What are your thoughts on proposed changes to Baranof Park?

The City of Kodiak Parks and Recreation Department and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee would like your input on two options that are being considered for Baranof Park. With the removal of the Lion Lee Memorial Playground (to facilitate construction for the new fire station and renovations to the ice rink for contractor laydown and use), these plans focus on the development of a new playground, and an opportunity to improve vehicle access and circulation, ice rink drop off, and increase parking. Two options are provided below, with a survey to provide your feedback. Please review the options, and use the survey to indicate which is your preferred option, and to provide comments on both options if desired. Your thoughts on what you like or dislike about each option will help in their evaluation.

Option A: Through-Circulation, Expanded Parking, Parks & Rec Relocation

This option relies on relocating the parks and recreation building before constructing a new playground where the building is currently located. This option has long-term benefits for the Parks and Recreation Department by removing their operations from the center of the site and allowing expansion and improvement to their facility. This option also keeps the playground centrally located, with good connections and views to and from other play and recreation activities. Additional descriptions can be reviewed within the exhibit below. Due to the building relocation, this option will have a longer timeline than Option B and the expense of building relocation.

For a higher quality version to review, use this link: Option A

Option B: Through-Circulation, Expanded Parking, Playground in Trees

This option relies on removing trees from the site to construct the new playground. The benefit of this option is that it is not contingent on relocating the Parks and Recreation building. Additional descriptions can be reviewed within the exhibit below. This option does not have the playground central on the site, and depending on the extent of trees needing to be removed, does not have the same visual connections to and from other play and recreation activities. This would have a shorter timeline than Option A.

For a higher quality version to review, use this link: Option B

Please Provide Your General Comments

Why a Master Plan?

There are many benefits to a community developing a master plan for their parks and recreation system. A master plan is a long-range document that outlines the community's vision for its parks and recreation system and provides a roadmap for achieving that vision.

A parks and recreation master plan provides the following:

• Ensures that the parks and recreation system meets the needs of the community. A master plan is developed through a process of public engagement, which allows the community to provide input on their needs and wants for parks and recreation. This ensures that the master plan reflects the community's values and priorities.
• Promotes equity and inclusion. A master plan can be used to identify and address inequities in the parks and recreation system. For example, a master plan might identify neighborhoods that are underserved by parks or recreation facilities and develop strategies to address those needs.
• Encourages coordination and collaboration. A master plan can be used to coordinate the efforts of entities that are involved in the provision of parks and recreation services. This helps ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively.
• Provides a framework for making investment decisions. A master plan can be used to prioritize and guide investment in parks and recreation facilities and programs. This helps to ensure that the community's resources are used to maximize the benefits to all residents.
• Makes the community more attractive to residents and businesses. A well-developed parks and recreation system is a valuable asset to any community. It can attract and retain residents and businesses and make a community more livable and attractive.
• Help to protect natural resources and biodiversity. Parks and recreation areas often play an important role in protecting natural resources and biodiversity. A master plan can be used to identify and protect sensitive areas and to develop sustainable management practices.
• Promote public health and well-being. Parks and recreation allow people to exercise, enjoy nature, and socialize. A master plan can be used to develop programs and facilities that promote healthy lifestyles and social cohesion.

Parks Master Plan and the Importance of Baranof Park

Baranof Park is a highly programmed recreation facility many community members use, from organized sports to spontaneous playground visits. As such, the park is a highly valued amenity for the community with "something for everyone." The removal of the Lion Lee Memorial Playground, current work on the rink, and the proposed work for the fire station have created the need for a community discussion about Kodiak parks, with a necessary emphasis on Baranof Park and its near-term needs.

The Parks and Recreation Department, with guidance from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, will develop a City of Kodiak Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The purpose of such a plan is to guide the maintenance, improvement, and expansion of Kodiak parks and recreation facilities to ensure that existing, new, and future investments are optimized. (for general information on the benefits of a master plan, see the blog post Why a Master Plan.)

A review of Kodiak's existing parks and recreation infrastructure, in combination with a needs assessment, will assist in developing a community vision for the next  20 years of recreation in Kodiak. This may include renovation and repairs, facility relocations, and new facilities. The goal is to ensure that opportunities for improvement result in the right facilities in the best locations for community users to access them conveniently.

As communities develop and grow, it's important to ensure that community members have equitable access to parks and recreation facilities. Park systems typically have at least two kinds of parks: neighborhood and community. (See the blog post Park Classifications for general information on park types)

A Community Park will have unique offerings that all in the community may wish to use or enable larger gatherings or events. These facilities will often be provided with significant parking, opportunities for passenger drop-off, and efficient access and vehicle circulation. The extent of these vehicle-related improvements depends on the community, the desire for convenience, the availability of land, and the ability of adjacent areas to provide access and parking capacity. To adequately accommodate parking, each recreation component within a community park should be assessed for parking demands. For example, sports fields need to accommodate parking based on changeovers (when teams are leaving the field for new teams to come on), and playgrounds need to accommodate an expectation for the number of parents or caregivers bringing their children to play. Different types of use may have different peak use times, so every potential park user is rarely provided with a parking space. There will be times when parking may be less convenient due to facility use, but these should not be the norm.

Neighborhood Parks provide duplicate amenities (such as play areas) to make them convenient to locals and may sometimes have an amenity that draws from a wider area (dog park or ballfield). The goal is that everyone is within reasonable (and safe) walking distance of a neighborhood park. Neighborhood parks often focus on young families, supporting various types of play. Parking is normally de-emphasized for these parks, except to provide accessible parking and to enable more convenient family access.

Beyond parks and their locations, master planning examines a community to see if existing facilities are meeting recreation needs. Whether population growth, changes in the popularity of recreation types, or a desire to introduce new recreation types, gauging the wants and needs of a community is important. Then it's a matter of establishing whether any given activity is distributed within the community (neighborhood parks), or centralized (community parks). 

Park Classifications

Park classifications will likely be used for describing City of Kodiak parks. The below definitions and classifications are typical for park plans, and would be adapted to better reflect Kodiak's parks and recreation system (including Radius of Service).

Park Classifications organize public open space facilities to identify recreation needs, facility requirements and expectations, user groups, and typical service areas of individual parks. The Radius of Service (ROS) provides the distance a user will typically travel to access a specific park classification.

Definitions:

Active Recreation: refers to a structured individual or team activity that requires special facilities, courses, fields, or equipment.

Passive Recreation: refers to recreational activities that do not require prepared facilities like sports fields or pavilions. Passive recreational activities place minimal stress on a site's resources; as a result, they can provide ecosystem service benefits and are highly compatible with natural resource protection.
City of Kodiak (available to Borough residents as well)

Park Classifications

Community Park

A Community Park is a diverse area intended to serve several neighborhoods within the City boundary and meet community-based recreation, athletics, and open space needs. They are larger parks (5-15 acres) planned to deliver various active or passive recreation opportunities and can be more organized than a Neighborhood Park.

Community Parks typically act as a destination for the surrounding neighborhoods and can include outdoor recreation facilities such as athletic fields, swimming pools, park shelters or pavilions, playgrounds, walking paths, picnic areas, and other amenities based on site suitability. Community Parks should include accessible parking, accessible indoor bathroom facilities, and appropriate lighting. The recommended ROS is 3 miles or less.

Neighborhood Park

A Neighborhood Park is intended to serve as a neighborhood's recreational and social focus. They are often smaller than Community Parks (0.5 – 4 acres) and designed for informal active and passive recreation. These parks tend to have a mix of developed parcels with areas for natural open space.

Neighborhood Parks serve a neighborhood's recreational needs and can be developed for field or court games, picnic areas, and playgrounds. They tend to have limited facilities and either minimal parking or just on-street parking provided. Neighborhood Parks are intended to be accessible by walking or biking with a recommended ROS of 0.5 miles or less.

Pocket Park

A Pocket Park is a small park (0.5 acres) that is accessible to the general public and is typically located in a highly developed area on small, irregular plots of land. They are often a part of an urban regeneration effort and can include seating elements, public art or monuments, playgrounds, picnic areas, community gardens, or a small sports court.

Pocket Parks are often located in areas that do not require parking and are accessed by foot or bicycle with a ROS of 0.25 miles or less.

Shore Access Areas

Shore Access Areas are intended for passive recreation and are dedicated to providing public access to waterbodies. They are typically small parcels of land that can be developed or left naturally. Shore Access Areas are determined by current City ownership and are conserved to maintain public access with the intent that each neighborhood adjacent to a waterbody have at least one shore access point.

Shore Access Areas should have available parking and can include picnic areas, shelter or pavilion, or simple benches. They are intended to be accessible by the surrounding neighborhood and potentially serve as a destination for the City with a recommended ROS of 0.5 miles or less.

Undeveloped Parkland

Undeveloped Parkland is City-owned parkland intended to remain for public use and is left undeveloped in a natural state without recreational facilities. These lands can be held for future development as a park to meet demands or as funding allows. It is recommended that these lands remain maintained to ensure good visibility and safety so they do not become nuisance properties. There is no recommended ROS until they are designated a park classification.

Other Lands of interest

Other Lands of Interest are lands that are not under ownership by the City or are City-owned lands that are not designated as parkland but have been identified as having recreational value. It is recommended that these lands be considered for acquisition by the City or reclassified and designated as parkland. Until they have a park classification designated to them, there is no recommended ROS.

Partner Provided (Borough, State Parks)

Natural Day-Use Recreation Area

Natural Day-Use Recreation Areas offer a passive recreation experience within a natural landscape and can range from smaller parcels (1 acre) to larger tracts or undeveloped land (many acres).

Natural Day-Use Recreation Areas typically serve a large population, with most visitors expecting to arrive by vehicle. They can provide amenities such as accessible indoor restrooms and parking areas, picnic areas, fire pits, and access to natural amenities such as a lake, beach, or more extensive trail network. The recommended ROS for a larger Natural Day-Use Recreation Area that serves multiple groups of visitors is 45 minutes of driving. Smaller Natural Day-Use Recreation Areas that are intended to serve a smaller group(s) of people have a ROS of 3 miles.

Regional Park

A Regional Park is typically a large park area (25+ acres) providing a wide range of active and passive recreation activities that service an entire City.

Regional Parks typically feature a mix of natural areas that accommodate passive recreation needs and facilities for active recreation. These facilities can include major sports complexes and indoor recreation facilities along with smaller supporting facilities that include picnic areas, playgrounds, walking and hiking trails, dog parks, interpretation, and educational elements. It is intended that these areas provide accessible parking and indoor bathroom facilities as most people are expected to arrive by vehicle

Conservation Lands (Open Space)

Conservation Lands are undeveloped parkland (or private land) that is permanently protected from development. These lands typically include wetlands, riparian corridors, archaeological areas, or other sensitive or high-value environmental lands. Where allowable, under the conservation easement, passive recreation may be permitted, including trails, interpretation facilities, and limited day-use recreation facilities. Conservation Lands do not have a size requirement or ROS.

Park Types that May Not be Relevant to Kodiak

Special-Use Park

A Special-Use Park is often designated for a single primary use, such as golf courses, historical sites, community center sites, theme parks, or water parks. As a special use, these parks will serve an entire city and, other than parking requirements, do not have any other required facilities or amenities. Special-Use Parks may include Neighborhood or Community Park elements, but with a regional appeal.

What do you think about Kodiak Parks?

The City of Kodiak would like your assessment of parks in Kodiak.

Via the link below, you can view or download a PDF version of a workbook for you to use to assess your parks:

Community Input Park Assessment Workbook.

You can print and complete this workbook by hand and return it to Parks & Recreation (instructions are included in the document), or you can complete a matching survey via the link below. The PDF has resources to assist in your survey responses.

Community Park Assessment Survey - Online

While you do not need to complete all parks or questions, your thorough input would be greatly appreciated. Please submit one survey per household.

 

Submit survey responses by 5:00pm on October 31, 2023

Below are the first pages of the workbook document, including ideas and questions to take into consideration for your assessments.