Greensboro Plan2Play Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2019

GREENSBORO PLAN2PLAY MASTER PLAN - 87

such as unique playgrounds, fitness loops, and active play areas for basketball or other pick-up sports. Specific upgrades at Carolyn S. Allen Community Park Complex including the addition of batting cages and bullpens, a playground, fencing, and trailhead parking have been identified as near-term needs. Neighborhood Parks - Greensboro’s 110 neighborhood parks are embedded in communities throughout the city. Almost all of the neighborhood parks include stream corridors. Neighborhood parks are configured in two basic typologies: pocket parks and longer linear parks that follow stream corridors. Almost all neighborhood parks include standardized play equipment that is quickly aging out. As upgrades are needed it will be important to make strategic improvements that bring up basic infrastructure and add new life and local character to these facilities. Community feedback pointed to the opportunity to make playgrounds more interactive, interesting, and creative through the addition of unique elements to traditional play structures. The community

also noted a desire for additional dog parks, fields for pick-up games, pickleball courts, midnight basketball, shade structures, wifi, and charging stations. Other upgrades could include colorful and durable site furniture that is different such as loungers, integration of local or interactive art, unique play elements such as giant chess boards, ga-ga ball, or giant outdoor chalkboards, nature play, increased walking loops, and native landscape plantings. More ideas can be found for neighborhood parks in the Pear Street Park example found later in this document. Near-term neighborhood park upgrades that are already in the planning process include:

Figure 55. Neighborhood parks should include more unique features such as nature-based play.

Figure 56. Park identity can also be created through the use of colorful and interactive site furniture.

• Henry Street Park

• Sussman Park

• Steelman Park

• Griffin Community Park

Long term upgrades will need to be made to recent investments like LeBauer Park, Center City Park, the Downtown Greenway and others.