PlayWorks Public Engagement Summary

PHASE IV

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY APRIL 2021

s k r o W y a l P

PlayWorks at Waterfront Park

Engagement At a Glance:

Why We Engaged

PlayWorksatOurWaterfront.org

4,100

Launched in December of 2020 through February of 2021, the PlayWorks questionnaire was featured in the website playworksatourwaterfront.org and was available as a paper survey for West End constituents.

The PlayWorks design team spent the latter part of 2020 and early 2021 soliciting feedback and input from community members with the intent to affirm and confirm priorities for West End and citywide constituents. While PlayWorks is merely one of six components included in Waterfront Park Phase IV, the new play area will serve as the initial flagship investment once the Metropolitan Sewer District completes work on its $200M Waterway Protection Tunnel. Community members in close proximity to this public investment were encouraged to weigh in; particularly those residing at City View Apartments, Henry Greene Apartments and Hampton Place Apartments, as well as readers of Colors Newspaper.

Printed materials were also made available for visitors and patrons of the Western, Portland, and Shawnee branches of the Louisville Free Public Library.

Please visit PlayWorksAtOurWaterfront.org for insights on the engagement and design process to date. We will remain committed to designing a space of inclusion for all by cocreating, with community, throughout the design process.

Website Visits

Questionnaire

977

Questionnaire Responses

3,600

8,600

946

31

Unique Visitors

Pageviews

Submitted Online

Paper Responses

Questionnaire Respondent Demographics: What is Your Gender?

371 70%

28%

Female

Male

1%

1%

NonPrefer not conforming to say

Would like to stay in touch

What is Your Age? Under 10 10 to 12 13 to 17 18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 to 74 75 or older 2

8% are 24 or younger 63% are 25 - 44 29% are 45 or older

81

ZIP Codes Represented

161

Responses from West End Zip Codes

85%

Live in Jefferson County

65

64

West End Zip Codes

71

PlayWorks

64

264

265

Less than 10 11 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 and over

3

PlayWorks at Waterfront Park

Who Answered this Questionnaire?

PlayWorks at Waterfront Park

Support for PlayWorks The questionnaire demonstrates deep support for PlayWorks across all zip codes. An overwhelming majority of respondents are supportive and see it as a good public-private investment.

Based on what you've seen, do you think PlayWorks is a good public-private investment?

How excited or supportive are you of PlayWorks at Waterfront Park?

Average Answer for West End Residents: 8.0

0

Not supportive

6%

2

4

6

12%

Does PlayWorks have a "destination factor" (in other words, is it a place you would make a special trip to visit)?

8

10

Very supportive

YES!

83% (All Responses) 85% (West End Residents)

82%

NO 7%

MAYBE 10%

Great to have a safe, free place for low income families. Should appeal to more adults too."

No (24%) The perfect place for children of different backgrounds, to meet together and play."

Yes (76%) (75% of West End Residents) 4

This would give me a reason to bring my family downtown."

I think once you consider public opinion and have some small adjustments and redesign, then I think it would be a wonderful investment."

If it kept clean and safe it will be wonderful."

There will a big appetite to get out and get active in a postpandemic world."

We asked whether the spaces in PlayWorks were welcoming to different age groups and those with disabilities and special needs. The results give us direction on how to make PlayWorks more accessible and welcoming to all.

What design features and elements should be incorporated to ensure the space is welcoming and accessible to persons with disabilities and special needs?

Top Answer Make play areas more accessible for those with limited mobility

Include tactile and stimulating features for special needs

How appealing are the experiences and spaces in PlayWorks....

Incorporate more art with the industrial aspect. Musical chimes, colorful sand capsules, etc."

Top Answer

To toddlers and young children

82%

11%

7%

Very Appealing and Appealing

Moderately Appealing and Slightly Appealing

Not Appealing and Can be Made More Appealing

Be sure to include activities for teens/ young adults and not just playground type environment. Climb walls, skate ramps, exercise type areas..."

PLEASE make all spaces welcoming and accessible for those with mobility challenges.

My daughter (and so many other children) uses a wheelchair for mobility and she deserves a playground that is fun for her."

For young children with visual impairment/blindness: braille labeling, tactile patterns to pathways or walls for guiding by texture and 'hand trailing' (like a handrail or chair-rail as on a room wall), sound designator like a bell by the ship or toot by an excavator or engine sound..."

PlayWorks at Waterfront Park

Is PlayWorks Welcoming?

Top Answer

To teenagers and young adults

43%

44%

13%

Very Appealing and Appealing

Moderately Appealing and Slightly Appealing

Not Appealing and Can be Made More Appealing

Make sure there are seats available to watch children from different perspectives."

Top Answer

Be welcoming to children in the autism spectrum

My son experiences autism. Sensory design elements like musical equipment, textured equipment, etc. would be great!"

To adults

5

56%

32%

12%

Very Appealing and Appealing

Moderately Appealing and Slightly Appealing

Not Appealing and Can be Made More Appealing

PlayWorks at Waterfront Park

Amenities in PlayWorks

80% 67%

We asked the community to tell us what kind of amenities and features would make PlayWorks an enjoyable and safe place to visit. The results show a desire for features that allow parents to visit for more than an hour, while ensuring visitors are safe.

What features would cause you to come to PlayWorks for frequent or extended visits?

Top 5 Answers

Restrooms

Sufficient Lighting (Day and Night)

76%

Green Space

Free Public Wi-Fi

47% 60% 44%

Permanent Seating

44%

60% of West End Residents indicated Free Public Wi-Fi

22%

WEST END RESIDENTS

46%

Limited Hours of Use (Dawn to Dusk)

39%

Limited Access Points to Enter PlayWorks

39%

Perimeter Seating and Containment

How important would free, public Wi-Fi be during your visits to PlayWorks?

Very Important & Important

50%

Handrails/Grab Bars on Stairs and Features

Other (please specify)

38%

53%

Monitoring Personnel

35%

ALL RESPONSES

57%

Presence of Other Park Visitors

48%

Drinking Water Fountains

63%

Real Time Video Surveillance

56%

Public Art

69%

Emergency Call Box

57%

Multi-Use Surfaces or Seating

81%

Regular Cleaning of Surfaces

69%

Food and Beverage Facilities

Bike Racks

Would spend over an hour

What would make you feel safe at PlayWorks?

Top 5 Answers

Other (please specify)

Would visit in the afternoon

As a mother with multiple children, it is helpful to have areas to keep the kids contained."

64%

Very Important & Important

6

36% 12%

PEOPLE TOLD US...

Desire for security and/or LMPD presence (Both with concern and with support)

High visibility and able to monitor children while they play independently."

The Experiences

THE BIG DIG

THE RIVER PlayWorks at Waterfront Park

THE OVERLOOK 2

We asked the community to pick the top three experiences in The Overlook, The Big Dig, and The River. Community members chose marquee elements of the design as their top choices.

1

2 1

3

3 1

2

3

1

2

Canopy Walk Tower Climb and Net Play (67%) (77%)

3

1

2

3

1

2

3

Container Tunnel and Viewing Binoculars (37%)

Large Excavator (58%)

Conveyor Climb and Slide (51%)

Boulder Scramble and Dump Truck Slides (48%)

Big Rope Swing and Adaptable Swing (53%)

Wave Mounds and Slide (48%)

Wobbly Logs and Platform (41%)

Top 3 Answers

Top 3 Answers

Top 3 Answers

What experiences in The Overlook are your favorite?

What experiences in The Big Dig are your favorite?

What experiences in The River are your favorite?

7

PlayWorks at Waterfront Park

Visiting PlayWorks

85% 73%

The questionnaire asked the community HOW they would use the PlayWorks spaces as designed, both as an active user and as a visitor. The results help us shape how play areas and viewing areas will continue to be designed.

What experience would scare or challenge you?

Would bring children

Would bring visitors from out of town

Does PlayWorks appear to be a friendly place for...

Top 3 Answers

All of it. The more challenging & scary the more we want to teach bravery & confidence to try it."

I don’t like heights, but I’d go up in the nets for my kids. I think you all have a great balance of safety and appropriate opportunities for risky play."

The towers would be a challenge, but the grandkids can get me to try anything."

87%

82%

86%

45%

34%

28%

Pedestrians

Strollers

Wheelchairs / Powerchairs

Runners

Cyclists

Roller Skaters/Roller Bladers

According to my 11 year old: the tower climb thing but I would still want to try it!"

Is this a place you would visit on a regular basis?

Where would you like to sit within PlayWorks to monitor your child's experience?

YES! 58%

of all respondents

Within the play areas

31%

No preference, either is fine

70%

25%

Along the perimeter

22%

I won't be sitting as I will be following my child around

of West End residents

Other (please specify)

8

15% 6%

PlayWorks at Waterfront Park

Impact on Design: Key Conclusions The 977 responses of the PlayWorks questionnaire will be critical in shaping future iterations of the design. As shown below, the key take-aways focus on improving spaces to make this a more welcoming and inclusive space.

What We Heard: Our Goals for PlayWorks The results of this online questionnaire have provided the design team a deep understanding of the community's priorities and expectations for PlayWorks. The overall results demonstrate great excitement and support for this proposed community amenity. The responses summarized herein demonstrate that community members were both thoughtful in their feedback and prioritize a high-quality investment for both the West End and Waterfront Park. While we heard the excitement, we also noted several concerns. We recognize the impact of day-today park operations and how management must ensure all visitors feel authentically welcome and invested in this new and exciting space.

Design and co-creation is a reiterative process. After analyzing the results of this most recent survey, the design team has uncovered the key take-aways listed to the right. The next design iteration of PlayWorks will thus strive to be accountable and responsive in achieving these nine goals.

Make clear delineations between active visitor spaces and cyclists/ rollerbladers.

Include additional spaces that appeal to tweens and teens to support a positive intergenerational experience.

Include more sensory/ interactive design elements, ie. music, lights, and textured elements.

Make PlayWorks more accessible for those with limited mobility and in the autism spectrum.

Provide amenities that support a safe and comfortable user experience, such as lighting, restrooms, and green spaces.

Reflect the priorities and concerns of West End Residents in the design, such as Wi-Fi access

Provide spaces for permanent or temporary food and beverage services.

Install adequate lighting and explore other security measures such as cameras and emergency call stations.

Develop more flexible seating areas within the play experiences.

9

April 2021 | Louisville, KY ourwaterfront.org Waterfront Development Corporation 129 East River Road, Louisville, KY 40202 (502) - 574 - 3768