Improve Vancouver (WA) Central Park
Donation protected
Central Park Activities Committee
Water Works Park Restoration Project
Proposal to the City of Vancouver Parks and Recreation
Water Works Park is the first and remains the largest pump station for the City of Vancouver Water Department. Built in the 1880’s, this historic 20-acre park is located at Fourth Plain Boulevard and Fort Vancouver Way, just north of Clark College with generous walking trails and the Swift Skate Park.
The park has suffered from neglect and funding cutbacks as a result of the Great Recession. Neighborhood volunteers from Central Park, Maplewood, Fourth Plain, and Rose Village neighborhoods have come together to identify opportunities to clean up and restore this park to be a valuable asset for local communities. Most of the areas for improvement will be achieved through grants and volunteer in-kind work donations from neighbors and local businesses. We submit this proposal to the City of Vancouver Parks and Rec for their approval and partnership in making Water Works Park a safe and positive event center for our community. We recognize that there are short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals that should lead to a successful and positive reclamation of the park.
Vancouver Water Department has announced a significant $20 million seismic improvement and holding tank project to begin in late 2015. Included in this project is path lighting.
SHORT-TERM GOALS
1. Clean Up. Central Park Neighborhood Association has organized a committee to clean up garbage and storm debris at the park. The first organized clean up even is scheduled for January 17, 2015. Volunteers are already removing garbage (litter) and storm debris has been picked up by the Clark County Inmate program as well as neighborhood volunteers. The Cleanup Committee agrees to work with the Event Planning Committee to provide additional clean up activity for every scheduled event in the park. In an effort to not add a burden to the City, garbage collection will continue to be done by volunteers; local businesses have agreed to pay for garbage disposal through their own accounts. We are currently working with Hailey Heath to coordinate cleanup efforts with assistance from the City for refuse containers. We agree to provide volunteer information and waivers to the City. We have requested consultation from the City Arborist (through Vancouver Parks and Rec) for guidance on trimming trees and brush in the park. Volunteers are prepared to work with City employees to put storm debris through a chipper and use the chip material to spread in the rhododendron garden and other areas (under picnic tables).
2. Replace inadequate garbage bins with permanently fixed outdoor units. There are three existing garbage cans in the park. They are all inadequate because none of them have lids and they collect water. Windy days cause the debris to scatter throughout the park (and elsewhere). Swift Skate Park is the highest traffic area and there is no trash receptacle located in this vicinity. We need to have a permanently fixed outdoor commercial grade receptacle located at this location with a recycling station. Other garbage receptacles would replace existing cans at the NW corner by a pump station and by the amphitheater, just past the Kiwanis gazebo. We intend to have the neighborhood associations apply for a grant from Vancouver Watershed Alliance to accommodate this goal.
3. Pet Waste Stations. In an effort to attract regular positive influence on park attendance, we would like to have two pet waste stations installed in the park. The first location recommendation is near the fountain at the north entrance. The second location is at the south entrance from E. Reserve by the Kiwanis gazebo. Having regular and responsible pet owners frequent the park will keep eyes and ears at the park. The Cleanup Committee will monitor this area. CPNA is writing a grant request to Vancouver Watershed Alliance for the installation of two pet waste stations.
4. Restore Rhododendron Garden. The sign to the rhododendron garden had been damaged beyond repair. CPNA is in contact with a Master Gardner group to assist with providing guidance on restoring the garden. Specialty Graphic Solutions in Vancouver has offered to replace the sign.
5. Security. Vancouver Police are patrolling the park with increased frequency. Neighborhoods On Watch (NOW) also monitors the park. We have engaged with Clark College security to see if they can provide occasional walk-throughs by their staff merely to have additional presence.
MID-TERM GOALS
6. Sign Restoration. Most of the signs in the park have been damaged, destroyed, or are no longer legible. CPNA is working with a local sign company to provide an estimate to restore signage to original state. ACTION ITEM: We request assistance from the Parks & Rec Department for any information on original sign designs.
7. Swift Skate Park Fencing. The fence around the skate park is distressed and irrelevant. Recommend removal of the fence.
8. Swift Skate Park Painting/Design. The skate park bowl is in need of restoration. Volunteers are working with the skating community to re-paint the bowl with in-kind donations.
9. Kiwanis Gazebo. CPNA is trying to connect with the Kiwanis group to discuss the future of their memorial.
10. Vending machines. We are considering building an enclosure to the building nearest Swift Skate Park for two vending machines. Local businesses have stated a willingness to provide building materials and local carpenters have offered to donate their time to build a lockable enclosure. Revenue from these vending machines could be utilized for water/electricity/garbage costs. A separate and dedicated account would be managed by CPNA. ACTION ITEM: City to comment on feasibility and permitting process.
11. Park Benches. There is only one park bench in the park and it has deteriorated to a hazardous state. We recommend repairing this bench and having local businesses sponsor a park bench that will have their name on a small plate on the bench.
12. Lighting. City of Vancouver Water Department has announced a $20 million renovation to the water facilities starting in late 2015. Included in this plan is path lighting. This will have a significant impact on safety in the park.
13. Fountain Restoration. We are willing to raise funds to make this fountain operational during spring/summer/fall months; shut off in winter. Estimated cost: unknown. ACTION ITEM: CPNA requests an estimate from Parks and Rec for the cost to restore the fountain at the park.
LONG-TERM GOALS
14. Bathrooms. The bathrooms are currently unusable and fenced off. We can’t ask kids not to pee in the park if there are no restrooms available. We envision a single-use toilet, one for men and a separate one for women, lockable for security purposes. Participating neighborhood associations will assume the cost for stocking the bathrooms and removing garbage. Local businesses have recommended they be responsible for daily locking and unlocking the facilities. It is likely that we will need to raise funds to meet this goal. ACTION ITEM: CPNA requests an estimate from Parks and Rec for the cost to restore the bathrooms to working order.
15. Fenced off-leash pet area. Designate an area in the
park for off-leash pets. Dog owners have a built-in incentive for regular visitation to the park for pet exercise and tend to care about the facility being open, available, and safe. Getting regular visitors is vital to the long-term strategy of filling the park with positive energy and influences. ACTION ITEM: Determine feasibility and cost.
We believe increased presence, consistent maintenance, and increased events will have a profound and positive impact on the park as well as the community in general. A separate but vital committee will be working to schedule regular family oriented events at the park (movie nights, Easter egg hunts, etc…) as well as sporting competitions sponsored by local businesses. Volunteers from the four surrounding neighborhoods will relieve the City of additional burden of costs. This public/private partnership is a healthy and responsible approach to reclaiming a beautiful facility that can be used by all.
Water Works Park Restoration Project
Proposal to the City of Vancouver Parks and Recreation
Water Works Park is the first and remains the largest pump station for the City of Vancouver Water Department. Built in the 1880’s, this historic 20-acre park is located at Fourth Plain Boulevard and Fort Vancouver Way, just north of Clark College with generous walking trails and the Swift Skate Park.
The park has suffered from neglect and funding cutbacks as a result of the Great Recession. Neighborhood volunteers from Central Park, Maplewood, Fourth Plain, and Rose Village neighborhoods have come together to identify opportunities to clean up and restore this park to be a valuable asset for local communities. Most of the areas for improvement will be achieved through grants and volunteer in-kind work donations from neighbors and local businesses. We submit this proposal to the City of Vancouver Parks and Rec for their approval and partnership in making Water Works Park a safe and positive event center for our community. We recognize that there are short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals that should lead to a successful and positive reclamation of the park.
Vancouver Water Department has announced a significant $20 million seismic improvement and holding tank project to begin in late 2015. Included in this project is path lighting.
SHORT-TERM GOALS
1. Clean Up. Central Park Neighborhood Association has organized a committee to clean up garbage and storm debris at the park. The first organized clean up even is scheduled for January 17, 2015. Volunteers are already removing garbage (litter) and storm debris has been picked up by the Clark County Inmate program as well as neighborhood volunteers. The Cleanup Committee agrees to work with the Event Planning Committee to provide additional clean up activity for every scheduled event in the park. In an effort to not add a burden to the City, garbage collection will continue to be done by volunteers; local businesses have agreed to pay for garbage disposal through their own accounts. We are currently working with Hailey Heath to coordinate cleanup efforts with assistance from the City for refuse containers. We agree to provide volunteer information and waivers to the City. We have requested consultation from the City Arborist (through Vancouver Parks and Rec) for guidance on trimming trees and brush in the park. Volunteers are prepared to work with City employees to put storm debris through a chipper and use the chip material to spread in the rhododendron garden and other areas (under picnic tables).
2. Replace inadequate garbage bins with permanently fixed outdoor units. There are three existing garbage cans in the park. They are all inadequate because none of them have lids and they collect water. Windy days cause the debris to scatter throughout the park (and elsewhere). Swift Skate Park is the highest traffic area and there is no trash receptacle located in this vicinity. We need to have a permanently fixed outdoor commercial grade receptacle located at this location with a recycling station. Other garbage receptacles would replace existing cans at the NW corner by a pump station and by the amphitheater, just past the Kiwanis gazebo. We intend to have the neighborhood associations apply for a grant from Vancouver Watershed Alliance to accommodate this goal.
3. Pet Waste Stations. In an effort to attract regular positive influence on park attendance, we would like to have two pet waste stations installed in the park. The first location recommendation is near the fountain at the north entrance. The second location is at the south entrance from E. Reserve by the Kiwanis gazebo. Having regular and responsible pet owners frequent the park will keep eyes and ears at the park. The Cleanup Committee will monitor this area. CPNA is writing a grant request to Vancouver Watershed Alliance for the installation of two pet waste stations.
4. Restore Rhododendron Garden. The sign to the rhododendron garden had been damaged beyond repair. CPNA is in contact with a Master Gardner group to assist with providing guidance on restoring the garden. Specialty Graphic Solutions in Vancouver has offered to replace the sign.
5. Security. Vancouver Police are patrolling the park with increased frequency. Neighborhoods On Watch (NOW) also monitors the park. We have engaged with Clark College security to see if they can provide occasional walk-throughs by their staff merely to have additional presence.
MID-TERM GOALS
6. Sign Restoration. Most of the signs in the park have been damaged, destroyed, or are no longer legible. CPNA is working with a local sign company to provide an estimate to restore signage to original state. ACTION ITEM: We request assistance from the Parks & Rec Department for any information on original sign designs.
7. Swift Skate Park Fencing. The fence around the skate park is distressed and irrelevant. Recommend removal of the fence.
8. Swift Skate Park Painting/Design. The skate park bowl is in need of restoration. Volunteers are working with the skating community to re-paint the bowl with in-kind donations.
9. Kiwanis Gazebo. CPNA is trying to connect with the Kiwanis group to discuss the future of their memorial.
10. Vending machines. We are considering building an enclosure to the building nearest Swift Skate Park for two vending machines. Local businesses have stated a willingness to provide building materials and local carpenters have offered to donate their time to build a lockable enclosure. Revenue from these vending machines could be utilized for water/electricity/garbage costs. A separate and dedicated account would be managed by CPNA. ACTION ITEM: City to comment on feasibility and permitting process.
11. Park Benches. There is only one park bench in the park and it has deteriorated to a hazardous state. We recommend repairing this bench and having local businesses sponsor a park bench that will have their name on a small plate on the bench.
12. Lighting. City of Vancouver Water Department has announced a $20 million renovation to the water facilities starting in late 2015. Included in this plan is path lighting. This will have a significant impact on safety in the park.
13. Fountain Restoration. We are willing to raise funds to make this fountain operational during spring/summer/fall months; shut off in winter. Estimated cost: unknown. ACTION ITEM: CPNA requests an estimate from Parks and Rec for the cost to restore the fountain at the park.
LONG-TERM GOALS
14. Bathrooms. The bathrooms are currently unusable and fenced off. We can’t ask kids not to pee in the park if there are no restrooms available. We envision a single-use toilet, one for men and a separate one for women, lockable for security purposes. Participating neighborhood associations will assume the cost for stocking the bathrooms and removing garbage. Local businesses have recommended they be responsible for daily locking and unlocking the facilities. It is likely that we will need to raise funds to meet this goal. ACTION ITEM: CPNA requests an estimate from Parks and Rec for the cost to restore the bathrooms to working order.
15. Fenced off-leash pet area. Designate an area in the
park for off-leash pets. Dog owners have a built-in incentive for regular visitation to the park for pet exercise and tend to care about the facility being open, available, and safe. Getting regular visitors is vital to the long-term strategy of filling the park with positive energy and influences. ACTION ITEM: Determine feasibility and cost.
We believe increased presence, consistent maintenance, and increased events will have a profound and positive impact on the park as well as the community in general. A separate but vital committee will be working to schedule regular family oriented events at the park (movie nights, Easter egg hunts, etc…) as well as sporting competitions sponsored by local businesses. Volunteers from the four surrounding neighborhoods will relieve the City of additional burden of costs. This public/private partnership is a healthy and responsible approach to reclaiming a beautiful facility that can be used by all.
Organizer
Larry Good
Organizer
Vancouver, WA