wood chips, bar mulch, etc.), designed for low use/low impact in natural areas.
Equestrian Trails: Often are constructed outside City limits and outside of existing rights-of-way. May require
easement acquisition and private landowner cooperation. An equestrian trail system, if designed, should
accommodate property owners raising and stabling harses on the perimeter the City. Horses should not be permitted
in developed parks. However, access points to parks with hitching facilities including horse-trailer parking and
trailheads may be possible as part of the design and planning of facilities. Implementation of an equestrian trail
system may require right-of-way acquisition by fee-simple purchase or through granting access or easements on
private property.
Draft Yelm Parks & Recreation Plan - May 2008 46