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Home > Leaf Talk > Neighborhood > Parks & Greenspace > Kittredge Park Planning
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Kittredge Park Planning
Started October 13, 2009 @ 3:51pm by Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus
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Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus
Posts: 156 |
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| Kittredge Park Planning | October 13, 2009 @ 3:51pm | I just came from a meeting with Commissioner Gannon, DeKalb County Parks officials, Project Manager from Silverman, and an Engineer and Landscape Architect from MacTec the consultant awarded the planning contract.
The first public hearing is scheduled for October 28th at 6:30-8:30pm. The location is to be named later, but is anticipated to be the old Kittredge Magnet School. This meeting will be to identify items desired by the community in the development of this new park space. Please set aside this date and plan to attend. There is scheduled to be one more Concept Plan meeting in December, and one final plan presentation meeting early next year.
Gene Schmidt
LVPCA rep. in Friends of Kittredge Park |
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Last Edit: January 28, 2010 @ 6:41am by Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus | |
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Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus
Posts: 156 |
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| NDH LCI open house location | October 21, 2009 @ 4:48pm | The project manager has confirmed, the meeting will be held at the International Student Center (former Kittredge Magnet School) 2383 North Druid Hills.
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Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus
Posts: 156 |
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| Kittredge 1st Meeting Schedule | October 27, 2009 @ 5:48am | DEKALB PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC MEETING FOR KITTREDGE PARK
Development of Master Plan for Park to be Discussed
International Student Center
2383 North Druid Hills Road
Atlanta, GA 30329
678-676-0902 (School Office)
AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2009
6:30 PM
1. Welcome and Introductions: DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department
2. Remarks and brief description of project: Commissioner Gannon
3. Presentation: Jon Hart, MACTEC
a. Housekeeping: sign-in sheets, comment forms, cell-phones, etc.
b. Overall Master Plan Process: Inventory/Analysis, Conceptual Plan Alternatives, Final Master Plan with Public Input at each milestone
c. Existing Conditions Exhibit
d. Site Analysis Exhibit
e. `Area' Exhibit
f. Opportunities & Constraints Exhibit
4. Public Input: Jon Hart, Marti Watts, John Bateman (facilitators)
NOTE: PLEASE GIVE US YOUR INPUT!
What do you like about Kittredge Park?
What don't you like about Kittredge Park?
What programs/activities /facilities would you like to be available at Kittredge Park?
What programs/activities /facilities don't you want?
For more information, please contact John Bateman, Project Manager at 404.687.3542. |
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Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus
Posts: 156 |
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| Kittredge Park 2nd Planning Meeting | November 25, 2009 @ 6:34am | From Silverman's Project Manager Marti:
MACTEC is currently working on concepts for the park which will be presented at the Dec. 3rd meeting. We are confirmed for the 3rd at the International Student Center in the cafeteria. The format of the meeting will include an introduction by Parks and also representatives from Recreation and Maintenance will be in attendance.
MACTEC will present the concepts and we will have an organized Q&A / comment session. We are planning to set-up the room so attendees are much closer to the presentation and a microphone will be utilized. I will receive an agenda from MACTEC next week and can let you know if anything will be added.
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Last Edit: December 16, 2009 @ 9:02am by raymond | |
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Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus
Posts: 156 |
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| 2nd Kittredge Park Planning Presentation | December 4, 2009 @ 8:14am | MacTec presented 2 plan options for consideration, with features discussed at first neighborhood meeting.
ALTERNATE 1
Download PDF image (large file 2MB)
Included area for community garden,
2 supervised play areas w/restrooms,
fire pit at John's homesite,
maintenance roads and trails of varying widths and lengths.
It also included pedestrian crossing of stream west of the waterfalls.
ALTERNATE 2 -
Download PDF image (large file 2MB)
had much similarity,
but included formal garden feature at the John's homesite,
larger play area at Holly Lane,
no crossing of creek at waterfalls;
but showed observation point on each side of stream.
Both plans retained the 2 baseball fields, with an improved narrower entry drive to parking area and playground at center of park. I think this was the most discussed feature, as it was contrary to the wishes of Friends of Kittredge Park and my own. The eastern most ballfield is rarely used because of flooding, but a reduced area could be easily upgraded for use as a playground. Parks felt ballfields are too valuable to lose, but were unable to demonstrate that any scheduled games are held there, and no statistics on use were available. Hopefully they will reconsider.
There was also a concern about current limited amount of parking, and future ability to use school parking areas. No decisive information was presented to indicate amount of parking actually needed, nor reason to pave the center of park for more cars.
I am against this paved area and would prefer eliminating the central playground and restroom, since that is reason for the adjacent parking. I contend that a public restroom could be added outside the existing pool facility. The proposed restroom at the Holly Lane entry with limited supplemental parking can remain, and serve the entire park. Kittredge Drive kiosk could show plan with that amenity and directions.
MacTec has scheduled the final meeting for January 28th, presumably at the International School 6:30pm. We need a large contingent of neighborhoods to attend and voice opinion on this, before we waste money on features that are not wanted.
Gene Schmidt
LVPCA - FKP rep. |
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Last Edit: December 16, 2009 @ 9:13am by raymond | |
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Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus
Posts: 156 |
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| Final Kittredge Presentation Jan 28th 2010 | January 28, 2010 @ 9:02pm | I was pleased to see the consultants (MacTec) listened well to the comments of the community at the last meeting.
The final presentation has only one playground (at Holly Lane) with minimal parking there (7 cars in park, 4 existing at the old Gatchell home, and 4 on the access road). There will be a 9500sf playground, 2800sf of Community Garden, and a small shelter and restroom. There will be an entry kiosk here, as well as at Kittredge Drive.
The Kittredge drive entry road will be reduced in width to include a pedestrian path. Along the eastern end of the existing drive will be 8 parking spaces for access to 2 picnic shelters and the meadow.
No restrooms are yet planned here, but use of revised pool facilities are anticipated. It was anticipated to save only the western baseball field, with the eastern one including a small walking trail, accessed by a path between the 2 fields that would extend over the creek on a new footbridge. 2 observation decks are indicated on either side of the creek near the waterfalls.
The rest of the park will consist of long and short, wide and narrow, steep and level trails. The main access road will have a replacement bridge to reach the old home site. The home site has been toned down, with only a fire pit with circular bench seating, to recognize and upgrade the Boy Scout usage. A small gazebo is planned at the north. The access to Natahalla is to remain as is, being too steep for any but neighborhood use.
Future access points to Holly Lane and the Park at Briarcliff Apartments were also identified.
MacTec is now going to proceed with construction plans and budgeting for the items discussed as priority. Silverman Construction Managers are aiming for August to have items ready to bid, with a potential start on phase one in Fall of 2010. MacTec has now completed the public portion of their contract, but have indicated that they may do a final wrap up once they have construction details and better handle on pricing. There is still over $300,000 left in the Phase One budget. They have indicated the plan as drawn will cost in excess of $1,000,000 so only a portion will be considered until other funds become available. The consensus was to proceed with the Spine Roads, to allow for police and maintenance access; and to allow maximum exposure to the public. This should generate greater community interest and participation.
Please review the project website and direct any comments to jwbateman@co.dekalb.ga.us
As always, plan to attend the Friends of Kittredge Park monthly cleanup, see the LVPCA calendar. |
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Last Edit: January 28, 2010 @ 9:29pm by Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus | |
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Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus
Posts: 156 |
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| Phase 1 Construction Meeting | July 28, 2010 @ 10:55pm | July 28th the consultants Mactec, presented the final version of plans going to permit and explained the anticipated Phase One construction. The program manager Silverman & Assoc., explained that they are in a 23 week process. There are plan revisions, legal advertising days, and bid packages to assemble. Currently in the permitting phase, they expect to complete that in August, then start the bidding process.
There will be Phase One with the meadow, parking, drives, bridge, and spine trail; then there are alternate items including gazebo, pavillion, ground prep at playground/community garden; if there is extra money at bid. Community Garden would be established under a different funding source, and administered by county/local program using Master Gardeners and possibly Friends of Kittredge Park.
When bids return this Fall, the consultants will review and make recommendations to the County. It then goes in front of the Board of Commissioners for approval. If all goes well through the system, construction is espected to start in April/May, with a 90 day schedule to complete.
Should be a whole different park a year from now! Check the calendar feature, and come out for one of the next invasives clean up. No need to work, just explore! See Kittredge Park while it's still untamed! |
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Last Edit: July 28, 2010 @ 11:05pm by Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus | |
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Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus
Posts: 156 |
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| Comm. Gannon Update | September 28, 2010 @ 8:18am | Parks Improvements in District 6
As many of you have experienced, 2001 Bond park projects were held up in order to focus on the 2005 Bond program. District 6 is now able to move forward on your 2001, long awaited park improvements. Highlights:
Kittredge Park, off N. Druid Hills Road in Central DeKalb
The last community meeting of the Friends of Kittredge Park was held in July to review the master plan for renovation and upgrades. This project is going slower then anticipated due to a new requirement to map the floodplain. The Watershed Department and their contractors are helping us accomplish this task so that ground breaking can be scheduled.
The remaining District 6 Bond funds from 2001 will provide for Phase I implementation that includes improvements at the entrance, benches, re-vegetation, trash receptacles, bike racks, and an eco-plan for the stream buffer restoration in the open area. Replacement of the bridge is included and will be paid for in part with federal FEMA funds. Phase 2 is in line for new park money and includes the Johns family homestead site/observation area, a nature preserve, and playground. I have asked the Parks Director and the CEO’s office to prepare an agenda item so that the Board of Commissioners can approve the Plan and have an historic document to track the planned improvements.
NEXT INVASIVES CLEAN UP IS SET FOR SUNDAY OCTOBER 3RD FROM 9AM TO NOON.
WE ARE EXPECTING 70 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS FROM EMORY AND CAN USE ALL THE NEIGHBORHOOD HELP POSSIBLE! PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND, BRING GLOVES. |
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Last Edit: September 28, 2010 @ 8:21am by Gene Schmidt - Zoning Emeritus | |
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