Depot Park design plans take shape
Master plans for a revamped Depot Park
have come into better focus after a park steering committee met
earlier this month to hammer out design details. The group talked
about street parking, how much hardscaping to include and where
public restrooms might be built.
A preliminary sketch by landscape
architect Bruce Boody shows sidewalks widened to 10 feet and
concrete pads rounding into each corner of the park where benches,
kiosks and trash receptacles could be installed.
A gazebo 36 feet in diameter is
proposed for the southeast corner, but the committee unanimously
decided it is too big. They don’t want a permanent structure that
large in the park, including the Chamber of Commerce’s proposed
band-shell. Committee member Rhonda Fitzgerald noted that the
Tuesday Farmers Market wouldn’t use a gazebo for music.
After a vote, the large gazebo was axed
from plans, but Boody was advised to look into a smaller structure
similar to the pavilions at City Beach and Riverside Park.
A row of street trees are planned for
the west side of Depot Park along Central Avenue. An evergreen tree
is proposed to go on the south side which could be used as a
holiday tree in the winter.
The spruce trees currently in the park
around the Planning Department building will likely be removed when
the building is taken out.
The interior of the park is proposed to
have about 15 trees, including some that are currently there, and
the pond will be removed. A water feature could go in the northwest
corner, Boody suggested.
The railroad sculpture currently near
the northwest corner is planned to go next to the Great Northern
train engine at the end of Central Avenue. That area will be
street- and landscaped.
A bus shelter and bike racks could go
on the west side of Central Avenue on BNSF property if given
permission. Public restrooms are proposed to be built onto the
O’Shaughnessy Center along Railway Street.
About 30 parking spaces will be added
around the park, including the addition of angle parking along
Depot Street. The idea of back-in or reverse-angle parking was
discussed with mixed reaction. It was noted that back-in parking is
used in some metropolitan areas, such as Portland, Ore., and that
studies show it is the most pedestrian-friendly and safest parking
method. It could, however, create confusion and traffic issues.
Streetscaping on the west side of the
park will begin in September when the northern blocks of Central
Avenue are streetscaped and repaved as part of the Central Avenue
improvement project.
Parks and Recreation Director Karl
Cozad said the master plan could be adopted by the city some time
in November. There will be another open house this summer for the
public to make suggestions about the plan.