9.C.1. PRSR 04-09-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Item # 9.C.l. ").1%*.City or Elk River MEMORANDUM TO: Park and Recreation Commission FROM: Chris Leeseberg, Planner DATE: April 9, 2003 SUBJECT: Riverwalk Concepts Request Staff will be presenting conceptual designs for a downtown park. Staff will be looking for input relating to the uses of the park,the connection to a riverwalk and/or whether or not a fishing pier should be incorporated into the overall design. Analysis There is approximately 35-40 feet of grade separation from Main Street to the Mississippi River. This feature will be a challenge in trying to incorporate different uses/features within different areas of the park. Staff is exploring the concept that some form of a pocket plaza be placed at the Main Street level with direct physical connections to the street and sidewalks while maintaining some visual connection to the river. The area at the level equal to the parking behind the existing buildings seems to be an appropriate area for some form of a public gathering area. This level is roughly 20-feet above the river. This grade separation would require a vast amount of ramping to provide ADA compliance to a fishing pier. An area between this public space and the river staff feels would be a good area to incorporate some heavy natural landscaping,in the hopes that it would create a noise buffer from the activities of the downtown. This would create a nice pocket of space that has its focus on the river. The thought will be to have a transition from hardscaping at the street level to more natural landscaping towards the river.