2020 Gentry Park Master Plan - Final Report
Extracted text (via pymupdf)
21108 characters
City of El Mirage Gentry Park Master Plan
Project Summary Report - December 2022
Harrington Planning + Design
4711 E. Falcon Drive, Suite 222
Mesa, Arizona 85215
Jorge Gastelum, PE
10000 N El Mirage Road,
El Mirage, Arizona 85335
Project Summary Report
Landscape architecture environmental planning urban design
Harrington Planning + Design
City of El Mirage Gentry Park Master Plan
i
1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1
PURPOSE OF STUDY
2.0
DATA COLLECTION
2.1
SUMMARY OF NEED / JUSTIFICATION
3.0
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
3.1
PROJECT PROGRESS STEPS
3.2
CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF INPUT
3.3
PREFERRED MASTER PLAN
4.0
ESTIMATED COST
5.0
PHASING PRIORITY
APPENDIX
APPENDIX A: CONCEPT MASTER PLAN AND PRECEDENT IMAGERY
ALTERNATIVE A (A 1.0-1.1)
APPENDIX B: CONCEPT MASTER PLAN AND PRECEDENT IMAGERY
ALTERNATIVE B (B 1.0-1.1)
APPENDIX C: CONCEPT MASTER PLAN AND PRECEDENT IMAGERY
ALTERNATIVE C (C 1.0-1.1)
APPENDIX D: PREFERRED MASTER PLAN (D 1.0)
APPENDIX E: PREFERRED MASTER PLAN COST ESTIMATE (E 1.0)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
4
4
TITLE SECTION
PAGE
Existing Gentry Park Photo
Project Summary Report
Landscape architecture environmental planning urban design
Harrington Planning + Design
City of El Mirage Gentry Park Master Plan
Page 01
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 PURPOSE OF STUDY
The City of El Mirage Gentry Park Master Plan 2022 update is a concept
package developed on the fi ndings of the “El Mirage Recreation Facility
Assessment and Level of Service Analysis” in order to revise the original 2016
Master Plan with the recommendations identifi ed and the inputs from City
Council.
This project analyzed the existing facilities at Gentry Park and provided a
Master Plan update to include the following goals:
• Create a vision for REGIONAL PARK that is sustainable and maintainable.
• Activate public recreation space for the community.
• Create a destination using a project theme and placemaking.
• Discourage loitering.
• Expand and screen existing restroom facility.
• Reprogram the community garden space.
• Reprogram the Baseball fi eld space.
• Create a large open recreation space with special event capacity that can
be program for multi-purpose activities.
• Provide additional ramada shelters.
• Provide an exercise/ pedestrian path.
2.0 DATA COLLECTION
2.1 SUMMARY OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION
The scope of work for this Master Plan includes the collecting information about the existing
site, analyzing and reviewing the “El Mirage Recreation Facility Assessment and Level of Service
Analysis” and how it relates to Bill Gentry Park, as well as the 2016 Master Plan to identify
recommended uses for a concept moving forward with a Master Plan update.
A site visit was performed on July 27th, 2022. During this visit HPD met with El Mirage staff and
leadership to review issues of concern to the City regarding operation, maintenance, and function.
Those issues are listed below:
• Defi ciency in the playground space.
• ADA defi ciency at the playground and site pavements.
• Deferred maintenance in the basketball court environment and the ramada area.
• Need of more gathering spaces.
• Condition of the turf.
• Condition of the irrigation system.
• Condition of drainage facilities.
• Condition of site amenities and site furniture.
An in-person event with the City Council have been done on September 20th, 2022. In this
event, Jason Harrington presented to the City Council three diff erent concept alternatives. From
this presentation, it was determined that there was not a completely preferred alternative. The
City Council suggested creating an update to Alternative A “Fun-Tastic” and incorporating some
preferred elements from the other alternatives. This generated a 4th concept called “Fun-Tastic II”.
3.0 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
3.1 PROJECT PROGRESS STEPS
The development of the Master Plan update provided 3 initial alternatives that respond to the
information gathered during data collection and data analysis. In the fi rst alternative, called
“Fun-Tastic”, the priority is to bring fun to Bill Gentry Park by creating a signature playground as a
main focus of the design. In the second alternative called “River Flow”, the priority is to incorporate
the City of El Mirage connection to the Agua Fria River as part of the park identity. In the third
alternative called “Farm-Tastic”, the priority is to integrate the history of farming and agriculture of
El Mirage to the park in a fun way, creating a farm theme of park spaces.
ALTERNATIVE A - “Fun-Tastic”
The City of El Mirage is a community that
is becoming an active, vibrant and fun
destination. The “Fun-Tastic” alternative
refl ects this in its theming. To achieve this
goal, the main focus of this design is the
playground, with a fun splash pad that
brings life to the park. Surrounding the
playground are turf mounds with shade
trees that allow people to sit and enjoy
the playground activation. Next to the
playground, ramada shelters are provided
that allow additional seating options to
playground users.
Activation of parks with programed uses is a way to discourage loitering. By creating a larger open
lawn space for diff erent activities like yoga, tai chi and family movie nights will bring people to the
park at diff erent times of the day. To create this larger lawn, removing the baseball fi eld and fence
area is required. The large lawn area also incorporates a non-regulation size soccer fi eld to provide
added functional uses of the large lawn.
This site includes a constraint to provide maintenance accessibility at the west edge of the property
to the communication tower. This access connection is provided from Thunderbird Road, the
maintenance access route connects with the park activity trail provided around the large lawn and
all the way around the Gentry Park site.
The goal to keep the restroom facility and extend the existing structure to the north with a screen
element is provided in the alternative A plan.
At the cul-de-sac on N. 1st Avenue, the existing basketball court is proposed to remain and a
second court is proposed to be added. This allows more pavement area for cross-utilization for
other programed events. This area, retains the existing ramada for watching basketball games and
social activities.
Option A - “Fun-Tastic See Appendix A (A 1.0)
Bill Gentry Park Aerial Image
Project Summary Report
Landscape architecture environmental planning urban design
Harrington Planning + Design
City of El Mirage Gentry Park Master Plan
Page 02
The multi-sports tennis/ pickleball courts bring more diversity to the current activities at the park.
A bocce ball court area is added as a low maintenance facility off ering a complete social event
space.
Fronting N. El Mirage Road, a dog park activates the park and increases its usage. This dog park is
divided into separate sections for small dogs and big dogs, and includes seating areas and shade
trees. This location is close to the street parking to make it more accessible and convenient for pet
parents.
At the current court building a more passive use area is provided. This space includes a fi tness
area, a game zone with board games in the pavement, and in the existing courtyard plaza is
added a meditation maze with shade trees that create a relaxed atmosphere. Next to the existing
community garden, a butterfl y garden as a unique park feature and pollination space is provided.
The parking facility along Thunderbird Road is retained. Combinedly with the on-street parking
along El Mirage Road, and all the existing parking lot at the north-west corner of the park, the
proposed Gentry Park will have adequate parking capacity.
ALTERNATIVE B - “River Flow”
The second design alternative is called River Flow, this theme is inspired by the Agua Fria river.
The City of El Mirage is located adjacent to this river, which is an important natural resource and
is part of the city’s identity. This alternative provides some river-themed elements to reinforce this
identity.
The River Flow is diff erent than Fun-Tastic. With the use of water movements and shapes to
represent the identity of water. The center playground space includes a pond simulating the river
eddy that expands and is connected with the splash pad. This water-related attraction generates
the sensation of a large oasis in the middle of the park. Next to the splash pad, a music garden
brings sound as a play experience. Multiples ramadas are dispersed around the playground area. A
dog park is provided by the cul-de-sac on N. 1st Avenue.
This concept includes one basketball court near Thunderbird Road with improved access to the
existing parking lot. In the same area a multi-use pickleball court and a bocce ball court are added
to create diversity to the court area. A full-size regulation soccer fi eld is provided in the River Flow
alternative that can be used as a large open lawn space for special events. The existing fence
around this area is removed for more open pedestrian connectivity from the existing parking lot.
As a way to defi ne the entrances of Thunderbird Road in a
remarkable way, rainwater harvesting arches that collect the rain
water are proposed. The collected rain is directed to rain gardens
around the structure.
This design alternative provides maintenance accessibility to the
existing communication tower at the west edge of the park. A
connection from Thunderbird Road is provided with an activity
trail along the park perimeter.
In the area at the front of the current court building a
proposed music fountain with seating areas and shade trees
is located. This passive area provides a relaxing sound to the
other facilities around the area. At the rear of the youth center
a proposed senior game zone with game tables are provided.
Art sculptures that collect rainwater on the front sides of the
current court building and the youth center will complement
the music fountain. These areas of rainwater harvesting
gardens are part of the river theme.
This alternative keeps the existing parking lots and parking shade structure along Thunderbird
Road. The community garden is protected in this design alternative. The on-street parking lot at N.
El Mirage Road and the streetscape plants are also protected. The existing parking located in the
north-west corner of the site is protected as well.
ALTERNATIVE C - “Farm-Tastic”
The history of farming and agriculture of the City of El Mirage and the ingenious Hohokam that
developed the canals to give water to the farms are our inspiration for this concept called
Farm-Tastic. This alternative pays homage to this history and provides some farm-themed
elements and the use of straight lines as representation of the linear farm crop.
This design alternative includes a farm-themed playground
and a swing garden for adults. This allows parents to
have fun while watching children play. Ramada shelters
are located in this area that can be used for gathers near
core activities such as the playground, the volleyball, and
basketball courts.
The existing courtyard space of the existing buildings is
proposed to add a community art courtyard that promotes
local artists. A dry canal walk with simulated water LED
lighted glass art work will guide users to a wet canal walk,
that is a linear splash pad.
In Farm-Tastic, the existing baseball court is preserved. A youth soccer fi eld is proposed to be
added next to this court area. Pickleball courts and a multi-use tennis/ pickleball court are added
creating a variety of activities.
This concept, provides a larger parking lot at Thunderbird Road for the intended uses of the courts
area provided in this design alternative. The existing shade structure for the Thunderbird parking
zone is proposed to be removed.
In the passive area by the existing buildings, a sunken plaza/ amphitheater is provided with
seating areas and shade trees. The plaza will be used as a gathering space as well as a
presentation area for diff erent social and artisan activities. The rear of the existing building
includes a proposed outdoor coff ee yard with tables and seats.
This design alternative will retain the community garden the way it is now; the streetscape by N. El
Mirage Road and the on-street parking is also proposed to remain in this concept.
Inspiration Image - rainwater harvesting
archway
Inspiration Image - Rainwater Harvest Garden
Inspiration Image - Farm-theme Playground
Project Summary Report
Landscape architecture environmental planning urban design
Harrington Planning + Design
City of El Mirage Gentry Park Master Plan
Page 03
3.2 CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF INPUT
The three design alternatives were presented during a City Council workshop event held on
September 20th, 2022. This event included a PowerPoint presentation of each site plan concept
along with precedent imagery for each of the three alternatives. After the presentation, feedback
from the City Council was provided with the following comments:
Option A received positive feedback on the basis of its “Fun-Tastic” name and the wide range of
activities and diverse age group range of activities. Park elements that benefi t families and adults
are important factors in design for Council. The playground concept from this alternative received
positive feedback. Preferred ideas from this alternative included the butterfl y garden and larger
performance pavilion. The concept for smaller multiple proposed ramadas was not preferred by
Council.
Option B feedback includes concerns the pond feature regarding maintenance, perception of
drought in the regions and limited water availability and potential drowning in an unsupervised
feature as a safety hazard. Many of the other concerns voiced about this alternative were also
centered around maintenance and operations.
Option C feedback discussed the preservation of the existing parking areas and the existing
baseball fi eld. The expanded parking area was a negative, since there are additional parking
facilities nearby at the school. Council did not support retaining the existing sports fi elds, due
to low usage of this facility by the community. Council did not support the community art wall
courtyard with concerns about graffi ti and foul language. Positive feedback was received about the
porch swing corridor as a creative facility that can be used by all community members.
Proposed design elements from all alternatives that were stated as desirable include the splash
pad, outdoor coff ee yard, adult fi tness area, combined use sports courts, large open lawn/green
space for community programmed events, dog park and art spaces.
Features that were not proposed with the given options but that were recommended by the City
Council include a walking path around the park, pickleball courts in groups of a minimum of four,
and redesign of the existing community garden to transition that space for the park uses. Concerns
about vandalism were cited by the City Council. This was addressed in the preferred alternative
recommendations. City Council expressed concern about sustainability and that the project is easy
to operate and maintain.
Preference to build around the “Fun-Tastic” name was unanimously supported by Council. Following
the Council workshop, a fi nal design alternative for the Master Plan concept of Gentry Park was
prepared as the preferred Master Plan.
After the fi rst presentation, a second presentation was held on December 6th, 2022. At this event,
additional feedback was provided. The City Council recommended extending the maintenance road
from Thunderbird Road to 1st Avenue to allow police access through the park for security. Council
did not support the multi-sport basketball / volleyball courts; they recommended to separate
uses and convert volleyball to a sand court surface. Council did not support the dog park feature
area and suggested adding a small pet area as a compromise. A tot lot area was requested to be
provided for smaller age group activities. The location of the outdoor coff ee yard was requested to
be located in a more visible area. Council preferred place it at one of the of the butterfl y garden
spaces near El Mirage Road. Council requested providing a path in front of the pavilion for more
direct connectivity to that area for future events stage access. The open lawn and soccer fi eld were
requested to have larger scale lights as well.
3.3 PREFERRED MASTER PLAN
In the City Council workshop, the “Fun” theme was suggested to be used to create the preferred
Master Plan concept. This design is identifi ed as Fun-Tastic II is an update of Option A with the
same “Fun” theme and character upgraded into a vibrant and colorful idea as a way to create a
placemaking destination.
A high visibility playground for diff erent age ranges: Tot lot (6M-2Y), 2-5 and 6-12 is provided.
This playground includes unique structures, synthetic turf mounds with seating, and trees. Next to
the playground, a pass-through splash pad with theme elements is being added as a way to meet
the goal of activating the space. In Fun-Tastic II, the splash pad is located next to the proposed
retention basin, by N. 1st Avenue as a response to the concerns expressed by the City Council in
Fun-Tastic. The proposed retention basin along the street edge will be a benefi t to the splash pad
to capture run-off water. An extra retention basin is provided at the corner of El Mirage Road and
Thunderbird Road, to capture run-off water from the open lawn area.
Additional ramadas have been added a total of 4 larger size shade shelters as suggested by the
City Council. Three of these ramadas are located in the playground space and 1 in the splash pad
area, allowing additional seating options for the users.
The existing basketball court is proposed to be replaced in its current location and a second court
is proposed to be added. To bring more diversity of activities to the courts area, a multi-sports
tennis/ pickleball court is provided and 2 additional pickleball courts are added to the preferred
Master Plan design.
Inspiration Image - Playground
Project Summary Report
Landscape architecture environmental planning urban design
Harrington Planning + Design
City of El Mirage Gentry Park Master Plan
Page 04
The baseball fi eld has been reprogrammed to a larger open lawn space for diff erent activities like
yoga, tai chi and family movie nights, and is provided as a way to discourage loitering and bring
people to the park at diff erent times of the day. A non-regulation size soccer fi eld has been added
to this area to incorporate more activities in this space. The existing fence around this area is
proposed to be removed for more open pedestrian connectivity from the existing parking lot to
the south. Larger scale lights have been added as a response to the City Council’s concern about
vandalism.
Per Council recommendations, the existing community garden is removed and transitioned to a
music garden and a lawn game zone. The game zone will provide corn hole, bocce ball courts, and
other competition games. Next to this area, the outdoor coff ee yard from Alternative C is included
as a way to diversify the uses in this El Mirage Road frontage area. Part of this diversifi cation
includes a meditation maze plaza with seatwalls, a butterfl y garden, and a pet park off ering
passive uses. To complement this areas, a sand volleyball court is provided next to the pet park.
The restroom facility will be expanded and screened as a near term project that the City of El
Mirage is undertaking concurrent with this Master Plan. It will be in place and the footprint of the
project is being added as part of this layout.
A maintenance access route is being added per Council recommendations. This access route is
provided from Thunderbird Road to N. 1st Avenue allowing the police and maintenance services
to navigate vehicles through the park on a paved surface path. Along with this access, a paved
activity trail is provided around the large lawn area through the park, and to the music garden.
Fun-Tastic II creates a community space that provides many active and passive uses for
community members. The preferred Master Plan alternative for Gentry Park will create a
recreational destination for the City of El Mirage.
4.0 ESTIMATED COST
A cost of construction evaluation was prepared as part of the study. Estimates of each initial
concept were developed based on current costs. The preferred Master Plan quantities were
identifi ed and an itemized cost estimate was provided. The preliminary estimate for this concept
is $4,894,920.00. This preferred Master Plan estimate includes a 20% contingency over the base
concept cost. A 12% design and construction services cost is added based on the subtotal without
the contingency with an overall estimate of $5,384,412.00. The cost estimate is for the entire site
proposed improvements. (See Appendix E (E 1.0)).
Preferred Alternative - “Fun-Tastic - ll” See Appendix D (D 1.0)