City of New Castle Big Run Recreation Area Master Plan by Pashek+MTR

LAWRENCE COUNTY GREENWAY PLAN

CITY OF NEW CASTLE Parks of the BIG RUN RECREATION AREA Master Plan

CASCADE PARK

DESHON PARK May 2016

GASTON PARK

ts n e Acknowledgem

BUE RK L E

Lawrence County Mr. Dan Vogler, Chairman, Commissioner Mr. Steve Craig, Commissioner Mr. Robert Del Signore Sr., Commissioner

REGISTRATION NUMBER 001240

I T E CT

NS Y L V A N

REG I STER

City of New Castle Parks Steering Committee Mr. Matt Staniszewski, NCDCED Director Mr. Brian Heichel, Assistant Public Works Director Ms. Janine Malloy, City Engineer Ms. Mary Burris, Landscape Designer Mr. Chuck Jackson, First Energy Corporation Mr. Leonard Rich, Lawrence County Career and Technology Center

This Master Plan was prepared by a Landscape Architect licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

J OH N

City of New Castle Mr. Anthony Mastrangelo, Mayor Mr. William Panella, City Council Mr. Richard Beshero, City Council Mr. Paul Stefano, City Council Mr. Tim Fulkerson, City Council Mr. Anthony Adamo, City Council

LAN

DS C A P

Ms. Amy McKinney, Lawrence County Department of Planning & Community Development, Director Ms. Doniele Russell, Lawrence County Department of Planning & Community Development, Deputy Director of Community Development Ms. Sara Knapp, Lawrence & Beaver Counties Shared Greenways & Environmental Planner Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Ms. Kathy Frankel, Conservation & Recreation Manager Mr. Adam Mattis, Regional Advisor The City of New Castle was awarded a Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund Grant administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. This assistance enabled the preparation of a Master Plan study for the Big Run Recreation Area, resulting in a long-range strategy for recreation to guide the City of New Castle through future development projects.

Table of Contents Acknowledgements....................................................................................................i Table of Contents.......................................................................................................ii Chapter 1: Community Background........................................................................... 1 Introduction to the City of New Castle..................................................................... 1 Demographics............................................................................................................2 Population Trends...............................................................................................................2 Population Density..............................................................................................................2 Household Size....................................................................................................................2 Age Distribution..................................................................................................................2 Housing Characteristics.......................................................................................................3 Income.................................................................................................................................3 Conclusions from Demographic Data.................................................................................4

Existing Planning Efforts............................................................................................5 Existing Local Parks....................................................................................................7 Cascade Park.......................................................................................................................7 Deshon (Cunningham) Park................................................................................................7 Gaston Park.........................................................................................................................7 Bell Avenue Playground......................................................................................................7 Bolinger Playground...........................................................................................................7 Cascade Street Park............................................................................................................7 Clayton Street Playground..................................................................................................7 Darlington Park...................................................................................................................8

iii

Dean Park............................................................................................................................8 Flaherty Field.......................................................................................................................8 Grant Street Park................................................................................................................8 Greenwood Memorial Park.................................................................................................8 Jackson Memorial Park.......................................................................................................8 Kennedy Square..................................................................................................................8 Liberty Street Playground ..................................................................................................8 Long Avenue Playground....................................................................................................8 Park Avenue Playground.....................................................................................................9 Progressive & South Liberty Playgrounds..........................................................................9 Riverwalk Park....................................................................................................................9 Statue of Liberty Memorial Park........................................................................................9 Gunton Park.........................................................................................................................9 West North Street Playground...........................................................................................9 Wood Street Playground....................................................................................................9 Zambelli Memorial Park......................................................................................................9

Chapter 2: Site Analysis.............................................................................................11 Base Mapping............................................................................................................11 Cultural Resources....................................................................................................11 Location and Size............................................................................................................... 16 Zoning and Adjacent Land Use.......................................................................................... 16 Utilities............................................................................................................................... 25

Natural Features...................................................................................................... 28 Water Features..................................................................................................................28 Riparian Buffers.................................................................................................................29 Wetlands............................................................................................................................29 Soils ...................................................................................................................................29 Topography.......................................................................................................................30 Vegetation.........................................................................................................................30 Wildlife.............................................................................................................................. 31

Existing Recreational Facilities................................................................................ 31 Cascade Park..................................................................................................................... 31 Upper Deshon Park............................................................................................................33 Lower Deshon Park...........................................................................................................35 Gaston Park ......................................................................................................................39 Pedestrian Circulation...................................................................................................... 40 Vehicular Circulation ....................................................................................................... 40

Chapter 3: Design Process...................................................................................... 45 Public Participation Process................................................................................... 45 Facility Design Guidelines....................................................................................... 46 Accessibility Requirements and Guidelines for Parks............................................ 46 Recreation, Athletic, & Sports Facility Standards ...........................................................53 Parking Considerations.....................................................................................................57 Bleacher Safety â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Consumer Product Safety Commission ..............................................58

Park Sustainability Guidelines................................................................................. 58 Green Principles for Park Development and Sustainability.............................................59 Landscaping with Native Plants...................................................................................... 60 Native Meadows................................................................................................................62

Description of Alternative Concept Plans.............................................................. 63 Cascade Park................................................................................................................................63 Deshon Park.................................................................................................................................74 Gaston Park.................................................................................................................................78 Conclusion about Alternative Concept Plans............................................................................. 84

Draft Master Plan.................................................................................................... 85 Draft Master Plan Description.....................................................................................................85 Cascade Park................................................................................................................................85 Deshon Park................................................................................................................................ 86

Gaston Park.................................................................................................................................87

Chapter 4: Recommendations & Implementation............................................... 103 Goals for Cascade, Deshon, and Gaston Parks...................................................... 99 The Big Idea............................................................................................................ 107 Master Plan Recommendations............................................................................109 Cascade Park...................................................................................................................109 Deshon Park.....................................................................................................................109 Gaston Park.....................................................................................................................109 Cascade Park....................................................................................................................110 Deshon Park......................................................................................................................118 Gaston Park..................................................................................................................... 124 Overall Park Improvements............................................................................................ 128

Opinion of Probable Construction Costs.............................................................. 130 Implementation Strategies.................................................................................... 145 Phasing Plan Recommendations........................................................................... 147 Approach to Implementation................................................................................148 Permit Requirements...................................................................................................... 148

Next Steps in Developing the Park........................................................................149 Funding Opportunities........................................................................................... 150 Marcellus Legacy Fund.................................................................................................... 150 Funding from Oil and Gas Drilling on Park Property.......................................................151 FirstEnergy Foundation....................................................................................................151 DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Programs and Priorities......................... 154 The Conservation Easement Assistance Program.......................................................... 156 National Park Service â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rivers, Trails, and Conservation............................................... 156

PENNDOT- Transportation Alternatives Program Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century............................................................................................................................ 156 National Forest Foundation Grants................................................................................ 156 Outdoor Foundation ....................................................................................................... 156 Do GOOD Outdoors......................................................................................................... 157 Blue Moon Fund............................................................................................................... 157 Kresge Foundation ......................................................................................................... 157 Lawrence Foundation ..................................................................................................... 157 Nathan Cummings Foundation....................................................................................... 157 Dr. Robert C. & Tina Sohn Foundation............................................................................ 157 Keep America Beautiful................................................................................................... 158 Rite Aid Foundation......................................................................................................... 158 Colcom Foundation......................................................................................................... 158 Western Pennsylvania Conservancyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Watershed Conservation Program.................... 158 Pennsylvania American Water is launching the Community Investment Challenge..... 158 National Forest Foundation Grants................................................................................ 158 William Penn Foundation................................................................................................ 159 Environmental Education Grants.................................................................................... 159 National Education Foundation...................................................................................... 159 The Water Resources Education Network...................................................................... 159 Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant........................................................................... 159 Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry Tree Vitalize.....................................................................................................................160 GRO1000 Grassroots Grants............................................................................................160 Public Lands Every Day, Every Day Event Grants............................................................160 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Community Transformation Grant...160 Shell.................................................................................................................................160 M&T Bank Grants.............................................................................................................161 Wells Fargo.......................................................................................................................161 REI.....................................................................................................................................161 The Mazda Foundation.....................................................................................................161 Walmart Foundation........................................................................................................161 Emergency Response Grants............................................................................................161 Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation .......................................................................161

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Firemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fund Insurance Agency Heritage Fund...........................................................161 State Farm Good Neighborhood Citizens Grants............................................................ 162 Other Funding Strategies................................................................................................ 162

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ck a B nity u m Chapter 1: Com

nd u gro

The City of New Castle was awarded a Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund Grant administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. This assistance enabled the preparation of a Master Plan study for Cascade, Gaston, and Deshon Parks, resulting in a long-range strategy for recreation to guide the City through future development projects. Information on the community’s history and demographics provides a context which is key to the development of Master Plans. The background information helps orient the Master Plan reader to the community and overall park system.

Introduction to the City of New Castle The City of New Castle was founded in 1798 after civil engineer John Carlysle Stewart discovered that a previous survey neglected to stake out 50 acres for the government granted “donation lands” to Revolutionary War veterans. Stewart claimed the land for himself and laid out the town of New Castle. By 1825, New Castle had a population of 300 and became a City. It became a City 44 years later in 1869. 1950 saw the peak of New Castle’s growth, with 48,834 people living in the City, but the fall of the industrial era also resulted in a rapid decline in population. By 1990 New Castle’s population had dwindled to 28,334. The City of New Castle is approximately 8.6 square miles, with 8.5 square miles of land and 0.1 square miles of water. It is in the center of Lawrence County, 50 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, PA, and 18 miles east of Youngstown, Ohio. Interstate 376 runs north/south along the City’s western edge and route 422 runs east/west along the City’s southern edge. East/west route 224 intersects with north/ south route 18 in the center of the City. The City of New Castle in included within the New Castle Area School District, which is comprised of five schools and, as of the 2010 Census, serves 24,286 people. This school district is approximately 13 square miles and also includes Taylor Township. In the 2010-2011 school year, 3,307 pupils grades K – 12th were recorded in attendance across the district.

Since 2007, being declared an Act 47 community by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, the City of New Castle completed and adopted their financial recovery plan in 2012 and hopes to have the Act 47 status removed during 2017. The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) administers the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act, Act of 1987, P.L. 246, No. 47. Under Act 47, DCED has a responsibility to assist Pennsylvania municipalities that are experiencing severe financial difficulties in order to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their citizens. Read more: http://www.newpa.com/local-government/act-47-financial-distress/#ixzz4919BNJSK

Demographics Population Trends According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, the population of the City of New Castle decreased significantly between 2000 and 2010, from 26,309 to 23,836. The same data for Lawrence County also shows a decrease in overall population, with the population dropping from 94,643 in 2000 to 91,108 in 2010. This trend for Lawrence County and New Castle is anticipated to continue according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which predicts the Lawrence County population will drop to 88,771 and the New Castle population will drop to 22,575 by 2014.

City of New Castle Study Population Comparison (per U.S. Census Data) Area City of New Castle Lawrence County Pennsylvania

2000 Population

2010 Population

Change (2000-2010)

Percent Change

26,309 94,643 12,281,054

23,836 91,108 12,702,379

-2,473 -3,535 421,325

-9.4% -3.9% +3.3%

Population Density The City of New Castle has a total area of 8.6 square miles. Using the 2010 Census data, the calculated population density for this area is 2,771.6 people per square mile. By contrast, Lawrence County has a total area of 363 square miles and 91,108 people, resulting in 251 persons per square mile. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is 46,055 square miles, and has a population density of 276 persons per square mile.

Household Size In 2010 there were 9,765 households in the City of New Castle, a decrease of -9.0% from the 10,727 households recorded in the 2000 Census. Of the 9,765 households recorded in 2010, 59.3% were family households and 40.7% were non family households. In 2000, 62.7% of households were family-based and 37.3% were non family-based, showing a trend that households are becoming increasingly less family-based.

Age Distribution According to the 2010 Census, the majority of the population in New Castle City is young adults between 25 and 44 years of age. There are also more people under the age of 18 than there are people who are over the age of 65. This distribution is similar to Lawrence County as a whole, although the City of New Castle has a lower median age by 1.7 years.

Age Distribution of Population 2000 - 2010 Statistic Total 2000 Population Population ages 19 and younger Population ages 65 and older Total 2010 Population Population ages 19 and younger Population ages 65 and older

City of New Castle 26,309 6,863 (26.1%) 5,457 (20.7%) 23,836 5,904 (24.8%) 4,530 (19.0%)

Lawrence County 94,643 24,526 (26.0%) 22,471 (23.7%) 91,108 21,823 (24.0%) 17,128 (18.8%)

Pennsylvania 12,281,054 3,270,584 (26.6%) 2,430,821 (19.8%) 12,702,379 3,179,390 (25.0%) 1,959,307 (15.4%)

City of New Castle vs. Lawrence County Complete Age Distribution of Population 2010 Population Segment Total Population Under 5 Years 5-19 Years 20-24 Years 25-44 Years 45-54 Years 55-64 Years 65 Years and older Median Age

City of New Castle # Persons % 23,836 100.0% 1,697 7.1% 4,207 17.6% 1,562 6.6% 5,456 22.9% 3,025 12.7% 2,922 12.3% 4,530 19.0% 41.9 years

Lawrence County # Persons % 91,108 100.0% 4866 5.3% 16,957 18.6% 4993 5.5% 20,393 22.4% 13,990 15.4% 12,781 14.0% 17,128 18.8% 43.6 years

Housing Characteristics In 2010, the City of New Castle had 11,304 housing units. 1,539 units were vacant, giving the City a 13.6% vacancy rate. Of the 9,765 units that were occupied, 5,935 (60.8%) were owner occupied and 3,830 (39.2%) were renter occupied.

Income According to the 2010 Census, the median family income in New Castle City was $40,132. This is significantly lower than the median family income of Lawrence County as a whole, which was recorded as $52,370. The trend was the same for median household income, with New Castle City having a median of $30,690 and Lawrence County having a median of $42,570. In a recently approved Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development census survey conducted by the City of New Castle adhering to HUD’s income survey procedures, over 54.7% of the City’s residents are at or below 200% of the FPL (Federal Poverty Level), “very low to moderate income” and over 75% of children within the New Castle Area School District are eligible for free lunches. Of the fifteen Pennsylvania cities reporting a statistically significant change in median household income between 2005-2009 and 2010-2014, the City of New Castle reported the third largest lost at $5,434. Further, during the same time period, the City of New Castle reported the tenth largest increase in poverty, as the federal poverty rate increased in the City by 36%, to 26.3%. Alarmingly, the poverty rate of children under 5 is 44.2% and for children between 5 & seventeen the poverty rate is 37.7%.

Single female-headed households comprise 20.1% of households. Statewide, only 11.9% of all households are headed by single females. Statistically, female-headed households earn 30 percent less than their counterparts without children. The earning potential of many New Castle residents is further limited by educational barriers. Though 81.8% of all New Castle residents over the age of 25 have high school diplomas (compared to 87.9% statewide), only 14.7% of residents hold a Bachelor’s Degree or higher. In looking at health indicators, a 2014 study of Pennsylvania counties conducted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute ranked Lawrence County alarmingly at the bottom tier of health outcomes. This measurement consists of length of life and quality of life. Out of 67 counties, Lawrence County ranked 58 throughout the Commonwealth. While these health indicators affect individuals’ quality of a healthy life, they also affect our low income population when it comes to employment opportunities due to increased absenteeism and reduced productivity; thereby creating a vicious cycle of individuals living in generational poverty because of poor health and lack of access to recreation and wellness programs to live a healthier lifestyle. For children from low-income families, they generally have poorer physical health than do their more affluent peers. Contributing factors include poor nutrition (Bridgman & Phillips, 1998) and unhealthy environmental conditions caused by limited access to quality recreation and nature. As the County seat for Lawrence County, and considering the City of New Castle comprises over 25% of the county’s population, these challenges exasperate the challenges faced by the County.

Conclusions from Demographic Data • Need for Park and Open Space: The populations of New Castle City and Lawrence County have both decreased between 2000 and 2010, with the former displaying a significant decline in population. Parks and recreation facilities are quality of life features that have the potential to retain residents and to attract residents to the community. Therefore, an investment in maintaining the City’s existing park and recreation facilities is warranted. • Youth and Family: Almost 25% of New Castle City’s population is under the age of 19 and over 37% are leiving in poverty. This means a significant portion of the population includes active children and young adults that have limited means to access recreation opportunities, placing them at-risk. • Aging Population: 19% of the population in the City of New Castle is over the age of 65, so it is important that relevant park features are incorporated and accessible to accommodate this age group. This includes rehabilitating the park to ensure access to its facilities by all people with disabilities (in accordance with the Americans’ with Disabilities Act), offering opportunities to participate as a spectator to events, and providing structures such as shelters, benches, and rest areas along paths.

Existing Planning Efforts The most recent planning efforts focused only on the restoration and master planning of Cascade Park. GWSM Landscape Architects created a master plan 1997 proposing major improvements and changes to the park. The following are proposals from this master plan: • Narrowing the existing parking lot and expanding it along the northern border of the park to accommodate a total of 410 cars • Constructing 3 bocce courts with grandstands aside of the parking lot to the north • Locating the maintenance building in the northwestern corner of the park at the end of the proposed parking lot • Providing expansive tree islands throughout the parking lot • Reorienting the main entrance to Frank Avenue and removing the two existing entrances • Adding multiple drop off areas near the Dance Hall along with formal gardens • Creating a miniature golf course next to the Dance Hall off of the parking lot • Creating a car turnaround with control gates near the existing historic entrance gate with 7 ADA parking spaces and a Comfort Facility • Removing the existing concession buildings at the base of the hill below the Dance Hall • Converting the Train Station into a Midway and Bandstand with typical game/concession buildings • Modifying the driving loop through the park so the section from the Carousel Building to the Wishing Well is pedestrian only • Adding three medium picnic shelters near the now existing bocce courts • Improving playgrounds and adding three more picnic shelters near the now existing playgrounds • Creating a small parking lot/turn around with 11 ADA parking spaces near the historic Wishing Well • Converting the building found near the northwestern border of the park into a Nature Center/Park Headquarters • Maintaining the existing picnic grove with the addition of a playground • Restoring the public swimming pool along with adding a deck, small picnic shelter, new bathhouse, sand volleyball court, and playground • Expanding the parking lot directly southeast of the swimming pool with road connections made to Lakeview Ave. • Creating a picnic grove with two small shelters, an playground, and a small 6 car parking lot where the current day maintenance building is located • Adding a pedestrian bridge from the Carousel House to the historic picnic grove (current day pedestrian bridge did not exist yet) • Adding a 42 car parking lot to the west of Big Run, north of the former lake area, with three small picnic shelters near the stream • Allowing the former lake area to convert back into a natural wetland area and constructing a trail/ boardwalk loop around the wetland Many of these recommendations were not able to be accomplished within Cascade, and other recommendations were not followed. The parking lot was not changed, the maintenance building was built near the cascades rather than in the northwestern corner of the park, and the bocce courts were constructed closer to the Carousel House than the parking lot. Many of the recommendations in the 1997 master plan are no longer practical for the current needs of Cascade Park and the City of New Castle community.

Existing Local Parks One of the basic needs of any community is for adequate recreational facilities appropriately located for citizen use. Facilities are often provided by municipalities, school districts, counties, states, private businesses, and non-profit organizations. This section of this chapter identifies general outdoor recreation facilities within the City of New Castle. An in-depth description and analysis of Cascade, Gaston, and Deshon Parks can be found in the Site Analysis chapter. Considering most park space in the City of New Castle is less than an acre, this section displays the clear importance of Cascade, Deshon, and Gaston Parks, which together total 202.9 acres.

Cascade Park Size .............................72.9 acres Main Use of Park ......Open space, Playground, Community events, Multipurpose recreation Cascade Park differs from the other parks within the City because it is a large family or group oriented park containing a dance pavilion, large picnic grounds, several concessions, and can be used for large major events that accommodate thousands of people. There are several leases within Cascade Park, one of which sells Italian Lemon Ice.

Deshon (Cunningham) Park Size ............................. 104.7 acres Main Use of Park ......Ballfields, Multipurpose recreation, Playground

Gaston Park Size .............................25.3 acres Main Use of Park ......Ballfield, Playground, Open space, Multipurpose recreation

Bell Avenue Playground Size .............................0.35 acres Main Use of Park ......Playground, Shelter

Bolinger Playground Size .............................Acres unknown Main Use of Park ......Playground, Picnic shelters

Cascade Street Park Size .............................0.90 acres Main Use of Park ......Playground, Ballfield, Basketball courts

Clayton Street Playground Size .............................0.42 acres Main Use of Park ......Playground, Basketball court

Darlington Park Size .............................1.04 acres Main Use of Park ......Gazebo for concerts

Dean Park Size .............................Acres unknown Main Use of Park ......Playground, Ballfields, Multipurpose recreation

Flaherty Field Size .............................14.65 acres Main Use of Park ......2 Ballfields, Multipurpose recreation

Grant Street Park Size .............................0.45 acres Main Use of Park ......Open space Grant Street Park was designed to provide a passive, quiet park for the people who live in the adjacent area as well to create much needed parking to the business and public/ semi- public agencies and services nearby. It also serves to define the north edge of the downtown district as it interfaces with the historic North Hill District.

Greenwood Memorial Park Size .............................Acres unknown Main Use of Park ......Memorial park

Jackson Memorial Park Size .............................Acres unknown Main Use of Park ...... Memorial park

Kennedy Square Size .............................0.30 acres Main Use of Park ......Open space

Liberty Street Playground Size .............................0.33 acres Main Use of Park ......Playground

Long Avenue Playground Size .............................1.10 acres Main Use of Park ......Playground, Basketball courts, Picnic shelter

Park Avenue Playground Size .............................1.60 acres Main Use of Park ......Playground, Basketball court, Tennis court

Progressive & South Liberty Playgrounds Size .............................4.20 acres Main Use of Park ......2 Ballfields

Riverwalk Park Size .............................0.72 acres Main Use of Park ...... Open space The Riverwalk Park is part of New Castleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Downtown Revitalization. It provides a pedestrian connection between the parking, shopping, office and entertainment areas and also serves as a focal point for downtown events.

Statue of Liberty Memorial Park Size .............................Acres unknown Main Use of Park ...... Memorial park

Gunton Park Size .............................9.65 acres Main Use of Park ...... Open space, Ballfield, Playground

West North Street Playground Size .............................0.88 acres Main Use of Park ......Playground, Basketball court

Wood Street Playground Size .............................Acres unknown Main Use of Park ......Playground, Basketball court, Multipurpose recreation

Zambelli Memorial Park Size .............................0.20 acres Main Use of Park ...... Memorial park, Fountain, Gazebo Zambelli Plaza was designed to be a focal point of the downtown experience. It is located at the main intersection of downtown including East Washington Street and Mill Street. The plaza provides a counterpart and respite to the urban fabric of the intersection, which is the heart of the overall Downtown Revitalization.

is s y l Chapter 2: Site Ana When planning for the future development of a recreation area, it is important to understand the site as a whole. Information on the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s background, history, and demographics provides the context within which to begin the preparation of a park master plan. Equally important are the Cultural and Natural Features of the site, such as zoning, utilities, topography, soils, vegetation, and hydrology. In addition, an analysis of Existing Recreation Facilities starts to identify where park improvements need to be made. The Cultural Features, Natural Features, and Existing Recreation Facilities of the park site are discussed in this chapter. From this information, conclusions will be made about the opportunities and constraints the site presents to park development.

Base Mapping A boundary survey was prepared by Taylor Engineering to confirm the meets and bounds of the park properties. This survey is located on page 13. Utilizing the boundary survey and available GIS information base maps were prepared for each of the parks. The base maps are can be found beginning on page 19.

Cultural Resources Cascade Park The unique history of this park has largely been generated through its numerous changes in ownership over the past two centuries. Originally the land was purchased in 1892 by Colonel Levi Brinton, who had hopes of transforming the 76 acres into a picnic grove. However, the construction of his plans failed numerous times and resulted in Brinton selling the land to the New Castle Traction Company (now

known as Penn Power) in 1897. The new plan for the parcel of land was a Luna Park, complete with amusement rides and landscaping. 10 year old Edwina Norris submitted the name ‘Cascade Park’ in a competition and earned $10. While the New Castle Traction company owned Cascade Park, a year after the park opened, its owners added a carousel, baseball park, theater, and dance pavilion, of which the pavilion is still standing. At the time, the dance pavilion was the largest in the state of Pennsylvania. The park’s first roller coaster, the Toboggan, was also installed at this time. The year 1899 saw the addition of a zoo, picnic grove, and lake, the latter being created by damming the Big Run Creek which ran through the park. In 1922, the park’s original carousel was replaced with one built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, a carousel which previously was located at Idora Park, Youngstown. A new roller coaster, The Gorge, was also added at around this same time, and by 1925, the park’s area had been expanded to 138 acres and its midway had 17 rides. Among the rides were: • Carousel • Original Gorge • Tumble Bug (built by Traver Engineering Company), located in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania • Bumper Cars (Auto Skooters by Lusse • Circle Swings (another Traver Engineering Ride) • Whip • Fire Truck Ride

• • • • •

Penny Arcade Kiddyland Tubs of Fun Rocket Ride Tractor Ride (mini gas-powered tractors that the customers would drive around a track) • Riverboat (owned by son John “Cookie” Vesco) • Comet roller coaster

Of these, only the carousel building and dance pavilion remain. The year 1934 saw major changes for the park. Penn Power donated Cascade Park to the City of New Castle, stipulating that the area be forever used for public recreation. During the second quarter of the century, park attendance began to decline. The lake, popular for fishing, swimming, and boating, dried up when the Big Run dam broke. In the 1950s, a concessionaire entered into a contract with the City to operate the park. They removed the original Gorge and replaced it with a new roller coaster of their own design, originally using the same name (Gorge), but several years later changing the name to the The Comet. The coaster cars were built by National Amusement Devices, in their popular Century Flyer style. The coaster’s highest point was 65 feet and boasted a 2,400-foot track length. One of the coaster’s most unusual features was that it was built on the edge of a valley. Most roller coasters of the day were towed up to the highest point by a chain and as the energy and momentum of the coaster was expended, the hills got smaller towards the end. The Gorge/Comet was different in that it left the station at ground level and “fell” into the valley, so the first drop was actually the 2nd biggest drop. The coaster went down the valley, turned around and went up a chain hoist to the opposite side of the valley. It then turned around and dropped into the valley for the coaster’s biggest dip and came back up the hill to return into the back of the station. The park managed to stay afloat during the 1970s and early 1980s despite a continuing drop in attendance. The coaster was damaged in 1982 when a tree fell on it. By this time the area had fallen on hard economic times, and the Comet was torn down several years later.

Deshon (Cunningham) Park Property for Deshon Park was conveyed to the City by the Cunningham family in 1933 to and for only the proper use and behoof of said City of New Castle its successors and assigns, forever.

Gaston Park Property for Gaston Park was conveyed to the City by the Cunningham family in 1912 for the purpose of a public park and playground. The park was dedicated to Perry S. Gaston, first man from Lawrence County to give his life in action in World War I. The park was dedicated in his name on Sept. 20, 1919. The park was improved between 1932 and 1934 through the efforts of the federal Civil Works Administration. The Civil Works Administration (CWA) was a short-lived U.S. job creation program established by the New Deal during the Great Depression to rapidly create manual labor jobs for millions of unemployed workers. The jobs were merely temporary, for the duration of the hard winter of 1933â&#x20AC;&#x201C;34. President Franklin D. Roosevelt unveiled the CWA on November 8, 1933 and ended on March 31, 1934, after spending $200 million a month and giving jobs to four million people.

Location and Size Deshon Park is the largest of the three parks, measuring 104.7 acres. Cascade is 72.9 acres and Gaston Park is 25.3 acres. Together these parks total 202.9 acres. Cascade and Gaston Parks are both adjacent to Deshon Park, with Cascade Park to the east and Gaston Park to the west. The three parks are found at the southwestern-most corner of the City just north of route 422. Route 65 provides the most immediate access to Cascade Park on its eastern edge, with Cascade Blvd. providing secondary access from the west. Upper Deshon Park can be accessed from Phelps Way from the north and Huron Ave. (connected to Cascade Blvd.) from the east. Lower Deshon Park accessible via Deshon Rd., which connects to Huron Ave. and Cascade Blvd. Gaston Park’s primary entrance is accessed from Wilson Ave. to the east of the park. Denver Ave. runs east/west through the northern part of the park, connecting to Wilson Ave. to the east. According to Google Earth, Denver Ave. connects to Hamilton St. to the west, however, between Grimes St. and Gaston Park Denver Ave. is only a foot trail. Google Earth also shows Baltimore St. entering the western edge of the park, but this street does not appear to support vehicular access either.

Zoning and Adjacent Land Use Both Deshon and Gaston Parks are zoned as vacant, while Cascade Park is zoned as commercial. A review of the City’s zoning map indicates the following: • The majority of the land surrounding these three parks in all cardinal directions is zoned for residential or as vacant. • To the east of Cascade Park is a parcel of land zoned as industrial. This area is currently being used by the Bruce & Merrilees Electric Company. • Northwest of Cascade Park is also zoned for commercial use. The National Guard is currently using this area. • The Lawrence County Vocational School is immediately north of Deshon Park, and is zoned as commercial. • There is a large portion of land zoned as vacant to the southwest of Gaston Park

Gaston Park

Cascade Park

Deshon Park

990

Cascade Park - Existing Conditions

0 98

990

0 99

990

1010

990

0 99

10 90

0 98

10 50

990

Frank Avenie 980

10 50

0 98

20 10

Yes No No Yes

1 1

1 picnic table 120 person capacity; Open late March through October 15th

Fair Fair/poor

1 picnic table

Fair/poor

Dance Hall

1 12

Yes

20x20

0 99

1 New restrooms added; New Ć¤re alarms added; Eligible for NR list of historic places

0 97

98 0

980

10 1

98 0

1000

Fair/poor

28x32

Yes

Poor Good

15' dia. 40x80

Yes Yes

Fair

42x42 32x65

1000

95 0

0 10

No No

Closed

Poor

50x160

2 Horse Shoe & 2 Corn Hole 1 picnic table 8 picnic tables 2 sides; Equipped with center table, shelves, and electric 8 picnic tables and grill; Painted tan 8 picnic tables and grill; Painted green 3 picnic tables; shares grill w/ Pavilion 6 6 picnic tables; shares grill w/ Pavilion 5 10 picnic tables and grill Up hill away from other pavilions; 6 picnic tables; Shares grill w/ Pavilion 8 Up hill away from other pavilions; 6 picnic tables; Shares grill w/ Pavilion 7 21 parking spaces

Fair

36x52

1000

22x22

Needs ADA access

Fair/poor

12x18

Needs ADA access

Fair Good/fair

18x38 18x25

No No

Needs ADA access Needs ADA access

Good/fair

`8x25

Needs ADA access

40 10

0 91

Alborn Avenue

Good

15' dia.

1040

20 10

Good

980

910

Needs ADA parking spaces and access

1010

10 10

1030

970

910

1020 910

930

960

0 96

1000

40 10

One by lake, one at overlook

Alleghen y Aven ue

1040

94 0

10 20

1040

Fair/poor

990

1000

1010

910

Overlook

00 10

104 0

Pavilion 8

20 10

1 1

Yes

1030

Pavilion 9 Pavilion 7

18x38

40 10

Good

30 10

40 10

Pavilion 6

Yes

Pavilion 5

18x38

1010

Good

960

Pavilion 4

Yes

Schen ley Av enue

950

15x38 18x38 18x64

1020

Needs new fence and ADA access

900

98 0

1010

940

Pavilion 3

Fair/poor Good Good

10 10

91 0

1 1 1

10 10

1000

Horseshoe and Corn Hole Court Pavilion 1 Pavilion 2 Main Pavilion

10 20

920

20x40 55x85

e venu iew A Lakev

1010

Closed, used for storage

Fair Poor

920

1020

1 1

Need rehabilitated, needs additional safety surface, surface areas need increased to meet req'd dimensions.

910

One Gametime; One timber, 2-bay swing & Tbar tot swing

1000

910

990

Roof missing

Cas c ad e Bo ulev ard

0 99

1 1

10 10

25x75

1000

Fair

1010

Club meeting room/storage

Restroom Swimming Pool Bathhouse Swimming Pool

Gazebo

96 0

State Route 422

930

940

Cascade Park

N wi

Shenango Township, Lawrence County n u s

s u n

300

P SHEK ASSOCIATES LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

t e r i n

200

Legend E

DESIGN

100

Feet 400

1 inch = 100 feet

Prepared by the Lawrence County Department of Planning and Community Development Allen J. Miller September 2015

nter winds

Lawrence County accepts no liability or responsibility for errors, omissions, or positional inaccuracies in the content of this map. Reliance on this map is at the risk of the user. This map is for illustration purposes only and should not be used for surveying, engineering, or site-specific analysis.

fair/good

960

Yes

85x175

980

1010

Fair

920

2 picinc tables

Poor

Needs ADA parking spaces marked

10 00

Needs stone base Major support beam needs replaced; Center post is leaning (not the original); Eligible for NR list of historic places

980

Yes

0 95

Rose Garden Pavilion Rapid Tappets Club Building Maintenance Garage Wishing Well Maintenance Building Playground

5 6 7

Remaining from amusement park 800+ person capacity; 255 people typical; Equipped with stage and full kitchen

18x30 w covered porch 12x18

940

Carrousel Concession Building Ticket Booth

1070

Needs ADA parking spaces marked

100 0

32x32 16x30 15x15 90' dia.

990

96 0

Fair

Yes

990

Leased to vendors

990

96 0

Yes

99 0

20x40 55x85 14x32

00 10

Concession Stands Pergola Carrousel

990

Fair Fair Fair

980

990

3 courts

1 1 1

980

e ut Ro te Sta

990

Restroom Bocce Court Bocce Pavilon

980

990

Roof needs replaced, needs ADA parking spaces marked

990

Comments

Yes

98 0

ADA

990

50x22

980

Size

Fair/poor

960

Condition

10 40

10 picnic tables and 13 benches

020

Description

0 98

20 10

No.

1030

Facility Train Shelter

00 10

60 10

1080

98 0

1080

PLANNING

Trails Gaston Park Cascade Park Cunningham (Deshon) Park Index Contours

1030

860

1080

1010

870 880

10 90

990

1010

Deshon Park - Existing Conditions

890

0 90

950

920

990

88 0

990

Four row bleachers

Very poor

Five row bleachers

Very poor

Fence and back stop Portajohns Dug Outs

Fair

1 2

Facility

No.

Field

Fair Fair/poor

Field #2 - Multipurpose Lower Deshon Park Description Condition No deƤned parking; Has scoreboard; Baseball section outside of football section

Fair

No No

940

990

970

Comments

300' L 355' C 295' L

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Drainage issues; Very narrow space between fence and street gaurdrail

0 91

Fair/poor

No deƤned parking; Has a scoreboard

Comments

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Minor drainage issues No safety barriers on 3; In danger of immenent failure No safety barriers; In danger of immenent failure Safety plastic needs replacing; Needs intermediate rail on backstop

Very poor

Fence and back stop

Fair

Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

No deƤned parking; has a scoreboard

Fair

Size

ADA

Comments

180' R 195' C 195' L

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Drainage issues

No safety barriers; In danger of immenent failure No safety barriers; In danger of immenent failure Safety plastic needs replacing Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

Fair/poor

6' fence No

One new; one very poor

Fair

Five row bleachers

Very poor

Fence and back stop Dug Outs

Fair

Fair/poor

Facility

No.

180'

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Drainage issues

Facility

No.

Condition

Size

ADA

Comments

Good/fair

170' L 185' C 170' R

Oriented west (not ideal); No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area

No safety barriers

Rusted; Wires not turned down Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

Poor

Fair/poor

6' fence

Description Softball

Condition

Size

ADA

Comments

Good/fair

185'

Oriented west (not ideal); No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area

No safety barriers

Field

Five row bleachers Fence and back stop Dug Outs

Poor

Fair/poor

Good Very poor

6' fence No

6' fence

Rusted No

Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

Facility

Softball Field #3 Upper Deshon Park Description Condition

No.

Field

Adult and youth softball; U12 and U18

Fair

Five row bleachers Fence and back stop Dug Outs

Poor

Fair/poor

Size

ADA

Comments

260' R 305' C 255' L

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Drainage issues (unusable with/after rain) No safety barriers

No 6' fence No

Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

0 100

95 0

900

No safety barriers; 1 in danger of immenent failure No safety barriers; In danger of immenent failure Safety plastic needs replacing Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

1000

Good/fair 35' x 40'

Permanent poles with removable netting Wooden

Good

ADA access needed

Very poor

In danger of immenent failure; Needs ADA access

Good/fair Good

No parking or sidewalk access; Needs remulching

910

960

97 0

910

900

96 0

950

960

940

930

890

920

940

910

N wi

Shenango Township, Lawrence County

300

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Optimal Field & Court Orientation

Optimal Rectangular Field & Court Orientation

DESIGN

200

P SHEK ASSOCIATES -

100

Legend

Feet 400

nter winds

1 inch = 100 feet

940

930

93 0

Prepared by the Lawrence County Department of Planning and Community Development Allen J. Miller September 2015

91 0

900 930

Cunningham - Deshon Park Lawrence County accepts no liability or responsibility for errors, omissions, or positional inaccuracies in the content of this map. Reliance on this map is at the risk of the user. This map is for illustration purposes only and should not be used for surveying, engineering, or site-specific analysis.

990 970

920

910 960

0 96

0 91

94 0

910

96 0

960

Has shade canopy; plastic/metal

0 96

910

3 1

96 0

Deshon Road

860

Scoreboards Playground

960

940

6 picnic tables

960

Equipment Shed

96 0

Comments Get food in front of building and must take it to rear of building to eat it

0 91

950

ADA

Size

Good/fair

Announcer's Box

Condition

Has electric, frier, grill, restrooms

850

Concession Pavilion Batting Cage

Description

960

96 0

850

96 0

960

No.

s u n

Facility Concession Stand

960

Lower Deshon Park

910

950

910

Easy access for non-ADA Fair/poor

96 0

6' fence

5 96 0

Fair

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Serious drainage issues No safety barriers; In danger of immenent failure Safety plastic needs replacing Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

Fence and back stop Dug Outs

Comments

t e r i n

Very poor

ADA

960

Size 320' R 360' C 320' L

0 96

Five row bleachers

Poor

No deƤned parking; correct orientation; only access is by walking down road; not being maintained for play

ard lev ou e enu Av nia lva

Field #6 Lower Deshon Park Description Condition

Field

920

Five row bleachers Four row bleachers Fence and back stop Dug Outs

Field closest to entrance; Softball

1000

Comments

990

Four row bleachers

ADA

900

Description

Cas c

No deƤned parking; correct orientation

Size

96 0

Field #5 Lower Deshon Park Description Condition

No.

nsy Pen

910

930

Field

00 10

E 950

c Cas

No.

oul eva rd

Fair

840

0 88

Attempted ADA access needs reworking No restrooms

ade B

Very poor

870

0 99

0 87

Has safety barriers

940

10 00

Fair

Portajohn

100 0

Very poor

Fence and back stop Dug Outs

Field

Good/fair

Five row bleachers

Softball Field #2 Upper Deshon Park

Deshon Road

Field #4 Lower Deshon Park Description Condition

Five row bleachers

Facility

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Drainage issues from parking lot

950

Comments

920

ADA

Good

00 10

970

Four row bleachers

Size 80x155

New; Has cameras

970

Fair/poor

No. 1

Deck Hockey Court Upper Deshon Park Description Condition

980

Facility Field

New ƪooring; Old ƪooring left on ground; attempted ADA needs reworking Broken

Mittler Field Upper Deshon Park

Phelps Way

0 93

80x155

Poor

No.

Facility

Phelps Way 0 95

97 0

1 2

6' fence

22x22

Good

Comments Attempted ADA access needs reworking

00 10

ADA

Five row bleachers

Dug Outs

98 0

0 98

Size 200'

Four row bleachers

Equipment Shed

Football Field and Large BallƤeld

Fair

Good

Owned by the Y; large gravel parking area; has cameras and portajohn; no restrooms

Court

1000

Field #3 Lower Deshon Park Description Condition

No. 1

0 95

Facility Field

No 6' fence

94 0

Dug Outs

Fair Fair Very poor

ADA

15x30 18x45

1020

Wooden

No safety barriers; In danger of immenent failure Need ADA access Safety plastic needs replacing In danger of immenent failure; Needs ADA access Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

1000

Near dugout

950

2 1

Very poor

890

Benches Fence and back stop Announcer's Box

Steps to bleachers in very poor condition

Size

Good/fair

1000

950

Fire hydrants and water valves

Condition

990

99 0

990

Five row bleachers

Description One burnt/damaged, unused; One with electric, frier, grill, restrooms Has electric

990

840

0 84

Storage/ Maintenance Building Deck Hockey

Facility

990

0 99

ADA

No. 2

990

Size

Upper Deshon Park Facility Concession Stands

980

No restrooms

6' fence

960

96 0

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Poor orientation; Halffallen tree near outƤeld No safety barriers; In danger of immenent failure No safety barriers; In danger of immenent failure Safety plastic needs replacing Needs ADA access Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

Jackson Avenue

Comments

990

ADA

920

Size 128' R 130' C 112' L

99 0

Fair

Stanton Avenue

No deƤned parking

Tony Street

1050

No.

60 10

1080

1030

Facility Field

1080

990

870

Field #1 Lower Deshon Park Description Condition

PLANNING

Trails Gaston Park Cascade Park Cunningham (Deshon) Park Index Contours

820 0 99

1020

Gaston Park - Existing Conditions

50 10

960 86 0 810

0 81

0 93

820

900

50 10

82 0

50 10

Facility

Comments 1050 10 50

1 1

Only lighted Ć¤eld in all parks; has a scoreboard; 315' to center Ć¤eld; Northwest orientation not ideal

Good/fair Good/fair

18x25

No No

Needs ADA access Needs ADA access

1020

50 10 1050

Fair/poor

Pavilion #4

Pavilion #5

Pavilion #6

Pavilion #7

20x26

Needs ADA access

Fair

20x26

Needs ADA access

Fair

28x50

Needs ADA access

Good/fair

20x26

Needs ADA access

Good/fair

20x26

Needs ADA access

Very poor

28x50

In danger of immenent failure In danger of immenent failure In danger of immenent failure In danger of immenent failure In danger of immenent failure

83 0 850

Back playground

20x26

0 84

Very poor

40x60

Fair

Fair/poor

70x100

1000

1010

0 98

0 101

1000

4 7

950

100 0 10 00

Does not meet code. Must be removed. Replant to forest to discourage illict activity Needs ADA accessibility

0 90

Castle Street

00 10

1010

0 100

950

Vogan Street

16 15

Needs ADA accessibility, repair & drainage improvements

1050

Denver Avenue

1030

Tennis Courts

Connects south and north sides of park over stone-lined stream North side of park; one with major drainage issues, rusted fence, and missing net

Very poor

0 95

820

830

880

Foot bridge

Metal; 2 bay, 6 swing swingset, no safety surface, 8' metal wave slide; monkey bars Plastic/metal; no safety surface, missing safety railing, cracked slides, cracked black top

880

"Abandoned" Playground

950

1010

Attempted ADA access needs reworking; needs mulch; Arborist should evaluate trees; Fall safe issue Does not meet code. Must be removed

98 0

990

20x26

Fair

820

810

1010 10 10

980

1000

810

Very poor

13 940

0 93

810

820

980

28x50

97 0

Main Playground

Very poor

950

960

950

Pavilion #11

20x26

990 950

20x26

Very poor

95 0

Pavilion #10

Very poor

92 0

0 93

Pavilion #9

1010

970

20 10

Pavilion #8

Addis Street 960 0 89

850

810

9 10 11 12

97 0

910

10 10

1050

960

10 30

Fair

1040

1010

Pavilion #3

1010

28x50

Good/fair

820

Pavilion #2

South side of stream; Has 9 picnic tables and electricity South side of stream; Has 2 picnic tables and electricity South side of stream; Has 3 picnic tables and electricity South side of stream; Has 9 picnic tables and electricity South side of stream; Has 4 picnic tables and electricity South side of stream; Has 4 picnic tables and electricity North side of stream; Has electricity North side of stream; Has electricity North side of stream; Has electricity North side of stream; Has electricity North side of stream; Has 4 picnic tables and electricity Plastic/metal 820

Arlington Street

980

Needs ADA access; 840 no safety barriers Needs ADA access; no safety barriers Needs ADA access

103 0

98 0

810

Yes

960

80 0

ADA

10x15

0 91

Size

Good

830

0 81

Condition

1020

Five row bleachers Four row bleachers Pavilion #1

Description

910

810

No.

Concession Stand Restrooms Softball Field

10 40

990

City Line Street 990

990 870

990

830

990

870

1030

860

910

850 940

840

900

890

960

990

820

0 95

880

0 93

99 0

990

87 0

940

90 0

950

920 920

990

970

990

Gaston Park

N wi

City of New Castle, Lawrence County n

u s

s u n

300

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE t e r i n

200

DESIGN

100

Legend

P SHEK ASSOCIATES -

Feet 400

1 inch = 100 feet

Prepared by the Lawrence County Department of Planning and Community Development Allen J. Miller September 2015

nter winds

89 0

91 0

93 0

920

0 92

PLANNING

Trails Gaston Park Cascade Park Cunningham (Deshon) Park Index Contours

Utilities The Underground Line Facilities Damage Prevention Act of 1996; OSHA Standard 1926.651; the Federal Pipeline Safety Act of 1968; and the National Electric Safety Code ANSI C-2; all as amended; require anyone who engages in any type of excavation or demolition to provide advance notice. In Pennsylvania, PA Act 187 of 1996 requires “notice in the design or planning phase of every work operation that involves the movement of earth with powered equipment.” In Pennsylvania, the PA One-Call System has been established to facilitate the requests for utility information in accordance with the above-referenced acts. PA One-Call, Inc. was contacted during the inventory and analysis phase of this master planning process to determine what utilities are in the vicinity of the park site.

Cascade Park PA One Call Responses – Serial Nos. 20152881077 & 20152881076 Utility Company Verizon Pennsylvania LLC

Columbia Gas of PA Inc.

New Castle Sanitation Authority

Baker Environmental Inc.

Lumos Networks

Comcast

Pennsylvania Power Co.

Union Twp. Supervisors Lawrence County

Pennsylvania American Water

Address 15 E. Montgomery Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Attn: Office Personnel 251 Maiden St. Washington, PA 15301 Attn: Shannon Griest 512 Montgomery Ave. PO Box 1404 New Castle, PA 16102 Attn: Chuck Stone 420 Rouser Rd. Airport Office Bldg. 3 Coraopolis, PA 15108 Attn: Gary Chuey 107 Nice St. Suite 110 Waynesburg, PA 15370 Attn: Michael Ryder 2810 Darlington Rd. Beaver Falls, PA 15010 Attn: Marc Golden 730 South Ave. Youngstown, OH 44502 Attn: Eric Powell 1910 Municipal Dr. New Castle, PA 16101 Attn: Patrick Angiolelli 2736 Ellwood Rd. New Castle, PA 16101 Attn: Karen Smith

Deshon Park PA One Call Responses â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Serial Nos. 20152881021 & 20152881030 Utility Company Verizon Pennsylvania LLC

Columbia Gas of PA Inc.

New Castle Sanitation Authority

Baker Environmental Inc.

Lumos Networks

Comcast

Pennsylvania Power Co.

Union Twp. Supervisors Lawrence County

Pennsylvania American Water

Gaston Park PA One Call Responses â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Serial No. 20152881103 Utility Company Verizon Pennsylvania LLC

Columbia Gas of PA Inc.

New Castle Sanitation Authority

Baker Environmental Inc.

Lumos Networks

Comcast

Pennsylvania Power Co.

Union Twp. Supervisors Lawrence County

Pennsylvania American Water

Natural Features Water Features Big Run, one of four major tributaries to the Shenango River, flows east to west through the center of Cascade Park and near the south and west boarders of Deshon and Gaston Parks respectively. This stream is one of the primary defining features of Cascade Park, both historically and presently. In the northeastern corner of the park, Big Run flows over a natural stone outcrop into a steep gorge. Downstream of the gorge, Big Run levels out and widens as it flows through the remainder of Cascade Park. This section of the stream is stocked with trout for recreational fishing. Where Big Run leaves the park to the south is the historic remnants of a dam that was once used to block the stream’s flow in order to create a small pond for fishing, swimming, and boating. According to the Lawrence County Natural Heritage Inventory, “Big Run is warm-water fishery with a drainage area of 11.2 square miles. Land use includes agriculture, urban areas and heavy industry including scrap metal recycling yards and a small railroad yard (Johns and Billingsley 2000). A survey in 1974 indicates chronic pollution problems attributable to raw sewage and industrial waste (Weirich et al., 1974).” The PA DEP Stream Integrated List represents stream assessments in an integrated format for the Clean Water Act Section 305(b) reporting and Section 303(d) listing. Streams are bodies of flowing surface water hat collectively form a network that drains a basin. PA DEP protects four stream water uses: • • • •

Aquatic life Fish consumption Potable water supply Recreation

Stream segments have been evaluated for attainment of those uses. If a stream segment is not attaining any one of its 4 uses, it is then considered non-attaining. Big Run is considered by the DEP to be an attaining stream, with some areas attaining all four categories. Big Run was assessed for aquatic life and some sections were determined to be impaired due to metals, siltation, and pH, caused by either atmospheric deposition, abandoned mine drainage, or bank modifications.

Riparian Buffers Riparian buffers are areas of vegetation along waterways that protect water quality and stabilize stream channels. Vegetated areas along streams are of significant ecological importance as they: • Slow flood waters and reduce the volume of water through infiltration and root absorption • Improve water quality by filtering storm water runoff and promoting sediment deposition • Recharge groundwater • Provide canopy cover which shades and cools streams, thus improving habitat conditions for in-stream organisms • Provide habitat for a variety of birds and small mammals, including access to shelter, food, and water

In general, the riparian buffer along Big Run in Cascade Park is a small to moderate buffer zone with tree canopy and little encroachment. In the northeast section of Cascade Park, Big Run has only a small wooded buffer between the main water channel and homes to the south. There are opportunities to improve the riparian buffer within the central areas of the park, primarily along the edge of the former lake, where mowed lawn is the only provided buffer all the way to the water’s edge. The lawn within the former lake is generally marshy and is considered to be an emergent wetland by the National Wetland Inventory. Part of this lawn is no longer mowed and has begun to revert to meadow.

Wetlands A review of the National Wetland Inventory Map indicated there is known jurisdictional wetlands in both Cascade Park and Deshon Park. Freshwater forested/shrub wetlands can be found near the lake in the southwest corner of Deshon Park, and freshwater emergent wetlands in Cascade Park can be found along Big Run where the former lake was located. The soils inventory also indicates numerous soils on all three parks possess hydric components, especially near Big Run. In order to advance the design and permitting of any development in close proximity to the stream corridor and jurisdictional wetlands, a formal wetland determination will need to be completed. If additional jurisdictional wetlands are identified, their boundaries must be surveyed and transferred to project mapping and efforts must be made to avoid and minimize impacts to the resources.

Soils The United States Department of Agricultural Soil Conservation Service provides data on soils properties. In addition to the soil survey, we reviewed the list of hydric soils for the City of New Castle, Pennsylvania. Those soils designated as hydric, or those containing hydric components, may be classified as jurisdictional wetlands if they exhibit two other requirements: the presence of hydrology and the presence of hydrophytic vegetation. Furthermore, the ability of soil to infiltrate storm water runoff can be evaluated based on the soils’ hydrological group. Those soils with a soils hydrologic group of A or B may be conducive to infiltration techniques as storm water management best practice (BMP) solutions. Those soils with a classification of C or D are unlikely to meet the BMP infiltration requirements.

Slope

Sym.

Hydric Rating

Bethesda channery silt loam Canfield silt loam Canfield silt loam Chili silt loam Holly silt loam Loudonville gravelly silt loam Loudonville gravelly silt loam

0 - 8% 3 - 8% 8 - 15% 3 - 8% 8 - 15% 25 - 50%

BaB CdB CdC ChB Ho LoC LoF

5 0 0 3 90 0 0

Ravenna silt loam Urban land - Arents complex Urban land - Canfield complex Urban land - Canfield complex Urban land - Conotton complex Urban land - Conotton complex

8 - 15% 0 - 8% 8 - 25% 0 - 8% 8 - 25%

RaC Ub UcB UcD UfB UfD

4 2 0 0 1 1

Weikert-Rock outcrop complex

25 - 80%

Wef

Soil Type

Drainage

Soils Group

Well drained Moderately well drained Moderately well drained Well drained Poorly drained Well drained Well drained Somewhat poorly drained Moderately well drained Moderately well drained Moderately well drained Well drained Well drained Somewhat excessively drained

C C/D C/D B B/D C C

Topography The slopes of Cascade, Deshon, and Gaston Parks are all highly variable. There are numerous expanses where the slope is more than 15%. These areas are primarily found adjacent to Big Run within Cascade Park, along other unnamed streambeds which flow across Deshon and Gaston Parks, around the lake in the southwest corner of Deshon Park, and throughout the entire northern half of Gaston Park. Areas of all three parks that have remained forested have many pockets of variables slopes between 0 – 15+%. There are also numerous areas that have gentler slopes between 0 – 10%. The largest areas with this slope range are the eastern entrance to Cascade Park, lawn and wooded areas in the center of Cascade Park, the ballfields of Deshon Park, and the ballfield in Gaston Park. The high point of Gaston Park is in its southeast corner and its low point is in the northwestern corner. Deshon Park’s high point is in the northeast corner of the park, and its low point is along the lake in the southwest corner. The northern most border of Cascade Park is that park’s high point, with the low point found along where Big Run leaves the park at its southern edge. Slopes between 0-5% are well suited for large facility development. Slopes between 5 to 10% are moderately suited for large facility development as they require more earth work to create level areas, and slope between 10 to 15% are limiting to large facility development. Slopes between 15 and 25% are limited to small facility development not requiring level areas, and slopes greater than 25% should be conserved for development.

Vegetation

D D

The majority of the vegetation within Cascade and Gaston Parks is mixed hardwood forest. The majority of Deshon Park is mowed turf surrounded by mixed hardwood forest along its edges, with exception of the northwest portion of the park, which is entirely mixed hardwood forest.

Wildlife To determine the presence of species of special concern (rare, threatened, or endangered species), the Lawrence County Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) was reviewed and a Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory Index (PNDI) environmental review of the site was conducted. PNDI records indicate no known impacts within any of the three sites, meaning no further coordination is required with jurisdictional agencies. This response does not, however, reflect potential agency concerns regarding impacts to other ecological resources, such as wetlands.

Existing Recreational Facilities The following table documents existing facilities located in the park, their condition, whether they are considered to be accessible, and other additional comments as appropriate.

Cascade Park Facility

No.

Train Shelter

Restroom

Bocce Court

Bocce Pavilon

Description 10 picnic tables and 13 benches

Condition

Size

ADA

Comments

Fair/poor

50x22

Yes

Fair

20x40

Roof needs replaced, needs ADA parking spaces marked

Fair

55x85

Yes

3 courts

Fair

14x32

Yes

Concession Stands

Leased to vendors

Fair

32x32 16x30

Yes No

Pergola

1 picnic table

Fair

15x15

Needs stone base

Carrousel

120 person capaCity; Open late March through October 15th

Fair/poor

90' dia.

Yes

Major support beam needs replaced; Center post is leaning (not the original); Eligible for NR list of historic places

Carrousel Concession Building

1 picnic table

Fair/poor

18x30 w covered porch

Yes

Needs ADA parking spaces marked

Ticket Booth

Remaining from amusement park

Poor

12x18

Yes

Dance Hall

800+ person capaCity; 255 people typical; Equipped with stage and full kitchen

Fair

85x175

Yes

Rose Garden Pavilion

2 picinc tables

fair/good

20x20

New restrooms added; New fire alarms added; Eligible for NR list of historic places

Rapid Tappets Club Building

Fair

25x75

Maintenance Garage

Club meeting room/ storage

Fair/poor

28x32

Yes

Wishing Well

Poor

15' dia.

Yes

Maintenance Building

Good

40x80

Yes

Roof missing

Needs ADA parking spaces marked

Playground

One Gametime; One timber, 2-bay swing & T-bar tot swing

Fair

42x42 32x65

Restroom

Fair

20x40

Need rehabilitated, needs additional safety surface, surface areas need increased to meet req'd dimensions.

Swimming Pool Bathhouse

Closed, used for storage

Poor

55x85

Swimming Pool Bathhouse

Closed

Poor

50x160

Horseshoe and Corn Hole Court

2 Horse Shoe & 2 Corn Hole

Fair

36x52

Pavilion 1

1 picnic table

Fair/poor

15x38

Needs new fence and ADA access

Pavilion 2

8 picnic tables

Good

18x38

Main Pavilion

2 sides; Equipped with center table, shelves, and electric

Good

18x64

Yes

Pavilion 3

8 picnic tables and grill; Painted tan

Good

18x38

Yes

Pavilion 4

8 picnic tables and grill; Painted green

Good

18x38

Yes

Pavilion 5

3 picnic tables; shares grill w/ Pavilion 6

Fair/poor

22x22

Needs ADA access

Pavilion 6

6 picnic tables; shares grill w/ Pavilion 5

Fair/poor

12x18

Needs ADA access

Pavilion 9

10 picnic tables and grill

Fair

18x38

Needs ADA access

Pavilion 7

Up hill away from other pavilions; 6 picnic tables; Shares grill w/ Pavilion 8

Good/fair

18x25

Needs ADA access

Pavilion 8

Up hill away from other pavilions; 6 picnic tables; Shares grill w/ Pavilion 7

Good/fair

`8x25

Needs ADA access

Overlook

21 parking spaces

Good

Gazebo

One by lake, one at overlook

Good

15' dia.

Needs ADA parking spaces and access

Upper Deshon Park Mittler Field Upper Deshon Park Facility

No.

Description

Condition

Size

ADA

Comments

Good/fair

Oriented west (not ideal); No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area

No safety barriers No safety barriers

Field

Field closest to entrance; Softball

Five row bleachers

Poor

170' L 185' C 170' R

Four row bleachers

Poor

Fence and back stop

Poor

6' fence

Rusted; Wires not turned down

Dug Outs

Fair/poor

Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

Condition

Size

ADA

Comments

Good/fair

185'

Oriented west (not ideal); No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area No safety barriers

Softball Field #2 Upper Deshon Park Facility

No.

Description

Field

Softball

Five row bleachers

Poor

Fence and back stop

Fair/poor

6' fence

Dug Outs

Fair/poor

Rusted Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

Softball Field #3 Upper Deshon Park

Facility

No.

Description

Condition

Size

ADA

Comments

Field

Adult and youth softball; U12 and U18

Fair

260' R 305' C 255' L

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Drainage issues (unusable with/after rain)

Five row bleachers

Poor

No safety barriers

Fence and back stop

Fair/poor

6' fence

Dug Outs

Fair/poor

Condition

Size

ADA

Comments

Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

Deck Hockey Court Upper Deshon Park Facility

No.

Description

Court

New; Has cameras

Good

80x155

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Drainage issues from parking lot

Five row bleachers

Has safety barriers

Good/fair

Attempted ADA access needs reworking

Portajohn

Fair

No restrooms

Condition

Size

ADA

Good/fair

15x30 18x45

Attempted ADA access needs reworking

Upper Deshon Park Facility

No.

Description

Comments

Concession Stands

One burnt/damaged, unused; One with electric, fryer, grill, restrooms

Storage/ Maintenance Building

Has electric

Good

22x22

Deck Hockey

Good

80x155

New flooring; Old flooring left on ground; attempted ADA needs reworking

Fire hydrants and water valves

Owned by the Y; large gravel parking area; has cameras and portajohn; no restrooms

Poor

Broken

Lower Deshon Park Lower Deshon Park Facility

No.

Concession Stand

Concession Pavilion

Description

Condition

Size

ADA

Comments

Has electric, fryer, grill, restrooms

Good/fair

6 picnic tables

Good/fair

35' x 40'

Batting Cage

Permanent poles with removable netting

Good

ADA access needed

Announcer's Box

Wooden

Very poor

Equipment Shed

In danger of imminent failure; Needs ADA access

Scoreboards

Good/fair

Playground

Has shade canopy; plastic/ metal

Good

Condition

Size

ADA

Comments

Fair

128' R 130' C 112' L

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Poor orientation; Half-fallen tree near outfield

Get food in front of building and must take it to rear of building to eat it

No parking or sidewalk access; Needs re-mulching

Field #1 Lower Deshon Park Facility

No.

Description

Field

No defined parking

Four row bleachers

Very poor

No safety barriers; In danger of imminent failure

Five row bleachers

Very poor

No safety barriers; In danger of imminent failure

Fence and back stop

Fair

6' fence

Portajohns

Fair

Needs ADA access

Dug Outs

No restrooms

Fair/poor

Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

Safety plastic needs replacing

Field #2 - Multipurpose Lower Deshon Park Facility

No.

Description

Condition

Size

ADA

Comments

Field

No defined parking; Has scoreboard; Baseball section outside of football section

Fair

300' L 355' C 295' L

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Drainage issues; Very narrow space between fence and street guardrail

Five row bleachers

Steps to bleachers in very poor condition

Very poor

No safety barriers; In danger of imminent failure

Benches

Fair

6' fence

Need ADA access

Fence and back stop

Near dugout

Announcer's Box

Wooden

Very poor

In danger of imminent failure; Needs ADA access

Dug Outs

Fair/poor

Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

Condition

Size

ADA

Fair

200'

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Minor drainage issues

Very poor

No safety barriers on 3; In danger of imminent failure

Very poor

No safety barriers; In danger of imminent failure Safety plastic needs replacing; Needs intermediate rail on backstop

Safety plastic needs replacing

Field #3 Lower Deshon Park Facility

No.

Description

Field

No defined parking; Has a scoreboard

Four row bleachers

Five row bleachers

Football Field and Large Ballfield

Fence and back stop

Fair

6' fence

Equipment Shed

Dug Outs

Fair/poor

Comments

Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

Field #4 Lower Deshon Park Facility

No.

Description

Condition

Size

ADA

Fair

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Drainage issues

No safety barriers; In danger of imminent failure No safety barriers; In danger of imminent failure

Field

No defined parking; has a scoreboard

Four row bleachers

Very poor

180' R 195' C 195' L

Five row bleachers

Very poor

Fence and back stop

Fair

6' fence

Dug Outs

Fair/poor

Comments

Safety plastic needs replacing Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

Field #5 Lower Deshon Park Facility

No.

Description

Condition

Size

ADA

Comments

Field

No defined parking; correct orientation

Fair

180'

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Drainage issues

Four row bleachers

One new; one very poor

Good Very poor

No safety barriers; 1 in danger of imminent failure

Five row bleachers

Very poor

No safety barriers; In danger of imminent failure

Fence and back stop

Fair

6' fence

Dug Outs

Fair/poor

Safety plastic needs replacing Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

Field #6 Lower Deshon Park Facility

No.

Description

Condition

Size

ADA

Comments

Field

No defined parking; correct orientation; only access is by walking down road; not being maintained for play

Poor

320' R 360' C 320' L

No ADA parking spaces or route from parking to player/spectator area; Serious drainage issues

Five row bleachers

Very poor

No safety barriers; In danger of imminent failure

Fence and back stop

Fair

6' fence

Dug Outs

Easy access for non-ADA

Fair/poor

Safety plastic needs replacing Too small to accommodate ADA; no ADA access

Gaston Park Facility

No.

Description

Condition

Size

ADA

Comments

Concession Stand

Good

10x15

Yes

Restrooms

Good/fair

18x25

Needs ADA access

Softball Field

Only lighted field in all parks; has a scoreboard; 315' to center field; Northwest orientation - not ideal

Good/fair

Needs ADA access

Five row bleachers

Fair/poor

Needs ADA access; no safety barriers

Four row bleachers

Fair/poor

Needs ADA access; no safety barriers

Pavilion #1

South side of stream; Has 9 picnic tables and electriCity

Good/fair

28x50

Needs ADA access

Pavilion #2

South side of stream; Has 2 picnic tables and electriCity

Fair

20x26

Needs ADA access

Pavilion #3

South side of stream; Has 3 picnic tables and electriCity

Fair

20x26

Needs ADA access

Pavilion #4

South side of stream; Has 9 picnic tables and electriCity

Fair

28x50

Needs ADA access

Pavilion #5

South side of stream; Has 4 picnic tables and electriCity

Good/fair

20x26

Needs ADA access

Pavilion #6

South side of stream; Has 4 picnic tables and electriCity

Good/fair

20x26

Needs ADA access

Pavilion #7

North side of stream; Has electriCity

Very poor

28x50

In danger of imminent failure

Pavilion #8

North side of stream; Has electriCity

Very poor

20x26

In danger of imminent failure

Pavilion #9

North side of stream; Has electriCity

Very poor

20x26

In danger of imminent failure

Pavilion #10

North side of stream; Has electriCity

Very poor

28x50

In danger of imminent failure

Pavilion #11

North side of stream; Has 4 picnic tables and electriCity

Very poor

In danger of imminent failure

Main Playground

Plastic/metal

Fair

45x65

Attempted ADA access needs reworking; needs mulch; Arborist should evaluate trees; Fall safe issue

"Abandoned" Playground

Metal; 2 bay, 6 swing swingset, no safety surface, 8' metal wave slide; monkey bars

Very poor

20x26

Does not meet code. Must be removed

Back playground

Plastic/metal; no safety surface, missing safety railing, cracked slides, cracked black top

Very poor

40x60

Does not meet code. Must be removed. Replant to forest to discourage illicit activity

Foot bridge

Connects south and north sides of park over stone-lined stream

Fair

Needs ADA accessibility

Tennis Courts

North side of park; one with major drainage issues, rusted fence, and missing net

Fair/poor

70x100

Needs ADA accessibility, repair & drainage improvements

Pedestrian Circulation Of the three parks, the most pedestrian accessible park is Cascade Park. There is an easily walkable circuit through the northern half of the park that leads to playgrounds, the historic carousel building, the dance hall, bocce courts, pavilions, the old pool, and lookouts. This circuit is largely ADA accessible, although not all of the attractions connected to it are. There is also a non-ADA accessible foot bridge in the center of this circuit. Cascade Blvd. doubles as vehicular and pedestrian circulation along the circuit and the southern half of the park. Along this area of the park, pedestrians can access a gazebo and the former lake. A set of walking trails accessible from the main parking lot also exists in Cascade Park; however, they are not highly maintained. The trails allow hikers to either loop back to the beginning or to walk to the neighboring Deshon Park. Upper Deshon Park has numerous, aging sidewalks, but they do not lead to any of the park’s attractions. These sidewalks are assumed to be remnants of the site’s former use. A gravel path connects the limited parking area along Huron Ave. to a concession stand and two of the ball fields, and a sidewalk connects the larger parking area off of Phelps Way to the deck hockey rink. However, there is no pedestrian connection between the upper, larger parking lot to the ball fields. Lower Deshon Park has only one gravel path that connects to two ball fields. Most of this park’s attractions can only be reached via turf or by walking along Deshon Rd. There are some unofficial and unmapped trails within the forested areas here: one leads from the end of Deshon Rd. to the lake in the southwest corner of the park, one leads to the Lawrence County Vocational school to the north, and one leads off site to the south. Gaston Park has sidewalk access to a concession stand, ball field and restrooms, but only turf/ground access to its pavilions and playgrounds. A foot bridge connects the northern and southern parts of the park, but is not ADA accessible. Pavilions and tennis courts on the northern side of the park are accessible by walking along Denver Ave. A walking trail continues off site to the north.

Vehicular Circulation Cascade Blvd. runs through Cascade Park and acts as both vehicular and pedestrian circulation. A small parking area is offered off of Cascade Blvd. in the northeastern corner of the park, and a much more expansive parking area in found in the northern most part of the park (accessible from route 65). Phelps Way, Huron Ave., and Deshon Rd. are the main roads providing vehicular access to Deshon Park. There is no vehicular access within the park itself beyond a number of small to moderate gravel parking areas. The main parking area of Gaston Park is accessible via Wilson Ave., providing immediate access to the southern half of the park. A secondary parking area can be found immediately off of Denver Ave. in the northern half of the park. Denver Ave. also doubles as the main pedestrian access through the northern part of the park. Recreation facility-specific parking standards for this study were estimated using Pashek Associates’ prior experience with similar projects. The highest possible use rate by players and spectators at any facility is its peak use. A facility’s daily use is 60% of its peak use. Parking standards for this study were figured using a rate of 2.5 persons per car. Parking should accommodate average daily use while providing opportunity for overflow parking to meet peak use event needs. The table on the following page estimates the amount of parking required to meet the current parking demands of the existing facilities, assuming each facility is occupied at full capaCity.

Cascade Park Existing Conditions Parking Analysis New Castle Parks Master Plan Facility Train Shelter

Description of Peak Use

Persons/ Vehicle

Peak Use # of Spaces

Daily Use 60% of Peak 16 7

Existing

Surplus/ Deficiency

80 person capaCity 3 27 10 -6 2 teams of 2 people + 2 2 12 0 -7 Bocce Court spectators per team = 8 persons (3) per court Carrousel 120 person capaCity 3 40 24 0 -24 Dance Hall 800 person capaCity 3 267 160 180 20 2.5 24 15 0 -15 20 children + 1 parent for every 2 children = 30 persons per Playground (2) playground Pole Building 15 persons 1.5 10 6 6 0 Horseshoe 2 teams of 2 players + 1 2 12 7 0 -7 and Corn Hole spectator per team = 6 persons Court (4) per court Pavilion 1 72 person capaCity 3 24 15 0 -15 Pavilion 2 72 person capaCity 3 24 15 0 -15 Main Pavilion 160 person capaCity 3 54 32 0 -32 Pavilion 3 72 person capaCity 3 24 15 0 -15 Pavilion 4 72 person capaCity 3 24 15 0 -15 Pavilion 5 32 person capaCity 3 11 7 0 -7 Pavilion 6 72 person capaCity 3 24 15 0 -15 Pavilion 9 80 person capaCity 3 27 16 0 -16 3 Pavilion 7 72 person capaCity 3 24 15 18 Pavilion 8 72 person capaCity 3 24 15 18 3 Overlook 6 persons 1.5 4 3 18 15 Gazebo (2) 5 person capaCity per gazebo 1.5 6 4 0 -4 TOTAL 662 402 250 -152 NOTE: This parking analysis does not account for on-street parking, parking that may be available in adjacent to the park, or those that will walk to the park. The above chart shows that, given the existing facilities at Cascade Park, there is a deficit of 152 parking spaces. This figure does not take into consideration on-street parking, adjacent parking lots, or those able to walk to the park.

Deshon Park Existing Conditions Parking Analysis New Castle Parks Master Plan Facility Softball Field (3) Dek Hockey Little League Field (3) Multipurpose Field Baseball Field (2) Medium Pavilion Batting Cage Playground

Persons/ Vehicle

Peak Use # of Spaces

2.5

149

Daily Use 60% of Peak 89

1.5

2.5

Existing

Surplus/ Deficiency

-39

-42

1.5

-12

4 teams of 12 players + 2 coaches per team + 12 parents per team + 5 fans per team = 124 persons 72 person capaCity

2.5

-60

-15

2 pitchers + 2 batters 30 children + 1 parent for every 2 children = 45 persons

2 2.5

2 18

2 11

0 0

-2 -11

Description of Peak Use 4 teams of 12 players + 2 coaches per team + 12 parents per team + 5 fans per team = 124 persons 2 teams of 6 players + 3 spectators per team 2 teams of 12 players + 2 coaches per team + 12 parents per team + 3 fans per team = 58 persons 30 persons

TOTAL 394 238 60 -178 NOTE: This parking analysis does not account for on-street parking, parking that may be available in adjacent to the park, or those that will walk to the park. The above chart shows that, given the existing facilities at Deshon Park, there is a deficit of 178 parking spaces. This figure does not take into consideration on-street parking, adjacent parking lots, or those able to walk to the park.

Gaston Park Existing Conditions Parking Analysis New Castle Parks Master Plan Facility

Description of Peak Use

Persons/ Vehicle

Peak Use # of Spaces

Daily Use 60% of Peak

Existing

Surplus/ Deficiency

2.5

-5

Softball Field

4 teams of 12 players + 2 coaches per team + 12 parents per team + 5 fans per team = 124 persons

Pavilion #1

160 person capaCity

-32

Pavilion #2

32 person capaCity

-7

Pavilion #3

32 person capaCity

-7

Pavilion #4

72 person capaCity

-15

Pavilion #5

32 person capaCity

-7

Pavilion #6

32 person capaCity

-7

Tennis Court (2)

2 teams of 2

1.5

168

109

-74

TOTAL

NOTE: This parking analysis does not account for on-street parking, parking that may be available in adjacent to the park, or those that will walk to the park.

The above chart shows that, given the existing facilities at Gaston Park, there is a deficit of 74 parking spaces. This figure does not take into consideration on-street parking, adjacent parking lots, or those able to walk to the park.

es c o r Chapter 3: Design P

This chapter describes how the master plan was developed. Together with the inventory and analysis, Public Participation played a key role in helping the consultant develop the final master plan. Local community members and officials revealed more specific information about the park site to the consultant and help guide the development of several Alternative Concept Plans. The concept plan was then developed by the consultant into a more detailed Draft Master Plan, then reviewed and discussed with the public for more feedback. A Park Program and Facility Design Guidelines were developed to guide facility requirements. Finally, the draft version was refined into the final master plan, which is described in the Recommendations and Implementation chapter. The following explains the Public Participation Process; describes and evaluates the Alternative Concept Plans and Draft Master Plan; lists the Park Program; and provides Facility Design Guidelines for the Park.

Public Participation Process Public participation in the design process is important in ensuring that the final master plan reflects community recreational needs and is fully supported by local decision makers and members of the community. The public participation process for this study included: • • • • •

Steering Committee and Elected Officials Meeting..................... September 16, 2015 Steering Committee and Elected Officials Meeting.......................... October 14, 2015 Steering Committee and Elected Officials Meeting......................November 24, 2015 Public Meeting No. 1............................................................................. January 5, 2015 Public Meeting No. 2........................................................................... January 26, 2015

The public input process culminated in the identification of proposed improvements and facilities, as well as their relationships to each other, which the Master Site Plan reflects. All public meetings were advertised in local newspapers, as required by law, to ensure that interested residents would have a forum to voice their opinions. Meetings minutes from all meetings are located in the appendix.

Public input was further obtained through an online survey. The survey received 626 responses, with 60% of the respondents being residents within the City of New Castle. Since 40% of responses came from non-residents, the survey data was broken into two sets: all responses, and residents of New Castle only responses. This was to ensure that the data were not misrepresenting the community’s needs if the nonresident answers had been significantly different from the residents’ answers. It was discovered that both resident and nonresident answers were almost exactly parallel. 17 questions were asked in this survey. A full report of the survey and its responses can be found in the Appendix.

Facility Design Guidelines It is important to provide properly located recreation facilities that are accessible to all park visitors. Furthermore, it is important that all facilities be designed and located in accordance with recommended standards and guidelines to reduce the City’s liability. The following is a summary of applicable standards and guidelines related to existing facilities and those facilities being proposed for Cascade, Deshon, and Gaston Parks.

Accessibility Requirements and Guidelines for Parks Ensuring accessibility to all facilities not only accommodates those with disabilities, but also makes it easier for the general public to use the facilities. It is imperative that the City take steps to provide accessibility for all park users. Accessibility, in design terms, is described by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities to participate in the mainstream of public life. To do so, the ADA sets requirements for facilities to prevent physical barriers that keep people with disabilities from participating. When recreational facilities are built or altered, they must comply with the ADA standards by providing an accessible route to the area of use and spectator areas. With regards to complying with ADA, the following standards and guidelines must be taken into consideration: • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title II Requirement for Public Facilities, www.access-board.gov • Americans with Disabilities Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities, Play Areas, Finale Rule, www. access-board.gov - establishes requirements for playground equipment accessibility. • Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board’s “Regulatory Negotiation Committee on Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas”, September 1999, www.access-board.gov sets minimum requirements for accessible trails, access routes, resting opportunities, benches, utility connections, and trash receptacles.

2010 Standards for Accessible Design • Portions of 2010 Standards that are highly relevant to park design: • • • • • • •

Accessible Routes (Chapter 4) Parking spaces (Sections 208 and 502) Play Fields and Courts (Sections 204.1, 206.7.9, 221.2.1.4, 221.2.3, 302.1, and 303.1). Fishing Piers and Platforms (Sections 237 and 1005) Play Areas (Sections 240 and 1008) Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, and Spas (Sections 242 and 1009). Fixed Picnic Tables (Sections 226 and 902)

Accessible Routes All accessible features must be connected by an Accessible Route. Requirements: • Less than 2% cross slope. • Less than 5% grade running slope, unless ramped. • If running slope grade exceeds 5%, must be ramped. Vertical changes in level can be no more than ¼”. Stairs do not meet this requirement and cannot be part of an accessible route. • Surface must be Firm, Stable, and Slip-resistant. Width: DCNR requires a 5’- 0” minimum accessible route width to allow for two-way travel and passing. This is wider than the width required under the 2010 Standards. Accessible Parking Accessible Parking spots must be adjacent to an Accessible Route. All accessible elements must be connected to accessible parking by an accessible route. • • • •

Paving required in parks, not at trailheads. Clearly marked with correct signage. Car spaces should be at least 96” wide. Van spaces should be at least 132” wide and next to a 60” wide access aisle. • Access aisle should adjoin an Accessible Route. • Required number of accessible spots depends on the total number of spaces in the facility. • Fine amounts should be posted under the accessible parking sign Accessible Routes to Areas of Sport Activities • All Areas of Sport Activity must be connected to accessible parking by an Accessible Route. • The Accessible Route should connect to the border of each Area of Sport Activities. • Dugouts and player seating areas must offer accessible spaces that are located along an Accessible Route. • All Areas of Sport Activity must be connected to accessible parking by an Accessible Route. • The Accessible Route should connect to the border of each Area of Sport Activities. • Dugouts and player seating areas must offer accessible spaces that are located along an Accessible Route. • Surfaces of Areas of Sport Activities are not required to comply with 2010 Standards.

Play Areas Public playgrounds must have an accessible route to the play area. • Preferably 60” wide, max. running slope of 1:20 and max. cross slope of 1:48. • The route to the play area is an accessible route if: Min. width is 36” and max. slope is 1:12. • Any running slope over 1:20 or 5% is treated as a ramp with handrails and landings.

Within the play area, the safety surfacing must comply with ASTM F 1292-99 or -04 Standard when located within the use zone for proper impact attenuation. All accessible routes within the play area, clear floor or ground spaces at play components are required to be accessible and turning spaces must comply with ASTM 1951-99 Standard . • • • •

ASTM Certified Safety Surfacing is required: cannot use garden mulch. Raised borders: flush borders are required for DCNR funded projects, to reduce trip hazards. The size of your project will determine the number of elements that are required to be accessible. Within the play area, the accessible route must be at least 60” wide, with a max. running slope of 1:16, a max. cross slope of 1:48 and a min. of 80” overhead clearance. • For small play areas of less than 1000 sq. ft. in total size, the accessible route must be at least 44” wide, with a max. running slope of 1:16, a max. cross slope of 1:48 and a min. of 80” overhead clearance. Composite play structures that include a transfer system as a means of access must meet the following criteria: • • • •

Transfer platform height must be between 11” – 18” with clear min. width of 24” and depth of 14” Transfer steps are max. of 8” high and include handholds to aid movement Min. 30” x 48” transfer space must be provided adjacent to the transfer platform The 48” long min. dimension of the transfer space shall be centered on and parallel to the 24” long min. side of the transfer platform • The side of the transfer platform serving the transfer space shall be unobstructed Composite play structures that include ramps that connect elevated play components as a means of access must meet the following criteria: • Elevated ramps must be at least 36” wide, max. running slope of 1:12 and max. length of 144” (12’) before providing a landing • Elevated ramps must include handrails on both sides meeting hand gripping criteria and with a height between 20” – 28” • Elevated ramps with handrails, barriers beyond the ramp edge and barriers not extending within 1” of the ramp surface must have edge curbs at least 2” high for the entire ramp length. No handrail extensions are required. • When elevated ramps change in direction a 60” x 60” min. level landing must be provided at both the top and bottom of each run • Elevated ramps and accessible platforms attached at ramp levels shall have no openings on the surface greater than ½” and vertical change in level less than ¼” or up to ½” with a 2:1 beveled edge • Wheelchair-accessible platforms require guardrails or barriers • Openings for access/egress play components shall be narrowed to 15” or less • Advisory Reach ranges for accessible manipulative and interactive sensory and communicative components must have reach range heights between: 1. 16” - 44” for 9 - 12-year olds 2. 18” - 40” for 5 – 8-year olds and 3. 20” – 36” for 3 – 4-year old user age groups • Ground level upper body equipment intended for use by a person using a mobility device must be less than 54” above protective surfacing.

Ground Level Play Components • Ground level play tables and components for users over 5 years old must have a min. vertical knee clearance of at least 24” high, a min. depth of at least 17” deep and a min. width of at least 30” . • The max. top playing surface of a ground level playing component shall not exceed 31”. Composite Play Structures • Composite play structures must have elevated accessible routes by ramp and/or transfer systems to connect at least 50% of the elevated play components • Large composite play structures with more than 20 elevated play components must have at least 25% of the elevated play components connected by elevated ramps • Play areas must have the min. number of accessible play components and types on the accessible routes per the following criteria: • Remember it is one of each type at ground level and 50% elevated that must be accessible • The trigger to use the table is for Additional Number and Types • Where elevated play components are provided, ground level play components shall be provided in accordance with the Table 240.2.1.2 and shall comply with 1008.4 (Play Components) Benches Near Play Areas • Must provide a “bump-out” space next to the bench. Space must be: firm, stable, and slip-resistant. • No smaller than 30” by 48”. • Oriented to allow a person in a wheelchair to face the same direction as people using the bench. • Without any overlap with the accessible route. Fixed Picnic Tables • The 2010 Standards only apply to picnic tables that are fixed in place. • 5% of spaces at fixed picnic tables must be accessible. • Tabletops must be between 28 and 32 inches high. • Must provide knee and toe clearance and clear floor space at accessible spots. See 2010 Standards, Sections 305, 305, and 902.

Draft Final Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas Where the 2010 Standards are not applicable, the Draft Outdoor Guidelines may provide guidance on achieving accessibility. • • • • •

Outdoor Recreation Access Route (Section 1016) Outdoor Constructed Features (Section 1011) Picnic Facilities (Section F 245) Viewing Areas (Sections F246 and 1015) Trails (Sections F247 and 1017)

Outdoor Recreation Access Route vs. Accessible Route • Accessible Routes apply to facilities covered by the 2010 Standards. • Outdoor Recreation Access Routes apply to facilities covered by the Draft Outdoor Guidelines. • Running slope grades may be as steep as 10% for short segments. • Surfaces must be “Firm and Stable” but are not required to be “Slip-resistant.” • Obstacles may be higher than ¼”, although stairs are still non-compliant. Outdoor Constructed Features Outdoor constructed features consist of: • • • • • • • •

Picnic tables Fire rings, grills, fireplaces, and wood stoves Trash and recycling receptacles Water hydrants Utility and sewage hookups Outdoor rinsing showers Benches Telescopes and periscopes

How many of each type of feature must be accessible? - All features that are located in an accessible camping unit or picnic unit. - For common-use features, the required number of accessible units will depend on the total features provided.

Constructed features must have clear ground space: • Space for wheelchair users to approach and use accessible features. • Must be level, firm, and stable. • Must provide adequate clearance. • Specific guidelines located in Sections 305 and 306. Picnic Units A Picnic Facility is made up of Picnic Units. A picnic unit in which the following, if provided, are accessible: • Outdoor Constructed Features. • Parking Spaces. • Accessible Picnic Units 1. Facilities with 2 or less Picnic Units: All Picnic Units should be accessible. 2. Facilities with more than two Picnic Units: At least 20%, but no less than 2, picnic facilities should be accessible.

Trails Distinctions between Trails, Outdoor Recreation Access Routes, and Accessible Routes • A trail is used primarily for recreational purposes. • Accessible Routes and ORARs are used primarily to connect elements, spaces or facilities within a site. • Trails are held to less stringent standard than Accessible Routes.

Allowable Running Slope of Trail But not Steeper Than

Maximum Length

1:20

1:12

200 feet

1:12

1:10

30 feet

1:10

1:08

10 feet

Steeper Than

Trail signs, where provided, should include: • • • • •

Length of the trail or trail segment Surface type Typical and minimum tread width Typical and maximum running slope and Typical and maximum cross slope

Viewing Area Guidelines • Clear ground space on Outdoor Recreation Access Route. • Unobstructed view between 32 and 48 inches above clear ground space. • Slope no steeper than 1:33 or 1:48 for asphalt, concrete and boards. • Firm and Stable Surface. • Turning space.

Conditions for Departure and Exceptions from the Draft Final Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas Compliance will not always result in facilities accessible to all persons with disabilities. Therefore the guidelines recognize this by providing four conditions for departures from the required technical provisions. The Access Board permits departures from certain technical provisions where at least one of four conditions is present for trails, picnic and camping facilities, and beaches.

The four conditions that permit departures from specific technical provisions include: 1. Where compliance would cause substantial harm to cultural, historic, religious, or significant natural features or characteristics. 2. Where compliance would substantially alter the nature of the setting, the purpose of the facility, or portion of the facility. 3. Where compliance would require construction methods or materials that are prohibited by federal, state, or local regulations or statutes. 4. Where compliance would not be feasible due to terrain or prevailing construction practices.

Playground Standards and Guidelines • Consumer Product Safety Commission’s “Handbook for Public Playground Safety” – establishes recommendations for equipment, use zones, and protective safety surfacing.. • American Society of Testing Materials “Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Public Playground Safety” (ASTM F 1487) - establishes access route, equipment, use zone, and protective safety surfacing requirements. • American Society of Testing Materials “Standard Specification for Determination of Accessibility of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment” (ASTM F 1951) - defines minimum requirements for accessible protective surfacing materials. • American Society of Testing Materials “Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment” (ASTM F 1292) - defines minimum requirements for impact attenuation of protective surfacing materials.

Recreation, Athletic, & Sports Facility Standards • Additionally, facilities should comply with specific standards established for their respective activity. Sports facility standards that must be understood in order to properly locate the facilities being considered in this study include: • National Recreation and Park Association’s “Facility Development Standards” – establishes facility dimensions, orientation, and slope requirements. • National Federation of State High School Associations - establishes guidelines for courts and fields for high school athletic competitions.

Baseball T-Ball USA, www.teeballusa.org Little League, Inc, www.littleleague.org Babe Ruth League, Inc., baberuthleague.org Pony League Baseball and Softball, Inc., www.pony.org American Legion Baseball, www.baseball.legion.org Amateur Athletics Union of the United States, Inc., www.aausports.org

Softball Amateur Softball Association, www.softball.oeg American Fastpitch Association, www.afasoftball.org National Softball Association, www.playnsa.com Amateur Athletics Union of the United States, Inc., www.aausports.org

USA Volleyball www.volleyball.org - establishes court dimensions and requirements.

National Horseshoe Pitchers Association of America www.horseshoepitching.com Taking into consideration the above standards and guidelines, as well as the Consultant’s previous experience, the following facility development recommendations were developed for the park.

Playground • • • • • • • • •

Size varies 2-5 year area with age-appropriate structure and spring rocker area 5-12 year area with age-appropriate structure Minimum two-bay swing structure with both toddler and standard swings Synthetic protective surfacing throughout play areas in equipment use zones Small shelter in case of inclement weather Minimum two-bay swing structure with both toddler and belt seats Adequate landscaping to provide shade, especially on the south and west sides Fence entire perimeter of playground area, leaving only one entrance for safety

Volleyball Court • • • • •

59’ x 29’-9” in size, with a 9’-10” fee zone on all sides North / south orientation Maximum 2% slope; minimum 1.5% slope for drainage Minimum of 12” sand, or lawn free from holes, puddles and uneven ground Adequate landscaping for shade, especially on the south and west sides

Basketball Courts • • • • • • •

60’ x 90’ in size, with a 15’’ minimum buffer on all sides Orientation: north / south goal to goal Maximum 2% slope; minimum 1.5% slope for drainage Bituminous surfacing Fence perimeter for safety Adequate landscaping for shade, especially on the south and west sides Can be combined with other court games such as deck hockey with additional linestriping

Ballfield • The baseball playing field is defined by a number of different bodies, including Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSH), American Legion Baseball, Pony Baseball and Softball, Inc., Babe Ruth League, Inc., T-Ball USA and Little League, Inc. Therefore, there are standard field sizes that are to virtually every level and/or age of player. • Dimensions noted in the tables correspond to diagram. • Size varies depending on league, ranges from foul line distances of between 200’ and 350’ • Home Plate to Second base North to Northeast, never west • Maximum 2% slope; minimum 1.5% slope for drainage • Provide adequate buffer between field and adjacent uses and parking areas • Provide accessible spectator seating area

Shared Use Path • Minimum 10’ wide. • Crushed limestone or bituminous surface. • 5% maximum sustained grade

Hiking Trails • 5’ width • Maximum 10% slope, located and graded in such a manner as to minimize disturbance and erosion • Crushed limestone surfacing • Rest areas with benches approximately every 300’ • Located in areas of mature wood stand to optimize user experience

Accessible Trails and Boardwalks • • • •

6’ minimum width; 10’ maximum width Maximum 5% slope Surface firm and stable Rest areas with benches approximately every 300’

Shelters • • • • • • •

Size varies, for planning purposes the following were considered: Small Shelter, 28’ x 20’, capaCity 32 persons Medium Shelter, 44’ x 30’, capaCity 72 persons Large Shelter, 68’ x 40’, capaCity 160 persons Maximum 5% slope for accessibility Concrete Pad Electrical service and / or grills at larger-sized shelters; picnic tables and trash receptacles at each shelter • Adequate landscaping for shade, especially on the south and west sides

Horseshoe Courts • 10’ x 50’ in size, with a 5’ minimum buffer at each side and a 10’ minimum buffer at each end • Orientation: north / south peg to peg • Maximum 2% slope; minimum 1.5% slope for drainage • Both end pegs should have identical elevations • Located in conjunction with a shelter to maximize use • Adequate landscaping for shade, especially on the south and west sides

Restrooms • • • • •

Size varies depending on number of facilities served Maximum 5% slope for accessibility Concrete Pad Drinking Fountain Dumpster pad with fence and landscaping to screen from park users

Amphitheater • Open-air stage • Grass seating area with stone terraces • Accessible paths

Riparian Buffer • 20’ width minimum from top of slope • Variety of native trees, shrubs, and perennials • Widened stream banks

Roadways • • • • •

12’ cartway – one-way 20’ cartway – two-way 10% maximum slope; 1% minimum slope for drainage Bituminous surfacing without curbs Security lights - a minimum amount of lighting to provide visibility into the park during night-time hours for safety reasons.

Parking • • • • • • • •

9’x 20’ parking stalls 22’ access aisles (if 90°, perpendicular parking; less if angled parking) 10’ wide terminal islands at both ends of each row of parking 10’ wide internal landscape islands 9’ wide accessible stalls with 5’ wide accessible aisle (maximum 2% slope) 9’ wide accessible van stalls with 8’ wide accessible aisle (maximum 2% slope) Pervious bituminous surfacing or pervious pavers without curbs Wheel stops

Adjacencies In addition to the above requirements, thought must be given to the appropriateness of facilities being in proximity to one another. Ideally, it is most desirable to locate facilities adjacent to one another only when they have minimal impact on the other. For example, a playground should not be placed adjacent to a basketball court. An example of an appropriate adjacency is a basketball court and a tennis court. Each use serves similar user groups, and both are active facility uses. During the preparation of the alternative concepts and the master plan, the consultant will locate the facilities while taking into consideration the issues of adjacencies.

Parking Considerations Parking must be considered for almost every park and recreation facility. It would not be feasible to provide parking required for peak use events, such as July 4th festivities, or other large public gatherings. The City would be investing substantial funds in capital improvements that would only be utilized a few times each year. Excess parking facilities occupies space that could have been available for the development of other recreational facilities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Proper sizingâ&#x20AC;? of parking also minimizes impervious surface and reduces storm run-off. Parking Standards for this study were estimated using standards from Pashek Associatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; prior experience with similar projects. Parking spaces should be provided to accommodate 60% of the peak use (highest possible use rate by players and spectators) for all facilities, existing and proposed. This number is the daily use, and parking standards for this study were figured from the daily use rate assuming 2.5 persons per car. Parking for some facilities may vary from this formula as users may arrive with a higher frequency. Ideally, parking should accommodate average daily use while providing opportunity for overflow parking to meet peak use event needs. To determine the parking requirements for the park, the consultant recommends the parking considerations for each facility to determine the number of parking spaces required in the park.

Facility Ballfield Basketball Court Volleyball Court Trails/Shared Use Path Large Shelter Medium Shelter Small Shelter

Recommended No. of Parking Spaces 35 12 8 Varies 55 24 11

Bleacher Safety – Consumer Product Safety Commission Bleachers are used for viewing sporting events, graduations, parades and many other activities. Unfortunately, each year thousands of people, many of them young children, are seriously injured in falls from bleachers. Bleachers should be as safe as possible. The CPSC created guidelines for evaluating bleachers to help identify and eliminate those features that present a fall hazard. This guideline is CPSC Publication 330, “Guidelines for Retrofitting Bleachers.” Bleachers are recommended to meet the following criteria: • Guardrails should be present on the backs and portions of the open ends of bleachers where the footboard, seat board, or aisle is 30 inches or more above the floor or ground below. • Bleachers with the top row nominally 30 inches above the ground may be exempt from this recommendation. • The top surface of the guardrail should be at least 42 inches above the leading edge of the footboard, seat board, or aisle, whichever is adjacent. When bleachers are used adjacent to a wall that is at least as high as the recommended guardrail height, the guardrail is not necessary if a 4-inch diameter sphere fails to pass between the bleachers and the wall. • Any opening between components of the guardrail or under the guardrail should prevent passage of a 4-inch sphere. • To discourage climbing on guardrails, guardrails should be designed in one of three ways: 1. Use only vertical members as in-fill between the top and bottom rails. 2. If there are openings in the in-fill that could provide a foothold for climbing, the widest measurement of the opening where the foot could rest should be limited to a maximum of 1.75 inches. Opening patterns that provide a ladder effect should be avoided. 3. Where visibility would not be significantly impaired, use solid members.

Park Sustainability Guidelines The Master Plan strives to include sustainable design in creating the vision for the park. A sustainable park is one where the natural resources are protected, where wildlife habitat is improved, and when human recreation uses and maintenance practices do not conflict with the environment, but instead enhance them. Benefits of sustainable parks include: • Economic: Natural vegetation and plantings with native species provide stormwater and flood control by absorbing and storing stormwater runoff and pollutants. Such a reduction in runoff may prevent flooding, property damage, erosion, and habitat loss. • Environmental: Integrating parks with streamside corridors, wetlands, forested areas, and other open spaces will increase its ecological value over time. According to the U.S. Forest Service, one tree can generate $31,250 worth of oxygen, provide $62,000 worth of pollution control, recycle $37,500 worth of water, and control $31,250 worth of soil erosion over a fifty year lifespan. • Health and Safety: Researchers from the University of Illinois have discovered that time spent in nature relieves mental fatigue and related feelings of violence and aggression. They have found the more diverse and rich an environment is in natural resources, the higher the learning opportunities are for children.

Green Principles for Park Development and Sustainability DCNR is promoting a set of principles to help communities develop practical projects that conserve resources, generate economic and environmental benefits, and become healthier more sustainable places to live. More information can be found at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/indexgreen.aspx. The following are the five basic principles: • • • • •

Principle #1: Maintain and Enhance Trees and Natural Landscaping Principle #2: Connect People to Nature Principle #3: Manage Stormwater Naturally Principle #4: Conserve Energy Principle #5: Integrate Green Design and Construction

“Creating Sustainable Community Parks, A Guide to Improving Quality of Life by Protecting Natural Resources”, published by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) in 2007, provides valuable recommendations regarding how to implement sustainable practices into design, maintenance, and operations of parks across the Commonwealth. The guide can be obtained from www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/ GreeningPennsylvania.pdf These practices are based on the following principals: • Retain as much of the pre-existing landscape as possible during new construction, including the soil, rocks, native vegetation, wetlands, and contours. This will minimize disturbances, which can open up an area to invasive species. It can also keep costs down, as fewer new plants, soil amendments, and habitat enhancements will be needed. • Maintain high quality soils that will hold water and supply plants with proper nutrients. During construction, leave as much existing topsoil as possible. When new soil is brought in, ensure that it is certified weed free, in order to prevent the spread of new invasive species. Using compost and other natural products for mulch and fertilizer will help enhance the soil and feed the native plants. Good quality soil will reduce the need for fertilizers and supplemental watering. • Connect new landscape components with the surrounding native vegetation to create larger contiguous areas of habitat. Many wildlife species need large ranges to find adequate food, mates, and shelter. By reducing the amount of roads, parking lots, and turf areas, or by placing these together, habitat quality will be enhanced. • Create natural storm water management systems and other green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and swales of native grasses. These systems help to minimize downstream flooding, recharge and filter groundwater, and are more cost-effective and environmentally-sound than man-made systems of pipes and storage tanks.

• Protect wetlands from disturbance and fill. Avoid placing construction projects, day-use areas, and roads/ parking lots near or in wetlands. Natural wetlands provide many benefits to the environment that cannot easily be duplicated with man-made ones. • Use integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to minimize the use of chemical pesticides to control plant and insect pests. IPM is an ecologically-based approach to pest control that helps maintain strong and healthy plants. IPM can include the use of traps, sterile male pests, and quarantines. • Minimize impermeable surfaces like roads, parking lots, and paved trails. Consider replacing asphalt and concrete with permeable pavement, mulch paths, gravel lots, and native vegetation. Permeable surfaces help to recharge ground water, reduce erosion, lessen flooding events, and filter out pollutants. When impermeable surfaces must be used, arrange them in an area where they will not fragment habitat, make them as small in area as possible, and keep them away from water bodies. • Reduce turf to only those areas essential for recreational and other human use activities. Turf offers little habitat benefit and is not as effective as many native plants in pollution filtration, flood prevention, and erosion control. In addition, turf maintenance can have negative impacts on the surrounding environment and can require lots of mowing, watering, and fertilizing. Replace non-native turf grasses with native warm season grasses, which, once they are established, have lower maintenance needs. • Use native plants in riparian buffers around any surface water body, including wetlands. Riparian buffers help to filter pollutants before they reach water bodies, and the vegetation discourages nuisance geese from staying in the area. Roots from riparian vegetation also prevent erosion of soils into the water body and minimize flooding events. Shade from these buffers acts as a temperature control for the water body, which enhances habitat value for aquatic organisms. The food and shelter values of these buffers also enhances habitat. In addition, by selecting the right kinds of plants, the scenic views of the water bodies can be enhanced. • Identify and remove invasive plant species whenever possible. Invasive plants have a number of detrimental effects on natural habitats. Most invasive plants grow so densely and spread so rapidly that native vegetation is choked out. Opportunities for sustainable park design in the parks include permeable paving, rain gardens, native species, removing invasive species, reducing the amount of turf, expanding and restoring a riparian buffer, and promoting alternative transportation, to name a few.

Landscaping with Native Plants A native plant is one which occurred within this region before settlement by Europeans. Native plants include ferns and clubmosses; grasses, sedges and rushes; perennial and annual wildflowers; and the woody trees, shrubs, and vines which covered “Penn’s Woods” when the first settlers arrived. There are 2,100 native plant species known in Pennsylvania. An introduced or non-native plant is one that has been brought into the state and escaped cultivation to become established in the wild. At the turn of the 21st century, about 1,300 species of nonnative plants existed in Pennsylvania outside of gardens, parks and agricultural lands. That is 37 percent of Pennsylvania’s total wild plant flora. More introduced plants are identified every year.

Six Basics of Plant Conservation 1. Protect native plant communities and minimize habitat destruction The most important guideline is to conserve already existing areas of native vegetation as a whole, functioning unit. The easiest, least expensive, and best way to conserve Pennsylvania’s plant heritage is to protect existing native plant communities from further disturbance. If disturbance is necessary, strive for

minimum habitat destruction. In some cases ecological restoration may be necessary, which can include planting native species, removing invasive introduced species, controlling erosion and loosening soil compaction. 2. Landscape with native plants Native plant communities have been destroyed in many areas. Intelligent landscaping in parks, yards and campuses can help redress this loss. Well-chosen native plants can flourish in these landscapes. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)-Bureau of Forestry (BOF) recommends avoiding rare, endangered, and threatened plants and instead choosing native plant species which grow commonly throughout the state. If you do not want all natives, plant adapted introduced plants suited for the site, colorful annuals, or flowering plants that will not escape and become environmental weeds. 3. Learn more about native plants Learn what plants are native in your area. There are many field guides to wildflowers that can get you started. 4. Buy nursery-propagated native plants Most retail nurseries and mail-order catalogs now offer native plants. The more consumers request native plants, the more this supply will grow. If you want guaranteed ornamental characteristics, cultivars (named varieties) are available in some cases; for instance, A cultivar of New England Aster named ‘Purple Dome’, was selected for shorter height and showier flowers. Cultivars should be predictable in attributes like height, color, blooming period, or absence of seed pods/thorns--qualities many gardeners want. If your goal is genetic diversity, however, ask for straight species, not cultivars, grown from local seed sources. Plants grown from seed have much more variety than cloned cultivars. 5. Do not remove native plants from the wild Taking native plants from the wild depletes native populations. Also, many wild-collected plants do not survive transplanting. Prevent wild-collecting of plants by making sure that plants you buy are propagated at a nursery, or by starting plants yourself from a local seed supply. Before you collect seed always obtain the property owner’s permission. 6. Practice responsible landscaping techniques The first rule of responsible landscaping is to plant the right plants in the right environment: never introduce invasive plants to your landscape that will aggressively spread off your property and invade native plant communities. They can drastically alter ecosystems and give you and your neighbors maintenance headaches for years to come. When landscaping with native plants it is important to choose plants that will grow well at the site: wet or dry, shade or sun, acid or neutral soil. A good trick is to notice which native plants are thriving nearby, and to use those clues to guide plant selection. Other information can be found from plant nurseries, catalogs, books, or the Internet. For soil fertility, compost and mulch of leaves or grass clippings provide slow release nutrients. Chemical fertilizers often provide too many nutrients too quickly for native plants, and this flush of nutrients gives weeds a competitive edge. Proper site preparation begins with a soil test before applying fertilizer. Try organic pest control. Keep the soil covered to prevent weeds. Remove invasive plants nearby. Take out severely diseased plants, or ones with insect infestations. Many native plants attract beneficial insects which help control pests, so try creating habitat for “good bugs.”

For more information on native plants, and to review native plants that may be appropriate for a specific area, visit http://dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/plants/nativeplants. Some sources for native plant material in Pennsylvania can be found by visiting www.plantnative.org/nd_patova. htm.

Native Meadows Many areas within a park do not have to be mowed. Mowing requires a commitment of valuable resources including manpower, equipment and fuel. To reduce the burden on these resources we recommend establishing and maintaining native meadows outside of athletic fields, around the perimeter of activity areas. The non-mowed meadow grasses should be selected in consultation with a horticulturist. Ernst Conservation Seeds, Meadville, PA, www.ernstseed.com, specializes in seeds for non-mowed meadow grasses. Although it is the design intent that the meadow will be chemical free, mixes can be specified that allow one to treat the meadow with the herbicide Stinger in order to address large infestations of weeds within the meadow. Stinger is effective at eradicating common nuisance weeds such as clover, thistle, crownvetch, dandelion, ragweed, plantain, and goldenrod, to name a few.

Description of Alternative Concept Plans Based on the inventory and analysis and public input process, three concept plans were developed for areas within Cascade Park, three concept plans for Gaston Park, and one concept plan for Deshon Park. The conceptual plans reflect the input received from City representatives and the project’s steering committee, the public, and professional input from Pashek Associates staff members. These concept plans prepared to express overall ideas, and do not consist of a final design for the park. The concepts were developed to respond to the steering committee’s desire to rehabilitate and continued development with Cascade, Deshon, and Gaston Parks in a manner that continues to meet the recreation needs of the City’s residents while retaining the parks’ ability to host a variety of multi-functional events and uses for the community.

Cascade Park Cascade Park’s vibrant and charismatic history is a source of pride and nostalgia for many of those who have lived near or spent time in the park during its heyday. Numerous remnants of the past can still be found throughout the park, from relatively well preserved historic features such as the entrance arch, dance pavilion, and train station to subtle ruins that allow guests to interpolate the old paths of roller coasters and amusement park features. Some historic aspects of the park have survived for decades but now risk falling into disrepair and ruin – the Carrousel House being of key concern in this regard. Numerous reoccurring events also utilize Cascade Park year-round. Back to the 50’s, Cascade of Lights, Fit Fest, and weddings all make Cascade Park a valuable asset to the City. However, the park also faces numerous challenges. Ever since the amusement park closed in the 1980’s, vandalism has begun to increase throughout the park, resulting in the locking of all public restrooms both day and night. The lack of available restrooms has reduced the number of visitors to the park, which in turn has encouraged further misconduct within the park. The master plan for Cascade Park must ensure that basic community needs are met within the park, encourage existing and future events, and preserve the area’s unique history. Three key areas have been identified within Cascade Park for conceptual development: the northeastern parking lot/ entrance, the former pool area, and the former lake area. Three variations were developed for each of these areas.

Main Entrance / Parking Lot The existing main entrance is found at the northeast corner of the park off of Frank Ave at the intersection with Route 65. Cascade Blvd. also connects to Route 65 just south of the parking lot. The current design lacks a distinct sense of arrival and is a source of potential confusion. The existing parking lot is expansive, and is sloped steeply near the northern entrance. A large, historic, metal arch extends over the current entrance from Frank Ave. It is in relatively good condition structurally, but its paint is worn. The following concepts aim to develop a strong sense of arrival, provide some mitigation of stormwater runoff from the parking lot, and create a visually intriguing space to draw attention from passerby. Concept A • • • • •

Low cost range – minimum variance from existing Small entrance plaza around historic ticket booth Majority of parking retained Steepest section of parking lot converted to overflow parking only (permeable pavers or turf) Cascade Blvd. is fully maintained as a two way street o Original intersection shifted north on Route 65 across from existing S. Cascade St. intersection. o Two access points to parking lot from extended Cascade Blvd. o Original parking lot entrance removed • Historic arch over original entrance maintained/restored

Concept B United Way has expressed interest in leasing land from the City of New Castle to restore a former pool on site. Concept B offers recommendation to rebuild the pool and/or spray park on the southern half of the parking lot instead of on the former location. This would make the pool/spray park more visible and accessible, which increases public interest and reduces potential vandalism. • High cost range – suggested pool placement for United Way or the Y • Pool, spray park, and pool house moved to front parking lot o Pool no more than 6’ deep o Visible from street and easy to patrol o Multi-purpose room in pool house • Historic entrance gate moved from original location to front (northern end) of proposed entrance plaza o East side entrance = pool and park (paid) o West side entrance = park only (free) o Vegetated buffers low enough for pool and spray park to be seen from Route 65 • Loss of approximate 50% of original parking lot • Parking lot access from Frank Ave. – original entrance removed • Cascade Blvd. entrance removed • Vehicle access from parking lot into park maintained as one way – Cascade Blvd. loop within park also converted to one way • Historic arch over original entrance maintained/restored

Concept C • Mid cost range • Majority of parking maintained • Southern end of parking lot converted into an entrance plaza o Historic entrance gate moved from original location to front (northern end) of proposed entrance plaza o Fountain or spray feature o Planting beds and/or vegetative buffer around plaza • Parking lot entrance from Frank Ave. – original entrance removed • Cascade Blvd. entrance removed • Vehicle access from parking lot into park maintained as one way – Cascade Blvd. loop within park also converted to one way

Former Pool Area During the heyday of Cascade Park, a public pool was constructed in the center of the park. This area included a pool with a diving well, a small child’s pool, a small toddler pool, a bathhouse, and a small parking lot. With the decline of the park the pool was closed, and has remained abandoned for over a decade. Significant restoration would be required to restore the pool and the bathhouse. An estimated $1,000,000 would be needed to rebuild the main pool alone, excluding any costs needed to restore the failing bathhouse, to repair the broken water main or to cover annual upkeep fees. Its location is also secluded from the rest of the park, increasing the likelihood of the area experiencing vandalism. These concepts display a range of options, both considering if United Way still wishes to proceed with restoring the pool at this location, as well as if no pool or spray park is rebuilt. Concept A • • • •

Original pool restored Original pool building restored Approximately 50% of parking converted to spray park feature Parking accessed from north

Concept B • • • • • •

Pool removed Pool building rebuilt with new orientation Original parking completely converted to spray park Spray park incorporates natural elements of site Parking relocated to rear of pool house Parking accessed from east

Concept C • Original and pool and kiddy pools filled and planted with turf – pool elements and surrounding sidewalk remaining • Pool house removed o Foot print planted with turf and outlined in distinct pavers • Approximately half of existing parking lot converted to natural playground o Playground incorporates site’s natural elements (boulders) • Parking accessed from north

Former Lake Area Another feature of Cascade Park during its peak was a small lake created by damming Big Run, which was used for fishing and boating. The dam cracked and was eventually partially demolished, restoring the historic flow of Big Run and replacing the lake with a grassy, emergent wetland. Support for restoring the lake largely focuses on stormwater management, with hopes that the lake will slow runoff and reduce downstream flooding. However, this would be more likely to create increased water volumes unless the lake was kept significantly lower than the height of the dam at all times. A stormwater wetland detention basin would hold a significant amount of runoff, slow the veloCity of water, and also provide valuable wetland habitat. The Army Corps of Engineers has also begun a study of the flow of water in this area. The following concepts explore passive recreation possibilities within a stormwater wetland detention basin. Concept A • Large boardwalk loop through emergent wetland and forest wetland o Crosses Big Run parallel to old historic dam ruins and again to the north • Completely restored riparian buffer • Maintained emergent wetland • North/south trail connecting boardwalk to old pool area • 0.28 miles of trail • 700 ft. of boardwalk • Two bridges Concept B • • • •

Small boardwalk loop with overlook near Big Run Maintained emergent wetland Completely restored riparian buffer North/south trail from old pool location along ridge o Two over looks o Switchback path down to historic dam ruins o Terminates at historic dam ruins (no bridge) • 0.32 miles of trail • 350 ft. boardwalk • No bridges

Concept C • Medium boardwalk loop through emergent wetland o Overlook to Big Run with seating • West trails extended out to historic dam ruins o Bridge over Big Run parallel to dam o Trail follows switchback up eastern ridge to the north o Trailhead at old pool area o Overlooks at key points • Paved trail added around existing gazebo o Seating area/overlook of Big Run • Restored riparian buffer along Big Run (except near overlooks) • Maintained emergent wetlands • 0.35 miles of new trail • 600 ft. boardwalk • One bridge

Other areas within the park: Historic Buildings • The Dance Pavilion and the Carrousel House are both eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It is recommended that these buildings be registered and applications for funding be submitted to aid in restoration and stabilization of the Carrousel House • Historic colors of Cascade Park have been noted as white and green (excluding the Carrousel House). Any historic restoration should follow this color scheme when possible Cascade Blvd. • The road through the park should remain accessible during park hours • It is highly recommended to close the access to Route 65 and establish a one-way loop through the park accessible from the parking lot Maintenance Building/Cascades • Screen as much of the service parking area as possible • Provide a seating area and a clear view near the cascade falls Overlooks • Maintain over growth in key overlook areas • Reduce shrubby growth around Train Station and memorial areas Augmented Reality • Development of smartphone feature similar to existing app that allows viewers to see an object through their phone as if it was in front of them. This would allow guests to see historic photos through their phones in the location they were taken.

Cascade Park Concept A Parking Analysis New Castle Parks Master Plan Facility

Person/Vehicle Peak Use # of Spaces Main Entrance Parking Lot 3 267 3 40 2 12 2.5 24 2 12

Existing Dance Hall Existing Carousel House Existing Bocce Courts Existing Playground (2) Existing Horseshoe/ Corn Hole Courts (4) Existing Small Pavilion 3 Existing Medium 3 Pavilions (6) Existing Large Pavilion 3 Existing Train Station 3 Shelter Existing Pole Building 1.5 Dog Park 1.5 Main Entrance Total Spaces Required Main Entrance Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency

Daily Use 60% of Peak 160 24 7 15 7

11 144

7 87

54 27

32 16

10 14

6 5 366 180 -186

1.5 1.5 2.5

4 6 184

3 4 110

Former Pool Area Existing Medium Pavilions (2) Existing Overlook Existing Gazebos (2) Restored Pool and Spray Features Former Pool Area Spaces Required Former Pool Area Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency

146 50 -96

Total Spaces Required 512 Total Spaces Available 230 Surplus/Deficiency -282 NOTE: This parking analysis does not account for on-street parking, parking that may be available in adjacent lots, or those that will walk to the park.

Cascade Park â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Concept A Opportunities Majority of parking spaces preserved

Constraints Pool not readily visible â&#x20AC;&#x201C; marketing and security issues Large amounts of impermeable surface Increased car speed and traffic reduces pedestrian safety Increased expenses for pool Higher cost for multiple pedestrian bridges across Big Run

Reduced cost for entrance modifications Vehicle access not restricted Expansive boardwalk Public pool and spray features available to membership guests

Wayfinding Signage

Removed Entrance Relocated Historic Entrance Arch Dog Park

Relocated Entrance Overflow Parking

Entrance Sign Parking

Forest

Entrance Plaza Tree Lined Drive

Removed Entrance Existing Structures Maintained Park Loop Two-way Existing Structures Maintained

Parking Spray Area Pool

Existing Hiking Trails

Falls Wayfinding Signage

Bathhouse

Forest

Forested Wetland

Unpaved HIking Trail

Wetland

Boardwalk

Pedestrian Bridge

Wetland

Pedestrian Bridge

Cascade Park - Concept A

Cascade Park Concept B Parking Analysis New Castle Parks Master Plan Facility

Person/Vehicle Peak Use # of Spaces Main Entrance Parking Lot 3 267 3 40 2 12 2.5 24 2 12

Existing Dance Hall Existing Carousel House Existing Bocce Courts Existing Playground (2) Existing Horseshoe/ Corn Hole Courts (4) Existing Small Pavilion 3 Existing Medium 3 Pavilions (6) Existing Large Pavilion 3 Existing Train Station 3 Shelter Existing Pole Building 1.5 Dog Park 1.5 Restored Pool 2.5 Main Entrance Total Spaces Required Main Entrance Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency

Daily Use 60% of Peak 160 24 7 15 7

11 144

7 87

54 27

32 16

10 14 92

6 5 55 421 128 -293

1.5 1.5 2.5

4 6 25

3 4 15 51 65 10

Former Pool Area Existing Medium Pavilions (2) Existing Overlook Existing Gazebos (2) Spray Park Former Pool Area Spaces Required Former Pool Area Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency

Total Spaces Required 472 Total Spaces Available 193 Surplus/Deficiency -279 NOTE: This parking analysis does not account for on-street parking, parking that may be available in adjacent lots, or those that will walk to the park.

Cascade Park â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Concept B Opportunities Pool and Spray parks available to membership guests Pool visible from main roadways

Constraints Increased costs to relocate pool Increased cost to maintain pool and spray park Trail dead ends instead of crossing Big Run Significantly reduced parking

Wayfinding Signage

Relocated Entrance

Wayfinding Signage

Removed Entrance Relocated Historic Entrance Arch

Dog Park Relocated Historic Entrance Gate

Parking

Bathhouse Spray Area Forest Tree Lined Drive

Pool

Removed Entrance Existing Structures Maintained Park Loop One-way Existing Structures Maintained

Spray Area Bathhouse Existing Hiking Trails

Falls

Parking

Wayfinding Signage

Forest

Unpaved HIking Trail

Forested Wetland

Wetland

Overlook Overlook

Boardwalk

Overlook

Cascade Park - Concept B

Cascade Park Concept C Parking Analysis New Castle Parks Master Plan Facility

Person/Vehicle Peak Use # of Spaces Main Entrance Parking Lot 3 267 3 40 2 12 2.5 24 2 12

Daily Use 60% of Peak 160 24 7 15 7

11 144

7 87

54 27

32 16

10 14

6 5 366 140 -226

1.5 1.5 2.5

4 6 18

3 4 11 47 54 7

Former Pool Area Existing Medium Pavilions (2) Existing Overlook Existing Gazebos (2) Playground Former Pool Area Spaces Required Former Pool Area Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency

Total Spaces Required 413 Total Spaces Available 194 Surplus/Deficiency -219 NOTE: This parking analysis does not account for on-street parking, parking that may be available in adjacent lots, or those that will walk to the park.

Cascade Park â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Concept C Opportunities Constraints Defined entrance plaza to welcome guests Some loss of parking No costs associated with restoring the pool or No public pool or spray park maintaining a spray park Spray feature in entrance plaza More difficult to drive through park Former pool area retains historic connection and provides open recreation space Restricted traffic to one way increases pedestrian safety

Wayfinding Signage

Relocated Entrance

Wayfinding Signage

Removed Entrance Relocated Historic Entrance Arch

Dog Park Parking

Entrance Plaza

Forest

Relocated Historic Entrance Gates Tree Lined Drive

Removed Entrance Existing Structures Maintained Park Loop One-way Existing Structures Maintained

Parking Playground Open Rec Space

Existing Hiking Trails

Falls Wayfinding Signage

Forest

Unpaved HIking Trail

Forested Wetland

Wetland

Boardwalk Overlook

Overlook

Wetland

Pedestrian Bridge

Cascade Park - Concept C

Deshon Park Deshon Park is located between and connects Cascade and Gaston Parks, is primarily an active recreation park, and is visually divided by topography and vegetation. The higher, northeastern corner of the park is separated from the lower, southern fields by a swath of woodland. There are three soft ball fields, restrooms, a concession stand, and a deck hockey rink in the upper park. In the lower park there are two Little League fields, three softball fields, a multiple purpose (football and baseball) field, restrooms, a concession stand, a pavilion with picnic tables, a batting cage, and a playground. The north western corner of the park is entirely forested with a hiking trail that leads to Gaston Park. A small lake is located in the southwestern corner of the park, but there is currently no access to it. The primary issues of this park are aged/unsafe structures, poor drainage, three fields with incorrect orientation, and insufficient parking space. Vandalism at least is not as prevalent here as it is in Cascade Park and Gaston Park. The master plan for Deshon Park has to primarily address the issues of incorrect field orientation, equipment safety, parking, and connections between the upper and lower fields. Only one concept was developed for Deshon Park.

Field Orientation • Fields #1, 3, and 4 in the lower portion of Deshon Park are all facing NW • DCNR states that baseball and softball fields should not be oriented to the NW due to sight impairment when the sun is setting • The reorientation of these three fields could also create the opportunity to add additional parking areas

Parking • • • • • • • • • •

Each field requires an average of 30 parking spaces If games are held back to back, twice the amount of parking per field is recommended (60 parking spaces) The upper park has three fields – 90 spaces needed minimum, 180 spaces needed maximum The lower park has six fields – 180 spaces needed minimum, 360 spaces needed maximum The gravel parking lot next to the deck hockey has drainage issues and has no defined parking spaces Additional parking for the upper park can be created along Huron Ave The most potential for developing parking lots is the southeast corner of the park along Deshon Rd. Estimated number of parking spaces able to be created in the upper park: 140 Estimated number of parking spaces able to be created in the lower park: 290 Signage should be place along Phelps Way and Cascade Blvd to welcome guests to Deshon Park and Cascade Park

ADA Connections • Existing trails made ADA accessible • New ADA accessible connections from upper fields to lower fields • Paved walking path loop through lower fields connecting to playground and batting cage

Lake • ADA accessible trail can follow switchback down slope to the lake edge • Small boardwalk along water’s edge that bridges across to connect with Cascade Blvd. • Existing emergent wetland along northern edge of lake protected

Shade • There are very few existing trees throughout the fields • Trees should be planted along as many sidewalks as possible to provide shade

Deshon Park Concept Parking Analysis New Castle Parks Master Plan Facility

Person/Vehicle Peak Use # of Spaces Upper Deshon Park 2.5 149

Existing Softball Fields (3) Existing Dek Hockey 1.5 Medium Picnic Shelter 3 Small Picnic Shelter 3 Upper Deshon Park Total Spaces Required Upper Deshon Park Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency Lower Deshon Park Existing Little League 2.5 Fields (3) Existing Baseball Fields 2.5 (2) Existing Multipurpose 1.5 Field Existing Medium 3 Pavilion Existing Playground 2.5 Existing Batting Cage 2 Medium Pavilion 3 Lower Deshon Park Spaces Required Lower Deshon Park Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency

Daily Use 60% of Peak 89

12 24 11

7 15 7 118 172 54

18 2 24

11 2 15 157 371 214

Total Spaces Required 275 Total Spaces Available 529 Surplus/Deficiency 286 NOTE: This parking analysis does not account for on-street parking, parking that may be available in adjacent lots, or those that will walk to the park.

Deshon Park Concept Opportunities Ample parking can accommodate both Deshon and Cascade Parks Reoriented fields will benefit players

Constraints Significantly increased amounts of impermeable surface Added costs to reorient fields and relocate batting cage

Reoriented fields create potential for additional parking Trails connect Upper and Lower Deshon as well as Casacade and Gaston Parks Welcome signs help orient visitors ADA accessibility to all park features

Wayfinding Signage Wayfinding Signage

Existing Hiking Trail

Welcome Signs Wayfinding Signage

Wayfinding Signage Parking Upaved Hiking Trail Parking Parking

Medium Pavilion

Small Pavilion Parking

Wayfinding Signage Existing Hiking Trail

Wayfinding Signage

Upaved Hiking Trail

Wayfinding Signage

Relocated Batting Cage

Paved Trails

Service Road

Paved Trail Parking Parking Parking

Boardwalk

Reoriented Ballfield Parking

Reoriented Ballfield Reoriented Ballfield

Medium Pavilion

Welcome Signs Wayfinding Signage

Parking Parking

Parking Wayfinding Signage

Deshon Park - Concept A

Gaston Park Gaston Park is primarily a passive recreation park and is bisected by a small, stone-lined stream. The half of the park to the south of the stream is used frequently by both City residents and nonresidents. This area offers six small to medium sized pavilions, a playground, a lighted softball field, restrooms (locked at all times except during games), and a concession stand. However, only the concession stand is ADA accessible currently. Along the far edge of this side of the park is a cluster of old playground equipment that is outdated, vandalized, broken, and fails to meet safety standards. The half of the park to the north of the stream is significantly much less used than the southern half. There are seven pavilions and two tennis courts here. The pavilions are beyond repair, there are no remaining picnic tables, and one of the tennis courts has serious drainage issues. Illicit behavior is also a concern within this area of the park. A historic stone path runs from the main parking lot, across the stream over a small footbridge, and northward towards Arlington Ave. The master plan for Gaston Park must focus on preserving the used portions of the park from further vandalism. This means focusing available resources on the southern portion of the park and removing non-functional areas. Only one concept was developed for the majority of the park (two concepts were generated for the Denver Avenue section of the park).

Parking Lot The current parking lot has two entrances from Wilson Ave. This creates some confusion and fails to generate a strong sense of arrival to the park. The parking lot itself has one row of parking, but is just shy of being wide enough to allow for two rows of parking. This is severely limiting during softball games, when the largest amount of traffic to the park is generated. • • • •

Remove southern entrance Widen existing parking bay to accommodate two rows of parking Create two additional rows of parking along the existing entrance loop “Welcome to Gaston Park at Big Run Recreation Center” sign at front of entrance

Southern Pavilions and Playground • Implement security cameras on all main structures • Create paved loop that provides ADA access to all structures • Raise grade of playground base and add safety surface

Old Playground Area • Remove and allow for natural reforestation to occur to discourage illicit activity

Historic Trail and Foot Bridge • Formalize start of trail with landscape beds and signage • Maintain trail and bridges • Implement historical signs if the history is known

Northern Pavilions and Tennis Courts • Remove structures and allow for natural reforestation to occur to discourage illicit activity

Denver Avenue This street runs through the northern section of the park, connecting a number of homes to Wilson Ave. Maps show that this street also connects to Galbreath Street to the west of the park, however, this section of Denver Ave. is currently nothing more than a foot path. Parking is situated within the park along this street, allowing for easy access to the pavilions and tennis courts. But since these structures are unstable/unusable, the majority of activity here is illicit and undesirable. To reduce illicit activity, either accessibility must be entirely removed or road traffic significantly increased. Concept A • • • •

Privatize Re-establish connection to the west to Galbreath Street for homes immediately west of the park Remove section of road and parking within the park Maintain access to Wilson Ave for existing homes

Concept B • Increase traffic • Re-establish connection to the west to Galbreath Street for homes immediately west of the park, making Denver Avenue a thru street again • Remove parking along Denver Avenue within park Concept C • Maintain existing no outlet road • Remove parking

Ballfield • • • •

Replace worn bleachers with new Add barriers to bleachers failing to meet safety standards but are otherwise in good condition Ensure bleachers are ADA accessible Discuss creating a user fee for nonresident players

Gaston Park All Concepts Parking Analysis New Castle Parks Master Plan Facility Existing Softball Field Existing Small Pavilions (4) Existing Medium Pavilion Existing Large Pavilion Existing Playground Main Park Spaces Required Main Park Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency

Person/Vehicle 2.5 3

Peak Use # of Spaces Main Park 50 43

Daily Use 60% of Peak 30 26

3 2.5

54 18

32 11 114 40 -74

Northern Section of Park All Removed 0 0 Northern Section of Park Spaces Required Norther Section of Park Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency

0 0 0 0

Total Spaces Required 114 Total Spaces Available 40 Surplus/Deficiency -74 NOTE: This parking analysis does not account for on-street parking, parking that may be available in adjacent lots, or those that will walk to the park.

Gaston Park â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Concept A Opportunities Eliminates unwanted traffic through dilapidated portion of park Reduced illicit activity

Constraints Homeowners must adjust to new traffic patterns Permits to reconstruct missing portion of road needed Cost of removing existing road

Historic bridge maintained Historic trail preserved

Remove structures and reforest Access to homes from Wilson Ave. Removed Road Remove structures and reforest

No outlet sign

Formalized trailhead Wayfinding Signage

No outlet sign Restored vehichular connection of Denver Ave. Access to homes from Grimes St. ADA accessible sidewalks to all park structures and features

Double sided welcome sign Remove structures and reforest

Create second parking area Expand lower parking lot to 2-bay - approx. 2 ADA and 43 parking spaces Sign : Hiking trail to Lower Deshon Fields (south)/Arlngton Ave. (north) Remove secondary entrance Improved bleachers Wayfinding Signage

Gaston Park - Concept A

Gaston Park â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Concept B Opportunities Constraints Increases traffic and monitoring along dilapidated Permits to reconstruct missing portion of road portion of park needed Reduced illicit activity

Historic bridge maintained Historic trail preserved

Remove structures and reforest

Formalized trailhead Wayfinding Signage

Restored vehichular connection of Denver Ave. Parking lots removed along Denver Ave. - thru street only ADA accessible sidewalks to all park structures and features Double sided welcome sign Remove structures and reforest

Gaston Park - Concept B

Gaston Park â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Concept C Opportunities Reduced cost Reduced illicit activity

Constraints Cost to remove existing parking

Historic bridge maintained Historic trail preserved

Remove structures and reforest

Formalized trailhead Wayfinding Signage

Parking removed from Denver Ave. - no other changes made ADA accessible sidewalks to all park structures and features Double sided welcome sign Remove structures and reforest

Gaston Park - Concept C

Conclusion about Alternative Concept Plans The committee reviewed the three concepts and decided that the aspects which encourage connectedness and affordability would be ideal. Below are major outcomes from discussing the concepts. • Installing video cameras to reduce vandalism with Cascade Park should be a priority and needs to occur before any further improvements are made to the park • Traffic flow through Cascade Park should be maintained to prevent excess strain on the southernmost bridge in the park • The Dance Pavilion and Carousel House should be placed on the National Registry of Historic Buildings • Formalized parking lots would be welcome in Deshon Park if the road is narrowed • The current agreements with the Y should remain as they are • Trails throughout the parks should be as interconnected as possible • The northern section of Gaston Park should be allowed to become naturalized by removing all structures and parking • Denver Ave. should remain a no outlet street connected to Wilson Ave. • Signage and wayfinding should be incorporated throughout New Castle to increase awareness for nonresidents • The historic stone trail and bridge in Gaston Park should be preserved and maintained • The City of New Castle will have no part in supporting or financing a restored public pool beyond potential agreements to lease land to the Y or the United Way • An option for the pool restoration should be available for United Way, but should not be included in the primary plan • The Deshon Park lake boardwalk would generate a security issue as it would be difficult to monitor The decision whether or not United Way would attempt to restore the public pool in Cascade Park was not yet determined at this point in the process. Public opinion of restoring the public pool was split in both whether the pool should be restored at all and how the pool should be paid for were it to be restored. The City of New Castle determined that it will have no part in maintaining or funding the pool should it be restored, and will only consider leasing the land to the organization that will accept those responsibilities itself.

Draft Master Plan The Draft Master Plan was developed based on input on the Concept Plans at a committee meeting. In addition to the Draft Master Plan, an alternative Option 2 was developed to show the committee what could happen if United Way chose to proceed with restoring the public pool.

Draft Master Plan Description The Draft Master Plan has been divided up amongst the three parks, with further divisions within each park. Cascade Park has been divided into five main sections: the Main Entrance, Central Park, Pavilion Grove, Former Pool Area, and Trails/Riparian Areas. Deshon Park has been divided into three sections: Upper Deshon Park, Lower Deshon Park, and Woodland Trails. Gaston Park has been divided into four sections: the Main Entrance, Central Park, Northern Park, and Trails/Riparian Areas. Each area has a distinct character and scale that is defined by habitat and topography. The three parks are connected by a network of roads and trails, providing access to the entirety of the parks’ features.

Cascade Park Main Entrance This area has been reorganized to better accommodate the flow of traffic into and out of the park, and welcomes guests by displaying numerous park features. • • • • • • • •

Historic metal welcome arch is moved to frame the new entrance and to allow for additional parking spaces Modified and expanded parking (132 spaces + 6 ADA) Central pedestrian walkway through parking lot Entrance plaza with spray feature and/or replica waterfall of the cascades Dog park ADA access to historic pavilion ADA access ramp to Central Park Deciduous native trees

Central Park • • • • • • • •

Paved plaza with shared roadway Decorative paving connecting main historical features and exiting amenities Modified parking (7 spaces + 2 ADA) Modified traffic pattern – paved loop now one way only Historic features (Carousel House, Old Entrance Gateway, and Wishing Well restored and maintained) Bathrooms unlocked Existing playgrounds refurbished and made ADA accessible Benches

Pavilion Grove • • • •

Paved plaza ADA access to all pavilions Defined trail to foot bridge Horseshoe court fence repaired

Former Pool Area • • • • • • •

Modified parking (36 spaces + 2 ADA) Pool house demolished and pool filled in and converted to turf Paving maintained around pool and pool house outlines for historical reference Naturalistic playground incorporating existing, natural features of the site Trailhead Overlook maintained to prevent shrubby growth from obscuring views of the waterfall Benches

Trails/Riparian Areas • Existing trails maintained • New north/south trail along southeastern border of park, connecting the Former Pool Area to existing trails in the southwestern portion of the park • Overlook along new trail • Pedestrian bridge crossing Big Run parallel to historic dam ruins • Former lake area restored to emergent and forest wetland for stormwater management • Boardwalk loop with overlook • Restored riparian buffer along Big Run

Deshon Park Upper Deshon Park • • • • • • • • • •

Modified and expanded parking lots (northern lot = 48 spaces + 2 ADA, eastern lot = 88 spaces + 4 ADA) ADA accessible paths to all dug outs, amenities and bleachers Replaced bleachers to meet safety standards Pickleball courts Medium pavilion Small pavilion Native deciduous trees ADA accessible walkways connecting Upper Deshon Park to Lower Deshon Park Simplified intersection of Huron Ave. and Phelps Way Welcome sign

Lower Deshon Park • Welcome sign • Modified and expanding parking o Entrance lots = 281 spaces + 12 ADA o Playground lot = 36 spaces + 2 ADA o Western lot = 33 spaces + 2 ADA o Service lot = 16 spaces • Deshon Rd. narrowed to 20’

• • • • •

ADA accessible paths to all dugouts, parking lots, and amenities and most bleachers Reoriented baseball and Little League fields to comply with DCNR standards Relocated batting cage Replaced bleachers to meet safety standards Native deciduous trees

Woodland Trails • Directional signage • Two additional parking lots (each with 13 spaces + 1 ADA)

Gaston Park Main Entrance • • • • •

Southern entrance removed Modified and expanded parking (38 spaces + 2 ADA) Welcome sign Connected hiking trail to Deshon Park with signage Formalized trailhead for historic trail to Arlington Ave.

Central Park • • • •

ADA accessible walking path to all amenities, dugouts, and bleachers Replaced bleachers to meet safety standards Playground safety surface improved Unsafe playground equipment along western edge of park removed and area allowed to reforest

Northern Park • All structures removed • All parking removed • Area allowed to reforest

Trails/Riparian Areas • Historic trail and bridge maintained • Stream monitored and managed to prevent erosion of stream bank The following parking analysis was created to show the deficiency or surplus of parking spaces needed for the Draft Master Plan.

Cascade Park Draft Master Plan Parking Analysis New Castle Parks Master Plan Facility Existing Dance Hall Existing Carousel House Existing Bocce Courts Existing Playground (2) Existing Horseshoe/Corn Hole Courts (4) Existing Small Pavilion Existing Medium Pavilions (6) Existing Large Pavilion Existing Train Station Shelter Existing Pole Building Dog Park Main Entrance Total Spaces Required Main Entrance Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency Existing Medium Pavilions (2) Existing Overlook Existing Gazebos (2) Playground Former Pool Area Spaces Required Former Pool Area Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency

Person/Vehicle Peak Use # of Spaces Main Entrance Parking Lot 3 267 3 40 2 12 2.5 24 2 12 3 3 3 3 1.5 1.5

Former Pool Area 3 1.5 1.5 2.5

Daily Use 60% of Peak 160 24 7 15 7

11 144 54 27 10 14

7 87 32 16 6 5 366 153 -213

48 4 6 18

29 3 4 11 47 57 10

Total Spaces Required 413 Total Spaces Available 194 Surplus/Deficiency -203 NOTE: This parking analysis does not account for on-street parking, parking that may be available in adjacent lots, or those that will walk to the park.

Deshon Park Draft Master Plan Parking Analysis New Castle Parks Master Plan Facility Existing Softball Fields (3) Existing Dek Hockey Medium Picnic Shelter Small Picnic Shelter Pickleball Courts (3) Upper Deshon Park Total Spaces Required Upper Deshon Park Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency Existing Little League Fields (3) Existing Baseball Fields (2) Existing Multipurpose Field Existing Medium Pavilion Existing Playground Existing Batting Cage Medium Pavilion Lower Deshon Park Spaces Required Lower Deshon Park Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency

Person/Vehicle Peak Use # of Spaces Upper Deshon Park 2.5 149 1.5 12 3 24 3 11 1.5 8

Lower Deshon Park 2.5 2.5 1.5 3 2.5 2 3

70 99 20 24 18 2 24

Daily Use 60% of Peak 89 7 15 7 5 123 172 49 42 60 12 15 11 2 15 157 348 191

Total Spaces Required 280 Total Spaces Available 520 Surplus/Deficiency 240 NOTE: This parking analysis does not account for on-street parking, parking that may be available in adjacent lots, or those that will walk to the park.

Gaston Park Draft Master Plan Parking Analysis New Castle Parks Master Plan Facility Existing Softball Field Existing Small Pavilions (4) Existing Medium Pavilion Existing Large Pavilion Existing Playground Main Park Spaces Required Main Park Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency

Person/Vehicle Main Park 2.5 3 3 3 2.5

All Removed 0 Northern Section of Park Spaces Required Norther Section of Park Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency

Peak Use # of Spaces 50 43 24 54 18

Northern Section of Park 0

Daily Use 60% of Peak 30 26 15 32 11 114 40 -74 0 0 0 0

Combined Parks Draft Master Plan Parking Analysis New Castle Parks Master Plan Cascade Park Spaces Required Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency

413 194 -219 Deshon Park

Spaces Required Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency

280 520 240 Gaston Park

Spaces Required Spaces Available Surplus/Deficiency

114 40 -74

Total Spaces Required 707 Total Spaces Available 754 Surplus/Deficiency 47 NOTE: This parking analysis does not account for on-street parking, parking that may be available in adjacent lots, or those that will walk to the park.

Cascade Park Draft Master Plan 93

Wilson Ave.

Directional signage

Hiking trail

Phelps Way

Directional signage

Parking - 13 spaces, 1 ADA

ron Hu

Existing Deck Hockey Parking - 65 spaces, 2 ADA

Av e.

Tony St.

Frank Ave.

Phelps Way

Parking 13 spaces, 1 ADA

Existing concession stand Medium pavilion Existing restrooms Parking - 88 spaces, 4 ADA

Small pavilion

Directional signage Hiking trail Existing Lake

Directional signage Existing playground Relocated batting cage Parking - 36 spaces, 2 ADA Service Road Paved walkway 202 spaces, 8 ADA Medium pavilion Meadow

. lvd eB cad . Cas Ave nia lva nsy Pen

Parking - 33 spaces, 2 ADA

Reoriented Baseball Field

Existing pavilion Existing concession/restroom

Reoriented Baseball Field Deshon Ave.

Reoriented Little League Field

Parking - 81 spaces, 4 ADA Road narrowed to 20â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Service parking - 16 spaces

vd. e Bl cad s a C

Deshon Park Draft Master Plan

Future Cellular Tower

Cas cad eB lvd .

Hiking trail

Huron Ave.

Directional signage

Gaston Park Draft Master Plan 97

Chapter 4:

ns o i at d n me m o c Re

ion t a t n me e l mp I &

The master plan for Cascade, Deshon, and Gaston Parks is the result of analysis of the site, active public participation, and in-depth discussion regarding the needs of the City of New Castle residents. The master plan provides a foundation to guide the decision-making process for the upgrading of the park. With this master plan the City of New Castle is able to respond in an orderly and financially fiscally responsible manner to requests from various organizations and individuals regarding recreation facilities within the park. Good planning reduces future conflicts, liability, and can reduce maintenance and operation costs. Furthermore, this master plan can be used to apply for funding for future improvements in the parks. The final master plan reflects the goals developed by this project’s steering committee to guide the future of Cascade, Deshon, and Gaston Parks. The recommendations contained in this Master Plan were guided by these goals along with the site inventory and analysis. Cost Estimates and Phasing were then developed by the consultant to prioritize the development of proposed facilities. Funding Sources were discussed in order to finance the recommendations of the Master Plan. Finally, Operation Costs and Potential Revenues were discussed. This chapter identifies the goals established for the parks, describes the recommendations of the master plan, provides opinions of probable construction costs and phasing recommendations, discusses possible funding sources, describes the operation and maintenance costs, and lists potential revenue sources for Cascade, Deshon, and Gaston Parks.

Goals for Cascade, Deshon, and Gaston Parks Early on in the planning process, a list of goals was developed from the Steering Committee. This list was updated throughout the process and used to guide the development of the Master Plan. The goals include: • • • • • • •

The Parks should continue to support a wide range of community events The Parks should be accessible to all The Parks should be multi-generational. It should have activities for all ages. The Parks should be environmentally sustainable. The Parks should maintain open spaces for multi-use functions The Parks should focus limited funds on the most used sections and on overall security Park improvements should focus on quality, especially regarding restoration of aging historical features

The master plan for Cascade, Deshon, and Gaston Parks is illustrated on the following page. Following these plans are the descriptions of proposed park improvements.

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

The Big Idea Throughout the planning process Big Run has become a common theme. Further, all three parks are within the Big Run watershed, and from each park there is an obvious assoication with Big Run in the fact that drainways and tributaries carry stormwater runoff into Big Run. Midway through the planning process it ws suggested that this common thread, Big Run, be used to eatablish an identify for the three parks as a whole, in essence creating a ‘brand’. However, Concerns were expressed over the fact community will not be willing to give up the individual identities of the parks, and, and less willing to change their names. Further, the park names are associated with various aspects of the City’s history. Based on these discussions with elected officals, park stakeholders, and the community at large, through the public participation process, all agreed that from this point forward, the parks would be known as follows: • Cascade Park at the Big Run Recreation Area • Deshon Park at the Big Run Recreation Area • Gaston Park at the Big Run Recreation Area Further, this effort could be launched with the development and installation of wayfinding and park signs. Concepts for these signs were developed for discussion. Before the City moves forward with selecting the final designs, the sign styles and types need to be carefully refined and coordinated into a sign system for the parks.

107

108

Master Plan Recommendations The recommendations are presented herein by each park, with further divisions within each park. Each area has a distinct character and scale that is defined by habitat and topography. The three parks are connected by a network of roads and trails, providing access to the entirety of the parksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; features, all within the Big Run Recreation Area. These areas include:

Cascade Park a) b) c) d) e) f)

Main Entrance Central Park Pavilion Grove Former Pool Area Woodland Trails Former Lake Area

Deshon Park a) b) c) d)

Upper Deshon Park Lower Deshon Park Woodland Trails Lake

Gaston Park a) b) c) d)

Main Entrance Central Park Northern Park Trails/Riparian Areas

109

Cascade Park Main Entrance During the planning process, both Committee members and the general public expressed the importance of the Cascade Park main parking lot for large scale events such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Back to the 50â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.â&#x20AC;? This parking lot, however, is currently a vast expanse of impermeable surface which is a contributing factor to downstream flooding of Big Run. The primary goal was to maintain this area for large scale events while simultaneously reducing its impact on runoff rates. As a compromise, 138 parking spaces were maintained in the Master Plan and it is proposed that permeable pavers replace the existing pavement, especially along the steeper northern section of the parking lot. A central pedestrian sidewalk running the length of the parking lot increases pedestrian safety. The southern portion of the parking lot is proposed to be converted into a formalized entrance plaza, featuring shaded benches for resting, historic/wayfinding information stands, an interactive spray feature, and a waterfall/fountain representing the cascades found along Big Run in the park. It is also proposed to relocate the historic entrance arch to the new Frank Ave. entrance to create a greater sense of arrival and historic connection. Improvements to the vehicular circulation into and through the park were also made by removing redundant entry points and relocating the main entrance to Frank Ave. Throughway traffic is maintained through the park, but the primary loop has been converted to one-way to increase the safety for pedestrians sharing the space. An accessible ramp allows for full pedestrian access from the Main Entrance to the Central Park area.

Frank Ave.

Relocated Historic Archway Improved Entrance/Exit Dog Park Parking Pedestrian Access

Water Feature

Historic Ticket Booth

Dance Hall

110

Committee members also discussed having obtained some funding for the incorporation of a dog park along the northern edge of the park paralleling Frank Ave. The Master Plan reflects these plans. The following is a summary of improvements being proposed for the Main Entrance: • Historic metal welcome arch is moved to frame the new entrance and to allow for additional parking spaces • Removed excess entrances from Route 65 • Modified and expanded parking (132 spaces + 6 ADA) • Central pedestrian walkway through parking lot • Entrance plaza with an in-ground spray feature, historic/wayfinding stands, 10 benches, and a replica waterfall of the cascades • 2 acre Dog park • ADA access to the 20’x20’ historic pavilion from the parking lot • ADA access ramp from the Dance Hall to Central Park • Deciduous native shade trees of various species representative of those found in the park • Repairs to the historic ticket booth

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Central Park The Central Park is where the majority of the remaining historic feature of Cascade Park can be found. This includes the Dance Hall, Old Entrance Gateway, Carousel House, Train Station, and Wishing Well. Many of these historic features are still in good condition, with the exception of the Wishing Well, which was partially destroyed recently by a fallen tree. The Carousel House has undergone remodeling as well. It is considered structurally stable at the time of this report, but there is visible sag to a main support beam which will likely require future restoration. Currently, the section surrounded by the Carousel House, the Dance Hall and the Train Station is primarily bituminous pavement. This gives visitors the sense that they are walking in an area designated for vehicles. To create a more pedestrian-friendly feel, it is proposed that the pavement in this area is replaced with pavers, either brick or cobblestone. To highlight the historic features of this section of the park, a contrasting paver path weaves through the plaza, connecting to each structure. The Historic Rose Garden has long since been converted to turf, and the surrounding trees have matured to a point of fully shading the site. It is not recommended to return roses to this area, as doing so would require the removal of numerous mature trees and extensive upkeep effort. Future community gardening projects, however, could return flowers to this site, mimicking the original designs, so long as the chosen flora is adapted to site conditions and relatively low maintenance.

CENTRAL PARK Historic Wishing Well

Existing Restrooms

Existing Small Pavilion Existing Playgrounds Former Rose Garden

Deciduous Trees

Secondary Entrance Removed

Dance Hall ADA Ramp

Existing Bocce

Historic Gateway

Existing Concession Carousel House

Plaza

Existing Restrooms

Rollercoaster Ruins Historic Train Station

Cascades

Waterfall

112

Existing Maintenance Building

The following is a summary of improvements being proposed for the Central Park: • Brick or cobblestone paved plaza with shared roadway • Decorative, contrasting pavers connecting main historical features and exiting amenities • Modified parking (7 spaces + 2 ADA) • Modified traffic pattern – paved loop now one way only • Historic features (Carousel House, Old Entrance Gateway, and Wishing Well) restored and maintained • Considerations to restore Historic Rose Garden through community gardening with shade-tolerant species • Bathrooms unlocked and made ADA accessible • Existing playgrounds refurbished and made ADA accessible • Benches every 300 ft.

Pavilion Grove Pavilion Groves such as the one at Cascade Park are indicative of many other trolley parks from the early 1900’s. While it is not ideal for multiple, separate small parties to rent pavilions simultaneously due to the close proximity of the pavilions, such groves are ideal for larger parties looking to rent multiple pavilions and are a historic reference to what Cascade Park once was. The pavilions are all in good condition as well, furthering our recommendation to ROVE maintain themAVILION as is. Half of the pavilions are painted a similar green to that of the Dance Hall, while the other half of the pavilions do not match the historic color pallet of the park. It is recommended that these pavilions be painted to match the color themes of Cascade Park. Currently, the ground surrounding the pavilions is gravel with no defined pedestrian/vehicular space or ADA accessibility. It is recommended that pavers matching those of the Central Park plaza be implemented around the main cluster of pavilions with a defined roadway for vehicles through the space and that a trail leading up to the outlining pavilions be created.

Existing Horseshoe/Cornhole

Existing Small Pavilions (5) (ADA accessible)

Existing Small Pavilions (2) (ADA accessible) Existing Large Pavilion

Existing Small Pavilions (2) (Not ADA accessible)

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The following is a summary of improvements being proposed for the Pavilion Grove: • Brick or cobblestone paved plaza to match the Central Park plaza • ADA access to all lower pavilions (the slope is too steep to attain ADA standards for two of the pavilions further up the hill) • Defined, crushed limestone trail to foot bridge east of the grove • Horseshoe court fence repaired and painted • Pavilions currently not matching Cascade Park’s historic color pallet repainted

Former Pool Area The first swimming pool at Cascade Park was built by Billy Glenn in the 1920’s and was later renovated in the late 1970’s. Despite the renovation efforts, the pool was closed in 2000. Nothing has been done to the foundation of the pool since 2000 and both the pool’s mechanical/filtration system and the pool house are in poor condition. The latter is currently being used as storage for Cascade of Lights, but it would require significant rehabilitation before it could be safe for public use. A comprehensive plan estimated that restoring the pool would cost at least $1 million. The immense cost of restoration paired with statistics from neighboring public pools demonstrating financial net loss annually has led the City of New Castle to declare that it cannot fund such an endeavor at the time of this report. This City is, however, willing to lease the land to a third party interested in restoring the pool on the condition that all financial aspects and liability be handled by said third party. There are still numerous concerns with restoring the pool in its former location. The area is secluded, which generates security issues as well as decreases the chances of widespread public knowledge of its re-opening, especially for those living outside of the City. There is also a vast deficiency of parking spaces in this area, and steep topography limits the ability to add needed spaces.

FORMER POOL AREA

Parking Nature Playground Overlook Open Green/Rec Space

Existing Gazebo Parking

Trailhead

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Our recommendation for this site is to infill the pool and to remove the dilapidated pool house. To create unique open space that connects to the history of this site, we also propose planting turf within the footprints of these structures and maintaining pavement or pavers around them. This area would then serve as open recreation space and as a trailhead for a proposed trail leading to the former lake area. This would allow this space to be used by the public while the final decision of whether or not to restore the pool is finalized, and to preserve this open area should it be decided to restore the pool later. This area is also the location of natural features that possess the potential to be incorporated into a natural playground. Primarily, there are two large boulders bordering the parking lot that could be used as unique play features. An overlook to the Cascade Falls can be found nearby, too. It is proposed to continue to keep undergrowth in this area trimmed back to keep a clear line of sight to the falls and to add an ADA accessible path to the existing gazebo. The following is a summary of improvements being proposed for the Former Pool Area: • Modified parking (36 spaces + 2 ADA) • Pool house demolished and pool filled in and converted to turf • Paving maintained around pool and pool house outlines for historical reference • Naturalistic playground incorporating existing, natural features of the site • Trailhead • Overlook maintained to prevent shrubby growth from obscuring views of the waterfall • ADA accessible path to existing gazebo at overlook • Benches

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Woodland Trails Cascade Park has an existing trail loop through the park along the western border of the park. Through signage and minor additions, this trail will offer a distinct footpath through Cascade Park into Deshon Park. An old railroad bed follows the ridge along the southeastern border of the park. This would be an ideal location for a new trail, which would connect the former pool area to the former lake area. An overlook is proposed along the southern portion of the trail, before it takes a switch back path down the ridge and crosses over a footbridge parallel to the ruins of the historic dam. Here the proposed trail could connect to the existing trail. The following is a summary of improvements being proposed for the Woodland Trails: • Existing trails maintained • New north/south trail along southeastern border of park, connecting the Former Pool Area to existing trails in the southwestern portion of the park • Overlook along new trail

WOODLAND TRAILS

• Pedestrian bridge crossing Big Run parallel to historic dam ruins

Unpaved Trails

Phelps Way

Forest

Unpaved Trails

116

Former Lake Area During Cascade Park’s heyday, the lake in the southeastern corner of the park was a popular destination for fishing, swimming and boating. The dam cracked before the turn of the 21st century and the lake ceased to exist. Today, the area is largely a regrown forested wetland with a small portion kept as mowed lawn. This is a challenging place to mow due to the retention of water by the soil here. While there have been some proponents for rebuilding the dam, restoring the lake is not the most practical decision. From an entertainment perspective, few people would boat, swim, or kayak on such a small body of water when much larger bodies of water are available a short drive away. From a flood control perspective, new runoff entering the lake would only be held briefly before overflowing the dam. Our proposal is to allow the lake bed to remain as a naturalized wetland, both forest and emergent, limit mowing to only the edge along the road, and to incorporate a boardwalk loop. At the time of this report, the Army Corps of Engineers is conducting an analysis of this area and its potential for flood control. The following is a summary of improvements being proposed for the Former Lake Area: • Former lake area restored to emergent and forest wetland for stormwater management • Boardwalk loop with overlook • Restored riparian buffer along Big Run

FORMER LAKE & RIPARIAN AREAS Riparian Buffer Existing Gazebo

Huron Ave.

Small Pavilion

Forest Riparian Buffer

Forested Wetland

Unpaved Trail

Boardwalk

Wetland

Overlook

Historic Dam Ruins Bridge

117

Deshon Park Upper Deshon Park This section of Deshon Park is one of two main arrival points (the second being the eastern portion of Lower Deshon, discussed in this report in the following section). There is currently no sense of arrival, however. This would be remedied with a welcome sign along the intersection of Phelps Way and Huron Ave. Three main issues were identified with this section of the park: parking, accessibility, and shade. Only a singular gravel parking area is provided for three softball fields and the dek hockey. Overflow parking currently utilizes the turf field parallel to Huron Ave. It is proposed to pave these two areas with permeable material to both ensure accessibility and to avoid creating additional impermeable surface area. Old sidewalks exist throughout the site, but are in poor condition and few connect to existing facilities. New paved paths are proposed to provide ADA accessibility to all features of the park, including connecting Upper Deshon Park to Lower Deshon Park. Shade trees are another critical factor, as only a single tree is currently located in the main portion of the park (the edges of the park are surrounded by forest, but this does not provide adequate shade for park visitors). The following is a summary of improvements being proposed for Upper Deshon: • Modified and expanded parking lots (northern lot = 48 spaces + 2 ADA, eastern lot = 88 spaces + 4 ADA) • ADA accessible paths to all dug outs, amenities and bleachers • 3 Pickleball courts • 30’ x 44’ medium pavilion with water and electriCity • 28’ x 30’ small pavilion • Native deciduous trees for shade • ADA accessible walkways connecting Upper Deshon Park to Lower Deshon Park • 10 replaced bleachers to meet safety standards • Simplified intersection of Huron Ave. and Phelps Way • Welcome sign

118

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Lower Deshon Park A secondary welcome sign along the intersection of Cascade Blvd. and Huron Ave. would offer wayfinding to guests and delineate Deshon Park from Cascade Park. The Steering Committee has noted that during peak use, all nine fields are in use simultaneously. Currently, the only parking available is along the sides of Deshon Ave. To accommodate the large volumes of traffic during peak use, and to provide secondary parking for Cascade Park, it is proposed to incorporate a large parking area in the southeastern corner of Deshon Park. This parking area should utilize permeable pavers or permeable asphalt to reduce stormwater runoff concerns. We also propose narrowing Deshon Ave., eliminating the guard rail, and implementing a one-way loop along the existing informal service road. This loop would be gated after park hours. Three of the Little League Fields are not oriented correctly according to DCNR standards. These fields are considered a liability presently due to the risk of requiring the batter to look into the sun to hit. These three fields are proposed to be oriented in acceptable directions compliant with DCNR standards. The following is a summary of improvements being proposed for Lower Deshon: • Welcome sign • Modified and expanding parking o Entrance lots = 286 spaces + 12 ADA o Playground lot = 36 spaces + 2 ADA o Western lot = 33 spaces + 2 ADA o Service lot = 16 spaces • Deshon Rd. narrowed to 20’ • ADA accessible paths to all dugouts, parking lots, and amenities and most bleachers • Reoriented baseball and Little League fields to comply with DCNR standards • Relocated batting cage – necessary to reorient a Little League Field • 23 replaced bleachers to meet safety standards • Native deciduous trees for shade

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LOWER DESHON PARK (EAST)

Paved Trails to Upper Deshon Park Unpaved Hiking Trail Vehicular Loop Paved Walking Loop

Forest

Medium Pavilion

Meadow Deciduous Trees

Pervious Paver Parking Lot

Improved Bleachers Reoriented Little League Field

Existing Multipurpose Field

Pervious Paver Parking Lot

Service Parking

Pervious Paver Parking Lot

Deshon Ave.

LOWER DESHON (WEST) Improved Bleachers

Narrowed Road

Green Storm Water Infrastructure

Vehicular Loop Paved Walking Loop

Unpaved Hiking Trails Paved Trail to Lake Overlook

Existing Playground Reoriented Batting Cage

Improved Bleachers

Parking

Improved Bleachers

Parking

Improved Bleachers Reoriented Little League Field

Reoriented Little League Field

Deshon Ave. Improved Bleachers

Existing Pavilion & Concession

121

Woodland Trails An existing trail already connects Deshon Park to Gaston Park; however multiple local community members, who identified as enjoying hiking, were not even aware it existed. Improved signage with the core of the park and improved way finding along the trails will increase awareness and usage of these trails. Additional trails are proposed to be added to offer a scenic connection between Upper Deshon Park and Lower Deshon Park, and to create a shorter loop off of the main existing trail. The following is a summary of improvements being proposed for the Woodland Trails: • • • • • •

Directional signage Two additional parking lots off of Phelps Way (each with 13 spaces + 1 ADA) Maintain existing trail Benches/rest areas approx. every 300 ft. Additional trail along the central-northern border of the park parallel to Deshon Ave. Additional trail creating a smaller loop attached to existing trail

WOODLAND TRAILS

City Line St. Unpaved Hiking Trail To Gaston Park

Old Bridge

Forest Phelps Way

Unpaved Hiking Trails

122

Permeable Paver Parking Lot

Lake Due to the steep topography of this section of the park, it is not feasible to easily access the lake found in the southwestern corner of the park. The lake still offers significant scenic beauty, so it is proposed to build an overlook for park guests to view the lake from the top of the ravine. The following is a summary of improvements being proposed for the Lake: â&#x20AC;˘ Paved ADA accessible overlook with benches â&#x20AC;˘ Maintain/eliminate shrubby undergrowth to create a vista from the overlook to the lake

LAKE

Forest

Stream

Lake Overlook

Unpaved Hiking Trail

123

Gaston Park Main Entrance Gaston Park’s main entrance currently has two entry points off of Wilson Ave. and a small, one-bay parking lot. To reduce confusion and to create a sense of arrival, it is proposed to remove the southern entrance and to place a welcome sign by the northern entrance. Since the softball field here is well-used, it is also proposed to expand the existing parking lot to accommodate for increased game traffic. Signage should also be incorporated in the southeastern corner of Gaston Park to bring awareness to the trail which connects Deshon and Gaston Parks. The following is a summary of improvements being proposed for the Main Entrance: • Southern entrance removed • Modified and expanded parking (38 spaces + 2 ADA) • Welcome sign • Connected hiking trail to Deshon Park with signage • Formalized trailhead for historic trail to Arlington Ave. • 4 replaced bleachers to meet safety standards

MAIN ENTRANCE

Unpaved Trailhead to Arlington Ave.

Entrance Signage

Wilson Ave.

Expanded Parking

Removed Second Entrance

Unpaved Trailhead To Deshon Park

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Central Park The pavilion grove here is in good condition and is well used by the community. However, only the concession stand is ADA accessible. It is proposed to maintain the existing structures as they are currently and to add a paved, ADA accessible walking loop connecting to each pavilion, the playground, and the restroom. In the southwestern corner of the park old, outdated playground equipment can be found. Much of this equipment is in very poor condition and all of it fails to meet modern safety requirements, making it a liability issue. It is proposed to remove these structures and allow the area to naturalize back into woodland conditions. The following is a summary of improvements being proposed for the Central Park: • ADA accessible walking path to all amenities, dugouts, and bleachers • Playground safety surface improved • Unsafe playground equipment along western edge of park removed and area allowed to reforest

CENTRAL PARK

Paved Walking Loop (ADA access to all park features)

Existing Small Pavilions (2)

Existing Medium Pavilions (3)

Existing Restrooms Existing Large Pavilion Existing Playground Existing Concession

Unsafe Playground Structures Removed – Area Reforested

Existing Softball Field

Improved Bleachers

Forest

125

Northern Park This section of the park has largely fallen into disrepair. All of the pavilions are in poor to dangerous condition with failing roofs, and one of the tennis courts is missing a net and has water damage. It is proposed to remove all of the structures in this section of the park and to remove the parking spaces off of Denver Ave. This area can later be rebuilt once funding is available. • All structures removed • All parking removed • Area allowed to reforest

NORTHERN PARK

Unsafe Structures Removed – Area Reforested Historic Trail Maintained Parking Removed

Unsafe Structures Removed – Area Reforested

126

Trails/Riparian Areas During the 1930’s, the CWA employed men of the City of New Castle to make improvements to Gaston Park. One such improvement was the creation of stone hiking trails and a stone bridge in the northern half of the park. These trails were buried over time and only recently rediscovered. A stone trail, which connects the main entrance of Gaston Park to Arlington Ave. and crosses a stone bridge, has been fully uncovered by volunteers. Other trails are gradually being uncovered as well. • Historic trail and bridge maintained • Stream monitored and managed to prevent further erosion of stream bank

TRAILS AND RIPARIAN AREAS

Forest

Historic Bridge Maintained

Stream

Wilson Ave.

Historic Trail Maintained

Denver Ave.

Stream

Forest

127

Overall Park Improvements There are several recommendations related to the proposed park improvements that are over arching, meaning, they are not related to one specific activity or facility, but should be employed throughout the process of making improvements to the park. These include:

Minimize Impervious Surface Area The master plan recommends that impervious surface area be kept to a minimum throughout the remainder of the park to reduce stormwater runoff and initial costs. Parking areas should not be paved with asphalt unless absolutely necessary. Aggregate paving or porous pavers, if constructed properly, allows some of the stormwater to infiltrate into the soils below, and therefore reduces the volume of stormwater that needs to be managed.

Use Porous Asphalt Paving In the event that asphalt must be used, the City should consider porous asphalt paving as an alternative to standard impermeable asphalt. This paving material performs like standard asphalt yet allows water to percolate into the ground below. Porous asphalt is a highly effective paving material for areas that receive light vehicular traffic. For more information, visit http:// www.mtsd.org/asburywoods/. Additional information on permeable (porous) paving is included in the appendices of this report. Porous paving requires a small amount of extra maintenance. According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations, permeable paving installations should account for 25% clogging of pore space within the paving annually. Cleaning the pavement will require annual or biannual vacuum sweeping and power washing. Access isles, service drives, and other areas that will receive heavy traffic, and many turning movements, are nor suited for porous asphalt. In these instances traditional bituminous paving is used and the parking areas beyond these areas are paved with the porous material.

Employ Innovative Stormwater Management Techniques The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regulates the management of stormwater volumes and water quality, through Chapters 105, 102, and 93 of the Pennsylvania Code, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting requirements. These regulations require any land development to limit post construction increases in stormwater runoff to pre-development rates, to implement best management practices to temporarily control erosion and sedimentation, and protect water quality during construction, and to permanently control and protect water quality during the life of the constructed project. We recommend the City implement innovative stormwater management techniques rather than a conventional system of piping, inlets, and a potential underground detention. Below are best management practices recommended by the master plan for consideration by the City in park development.

128

Rain Gardens / Bio-infiltration Swales Parking on the park site should include traffic islands containing rain gardens, or bio-infiltration swales. Rain gardens are shallow planted swales that help to retain, filter, and infiltrate stormwater runoff into the underlying soil rather than channeling it into piping systems. The master plan recommends the use of rain gardens / bio-infiltration swales in park development. Observation of site soil permeability performed during the site inventory and analysis phase of the master plan indicated that the site’s soils exhibit good drainage / permeability. Thus, infiltration of stormwater may be feasible. Further testing may be necessary for verification. Rain gardens / bio-infiltration swales should be considered in the parking traffic islands, as well as areas down-slope of proposed park development. University of Connecticut researchers found that over a 2-year period, rain gardens remove up to 99% of toxins from stormwater runoff containing fertilizers, oils, and particulates. The researchers’ findings were published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology and mentioned at http://www.landscapeonline.com/research/ article/6490. Design and maintenance of rain gardens / bio-infiltration swales may include the following steps: 1. Use bark mulch (not inorganic mulches such as rock) and completely replace every third year, and renew every year. New mulch maintains essential levels of bacteria and microflora). Use coarsely shredded bark mulch to reduce blowing or washing away during rain events (clogging inlet / underdrain). 2. Check underdrain, and inlet periodically to remove debris, mulch, etc., ensuring it is not clogged or blocked. Evidence of this includes excessive ponding in small rain events, or water doesn’t drain 2-4” per hour. 3. Replace constructed soils and mature woody plants possibly every 5 – 10 years (when soil is overconcentrated with chemicals, and plants can no longer absorb / transform contaminants). Plant health may be an indicator of over-contaminated soils.

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Opinion of Probable Construction Costs The opinion of probable construction costs projected here assumes improvements are constructed through a public bid process utilizing the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s prevailing wage rates. These projections are likely to give folks “sticker shock.” That said, projects should not be put on hold, deferred, or not entertained as they seem too expensive to undertake. Rather the City of New Castle needs to “think outside the box” to determine how to construct and implement the recommendations of this plan in phases, at the lowest possible cost while maintaining a high level of quality in the construction of that work. Unit prices for construction were assigned based on the consultant’s experience with construction costs in 2016. These costs are based upon publicly bid projects that pay prevailing wage rates. The cost projections take into account the following: • The condition of the property at the time of construction will be similar to its condition in 2016. • Projects will be bid through a competitive bidding process utilizing state or federal prevailing wage rates. • Opinions of probable construction costs should be confirmed / revised upon completion of preliminary design. • To budget for inflation costs for improvements that will occur after 2015, we recommend a 3.0% annual increase for each year thereafter. • In Pennsylvania all projects, valued at over $25,000 and using public funds, are required to pay workers in accordance with the Commonwealth Department of Labor and Industry’s Prevailing Wage Rates It is important to note that costs are based on 2016 construction figures. Should projects be constructed in future years an additional 3.0% per year should be factored for inflation. Additional increases may be necessary to address the escalation of steel and fuel prices as their costs are escalating at unprecedented rates. As noted, volunteer labor, in-kind services, and donated materials and services can reduce the overall project cost from costs projected here. Additionally, alternate sources of funding, including grant opportunities, may assist in offsetting construction costs. The following tables summarize our opinion of probable construction costs for implementing the physical improvements described herein and shown on the master plan.

130

Cascade Park Opinion of Probable Construction Costs Item Topographic Survey a. Topographic Survey b. Wetland Delineation Topographic Survey & Wetland Delineation Total Cascade Plaza and Parking Area a. Topographic Survey b. Erosion and Sedimentation Control c. Removal of Existing Pavement (In-Kind by City) d. Grading e. Main Entrance Access Road - Bituminous Paving f. Main Entrance Parking Lot - Pervious Asphalt and infiltration reservoir g. Pervious Concrete Sidewalks with Parking Areas h. Accessible Parking Signs i. Entrance Plaza Poured in Place Concrete j. Entrance Plaza Pervious Brick Pavers k. Entrance Plaza Pervious Cobblestone Pavers l. Entrance Plaza Benches m. Entrance Plaza Spray Features n. Entrance Arch Restoration & Relocation o. Shade Trees p. Seeding Subtotal Design, Construction Documents & Permitting Contingency Cascade Plaza and Parking Area Total 2. Cascade Dog Park a. Perimeter Fence b. Internal Fence - entrance and small dog area c. Waste Stations d. Water Fountain f. Accessible Walkways - permeable asphalt g. Agility Course h 15’ x 20’ Shelter i. Concrete Shelter Pad j. Electric to Shelter

Qty

Unit

Unit Cost

Total

1 1

EA EA

$15,000 $7,500

$15,000 $7,500 $22,500

1 1 11,200 1 1,300 6,450

LS LS SY LS SY SY

$3,500 $50,000 $3 $35,000 $35 $65

$3,500 $50,000 $33,600 $35,000 $45,500 $419,250

1,600 6 1,250 1,300 200 10 1 1 48 0.43

SY EA SY SY SY EA LS LS EA AC

$130 $250 $40 $135 $135 $1,500 $200,000 $15,000 $300 $8,000

$208,000 $1,500 $50,000 $175,500 $27,000 $15,000 $200,000 $15,000 $14,400 $3,440 $1,293,190 $155,183 $129,319 $1,577,692

1,700 400 6 1 350 1 1 42 1

LF LF EA EA SY LS EA SY LS

$45 $45 $1,500 $8,500 $50 $25,000 $25,000 $110 $10,000

$76,500 $18,000 $9,000 $8,500 $17,500 $25,000 $25,000 $4,571 $10,000

131

Subtotal Design, Construction Documents & Permitting Contingency Central Park Total 3. Cascade Dance Hall & Carousel Improvements a. Dance Hall Insulation b. Dance Hall HVAC Systems c. Dance Hall Window Replacement d. Carousel Building Structural Shoring Subtotal Design, Construction Documents & Permitting Contingency Central Park Total 4. Central Park a. Erosion and Sedimentation Control b. Grading c. Parking Lot - Pervious Pavers d. Accessible Parking Signs e. Plaza - Pervious Brick Pavers f. Accessible Ramp w. Handrail h. Historic Wishing Well Repair i. Bocce Court Roof j. Restroom Building (Northwest section of park) Subtotal Design, Construction Documents & Permitting Contingency Central Park Total 5. Pavilion Grove a. Erosion and Sedimentation Control b. Grading c. Plaza - Pervious Brick Pavers d. Corn Hole/Horseshoe Court Improvements Subtotal Design, Construction Documents & Permitting Contingency Pavilion Grove Total 6. Former Pool Area a. Erosion and Sedimentation Control b. Grading

132

$194,071 $29,111 $19,407 $242,589 14,500 14,500 14,500 6,000

SF SF SF SF

$10 $25 $8 $25

$145,000 $362,500 $116,000 $150,000 $773,500 $116,025 $77,350 $966,875

1 1 380 2 2,404 1 1 1 1

LS LS SY EA SY LS LS LS EA

$15,000 $10,000 $65 $250 $65 $60,000 $25,000 $25,000 $175,000

$15,000 $10,000 $24,700 $500 $156,260 $60,000 $25,000 $25,000 $175,000 $491,460 $73,719 $49,146 $614,325

1 1 1,000 1

LS LS SY LS

$2,500 $5,000 $65 $30,000

$2,500 $5,000 $65,000 $30,000 $102,500 $15,375 $10,250 $128,125

1 1

LS LS

$10,000 $10,000

d. Overlook Parking Lot - Pervious Pavers e. Overlook Accessible Parking Signs c. Overlook Accessible Walkway d. Pool Parking Lot - Pervious Pavers e. Pool Accessible Parking Signs c. Pool Accessible Walkway f. Infill g. Demolition h. Mowed Lawn Seeding i. Nature Playground Subtotal Design, Construction Documents & Permitting Contingency Former Pool Area Total 7. Wetland/Former Lake Area a. Erosion and Sedimentation Control b. Grading c. Meadow Seeding d. 15’ x 20’ Shelter e. Concrete Shelter Pad f. Boardwalk g. Woodland Trail Along Ridge h. Trail Benches i. Trail Markers j. Overlook k. Stream Crossings Subtotal Design, Construction Documents & Permitting Contingency Wetland/Former Lake Area Total 8. Unpaved Woodland Trails a. Existing Trail Improvements b. Trail Benches c. Trail Markers Subtotal Design, Construction Documents & Permitting Contingency Unpaved Woodland Trail Total Total

734 1 100 1,570 2 2,108 1 1 0.32 1

SY EA SY SY EA SY LS LS AC EA

$65 $250 $40 $65 $250 $40 $75,000 $80,000 $5,500

$47,710 $250 $4,000 $102,050 $500 $84,320 $75,000 $80,000 $1,760 $0 $415,590 $62,339 $41,559 $519,488

1 1 1.02 1 42 740 960 4 3 1 1

LS LS AC EA SY SY SY EA EA LS EA

$15,000 $20,000 $7,500 $20,000 $110 $150 $40 $1,250 $75 $50,000 $12,500

$15,000 $20,000 $7,650 $20,000 $4,571 $111,000 $38,400 $5,000 $225 $50,000 $12,500 $284,346 $42,652 $28,435 $355,433

4,704 8 8

SY EA EA

$8 $1,250 $75

$37,632 $10,000 $600 $48,232 $7,235 $4,823 $60,290 $4,359,191

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Deshon Park Opinion of Probable Construction Costs Item Boundary and Topographic Survey a. Topographic Survey b. Wetland Delineation Topographic Survey & Wetland Delineation Total 1. Upper Deshon Park a. Erosion and Sedimentation Control b. Grading c. Main Entrance Parking Lot - Pervious Pavers d. Accessible Parking Signs e. Accessible Walking Paths f. Shade Trees g. Deck Hockey Parking Area Pavement Removal h. Deck Hockey Parking Area - Pervious Pavers i. Accessible Parking Signs j. Accessible Walking Paths k. 30’x40’ Shelter l. Electric Service to Shelter m. Concerete Shelter Pad n. 15’ x 20’ Shelter o. Concerete Shelter Pad p. Pickle Ball Courts q. Mowed Lawn Seeding Subtotal Design, Construction Documents & Permitting Contingency Upper Deshon Park Total 2. Lower Deshon Park- Parking Area a. Erosion and Sedimentation Control b. Grading c. Main Entrance Parking Lot - Pervious Pavers d. Road Pavement e. Crosswalks f. Infield Mix g. 5 row x 21’ Long Aluminum Bleachers with Guards h. Concrete Beacher Pads i. Backstop j. Left & Right Field Foul Line Fences

134

Qty

Unit

Unit Cost

Total

1 1

EA EA

$12,000.00 $7,500.00

$12,000 $7,500 $19,500

1 1 3,750 4 1,500 35 1 3,611 2 800 1 1 150 1 42 1 1.00

LS LS SY EA SY EA LS SY EA SY EA LS SY EA SY LS AC

$20,000 $15,000 $65 $250 $125 $500 $15,000 $65 $250 $125 $35,000 $10,000 $110 $25,000 $110 $15,000 $5,500

$20,000 $15,000 $243,750 $1,000 $187,500 $17,500 $15,000 $234,722 $500 $100,000 $35,000 $10,000 $16,500 $25,000 $4,571 $15,000 $5,500 $946,543 $141,982 $94,654 $1,183,179

1 1 10,713 2,184 4 1 3 3 1 280

LS LS SY SY EA LS EA EA EA LF

$50,000 $150,000 $65 $45 $3,500 $15,000 $5,500 $5,500 $8,000 $60

$50,000 $150,000 $696,345 $98,280 $14,000 $15,000 $16,500 $16,500 $8,000 $16,800

k. Outfield Fence l. Foul Poles m. Dugouts n. 30’x40’ Shelter o. Electric Service to Shelter p. Concerete Shelter Pad q. Shade Trees r. Accessible Walkways Subtotal Design, Construction Documents & Permitting Contingency Lower Deshon Park - Parking Area Total 3. Lower Deshon Park - Central a. Erosion and Sedimentation Control b. Grading c. Road Pavement d. Parking Lot - Pervious Pavers e. Service Parking Lot - Gravel f. Stormwater Infiltration Trenches g. Accessible Parking Signs h. Infield Mix i. 5 row x 21’ Long Aluminum Bleachers with Guards j. Concrete Beacher Pads k. Backstop l. Left & Right Field Foul Line Fences m. Outfield Fence n. Foul Poles o. Dugouts p. Accessible Walkways q. Meadow Seed Mix r. Relocated Batting Cage s. Woodland Trail t. Trail Benches u. Trail Markers v. Shade Trees Subtotal Design, Construction Documents & Permitting Contingency Lower Deshon Park - Central Total

230 2 2 1 1 150 14 2,413

LF EA EA EA LS SY EA SY

$40 $2,500 $15,000 $35,000 $10,000 $110 $500 $125

$9,200 $5,000 $30,000 $35,000 $10,000 $16,500 $7,000 $301,625 $487,125 $73,069 $48,713 $608,906

1 1 3,691 1,714 587 1 2 1 10 4 1 400 360 2 2 2,905 0.28 1 681 2 2 18

LS LS SY SY SY LS EA LS EA EA EA LF LF EA EA SY AC LS SY EA EA EA

$35,000 $150,000 $45 $50 $25 $35,000 $250 $15,000 $5,500 $5,500 $6,000 $60 $40 $2,500 $15,000 $45 $7,500 $20,000 $40 $1,250 $75 $300

$35,000 $150,000 $166,095 $85,700 $14,675 $35,000 $500 $15,000 $55,000 $22,000 $6,000 $24,000 $14,400 $5,000 $30,000 $130,725 $2,100 $20,000 $27,240 $2,500 $150 $5,400 $846,485 $126,973 $84,649 $1,058,106

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4. Lower Deshon Park - West/Lake a. Erosion and Sedimentation Control b. Grading c. Road Pavement d. Parking Lot - Pervious Pavers e. Accessible Parking Signs f. Infield Mix g. 5 row x 21â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Long Aluminum Bleachers with Guards h. Concrete Beacher Pads i. Backstop j. Left & Right Field Foul Line Fences k. Outfield Fence l. Foul Poles m. Dugouts n. Accessible Walkways o. Shade Trees p. Overlook Wall q. Existing Trail Improvements r. Trail Markers Subtotal Design, Construction Documents & Permitting Contingency Lower Deshon Park - West/Lake Total 7. Woodland Trails a. Erosion and Sedimentation Control b. Woodland Trail c. Existing Trail Improvements d. Trail Markers e. Trail Benches Subtotal Design, Construction Documents & Permitting Contingency Woodland Trail Total

1 1 252 1,256 2 1 10 10 1 380 330 2 2 3,068 23 1 973 2

LS LS SY SY EA LS EA EA EA LF LF EA EA SY EA LS SY EA

$8,500 $15,000 $50 $65 $250 $10,000 $5,500 $5,500 $6,000 $60 $40 $2,500 $15,000 $40 $300 $25,000 $5 $75

$8,500 $15,000 $12,600 $81,640 $500 $10,000 $55,000 $55,000 $6,000 $22,800 $13,200 $5,000 $30,000 $122,720 $6,900 $25,000 $4,865 $150 $474,875 $71,231 $47,488 $593,594

1 3,000 8,900 4 8

LS LF LF EA EA

$7,500 $5 $5 $75 $1,250

$7,500 $15,000 $44,500 $300 $10,000 $77,300 $11,595 $7,730 $96,625

Subtotal Design, Construction Documents & Permitting Contingency

$3,559,910 $533,987 $355,991

Total

$4,449,888

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Implementation Strategies Recognizing the City’s financial condition, the large cost improvement projects identified herein will need to rely on funding from grants from public agencies and private foundations. Further, There were over 130 individuals within the community that offered to volunteer theirs services in various aspects associated with improving the parks, including: • • • • • • •

Fundraising - Capital Campaign Fundraising - specific facility or activity area Grant writing Environmental education Organizing special events Volunteering for special events Developing summer program events for children in the parks

• Developing interpretive program and signs conveying the history of the parks • Planning for the re-opening of the swimming pool • Improving and constructing natural surface trails throughout the parks • Landscaping and gardening

We recommend the City actively pursue the participation of those willing to volunteer in the parks by establishing working committees in the respective areas. Further, during the planning process it was discussed, and we recommend, that the City focus on low cost short term improvements within the parks that generate enthusiasm and interest within the City such as: 1. Installing security cameras within the parks to deter vandalism. With limited staff in the parks, the parks are being vandalized during business hours. It is imperative that the City secure the parks before investing in any improvements. At the time of this writing the City acknowledged this concern is actively pursuing funding to install cameras in the parks. Estimated cost to install security cameras in the three parks: $50,000. 2. Removing unsafe playground equipment within Gaston Park. As noted in the inventory and analysis the playground located in the rear of Gaston Park presents serious hazards and safety concerns. We recommend the equipment be removed immediately. This task could be completed at no cost to the City as the equipment can be removed by the City’s public works and park department staff. 3. Landscaping and beautification within the parks. As noted above, City residents are interested in volunteering to perform landscaping and beautification projects within the parks. We recommend those who expressed interest in this be contacted, and that a committee be established to perform specific landscaping and beautification projects within the parks. Further, a fund raising committee should be established to raise funds for materials that will be needed for these projects. The City parks department should establish, coordinate and oversee this committee. 4. Interpretation of cultural and historic resources of the parks. Earlier in this document we noted that several of Cascade Park’s buildings are eligible to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. We recommend a committee of volunteers be established to complete the nomination process and submit an application to the State Bureau of Historic Preservation, located within the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission.

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Further, we recommend additional historic research be completed to document the rich history of all three parks, and to prepare a written narrative of the history which can be used in the future to interpret the various historical aspects of the parks through signage, self-guided walking tours and other means. 5. Establishing a committee to guide the development of a dog park within Cascade Park. During the public meetings volunteers stepped forward to lead an effort to fund raise and work with the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s park staff to build the dog park being proposed within Cascade Park. The volunteers have established a committee, they are holding monthly meetings, and they are working with parks department staff to advance this effort. 6. Install park entrance signs and wayfinding signs. As discussed earlier in this document, it is recommended that a marketing campaign be developed to brand these three parks as the Big Run Recreation Area. This branding effort should begin with installing park entrance signs and wayfinding signs that direct residents and visitors to each park. Staff from the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic development office and the parks department have taken the sign concepts developed during this planning process, and are meeting with various groups and organizations to determine how this effort can be advanced at a minimal cost. By advancing the above, and having quick successes within the park, it will be apparent to the residents of the City that investments can and should be made in the parks. Further, it should build support and momentum for taking on larger park improvement projects in the future.

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Phasing Plan Recommendations In addition to low cost short term improvements that generate quick successes, many of the desire improvements within the park are large scale projects that also require substantial funding to implement. Therefore, we recommend proposed improvements to Cascade, Deshon, and Gaston Parks be constructed in a series of logical phases. Depending on the City of New Castle’s financial situation and the success of grant writing efforts, this phasing plan may be expedited or lengthened, depending on the financial capabilities of the City. Recognizing the City of New Castle’s desire to construct the improvements over a series of phases, we suggest several phases of construction over a ten year period. During the course of this planning effort, two grant opportunities were discovered that would advance and implement two large scale, high priority projects and subsequently the City applied for funding to advance improvements identified in this master plan, including: • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers applying under their Assistance to States grant program to fund the preparation of a watershed study for the Big Run watershed to determine what improvements can be made within the watershed to reduce downstream flooding. Funding was granted for this study for the upcoming federal fiscal year. Total project cost: $150,000, with $75,000 of in-kind services being performed by City of New Castle Department of Public Works within the watershed. • City of New Castle applied for a Great Urban Parks Campaign Grant through the National Recreation and Park Association to implement the Cascade Park master plan recommendations to: • Relocation of the historic wrought iron Cascade Park gateway sign. • Creating a tree-lined alley entrance into the park, as visitors arrive by vehicle. • Terracing and re-grading the existing parking lot to create smaller, level, and sustainable parking areas. Parking areas will be designed to reduce stormwater run-off through the use of pervious pavement and underground infiltration reservoirs, providing bioswales and rain gardens to mitigate stormwater surface run-off along the edges and perimeters of the smaller parking areas. • Creating a pedestrian-oriented plaza in an underused area of the park to serve as an outdoor gathering space and venue that focuses on both the natural environment and historic character of the park. This plaza will feature a recirculating fountain, recalling the natural falls located along Big Run, provide interactive spray features for children and adults to enjoy. Total project cost: 701,896, with $575,000 being requested in grant funding. The City will be notified whether or not they were selected for a grant by June 30, 2016. Future large scale projects will be based on the City’s ability to secure funding for implementation.

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Approach to Implementation Most funding sources are more likely to provide grant funding if a project is ‘ready-to-go.” This means that the final design and construction documents have been completed. Therefore, we recommend the City of New Castle to retain a consultant to complete the final design of the park improvements, prepare grading, erosion and sedimentation control plan, and stormwater management plan, and obtain a NPDES permit for earth disturbance for the entire park development, and prepare construction documents for the phase I improvements. This would also provide the City with the information and permits needed to begin to move earth on the property. Then City forces could complete the earthwork and grading required to receive the future recreation improvements. If the City can complete the bulk excavation and grading of the site, then the overall costs of constructing the park will likely be reduced. In conjunction with this activity, the City could apply to the PA Department of Conservation and Recreation Community Conservation Partnership Program and the PA Commonwealth Finance Authority’s Greenways, Recreation and Trails Grant Program to construct specific recreation improvements.

Permit Requirements In addition to City Land Development Requirements and Uniform Construction Code Requirements, the City will need to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. The Federal Clean Water Act and the Pennsylvania Clean Streams law require wastewater dischargers to have a permit establishing pollution limits, and specifying monitoring and reporting requirements. When and if regulated facilities fail to comply with the provisions of their permits, they may be subject to enforcement actions. DEP and EPA use a variety of techniques to monitor permittees’ compliance status, including on-site inspections and review of data submitted by permittees. Technical assistance is also available to facilities struggling with NPDES compliance. An NPDES permit is required for construction or other human activity which disturbs more than one acre of surface of the land, including land clearing and grubbing, grading, excavations, embankments, land development, agricultural plowing or tilling, operation of animal heavy use areas, timber harvesting activities, road maintenance activities, oil and gas activities, well drilling, mineral extraction, and the moving, depositing, stockpiling, or storing of soil, rock or earth materials. Environmentally sound and cost effective treatment, land disposal, pollution prevention and stormwater reuse BMPs that individually or collectively manage the difference in the net change in stormwater volume, rate, and quality for storm events up to and including the 2-year/24-hour storm when compared to the stormwater rate, volume and quality prior to the earth disturbance activities to maintain and protect the existing quality of the receiving surface waters of this Commonwealth. The application requires the preparation of: • Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan: A site-specific plan consisting of both drawings and a narrative that identifies BMPs to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation before, during and after earth disturbance activities. • Post Construction Stormwater Management Plan: A site-specific plan consisting of both drawings and a narrative that identifies BMPs to manage changes in stormwater runoff volume, rate and water quality after earth disturbance activities have ended and the project site is permanently stabilized. The NPDES permit is generally valid for a period of five years. Applications for renewal of NPDES permits must be submitted at least 180 days prior to the expiration of the current facility permit. Applications for NPDES permits can be obtained from DEP regional offices or obtained electronically. For this project, the permit application will be reviewed, and upon acceptance, issued by the Butler County Conservation District.

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Lawrence County Conservation District Lawrence County Government Center 430 Court Street New Castle, PA 16101 724-652-4512 The review process can take up to three months from the time a completed NPDES Application and all documentation is submitted until the permit is issued.

Next Steps in Developing the Park The key to success to implement this master plan is to begin developing partnerships with individuals and organizations that can provide in-kind services to match with state funding. A capital campaign should also be attempted to raise funds for picnic shelters and other park improvements incorporating naming rights. Shelters can be funded by fraternal organizations or individuals who might want to honor a family or business associate. From a development perspective, the first expenditure should be on a more detailed and accurate topographic survey of the park. Then, as funding becomes available, construction drawings can be prepared for park development. Typically, the design steps you would follow to develop the first phase of park improvements would be to: 1. Retain a consultant who is familiar with DCNR development guidelines. 2. Apply the master plan recommendations to the new survey. 3. Develop proposed grading plans, layout plans, erosion and sedimentation control plans, stormwater management plans including stormwater management report/calculations, utility plans, planting plans and construction details. 4. Submit drawings for land development approval and to the county conservation district for review of stormwater management and erosion and sedimentation control. 5. Prepare bid documents and advertise for bids. 6. Award the contract 7. Monitor construction, review shop drawing submittals and pay requests and provide interpretations of the drawings. Provide punch list and final acceptance of the project. 8. Complete DCNR/DCED contract requirements should funding come from the state. 9. Celebrate the completion of the project with a party.

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Funding Opportunities Many agencies provide grants to assist in funding park and recreation facility development. Some offer grants to implement educational elements in concert with the park and its offerings. Still others support future planning and implementation projects that preserve and enhance habitat. Assistance can also take the form of technical assistance, information exchange and training. Thoroughly completed grant applications have the best chance of being funded, given the completion for grant funding. Here are some strategies for improving the City’s chances of receiving a grant: • Being well-prepared by knowing the funding agency (contact persons, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses; ensuring your agency or municipality and the project are eligible; and submitting a complete and accurate application ahead of the deadline. • Clearly reflecting the funding agency’s visions and goals in your application, portraying how your project fits their goals. Describe how matching funds such as private contributions and other grants will leverage their funding. Describe how improvements will be maintained. Demonstrate past success in administering and utilizing past grants that the City has received. • Contact funding agency personnel and invite them to meet with you to discuss your project and show them your commitment to the project. Many funding sources are available to municipalities fund planning, acquisition, and development of greenways, conservation areas and trails. Additionally, numerous organizations and agencies provide grant funding for conservation, environmental and recreational programming. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a number of funding opportunities available to land trusts and municipalities for conservation purposes. Most of these fall under the umbrella of one of two sources: 1.) Act 13 the Marcellus Legacy Fund, and, 2.) DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnership Program.

Marcellus Legacy Fund Act 13 of 2012 establishes the Marcellus Legacy Fund and allocates funds to the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects using the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP). The CFA program is annual, and the application deadline is typically in July for consideration at the November CFA board meeting.

Uses Projects which involve development, rehabilitation and improvements to public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails and river conservation.

Funding Grants shall be awarded to eligible applicants for projects that do not exceed $250,000. A 15% local match of the total project cost is required.

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Eligibility • • • • • •

Municipalities Councils of Governments Authorized Organization Institution of Higher Education Watershed Organization For-Profit Businesses

Funding from Oil and Gas Drilling on Park Property Local governments and non-profit organizations that are looking for additional sources of revenue for parks and even for other municipal operations often consider drilling for gas and oil on property. While the land owner may believe they have every right to do so, there may be restrictions if grant funding was used in the acquisition or development of the properties. If properties were acquired or developed using the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Project 500 Fund (P-500), Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Keystone), and/or the Growing Greener Bond Fund (GG2), the properties may only be used for purposes permitted in the funding legislation. These activities are generally restricted to recreation and conservation. To use the property for natural resource extraction is considered a change in use of the property that requires written consent from the PA DCNR and in some cases the US Department of Interior. Both DCNR and the Department of Interior recognize that some drilling opportunities are good for the municipalities and their residents. Therefore, they have established certain guidelines under which drilling can take place. Any contracts or agreements for drilling on these properties must receive approval from DCNR prior to the signing of any lease. If a conversion is approved by DCNR, the revenues produced from the drilling operations can only be used to fund projects that are consistent with the original grant legislation. Under the Keystone Fund, this means “the conservation open space, acquisition or development of park lands or natural areas for public benefit.” Other funds have very similar restrictions. DCNR has issued an the following Advisory on Oil and Natural Gas Drilling for those considering to lease oil and gas rights on their property.

FirstEnergy Foundation FirstEnergy, the successor to West Penn Power, who turned Cascade Park over to the City of New Castle, has a grant making foundation that may support efforts to improve the parks within the City provided the City can partner with an applicant that is eligible to receive funding from the foundation. The FirstEnergy Foundation’s contributions to local nonprofit organizations help strengthen the social and economic fabric of our communities. Funded solely by FirstEnergy, the Foundation extends the corporate philosophy of providing community support. The FirstEnergy Foundations support non-profit, tax-exempt organizations within the FirstEnergy operating companies’ service areas, including Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison in Ohio; Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power and West Penn Power in Pennsylvania; Jersey Central Power & Light in New Jersey; Mon Power and Potomac Edison in West Virginia and Maryland; and where FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., FirstEnergy Generation and FirstEnergy Nuclear Operations conduct business.

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• • • • •

The FirstEnergy Foundation traditionally provides funding to: Help improve the vitality of our communities and support key safety initiatives Promote local and regional economic development and revitalization efforts Support FirstEnergy employee community leadership and volunteer interests Advance an educated workforce by supporting professional development and literacy, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education initiatives.

Limitations The FirstEnergy Foundation generally does not consider funding for: • Direct grants to individuals, or to political or legislative activities • Organizations that receive sizable public tax funding • Fraternal, religious, labor, athletic, social or veterans organizations - unless the contribution is earmarked for an eligible program or campaign open to all beneficiaries, including those not affiliated with the host organization • National or international organizations • Organizations already supported by federated campaigns, such as United Way • Research • Equipment purchases • Loans or second-party giving, such as endowments, debt retirement or foundations • Public or private secondary schools (Pre-K - 12) • Organizations that are a public charity defined as a 509(a)(3) How to Apply The FirstEnergy Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Applicants are encouraged to discuss grant inquiries with the local management of FirstEnergy companies and the staff of FirstEnergy’s Community Involvement Department. The FirstEnergy Foundation Grant Application can be downloaded and completed electronically. Once you have completed the application form, please print and attach the following documentation: • Photocopy of IRS 501(c)(3) letter (including description of 509(a) status if applicable) • List of Board of Trustees • Itemized program budget for current year or proposed budget. Applications without this information will not be considered. Mail application and additional documentation to: Dee Lowery, President FirstEnergy Foundation 76 S. Main Street Akron, OH 44308-1890 For additional information visit: https://www.firstenergycorp.com/content/fecorp/community/firstenergy_foundation.html

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DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Programs and Priorities The DCNR 2015 Grant Announcement describes grant assistance from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to help communities and organizations plan, acquire, and develop recreation, park, and trail facilities and conserve open space. Grants are funded through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program which combines several state and federal funding sources including the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund, Environmental Stewardship Fund, Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Grant applications for this program are generally due in April of each year with funding announcements typically being made in the late fall. The 2015 DCNR Grant Program focuses on making grant awards that advance local recreation and conservation priorities and implement the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2014-2019, www.paoutdoorrecplan. com. Uses: • Sustainable and green park development and planning • Major park and recreation rehabilitation projects that modernize facilities and bring them into compliance with the current standards for safety, ADA, and the Universal Construction Code, • Trail projects that close gaps in major statewide greenways and regionally significant trails and planning to help communities become bicycle and pedestrian friendly • Land conservation to protect critical habitat, forested watersheds, wetlands, and riparian corridors and lands that conserve connectors between public lands, or conserve urban green space • Rivers conservation projects that enhance water trails, improve public access and/or increase awareness of Pennsylvania rivers • Emerging trends including off-leash dog parks, splash/spray parks, skate parks and community parks that feature green amenities such as gardens and natural areas that connect children to nature, etc. • Statewide and regional partnerships that build capaCity to promote outdoor recreation and conservation of natural and heritage resources DCNR is in the process of completing the new 2014-2018 State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan that will establish new priorities for grant funding beginning in 2015. Preliminary indications are that there will be a renewed emphasis on funding for local parks, while also maintaining the commitment to trail and conservation priorities. For development project’s DCNR requires the applicant to match the grant dollar for dollar. For more information contact: Kathy Frankel, Natural Resource Program Supervisor PA DCNR Bureau of Conservation & Recreation Southwest Region 301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 324 Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2420 (412) 880-0486 kfrankel@pa.gov

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Planning Assistance to States ®

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

BUILDING STRONG®

States, local governments and Native American Tribes often have needs in planning for water and related resources of a drainage basin or larger region of a state, for which the Corps of Engineers has expertise. Authority and Scope. Section 22 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1974, as amended, provides authority for the Corps of Engineers to assist the States, local governments, Native American Tribes and other non-Federal entities, in the preparation of comprehensive plans for the development and conservation of water and related land resources. Program Development. The needed planning assistance is determined by the individual States and Tribes. Typical studies are only undertaken at the planning level of detail; they do not include detailed design for project construction. The studies generally involve the analysis of existing data for planning purposes using standard engineering techniques although some data collection is often necessary. Most studies become the basis for State or Tribal and local planning decisions. Typical Studies. The program can encompass many types of studies, dealing with water resources issues. Types of studies conducted in recent years under the program include the following: ¥ Water Supply and Demand Studies ¥ Water Quality Studies ¥ Environmental Conservation/Restoration Studies ¥ Wetlands Evaluation Studies ¥ Dam Safety/Failure Studies ¥ Flood Risk Management Studies ¥ Flood Plain Management Studies ¥ Coastal Zone Management/Protection Studies ¥ Harbor/Port Studies

Eau Galle River nutrient study for water quality

Funding. The Planning Assistance to States program is funded annually by Congress. Federal allotments for each State or Tribe from the nation-wide appropriation are limited to $2,000,000 annually, but typically are much less. Individual studies, of which there may be more than one per State or Tribe per year, are cost shared on a 50 percent Federal - 50 percent non-Federal basis (may include 100% work in kind). How to Request Assistance. State, local government and Tribal officials who are interested in obtaining planning assistance under this Program can contact the appropriate USACE office for further details. Alternatively, interested parties can contact the appropriate State or Tribal Planning Assistance to States coordinator to request assistance. In either case, USACE will coordinate all requests for assistance with the State or Tribal Planning Assistance to States coordinator to ensure that studies are initiated on State or Tribal prioritized needs.

Point of Contact for Factsheet: Maria Wegner-Johnson USACE Headquarters 202-761-5541

147 Redwood Creek flow capacity study

The Conservation Easement Assistance Program The Conservation Easement Assistance Program, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, provides reimbursement grants to qualified organizations to help with completing conservation as well as trail and fishing access easements, amending and restating older easements, establishing or updating baseline documentation, and installing signs on eased properties. More information can be found here: http://conserveland.org/ceap

National Park Service – Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Project applicants may be state or local agencies, tribes, nonprofit organizations, or citizen groups. Federal agencies may apply in partnership with other local organizations. More information can be found here: www.nps.gov/orgs/rtca/apply.htm

PENNDOT- Transportation Alternatives Program Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) introduced fundamental changes to the administration of local programs, including those that previously existed as separate programs in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) legislation. Transportation Enhancements (TE), Safe Routes to School (SRTS), Scenic Byways (Byways) and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) are now consolidated into the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). With the exception of the RTP, which takes funding “off the top”, the current eligible activities from the SAFETEA-LU programs compete against each other for funding. Transportation alternatives projects build pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to public transportation, create safe routes to school, preserve historic transportation structures, provide environmental mitigation, create trails projects that serve a transportation purpose, while promoting safety and mobility. To provide for the continuation of recreational trails projects, MAP-21 requires each State to set aside a portion of its TAP funds for projects relating to recreational trails under 23 USC 206. The program will continue to be administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Guidance for the Recreational Trails Program remains relatively unchanged. The remaining guidance herein is not applicable to the Recreational Trails Program, more information is available at: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/d_001241.pdf

National Forest Foundation Grants The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is the only conservation organization solely focused on addressing the challenges that face America’s National Forests and Grasslands. The NFF stands apart from similar organizations through its commitment to facilitating local involvement and encouraging grassroots participation in the stewardship of our public lands. More information can be found here: www.nationalforests.org/conserve/grantprograms

Outdoor Foundation The Outdoor Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 foundation established by Outdoor Industry Association to inspire and grow future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. Its vision is to be a driving force behind a massive increase in active outdoor recreation in America. The Foundation’s Corporate Philanthropy Programs allow brands and businesses to create consumer-facing giving campaigns that align with business goals while increasing outdoor recreation and spurring community engagement. Leveraging the Foundation’s experience, companies can develop and completely own a unique, branded community grant program that results in effective charitable giving, meaningful stakeholder activation and valuable marketing content without incurring administrative or staff resources. To date, the Foundation has worked with partners

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to invest more than $2 million in these corporate-driven community programs. For more information visit: www. outdoorfoundation.org

Do GOOD Outdoors $5,000 grants to help you use the great outdoors to do GOOD in your community. Whether you want to organize an educational trip to the tidepools, start a rock-climbing club for kids, or plant flowers in a communal garden, we want to know what you’re up to! Tell us how you’ll be doing GOOD while getting some fresh air this summer and you’ll be eligible for $5,000. http://outdoors.maker.good.is/

Blue Moon Fund Blue Moon Fund is a private philanthropic foundation that makes grants to nonprofit organizations. They work to build human and natural resilience to a changing and warming world. They use natural, social, and financial capital to implement new models in high-biodiversity regions around the world. They accept letters of inquiry solely through their website, and they accept full grant applications by invitation only. Please note that they do not accept inquiries by mail, email, or telephone. For more information: www.bluemoonfund.org/grantmaking/

Kresge Foundation The Kresge Foundation supports efforts that create access and opportunity in underserved communities. Each of their programs focuses on specific areas so they ask that you begin by learning more about the program that best fits your project. For more information: http://kresge.org/funding/apply-for-funding

Lawrence Foundation The foundation is focused on making grants to support environmental, human services and other causes although Their interests are fairly diverse and may lead them into other areas on an occasional basis. They make both program and operating grants and do not have any geographic restrictions on our grants. Nonprofit organizations that qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or public schools and libraries are eligible for contributions or grants. For more information visit: www.thelawrencefoundation.org/grants/guidelines. php

Nathan Cummings Foundation The Environment program’s accountability approach seeks to address the root causes of environmental degradation. Funding priority will be given to projects with the potential of having state, multi-state, or national impacts. More information can be found here: www.nathancummings.org/grant-programs/ecological-innovation-program

Dr. Robert C. & Tina Sohn Foundation While the scope of the Foundation’s efforts are largely centered on the environment and alternative health care modalities, the Foundation has the flexibility to contribute to such other causes as the Trustees believe are consistent with the Sohns’ vision, including alleviation of poverty, education and the arts. • The Foundation makes grants to private and publicly supported, not-for-profit, IRC approved 501(c)(3) tax exempt agencies, institutions, and organizations. • The Foundation makes grants to eligible institutions whose mission involves: The Environment, Health and Human Services, Education (Arts) For more information visit: www.sohnfoundation.org/Grant_guidelines1.htm

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Keep America Beautiful Keep America Beautiful’s partnerships with sponsors in the business community provide significant grants to their affiliates that can be used for creating and expanding local programs. These competitive grants promote volunteerism, beautification, community greening, litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, and more. In the last few years, KAB affiliates have received grants and in-kind services valued at more than $10 million. These significant grants allow their affiliate network to further KAB’s mission to build and sustain vibrant communities. For more information visit: www.kab.org/site/PageServer?pagename=grants_Grant_applications

Rite Aid Foundation The Rite Aid Foundation is dedicated to helping people in the communities Rite Aid serves lead happier, healthier lives. Eligible programs must focus on health and wellness in the communities in which Rite Aid operates and be offered by non-profit organizations that are classified under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Applications are accepted throughout the year with rolling deadlines. Grants are awarded for one year at a time, and no organization can receive a grant more than two years in a row. For more information visit: www.expandedschools.org/funding-opportunities/rite-aid-foundation#sthash.Pz20Ui6M.dpbs

Colcom Foundation Colcom Foundation’s principal funding interests reflect a primary concern for quality of life, which it strives to address with honesty, compassion and responsibility. Through the practice of strategic grant-making, the Foundation focuses its philanthropic program on environmental sustainability, natural resource preservation, land and water conservation, and efforts to establish a sustainable population. For more information visit: www. colcomfdn.org/interests.html

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Watershed Conservation Program Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Watershed Conservation Program is dedicated to watershed conservation issues and to providing a full range of services to the community. WPC participates in a wide range of water conservation efforts including watershed conservation plans, watershed restoration projects, bathymetry initiatives, water trail mapping, algae studies and many others. For more information visit: http://waterlandlife.org/112

Pennsylvania American Water is launching the Community Investment Challenge Pennsylvania American Water is launching the Community Investment Challenge contest on Facebook this fall to give nonprofit organizations the opportunity to win grant money for their community/environmental improvement project. For more information visit: www.amwater.com/paaw/about-us/community-involvement/community-program-info/page21833.html

National Forest Foundation Grants The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is the only conservation organization solely focused on addressing the challenges that face America’s National Forests and Grasslands. The NFF stands apart from similar organizations through its commitment to facilitating local involvement and encouraging grassroots participation in the stewardship of our public lands. For more information visit: www.nationalforests.org/conserve/grantprograms

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William Penn Foundation The William Penn Foundation works to advance opportunity, foster creativity, and ensure sustainability, we will continue to honor our enduring values of stewardship, respect, integrity, collaboration, and accountability. Acting with transparency and renewed urgency, we want to use data effectively in our service to others as a smart resource and dedicated partner. For more information visit: www.williampennfoundation.org/GrantmakingOverviewApplicationProcess.aspx

Environmental Education Grants Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Education Grant Program. The Environmental Education Grant Program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates that five percent of all pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the Department of Environmental Protection be set aside for environmental education. Since the inception of the environmental education grant program, DEP has awarded nearly $8 million in grants to support the environmental education efforts throughout Pennsylvania. Administered through DEP, the funds are used for projects ranging from creative, hands-on lessons for students, teacher training programs, and outdoor learning resources to conservation education for adults. For more information visit: www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/environmental_education/13903/grants/588549

National Education Foundation National Education Foundation supports new ideas and practices to strengthen teaching and learning. Their goal is to fund and share successful strategies to educate and prepare students for bright and rewarding futures. They have learned that the best teaching methods come from our greatest assets: educators. That is why, over the last 10 years, they have awarded more than $7.1 million to fund nearly 4,500 grants to public school educators to enhance teaching and learning. To build their knowledge base and to uncover new, great practices in public education they invite all eligible educational professionals to apply for these grants. They support new ideas and practices to strengthen teaching and learning. Their goal is to fund and share successful strategies to educate and prepare students for bright and rewarding futures. For more information visit: www.neafoundation.org/pages/grants-to-educators/

The Water Resources Education Network The Water Resources Education Network (WREN) is a project of the Citizen Education Fund of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (LWVPA-CEF). WREN is a nonpartisan informal collaboration of organizations and public officials working for the protection and management of Pennsylvaniaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water resources, both surface and ground water, through grass-roots education and informed policy-making. WREN provides training and grants for local coalition building to promote community awareness and development of public policies necessary to protect Pennsylvania water resources. For more information visit: http://wren.palwv.org/grants/local.html

Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant Program gives small monetary grants to schools, nature centers, and other non-profit and not-for-profit places of learning in the United States with a site available for a stewardship project. Successful non-school applicants often are a partnership between a youth group (scouts, 4-H, etc.) and a site owner. Libraries, government agencies and houses of worship are eligible subject to youth participation. www.for-wild.org/seedmony.htm

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Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry Tree Vitalize Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry Tree Vitalize- Responding to an alarming trend of the loss of trees in Pennsylvania’s metropolitan areas, TreeVitalize is a public-private partnership to help restore tree cover, educate citizens about planting trees as an act of caring for our environment, and build capaCity among local governments to understand, protect and restore their urban trees. For more information visit: www.treevitalize.net/SubGrant.aspx

GRO1000 Grassroots Grants Scotts Miracle-Gro provides GRO1000 Grassroots Grants to help foster community spirit and public service. Grassroots Grants of up to $1,500 are awarded to local communities to help bring edible gardens, flower gardens and public green spaces to neighborhoods across the United States. For more information visit: http://grogood.com/GiveBackToGro/Gro1000/Grassroots#sthash.fuMtj7SK.dpuf

Public Lands Every Day, Every Day Event Grants Our nation’s public lands are places where we picnic, play ball, fish, fly kites, pull weeds and plant seeds. Our public lands should be safe places of natural beauty where everyone can go to lend a hand, observe nature and enjoy life. With generous support from Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc., NEEF offered Every Day Event Grants to public land organizations, or Friends Groups, to engage their community on a public land site. For more information visit:\ http://publiclandseveryday.org/grants/every-day-event-grants-0

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Community Transformation Grant The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Community Transformation Grant (CTG) – Program continues its long-standing dedication to improving the health and wellness of all Americans through the Community Transformation Grant (CTG) Program. CTG is funded by the Affordable Care Act’s Prevention and Public Health Fund. CDC supports and enables awardees to design and implement community-level programs that prevent chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. For more information visit: www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dch/programs/communitytransformation/funds/index.htm

Shell Shell Grants will consider charitable contributions to eligible nonprofit organizations with priority consideration given to organizations serving in or near US communities where Shell has a major presence. Focus is on biodiversity initiatives with support to programs that restore critical ecosystems, address water, air quality research, preserve wetlands and sponsor wetlands initiatives. As part of their commitment to environmental stewardship, they support projects that restore and protect critical ecosystems. In addition to restoration and preservation efforts, they fund research projects for threatened wildlife and/or habitats. For more information visit: www.shell.us/environment-society/grant.html

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M&T Bank Grants M&T Bank recognizes that their corporate success is directly related to the health and vitality of the communities they serve. So, as a corporate citizen, they believe in providing resources to not-for-profit organizations that make our communities better places to live and work. Through their philanthropic arm, The M&T Charitable Foundation supports a diverse range of civic, cultural, education, health care, human service and youth organizations with financial grants, employee volunteerism and in-kind services. For more information visit: www.mtb.com/aboutus/community/Pages/CharitableContributions.aspx

Wells Fargo Wells Fargo supports the improvement of low and moderate-income communities through programs that revitalize and stabilize communities and also build strong environmental practices through programs that conserve natural resources, protect endangered species and preserve the global environment. For more information visit: www. wellsfargo.com/about/charitable/pa_guidelines

REI REI stores and employees join with nonprofits across the country to promote environmental stewardship and active volunteerism. For more information visit: www.rei.com/stewardship/community/non-profit-partnerships-and-grants/how-to-partner-with-rei.html

The Mazda Foundation The Mazda Foundation awards grants to programs promoting: education and literacy, environmental conservation, cross-cultural understanding, social welfare, and scientific research. For more information visit: www.mazdafoundation.org/Grant_Guidelines.html

Walmart Foundation For more information visit: http://foundation.walmart.com/apply-for-grants/local-giving-guidelines

Emergency Response Grants • • • • • •

Federal Emergency Management Administration Grants Preparedness (Non-Disaster) Grants Assistance to Firefighters Grants Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants Disaster Grants United States Fire Administration Grants

For more information visit: www.fema.gov/grants

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is dedicated to improving the life-saving capabilities of first responders and public safety organizations in communities served by Firehouse Subs by providing funding, resources and support. For more information visit: www.firehousesubs.com/Foundation-Overview.aspx

Fireman’s Fund Insurance Agency Heritage Fund For more information visit: www.firemansfund.com/heritage/Pages/heritage.aspx

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State Farm Good Neighborhood Citizens Grants For more information visit: www.statefarm.com/about-us/community/education-programs/grants-scholarships/company-grants/

Other Funding Strategies It is important to consider multiple funding sources for most major projects. Identify the possible groups, organizations, or grants agencies that may have an interest in a specific project. Consider the following potential sources of funding.

Grant Agencies See the list of potential grant sources provided in this Chapter. It is wise to consider more than one grant source for multifaceted projects. Different agencies may be willing to provide funding for different portions of your project. For example, if a project includes construction of trails and development of a neighborhood park, there are agencies that will fund trails and others who will fund parks and land acquisition. Applying to both types of agencies for funding that meets their specific criteria enhances the likelihood of receiving a grant.

Adjacent Municipalities In some cases adjacent municipalities have a specific interest in park and green space facilities located within the City or City. In these cases there may be interest in making a financial contribution toward the project.

Local Organizations Often local recreation organizations are willing to raise funds to be used for upgrades to their facilities. These funds should be considered as part of the local match for grant funding. Funds Already Planned for Use - It is also helpful to consider funds that may already be allocated for use in or near a park that may be used as a source of matching funds.

Creativity Creativity is key to finding and leveraging funding sources with one another. The intent is to reduce the local share as low as possible while accomplishing the goals of the project. Consider as many options as you can identify. Then contact the funding agencies to determine whether or not your plan meets their requirements.

Partnerships Partnerships will be critical to ensuring local capaCity to implement this Plan. All municipalities and organizations should consider opportunities to partner with others as they move toward implementation of the Planâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategies. Partnerships can allow for the distribution of responsibility for funding, management, operations, programming or maintenance of a specific project. Often times funding agencies look more favorably upon projects that are developed through partnerships than those of an individual entity.

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