Hapeville Design Considerations

Summer 2014 | Downtown Renaissance Fellows Program

HAPEVILLE: DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

16 Dog Park

10

46

CONTENTS The image depicts an aerial view of Hapeville and its surroundings.The locations of the selected sites for the summer fellowship have been highlighted with the corresponding page number.

I-85

Hamilton Orchard

63

Virginia Avenue

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58 Downtown

TABLE OF CONTENTS

30 Moreland Way

40 Lake Drive

4

Credits

5

Summary

6

GATEWAYS

10

I-85

12

I-75

14 50 Tom E. Morris

16

Dog Park

30

Moreland Way

40

Lake Drive

46

Hamilton Orchard

50

Tom E Morris

56

12

PARKS

STREETSCAPES

58

Downtown

63

Virginia Avenue

67

Appendix

I-75

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Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership

Carl Vinson Institute of government Danny Bivins, Renaissance Fellows Supervisor Kaitlin McShea, Senior Designer The Institute of Government works with public officials throughout Georgia and around the world to improve governance and people’s lives. The Institute has helped government leaders navigate change and forge strong directions for a better Georgia.

Georgia Municipal Association Created in 1933, GMA is a voluntary, nonprofit organization that provides leadership, tools, and services to assist local governments become more innovative, effective, and responsive.

Georgia Cities Foundation Established in 1999, GCF is a nonprofit organization that assists cities in their efforts to revitalize and enhance downtown areas by serving as a partner and facilitator in funding capital projects through a revolving loan fund.

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SUMMARY The Downtown Renaissance Fellows Program

City Manager, providing technical and design services.

The Carl Vinson Institute of Government, the Georgia Municipal Association, and the Georgia Cities Foundation identified and selected member cities with specific downtown or town center needs. The city of Hapeville was selected as one of three communities for the summer of 2014.

The paid fellowship ran for 12 weeks, with Chris and two other Renaissance Fellows, Clark Stancil and Erik Lauritsen, working full time at the Institute of Government’s Spectrum Studio under the supervision of Danny Bivins.

Chris Sawhill, an undergraduate landscape architecture student from the University of Georgia’s College of Environment & Design, spent his summer working with Lee Sudduth, Interim Director of Community Services, Allie O’Brien, Main Street & Marketing Manager, and Bill Werner,

Hapeville Summer 2014 Chris worked with city officials who identified sites that they felt were in need of design enhancements, both visually and functionally.

Through research and analysis of the sites, Chris created multiple design concepts that enhance the visual experience and functionality of each site in an economical and sustainable way based on the best available practices.

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I-85

GATEWAYS: VISUAL & FUNCTIONAL ENHANCEMENTS An effective city gateway sign conveys the character and history of the place by defining the city as a destination, not just a place to grab lunch.

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I-75 Summer 2014 | Hapeville Downtown Renaissance Fellows Program | 7

Gateway signs are important because they are the first impression people get of the city before they even enter.

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Existing Gateway Signage Evaluation and Proposed Design Improvements Hapeville has two major gateway nodes: the intersection of I-85 S and N. Central Avenue and the intersection of I-75 N and N. Central Avenue.

Strengths • The Hapeville logo is unique and attractive, conveying the history and character of the city.

• The sign structure resembles a railroad, highlighting the railroad’s importance to Hapeville as a main street city.

Weaknesses

• Lack of visual weight: The sign is thin and does not attract attention.

Improvements • Increase the size of the gateway signs.

• Simplify the Hapeville logo to increase readabillity.

• Reposition signage to increase visibility.

• The logo has many elements (i.e., Ford car, train, railroad, airplane, etc.) that can make it difficult to read, especially when driving.

• The sign is too small and not designed for the car.

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I-85 S and N. Central Avenue Intersection

The image above depicts the existing gateway sign for the city of Hapeville at the intersection of I-85 and N. Central Avenue.

Effect of increasing the size of the sign:

The image on the right shows that same sign increased to a large scale that is more appropriate for automobile traffic.

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I-85 S and N. Central Avenue Intersection

Before

The existing logo has many elements which makes it hard to be read quickly and clearly when in a car.

After (simplified)

Removing the additional elements from the logo increases readability for drivers.

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I-75 N and N. Central Avenue Intersection

Before

The image below depicts the intersection of I-75 and N. Central Avenue

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I-75 N and N. Central Avenue Intersection

After

This image depicts the simplified gateway sign and its new proposed location as seen from the exit ramp.

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Dog Park

PARKS: VISUAL & FUNCTIONAL ENHANCEMENTS “From improving the health and wellness of urban citizens to creating a healthier physical environment, city parks are vital to the future of America’s cities.”

- City Parks Alliance

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Hamilton Orchard

Moreland Way

Lake Drive

Tom E Morrris

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Dog Park

PARKS:

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Dog parks are a safe and inviting place for pet owners and their dogs to socialize and play.

What are the benefits?

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, one third to half of all U.S. households have at least one dog. Urban environments and public safety laws limit opportunities for dog owners to adequately exercise and socialize their dogs.

Dogs that are adequately exercised and socialized tend to bark less, are less aggressive, and do not exhibit territorial behavior. Dog parks allow dogs to interact with others dogs, dogs to interact with people, and dogowners to interact with other dogowners.

What are the essential requirements?

• 1 acre or more • Separate areas for large and

small dogs • Double-gated entryways/exits • Four to six feet chain link fencing • Access to drinking water • Shade structures and/or trees • Seating • Poop clean-up stations • Posted rules and regulations • Public restrooms Common Misconceptions Noise - a common concern among residents and city officials when considering a dog park; however, ambient noise from automobile traffic

and sound buffering from trees and vegetation greatly reduce noise during peak hours of dog park use. Closing the park at night will prevent undesirable noise that might otherwise disturb residents in close proximity to the park.

Cleanliness - no one wants to visit a dog park that is littered with poop. The responsibility of keeping the park poopfree rests with the dog owners. Placing clean-up stations and signs stating that dog owners are responsible for picking up after their dogs will help ensure that the dog park stays free of brown landmines.

Responsible dog owners could also create a club to help monitor and aid in the cleanliness of the park.

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Dog Park

Where will the dog park be located?

The proposed site is a large approximately two-acre field located at 689 North Avenue behind the Fulton County Teaching Museum South, and it is in close proximity to Cofield Park and the surrounding residential communities.

What are the potential hurdles?

Finanial Investment • Site Aquisition • Site Improvements • Annual Maintenance

Site Acquisition The field currently belongs to Fulton County but is not utilized.

Obtaining a memorandum of understanding from Fulton County would alleviate the cost of purchasing the site. In return, the City of Hapeville would maintain

the property and take on all liabilities associated with the dog park. You can’t beat free.

Site Improvements Needed Fencing • The site contains approximately 740 feet of existing chain link fence some of which requires repair or replacement.

Shade • Large tree plantings and/or shade structures need to be added due to absence of shade; requires water during establishment.

Vegetation • Recommend removing all invasive exotic plant species.

Ground Material • Maintain existing turf grass for free run area – standard

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maintenance and periodic renewal.

• Mulch tree islands – mulch should be replenished frequently.

• Crushed granite pathways – provide the most durable flexible surface, requires periodic replacement.

• For additional ground material options see the appendix.

Water • The site needs acess to water for plants, dogs, and human consumption.

Seating • Replace existing softball benches with up to date wooden or metal park benches.

Accessibility • The site does not have a connection to Cofield Park despite its proximity.

Dog Park

• Link the parks by creating a walking trail through the adjacent greenspace along Lake Avenue.

• Stairs need to be installed leading down towards the field from the teaching mueseum parking lot due to the steep slope.

Parking • There are approximately 18 to 20 existing parking spaces located behind the teaching museum.

• Additional on-street parking could be added along Lake Avenue (see image on next page).

Annual Maintenance

• Turf grass maintenance • Surface material replinishment - Mulch - Crushed granite • Garbage removal • Utility costs

The image above shows the aerial view of the softball field (the area within the black polygon) located behind the Teaching Museum, the existing parking lot, the proposed on-street parking, and the path connection to Cofield Park.

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Dog Park

Before

The image below depicts the greenspace nestled between the softball field and Cofield Park.

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Dog Park

After

The image below shoes the path connection to Cofield Park and the possible location for overflow parking and handicap access to comply with the American with Disabilities Act. Note: the path material shown below would have to change to meet ADA standards.

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Dog Park

River Birches

Ginkgos Willow Oaks

Nellie R Stevens Holly

Small Dog Area Seating Areas

Large Dog Area Seating Areas

Crushed Granite Walking Path

Bald Cypresses

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Red Maples

Dog Park

Base Plan Fulfills all of the essentials requirements needed for a dog park and does so with the wallet in mind.

Advantages

Dimensions

• Uses 80% of the site, resulting in a more wallet-friendly perimeter fence.

• The interior of the park has a singular-loop perimeter path for dog walking.

• The large and small dog off-leash areas share a dividing fence, which helps minimize the cost of the park’s interior fencing.

• Small dog off-leash area: ~ 10,100 sq. ft.

• Large dog off-leash area: ~ 12,300 sq. ft.

• Amount of additional fencing: ~ 1400 ft.

• Length of walking path: ~ 1100 ft.

Plantings • Number of large trees – 53 • Number of medium-sized trees – 47 • Number of Small trees – 19

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Dog Park

Seating Areas

Nellie R Stevens Holly

Willow Oaks

Small Dog Area

Large Dog Area Seating Areas Crushed Granite Walking Path

Ginkgos

Bald Cypresses

River Birches Red Maples

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Dog Park

Mid-Range Plan Bigger and better than the base plan.

Advantages • Uses 100% of the site with the intent of maximizing the sizes of the large and small dog off-leash areas.

• The interior of the park has a figure-eight perimeter path for dog walking, which provides more variety to the walking experience.

• The large and small dog off-leash areas are divided by chain link fencing, the walking path, and trees to provide greater physical and visual separation.

Dimensions • Small dog off-leash area: ~ 10,200 sq. ft.

• Large dog off-leash area: ~ 26,300 sq. ft.

• Amount of additional fencing: ~ 1600 ft.

• Length of walking path: ~ 1300 ft.

Plantings • Number of large trees – 56 • Number of medium-sized trees – 45 • Number of Small trees – 14

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Dog Park

River Birches

Restrooms

Sourwood

Willow Oaks

Agility Area

Nellie R Stevens Holly Large Dog Area

Seating Areas Small Dog Area

Red Maples

Crushed Granite Walking Path

Seating Areas Bald Cypresses

Ginkgos

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Dog Park

High-End Plan This design has all the bells and whistles.

Advantages • Uses 100% of the site, and in addition to the large and small dog offleash areas, it provides an agility-training area.

• The interior of the park has a multi-loop perimeter path for dog walking, which provides a more scenic and varied walking experience.

• The large and small dog off-leash areas are divided by chain link fencing, the walking path, and trees to provide greater physical and visual separation.

Dimensions • Small dog off-leash area: ~ 10,200 sq. ft.

• Large dog off-leash area: ~ 22,000 sq. ft.

• Amount of additional fencing: ~ 1800 ft.

• Length of walking path: ~ 1400 ft.

Plantings • Number of large trees – 53 • Number of medium-sized trees – 57 • Number of Small trees – 15

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Dog Park

Tree Selection and Planting Palette Recommendations Tree size selection

Planting Palette

Tree size selection is critical for plant survival and for satisfying the design requirements of the site.

The planting palette consist of small, medium, and large evergreen and deciduous trees with an emphasis on large deciduous trees that will provide summer shade and winter sun. These trees are native to Georgia and are commonly found in the area around Hapeville which helps ensure successful establishment and longevity.

Caliper trees smaller than three inches are at risk of physical damage from public activities, site maintenance activities, and dog urination. Additionally, installing caliper trees smaller than three-inch would limit park use during the warm season for up to a decade as the trees mature to a size that will provide the minimum amount of shade needed.

Recommend installing fiveinch caliper trees because they provide instant shade that is essential to the usability and success of the park.

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Red Maple Acer rubrum Zone: 3 - 9 Height: 40 - 70’ Spread: 30 - 50’ Sun: Full sun - partial shade Soil: Moist, well-drained Fall Color: Red

Dog Park

Willow Oak Quercus phellos Zone: 5 - 9 Height: 40 - 75’ Spread: 25 - 50’ Sun: Full sun Soil: Moist, well-drained Fall Color: None

Sourwood Oxydendrum arboreum Zone: 5 - 9 Height: 20 - 50’ Spread: 10 - 25’ Sun: Full sun - partial shade Soil: Moist, well-drained Fall Color: Red/Orange

Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba Zone: 3 - 8 Height: 50 - 80’ Spread: 30 - 40’ Sun: Full sun Soil: Moist, well-drained Fall Color: Yellow

River Birch Betula nigra Zone: 4 - 9 Height: 40 - 70’ Spread: 40 - 60’ Sun: Full sun Soil: Moist - wet Fall Color: Yellow

Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum Zone: 4 - 9 Height: 50 - 70’ Spread: 20 - 45’ Sun: Full sun Soil: Moist, well-drained Fall Color: Orange

Nellie R. Stevens Holly Ilex x ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ Zone: 6 - 9 Height: 15 - 25’ Spread: 8 - 12’ Sun: Full sun - partial shade Soil: Moist, well-drained Evergreen

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Moreland Way Park

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Moreland Way Park Site Evaluation and Proposed Improvements Strengths • 0.65 acre site • Large shade trees • Multiple access points • Existing play structure • Existing basketball court • Fencing in reasonable condition Weaknesses • Several areas of high traffic show signs of erosion/have been trampled.

• Lack of protective surface material under the play structure could result in injury liabilities.

• Currently a large, undefined concrete slab is located near the playscape.

• Apart from the red maples, the park lacks seasonal color and interest.

Improvements • Add mulch to playscape and high-traffic areas.

• Define concrete slab as a functional park asset.

• Replace damaged maple tree.

• Install additional playscapes.

• Plant bulbs for seasonal color.

• Basketball court size could be increased.

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Moreland Way Park

Before

The image below shows the view of the playscape and the undefined concrete slab.

Redo this image with the corrected mulch

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Moreland Way

After

Painting the hopscotch pattern on the concrete slab helps define it as an intentional element of the park for kids to play on. Mulch has been added beneath the playscape for safety and the missing and/or loose bricks around have been replaced.

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Moreland Way Park

Before

The image shows the large areas of trampled earth around the entrance, basketball court, and playscape, and under the pine tree.

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Moreland Way

After

Adding a healthy serving of mulch in these worn-down areas helps protect the soil from additional erosion and prevents tripping due to uneven surfaces. Planting large evergreen shrubs behind the basketball goal will help block missed shots from escaping over the fence and into the street.

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Moreland Way Park

Before

The image shows the southeastern entrance to the park draped in afternoon shade and areas of compacted soil.

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Moreland Way

After

Erecting a swing set in this area will ensure that the swings will not in the hot afternoon sun. Mulch has been added to cover high traffic areas as well as to meet the playground safety standards for swing sets.

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Moreland Way Park

Before

The image shows the underutilized northeastern corner of the park, characterized by a mix of large existing maples and pines.

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Moreland Way

After

Adding mulch beneath the trees will help protect the mixture of bulbs (daffodils, snow drops, etc.) that will provide more seasonal color to the park and create a meadow-like, naturalistic feel.

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Lake Drive Park

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Lake Drive Park Site Evaluation and Proposed Improvements Strengths • 0.184 acre site • Multiple access points • Existing play structure and swing set • Existing seating and trash cans • Fencing in decent shape (black chain link would be more aesthetically pleasing) Weaknesses • Several areas of high traffic have signs of erosion/have been trampled.

• The lack of protective surface material under the play structure could result in injury liabilities.

• The lack of large shade trees causes the play structure, benches, and swing set to bake in the sun.

• Storm water runs through the low-elevation area of the park.

Improvements • Plant additional trees to provide shade.

• Relocate the bench that sits in direct sunlight.

• Remove the damaged swingset.

• Add mulch under the playscape area and the swingset.

• Relocate the trash can to a less conspicuous place.

• Add gates to the fence that have entrances fronting on the road.

• Create a rain garden to help mitigate the storm water runoff from the streets.

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Lake Drive Park

Before

The image shows the existing play structure, swing sets, and areas of high traffic where the grass has stopped growing.

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Lake Drive Park

After

Adding mulch to these areas and beneath the play structure and swing. Removing the swing set on the left and replacing it with large trees will help shade this park from the sun. Relocating the bench on the left and the trashcan to under the trees provides a shaded place to sit. Recommend additional tree plantings.

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Lake Drive Park

Before

The image depicts the current path that storm water travels through the park.

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Lake Drive Park

After

Replacing the excess concrete, rock, and gravel with river rock (or granite) and suitable plant material will create an attractive feature for this park that will help mitigate storm water.

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Hamilton Orchard Park

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Hamilton Orchard Park Site Evaluation and Proposed Improvements Strengths • 1.35 acre site • Multiple naturalistic creek channels • Multiple access points • Existing picnic tables and trashcans • Mix of large and medium shade trees Weaknesses • Undesirable views of the Waffle House, BBQ restaurant, Willy’s, and Virginia Avenue • Invasive plant material • Noise • Area may have tendency to flood • Steep elevation along Hamilton Avenue

Improvements • Plant evergreen trees to screen the undesireable views.

• Add foot bridges for easy access across the creek channels and for a rustic aesthetic.

• Replace underperforming trees.

• Adding a sign designates the site as a neighborhood park • Create a meandering trail network throughout the site to celebrate the naturalistic setting.

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Hamilton Orchard Park

Before

The image shows the multiple creek channels that course through the site and the view of Waffle House and Virginia Avenue.

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Hamilton Orchard Park

After

Adding several low foot bridges allows people to easily traverse over the channels, creating a nice aesthetic that complements the naturalistic character of the site. The meandering path adds to the overall character of the site because it allows people to stroll through the park at their leisure.

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Tom E Morris Sports Complex

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Tom E Morris Sports Complex Site Evaluation and Proposed Improvements Seating Area

Amphitheater

Strengths

Strengths

• Small area good for private and group conversations.

• Mature shade trees.

• Rustic foot bridge.

• Scenic location Weaknesses

• No seating available.

Improvements

• Add benches to encourage people to sit and chat.

• Beautiful craftsmanship.

• Historic.

• High occupancy.

• Scenic location.

Weaknesses

• Not located close to downtown.

• Underutilized due to lack of programming.

• Parts of the amphitheater are in need or some repair.

Improvements

• Repair the damaged areas of the amphitheater • Program events around the amphitheater not just on it.

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Hamilton Orchard Park

Before

The image belows shows the existing conditions of the suggested seating area.

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Hamilton Orchard Park

After

Adding one or more benches helpes people know that it has been designated as a sitting area for relaxing and private or group conversations.

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Hamilton Orchard Park

Before

The image below shows the existing amphitheater and the road that runs adjacent to it. The best way to address how to utilize the amphitheater is to program around it—make it a destination. By programing events around it and not necessarily just on it, people will begin to recognize it and value it.

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Hamilton Orchard Park

After

This image depicts programming a 5K event starting and finishing at the amphitheater. For those not running in the race, the amphitheater provides adequate seating in the shade and a beautiful view. Outdoor movies, concerts, and theatrical performances could also be programmed here.

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STREETSCAPES: VISUAL & FUNCTIONAL ENHANCEMENTS Virginia Avenue

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Downtown

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Retaining Wall

Before

This image depicts the existing retaining wall that runs alongside the rail road tracks on N Central Avenue.

The white paint does not match the current aesthetic of downtown Hapeville.

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Retaining Wall

After

By adding brick veneer to the wall and replacing the underperforming vegetation, the retaining wall becomes an attractive feature of N Central Avenue and fits in well with the overall brick aesthetic of downtown.

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Retaining Wall

Before

This image shows the existing retaining wall that runs beside the Hapeville fire station on King Arnold Street. The white paint does not match the surrounding brick aesthetic of the fire station, city hall, and downtown.

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Retaining Wall

After

By adding the brick veneer, the retaining wall matches the current aesthetic of the surrounding buildings and downtown Hapeville. The plantings alongside the fire station helps soften the building’s appearance and will provide seasonal color and flowering.

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Virginia Avenue

Virginia Avenue Streetscape Evaluation and Recommendations Strengths • The medians help visually and physically shrink the road from five lanes to four.

• Variety of planting material Weaknesses • Medians were installed on top of the existing road resulting in a very limited soil depth. As a result, the plant material grows poorly.

• Lack of street unity - one side of Virginia Avenue will have mature trees while the other side has saplings. As a result, the plantings in the medians seem out of place.

• The medians flood during heavy rain and bake during dry conditions and requires planting materials that can survive those harsh conditions.

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Recommendations • Install prairie grasses and sedums that will be able to tolerate the extreme existing conditions.

• Mix in annuals for seasonal color.

• Plant street trees down the me dians and alongs each side of the road.

Virginia Avenue

Street Trees Benefits • Slows traffic speeds • Visually seperates lanes • Reduces driver distraction • Unifies both sides of the street • Screens undesireable views Before trees installation can occur, the current medians on Virginia Avenue would need to be dug out.

The current soil depth is not a suitable habitat for the growth of trees.

Recommend installing five-inch caliper trees because they provide instant visual impact and shade as well as match the appearance of the existing mature trees located midway down Virginnia Avenue.

The image on the right shows a median that uses a mixture of grasses, perennials, and annuals. This design integrates different hardscapes in a creatve way. The downside to this concept is that it requires irrigation and the median itself is greater than two times the size of Hapeville’s existing medians.

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Virginia Avenue

Before

The image shows the current streetscape on Virginia Avenue. Due to the current soil depths of the medians, the plant palette is limited to low-growing, drought-tolerant shrubs.

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Virginia Avenue

After

Planting crape myrtles in the medians and along the sides of the street helps unify and soften the appearance of Virginia Avenue as well as providing seasonal color and interest.

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Appendix

CONTACT INFO Chris Sawhill email: csawhill@gmail.com phone: (706) 424-4774 Special thanks to Kylie Wagner for layout design.

Kylie Wagner email: kyliejwagner@gmail.com phone: 706-254-7825

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