Raynor Park Improvements - VictoriaRec... · 2017-09-21 · Play Features Each adult and child attendee was given a maximum of two stickers to put beside their most preferred play

1

2

Raynor Park Improvements Engagement Summary Spring 2017

Executive Summary The current playground at Raynor Park was installed in 1994, with some upgrades in 1997. The playground has reached

the end of its serviceable life, and is scheduled to be replaced this year. As part of this process, the City conducted a

public engagement process with the Victoria West neighbourhood in March 2017. This engagement process asked the

community to provide feedback on two possible concepts for upgrades to Raynor Park. The two concepts were designed

in order to ask questions about preferences for this small park space, including type of play equipment and the potential

for tree removals and relocation of the existing playground and/or pathway. Images of the two concept options are

attached.

Concept 1 included some minor changes to the playground layout with an additional natural play area and no changes to

the pathway location or existing vegetation within the park. Concept 2 showed the playground moved to the other side of

the park, a modified pathway layout and also showed the row of trees removed in order to provide an enhanced open

grass area within the park.

Over 40 adults and children attended the open house and 37 surveys were received. While feedback from the open house indicated a preference for Option 2, many respondents supported Option 2 only with modifications including retaining the row of trees. Some of the feedback received at the open house and from surveys included:

• General support for upgrades to the current park including relocation of the path and designing the playground for 2-5 year olds; there was mixed opinions about retaining or removing the existing row of poplar trees

• Some concerns were raised about drainage; location of existing trees and shrubs; and, lighting.

• The top two play features chosen were play structures and natural play. This input will help provide direction to staff when finalizing the final park design. The final plan and construction information will be shared with the community later this spring and into the summer. Construction is expected to begin in late spring or early summer and be complete this fall.

Introduction Raynor Park is located in the Victoria West neighbourhood. At 0.17 hectares, Raynor Park is one of the City’s smaller parks. The current playground was installed in 1994 with some upgrades in 1997. The park is also identified on the City’s 2003 Greenways Plan, with the lit pathway providing a connection from Raynor Avenue to Hudson Street. The lights have also been identified for replacement, and while considered a separate project with a separate budget allocation, the works will be coordinated to ensure matching construction timelines.

Engagement Approach Two playground design concepts were shared with the community for feedback. Community members were asked to share ideas on opportunities, challenges as well as any other park elements they would like to see (including pathway, furnishings, etc.).

Engagement Tools Community Open House: Held at the Victoria West Community Centre on March 16th from 2.30pm to 6.30pm. Survey: Available at the open house as well as online for two weeks from March 16th to March 30th.

Communications Tools The open house and survey were communicated to the public via a variety of channels including:

• Vic West local area plan forum

• Community Open House

3

• Notices – project and event to surrounding neighbours and businesses

• Neighbourhood Hot Sheets

• Vic News ad

• Onsite Information Board

• Social media

• Website

What We Heard Community Open House Summary Over 40 adults and children attended the open house to provide us their thoughts on the two park improvement options

and share what type of equipment they would like to see. The event was attended by approximately 20 adults and 15

children.

4

Based on the limited area in this park and its proximity to Banfield Park, would you support a playground for 2-5 year

olds?

Yes – 13 No – 0

Concept 1

Do you like this concept?

6 preferred Concept 1 and 20 preferred Concept 2

5

Do you have any comments about either design option?

The comments received fell into three high level categories:

Overall Landscape Design

• Remove spiky bush by sidewalk

• No viburnum davidii

• Poplars cut down

• Would love to see the pear tree trimmed to keep wasps away in summer

• Remove old trouble trees for useful vegetation, such as fruit and nut shrubs

• The fruit trees need to be harvested, the wasps/mess make the park a challenge with little ones through the later summer/fall

• I don’t like the idea of removing the trees but do prefer option #2 (more different from Banfield)

• I like the trees though

• Would consider a trade off if pear tree removed and smaller fruit, nut or blueberries planted, something to allow sustainability in the neighbourhood food cooperative

• I worry about the pear tree dropping lots of pears on design 2, lots of wasps

• Please do not remove trees from this park

• Raise grade of swamp behind poplar trees

• We learned to ride our bikes on that safe, long path

• Keep the trees and path as is

• Remove poplar trees and add edible trees and butterfly host trees

• Improve drainage of open space for older children

• Keep the trees

• Formed themes limit open free play

• Drain the field

• I would also like to see a fenced toddler park like in James Bay and Esquimalt as it would be a completely safe space to keep dogs out and smokers, etc.

• #2 offers more sunlight for year round play area vs. wet unusable area in winter

• Proper drainage then we have a nice field for kicking a ball

Amenities

• Fence at Raynor to block people cutting thru (muddy path)

• Child’s picnic table near small garden

• Create a bermed grassy amphitheatre in the open grassy area facing the playground (concept 2)

• 2 picnic tables that are disabled friendly

• 2-3 benches

• A sign on Craigflower pointing to the park

• Add a couple more picnic tables

• Repair fences or replace

• The location of the picnic table for concept 1 is problematic – there is a wasp problem centered around that area in the summer

Playground Preferences

• I like the fire pole and tunnel best about the park – Child age 5

• I like the slide and the whole playground – Child age 5

• I like the idea of the children’s garden and natural play area of concept 2 but prefer leaving the trees and pathway in concept 1

• Don’t duplicate the playground in Banfield, give the neighbourhood two different playgrounds

• I would like to see a fenced toddler part like the ones in James Bay

• I like the sand pit with trucks in Vic West Park, would be great to have something like that too

6

Play Features

Each adult and child attendee was given a maximum of two stickers to put beside their most preferred play features.

Play Features Adult Children

Play structures 10 9

Slides 0 1

Swing 0 4

Disc swing 3 4

Spinning equipment 2 4

Natural play 4 13

Social or imaginative play 0 2

Themed equipment 0 5

Survey Summary 37 surveys were received in a two week period from March 17 - 30. Below is a summary of what we heard. How often do you visit Raynor Park with children under the age of 12 years?

Answer Choices Responses

Daily 19.44% 7

Weekly 27.78% 10

Bi-weekly 5.56% 2

Monthly 8.33% 3

Rarely 19.44% 7

Never 19.44% 7

Total # of responses 36

7

How often do you visit Raynor Park with children under the age of five years?


Daily 17.14% 6

Weekly 22.86% 8

Bi-weekly 8.57% 3

Monthly 5.71% 2

Rarely 22.86% 8

Never 22.86% 8


How often do you visit Raynor Park without children?


Daily 11.43% 4

Weekly 8.57% 3

Bi-weekly 2.86% 1

Monthly 11.43% 4

Rarely 37.14% 13

Never 28.57% 10


What type of play features would you like to see at Raynor Park?


Play structures 83.33% 30

Slides 47.22% 17

Swing 38.89% 14

Disc swing 22.22% 8

Spinning equipment 27.78% 10

Natural play 63.89% 23

Social or imaginative play 38.89% 14

Themed equipment 47.22% 17


Based on limited area in Raynor Park and its proximity to Banfield Park, would you support a playground

designed for 2-5 year olds?


Yes 67.65% 23

No 32.35% 11


Concept 1

What features do you like best about Concept 1?

Some of the comments mentioned included:

• Improved lighting

• Natural areas

• Keeping existing trees

8

What features do you like least about Concept 1?


• No significant change/not enough of an upgrade

• Not imaginative

• Too dark and shaded

Concept 2

What features do you like best about Concept 2?


• Better use of space

• Love new natural areas

• Improved pathway

What features do you like least about Concept 2?


• Do not remove the trees

• Themed play equipment

• Asphalt rather than concrete

Would you support the removal of the poplar trees to provide an improved playground and an open grass area

as shown in Concept 2?


Yes 77.78% 28

No 22.22% 8


Would you support the relocation of the path as shown in Concept 2?


Yes 88.57% 31

No 11.43% 4


Do you have any other comments about either of the design options for Raynor Park?


• Supportive comments for the garden area

• Consider a fence near the road for safety

• Current fruit tree causes concerns with wasps

Please provide any other ideas or improvements you would like considered to upgrade Raynor Park.


• Include local indigenous art

• Improved places to sit

• Fix drainage

9

How did you hear about our Raynor Park project and event?

Answer Choices Answered

City of Victoria website 13.79% 4

City of Victoria Facebook 3.45% 1

City of Victoria Twitter 0% 0

Vic West newsletter 37.93% 11

Project poster 20.69% 6

On-site signage 31.03% 9

Vic News ad 0%

Word of mouth: friend, family

or neighbour

24.14% 7

Other 13.79% 4

Total Respondents 29

Where do you live?


Within a five minute walk of

Raynor Park

82.86% 29

Vic West but outside a five

minute walk to the park

5.71% 2

Victoria but not Vic West 2.86% 1

Outside of Victoria 8.57% 3


What is your gender?


Male 36.11% 13

Female 52.78% 19

Other/prefer not to say 11.11% 4


What is your age?


12 years or less 0% 0

13-20 years 0% 0

21-29 years 11.43% 4

30-39 years 42.86% 15

40-49 years 22.86% 8

50-59 years 14.29% 5

60-69 years 8.57% 3

70+ years 0% 0


10

Next Steps The input received will assist staff in moving forward with a final park plan for Raynor Park.. The play equipment purchase and construction plans will follow immediately to ensure the improvement are ready to start construction this summer. The community will be notified of the final plan and construction updates by using tools such our website, social media and e-news. Appendix Detailed Survey Results

Documents

Raynor Park Improvements - VictoriaRec... · 2017-09-21 · Play Features Each adult and child attendee was given a maximum of two stickers to put beside their most preferred play