Buttermilk Trail

     Richmond Virginia's Buttermilk Trail is a multi-use trail that spans approximately 2.5 miles along the James River. it consists of 3 distinct sections.

>Buttermilk East, 0.6 miles, Manchester Bridge to 22nd Street

      This segment plays a crucial role in the vast array of connecting James River Park System trails

>Buttermilk Proper , 0.9 miles, 22nd Street to 43rd Street

>Buttermilk heights, 1.5 miles, 43rd Street to Boulevard Bridge, (Nickel Bridge)

The Buttermilk Trail has multiple different parking access points and street parking areas. This is great as it promotes both equitable park access, and increased fluidity of the trails apart of the James River Park system.

>Reedy Creek parking lot located on 4100 Riverside Drive

    [Commonly used for Buttermilk Proper Trail and surrounding connecting trails within the James River Park System]

>42nd Street entrance

[Buttermilk Proper and Heights]

>22nd Street parking lot

  [Buttermilk East and the eastern part of Buttermilk Proper]

[street parking areas around the Boulevard Bridge, and Manchester Wall]

    

     >I love this idea of multi-entry access trails as it reminds me of bus commuting. you get on at one stop then walk (or mountain bike) the trail till you get to your next stop.

  

     >The Buttermilk Trail is beautiful, and its also a great alternative commute route!

  

 

 

Organized park planning

                     the well-planned park.

What is organized park planning?

Organized park planning refers to a structured, comprehensive approach to designing, developing, and managing parks 

General park benefits 

        > Social 

        > Economic 

        > General well being of residents 
        > Environmental sustainability  
        > Community engagement 


                                                 

                                why is organized park planning superior to other methods?  

Because this method aims to provide a structured, comprehensive approach to designing, developing, and managing parks, you need a comprehensive vision. This provides a clear list of goals, as well as a framework based off of targeted needs of the area. This not only aligns the needs of the community with the park, but also can encourage stakeholders and investors to take part in development.

Organized park planning also encourages integration with broader city system networks like pedestrian infrastructure. Promoting more walkable areas and stimulating the local economy.

think of a time you walked to a park on a nice warm day and didn't buy food, water, or ice cream. 

some examples include how the National Park Service (NPS) uses an intensively planned, planning framework that includes general management plans, strategic plans, as well as actual implementation plans for goals that may be set.  This is the most efficient way in the long run to plan a park, ensuring you leave nothing out, and tailor to as many people as possible. 

Monroe Park

Greg Allen’s  presentation included a section on Monroe park system. He talked about how the paths create this room effect, and I think a contributing factor to this is that the paths are designed in a way that makes them feel like they were all originally “desire paths”. Eliminating the need to walk through the grass (or in this case the room).

Many colleges alike are filled to the brim with young adults experiencing the same awe of college for the first time. Placing the freshman dorms right next to a central park was an Incredible idea. Its many entrances invite all that are near, which serves for a great way to meet new people.

native species preservation

 complex urban development economic and political pressures, as well as current needs of residents of an area, tend to conflict and disrupt native species preservation activities. 

As the world population grows year over year, the need for more space can only increase. This coincides with the overdevelopment of land and mass loss of native species. 

By consciously deciding to conserve native habitat, you are acting as a voice for your local native species -

 (whom of which are not able to attend city meetings and advocate for themselves)

- in turn decreasing the probability of species extinction. 

sustainability plan

Establishing a Sustainable urban plan promotes future generations to continue to plan sustainably. While fostering a culture of environmental stewardship and forward-thinking development is Important, the concept that money motivates is unfortunately something that will always need to be accounted for. Aspects that go into sustainability often return value in many different ways. The diagram below is a figure that resembles a tree, all parts of the tree play into each other exactly like sustainable planning. 

 

The Survey

Surveys are easily distributed, and if designed properly, can capture a wide and diverse net of residents opinions. This not only directly speaks to urban planners, but also harbors the growth of community engagement. it is one of the most important tools in an urban planners toolkit is the survey and used in many different stages of plan developing        

The Art of Survey

Equitable distribution 

Involve the community

Identify trends, and patterns.

Highlight specific issues that may go unnoticed.

Idea feedback

Evaluate the success of established project

Surveys work.

New York City's " PlaNYC 2030 " is a sustainability plan that conducted extensive surveying on residents thoughts on the state of NYC's housing, transportation, and parks. The data that was received outlined a clear need for improved transportation, and more green space. 

                                          

                                                                      https://climate.cityofnewyork.us/initiatives/planyc-getting-sustainability-done/

Get Involved.

The need for parks, public green space, or just a general area to sit down in, skyrockets after winter. 

with one of the largest enrolled VCU freshman classes this year, a large influx of students entails that space in common public parks may 

become highly demanded.  

if you wish to voice your general opinion please fill out this short survey 
VCU Pocket Park survey

Fort Hunt Park

   I am very fortunate to be someone who has an appreciation for nature, and this I owe to fort hunt park.

Although it may not be the most beautiful park there is, it was the park I grew up with. Many of my core memories up until college have occurred here.

 

one 11 minute bike ride and I had access to 136 acres of park, Grills, pavilions, fire pits, bathrooms, water fountains, community art events,  a garden, farm animals, and a few historic monuments to explore.

Fort hunt park has 4 separate picnic pavilions.

Each pavilion contains

2 grills

vehicle parking

large shaded fields

and enough picnic tables to seat ~ 40 people. 

 Humans evolved from Ardipithecus, by nature we are animals, because of this nature is believed to have a profound effect on our sense of connection to the world and community. 

excluding public green spaces from urban environments, is to strip us of our roots.