1

April 18 Myers Park Parcel Visioning Workshop #1

Summary Report

Overview This is a summary report of the Myers Park Parcel Visioning Workshop #1 held April 18, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church. The second workshop will be Saturday, April 22 and the last workshop will be Thursday, April 27. The flyer for the series is in Appendix A. Appendix B has the program for the first workshop and communication guidelines. These workshops are in response to a challenging proposal for the possible sale and intensive development of the 9.7 acre Myers Park property where the Parks and Recreation community center and administrative offices are located. While the proposed comprehensive plan amendment was withdrawn by the City Commission, the future of the site is still uncertain. At the Woodland Drives neighborhood meeting of February 28, City Commissioner Gil Ziffer agreed that “visioning” would be useful in determining the best use of the parcel in the future. This report summarizes who participated the activities, the acceptability ratings of the general desires, design considerations and possible uses (Appendix E) and comments. It does not capture everything or exactly what was said and written.

Workshop Participation Forty-nine individuals participated in the workshop. Participants identified their affiliation as follows:

Myers Park Neighborhood Association = 14

Woodland Drives Neighborhood Association = 25

Other Neighborhood Associations = 7 (Carolina Oaks, Lake Jackson, Los Robles, Indian Head/Leigh Acres, North Ride)

Business = 1 (ABC)

Other = 1 (CONA)

No response = 1 Additionally, three city representatives participated and six visioning team members.

2

Opening Opening Remarks by Gil Ziffer Mr. Ziffer acknowledged and appreciated the work done by the group. He challenged the participants to be thinking about how to address the needs of an aging population in the state, an increasing population and housing. Mr. Ziffer created a small workgroup to gather ideas and build a consensus on the best idea(s). While stressing that he could not guarantee results, he is guaranteeing that he will present the group's conclusion to his fellow commissioners. Mr. Ziffer suggested the goal of working together would be to determine the best use of the parks tract and to develop a durable solution so that we are not faced with the same land use issue 5 to 10 years in the future. The small work group consists of:

Three members from Woodland Drives/Myers Park (most affected neighborhoods).

One from Indianhead-Lehigh (affected neighborhood) One from Betton Hills (to include another midtown neighborhood) One from DOT (due to the railroad and bike/pedestrian opportunities) One from Parks & Recreation (for obvious reasons) One from City planning (due to the land use/zoning impacts) One from CONA/Southside Mr. Ziffer will facilitate and serve as chairman

He asked that the visioning process provide recommendations to bring to his workgroup and the City Commission. Overview of the Visioning Process The Visioning Team developed a process for participants to brainstorm ideas for the parcel that is open and inclusive. The purpose of the visioning meetings is to identify options and assess acceptability of recommendations for possible uses that optimize benefits and minimize concerns. The timeline for the visioning process is:

Visioning Workshop #1 – Desires, Issues and Options April 18 6-9 Tue

Visioning Workshop #2 – Scenario refinement and selection April 22 9-12 Sat

Visioning Workshop #3 – Consensus Seeking April 27 6-9 Thu

On-line rating and input on recommendations May 1-10

Finalize Recommendations Ziffer group and/or NA Boards June 1

Commission Workshop to Review Recommendations July 19

3

What Do We Need to Know?

Overview & History of Recent Proposals & Community Responses by Mary Frederick Mary Frederick, President of the Woodland Drives Neighborhood Association provided an overview and summary of park proposals and the community’s response to proposed changes to the Myers Park parcel.

The tract is part of the Myers Park originally deeded to the City in 1925, and is shown as such on city maps.

It’s part of the Myers Park Residential Historic District, and as such, has a restriction of low-density residential development with no commercial development.

The City’s Land Development Code reinforces the historic designation restriction: "Residential historic preservation district means an area of more than one property designated as a historic preservation district for which the underlying zoning is a low-density residential category."

The Future Land Use Map, created by the Leon Co./City of Tallahassee Planning Department, designates the tract as Open Space. This map is used as a guide for our future land development in a manner that is consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the 2030 Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan. The Friends believe it should be kept as Open Space.

As Tallahassee becomes more and more populated, it’s imperative that we have green spaces to all to enjoy.

Parkland is a resource for today's citizens and tomorrow’s. If the City sells off this part of Myers Park, it could set a terrible precedent for

other city parks.

Neighborhood supporters attended the February Local Planning Agency (LPA) meeting sporting red shirts. A standing-room-only crowd of Friends respectfully protested against the rezoning of this land. After hearing highlights of Keep Public Lands Public: A Report by the Friends of Tallahassee’s Parks and Recreation, the LPA voted unanimously to recommend denial of the proposed comprehensive plan change from Open Space to Central Urban and rezoning the site from RP-2 to CU-12. Mr. Ziffer proposed that a small workgroup be formed to gather ideas and build a consensus on the best idea(s). While stressing that he could not guarantee results, he is guaranteeing that he will present the group's conclusion to his fellow commissioners. Mr. Ziffer suggested the goal of working together would be to determine the best use of the parks tract and to develop a durable solution so that we are not faced with the same land use issue 5 to 10 years in the future.

4

Parks and Rec Perspectives by Ashley Edwards Ashley Edwards, Director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services provided brief remarks on the Parks and Rec perspectives.

P&R Admin. building resides on parcel

Admin. building serves as community center

Storage, annex and maintenance for Cascades Park are on parcel

There is no current formal Parks Master Plan (87 parks in system) – “No park left behind”

Public accessibility to admin is important Community-Wide Conditions and Trends We Need to Consider by Wayne Tedder Wayne Tedder, Assistant City Manager of Development Services and Economic Vitality addressed community-wide concerns, trends and planning issues.

Adopted South Monroe Sense of Place study which will address visual and street improvements. If there are better roads, development is more likely to follow.

Bloxham-Meridian - CRA posted a RFP to purchase two blocks. Project was awarded and is currently in conceptual phase.

FL Dept. of Management Services issued a report regarding state offices/properties downtown. Many need repair. There’s concern about the impact of relocating state workers away from downtown and disposal of the buildings.

FAMU Way

Non-conforming uses in Comp Plan

What Do We Want?

The participants refined an initial list of possible general desires and key considerations, commented on the items (see below) and rated the acceptability/importance of each item (See Appendix E). Ratings with a mean (μ) of 3.5+ are highlighted. Standard Deviations (σ) > 1 have less agreement and <1 have more agreement. Participant Comments: Keep As Is 1. We need to keep in mind the broader vision. 2. Develop the site in a way that as much as possible keeps it green yet blocks future

changes. For example: Kevin Sossong’s plan for playing fields. 3. If there are so many people moving to Tallahassee, then urban infill needs to occur

in the areas that are under used and vacant. Park property needs to stay park and open so we have our green space.

4. Integration with Cascades and Myers Park to preserve open spaces, esthetics, recreate. Preserve community center (historic Trull bldg.). Open space/recreation and green space/tree preservation. Preserve historic character of neighborhood,

5. This is park property….always has been and should be zoned open space. 6. Keep as is 7. Green space – open space; preserve/maintain the P&R bldg.

5

8. With population growth, we need more park land not less. Do not sell – absolutely retain!

9. Public park 10. Park should be minimally developed but improved for recreation and park open

space. Venue for park offices after some building improvements. Other 1. Need a bike lane; more sidewalks; something needs to be done about the train

tracks 2. Leave the mature trees as much as possible; misting stations; bird watching house if

P&R leaves 3. Parking is not a good use for entire acreage. Ashley Edwards for President! 4. A forty-year old P&R building in an historic district is not that old. If it needs

insulation and newer windows, how about budgeting for that?

What Are the Potential Uses for This Site?

Ashley Edwards, Parks and Rec Director, talked about the current administration, maintenance and storage uses of the parcel. Tallahassee has one of the best park systems in the country and the demand exceeds the capacity at many active recreation facilities, especially during peak hours. The participants refined an initial list of possible parcel uses, commented on the items (see below) and rated the acceptability/ importance of each item (See Appendix E). Ratings with a mean (μ) of 3.5+ are highlighted. Standard Deviations (σ) > 1 have less agreement and <1 have more agreement.

Participant Comments:

Keep As Is (Park) 1. Keep it as park; do not sell to developer. 2. I see this as Tallahassee’ Central Park – a single greenway, Cascade Park, Myers

Park, the Parks & Rec parcel. 3. To the west, Cascades. The east, Myers Park. In the middle, this very small parcel.

Just keep it green. Just make it part of the huge green area that’s there already. 4. Recreation sites/open space. Public park. Integrate with neighborhoods/pocket

housing, etc. Village patio home around a courtyard and green space. Well-done, low density housing as in other cities (e.g., Ashville). No group homes. Senior homes if independent living.

5. Keep as is until determine demographics and future needs but keep as parkland permanently

6. Maintain as much green as possible; keep parks parks 7. Keep it as public park 8. Must revise OS parkland 9. Keep parkland parkland 10. Opposed to any development that provides housing on this parcel

6

Open Space 1. The public view is really important. Open space with a view shed. 2. Open space, flat uses that could be converted in time (e.g., community garden, dog

park, open space). Limited high end housing overlooking park. Restore/replace parks building – keep on site.

3. Open, flat land, multi-purpose spaces with minimal limitations; Ashley’s wish list; keep it a park

P&R Building (stay as is/renovate) 1. Admin should stay and if they more use for community activity, classes, etc. Provide

amenities for young and older. 2. The land should be kept as park. The Trull complex should be maintained and used. 3. If this stays a public park and the Trull building is maintained, I am happy. I am

indifferent between these (recreation facilities), whatever is needed. 4. Restore the Trull buildings (part of historic area) and the rest should be recreational.

We need a large family picnic facility. 5. Leave admin bldg., etc. as is and upgrade the bldgs. to be more energy efficient. If

P&R leaves, turn bldg. into community center and upgrade bldg. If the bldgs. must be demolished then I prefer a pocket neighborhood. This could possibly pay for itself. Health of the community – treasure our inner parks – save them for our children and grandchildren. Why are we wanting to develop it?

6. Do property condition assessment. Renovate as needed. Use as community center (especially senior and summer session). Historic preservation and economic development are not mutually exclusive!

7. Keep P&R bldg.; open space (Cascades II) Housing - Pocket Neighborhood 1. This can be a shared public private project. A pocket neighborhood would nice. This

can be a transition place for future homeowners. There is property in Smokey Hollow with 6+ acres.

2. This should be a public/private project that mixes housing with green space. RFP for parcel should require a park in line with a pocket neighborhood

Other Uses/Multiple Uses 1. Add a bathroom facility 2. Add a community garden with a gazebo with a view, bathroom, art wall and climbing

wall. Keep the trees, bathroom, zip line, expand the sidewalks. 3. I’m a millennial, I’d love to have access to fitness facilities on this side of town. Yoga

is in with all generations. Keep existing buildings and fill community needs. Activities could lower crime rates. Don’t sell the land.

4. Use park to create a nice basketball court and mountain bike trail 5. Carousel; pedestrian bridge over railroad to Cascades 6. Prefer the land to be a mix use of community center, maintenance for both parks,

fields for recreations; picnic areas leaving the mature trees with a community garden 7. Property as a connector, open space for view shed, picnic pavilion

7

8. Continue the pedestrian bike trail up the hill to Chapman Pond and Indianhead. Connect from the bridge.

Community Garden 1. How about a city orchard? Nursery? This could go with community gardens and be

an organic use of the land. The more trees, the better the noise abasement of Cascades.

Misc. Comments 1. A lot of these uses are okay in area but not on this site (e.g. SF housing) 2. Avoid recreation uses that are a) dangerous (like zip line or climbing wall) or that are

b) too obscure like pickle ball or bocce. They’re talking about all of these active/sports application that are bourgeois. They should talk about basketball and picnic pavilions instead of pickle ball and disc golf. What are they going to do to the parcel that sold across the park? If there’s housing there, why do we need more here?

3. Need cool park in warm weather! Trees! 4. Too shady for community garden; group home – dangerous for sensitive ears;

housing – not needed; other non-profit facility – recreation oriented; hundreds more people are moving nearby; recreation.

5. See Friends of Tallahassee Parks & Rec report prepared for Planning Commission Meeting on Feb. 7, 2017; page 18.

6. I hesitate on the businesses as we are surrounded on Monroe by empty decaying buildings. Strict provisions would have to be implemented. After hearing Mr. Tedder would prefer the retail rest on Monroe. Retail – shops like restoration, antique or other small businesses with skills to keep the community historic but able to provide services that benefit.

Where Should the Uses Go? Participants were asked to use the parcel site plan in Appendix D and indicate what uses should go where. Most did this in small groups and some submitted their individual input. Their sketches will be used in be used in developing the “Big Picture” Parcel Use Concepts to be refined at Vision Workshop 2 on Saturday, April 22. The following are comments taken from the site plans they turned in. Participant Site Plan Comments 1. Community center, volley ball, basketball, sunset view, dog park, parking, integration

with Cascade Bridge 2. Minimal changes; keep P&R building for whatever use; open/flat area – multi-

purpose…..if not using maintenance. Bike connector 3. Preserve public parkland! Renovate P&R building. Maintain view shed. Trails. 4. Residential (pocket neighborhood) along Van Buren St. and Myers Park Drive.

Landscape barrier along RR track. Tree house walkway – scenic view. Walk/bike paths. Pond. Open passive area.

8

5. Keep community center; affordable housing/seniors incorporated with green space; flat open space/recreation, etc.; keep green space (flood plain area); patio type housing with courtyard viewing of green space, etc.

6. High end 2-story houses with parking below and balconies overlooking park/amphitheater. Existing or expanded P&R building. Open green space. Walking paths.

7. Gazebos facing amphitheater; grassy field; trail for biking; trail from Cascades greenway; art & climbing wall; keep P&R bldg.

8. Keep P&R bldg.; keep native with trails (flood plain area); Gazebos with view; open/flat multi-purpose area; pedestrian bridge over tracks to facilitate connection of parks; restrooms and snack bar

9. Community center/classes/fitness in P&R bldg.; maintain polling facilities; renovate historic buildings; summer camp facilities (in cascade storage bldg.); gazebo facing amphitheater; basketball courts (event storage bldg.); art wall/climbing wall (flood plain area); park connector

10. Keep as admin offices/functions; consolidate parking in more appropriate design; consolidate storage in appropriate location; add interpretive trail; add view shed/picnic

11. Community garden; art walk/art park; sculpture garden; add tress; Keep the P&R bldg.

12. Community center; add bathroom; preserve trees; open field; community garden; dog park; walking trail; scenic overlook

13. Keep trees; more open space; keep community center/room; use storage bldgs. for indoor youth camp; restore the creek; dog park; bike bridge

14. Keep parks admin. as admin.; consolidate storage to more appropriate location either on or offsite; redesign parking to be more efficient; picnic/gazebo on view shed; interpretive trails; flat, multipurpose area

15. Keep it as green and park like as possible; open field; repair/maintain P&R bldg.; interpretive trails; art/climbing wall; access to cascades park

16. Keep it as green and park like as possible! art/climbing wall; view area overlooking amphitheater; interpretive trail

17. Pedestrian bridge to Cascades; scenic overlooks; interconnected sidewalks to neighborhoods; carousel; polling/community space

18. As much open space as possible. Use existing slabs for hard surface recreational development like covered picnic pavilion, basketball and volleyball courts; bathrooms. The rest should be open meadow that preserves all the older larger trees. The open space would promote the skyline view as an overlook park. A covered pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks and down to Cascades would tie it all together.

19. Scenic overlook; gazebos; art/climbing wall; zip line; trails 20. Community center, polling, summer camp; nature trails; zip line; climbing wall;

swing/play ground; parking; open field; gazebo/ overlook; community garden; bathroom

21. Expanded sidewalks/bike path around; keep buildings for community functions (senior center)

22. Maintain P&R bldg. and water well; open space for view shed; picnic pavilion area

9

Big Picture” Parcel Use Concepts The group refined these possible packages of uses to be evaluated at the Saturday April 22 workshop. One page site plans will be developed for each parcel concept.

1. High density residential 2. Low density residential 3. Supported living home + recreation

4. Administration, maintenance + recreation

5. Recreation only

6. Low density housing and recreation + Administration 7. Administration and maintenance – keep it as is as a park

Closing

The facilitators highlighted the activities and results of the workshop and thanked everyone for the valuable contributions. They also reminded everyone to attend Workshop 2 Saturday, April 22, 10-12:30 AM at the downtown library and Workshop 3 April 27, 6-9 back at First Presbyterian. Flipchart Notes The vision team also took these notes on the flipchart during the workshop: Parking Lot Items

Include Gil’s South Monroe Ideas

Ashley – Parks Master Plan (87 parks in system) – “No park left behind”

Neighborhood/regional park amenities

Clay tennis courts vs. hard courts

Multi-purpose, open, flat spaces

Admin needs – public accessibility

Covered/sheltered space

Advertise P&R activities, facilities, schedule (include in utility bill)

Compatibility with land use, zoning, comp plan

Policies

Sidewalks – connecting to neighborhoods

Public, private and both

10

Highlights

1. Viable building on site – keep and renovate a. Open space/place for gatherings b. Keep parks parks

2. Maintain as public park space a. Keep Trull building b. Public view of city

3. Shared public/private use a. Pocket neighborhoods b. Tax base

4. View (sunset trail) a. Continuation of bike/pedestrian trail

5. Public restroom facility a. Maintenance area b. Don’t sell property

6. Pedestrian bridge/overlook – integrated 7. If P&R admin moves, keep building for public activities 8. Open playing field

a. Gazebo b. Keep building c. Playscape/climbing wall d. Many recreation uses

The Friends of Tallahassee’s Parks and Recreation requested a list of questions regarding the park parcel be included in the workshop summary (Appendix F).

11

Appendix A

Looking Forward--What Are the Best Uses for the Myers Park Property? (9.7 Acres bounded by Myers Park Drive, Van Buren and the RR tracks)

Recently our neighborhoods faced a challenging proposal for the possible sale and intensive development of the 9.7 acre Myers Park property where the Parks and Recreation community center and administrative offices are located. While the proposed comprehensive plan amendment was withdrawn by the City Commission, the future of the site is still uncertain. At the Woodland Drives neighborhood meeting of February 28, City Commissioner Gil Ziffer agreed that “visioning” a forward-looking use of this property, rather than reacting to the ideas of others, would be useful in determining how the property might be used in the future. The Myers Park Neighborhood Association endorsed the visioning process the following week. What Is Visioning?

A vision is a mental picture of what people want their community to look and feel like.

Its purpose is to capture a picture of the community’s future anyone could quickly grasp and appreciate.

The visioning process is how the product is created.

At its heart, the process is simple – neighbors talking with neighbors about the future of their neighborhood.

This process includes several visioning meetings where citizens gather and talk, debate, dream, and laugh in small groups.

The vision does not represent one individual’s or just one group’s point of view. It represents ideas drawn from every neighborhood, age group, and interest within the community. Not everyone will wholeheartedly endorse every part of the vision. However, everyone should feel that the vision arose from a fair and representative process, and that the vision as a whole is legitimate and acceptable. At the end, the outcome of Visioning Workshops is expected to play a role in informing and guiding City Commission decision-making regarding this property. How You Can Be Involved A series of three visioning workshops, each building on the previous workshop, will be held as follows:

April 18 from 6-9 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church/Westminster Fellowship Hall, 110 N Adams St, Tallahassee

April 22 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Leroy Collins Public Library (downtown), 200 W Park Ave, Tallahassee

April 27 from 6-9 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church/Westminster Fellowship Hall, 110 N Adams St, Tallahassee

Broad community representation and participation is vital to a successful outcome. If you have a specialization, key information, or specific area of interest that may be relevant regarding current or future use of this 9.7 acre Parks and Rec property, please contact Visioning Team representatives to discuss-- Steve Jennings, stephen.jennings@mac.com or Beth Hollister, bethholl@yahoo.com

12

Appendix B

April 18 Myers Park Parcel Visioning Workshop #1 Program *Everyone is encouraged to visit the site prior to meeting

There will be a guided tour Monday, April 17 at noon Meet in the parking lot across Myers Park Drive from the Parks & Rec Adm. Bldg.

6:00 Opening

Welcome/introductions/recognition of different participants

Opening remarks by Gil Ziffer

Overview of the visioning process

6:30 What Do We Need to Know?

Overview and history of recent proposals and community responses by Mary Frederick

Parks and Rec Perspectives by Ashley Edwards

Community-wide conditions and trends we need to consider by Wayne Tedder

7:00 What Do We Want?

Refine the list of possible general desires and considerations in the full group·

Rate acceptability/importance of the list

Consider and record comments from the audience

7:45 What Are the Potential Uses for This Site?

Present and refine the list of possible parcel uses in full group

In small groups, draw and make notes on site plans

Further refine the list of uses in the full group

Ask everyone to rate the acceptability

Identify and refine a list of “Big Picture” scenarios to evaluate at the Saturday workshop

Identify questions to be answered and next steps before the next workshop

8:45 Closing

Summary of workshop activities and products

Concluding comments from the participants

Review schedule of next steps, including next meeting

9:00 Adjourn

Directions: The First Presbyterian Church is located at 110 N. Adams (at the corner of Park and

Adams). There should be plenty of on-street parking after 5:30 PM, park at the Library or

consider ride-sharing, buses or biking. The Church website is http://www.oldfirstchurch.org/

13

Vision Workshop Participation Guidelines This will be an opportunity to integrate our perspectives and shape visions for this

9.7 acres that consider the current conditions, constraints and creative possibilities.

Facilitators’ Roles:

The facilitators will help guide discussions and ratings

The facilitators will maintain a record of group’s products and prepare a report The Participants' Role:

Share in keeping to the agenda

Be focused and concise; balance participation (2 min max)

Ask questions and verify assumptions

Respectfully express and acknowledge differing views; no attacks

Seek shared understandings and agreement on recommendations/actions

Make sure recording is accurate

Use worksheets and comment forms if time is limited Brainstorming Guidelines:

Generate as many ideas as possible

Do not discuss or evaluate ideas until the end

Suggesting ideas does not imply a commitment to them

Innovative ideas are encouraged

Contribute one new idea at a time to the group lists

Acceptability Rating Importance Rating

5 = Great 5 = Very Important

4 = Good 4 = Important

3 = Acceptable 3 = Somewhat important

2 = Concerned but I can live with it 2 = Minimal importance

1 = Opposed 1 = Not important

The Name Stacking Process:

1. Facilitator asks who wants to speak on the topic, participants raise their hand

2. Facilitator assigns each person a number based in the order they observed person wishing to speak

3. Facilitator call on each person based on that order 4. Facilitator may interrupt the stack (change the speaking order) in order to promote

discussion on a specific issue or, to balance participation and allow those who have

14

Appendix C

Visioning Workshops for Myers Park 9.7 Acre Site

Overview

Overview of three workshops: venues, activities and expected results

Purpose: Develop a sense of community preferences for possible uses of the site

through an inclusive, neutral process

Workshop 1: Tue. Apr. 18, 6-9 pm, 1st Presbyterian, Westminster Rm, 110 N Adams St

Present and share background information

Identify desires and considerations for developing and evaluating site use options

Identify and test the acceptability of possible site uses

Determine next steps before the next meeting

Workshop 2: Sat. Apr. 22, 10 am-12:30 pm Leroy Collins Public Library, 200 W Park Ave

Identify pros and cons of design options and then the acceptability

Refine the options and rerate the acceptability

Develop preliminary lists of recommendations that can be used to address the goals.

Workshop 3: Thurs. Apr. 27, 6-9 pm, 1st Presbyterian, Westminster Rm, 110 N Adams St

Review revised options, test acceptability

Refine the draft recommendations

Address any new over-arching issues that may emerge

VISIONING WORKSHOP OUTCOMES: Dissemination of a report with the acceptability ratings

of property use options and recommendations, for use by the neighborhood associations, the

Gill Ziffer committee, City Commissioners and the broader community.

Past History

and Current

Realities

YOU and

YOUR

Ideas

A Vision

We Can

Love

15

Appendix D

Existing Site Plan

Please draw or write where different uses could go, comments on conditions to consider, etc.

You can turn in one copy for your group or submit your own plan. Notes (Draw arrows or use #s

to link comments to site locations)

16

Appendix E

Ratings for Potential Uses for the Site (Ratings of 3.0-4.0 and 4.0-5.0 are highlighted)

# Myers Park Woodlands Drive Unknown Other Grand Total

General Desires n μ σ n μ σ n μ σ n μ σ n μ σ

1 Rec administration & maintenance 17 3.94 1.06 17 3.94 0.80 7 4.57 0.49 5 4.00 0.89 46 4.04 0.91

2 Active & passive outdoor recreation 17 4.47 1.04 17 5.00 0.00 7 4.43 0.90 5 5.00 0.00 46 4.72 0.77

3 Senior, youth, & other services, activities, & event space 17 4.24 0.81 17 4.06 1.11 7 3.57 0.49 5 3.00 0.63 46 3.93 0.96

4 Commercial services & products 17 1.24 0.42 17 1.35 0.76 7 1.14 0.35 5 1.20 0.40 46 1.26 0.57

5 Housing (singles, doubles, townhouses, multi-family, group, low-cost, etc.) 17 1.35 0.97 17 1.29 0.96 7 1.14 0.35 5 1.80 1.60 46 1.35 1.00

6 Environmental services (storm water, air, green, aesthetics, history, etc.) 17 3.53 1.04 17 3.71 1.36 7 4.14 1.12 4 4.25 0.83 45 3.76 1.20

Design Considerations & Eval. Criteria

1 Noise 17 4.12 1.02 17 4.18 0.98 7 4.29 0.88 5 3.40 1.02 46 4.09 1.02

2 Traffic 17 4.53 0.85 17 4.35 0.76 7 4.86 0.35 5 4.20 0.75 46 4.48 0.77

3 Parking for Myers & Cascades 17 3.06 1.06 16 3.06 1.20 6 2.50 0.96 5 4.00 0.89 44 3.09 1.14

4 Tree preservation (designated trees) 17 4.59 0.49 17 4.47 1.04 7 3.29 1.58 5 4.60 0.49 46 4.35 1.05

5 Aesthetics of the site 17 4.82 0.51 17 4.76 0.42 7 4.86 0.35 5 4.60 0.49 46 4.78 0.46

6 Neighborhood property values 17 4.29 0.67 17 4.24 0.94 7 3.86 1.12 5 3.40 1.02 46 4.11 0.94

7 Impact on historic/neighborhood character 17 4.76 0.42 17 4.76 0.42 7 4.86 0.35 5 4.40 0.49 46 4.74 0.44

8 Compatibility with existing regs & policies 12 4.25 0.72 13 4.23 1.25 2 5.00 0.00 2 4.00 0.00 29 4.28 0.98

9 Public-access views of Cascades & downtown panorama 14 4.79 0.41 14 4.86 0.35 2 4.00 1.00 3 4.67 0.47 33 4.76 0.49

10 Cost to City/Taxpayers (not voted on)

Possible Parcel Uses

1 Recreation facilities 9 4.56 0.68 7 5.00 0.00 1 4.00 0.00 1 4.00 0.00 18 4.67 0.58

1.a Picnic area & gazebo 15 4.27 0.77 15 4.27 1.12 7 4.57 0.73 4 4.50 0.87 41 4.34 0.93

1.b Tennis courts 13 2.08 1.00 15 2.40 1.67 6 3.00 1.00 4 2.25 1.64 38 2.37 1.40

1.c Skate park 14 1.93 0.88 15 1.67 1.07 7 2.00 0.53 4 2.50 1.66 40 1.90 1.04

1.d Disc golf (frisbee) 14 2.50 0.98 15 2.20 1.47 7 2.14 0.64 4 2.50 1.66 40 2.33 1.23

1.e Pickle ball 14 3.00 1.00 13 3.00 1.41 5 2.40 0.49 4 1.75 1.30 36 2.78 1.23

17

1.f Basketball or volleyball fields (not soccer, football, baseball) 14 3.21 1.26 14 3.36 1.63 7 3.14 1.36 4 2.00 1.73 39 3.13 1.52

1.g Dog park 14 3.21 1.57 14 3.00 1.36 7 3.43 1.40 4 3.25 0.83 39 3.18 1.41

1.h Walking/jogging/bicycling trail & connections 14 4.43 0.82 15 4.47 1.20 7 4.86 0.35 4 4.50 0.87 40 4.53 0.95

1.i Bocce 11 2.64 1.30 13 3.62 1.08 3 2.33 0.47 2 4.00 1.00 29 3.14 1.25

1.j Multi-purpose open, flat area 12 4.92 0.28 12 4.75 0.83 3 5.00 0.00 1 5.00 0.00 28 4.86 0.58

1.k Art wall 10 3.20 1.25 12 4.25 0.72 2 4.50 0.50 3 3.67 0.47 27 3.81 1.06

1.l Climbing wall 9 2.56 1.26 12 3.42 1.11 2 2.50 1.50 3 2.33 0.47 26 2.92 1.24

1.m Zip line 10 2.10 1.45 11 1.64 0.98 1 3.00 0.00 3 2.67 1.70 25 2.00 1.33

1.n Bathroom facilities 9 3.22 1.03 7 3.86 1.12 0 0 16 3.50 1.12

1.o Playground or play-space 8 3.88 1.45 6 3.50 1.12 0 0 14 3.71 1.33

1.p Environmental interpretive trail (wildlife & botanical) 6 3.17 1.46 6 4.17 0.90 0 0 12 3.67 1.31

2 Senior, youth, and/or community center (fitness facility) 17 4.18 0.92 17 4.18 0.98 7 3.14 0.83 5 3.00 1.26 46 3.89 1.09

3 Continuation of the pedestrian- cycling bridge path 17 4.18 0.86 16 4.13 1.11 6 4.33 0.75 5 3.40 0.80 44 4.09 0.97

4 Parking for Cascades & Myers Parks & the neighborhood 17 2.24 1.16 15 2.27 1.48 7 1.71 0.70 5 1.80 1.17 44 2.11 1.25

5 Farmers market 17 3.06 1.11 17 3.65 1.23 7 3.71 1.28 5 2.60 0.49 46 3.33 1.20

6 Community garden 17 3.47 1.50 17 3.41 1.37 7 4.00 1.31 5 3.40 0.80 46 3.52 1.38

8 Group home for special needs, senior, etc. 17 1.29 0.57 17 1.59 1.33 7 1.57 1.05 5 1.00 0.00 46 1.41 0.99

9 Housing (single family, townhouses, multi-family, etc.) 17 1.29 0.96 17 1.24 0.94 7 1.14 0.35 5 1.80 1.60 46 1.30 1.00

10 Other non-profit facility 17 1.35 0.59 15 1.20 0.40 7 1.43 0.73 5 1.20 0.40 44 1.30 0.55

11 Other city facilities 17 1.65 0.68 14 1.43 0.62 6 1.33 0.47 5 1.40 0.49 42 1.50 0.63

12 Restaurant 17 1.41 0.69 16 1.69 1.21 7 1.71 1.16 5 1.40 0.49 45 1.56 0.98

13 Retail 17 1.06 0.24 15 1.00 0.00 7 2.14 1.55 5 1.20 0.40 44 1.23 0.76

14 Maintain polling location 15 4.33 0.60 10 3.90 1.22 3 5.00 0.00 2 4.00 0.00 30 4.23 0.88

15 Sculpture garden 14 3.29 1.28 10 2.90 1.14 1 1.00 0.00 2 3.50 0.50 27 3.07 1.25

16 Pocket neighborhood (small, affordable units) 12 1.67 1.18 11 1.36 1.15 1 1.00 0.00 1 1.00 0.00 25 1.48 1.14

18

Appendix F

Friends of Tallahassee’s Parks and Recreation Questions

Current City Plans:

What are the city's current plans for the existing facilities on the Parks and Recreation site? What is happening with the electric substation at Meridian and Van Buren? Are there plans to relocate it? To use the space? Why does the city want to move the P&R offices/staff/supplies/warehouses from a site that was built for that purpose? How much will it cost to relocate them? Is it a good use of taxpayers’ money, and will the new site be as convenient for park users and park maintainers? Assuming that this visioning process develops a consensus vision for the Parks and Recreation site, what role would the planning department/commissioners play in refining the vision into specific plans that fit with existing city plans and goals? Selling Parkland:

Is it normal for a city to sell parkland for development? What criteria will the city use when deciding to sell parkland for development? The current rules for selling city land appear to apply only to unused surplus land. How can residents know whether their neighborhood park will remain a park, given the planning department's recommendation to sell part of Myers park for residential development? Many of the city's older parks with multi-purpose community, administration, and park maintenance facilities have the same open space and zoning status as the Myers Park cite. What is the plan to correct the land use and zoning designations of parklands with these facilities that were found to be non conforming on the Myers Park site? Are the open space land use and zoning categories sufficiently flexible to provide the best designation that will also protect these parklands from non recreational uses in the future? Infill, Downtown Development and Parklands

How many additional residents is the planning department projecting over the next decade in the downtown area within a mile of the Cascades/Myers park area, and how many in the South Monroe area. What plans exist for serving the recreational needs of these new residents, or how will this plan be developed?

What planning processes are in place for the long term use of Tallahassee's parks, and specifically for Cascades and Myers Park since they will be most affected by the city's long-term infill and downtown development policies?

19

What kinds of recreational facilities would the planning department suggest if they wanted to use an integrated Cascades/Myers Park Greenway to promote residential development for the downtown and South Monroe Street promotional projects? What is the timetable for developing the South Monroe/Adams Street corridor, and what is the expected population growth in that area? What is the planning process for considering what to do with the downtown properties the state is planning to surplus? Wouldn't these properties be better located and less upsetting to promote the residential developments that the planning department proposed for the Parks and Recreation Headquarters site??? Why was the full Myers Parkland acreage not included in the plans for the Cascades Park Greenway that it abuts, and what can be done at this point to integrate the recreational uses of the two parklands as part of the downtown revitalization effort? Historic District Designation

What are the implications of the historic district designation that includes Myers Park? Are these previous commitments not considered binding by the current commission? Historic district implications: the purpose of the listing on the Tallahassee-Leon County Register of Historic Places is to preserve the historic "character" of a place or District. The Historic Preservation Master Plan for Tallahassee identified this district as a viable and cohesive early 20th century neighborhood and recommended its preservation. The preservationists who surveyed the district in 1986 and again in 2001 agreed AND pointed to the importance and character-defining nature of the green spaces including Myers Park. AND to the fact that planners frequently do not take into consideration the importance of maintaining low-density housing in historic residential neighborhoods. The district was listed as a "residential historic district," which according to the zoning regulations in the Tallahassee land development code, will have an underlying low-density residential zoning. The Parks and Rec parcel--from Meridian to Drew on Van Buren--is roughly 20% of the acreage purchased specifically for a park in 1925. It is character-defining.