HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmerson Park - Amenities, Timeline, Outreach_2023Emerson Park Amenity Upgrades and Beautification Project
Online Survey & Event Information
Survey & Event Timeline
Survey Start: June 19th
Public Outreach Event: June 19th
Promote Public Outreach Event: Now to June 19
Promote Survey: June 19 to July 18
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting: August TBD
Survey closes: July 18
Pull Data: July 19
Community Calendar: Add Now
Survey Audience
Downtown Community
Emerson user groups (current & past field reservations)
Dog owners and Dog Park groups
Hawthorne Elementary School
Clubs (bocce ball, gardening, etc.)
Seniors
Parents
Amenity List
This language comes directly from the Prop 68 Grant paperwork we ha ve recently received
from the state for our grant reporting.
Required Project Deliverables:
Design of Recreation Features:
• Educational garden
• Restroom
• Lit dog park
• Shade structures
• Drought resistant/low-cost landscaping
• Hydration stations (including one for dogs)
• Updated perimeter fencing
• Expansion/renovation of the playground
• Multi-purpose court with lighting
Location of Features in the Park:
• Restroom location near the playground
• The shade structures were chosen to be placed near the dog park, the playground, and
exercise equipment.
• The dog park was identified to be located on the opposite section of the park from the
playground as an additional safety measure.
• Bocce courts moved adjacent to the exercise equipment shade structure.
Emerson Park Amenity Upgrades and Beautification Project
Online Survey & Event Information
Safe Public Use:
• Safety path lighting will be installed around the restroom, and along main pathways and
lighting will be added to the multi-purpose court and dog park.
• The public wanted updated perimeter fencing
Park Beautification/Public Art:
• Educational garden
• Drought tolerant landscaping
• Art installation on restroom and black top mural
• Neighborhood youth participation in designing art mosaic tiles to incorporate into concrete
surfaces and benches
• Colorful and artistic shaped shade structures.
• Artistic dog park equipment.
Employment or volunteer opportunities to be included in the project are:
• There will be an opportunity for residents and/or corps members to help with renovating the
current landscaping at the park through the planting of drought tolerant plants, and dog park
fencing.
• Public Art is to be installed at the park (mural on restroom and black top). In addition to
community youth work in designing mosaic tiles incorporated in concrete surfaces.
Partnerships for the project’s design or construction will include:
• San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden - will assist with designing and implementing the new
children’s educational gardens and determine the appropriate drought resistant plants to be
included. They will help oversee the installation of the garden. All work will be on a volunteer
basis.
• Arts Council - will coordinate the public art for the park which includes a mural on the
restroom and blacktop. All work will be on a volunteer basis.
• County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department - will help design the renovated fitness
equipment area. County is contributing staff hours to the project.
• Friends of SLO City Dog Parks - The members of the community organization will assist with
building the Dog Park and donating specific features/amenities.
The project will include these sustainable techniques:
• Bio-Swales/Grading - In constructing the new restrooms, stormwater will be captured for
infiltration or irrigation, where applicable, through the use of bio-swales, grading, and rain
barrels. Permeable material will be used for children’s garden pathways. The design
incorporates rain barrels for stormwater runoff from the restrooms to use in watering
landscaping and garden areas. In addition, a bio-swale will be built near the dog park to capture
storm water.
Emerson Park Amenity Upgrades and Beautification Project
Online Survey & Event Information
• Water efficient irrigation system - The park already incorporates sustainable landscape and
irrigation features (Calsense, flow sensing, ET technology and rain sensors). The revitalization
activities will augment current features and update irrigation to switch sprinklers and MP
rotator sprinklers to provide more water/energy efficient irrigation.
• Recycled Materials - Project will use recycled materials for the ground covering present in the
dog park, community and educational gardens.
• Use of drought tolerant/climate appropriate non -invasive native turf, shrubs, plants and
ground cover - The gardens and general landscaping of the park will include drought tolerant
plants. Invasive species will not be used in the park. Fertilizer is only applied for turf renovation,
which happens once a year, and the turf area is closed for public use at that time.
• Safety Path Solar Lighting - Utilizing solar energy for foot lighting.
• Additional hydration station - The project will include a new hydration station adjacent to the
new restroom and the existing water fountain at the park will be updated to a hydration
station. These hydration stations will provide safe reliable drinking water to visitors and allow
them to fill their own bottle, so they can stay hydrated throughout the park.
• Additional compost bin in Educational Children’s Garden - Establish an additional bin in the
educational children’s garden.
• Solar Panel Installation - Solar panels will be installed on top of the restrooms.
• Water Runoff Collection - Water barrel near restrooms to collect rainwater runoff.
• Reduced natural Turf - Reduced fertilizer and irrigation needs
• Additional Buffer/Landscape Strip - Bio swale creation through additional buffer/landscape
strip.