TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Peter Fernandez, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
title
Secor Park Master Plan Update
Ward(s): 4
Councilor(s): Leung
Neighborhood(s): Sunnyslope Neighborhood Association
Result Area(s): Welcoming and Livable Community
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ISSUE:
Shall the City Council adopt the proposed 2019 Secor Park Master Plan?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Adopt the 2019 Secor Park Master Plan.
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SUMMARY:
The approximately 8.5-acre Secor Park is a neighborhood park adjacent to Crossler Middle School in the Sunnyslope Neighborhood. A master plan for the park was first completed in 1995 (Attachment 1). However, due to funding limitations, development has not occurred and the park remains undeveloped.
The master plan update is needed due to the age of the 1995 park master plan. Individual park master plans are intended to guide park management and development for a 20-year period. The adopted master plan for Secor Park is now over 23 years old.
The 2019 Secor Park Master Plan Update (Attachment 2) has been undertaken in order to align park development with current neighborhood preferences identified through recent public input. Secor Park will be developed with fees collected from Park System Development Charges.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
1. As depicted in Attachment 2, the 2019 Secor Park Master Plan Update identifies the following elements for the park:
• North and south entry plazas;
• Playground;
• Picnic areas;
• Picnic shelter;
• Path system, including paved paves and mulch trails;
• Woodland restoration;
• Riparian restoration;
• Pollinator garden;
• Community garden;
• Community kiosk; and
• Bridge across Waln Creek to replace an existing culvert crossing.
2. The Secor Park 2019 Master Plan Update has been developed through a robust public process facilitated by City staff and consultants that included two public meetings and two online surveys. Meeting attendance included 24 individuals at the first meeting and 35 at the second meeting. Responses to the first survey totaled 88; the second survey had 48. Participation in the workshops and surveys were advertised through a combination of postcard mailers to surrounding residents, postings of flyers in the park, email-based newsletters, notices sent to the Sunnyslope Neighborhood Association, and notices on the City’s website.
3. Public comments regarding the Secor Park 2019 Master Plan Update were received by City staff at public meetings, through survey responses, and by email. Public comments are compiled in Attachment 3.
4. At the May 16, 2019, meeting of the Sunnyslope Neighborhood Association, the Board members approved a motion endorsing the design concept that is presented as the proposed 2019 Secor Park Master Plan Update. A letter of support from the Sunnyslope Neighborhood Association is included as Attachment 4.
5. At the June 13, 2019, meeting of the Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (SPRAB), the members approved a motion recommending City Council adopt the proposed 2019 Secor Park Master Plan Update. A SPRAB Action Sheet is included as Attachment 5.
6. Park development is dependent on funding and will likely proceed with at least two phases. A first phase of development is planned to proceed within one to two years. This phase may include entry plazas, playground, picnic area, paved path, and site furnishings.
BACKGROUND:
Land use within the half-mile park service area is dominated by single- and multi-family residential housing. Surrounding vacant and partially vacant lands are zoned to allow for additional single- and multi-family residential housing. Improvements to Secor Park are intended to serve the park needs of existing and future residents.
Secor Park currently offers passive recreation, with mulch trails and a picnic table. A wooded area, open grass areas, and an upper reach of Waln Creek are predominate landscape features. Pedestrian access is provided at three locations: the northern terminus of Stockton Ave S; a walkway from Rock Creek Drive S on the north side of the park; and from East Ridge Street S to the east of the park.
Robert D. Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachments:
1. 1995 Master Plan
2. 2019 Master Plan Update
3. Compiled Comments
4. Sunnyslope Neighborhood Association letter of support
5. SPRAB Action Sheet