MEMORANDUM

INTRODUCTION The Parks and Recreation Commission is asked to approve a proposed plan for improvements to Valley of the Moon Park including upgrades to lighting, the dog park area, and expanding the parking lot to include an additional 27 spaces. Valley of the Moon is a popular park located along 17th Avenue and the Chester Creek Trail which contains an off leash fenced dog park, two pavilions, and a community use playground. During a 2014 Master Plan process, the community requested additional amenities including improvements to lighting, the dog park and additional parking lot spaces to alleviate the high volumes of on-street parking that occur in the summer months. Funding for this project was approved by Anchorage voters as part of the 2014, 2016 and 2017 Park Bond packages. The total costs to develop the parking lot (including soft costs) are estimated at $350,000. DESIGN The Parks and Recreation Department is proposing to expand the parking lot to include an additional 27 spaces including two ADA accessible park spots, lighting upgrades, and a new formalized ADA accessible entry to the dog park. The landscaping improvements associated with the parking upgrades will aim to also treat stormwater runoff from the parking lot area and will aim to incorporate native plant species when possible. PLANNING This project seeks to realize the improvements highlighted in the 2015 Valley of the Moon Master Plan, which was completed by Planners Steve Rafuse and Josh Durand through extensive public process with the South Addition and North Star Community Councils. To assist with this project, the Parks and Recreation Department is utilizing R&M Consultants and Bettisworth North to provide project management and engineering services. This project has been approved by the South Addition Community Council and a resolution of support was received on March 16, 2017. STAFF RECOMMENDATION The Department recommends that the Parks & Recreation Commission pass the proposed resolution to support the Valley of the Moon Park Improvements. The lighting improvements will increase perceptions of safety in the park, the additional parking will provide safer access to the dog park and playground by removing fast moving street traffic from the user experience, and the additional ADA entryway will encourage more diverse users to be able to access the dog park.

Date: April 13, 2017

To: Parks & Recreation Commission

Cc: Joshua Durand, Parks Superintendent

From: Taylor Keegan, Park Planner

Project: PRC 17-15 Action Item: Valley of the Moon Park Improvements

Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska Parks & Recreation Department

632 W. 6 th Avenue, Suite 630 P.O. Box 196650

Anchorage, AK 99519 Tel 907-343-4355

URL www.muni.org/departments/parks

P A R K S & R E C R E A T I O N C O M M I S S I O N

M u n i c i p a l i t y o f A n c h o r a g e , A l a s k a

Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska Parks & Recreation Commission

632 W. 6 th Avenue, Suite 630 P.O. Box 196650

Anchorage, AK 99519 Tel 907-343-4355

URL www.muni.org/departments/parks

PRC RES NO. 2017-07

Valley of the Moon Park Improvements

WHEREAS, the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commission serves in an advisory capacity to both the Mayor and the Assembly; and WHEREAS, the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commission has the responsibility and duty to provide for the long term vision of our park system by ensuring that a balance of parks, natural resources, and recreation facilities provides for the health, welfare, and safety of all residents of the Anchorage Bowl; and

WHEREAS, Valley of the Moon is a community use park located along the Chester Creek Trail and 17th Avenue; and WHEREAS, The Municipality Parks and Recreation Department collaborated with an advisory group of South Addition and North Star CC residents on a Master Plan for Valley of the Moon Park in 2015; and WHEREAS, this plan identified the community’s request for better amenities for dog walkers, increased lighting in the park, and because of the popularity of the park and playground have created additional traffic and parking on local neighborhood streets, causing congestion; and WHEREAS, the Municipality Parks and Recreation Department will be improving circulation to the dog park, increasing and upgrading the lighting in Valley of the Moon Park and constructing an additional 27 spaces which will be sufficient to meet parking demand and would help address the negative impacts of park users parking on local neighborhood streets; WHEREAS, the project is supported by the South Addition Community Council and was included in the 2014, 2016, and 2017 Parks Bond package which was approved by voters. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commission approves the proposal for improvements at Valley of the Moon Park. PASSED AND APPROVED by the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commission this 13th day of April, 2017.

_____________________________ Chair Parks and Recreation Commission

ATTEST: ________________________________ John Rodda, Director Parks & Recreation Department

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Funding for the project is estimated to come in at 30k. We will be working during July 5-7th.

Scope of work includes:Landscaping Improvements associated with the green infrastructure of the site. The landscaping will be in conjunction with parking lot upgrades to help with the beautification of the project and to help facilitate the infiltration for stormwater runoff. This project will aim to source and plant native plant material.

AREA OF INTEREST

area of work INCLUDING ADDITIONAL pARKING,lANDSCAPING iMPROVEMENTS, nEW dOG pARK fENCING

RAIN GARDEN AND LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTSWITH YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN PARKS

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The current budget: 196k

Per the 2014 Valley of the Moon Master Plan, this park will receive parking lot improvements, new infrastructure related to the dog park, including an ADA accessible pathway. In conjunction with the parking lot improvements, 28 more parking lot spaces will be created, snow storage areas, lighting, and landscaping improvements will also be installed. Pending capital budget status, more improvements are being planned including lighting, safety and circulation upgrades.

VALLEY OF THE MOON FIX ITJULY 22, 2017

Scope of work currently includes finishing any work associated with landscaping improvements and dog park improvements, as well as sightline safety improvements along the Chester Creek Corridor.

Construction for the proposed work will take place during the Summer of 2017.

VALLEY OF THE MOON PARK IMPROVEMENTSANCHORAGE PARKS AND RECREATION

Master Plan completed in 2014 by Joshua Durand, Parks Superintendent, and Steve Rafuse, Park Planner. Construction will be completed and managed by Taylor Keegan, Park Planner, and Bradly Muir, Natural Resources Manager. For questions please contact Anchorage Parks and Recreation at 343-4355

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DOG PARK ENTRY

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS

ADA ACCESSIBLE PATHWAY

28 PARKING SPOTS

LIGHTING FOR ENTIRE PARKING AREA