MUNICIPAL PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN
PUBLIC MEETING #2
Park Concepts
March 19, 2024
WE ARE HERE
• Provide parks with safe and fully accessible connection to adjacent neighborhoods
• Improve pedestrian accessibility and bicycle access to parks and playgrounds
• Seek ways to make parks safer and more usable for spectators at sports fields
• Create more usable recreational space for sports fields and playground equipment
• Evaluate playground and park usage and how it could possibly be reconfigured and improved
• Incorporate installation of native planting, tree canopy, stormwater management facilities and best management practices
• Consider other recreational uses for parks and waterfront areas
• Consider how the edges of the park could be utilized and offer additional amenities
• Prepare high-level cost estimates and phasing options
EDDYSTONE
The borough has a total of 8.1 acres of Borough and schoolowned parks and open space, of which approximately 7.3 acres are owned by the Borough and 0.8 acres by the Ridley School District. This does not include the areas of “potential parks” listed below which were recently acquired or in progress, with no survey.
Source ”Delaware County Planning Department, Ridley Twp Eddystone Boro Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan 2011” Chapter 9 p.9
POTENTIAL PARKS:
• FUTURE EDDYSTONE AVE. PARK
• FUTURE WATERFRONT PARK
CURRENT PARKS:
• DOM MARION FIELD & DOROTHY TAYLOR GOTTHARDT
PLAYGROUND
• VILLAGE PLAYGROUND
CURRENT PARKS - NOT IN SCOPE:
• NANCY SCOTT-COWAN MEMORIAL PARK
• BESSIE BARBER MEMORIAL
FUTURE EDDYSTONE AVE. PARK
BESSIE BARBER MEMORIAL PARK
NANCY SCOTT-COWAN MEMORIAL PARK
WILMINGTON/
MARION FIELD & DOROTHY
GOTTHARDT
FUTURE WATERFRONT PARK
PROPOSED CONNECTIVITY FRAMEWORK
EXISTING
UPLAND BOROUGH
I-95 DELAWARE EXPRESSWAY
FUTURE EDDYSTONE AVE. PARK
CHESTER CITY
WALKING ROUTE
ALTERNATE ROUTE UNDERPASSES
VILLAGE PLAYGROUND
RIDLEY CREEK
CHESTER PIKE
EDDYSTONE PARKS NOT IN SCOPE
EDDYSTONE PARKS IN SCOPE
SIGNAGE AND WAYFINDING
RIDLEY PARK BOROUGH
BIKING ROUTE
PARK SYSTEM MAP EDDYSTONE
DOM MARION FIELD & DOROTHY TAYLOR GOTTHARDT PLAYGROUND
REGIONAL RAIL STATION
POTENTIAL 2ND STREET EXTENSION FOR TRUCK REROUTING
I-95 DELAWARE EXPRESSWAY
RIDLEY
TOWNSHIP
EAST COAST GREENWAY & HERITAGE TRAIL
WALKING AND BIKING ROUTE
CRUM CREEK
FUTURE WATERFRONT PARK
DELAWARE RIVER
FOREST
IMPERVIOUS SURFACES
SIDEWALK GAPS
RAIL
UNDERPASS
SEPTA REGIONAL RAIL
SEPTA BUS ROUTES
SEPTA BUS STOPS
WALKING ROUTE
EAST COAST GREENWAY
BLUE-ROUTE BIKEWAY (EAST COAST GREENWAY CONNECTOR)
ALTERNATE BIKE ROUTE (DOES NOT CROSS HIGHWAY)
What are the most important issues or concerns that should be prioritized in Eddystone’s parks?
Choose up to 3.
What recreation, sports, events, or classes would you like to see in Eddystone?
Top 5 mentions:
• 17.24% Youth (20 mentions)
• 16.38% Water Activities (19 mentions)
• 13.79% Classes (16 mentions)
• 12.07% Basketball (14 mentions)
• 11.27% Walking (13 mentions)
PROPOSED ELEMENTS - FIELD
1. Enhance/widen vegetated buffer for air quality improvement and privacy/sound barrier to adjacent property
2. Build a rain garden to offset impervious runoff from new basketball court paving
3. Add High School sized basketball court (50’x84’) with colorful mural painting on surface - (similar size to Village court)
4. Add movable, ADA accessible spectator seating
5. Update track paving with stabilized stonefines or rubber surface
6. Remove pitching equipment and add picnic tables and bbq pits
7. Paint a street mural to enhance safety and celebrate connection between the school and park
8. Gaga ball (15’ pit)
PROPOSED ELEMENTS - PLAZA
9. Add new seating and accessible paving to improve plaza with a focus on families + elders
10. Flexible lawn with hammocks/games
11. Park directory signage
12. Native planting buffer
DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS - PLAZA VIEW
NATIVE PLANTING
BUFFER
ROUND
SCULPTURAL SEATING
EDDYSTONE PARKS NOT IN SCOPE
EDDYSTONE PARKS IN SCOPE
FOREST
IMPERVIOUS SURFACES
SIDEWALK GAPS
RAIL
UNDERPASS
SEPTA REGIONAL RAIL
SEPTA BUS ROUTES
SEPTA BUS STOPS
WALKING ROUTE
EAST COAST GREENWAY
BLUE-ROUTE BIKEWAY (EAST COAST GREENWAY CONNECTOR)
ALTERNATE BIKE ROUTE (DOES NOT CROSS HIGHWAY)
KEY PLAN
PARK DIRECTORY SIGNAGE
LARGE HARVEST
TABLE
WIDEN PATH FOR
PLAYFUL SEATING
DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS - VIEW
EDDYSTONE PARKS NOT IN SCOPE
EDDYSTONE PARKS IN SCOPE
FOREST
IMPERVIOUS SURFACES
SIDEWALK GAPS
RAIL
UNDERPASS
SEPTA REGIONAL RAIL
SEPTA BUS ROUTES
SEPTA BUS STOPS
WALKING ROUTE
EAST COAST GREENWAY
BLUE-ROUTE BIKEWAY (EAST COAST GREENWAY CONNECTOR)
ALTERNATE BIKE ROUTE (DOES NOT CROSS HIGHWAY)
KEEP EXISTING PLAY EQUIPMENT (POTENTIALLY RETROFIT/UPGRADE SWING SET WITH ADA AND MULTI-PERSON SWINGS)
STREET MURAL BETWEEN PARK AND EDDYSTONE
ELEMENTARY
ADD RUBBER SURFACING FOR ADA ACCESS AND GENERAL SAFETY
KEY PLAN
ENHANCE PLANTED
BUFFER FOR ENHANCED AIR QUALITY
REPLACE FENCE WITH LARGE BENCHES AND WOODEN CLIMBING ELEMENTS
PROPOSED ELEMENTS:
1. Shelter with picnic tables and seating
2. Maintain area of flexible lawn for games / BBQ
3. Plant shade trees for sun protection and native perennials for natural beauty and education
4. Winding nature paths with boulders and play elements for younger kids
5. Portable movie screen
6. ADA accessible path with native perennial wildflower planting
7. Court mural with painted games
8. Add water connection and power to park
9. Fence along property line
10. Rain garden to offset paving
VILLAGE
DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS - VIEW
SHELTER WITH PICNIC TABLES AND SEATING
EDDYSTONE PARKS NOT IN SCOPE
EDDYSTONE PARKS IN SCOPE
FOREST IMPERVIOUS SURFACES
SIDEWALK GAPS
RAIL
UNDERPASS
SEPTA REGIONAL RAIL
SEPTA BUS ROUTES
SEPTA BUS STOPS
COURT MURAL WITH PAINTED GAMES
FLEXIBLE LAWN FOR GAMES / BBQ
NATURE PATHS WITH BOULDERS/ PLAY ELEMENTS FOR YOUNGER KIDS
WALKING ROUTE
EAST COAST GREENWAY
BLUE-ROUTE BIKEWAY (EAST COAST GREENWAY CONNECTOR)
ALTERNATE BIKE ROUTE (DOES NOT CROSS HIGHWAY)
KEY PLAN
SUN AND ENHANCE BIODIVERSITY
FENCE ALONG PROPERTY LINE
NATIVE PERENNIALS ENHANCE BEAUTY & NATURE
BENCHES IN INTERIOR OF PARK CREATE A SPACE FOR GATHERING
SIZE: APPROX.
ZONING:
SURVEY RESULTS:
What activities or elements would you like to see at a new park at this location?
Choose up to 5.
Pollinator gardens for birds, bees, and butterflies
Native plants & habitat restoration
Fishing access
Scenic creek overlook Community gardens
Playground equipment
Small, non-motorized boat access (for kayaks, canoes, etc)
Picnic or BBQ area
Dog park
Pavilion for small group rental/ reservation
Sport court (eg. basketball, pickleball, tennis, etc.)
Open lawn
Public art or sculpture
Other
PROPOSED ELEMENTS:
1. New swings
2. Native low-maintenance flowering trees
3. 10ft wide evergreen privacy and sound buffer for neighbors
4. Small fenced in dog run with natural turf
5. Picnic area with tables + round bench
6. Play area with ADA accessible and inclusive natural play elements
7. Overlook deck with fishing access
8. Potential future kayak/canoe launch ramp with gated access
9. Clear invasive species and restore planted riparian buffer with native perennials and grasses
10. Preserve and protect mature Sycamore tree on site
FUTURE EDDYSTONE AVE PARK SITE
DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS - VIEW
EDDYSTONE PARKS NOT IN SCOPE
EDDYSTONE PARKS IN SCOPE
FOREST IMPERVIOUS SURFACES
SIDEWALK GAPS
RAIL
UNDERPASS
SEPTA REGIONAL RAIL
SEPTA BUS ROUTES
SEPTA BUS STOPS
FISHING DECK
PICNIC AND SEATING AREA
SMALL FENCED IN DOG RUN WITH NATURAL TURF
WIDE ACCESSIBLE PATH
WALKING ROUTE
EAST COAST GREENWAY
BLUE-ROUTE BIKEWAY (EAST COAST GREENWAY CONNECTOR)
ALTERNATE BIKE ROUTE (DOES NOT CROSS HIGHWAY)
KEY PLAN
EVERGREEN PRIVACY + SOUND BUFFER POTENTIAL FUTURE KAYAK/ CANOE LAUNCH WITH GATED ACCESS
PLAY AREA WITH ADA ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE NATURAL PLAY ELEMENTS ADA ACCESSIBLE RUBBER FLOORING
Should a future park here be a more active or natural place?
More ACTIVE with elements like a marina, restaurant, and performance space
More NATURAL with elements like trails, scenic overlooks, and areas for fishing & boating
An EVEN MIX of active and natural elements
What activities or elements would you like to see at a new park at this location?
Choose up to 5.
Walking & biking trails
Natural areas and trails
Fishing pier
Native plants & habitat restoration
Playground equipment
Picnic and BBQ areas
Scenic vistas and overlooks
Café or restaurant
Non-motorized boat launch (for kayaks, canoes, etc)
Splash pad / water recreation
Elevated boardwalk
Events, performances, and festivals
Dog park
Public boat marina
Sport courts (eg. basketball, pickleball, tennis, etc.)
Pavilions for small group rental/ reservation
Public art & sculpture
Other:
Recreation fields (eg. soccer, baseball, football, etc.)
Skate Park 33.33% (3 mentions)
“DO
APPROX.
DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS - VIEW
RESTORED
WETLAND FOREST BUFFER & HABITAT FOR RIVERINE
SPECIES (INCLUDING PEREGRINE FALCON, FALCO PEREGRINUS SPECIES OF CONCERN)
EDDYSTONE PARKS NOT IN SCOPE
EDDYSTONE PARKS IN SCOPE
FOREST IMPERVIOUS SURFACES
SIDEWALK GAPS
RAIL
UNDERPASS
SEPTA REGIONAL RAIL
SEPTA BUS ROUTES
SEPTA BUS STOPS
ACCESSIBLE BOARDWALK
BUILT ON HISTORIC WW2
SHIPBUILDING
PIER
RESTORED RARE RIVERINE
EMERGENT TIDAL
WETLAND
WETLAND
ACCESS FOR RESTORATION
PLANTING
WALKING ROUTE
EAST COAST GREENWAY
BLUE-ROUTE BIKEWAY (EAST COAST GREENWAY CONNECTOR)
ALTERNATE BIKE ROUTE (DOES NOT CROSS HIGHWAY)
KEY PLAN
BOAT MARINA IN
DELAWARE RIVER CONNECTED TO A SYSTEM OF BOARDWALKS
WATER PATHS FOR KAYAKS & CANOES AT HIGH-TIDE
PLANTED
RESTORATION OF NATIVE WETLAND SPECIES (INCLUDING - INDIAN WILD RICE, ZIZANIA AQUATICA, SPECIES OF CONCERN)
GRANT
PARK INFRASTRUCTURE & RECREATION FACILITIES
TRAILS & COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
STORMWATER/ECOLOGY & RIPARIAN RESTORATION