DOMINION BOULEVARD CORRIDOR STUDY | Chesapeake, Virginia
62 | Planning Frameworks
Park Design:
Parks work with open spaces to provide
green relief as well as places for gathering
and recreation. They provide space for storm
water management. Parks include larger
community parks, neighborhood parks,
school parks, linear parks and greenways,
and tot lots. As each Area of the plan is
developed, consideration should be given
to locating adequate parks at walkable
distances so that each household has
access to recreation and the outdoors.
Implementation Recommendation:
In general, parks should be provided at
approximately 10 acres per 1,000 residents
and designed to serve multiple benefits
that include recreation, social gathering,
passive uses, urban gardening, storm
water management and the creation of
neighborhood and community identity. In
general, parks should be located within the
plan, whether that be by the developer or the
City, based on the following criteria:
Tot Lots
, community gardens and small
green spaces of approximately 1 acre or
less should be located within residential
neighborhoods on lower traffic streets so
that they are accessible to the residents of
the neighborhood within a 2-3 minute walk or
650 feet.
Neighborhood and School Parks
of
approximately 5-10 acres should be located
so that they link neighborhoods together and
are within a ¼ mile walking distance form
residents of the neighborhoods. Ideally these
parks will be located along streets that have
protected bicycle facilities so that residents
can safely ride their bikes to the park.
Community Parks
of 15-35 acres and
larger should be located to provide
recreational opportunities. They define
larger planning areas and are located along
major roadways that have bicycle and transit
facilities. They serve residents within a ½
mile walking distance dimension.
All parks should be located so that they are
visible from the street, accessible with all
modes of travel, and accessible to people of
all abilities.
The integration of environmental design
is strongly encouraged in the design and
engineering of park elements including
using low water use techniques, reducing
impervious surfaces, using lighting that
protects the night sky, using native plant
materials, and other techniques.
Parks should be located so that they are
the center piece of a neighborhood or
district and should incorporate design
elements that create a unique identity for
the neighborhoods. Parks should provide
locations for public art in their design.
Greenway and Linear Park Design:
Greenways and linear parks connect
neighborhoods, districts, parks, open
spaces and gathering spaces. They are
an integral component of the mobility
framework for the Masterplan and are to be
deliberately located within the Study Area.
They include multi-purpose trails, native
and naturalized landscaping, signage, and
other site elements. They can be located in
both urbanized areas as well as rural areas
of the plan. They are located along major
roadways, within power line easements, and
along the existing and proposed canals.
Implementation Recommendation:
• Integrate trail, native landscape and
storm water management into the
design of linear parks and greenways.
• Locate greenways and linear Parks to
connect neighborhoods and districts
to each other and to parks and open
spaces.
