HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.a. Amber Fields Park Plan Review
E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y
City Council Work Session Meeting: February 7, 2023
AGENDA ITEM: Amber Fields Park Plan Review AGENDA SECTION:
Discussion
PREPARED BY: Dan Schultz, Parks & Recreation Director AGENDA NO. 3.a.
ATTACHMENTS: Amber Fields Parks Plan Set APPROVED BY: LJM
RECOMMENDED ACTION: None, discussion only.
BACKGROUND
City staff have recently received updated park plans for the Amber Fields development. The Parks and
Recreation Commission originally reviewed the park plans for this development in August of 2021 and the
Parks and Recreation Commission supported the concepts as submitted with conditions listed below:
• The park development plans are supported by staff as conceptual and with the 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.
The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the updated plans on Monday, January 23, 2023 and liked
what they saw and recommended the plans be reviewed by the City Council.
At the work session meeting, staff will provide an overview of the proposed park improvements which in
include an extensive trail system, traditional playground, a nature based playground, leisure seating areas,
dry river, large community art feature (sun dial), parking and other site amenities.
Please keep in mind that the University of Minnesota pre-dedicated 20 acres to the City for the UMore
baseball/softball complex, thus the Amber fields plans do not include athletic type facilities in their plans.
ISD 196 is also planning for a school facility with athletic fields near the Amber Fields. Staff has been in
contact with school staff about possible partnership opportunities.
Per the subdivision agreement, the developer will be installing the public improvements in lieu of making a
parks dedication payment. They would like to get started this spring on the construction of the parks and
trails.
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.
RECOMMENDATION
This item is on the agenda for discussion purposes only.
2
Master Plan
1 Amber 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.
Walnut_Creek_Trail_Horizontal_5df1bf23-9b93-4a55-82fa-0d64a82dbc0a. (n.d.). [Photograph]. https://www.visitraleigh.com
Irrigation
(both sides)
12’
Sod
Bench
10’
Trail
12’
Sod
Bench
34’
“Green Hallway”
60’-80’
Linear Park Corridor
Typical Linear Park Trail
Large/Medium
Native Shrubs
Side Slope
Prairie/
Wildflower
12’
Sod
Bench
10’
Trail
12’
Sod
Bench
Side Slope
Prairie/
Wildflower
Typical Park Cross Trail
Wet Prairie
15’
Wet Native
Flower
10’
Rocked
Creek
15’
Wet Native
Flower
Wet Prairie
Typical Dry Creek Section
Master Plan
2 Amber Fields Master Plan DR AF T 8/20/21
Wetland
Pond
Linear Park
West Landing Area
Linear Park
Pond
Linear Park
Perimeter Trail
Linear Park
UMore Park
Pond
Park Crossing
East Landing
Area
Pond
Linear Park
Wetland
Wetland
0’ 150’
300’ 600’
Typical Park Perimeter Trail (Section/Axonometric)
Rocked
Creek
Ak
r
o
n
Av
e
.
Prairie/ 12’ 8’ 12’ Side Slope 100 yr 10 yr
Wildflower Bench Trail Bench Prairie/
Wildflower
Prairie/
Wildflower
Wet Prairie
Master Plan
3 Amber Fields Master Plan
Walnut_Creek_Trail_Horizontal_5df1bf23-9b93-4a55-82fa-0d64a82dbc0a. (n.d.). [Photograph]. https://www.visitraleigh.com
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.
CHARACTER EXAMPLES
Passive Recreation
Playground Areas
Landing Areas
Master Plan
4 Amber Fields Master Plan DR AF T 8/20/21
A
B
145th St. E.
(County Rd. 42)
C
F
E
D
G
0’ 150’
300’ 600’
155th St. E.
Ak
r
o
n
Av
e
.
5 Amber Fields Master Plan
UMore Park at Amber Fields - Western Park Node
UMore Park | Rosemount, MN
LIMESTONE SLOPE
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
CURVED PERGOLA
CHARACTER EXAMPLES
NATIVE HILLSIDE PLANTINGS & ROCK OUTCROPPINGS
1
6 Amber Fields Master Plan DR AF T 8/20/21
MAP KIOSK CONCEPTS
A
A'
FRONT SECTION/ELEVATION (A-A')
B
B'
1
FRONT SECTION/ELEVATION (A-A')
UMore Park at Amber Fields - Western Park Node
UMore Park | Rosemount, MN
7 Amber Fields Master Plan
10
2121
2. 2112
1.
8.
5. 2103 6.
5. 11194
7.
6. 3./4.
1. 2. 3.
NATURAL LOG CLIMBER LOG STEPPING STONES ROCK CLIMBER (VERTICAL)
4.
CHARACTER EXAMPLES
ROCK CLIMBER (HORIZONTAL)
NATURE PLAYGROUND CONCEPT PLAN
EMBANKMENT
CLIMBER & SLIDE
TURF MOUNDS & TUNNEL NOTCHED LOG BOULDER SCRAMBLE
8.
7. 6. 5.
B
B. NATURE PLAYGROUND
Program:
- Mounded Play Area
- Log and Boulder Play Area
- Seating and Picnic Tables
- Open Space
- Colorful Planting Borders
BL
O
C
K
2
8 Amber Fields Master Plan DR AF T 8/20/21
C. SUNDIAL GARDEN
Program:
- Tall highly visible sculpture/landmark
- Planting Color
CURVED PARK BENCH COLORED EXPOSED
AGGREGATE CONCRETE
C
VIEW OF CONCEPTUAL SUNDIAL GARDEN
PROGRESSIVE BLOOM GARDEN
Blooms beginning at outside of planting
bed in spring to center grasses in fall.
A A'
SUNDIAL GARDEN CONCEPT PLAN SIDE SECTION/ELEVATION (A-A’)
9 Amber Fields Master Plan
2
3.
4.
D
4.
2.
CHARACTER EXAMPLES 1.
3.
4.
4.
1.
SCHOOL-AGED PLAY STRUCTURE
3.
2. 3. 4.
SWINGS W/ ADA BAY PERENNIAL PLANTING BORDER SEATING AND PICNIC TABLE AREAS
D. SCHOOL AGED PLAY
Program:
- School-aged Play Structure
- Swings
- Seating and Picnic Tables
- Colorful Planting Borders
Amber Fields Master Plan 10
F. EAST LANDING NODE
Program:
- Parking
- Picnic Pavilion & Grilling Areas
- Interactive Creek Feature
- Pedestrian and Bike Amenities
- Water Fountain 4.
- Wayfinding Kiosk
F - Bike Fixit Station 4.
2.
2.
3.
2.
1.
CHARACTER EXAMPLES
1. 2. 3. 4.
STEEL STRINGER BRIDGE INTERACTIVE CREEK PICNIC PAVILION PICNIC & GRILLING AREAS
STYLIZED CREEK PLANTINGS
TURF MOUNDS
INTERACTIVE CREEK BED
LIMESTONE CROSSINGS
VIEW OF CONCEPTUAL STYLIZED CREEK
DR AF T 8/20/21 11 Amber Fields Master Plan
PEDESTRIAN & BIKE AMENITIES
MAP KIOSK CONCEPTS
CURVED BENCH WATERFOUNTAIN W/ PET BOWL FIXIT STATION HOOP BIKE RACK
EAST PEDESTRIAN AREA