2023 Florida Planning Conference
American Planning Association
Inclusive & Equitable Public Open Spaces:
Lessons Learned From Village of Tequesta and Town of Jupiter
September 7, 2023
Inclusive & Equitable Public Open Spaces: Lessons Learned From Jupiter
Stephanie Thoburn, AICP, ASLA Asst. Director of Planning and Zoning
Equity & Inclusivity
People should be included regardless of gender, age, ability, sexuality, race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, religion, profession, etc.
Including and celebrating diverse groups
Source- Inclusion by Design: Insights from Design week Portland; Gensler
Why Equity & Inclusivity?
• Correct past planning practices
• Inclusive planning through Place Making
• Creation of unique places
• Public and accessible space for all
Regency Hyatt
1925 Negro Segregation District in Jupiter
Town of Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter
North Palm Beach County Area
28 square miles
Population 62,497
2020 US Census
Equitable and Inclusive = Public Access
Public beach with free parking
Public Access to Water
Dubois Park
Carlin Park
Burt Reynold Park
Sawfish Bay Park
Heritage Tourism
Place Making and Open Space
Abacoa: 2,000 acre New Urbanist community
Not Levittown
• Creating an interconnected system of open space and parks through public and private lands
• Building community not just houses and tax base
Open Space & Parks- Private and Public
Inclusive open space on public and private lands (through easements and platting)
Abacoa
Jupiter-Owned Open Space Properties
Public passive parks-open space create places for recreation and enjoyment of nature.
Jones Creek Preserve
Riverwalk
East Coast Greenway
Public access along the water
Bike and pedestrian access behind commercial, residential and mixed use
Riverwalk- Public Access to Waterfront
10 public boat slips
Public Amphitheater
9 Public boat slips
Riverwalk: Public Destinations
Riverwalk- Plaza Down Under
• Under Indiantown Road Bridge
• 95 public parking spaces
• Designated Water taxi stop
Located under the Indiantown Road bridge
Riverwalk- Inlet Village
Connecting the dots
Riverwalk- Universal Accessibility
Access to water
Complete streets
Future
Need more public input, culture, history and art
Fishing Deck
Riverwalk- Provide Comfort
Comfort for the public with pedestrian amenities
Comfort for property owners Through CPTED
Equity and Inclusivity for All Life
• Native plantings
• Shelter for animals
• Food source
Jones Creek
Equity and Inclusivity: Lessons Learned in the Built Environment
• Secure public access easements on private property
• Adopt requirements in the Comprehensive Plan and Code
• Connect the dots of public and private open spaces
• Include public input in your planning process
• Incorporate history, local art and culture for authenticity
• Provide reasons for the public to be there (destinations, views, fishing, recreation, active uses, public parking)
• Provide comfort to the public with benches, shade, water fountains, restrooms, including universal accessibility
• Provide comfort to property owners by incorporating CPTED
• Plan for all life, including wildlife
• BE PATIENT; Great places don’t happen quickly
Stephanie A. Thoburn, AICP, ASLA Assistant Director of Planning and Zoning Town of Jupiter www.Jupiter.fl.us
Florida Chapter Lessons Learned From Village of Tequesta September 7, 2023
American Planning Association
PARKS MASTER PLAN PRESENTERS
Jeremy Allen, CPM Village of Tequesta Manager
Lance Lilly, MURP Senior Planner
CMA
Nilsa Zacarias, AICP Director of Planning CMA
TRENCHLESS SOLUTIONS
Listen to the Community and Understand the Residents Needs and Vision
To Prepare a Long-Term Strategy and Funding Plan
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA LOCATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS
TRENCHLESS SOLUTIONS
Northeastern Most Municipality in Palm Beach County
Population: 6,158 (2020 US Census)
Median Household Income: $89,018
Median Home Value: $445,200
High school graduate or higher: 97.3%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 49.6%
Village of Tequesta
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Total of 8 Parks/Open Spaces
TEQUESTA PARK – EXISTING CONDITIONS
Tequesta Park
42-Acre Park Owned by the State and Located in Martin County- Leased and maintained by the Village of Tequesta
TEQUESTA PARK – EXISTING CONDITIONS
LINEAR TRAIL – EXISTING CONDITIONS
TRENCHLESS SOLUTIONS
Linear Trail
Owned by Florida East Coast Railway Maintained by the Village of Tequesta
Remembrance Park Vacant Parcel Owned by the Village of Tequesta - 1.76 Acres (Future Park)
REMEMBRANCE PARK – EXISTING CONDITIONS
PROACTIVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAM (4Ps)
Cross Interaction Process for Public Outreach and Community Engagement
Diverse Series of Events
Different Days, Gathering Places, Type of Events
Inclusive and Equitable Public Open Spaces
PROACTIVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAM (4Ps)
Cross Interaction Process for Public Outreach and Community Engagement
Open Forums, Kiosks at Public Events, Design Open Houses, HOA Meeting, Online and In-Person Survey, Social Media Communication, Updates on Village Website
EVENTS AND SURVEY ADVERTISEMENT
TRENCHLESS SOLUTIONS
Master Plan Poster w/QR Code
Village’s Newsletter (Smoke Signals)
Updates on Village website
Water Bill – QR Code
Social media (Facebook, VOT Friday News)
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION EVENTS
EVENT DATE LOCATION
Kick-Off Open Forum
Tuesday, October 12th (5:30-7:30 pm) Village Hall Chambers
Halloween
Shred-it and Coffee with a Cop
Friday, October 15th (5:30-8:30 pm)
Saturday, October 16th (9-11 am)
Constitution Park
Village Hall Parking Lot and Chambers
Design Open House
Design Open House
Saturday, October 23rd (9-noon)
Tequesta Park
Monday, October 25th (5:30-7:00 pm) Village Hall Chambers
Meeting with Tequesta Pines HOA
Wednesday, October 27th
Mr. Allen attended a Zoom meeting with HOA
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION EVENTS
TRENCHLESS SOLUTIONS
EVENT DATE LOCATION
Design Open House
Environmental Advisory Committee Presentation
Chili Cook-Off
Planning & Zoning Board
Presentation
Kiosk at Holiday in the Park
Design Open House with Residents adjacent to Remembrance Park
Saturday, November 6th (10:00-11:30 am)
Wednesday, November 10th (2 pm)
Saturday, November 13th (2-6 pm)
Thursday, November 18th (5:30 pm)
Village Hall Chambers
Village Hall Chambers
Paradise Park
Village Hall Chambers
Saturday, December 4th , (5-8pm)
Constitution Park
Open House for Concept
Plans - Presentation and Feedback
Saturday, December 18th (9:30-11 am)
March 8th , 2022 (Village Wide)
March 9th , 2022 (Village Wide)
March 15th , 2022
(Remembrance Park Neighbors)
Village Hall Chambers
Village Hall Chambers
DESIGN
OPEN HOUSE At Tequesta Park (Saturday morning)
DESIGN OPEN HOUSE
Village Chambers (Saturday morning & Weekday evening)
KIOSK AT VILLAGE EVENTS
Shred-It and Coffee w/ Cop
Chili Cook-Off
KIOSK AT VILLAGE EVENTS
Holiday at the Park
Halloween
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COMMUNITY SURVEY
Community Survey elicited input for preference for each park, priorities for park investment and other qualitative information
Online Format – QR Code & Link provided - open ended comments
Paper Copies – Provided at Kiosks Event - Survey Drop Box at Village Hall
Questions: 36 Questions
Total: 249 Responses (232 online & 17 paper)
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SURVEYS
INTERVIEWS
TRENCHLESS SOLUTIONS
20 - One-on-One Interviews were Conducted at Village Hall –
1.What do you envision for Remembrance Park?
2. What do you envision for Tequesta Park?
3. Please provide your input for all the other parks and open space (Linear Park, Banyan Tree, JLONA, and Coral Cove)
OPEN HOUSE FOR CONCEPT PLANS FEEDBACK
TEQUESTA AND REMEMBRANCE PARKS
Dots:
Red, Green and Yellow
their
Residents Express
Preferences
OPEN HOUSE FOR CONCEPT PLANS FOR FEEDBACK
Red, Green and Yellow
Dots:
Residents Express their Preferences
OPEN HOUSE FOR CONCEPT PLANS FOR FEEDBACK
Survey Forms & Box to Facilitate Feedback from Residents
REMEMBRANCE PARK - SUMMARY
Most Favored Elements
• Designs A and B were the preferred plans
• Connection from Riverside Drive to Remembrance Park, Butterfly garden and educational plaques, Perimeter fencing
Least Favored Elements
Playground
Art installation
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TEQUESTA PARK - SUMMARY
Most Favored Elements
• Preserve the natural environment, Design B was the most favored design, More native species to expand preserve area, Playground centrally located
Least Favored Elements
• Splash pad, exercise stations
• Playground location close to Road
FINAL TEQUESTA PARK RENDERING
LESSONS LEARNED
Public Engagement is Paramount for Inclusive and Equitable Public Open Spaces
• Community Participation in ALL Plan Process: Needs Assessment (Identify Problems) Conceptual Designs (Provide Solutions)
• Road Map for Long Term Strategy and Funding (ex. grant applications)
• Multi-year Capital Improvement Budget
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THANK YOU! Nilsa Zacarias, AICP, Director of Planning Chen Moore and Associates nzacarias@chenmoore.com (561) 758.2252 Lance Lilly, Senior Planner Chen Moore and Associates llilly@chenmoore.com (561) 348.4628