Greensboro Plan2Play Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2019

86 - FEBRUARY 2019

Action 1d. Identify a phased strategy for facility upgrades to ensure the city provides the highest quality spaces, equitably distributed across the city, including the implementation of existing park master plans. Investments should be made incrementally over time - addressing the highest deferred maintenance needs first to protect valuable assets and reduce the need for new construction in the future. The Department has already invested in preparation of site master plans to upgrade and update many existing parks. These plans provide a clear place to begin with implementation. Gardens- The Department’s gardens are well cared for by maintenance staff and well-loved by residents and visitors. Resident support for the gardens is evident in community input (gardens were among the top five assets residents would like to see more of in the city) and in the continued support of Greensboro Beautiful as a strong partner in funding, volunteer support, and other strategic investments. Key sites for near and mid-term improvements include:

Action 1c. Prioritize renovation of facilities with critical issues that currently impact the ability of the Department to serve the community. Prioritize Renovations - Priority issues to address include: particularly recreation centers, with limited effectiveness to support programming and community use. • Safety concerns such as poor outdoor lighting or assets in need of repair. • ADA compliance and lack of accessibility, which requires inclusive programs traveling to facilities not owned by the city for programming. • Climate control limitations that cause the Simkins Indoor Sports Pavilion to shut down from May to August limiting the potential year-round use of the facility. • Complete Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) analysis for each facility to identify safety needs and priorities. • Aging/dated indoor facilities,

Gateway Gardens has been identified as a near term priority for upgrades. Regional Parks - Regional parks in Greensboro provide amenities that serve the broader needs of city residents. These parks also contribute to Greensboro’s economic development by hosting regional events, tournaments, and other program elements. Investments in these parks will be directed towards creating high quality destinations and programming that can serve the needs of the entire Greensboro community.

• Barber Park Phase II

• Keeley Park Phase II

• Hester Park Phase I Redevelopment

• Hester Park Phase II Community Parks - Greensboro’s 14 community parks include many of the linear more contiguous greens that follow stream courses. They often offer longer uninterrupted trail experiences and house a variety of program options such as the Skate park at Latham Park and native grassland at Price Park. These parks should be evaluated for strategic additions