Park Designs
With the wealth of major new revenue streams coming into the parks and a reduction in operating costs we can afford to substantially improve our city parks that we have targeted for rehabilitation through the newly formed Geothermal/Park Utility Cooperative. This is merely a starting point for the design of the parks and lots of public input will be needed for the final design of the parks. Earlier in this we pointed out the shortcomings of the targeted parks and we have sought to improve upon them immensely.
Our designs emphasize better and safer parking. Removing roads give the parks a greater expanse and the inclusion of fencing gives parents and pet owners a better sense of security. Security Cameras and better lighting will provide security at night. Buried Utilities will add to the attractiveness of the parks and surrounding neighborhoods. Restroom facilities at all the parks would make the more useable to the public
Our designs seek to promote inclusive and exclusive parks. Exclusive parks are targeted at an age demographic.
· Toddlers and children under the age of 12 will be targeted for Huron Park
· Columbus Park would be targeted toward dog owners
· Adults over 18 and families would be targeted toward Central Park and Adults only in other areas
· Teens would be targeted for Lions Park based upon the Surfs up facility and Battery Park Closing as well as relocating and greatly enhancing the skateboard and X-games park.
· Older Adults would be targeted toward Shoreline Park
Everyone would be allowed to go to any park but services within the park will be priced to attract a certain demographic. For example; a higher rate for teens at a children’s pool. This could change with public input.
By having a system of exclusive and inclusive parks makes for more choices in enjoyment of the parks rather than just having them all be inclusionary.
We believe the inclusion of pay for services at our public parks will make for a more enjoyable benefit to park patrons as well as make for much nicer parks. We believe these pay for services can be an aid in transforming a community from low income to something much more by incentive-tizing rates for children and young adults.
For example; lets say a seasonal pool pass is $50 for a child. Local children pay say $45 for the pass. Children over 12 earning a 4.0 at school get the pass for $25 and a 3.0 could be for $30. As well vendors in the park selling anything to children may have to ask for a student ID that they swipe at a terminal when they ring that student up and based upon good grades they would receive a discount. Expelled children or those with school disciplinary problems may as well be banned from the parks. This can be an additional source of revenues if other local schools would choose to participate.
Additionally, rates can be used to promote family. If a teen wants to go to the teen park it will be cheaper for them if their parent or parents accompany them
The Profit Corridor
Entering the city from route 4, Route 6 on the west, 101, and Columbus avenue going to Cedar Point has the potential to create a profit corridor Starting from Rte 2 and Rte 6 or 101 interchange and heading East toward Cedar Point. Turning onto W. Monroe Street and still heading east you will pass the three major parks on the way to Cedar Point while continuing straight down first street until it meets with Cedar Point Causeway. Hayes Ave (Route 4) and Columbus Ave are main thoroughfares that intersect with Monroe Street. So by strategically placing signage at targeted routes stating “Secret shortcut to Cedar Point” we can drive more traffic down one route through the city, which is at a slow pace. Hence, allowing appropriate advertising to be presented on the frontage of the three main parks (that abut Monroe Street) to advertise products and services of vendors and the city as well forms a profit corridor. Many bus drivers in the know now follow these routes. Where Monroe Street intersects Tiffin Ave(Rte6) on the west side of town we can widen the turn from Tiffin Ave onto Monroe Street by routing West bound Monroe Street traffic onto a very short portion of Putnam Street Heading North. This would make it easier for buses to turn down Monroe Street and relieve some traffic congestion at this intersection.
This Corridor will help aid in revitalizing the heart of the city and make the properties on First Street more tantalizing to prospective buyers and developers.
Advertising must be tasteful and must be in keeping within a highly residential area. We would recommend a few large LED video billboards as well as historical style signage on the park fencing.
