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HEALTHIER New Downtown Park: Healthy Options for Use & Access
NEW BRUNSWICK
2015 Fall Studio
OPPORTUNITIES
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STUDIO 2014
RECYCLING
IN NEWARK
REUSE AND
HEALTHIERNEW BRUNSWICK
New Downtown Park: Healthy Options for Use & Access
Project Team:
Deanna Moran Jacob Labutka Megan Loeb Eric Zimmerman Jennifer Buison Whitney Miller
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Wolfson Parking Deck slated for demolition
Health impacts of a new park located downtown New Brunswick
New Brunswick Parking Authority’s oldest parking deck
Downtown area lacking open space
Proposal for downtown “pocket park”
Wolfson Parking Deck
Neilson Street between New and George Streets
Studio Client - Healthier New Brunswick Initiative (City of New Brunswick, key stakeholder)
2
THE PROPOSED SITE
© OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA
º0 1.5Miles
Site is about 1.12 acres
Located Downtown/City Market area
Close to New Brunswick top employment centers Primarily commercial with adjacent residential
© OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA
º0 0.2Miles
Living
ston
Ave
Albany Street
Easton Ave
Raritan R
iver
© OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA
º0 1.5Miles
3
THE PROPOSED SITE
4
THE STUDY AREA
© OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA
º0 0.14Miles
Raritan R
iver
Boyd Park
Study AreaPark Site
The Heldrich
State Theatre Monument
Square ParkPlaza Square Apartments
Riverwatch Commons
Hiram Square
Hyatt Regency
Albany Street
George Street
Living
ston A
ve
Determined by studio team to include a 15 city block radius (22 census blocks)
About 0.13 square miles (City is 5.8 square miles total)
Bordered by Raritan River, Boyd Park, and Commercial Corridor
Primarily Commercial with Residential along outer boundaries
About 4,190 jobs in study area(12% of all city employment)
5
THE STUDY AREA
6
POTENTIAL PARK USERSFive key user groups identified:
(1) Immediately adjacent residents
(2) Non-adjacent residents (‘Outer’)
(3) Daytime users
(4) Children
(5) Seniors
© OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA
º0 0.07Miles
Hyatt Regency
Plaza SquareApartments
Rockoff Hall
New Apt.Construction
Hope Manor
Immediate Residents
Outer Residents
Proposed Park Site
Points of Interest
Study AreaHiram Square
Riverwatch Apartments
John P. Fricano Towers
Sources: Google Maps 2015, New Jersey Geographic Information Network, United States Census Bureau
7
PARK USERS : Underserved Populations
streetscapes and parks lack mobility-sensitive amenities & designmore likely to experience psychological symptoms of distress(unclean) open spaces often perceived as unsafe
sedentary activities becoming more common many lack access to well maintained play areas
streetscapes and parks lack mobility-sensitive amenities & designmore likely to experience psychological symptoms of distressmore likely to be overweight/obese and have high blood pressure
minority neighborhoods less likely to have walkable streetscapes more likely to be overweight/obese and have diabetes
Underserved Population Health Challenges
Seniors
Children
Disabled Adults
African Americans & Latinos
Health Challenges
8
URBAN PARKS & PUBLIC HEALTH
9
Trust for Public Land:
City benefits can be as high as $350 million (direct use benefits)
USDA Forest Service, Study of Lincoln Park, Chicago:
Minorities travel farther, travel by car more frequently, visit less, and more likely to visit in groups
Urban parks are:
“green engines to help address health to housing, to education and environmental justice, and countering sprawl to combating crime”
Pier A Park, Hoboken NJ
URBAN PARKS & PUBLIC HEALTH
10
Some populations are at higher risk for health disparities
US Dept. of Health and Human Services
Healthy People 2020
National effort dedicated to improving health outcomes
“Achieving health equity requires valuing everyone equally with focused and ongoing societal efforts to address avoidable inequalities, historical and contemporary injustices, and the elimination of health and health care disparities”
URBAN PARKS & PUBLIC HEALTH
11
URBAN PARKS & PUBLIC HEALTH
Physical Health ChallengesMental and Social
Decreased stress and depression levels
Less potential for mental fatigue
Symptom alleviation for ADD, Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Fosters learning, alertness, imagination, creativity
Reinforces social ties
Combat Obesity and related diseases
Saves direct health care $ spent on treatment
Saves indirect costs of lost productivity
Environmental
Decrease pollution
Mitigate stormwater runoff
Provide cooling winds
Protect biological diversity
12
LOCAL HEALTH SNAPSHOTIn Middlesex County:
Highest rates of diabetes among those 65 years and older, males, and black residents
Highest rates of heart disease in non-Hispanic whites, males, and individuals Seniors
NJ Childhood Obesity Survey identified four important trends in New Brunswick childhood obesity:
NB children are more likely to be overweight and obese than nationally
Obesity is particularly prevalent in younger, Hispanic children
Most children do not meet daily recommended 60 min. of physical activity
Traffic, sidewalk conditions, and crime deter many children from parks13
EXISTING PARK SPACE
º0 1.2Miles
Park Space
City Boundaries D
G
BQ
OA
L
P
C
K
EM
F
J
NH
A Alex Baker Park B Archibald Park C Boyd Park D Buccleuch ParkE Feaster ParkF Joyce Kilmer ParkG Kossuth Park H Simplex Park I Memorial Stadium
J Monument ParkK Monument Square ParkL Murphy ParkM Pitman ParkN Quentin Avenue ParkO Recreation ParkP Rutgers Village Mini Park Q Youth Sports Complex
Data sources: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), 2013; Middlesex County Department of Planning, NJ Office of Information Technology (NJOIT)Park Amenity Inventory adapted from New Brunswick Parks and Gardens Brochure, 2015
º0 1.2Miles
Park Site
14
HEALTH INSURANCE Downtown core & Rutgers campuses: 0 to 15% uninsured
Block groups immediately south of downtown: 15 to 30% uninsured
Livingston Ave residential corridor: Over 45% uninsured
º0 1.5Miles
15 to 30%
30 to 45%
Over 45%
Under 15%
Percent of Population Uninsured
Study Area
Park Site
Sources: New Jersey Geographic Information Network, United States Census Bureau, ACS 2013
º0 1.5Miles
15
DOWNTOWN LAND USE
Esri, HERE, DeLorme, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMapcontributors, and the GIS user community
º0 0.3Miles
LegendSiteParcel
LU_Handmade
LUCatCemetery
Commercial
Hotel
Park
Parking Deck
Residential
Esri, HERE, DeLorme, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMapcontributors, and the GIS user community
º0 0.3Miles
LegendSiteParcel
LU_Handmade
LUCatCemetery
Commercial
Hotel
Park
Parking Deck
Residential
Esri, HERE, DeLorme, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMapcontributors, and the GIS user community
º0 0.3Miles
LegendSiteParcel
LU_Handmade
LUCatCemetery
Commercial
Hotel
Park
Parking Deck
Residential
Wolfson Deck (Target Site)
Commercial
Hotels
Residential
Park Space
Parking Lots
Cemetery
Data sources: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), 2013; Middlesex County Department of Planning, NJ Office of Information Technology (NJOIT)
Dominating land uses city-wide are residential, commercial and industrial
Downtown land use primarily commercial
Residential development in the downtown area has been increasing over past few years
Commer
cial A
venu
e
Handy Street
16
STUDY AREA INCOME
º0 0.5Miles
Per Capita Income
$8,000 to $15,000
$15,000 to $21,500
$21,500 to $45,270
Under $8,000
Per Capita Income
Study Area
Park Site R
a r i t a n R i v e r
Data sources: New Jersey Geographic Information Network, Google Maps,U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year estimates
º0 0.5Miles
17
º0 0.4Miles
Rutgers Cook Campus
Within 10 minutes
Within 20 minutes
Park Site
Points of Interest
Study Area
R a r i t a n R i v e r
Living
ston A
venu
e
Albany Street
George Street
Train
Station
RWJ
Saint Peters
Hospital
State
Theatre
º0 0.4Miles
Sources: Google Maps 2015, New Jersey Geographic Information Network, United States Census Bureau
LINKAGES & ACCESS
Residents in walking distance:
4,579 live within 10 minutes of site*
23,447 live within 20 minutes of site*
*Data from 2013 5-Year ACS block group data;
walking network calculated from a conservative
estimated movement speed of 2.8 mph
18
LINKAGES & ACCESS
Wayfinding
Majority of signage located at or near train station
Oriented to parking, business, government, theater, transit, & healthcare
Downtown/ City market districts less wayfinding signage than other parts of city
Little to no wayfinding present for public spaces including existing park space
Little wayfinding for non-English speaking community members
Primary concerns are Hispanic/Latino & Russian-speaking senior populations
19
LINKAGES & ACCESS
Wayfinding
20
LINKAGES & ACCESS
º0 0.2Miles
Living
ston A
venu
e
Albany Street
George Street
Train
Station
RWJ
Saint Peters
Hospital
Rutgers Cook Campus
State
Theatre
º0 0.2Miles
R a r i t a n R
i v e r
Sources: New Jersey Geographic Information Network, US Census Bureau, NJ Department of Transportation, Plan4Safety - 2010-2014
Vehicle and Pedestrian Safety
French St.
Easton Ave.
Commercial corridors close to residential
Bike-ped crashes cluster along two main corridors:
630 - 1,135 crashes per sq. mile
Park Site
Points of Interest
0 - 125 crashes per sq. mile
125 - 630 crashes per sq. mile
Bike/Ped Crash Density
Walk Distance 10 Minute
20 Minute
Study Area
21
STREET WALKABILITY
Methodology
Eight weighted factors used for street and block condition analysis:
Factor Weight
Sidewalks 0 - 5 Points
Lighting 0 - 4 Points
ADA compliance 0 - 3 Points
Obstructions 0 - 3 Points
Speed limit 0 - 2 Points
Cyclist accommodations 0 - 1 Points
Seating/amenities 0 - 1 Points
22
Albany Street
º0 0.2Miles
Burnet Street
Remsen AveWelton Street
Living
ston A
ve
George Street
Rt. 18
Grade A ( 18 - 21 ) Grade B ( 13 - 17 ) Grade C ( 9 - 12 )Grade D ( 5 - 8 ) Grade F ( 0 - 4 )
Albany Street
Burnet Street
Remsen AveWelton Street
Living
ston A
ve
George Street
Strongest
Strong
Moderate
Weak
Weakest
º0 0.2Miles Data sources: Project team field work, 2015; Middlesex County Department of Planning, NJ
Office of Information Technology (NJOIT); New Jersey Geographic Information Network (NJGIN)
STREET WALKABILITY Street and Block Condition Assessment
23
Livingston Ave
Street Grade Block Condition
(Between George & Welton Streets)
A Strong
STREET WALKABILITY Street and Block Condition Examples
24
Welton Street
Street Grade Block Condition
(Between Livingston & Remsen Avenues)
C Weak
STREET WALKABILITY Street and Block Condition Examples
25
Morris Street
Street Grade Block Condition
(Between George & John Streets)
F Weak/Weakest
STREET WALKABILITY Street and Block Condition Examples
26
Bike/Ped Crash Density
Albany Street
Burnet Street
Remsen AveWelton Street
Living
ston A
ve
George Street
º0 0.2Miles Data sources: Project team field work, 2015; Middlesex County Department of Planning, NJ Office of Information
Technology (NJOIT); New Jersey Geographic Information Network (NJGIN), NJDOT, Plan4Safety, 2010-2014
STREET WALKABILITY & SAFETYComparison of Crash Data and Field Work
630 - 1,135 crashes per sq. mile
0 - 125 crashes per sq. mile
125 - 630 crashes per sq. mile
27
Block Condition
Albany Street
Burnet Street
Remsen AveWelton Street
Living
ston A
ve
George Street
Strongest
Strong
Moderate
Weak
Weakest
LINKAGE & ACCESS RECOMMENDATIONS
Address pedestrian safety in high accident areas
Prioritize sidewalk and crosswalk improvements at New St. and Neilson St.
Also focus on residential neighborhoods south of New St.
Signage at transition points and high traffic areas
Uniform aesthetic (city and county integration)
Multi-lingual signage
Maps (easier to use than signs)
Redesign wayfinding network to focus on downtown rather than healthcare &theatre district only
28
Sources: New Jersey Geographic Information Network, 2012 Orthophotgography
PARK SITE DESIGN CONCEPT
º0 0.2Miles
º0 0.2Miles
Living
ston
Aven
ue
Neilson Street
George Street
New Street
Route 18
Albany Street
29
PARK SITE DESIGN CONCEPTUses
Childrens Play
Dog Park
Physical activity Socialization Mental stimulation
Physical activity Socialization
Mental stress relief Natural air purifier
Community cohesion Promotes youth activity Socialization
AreaInjuries Vehicle emissions High density Traffic
Sanitation Animal/human injuries (dog bites)
Water Feature Sanitation
NoiseLiter Crowding
Area
Socialization Mental relaxation Reduces physical fatgiue
LiterPests Loitering
Staging/Event
Seating
Potential Benefits Potential Issues
30
PARK SITE DESIGN CONCEPT
RecommendedPark Uses
Childrens Play Area
Water Feature
AreaStaging/Event
Seating
Children
Seniors
Immed
iate
Res
idents
Outer
Res
idents
Day
time
Dog Park
31
SITE CONSIDERATIONS
Design Issues to Consider:
Slope
ADA
Runoff
Space
32
SITE CONSIDERATIONS Options for dealing with slope
Arching
Largest singular open space
Rectangular Steps
Most Uniform
Rectangular Sloped Steps
33
RECOMMENDED USES
Childrens Play Area
Dog Run
Staging/Event Area
Water Feature
Seating Area
34
RECOMMENDED ELEMENTSElements
Health ChallengesRecommendation and Health Benefits
Entrance
Fencing
Seating
Shading
Lighting
Playground
Sanitation
Sense of ownership Sense of location and presence
Large surrounding exterior combined with smaller for certain spaces in interior Separates uses, sense of safety and privacy that encourages use of park
Arm rail seating/flat bench seatingSeparation between users and athletic adaptation
Perimeter treesProvides cooling space and cleaner air
Pillar and ground spot lightsLess need for security but allows for slope recognition
Water sanitation and physical debris
Interactive play area with permeable surfaceGreatest opportunity for youth activity
35
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Collect more health data
Stakeholder engagement on park design
Outreach to target subpopulations
Park sustainability
Corporate sponsorship
Volunteer groups
Develop programming that addresses needs of subpopulations
Partner with local schools, businesses, Rutgers University36
FINDINGS
Community engagement is needed to maximize the future design and programming for the site
A new park for downtown would have significant health impacts to residents and visitors
Safety, sidewalk and crossing conditions, and wayfinding present linkage and access challenges
Many potential user groups sharing a small space present site and programming specific challenges
37
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe project team would like to extend a special thank you to the studio instructors, Karen Lowrie and Maria Pellerano for their knowledge and guidance throughout this process. We would also like to thank the various speakers and faculty who participated in the planning process including:
Jaymie Santiago, New Brunswick Tomorrow
Glenn Patterson, City of New Brunswick
Peter Bilton, Keep Middlesex Moving
Jennifer Senick, Rutgers University
Leigh Ann Von Hagen, Rutgers University
Jay Watson, D & R Greenway Trust
Richard Alomar, SEBS, Rutgers University
Laura Lawson, SEBS, Rutgers University
Paul Gleitz, Monmouth County Planning
38
THANK YOU !
Project Team:
Deanna Moran Jacob Labutka Megan Loeb Eric Zimmerman Jennifer Buison Whitney Miller
39