Title
Artesian Commons - Immediate Actions and Long-Term Visioning Process
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
Recommend the actions outlined below to the full Council for approval.
Report
Issue:
Safety and security at the Artesian Commons Park
Staff Contact:
Paul Simmons, Director, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.753.8462
Presenter(s):
Paul Simmons, Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation
Background and Analysis:
The Artesian Commons Park opened in May, 2014 and is a unique park located in a highly urbanized area in downtown Olympia. In response to several safety and security concerns, the Parks, Arts, and Recreation staff have designed the following process to implement immediate actions within the park while also developing a public process to create a long-term plan for managing the space.
* Recommended Immediate Actions
There is consensus that the park should be safe and welcoming for all users. Below is a list of immediate actions that should be implemented with the intent of improving the safety and security of the park.
* Work with community partners, to implement 20 hours per week of structured programming between May-September. [see Outreach Workers League (OWL) attachment]
* Work with community partners to implement 8 special events between May-September.
* Increase routine maintenance on a daily basis between May-September and provide additional support to community events at the Artesian Commons Park.
* Install a 4-foot tall fence to establish clear park boundaries and allow for closure of the park during the hours it is not in operation. (see Fence Options attachment)
* Install the previously approved basketball hoop, in coordination with the fence.
* Install improved signage establishing park hours.
* Install lighting upgrades on the east side of the park.
* Install additional cameras to more clearly capture activities on the north side of the park.
* Management Strategy for 2015
The Ar...
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