Planning Usable Open Space Guidelines

7/28/2019 Planning Usable Open Space Guidelines

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USABLE OPEN SPACE

GUIDELINES:


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Pedestrian Emphasis:

Usable open spaces should accommodateoutdoor activities, where the landscape/sitedesign emphasizes the pedestrianexperience. The design of these spaces

should take into account: The pedestrian scale and viewpoint.

The pedestrian rate of travel.

Provision of visual Interest along pedestrian routes.

Way finding and orientation for visitors,

newcomers, and regular users. Personal safety and security.

Disabled access.


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Open Space Network:

Usable open spaces should be

developed as part of a campus

network of public open spaces linked

by paseos, promenades, andpathways.

Typical usable open spaces include

malls, plazas, courtyards, and

entry/drop-off features, along withbuilding-related open space


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Pedestrian Patterns:

Design should recognizecommon use patterns by people,such as bunching up at building

entries, cutting corners at pathintersections, and shortcutsacross lawns, and sitting on walls

and steps.


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Animation:

To insure adequate: animation of usableopen spaces, the design should include: Areas for a variety of activities, such as gathering,

display, performance, play/recreation, eating,reading/study, and people watching.

A variety of seating types (backed benches,table seating, lawn, ledge seating,amphitheater/stairs), preferably in a variety ofsettings (sunny/shady, busy/quiet,open/secluded).

Provision for pedestrian paths and bicycle traveland/or parking.

Accommodation of or adjacency to majordraws, such as a food concession, classroomfacility, or key circulation crossroads.


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Animation:

Elements which inviteparticipation, such asartwork, display, exhibit,or water features.

Design elements whichadd festivity or color,including permanentfacilities (kiosks, foodpavilions, arcades) andtemporary features(booths/tents,platforms/stages, arid

flags and banners).


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Design Features:

The campus should become anoutdoor art gallery. Artworkincluding statues and muralsshould be incorporated into thelandscaped fabric of thedeveloped campus.

Fountains and water features aredesirable focal points, but shouldbe located in high impact/highuse areas and utilize recirculatedwater.

Development of speciallandscaped areas for educationor to provide special experiences(such as a touch area for blindpersons) is encouraged.

Memorial elements such asdesignated trees, plaques, andhistorical markers should beintegrated into the landscapedesign.


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Neighborhood Park

The central neighborhood park is the focal pointand foundation of the community.

It provides an area for recreation and play, aswell as social activities such as community

picnics, bazaars, holiday displays and activitiesfor all ages to meet and gather together.

The park is best located where it is accessibleto the highest possible number of residentswithin walking distance and adjacent to any

mixed use core, elementary school, greenwayor trail.


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Freestanding neighborhood parks with street access onall sides are encouraged.

In addition, the parks should be accessible bypedestrians, bicycles and vehicles.

Desirable views into and out of the park should have a

unique character or experience and provide visibility offacilities for security purposes.


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Public Square

A square is a type of open space or

Neighborhood Park that may

encompass part of a block. The

square is typically developed in aformal manner consisting of paved

walks, lawns, trees, fountains, and

may include civic buildings.


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This area is intended as a central should be designed to

accommodate gathering space for the community and a

wide variety of gatherings.


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Plazas

A plaza is a form of open space that is typicallymore urban in nature and occupies a smallerportion of a block than a square.

Plazas are typically located at the intersection of

major streets. They are bordered by civic uses, commercial

activities, private buildings, and may includeparking.

These spaces may range from highly interactiveareas with adjacent commercial uses, such asretail shops and sidewalk cafes, to quiet passiveareas for sitting, reading and relaxation.


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Parkways

The parkway is public open space or a planting strip,located between the sidewalk and the street.

It is important in defining the pedestrian realm byseparating it from the street and creating a feeling ofsafety and comfort.

The parkway provides a visual link between open space

areas and the street network, as well as, separates anddefines roadways and sidewalks.

The width of a parkway varies from four to fifteen feetdepending on the type of street and adjoining land uses.

Grass, shrubs, flowers, street trees, and street lightingare located within the parkway.

Utilities will very rarely be located within this area.


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Street Trees

Street trees are required in a Traditional Neighborhood(TN) to create a frame around and improve theappearance of the street, as well as, separate vehiclesfrom pedestrians.

The existence of trees on the street side of the pedestriansidewalk is critical.

Whenever possible, the placement of trees on both sidesof a sidewalk creates an exceptional pedestrianenvironment.

In a mixed residential area (MRA) street trees shall belocated in the parkway within the street right-of-way andspaced approximately 30 feet on center.

However, it may be necessary to group trees in somelocations to avoid obstructions and create views to retailshops.

Native species of trees should be used wheneverpossible.


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Planning Usable Open Space Guidelines

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