Leaders compile list of ideas for Williamsport parks
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Several ideas for improving individual parks in the City of Williamsport have been shared as part of a developing Comprehensive Recreation Parks, Open Space, and Green Infrastructure plan. Some ideas are duplicated in the parks but not all.
For Brandon Park, operations ideas included:
• Create a system for regular updates of park programs, activities, events and stewardship.
• Reestablish roles and responsibilities for Commissions, steward and stakeholders.
• Packer Street, implement weekend closures.
• System-wide (Park specific)
• Add pedestrian crossings (speed) tables.
• Add a shared use land along all vehicular roads.
• Narrow and focus the Middle Drive entry, using bumpouts.
• Develop a landscape and conservation and restoration master plan.
Amenities and Facilities
• Add basketball courts to the east side.
• Add universal design playgrounds equipment.
• Replace site furniture with park systemwide standardized furnishings on a phased timeline.
• Add lights (with cameras enabled technology) at key locations.
• Create gardens for plant and wildlife habitat.
Newberry Park
• Install sidewalks along all perimeters.
• Update wayfinding and park identity signs.
Facilities
• Cost benefit analysis for providing regular access to restrooms.
• Add play equipment with universal design standards.
• Add site furnishings and lighting (with camera technology) as phased improvements.
• Remove unused buildings, back stop, courts, wood edging, wood chip surfaces.
• Add neighborhood preferred sport court or community garden.
Sustainability
• Update the stormwater infrastructure
• Create a landscape management plan (to reduce lawn and increase native species).
• Install an identity sign mounting.
Lose Park
Connections
• Crosswalks at park corners.
• Install wayfinding signage with the 10-minute walk zone.
Facilities
• Implement a phased installation of park standard furnishings (benches and litter) and lighting.
Sustainability
• Install stormwater management green infrastructure for edges of fields and courts.
• Reduce lawn areas (perimeter of the play fields) with installation of low-mow meadows.
Stewardship
• Coordinate with the community garden users and manager with regards to stewardship of green infrastructure installations.
Memorial Park
Access
• South section (below West Fourth Street)
• Draft/implement a layout plan to organize the parking and pedestrian movement.
• Design and install ADA standard pedestrian paths with connections between (South) Memorial Park, Elm Park and the Lycoming Creek bikeway.
• Develop an entry, circulation, parking and pedestrian traffic management plan, implementation in phases.
Facilities
• Cost benefit analysis for providing regular access to restrooms.
• Update play equipment to universal design standards.
• Add site furnishings and lighting (with camera technology) as phased improvements.
Sustainability
• Update the stormwater management plan and infrastructure.
• Create a landscape management plan (to reduce lawn and increase native species).
• Enhance entry memorial.
• Engage with stewards/commission.
Shaw Place Park
Access
• Install sidewalks along Shaw Place.
• Install crosswalks at street corners and where sidewalks meet the street mid-block (Sherman Street).
• Improve layout and entry/egress at Sherman Street parking lot.
• Redesign Sherman Street head in parking to parallel.
Facilities
• Add pavilion, site furnishings (benches, litter and bike racks), and lighting (with camera technology) as phased improvements.
• Remove unused structures.
• Add neighborhood preferred sport court or community garden.
Sustainability
• Upgrade the stormwater infrastructure.
• Create a landscape management plan (to reduce lawn and increase native species).
• Install an identity sign mounting.
Elm Park
Parking and circulation.
• Fourth Street – coordinate with PennDOT to implement traffic calming and a road diet.
• Coordinate with Lycoming Creek bikeway to create access points at the Memorial Park (southeast parcel) and west ends of Elm Park.
• Parking (skate park, tennis, large fields).
• Draft/implement a layout plan to organize vehicle staging, parking and pedestrian movement.
Facilities
• In coordination with recreational organization user groups, develop a plan to install and manage permanent restrooms or a robust portable toilet rotation.
• Install wayfinding signs.
Communication
• Install signs outlining park use standards, requirements, codes, city maintenance contact or website portal.
• Install wayfinding signs at Lycoming Creek bikeway to access points.
Ways Garden
Access
• Install stop signs and crosswalks at Maynard and Fourth streets.
• Add a path link to the pergola and parking lot.
Facilities
• Add site furnishings (benches, litter bins) and lighting (with camera technology) as phased improvements.
Sustainability
• Create a landscape management plan (to organize landscape beds. Remove invasive ornamentals and increase native species).
• Install historic character identity signs and historic markers at all entries.
Young's Woods Park
Access
• Install a crosswalk at Tucker Street.
• Update asphalt paths (to meet ADA standards).
•Redesign Menne Alley parking lot.
Facilities
• Remove and replace pavilion, sandbox, outdated swings and lighting.
• Add site furnishings (benches, litter bins) and lighting (with camera technology) as phased improvements.
Sustainability
• Create a landscape management plan (to organize landscape beds. Remove invasive ornamentals and increase native species).
• Refurbish the historic identity marker and install a park identity sign at the parking lot entry.