HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.a. Amber Fields Parks Plan Review
E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting: January 23, 2023
AGENDA ITEM: Amber Parks Plan Review AGENDA SECTION:
Unfinished Business
PREPARED BY: Dan Schultz, Parks & Recreation Director AGENDA NO.
6 a.
ATTACHMENTS: Amber Fields Parks Plan Set APPROVED BY: dls
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion for the Parks and Recreation Commission to:
a. Support the public park plans as recently submitted by the developer
b. That the developer continues to follow the recommendations made in August of
2021 by the Parks and Recreation Commission (listed in the packet).
ISSUE
City staff have recently received updated park plans for the Amber Fields development. The last time the
Parks and Recreation Commission received parks plans for this development was in August of 2021 and
the Parks and Recreation Commission supported the concepts as submitted with conditions. The
conditions that were recommended included:
• The park development plans are supported by staff as conceptual and with understanding that
further refinements are anticipated.
• Park site G should be considered for a different use than what is shown in the development plans
provided by the developer.
• The developer will submit a detailed cost estimate for all park projects that the City agrees to have
the developer build and that they will receive parks dedication credit for.
• Prior to the developer building any public parks amenities and receiving parks dedication credit,
the Parks and Recreation Department staff will review and approve all park plans and
specifications.
• At a minimum, all public trails and sidewalks should be built similar to other recent Rosemount
developments.
Staff feels the park plans submitted by the developer are consistent with the what had been previously
shared with the City.
BACKGROUND
The Amber Fields development is located on a portion of the UMore property south of County Road 42
and west of Akron Avenue with a small area east of Akron Avenue. The entire site is 435.55 acres and they
are proposing to build approximately 1,959 units of varying types across the property. The development
has started and much of the site is graded, several roads are in and a handful of homes are being built.
SUMMARY
Staff is recommending the Parks and Recreation Commission to:
a. Support the public park plans as recently submitted by the developer
b. That the developer continues to follow the recommendations made in August of 2021 by the Parks and
Recreation Commission (listed in the packet).
1Amber Fields Master Plan
PARKS, TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE
The inclusion of extensive parks, trails and open space are central in
developing the Amber Fields Master Plan. The primary green corridor, UMore
Park, is envisioned as a multifaceted amenity providing for the immediate
community and greater regional area. Details for specific designs and
concepts are given in this section.
Regional Connection and Community Trails
Amber Fields is adjacent to a future regional trail which is planned through the
adjacent parcel east of Akron Ave. This connection, driven by the Rosemount
2040 Comprehensive Plan as well as the University’s Conceptual Master Plan,
would ultimately reach Lebanon Hills to the north and the Vermilion Highlands
to the south.
Beyond the regional connections, the plan includes nearly 4.5 miles of local
path connections and trails in addition to neighborhood sidewalks. In order
to facilitate and encourage exercise and potential 5k events, the UMore
Park perimeter trail is designed to be a half 5k loop (2.5k per lap). In order
to connect pedestrians between the local and regional trails, an underpass
across Akron Avenue is suggested. It’s envisioned that the main public access
for these trails would be provided by way of a parking lot and landing node on
the east, adjacent to Akron Avenue. A similar smaller landing node on the west
is intended to serve a smaller number of users anticipated coming from the
local roads.
Defining Space With Vegetation
Vegetation and hardscape will be important in defining the pedestrian
experience of Amber Fields. Park trails will be set above the 100 year flood
level and designed as “green hallways”, flanked with 12 feet of tree lined,
sodded and irrigated bench on each side. Moving down the side slopes and
into the large 100 year and 10 year flood storage areas, native prairie plantings
will be used with a specific emphasis on color. Native mixes will be enhanced
with additional wild flowers in the 100 year flood zone to achieve this effect.
Meandering through the center of flood zones is a creek which will be dry
under normal conditions. The dry creek is to be flanked by 15 feet of wild
flowers appropriate for the stormwater demands of the area.
Master Plan
Walnut_Creek_Trail_Horizontal_5df1bf23-9b93-4a55-82fa-0d64a82dbc0a. (n.d.). [Photograph]. https://www.visitraleigh.com
Typical Dry Creek Section
Typical Park Cross Trail
Typical Linear Park Trail
10’10’
TrailTrail
12’12’
Sod Sod
BenchBench
12’12’
SodSod
BenchBench
Side SlopeSide Slope
Prairie/Prairie/
WildflowerWildflower
10’10’
RockedRocked
CreekCreek
15’15’
Wet Native Wet Native
FlowerFlower
15’15’
Wet Native Wet Native
FlowerFlower
Wet PrairieWet PrairieWet PrairieWet Prairie
Side SlopeSide Slope
Prairie/Prairie/
WildflowerWildflower
12’12’
SodSod
BenchBench
60’-80’60’-80’
Linear Park CorridorLinear Park Corridor
IrrigationIrrigation
(both sides)(both sides)
34’34’
“Green Hallway”“Green Hallway”
Large/Medium Large/Medium
Native ShrubsNative Shrubs
10’10’
TrailTrail
12’12’
SodSod
BenchBench
12’12’
SodSod
BenchBench
2 Amber Fields Master PlanDRAFT 8/20/21
Master Plan
Typical Park Perimeter Trail (Section/Axonometric)
30’15’0’
1”0’300’600’150’
UMore ParkUMore Park
Ak
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A
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Ak
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West Landing AreaWest Landing Area
East Landing East Landing
AreaArea
Perimeter TrailPerimeter Trail Park CrossingPark Crossing
PondPond
PondPond
PondPond
PondPond
WetlandWetland
WetlandWetland
WetlandWetland
8’8’
TrailTrail
12’12’
BenchBench
12’12’
BenchBench
Prairie/Prairie/
WildflowerWildflower
Side SlopeSide Slope
Prairie/Prairie/
WildflowerWildflower
100 yr100 yr
Prairie/Prairie/
WildflowerWildflower
10 yr10 yr
Wet PrairieWet Prairie Rocked Rocked
CreekCreek
Linear ParkLinear Park
Linear ParkLinear Park
Linear ParkLinear Park
Linear ParkLinear Park
Linear ParkLinear Park
3Amber Fields Master Plan
PARK AMENITIES
Park Programming: Something For Everyone
To draw users in and around the UMore Park
area, a large diversity of passive and active
park amenities and open spaces are planned.
Recreational amenities are generally laid out with
sports fields east of Akron (E on map), near existing
ballfields to the north, and a variety of landing
areas, playgrounds, and passive spaces to the west
(A-F on map). Programming has been dispersed
within the central UMore Park area locating the
more active uses closer to parking areas and
passive uses further away.
All park areas within the UMore Park are to be
public. It’s proposed that maintenance of the
specific amenity areas as well as the trail and
“green hallways” would be owned by the City Parks
Department but maintained by an HOA from the
surrounding development neighborhoods.
Landing Areas:
Landing areas with parking, map signage and
pedestrian amenities such as drinking fountains
and bike repair stations are proposed on the east
and west ends of the central green corridor (A and
F on map). These areas are also good locations for
larger gathering spaces such as picnic pavilions
and amphitheaters which require food or materials
to be brought in.
Playground Areas:
Two unique playgrounds have been located on
the site with the goal of attracting different age
groups (B and D on map). A nature play area is
planned in close proximity to the western landing
area, allowing parents with younger children
the opportunity to play without walking a large
distance. On the east end of the site, a more
traditional playground is proposed with a large play
structure and swings appealing to school aged
children.
Art Garden and Passive Areas:
The large open spaces within the park will provide
great opportunities for passive activities (wildlife
viewing, walking and vistas). In addition, special
features such as an art garden and a bridge (C and
E) will provide additional points of interest.
Design Inspiration:
Various vertical elements such as pavilions, decks
and sculptures will be created as part of the park
amenities. Additionally, a number of special paths,
bridges, gathering spaces, kiosk/map areas, and
seating will be included within the parks. Due to
the scale of this project, It’s intended that there
would be significant diversity in the materials and
styles. However, a basic aesthetic of the prairie is
envisioned. A style emphasizing the horizontal,
using simple, clean and elegant forms and
materials. The following pages show conceptual
site level programs and layouts for each of the
areas shown on the map.
Master Plan
Walnut_Creek_Trail_Horizontal_5df1bf23-9b93-4a55-82fa-0d64a82dbc0a. (n.d.). [Photograph]. https://www.visitraleigh.com
CHARACTER EXAMPLES
Landing Areas
Playground Areas
Passive Recreation
4 Amber Fields Master PlanDRAFT 8/20/21
Master Plan
30’15’0’
1”0’300’600’150’
A
B
C
D
E
F
GAk
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A
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Ak
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A
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145th St. E. 145th St. E.
(County Rd. 42)(County Rd. 42)
155th St. E. 155th St. E.
Au
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Au
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5Amber Fields Master Plan
A
A. WEST LANDING NODE
Program:
- Parking
- Picnic Pavilion and Vista
- Pedestrian Amenities
- Water Fountain
- Wayfinding Kiosk
- Seat Wall/Stone Slab Seats
- Rock Outcroppings
- Native Hillside Plantings
LIMESTONE SLOPE
CURVED PERGOLA
NATIVE HILLSIDE PLANTINGS & ROCK OUTCROPPINGS
CHARACTER EXAMPLES
1
UMore Park at Amber Fields
UMore Park | Rosemount, MN
- Western Park Node
6 Amber Fields Master PlanDRAFT 8/20/21
1
B
B'
A
A'
UMore Park at Amber Fields
UMore Park | Rosemount, MN
- Western Park Node
MAP KIOSK CONCEPTS
FRONT SECTION/ELEVATION (A-A')
FRONT SECTION/ELEVATION (A-A')
7Amber Fields Master Plan
9
10
111
12
13
14
15
16
17 18 19
2
192021
122
21
20
19
18
17
16 15 14
2
192021
BL
O
C
K
2
More Park at Amber Fields
ore Park | Rosemount, MN
- Nature Play Area
B. NATURE PLAYGROUND
Program:
- Mounded Play Area
- Log and Boulder Play Area
- Seating and Picnic Tables
- Open Space
- Colorful Planting Borders
B
CHARACTER EXAMPLES
NATURE PLAYGROUND CONCEPT PLAN
NATURAL LOG CLIMBER ROCK CLIMBER (HORIZONTAL)
EMBANKMENT
CLIMBER & SLIDE
ROCK CLIMBER (VERTICAL)LOG STEPPING STONES
TURF MOUNDS & TUNNEL NOTCHED LOG BOULDER SCRAMBLE
1.1.2.2.3.3.4.4.
5.5.6.6.7.7.8.8.
1.
2.
3./4.
5.
6.
6.
5.
7.
8.
8 Amber Fields Master PlanDRAFT 8/20/21
C
C. SUNDIAL GARDEN
Program:
- Tall highly visible sculpture/landmark
- Planting Color
1
2
OL COL C
44
1
2
ore Park at Amber Fields
e Park | Rosemount, MN
- Sundial Garden
A A'
VIEW OF CONCEPTUAL SUNDIAL GARDEN
SIDE SECTION/ELEVATION (A-A’)SUNDIAL GARDEN CONCEPT PLAN
CURVED PARK BENCH COLORED EXPOSED
AGGREGATE CONCRETE
PROGRESSIVE BLOOM GARDEN
Blooms beginning at outside of planting
bed in spring to center grasses in fall.
9Amber Fields Master Plan
3
20
21
TRA
I
L
H
T
R
A
I
L
H
W
E
S
T
UMore Park at Amber Fields
UMore Park | Rosemount, MN
- School Aged Playground
SWINGS W/ ADA BAY
SCHOOL-AGED PLAY STRUCTURE
PERENNIAL PLANTING BORDER
CHARACTER EXAMPLES
SEATING AND PICNIC TABLE AREAS
D. SCHOOL AGED PLAY
Program:
- School-aged Play Structure
- Swings
- Seating and Picnic Tables
- Colorful Planting Borders
D
1.1.
1.
2.2.3.3.4.4.
3.
4.
4.
4.
2.
4.
3.
3.
10Amber Fields Master PlanUMore Park at Amber Fields
UMore Park | Rosemount, MN
- East Landing Node
CHARACTER EXAMPLES
1.1.
1.
2.2.
2.
3.3.4.4.
2.
2.
3.
4.
4.
STEEL STRINGER BRIDGE INTERACTIVE CREEK PICNIC PAVILION PICNIC & GRILLING AREAS
F
F. EAST LANDING NODE
Program:
- Parking
- Picnic Pavilion & Grilling Areas
- Interactive Creek Feature
- Pedestrian and Bike Amenities
- Water Fountain
- Wayfinding Kiosk
- Bike Fixit Station
11 Amber Fields Master PlanDRAFT 8/20/21
B
B'
A
A'
- Western Overlook Pavilion
MAP KIOSK CONCEPTS
FRONT SECTION/ELEVATION (A-A')
FRONT SECTION/ELEVATION (A-A')
WATERFOUNTAIN W/ PET BOWL FIXIT STATION HOOP BIKE RACK
TURF MOUNDS
VIEW OF CONCEPTUAL STYLIZED CREEK
LIMESTONE CROSSINGS
INTERACTIVE CREEK BED
STYLIZED CREEK PLANTINGS
PEDESTRIAN & BIKE AMENITIES
CURVED BENCH
EAST PEDESTRIAN AREA