Goodale Park Vision Plan - 2015

CITY OF COLUMBUS PARKS AND RECREATION

FRIENDS OF GOODALE PARK TRUSTEES

J. Jeffrey McNealey - President

David W. Paul - Vice President

Jennifer A. Adair, Esq

Darnita Bradley

Kathy D. Espy

Linda S. Logan

Barry Pickett

Karla Rothan

Mataryun Wright

Jason Kentner - President

Maddy Weisz - Vice President

Nate Durst - Treasurer

Eric Anderson - Secretary

Ro-z Mendelson - Com Fest Rep

Rick Miller - Columbus Rec and Parks Liason

Don Anderson

Rick Frantz

Greg Krobot

Lyle Saylor

Dave Snow

Beth Vogt

MASTER PLAN DONORS

Pizzuti Collection

ComFest 2014

StonewallColumbus Pride 2014

Short North Foundation

Short North Civic Association

Heffner Family

DESIGN TEAM 2014

Staci Carrier

Alyssa Garcia

Alex Kelly

Haley Wolfe

DESIGN TEAM 2015

Staci Carrier

Alex Pisha

Tameka Sims

Southeast corner of Goodale Park Photo Credit: Steve Muza.

Letter from Commissioner of Parks and Rec

Goodale Park East Lawn Photo Credit: Steve Muza.

Letter from President of Goodale Park

“Goodale Park shall be forever kept and preserved, as a public park or pleasure ground for the free and common use of the inhabitants of said city of Columbus...”

-The Deed to Goodale Park

ENGAGEMENT

One of the key principles that drove the formation of the Goodale Park Vision Plan was a commitment towards encouraging the community to participate during the planning process. Goodale Park was conceived as an urban green space for all of Columbus’ citizens to enjoy. As such, in the spirit of the park being a pleasure ground for all, the Vision Plan incorporates numerous ideas which were proposed by the community.

Interaction with the general community was achieved via a series of varied and dynamic operations. This included face-to-face inquiries, interactions with the Vision Plan’s online questionnaire, as well as community meetings. Through this process, a significant amount of information regarding current park-users’ needs, desires, and conflicts was obtained. This information helped guide the Vision Plan and allow the community to help create what is to become the framework for the future of Goodale Park. As a result, what follows is a reflection of the opportunities which the citizens of Columbus feel could become realities.

VISION PLAN PROCESS

Planning for the Goodale Vision Plan began in June 2014. The project team worked within Goodale Park, observing park users’ habits and conducting surveys to gain a better understanding of how the park is currently functioning. In addition, a Goodale Park Vision Plan MindMixer website was established to gain community feedback on initial ideas, leading to the establishment of a set of project goals at the end of summer 2014. The planning process continued in May 2015 and began the visualization and packaging phases for what has become the Vision Plan document.

Proposed Walking Routes for Goodale Park Vision Plan. June 2015. Map My Run

SITE OBSERVATION

The project team sought to gain a better understanding of the park’s users and daily operations by immersing ourselves within the park. Hourly observations were recorded to count park users and record how different spaces were utilized throughout the day and on different days of the week. These observations allowed us to conclude that certain spaces were currently underutilized, while others, such as the peripheral sidewalks, were over-crowded. These observations allowed us to set project goals for the improvement of Goodale Park.

OPEN HOUSE JULY 30, 2015

The Goodale Park Vision Plan Open House provided the Columbus community an opportunity to view the planning and design work that the Vision Plan team had created. The team did not view this event as a culmination exhibition, but rather a forum where ideas could be generated which would have a direct impact on the direction that the Vision Plan took. This gallery-style exhibit encouraged the community to view the proposed concepts and voice their opinion. It also allowed the team to receive more indepth feedback from the public regarding their perceptions of Goodale Park and the Vision Plan.

Southeast corner of Goodale Park, looking west. Photo Credit: Steve Muza.

CONTEXT

Goodale Park is one of the most historically significant public green spaces within Columbus. Not only is it Columbus’ first developed park, it is also indicative of the concepts which were shaping people’s attitudes towards parks and greenspace during the 19th century, particularly in regard to urban space and the role of recreation.

Dedicated in 1851, Goodale Park is one of the first public parks in the United States, and at approximately 37 acres it was also one of the largest tracts of land to be given for unrestricted public access at that time. Originally conceived as a pleasure ground for the citizens of Columbus, Goodale Park has undergone numerous evolutions regarding its infrastructure, programming, spatial quality, and use. It is a palimpsest of Victorian notions of leisure, mid-20th century concepts of vehicular access, and contemporary responses to urban revitalization.

GOODALE PARK HISTORY, 1851-PRESENT

In 1851 Dr. Lincoln Goodale gifted “40 acres more or less” of his property to the city of Columbus with the intention it be used as a pleasure ground by the cities inhabitants. Considered to be Columbus’ oldest developed park, Goodale Park is surrounded by the historic Victorian Village neighborhood and the revitalized Short North Arts District. The park has experienced an extremely diverse and colorful history. It has served as a site of a Civil War camp, a menagerie, revival and temperance meetings, croquet parties, strawberry festivals, and has survived numerous controversies. However, Goodale Park has endured and remains an oasis of tranquility and beauty within one of the most active districts in Columbus.

1851

Dr. Lincoln Goodale sells 40 acres of land to the city for $1, becoming Columbus’ first park

1874

a menagerie is installed in the northern section of the park

1875

the east lake is constructed and filled with water

1890 the west lake is commissioned and will occupy the entire west side of the park

1912 the parks shelter house is constructed and includes a new caretakers residence

1861 Goodale Park is converted into Camp Jackson, a Union Army encampment

1860 a circuitous carriage drive is installed

1888

the bronze bust of Dr. Lincoln Goodale, sculpted by J. Quincy A. Ward, is dedicated as a monument to the parks founder

1907 the Flagg Memorial is installed near the Park Street entrance

1920 boating on the lakes is discontinued and the boathouses are razed

1935

WPA funds are used to refurbish both of the lakes in the park

1950 basketball, tennis courts, and playgrounds are installed in the park

1955 the carriage drive is removed

1973

the east lake is reconstructed and the playgrounds are refurbished

1991

FGP donates the gazebo adjacent to the east lake

2013 Sculpture Falls, created by artist Malcolm Cochran is gifted by FGP

1969 the west lake is drained and filled

1940

Dutch Elm Disease ravishes the elms within the park

1965 the concrete picnic pavilion is constructed

1988

Friends of Goodale Park (FGP) is established and becomes the primary caretaker for the park

HISTORIC STRUCTURES

The structures and monuments which dot the landscape of Goodale Park are both architecturally and historically significant. From work by one of America’s leading 19th century sculptors to playful examples of architectural revivalism, they demonstrate shifting attitudes regarding the parks function and how the park is defined. They also demonstrate the continuous support and contributions of Columbus’ citizens to enhance, sustain, and preserve Goodale Park for future generations and for the enrichment of the community.

Existing Aerial of Goodale Park. June 2015. Google Earth.

1. South Gates (c. 1870)

The stone and iron entry gates located on the south side of Goodale Park were part of a series of park improvements that occurred throughout the 1870’s. At one point considered the main entrance to the park, visitors would move through the gates and connect directly to the carriageway which circled the park. By 2000 the gates were in severe disrepair and in 2004 an effort to restore the gates had begun. After a multi-year effort to restore the gates, they were rededicated in 2014.

2. Dr. Lincoln Goodale Monument (c. 1888)

Located in the southeast corner of Goodale Park, the Lincoln Goodale Monument was dedicated in 1888. The bronze bust was commissioned by a city council committee who selected noted sculptor J. Quincy A. Ward whose other works include the life-size statue of George Washington located in front of Federal Hall in New York City as well as the design of the marble pediment sculptures for the New York Stock Exchange.

3. Park Street and Buttles Avenue Gates (c.1889)

In 1889 the Goodale Park Committee met to discuss a variety of measures that needed to be implemented in order to elevate the image of the park and alleviate safety concerns. It was determined that the increasingly dilapidated state of the parks surrounding fence needed to be replaced and stone gates and turnstiles to mark entry points were added along the north and east sides of the park.

4. Northwest Gate (c. 1899)

Located in the northwest corner of Goodale Park, this gate was partially donated to the park by William H. Fish and is commonly referred to as the Fish Gate. Designed by Isabell Terrell, the cornerstone for the gate was laid in 1899 by students from the nearby Hubbard Avenue School. The carved faces which appear around the gate represent the seven ages of man from Shakespeare’s As You Like It (infant, schoolboy, lover, soldier, judge, old age, and finally corpse). An eighth face carved into the gate is that of Dr. Lincoln Goodale.

Located on the east side of Goodale Park, this memorial was dedicated on June 28, 1907 to Charles Benton Flagg and the United Commercial Travelers. Flagg had served as the first Supreme Secretary for the U.C.T., a fraternal organization founded by traveling salesmen. John E. Sater commissioned Thomas Staniland and Company of Dayton, Ohio to complete the memorial. It was moved to the U.C.T. headquarters at 632 North Park Street in 1949 but was finally returned to its original location in Goodale Park on March 21, 2012.

6. Shelter House (c. 1912)

Located in the center of Goodale Park, the current Goodale Park Shelter House was built in 1912 and designed by noted local architect Charles L. Inscho. Its design is representative of the then popular Arts and Crafts movement. Originally conceived as two pavilions connected by a columned breezeway, it was determined that the shelter house needed to serve a more year-round function and the breezeway was enclosed in 1974.

The small white gazebo located adjacent to the pond was donated to the park by the Friends of Goodale Park in 1991. Initially conceived as part of a park beautification effort, the gazebo has become one of Columbus’ most sought after venues for wedding and other events.

8. Goodale Park Fountain (c. 2013)

This large, multi-tiered fountain was dedicated on May 19, 2013. Friends of Goodale Park commissioned artist Malcolm Cochran in 2005 to create a water feature for the pond. The design references both previous stacked-rock fountains that were located in the park as well as the Sells Brothers Circus whose founding partner, Peter Sells, lived in a home adjacent to the park. This circus was one of the first in the country to use elephants which led to Cochrans decision to crown his work with two elephants spraying water.

7. Gazebo (c. 1991)

5. Charles Benton Flagg Memorial (c. 1907)

PARK PROXIMITY INVENTORY

Baseball Fields, Basketball courts, Gardens, Gazebo, Greenway Trail Access, Picnicking, Playground, Pond, Recreation Center, Shelterhouse(s), Tennis Court, Walking Trail, Woods and Wildlife Area

Boat Ramp, Fishing, Hiking Trails, Greenway Trail Access, Playground, Sand Volleyball, Dog Park, Learning/Event Center, Obstacle Course, Rock Climbing Wall, Wetlands,Restrooms, Picnic Pavilions

Pond, Horticulture Conservatory, Floral Gardens, Playground, Picnicking, Walking trail, Amphitheater, Recreation Center

Pond, Baseball field, Basketball Court, Tennis Courts, Gardens, Gazebo, Picnicking, Playground, Shelterhouse, Open-air shelter, Walking Trail

Gazebo, Pond, Picnicking, Playground, Recreation Center, Tennis Court, Basketball Courts, Softball Field, Walking Trail, Stage/ Amphitheater

Arboretum, Walking Trail

Pond, Picnicking, Walking Trail, Topiaries

Performance Pavilion, Carousel, Gardens, Outdoor Reading Room, Outdoor Cafe, Bocce Courts, Life-Size Chess Set, Lawn

Interactive Fountains, Performance Pavilion, Restaurant, Greenway Trail Access

Picnicking, Woods and Wildlife Area, Hiking Trail

Dog Park

Lawn, Amphitheater

Picnicking, Playground

TRANSPORTATION

Goodale Park benefits from being well-connected to the existing public transportation infrastructure as well as the urban parking plan. Numerous opportunities are available for individuals to access the park via their personal vehicle, or through the municipal bus system on both the north and south sides of the park. In addition, the CBus Circulator bus which provides free transportation to Columbus’ key neighborhoods has stops one block from Goodale Park. Finally, CoGo Bike Share stations are located near the park and are a popular way for students and tourists to access and experience the park.

CoGo Bike Share.

Neil Avenue Neighborhood Parking.

CBus Circulator

The Joseph Parking Garage, Russell Ave.

ARTS DISTRICT

The Short North Arts District is a vibrant urban community that plays host to a multitude of contemporary art galleries, performance venues, bars and restaurants which display art, and public art installations. The first Saturday of each month the city gathers to celebrate Gallery Hop which showcases Columbus’ artistic community through new exhibitions, street performers, and other special events throughout the neighborhood. Goodale Park is aptly situated adjacent to the Short North Arts District. This location presents the opportunity for Goodale Park to incorporate an artistic persona into the master plan and its future, becoming both the ‘Art Park’ and a key gathering space within Columbus’ Arts District.

Galleries

Brandt-Robert Galleries

Hilton Columbus

Le Meridien Columbus

Marcia Evans Gallery

Palnik Gallery

Pizzuti Collection

PM Gallery

Ray’s Living Room

Rivet

Roy G Biv

Sharon Weiss Gallery

Sherrie Gallerie

Studio on High Gallery

The Archive Fine Art and Restoration

The Art of Genuine Mac Worthington

Performing Arts Venues

Danceville USA

Short North Stage

Skully’s Music/Diner

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

Haiku Poetic Food and Art

Columbus Convention Center

Big Bang Duelin’ Piano Bar

Magnolia’s Thunderpussy Records

Public Art

200 Tiles

Mona Lisa Mural

Poplar Park Mosaik Obelisk

Short North Gothic Mural

Viewpoints - 11 murals by young professional working artists

SITE INVENTORY

The project team initially sought to gain a full understanding of Goodale Park in its current and historic states before offering suggestions for the Goodale Park Vision Plan. The above diagrams illustrate the current site furnishings, tree cover, topography, and surrounding conditions of Goodale Park, as well as how some of these conditions affect the ways in which the park is currently used.

Existing Park Benches

Existing Picnic Tables

Existing Tree Cover

Existing Trash Receptacles

Vehicular|Pedestrian Conflict Points

EDGE CONDITIONS

Goodale Park is situated within a unique site context. It must strike a balance between being a lively urban greenspace as well as a serve an adjacent, primarily residential neighborhood. The west and north edge of the park is bounded almost solely by large, single-family residences. Whereas the east edge is bordered by both multifamily residential and cultural institutions. This is vastly different than the south edge of Goodale Park which is bordered by I-670, one of the most heavily trafficked vehicular corridors and provides access to the Columbus city center. These varying edge conditions helped to reinforce the Vision Plan teams notion that each of Goodale Parks edges must be addressed individually and not as a standard concept to be applied towards all edges.

VISION PLAN ELEMENTS

1. Strolling Loop Path

2. Park Street Pedestrian Gate

3. Goodale Plaza

4. East Lawn

5. Sculpture Garden

6. Tennis Courts

7. West Lawn

8. Picnic Terrace

9. Shelterhouse Event Terrace

10. Goodale and Park Intersection

11. Goodale Street and Parklets

THE VISION

The Goodale Park Vision Plan incorporates four key strategy points which are both complimentary and cohesive in regards to their formation and relationship to each other. These strategies encompass the primary elements and spaces which were studied and are intended to function both independently and dependently. The four established strategies intended to ensure the longevity of Goodale Park is as follows:

STRATEGY 1

Implement strolling loop path and improve existing pathways

STRATEGY 2

Articulate space for flexible programming

STRATEGY 3

Expand event and leasable space

STRATEGY 4

Move Goodale to Goodale Street and improve streetscape

STRATEGY 1 Implement strolling loop path and improve existing pathways

Strategy 1 aims to work within Goodale Park’s existing path framework to create a better, more walkable path system that encourages park users to experience Goodale within the park instead of on the park’s periphery. The new “Strolling Loop Path” follows the footprint of the historic carriageway. It brings park users to currently underused areas within Goodale, while also allowing walkers and joggers to exercise within the park. Strategy 1 also encompasses existing pavement improvements and expansions.

STRATEGY PLAN ELEMENTS

1. Strolling Loop Path

2. Park Street Pedestrian Gate

3. Goodale Plaza

STROLLING LOOP PATH

The Vision Plan seeks to partially restore the carriage loop path that once allowed visitors the chance to leisurely meander through Goodale Park. It will encourage park users to experience Goodale Park from within rather than along the parks periphery. It will also bring park users into underutilized spaces as well as allow both walkers and joggers the chance to exercise within the park.

STROLLING LOOP PATH

STROLLING LOOP PATH

STROLLING LOOP PATH

PARK STREET PEDESTRIAN GATE

The Park Street gate is currently the primary vehicular entrance to the park. As such, it is not pedestrian-friendly and it isolates numerous areas of the park. The Vision Plan seeks to relocate the vehicular entrance to align with Poplar Avenue and make the Park Street gate a pedestrian-only entry. Green strips will help provide a buffer between vehicular traffic on Park Street and pedestrian traffic along the sidewalk. In addition, as one of the most active edges of Goodale Park, the sidewalks along Park Street would get expanded to allow for improved accessibility.

Brick Paving

Park Street Gate

East Lawn

Expanded Sidewalks

Green Strip

Closed to Vehicular Access

GOODALE PLAZA

The bronze bust of Dr. Lincoln Goodale is currently a somewhat nondescript element within the park. Our Vision Plan seeks to transform it into a key moment along the strolling loop path. The plaza expansion would help to distinguish this space from the other moments along the strolling loop path and allow for large-scale events to take place and provide increased space for existing events such as ComFest.

STRATEGY 2 Articulate flexible space for active and passive programming

Strategy 2 aims to create defined spaces for both active and passive activities to take place. The East Lawn, enveloped by a 1/4 mile walking/event path, will act as Goodale Park’s front yard. It provides an articulated space for large events. On the other hand, the West Lawn will house the existing kickball fields as well as bring more park users to the southwest corner of the park for passive activities. Each of these spaces are connected via the loop path.

Flexible Space - a space capable of hosting both active and passive programming and lacks any defining elements of a specific activity

Active Programming

Kickball

Baseball Tennis Concerts

Passive Programming

Reading

Sunbathing

Picnics

Strolling

4. East Lawn

5. Sculpture Garden

6. Tennis Courts

STRATEGY PLAN ELEMENTS 6 7

EAST LAWN

The East Lawn Loop would help to define the primary lawn of Goodale Park. Our transformation of this space would include a defined 1/4 mile path which would enclose the East Lawn. In addition, in order to provide maximum open greenspace, trees that are sickly, or poorly formed would be either removed or replanted in other locations within the park.

EAST LAWN

The East Lawn is currently poorly defined and is intersected by multiple paths which subdivide the space into too many unusable areas. The vision plan seeks to define the East Lawn and make it the primary space for community events. Additionally, the East Lawn would be able to host multiple events simultaneously, allowing for more passive programming and becoming a more flexible, vibrant space within Goodale Park.

EAST LAWN

The existing vehicular entrance and drive will be transformed into a pedestrian-only pathway which could be easily programmed to host a variety of events throughout the year. This section would become part of the east lawn loop allowing this space to no longer be isolated from the rest of the park.

EAST LAWN

SCULPTURE GARDEN

The addition of a sculpture garden would provide an amenity that no other park in Columbus has. As the primary gathering space of Columbus’ Arts District, a sculpture garden would also help strengthen Goodale Parks identity as the Art Park within the Arts District. A combination of rotating and permanent pieces would be on display and would provide both visual and experiential interest.

Updated Park Furniture

Gravel Strip

Prairie Grasses

Mowed Path

Rotating Art

TENNIS COURTS

These courts will remain as an existing amenity to the park with improvements to their surroundings. Stepped seating will provide a viewing and relaxation space for the tennis courts and would be composed of both softscape and hardscape. A grasscrete path as well as a boxwood hedge would further define the tennis courts while also improving accessibility to the courts and nearby parking lot. The Vision Plan sees this space as being one which could be activated year-round such as an ice-rink in the winter season.

Stepped Seating

Grasscrete Pathway

Existing Tennis Courts

Boxwood Hedge

WEST LAWN

The West Lawn Loop would help to define this corner of Goodale Park. Our transformation of this space would include a defined path which would enclose the West Lawn. Also, additional vegetation would be incorporated to help further screen the park from the auditory and visual pollution of I-670.

WEST LAWN

The existing lawn is poorly defined and is rarely used outside of the rare organized activity. The Vision Plan considers the West Lawn to be one of the more flexible spaces within Goodale Park. It could be equipped to host both active and passive programming simultaneously.

STRATEGY 3 Expand event and leasable space

When compared to similar Columbus City Parks such as Schiller and Whetstone, Goodale’s facilities are lacking. Strategy 3 aims to bring more leasable space to Goodale Park while improving the Shelterhouse and Goodale Plaza. Expanded gardens, restroom facilities, and larger terraces will allow larger private events to take place in the park. The plan also envisions a Picnic Terrace at the site of the current central tennis courts. This venue will serve as a profitable park element while also bringing more visitors into the park for family friendly gatherings. In addition to strengthening Goodale’s identity as Columbus’s Art Park, these spaces will help maintain Goodale Park status as one of Columbus’s more beloved pleasure grounds.

8. Picnic Terrace

9. Shelterhouse Event Terrace

CENTRAL EVENT SPACE

The existing Shelterhouse and its surrounding environment provides an opportunity to expand upon Goodale Parks leasable space. With growing pressure for Columbus’ parks to become financially sustainable, the Vision Plan needed to provide a solution to making the park fiscally responsible. Currently, the Shelterhouse can be viewed as an object within the park with no defined front or back. The Vision Plan seeks to provide the Shelterhouse and its surroundings with a defined sequence of spaces. The East Lawn essentially becomes the Shelterhouses front yard with the West Terraces serving as its backyard.

Currently, the Shelterhouse has a maximum occupancy of 75 people. However, with the creation of the West Terrace an additional 200 people could be accommodated. The transformation of the east tennis courts into a more usable and flexible space would provide an additional space which could be leased, allowing space for either one large event to occur or multiple smaller events to happen concurrently.

West Event Terrace

Shelterhouse

Picnic Terrace

PICNIC TERRACE

The existing central tennis court is under-utilized, particularly since there are already tennis courts on the west edge of the park. The Vision Plan seeks to transform this space into a lively outdoor gathering space for families to play games, grill, and reconnect. The existing play surface could be recycled and transformed into crushed gravel to create a permeable surface while part of the existing play surface could also be re-purposed as gaming courts such as shuffleboard lanes. Permanent structures such as a large grill island, pergola, and wash facilities would help make this a destination within the neighborhood.

Grilling Island

Shuffleboard Lanes

Pergola

Garden Tables

WEST EVENT TERRACES

The existing Shelterhouse parking area would be transformed into a well-defined usable space. The West Terrace will provide additional leasable space and is large enough to host a maximum of 200 guests. This expansion would be flexible enough to host small gatherings as well as large events. The terraces would utilize both hardscape and softscape to define both large spaces as well as smaller, more intimate spaces.

Expanded Gardens

West Event Terrace

Shelterhouse Loop

WEST EVENT TERRACE

STRATEGY 4 Move Goodale to Goodale Street and improve streetscape

Strategy 4 focuses on Goodale Park’s surrounding cityscape and includes two of the most transformative pieces of the Vision Plan. The first piece involves the closing of Goodale Street. This opens up the south end of the park for more pedestrian friendly activities and removes some major pedestrian-vehicular conflict points. We envision a scaled down streetscape at the intersection of Park and Goodale and the incorporation of the vacant overpass plazas into Goodale Park. The second major move in Strategy 4 is the shift of the interior park driveway to align with Poplar Ave. This also reduces a major pedestrian-vehicular conflict point. In addition, Strategy 4 aims to improve the streetscape of Park Street and make it more of a connection between Goodale Park and Downtown Columbus.

STRATEGY PLAN ELEMENTS

10. Goodale Street and Park Street Intersection

11. Goodale Street and Parklets

PARK & GOODALE INTERSECTION

The Vision Plan seeks to restore Goodale Street as a key piece of the parks infrastructure. By closing Goodale Street to through traffic this resolves the highly dangerous intersection of Goodale Street and the I-670 offramp. Key elements such as the creation of a vegetated roundabout, rain garden medians to create a boulevard condition, and the activation of parklets will serve as a more fitting threshold condition to Columbus’ oldest park. The amount of parking spaces will be comparable to its present capacity and will be equipped with vegetated medians as well as turnaround and drop-off points.

GOODALE STREET AND PARKLETS

The streetscape on Goodale Street is currently vast and unwelcoming to pedestrians. The transformation of this street into a ‘no-outlet’ drive would include head-in parking along the entire route while also opening up the southeast corner of the park by removing existing meters. Rain garden medians will collect water run-off from the street, slow traffic, and scale down the streetscape for pedestrian comfort. The vision plan also utilizes the unused spaces of the Cap, transforming them into parklets in order to activate this neighborhood gateway.

Rain Garden Median

Brick Paving

Parklet

PARK PHASING ELEMENTS

IMPLEMENTATION

The Vision Plans implementation strategy takes into account the fact that park improvements do not happen at once but typically occur across a wide swath of time and as finances permit. Some elements should occur as a sequence, while others can be implemented alone and without being in conflict with subsequent improvements. By framing the Vision Plans implementation strategy in terms of zones within the park and what pieces comprise those zones, a concise outline of how and when elements would be woven together within the park is achieved. This also allows a simple framework for which improvements and additions can be determined as demand and resources allow.

EAST LAWN LOOP

CENTRAL EVENT SPACE

A. Shelterhouse Loop/Path Removals

B. New Drop Off, Drive, and Parking

C. Pathway to Existing East Tennis Court

D. East Terrace Improvements

E. West Terrace Construction

F. East Tennis Court Conversion

G. Interior Loop and Sculpture Park Planting

WEST LAWN LOOP

A. Loop Construction

B. Dennison-Goodale Screening

C. Picnic Shelter Conversion

D. West Parking Lot Improvements

E. West Tennis Court Improvements

STROLLING LOOP PATH

A. Loop Construction

B. Existing Pathway Improvements

PARK STREET STREETSCAPE

C.

D. Tree Planting

LIGHTING PLAN

Currently there are only 23 luminaries within the park with the majority of these illuminating the pond and only one of the primary pathways. This greatly limits the time frame in which the park could be used and also leads to major safety concerns. The Vision Plan seeks to locate additional lighting throughout the park and also encourage different forms of lighting to be utilized. For example, the existing acorn luminaries would be utilized to illuminate the East Lawn and the surrounding paths. The Carriage Loop path would benefit from low bollard lighting which could be activated via a motion detector. The West Lawn Loop and the West Terraces could utilize in-ground lighting and the Sculpture Garden could be up-lit or have focal lighting highlight the installations.

PROPOSED LIGHTING

INITIAL INSTALLATION

Initial lighting will provide much-needed lights within the park to illuminate existing major pathways and the internal park drive as well as pathway intersections. The instillation of lights can take place at anytime and in any order as funds are collected.

LIGHTING OPERATION

The Lighting Operation Plan seeks to provide a timed lighting scheme that will give park users optimal illumination of the park during evening hours. The community has stated that a number of people use the park to cross into the Short North or the Parks Street Entertainment District. Lights located at park entrances and lights that run along the axis from the corner of Dennison and Buttles to the corner of Park and Goodale will stay illuminated throughout the night. For park users who wish to walk in the park after the closing time of 11pm, motion sensored lights will be located along the Strolling and West Lawn loop as well as lights located around the pond.

Timed Lighting

Motion activated

Lighting

Continuous Lighting

INITIAL IRRIGATION PLAN

Currently Goodale Park has two water connections which under-serve the needs of maintaining a 32 acre park. The initial irrigation plan seeks to layout a dispersed number of irrigation wells, with irrigation lines extending outward to easily access most areas of the park. The diagrams above show the installation of six wells in the park with 18 hose connections.

Well Irrigation Line

100’ Hose Line Limits

200’ x200’ Grid

COMPLETED IRRIGATION PLAN

Following up on the Initial Irrigation Plan an additional six wells will be dug once the park has undergone the development of the Vision Plan. The additional wells will provide connections for sinks within the Picnic Terrace, drinking fountains, as well as additional irrigation for watering plants.

Well Irrigation Line

100’ Hose Line Limits

Initial Installed Irrigation

PATH IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY

The Vision Plan’s path improvement strategy seeks to reuse much of the existing path network while expanding paths in heavily trafficked areas of the park. This expansion would implement a variety of materials to add hierarchy to the path system. There would also be the construction of new paths, particularly the Strolling Loop and the West Loop.

EXISTING AND REMOVED PATHS

The Vision Plan sought to work within the existing framework of the park and as a result the majority of existing pathways within Goodale Park would be preserved. Major path changes would take place in the East Lawn, stemming from the driveway realignment. The existing park drive will be transformed into a pedestrian pathway and incorporated into the Loop surrounding the East Lawn. In addition, two paths within the East Lawn would be removed to create a more cohesive space. The West Terrace construction calls for the removal of the existing Shelterhouse parking area, and the Sculpture Garden’s mown paths will replace some of the concrete walks.

REMOVED EXISTING

NEW AND EXISTING PATHS

New paths will complement the existing spaces within Goodale Park and help define major gathering spaces. The largest path project involves the Strolling Loop Path which aims to tie the entire park together and provide a leisurely walking space within the park.

STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY

The Vision Plan’s streetscape improvement strategy provides multiple options which could be implemented singularly or in combination with each other. The primary goal of these improvements is to create a more park-like streetscape, blurring the defined edge of Goodale Park.

EXISTING CONDITION

There is currently a narrow sidewalk and a small greenstrip separating pedestrians from the asphalt street

SIDEWALK EXPANSION

Permeable hardscape would expand the narrow sidewalk and provide additional walking/strolling space

STREETSCAPE PLANTING

Planted raingardens will interrupt the on-street parking and extend the park onto Park Street

PLANTED MEDIAN

Planted Medians and a vegetated traffic circle will scale-down the expansive intersection at Goodale and Park Street

PROPOSED AND EXISTING PARK EVENTS

Goodale Park has always served as a space for gathering, celebrating, and expressing the culture of Columbus. The Vision Plan seeks to reinforce the identity of Goodale Park as being the Art Park within Columbus’ Arts District. As such, the events which the park hosts should demonstrate the diversity of what art can mean. This could include events and activities focused on traditional notions of art such as painting, photography, and sculpture classes. However, this could also include the art of culinary sciences through events such as coffee and wine festivals or the art of the human form through events such as yoga or ice skating in the park.

Arts Park Event Calendar

Fine Arts

Painting

Sculpting

Photograhpy

Litierature

Gallery Hop

Art Museum Pavillion Days

Performing Arts

Music Series

Movies Series

Sounds of Columbus

Music Lessons

Childrens Theater

Time Travellers (History Days)

Sporting Events

Yoga

Craft Arts

Food Vendors

Craft Beer / Wine Nights

Co ee Fest

BBQ Days

Tea Party

Via Colori Festival

Kite Making

Candle Making

Paper Boat

Craft Tables

Lanters and Lighting Bugs

Seasonal Arts

Ice Skating

Ice Sculpting

Snow Fort Competition

Costume Making

Scream on the Green

Pumkin Carving

Wreath Making

July 4th Celebration

Show Arts

Car Show

Arnold Sports Festival

Fashion

Job Fair

Pet Fairs

Bridal

Comfest

LARGE EVENT LAYOUT

The Vision Plan provides an increased amount of usable space for large-scale events that occur in Goodale Park. Events such as ComFest, Pride, and Red White and Boom would benefit from the Vision Plans expansion of pathways and usable greenspace and allows for potential growth opportunities. Tents represented are 20’ x 20’ event tents.

Park Central Location

East Lawn Location

Plaza Location

West Lawn Location

Street Location

Stage Location

MULTIPLE EVENTS LAYOUT

The spaces articulated in the Vision Plan allow for multiple events to take place at one time. Such as a Farmer’s Market in the East Lawn and an Antiques Show in the West Lawn.

MOTIVATING PROJECTS

The Goodale Park Vision Plan includes eight major projects, referred to as the motivating projects. These projects will largely be addressed with donated funds. They will be the driving force in making the vision plan come to fruition. The motivating projects include the following:

PARK STREET GATE RESTORATION

The Park Street Gate is the last remaining historic gate in Goodale Park to be restored. The gate will be transformed into a pedestrian-only park entry and closed to vehicular access to prevent future damage to the gate. A concrete entry plaza will greet visitors as they arrive from Park Street and replace the existing sidewalk and entry drive.

VEHICULAR DRIVE REALIGNMENT

Goodale Park’s driveway will be moved from its current position at the Park Street Gate across from Russell Avenue and realigned with Poplar Avenue to the south. This move will not only protect the historic gate, but will also remove multiple vehicular/pedestrian conflicts in the park, making the southeast area a safer place to enjoy the park. In addition, the realignment straightens the driveway and allows for less pavement within the park.

GOODALE PLAZA

The existing plaza surrounding the Dr. Lincoln Goodale Memorial is small and uninviting. The Vision Plan aims to transform this space into a destination within the park, as well as a stopping point along multiple park walking loops. The plaza will incorporate the existing memorial bricks and through the expansion of the plaza additional memorial bricks could be added. This space could become a focal point of the East Lawn, especially during park events.

SCULPTURE GARDEN

Goodale Park’s Sculpture Garden will be situated within lawn space that is currently underused, and will become a strong edge condition separating the parks interior parking and the East Lawn. It will also become a unique experience within the park, allowing visitors to meander through tall, unmowed grasses and native wildflowers. The path system within the Sculpture Garden will be a simple mowed path which could expand into a small clearing where sculpture could be showcased. At night this space would utilize up-lighting to highlight the sculptures and provide the park with a space which is potentially more attractive during the evening than during the day. The art within the garden could be on loan from public and private institutions and could follow a set rotation cycle.

WEST EVENT TERRACE AND SHELTERHOUSE RENOVATION

Construction of the West Terrace and renovations to the existing Shelter House will provide the park with much-needed leasable space. The suggested Shelter House renovations would include the removal of the brick infill walls along the colonnade and be replaced by glass doors in keeping with the Arts and Crafts character of the shelter. The asphalt shingle roof should also be replaced by either slate shingles or Spanish tiles, allowing the ornamental eaves brackets to become once again visible. The West Terrace construction would include parking-lot demolition and preservation of existing vegetation. The terrace proper should be paved in a material other than concrete, ideally flagstone. Additional gardens would also be created to help provide a sense of seclusion within the terrace.

PICNIC TERRACE

The Picnic Terrace has been envisioned as being both a permanent and temporary space. It could either utilize the existing concrete pad and have new programming pieces laid upon the surface, or it could be partially restructured, recycling some of the primary components. This space would provide needed picnic and gathering space and be comprised of additional park furniture and small-scale lawn sports such as bocce, shuffleboard, and corn-hole. This should become a space where neighbors can meet within the ambiance of a biergarten or courtyard. This is also a potentially leasable space.

STROLLING LOOP PATH

The Strolling Loop Path is considered part of the parks secondary circulation path system. It could be constructed either gradually or at one time depending on interest and funds. As it is primarily intended for leisurely use by both walkers and joggers, it does not need to be heavily structured in the way that the primary circulation paths would be. This path could be comprised of a simple gravel, decomposed granite, or other earthen material. This path is an opportunity to incorporate additional memorial benches along its edge.

CAPITAL PROJECTS

Capital Projects are elements that could be incorporated into the park as funds from the city become available as well as grant awards. These projects are largely infrastructure focused and would include the following:

PARK LIGHTING

The existing park lighting is insufficient for the parks needs and leads to major safety concerns. Additional lighting along the parks major path network would allow park-users to safely utilize the park in the evening.

PARK IRRIGATION

As part of the parks revised maintenance strategy additional irrigation hookups are suggested. This would allow for all vegetation within the park to be readily serviced by park volunteers and reduce the need for outsourced labor and related costs.

PATHWAY CONSTRUCTION

Much of the existing path system is preserved in the Vision Plan. However, there is a need to improve some of the existing pathways through path expansions as well as construct new pathways.

STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS

As part of the park edges beautification strategy, the Vision Plan seeks to expand the park experience onto the sidewalk. This includes incorporating raingardens, street-tree plantings, median creations, expanded sidewalks, and material changes. These changes would result in improved storm-water management, safer pedestrian and vehicular relationships through street-calming devices, and aesthetic improvements.

GOODALE STREET

Goodale Street would become the parks primary vehicular entry condition. By closing Goodale Street to through traffic, the vehicular conflict point at the intersection of Dennison Avenue and Goodale Street is resolved. The footprint of Goodale Street would slightly bow away from I-670 allowing the southern edge of the park and be regraded at a gentler slope. Goodale Street would terminate in a drop-off loop and provide additional screening from I-670. The majority of the parking would be located here and the amount of parking spaces would be increased.

BEFORE BEFORE BEFORE

AFTER AFTER AFTER