October 12, 2011
10/13/11 What features do you want to have in the new downtown park? Members of the Plymouth Park Board listed out the features they are most interested in having in River Park Square.
During a special Park Board meeting Wednesday night each member presented their list of the top 4 or 5 features. Most of the members had more than 4 or 5 suggestions and several commented that they took into consideration items that were a given, such as the Greenway Trail, Farmers’ Market, and restrooms.
Some of the features considered important to park board members included a pedestrian promenade, children’s play ground, a stage area with place for seating, a water feature of some type, beer garden, lots of open green space, canoe and kayak launch, Christmas tree, picnic shelters and areas, ice rink, formal gardens, and community gardens.
Once all members had presented their lists the Park Board narrowed down the list with features that were most common among them. That list include a playground, picnic sites, water feature of some type…maybe a splash pad or fountain, ice rink, band stand performance area the City’s Christmas Tree.
A few features were called out of the preliminary designs including mounds, a flood channel, and the therapeutic gardens.
There was a short discussion of a beer garden and board member Dave Morrow said, “I’m not sure this is the right venue” noting the park atmosphere. He continued by saying, “I think it should be a commercial business. The idea of the park is to draw people to the area and other businesses can develop and capitalize on the park.”
There was some discussion on the location of the Farmers’ Market. A few board members said they would like to see the Market moved to Water Street but additional property will need to be purchased.
Morrow also commented, “The park shouldn’t be too busy. It should be an open concept where people have some place to go and spread out, like to play Frisbee.”
Park Superintendent Mike Hite will contact representatives from The Troyer Group on Thursday and it is anticipated that they will present 3 designs at the November Park Board Meeting.