Point Defiance Park Master Plan
Public Participation 1/29, 2/26, 3/26 & 4/23
Owen Beach Ferry Zoo Fort Nisqually Mildred Street Pearl Street Triangle
Hare & Hare Master Plan - 1911
2008 Concept Plan
Comments from the past month: Picnic shelters: Most commenters would like restrooms The need for hot/cold water, electric power and cooking facilities was less of a concern Signage: More interpretive signage and better trail markings Camp 6 / Baker Tract: Improvements need to have low impact on surroundings Playground: preference for nature theme Dog Park : better location, fencing and ensuring dogs are on leashes outside of the Off-leash area Fort Nisqually: expand programs for nature, history & Native American Owen Beach: maintain and improve existing services Peninsula at Point Defiance: include a covered picnic shelter and outdoor stage area The entry Triangle: include information kiosk, event parking with shuttle services, and restrooms Adventure Zone : type of activities too intensive
Existing and Future February 26
Existing and Future March 26
Tonight s Agenda: Pedestrian/Bicycle Circulation Issues Working Principles Possible Solutions Questions Vehicle Circulation Issues Working Principles Possible Solutions Questions Parking Issues Working Principles Possible Solutions Questions
2008 Concept Plan
MISSION: Achieve a balance of: Past, Present, and Future Recreation, Leisure, Education, Conservation, Preservation, History, and Progress OBJECTIVES: 1. Preserve, respect, and enhance the integrity of the Park s history and beauty 2. Create an exceptional pedestrian environment 3. Enhance the visitor experience through education, recreation, leisure and safety 4. Create a destination and gathering space 5. Provide financially sustainable opportunities to enhance revenue for maintenance and operations 6. Encourage water related/dependent activities 7. Complete missing link between Ruston Way and Point Defiance. Mission & Objectives
Roads and Trails, Past and Present
Pedestrian / Bicycle Circulation
Pedestrian / Bicycle Issues: Awkward street crossings Shared roadway and no separated sidewalks in heavy traffic areas Pedestrians walking with traffic instead of facing Poor connections to major facilities ADA Accessibility
Existing Pedestrian Circulation
Pedestrian / Bike Paths Working Principles Encourage walking and biking to and around the park Provide direct connections to major destinations Improve safety and wayfinding Meet ADA requirements
Pedestrian / bikes only Shared with vehicles Nature trails Trail Types
Pedestrian / Bicycles: Possible Solutions Create separated pedestrian byways in areas of intense usage Continue to manage Shared roadway use during peak times Provide direct connections to major facilities Extend transit service to major destinations during peak times Improve signage
Existing Pedestrian Circulation
Proposed Pedestrian Circulation
# 10 Tacoma Community College Pt. Defiance - Half-Hour 7am to 9am; 4pm to 6pm - Hourly 9am to 4pm, 6pm to 7pm #11 Downtown Pt. Defiance - Hourly 7am to 7pm Bus Stops Public Transit #10 & #11
Vehicular Circulation
Vehicular Circulation Issues Congestion on Pearl Street entering the park Long drives to get to major destinations Pedestrian / vehicular conflicts, particularly in high use areas Inadequate directional signage
Existing Auto Circulation
Existing Auto Circulation
Owen Beach Existing Auto Circulation
Fort Nisqually Existing Auto Circulation
Existing Auto Circulation
Working Vehicular Traffic Principles Decrease the number of cars in the middle of the park Get people directly to major destinations Make circulation easy to understand for all Make it safe
Vehicular Circulation: Possible Solutions Roundabout at Pearl Street Entry Two-Way Spine along park border Physically separating vehicles from pedestrians and bicycles in high use areas Manage pedestrian/vehicular use in forest areas Improve directional signage
Roundabout
Two-Way Traffic Spine
Parking
Parking Issues Inadequate parking facilities to meet heavy attendance days New attractions will increase demand Need for adequate boat-trailer parking Over-flow parking damaging the environment
Parking Breakdown
900 855 Parking Demand & Supply at Peak Hour (1 p.m.) on a Summer Saturday 800 752 700 600 500 400 Demand 300 200 172 217 262 166 179 208 284 240 Supply 100 78 81 29 30 0
180% 160% Existing Parking Occupancy by Area at Peak Hour (1 p.m.) on a Summer Saturday 158% 140% 120% 114% 119% 110% 100% 80% 79% 96% 86% 95% 60% 40% 20% 0%
Parking
Working Parking Principles Provide parking near major destinations Expand parking in existing lots Minimize creation of new parking lots
Parking: Possible Solutions Increase parking spaces at core use areas (ex. zoo) Increase parking count overall by +15% Redesign marina access and boat-trailer parking Restripe/fine-tune existing parking areas for more efficiency (ex. Owen Beach)
Parking Enhancements
Next Public Presentation April 23 Presentation of Master Plan Owen Beach Fort Nisqually Mildred Street Zoo Pearl Street Open for discussion