deasine
August 30th, 2008, 05:26 AM
I thought this project deserved a thread of its own. Anyway here it is:
Kelowna’s downtown waterfront is a favourite for both residents and tourists alike. The draft Downtown Waterfront Public Open Space Plan provides a 20-year vision to help guide future development and use for what is arguably the community’s most valued asset – the downtown interface with Okanagan Lake. The plan spans 1,300 metres of waterfront between the Water Street Boat Launch and the new William R Bennett Bridge and includes some or all of City, Stuart and Kerry Parks.
Staff is currently reviewing public comments regarding the concept plans received at an open house held May 28, 2008 and via an on-line questionnaire. Once complete staff will present the final draft concept plan of the park to Council for their consideration; if approved detailed plans will be prepared and submitted to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for approval at the end of 2008. While the time required for DFO review cannot be predicted, staff are hopeful that approval from the federal regulator will be obtained by the end of 2009. Once DFO approval is in place, construction of Stuart Park can begin.
http://www.kelowna.ca/CityPage/Docs/PDFs//Departments/Parks%20and%20Leisure%20Services/Parks%20Division/Downtown%20Waterfront%20Plan/080505%20Concept%20plan%201-750%20colour.pdf
The Downtown Waterfront Park Plan is broken down into the following three components:
Stuart Park Concept
http://www.kelowna.ca/CM/AssetFactory.aspx?did=6389
Stuart Park is a new park that will be a showcase for urban waterfront park development. Named after former mayor Jim Stuart the community park will function as an important year-round civic space. Key components for Stuart Park include:
A civic plaza - featuring a winter ice rink and an interactive summer water feature - that will function as a year-round venue for public gatherings and community events;
A raised central area that functions as a stage for the civic plaza, provides a variety of informal seating and is the site of a major public art piece dedicated to the concept of ‘community’ in Kelowna;
An enhanced streetscape for Water Street, defining it as a civic street and including recognition for recipients of the annual community leadership awards;
A grand public promenade along the waterfront, providing a scenic stroll along the lake and connecting Kerry Park to Waterfront Park;
Removal of the existing retaining wall along the shoreline and development of a functioning riparian ecosystem along the edge of the lake;
A manufactured stream and wetland for re-circulating lake water to improve the water quality of the boat basin in front of the park;
An urban ‘orchard’ that pays homage to the community’s agricultural roots;
Conversion of an existing asphalt parking lot at the end of Queensway to open water and a small habitat island;
Relocation of the yacht club building and deep keel boat launch to north of the site, and relocation of near shore yacht club moorage slips to deeper water; and
A central service building that includes a café, public washrooms and support infrastructure for the park.
Kerry Park Concept
http://www.kelowna.ca/CM/AssetFactory.aspx?did=6390
Kerry Park has historically been the community’s ‘heart’, or focal point, where its main street (Bernard) meets its greatest asset (Okanagan Lake). Key components proposed for Kerry Park include:
Retention of the “Sails” sculpture and redesign and redevelopment of the water feature around it, as well as retention and relocation of the “Ogopogo” sculpture;
A plaza centered around the “Sails” that provides opportunity for walking, sitting, viewing and events, and enhances the community’s “front door” on Okanagan Lake;
Partial closure of the ends of Bernard Avenue and Abbott Street (i.e. at non-peak times and except as required for maintenance and emergency vehicle access) to provide a predominately pedestrian area around the “Sails”;
Widening and re-development of the waterfront pathway between Stuart and City Parks;
A public pier near the end of Queensway that provides boating services (e.g. fuel, sanitary pump out) and day-use moorage for the boating public;
A privately-run restaurant at the foot of the pier adjacent to the park;
Public washrooms as part of the proposed restaurant building or as part of a private building developed next to the park;
Relocation of the commercial boats currently moored beside the “Sails” to the proposed pier, re-opening views of the lake from Kerry Park; and
Redevelopment of the informal performance venue, including a performance platform and grass seating area.
City Park Concept
http://www.kelowna.ca/CM/AssetFactory.aspx?did=6391
The improvements proposed for City Park as part of this design process are focused on the park’s waterfront edge, between the walkway and the waterline, and in special instances into and over the lake. These improvements include:
A wider and higher quality pedestrian promenade along the lake side of the park;
Development of a new aquatics pavilion at the site of the historic one, including a 50 metre swimming area, diving platform and ‘beach’ upland of these waterside facilities;
A public gathering place and panoramic viewpoint where Hot Sands Beach and Cold Sands Beach meet;
A performance venue in the northeast corner of the park, adjacent to the proposed “Sails” plaza that has a slightly higher audience and performance capacity then the venue proposed for Kerry Park;
Replacement of the existing playground with a single, large, multi-age playground including play equipment and activities for the beach and into the lake;
A family picnic area located between the proposed playground and the existing water park;
Improvements to the fisheries habitat along Cold Sands Beach; and
One new public washroom near the “Sails” plaza and redevel
Timing
The redevelopment of the downtown waterfront is expected to begin with construction of the first phase of Stuart Park in 2009. However, the timing is contingent upon federal government environmental approvals. The plan is expected to take several years to complete and is meant as a framework for future works.
From The City of Kelowna
Kelowna’s downtown waterfront is a favourite for both residents and tourists alike. The draft Downtown Waterfront Public Open Space Plan provides a 20-year vision to help guide future development and use for what is arguably the community’s most valued asset – the downtown interface with Okanagan Lake. The plan spans 1,300 metres of waterfront between the Water Street Boat Launch and the new William R Bennett Bridge and includes some or all of City, Stuart and Kerry Parks.
Staff is currently reviewing public comments regarding the concept plans received at an open house held May 28, 2008 and via an on-line questionnaire. Once complete staff will present the final draft concept plan of the park to Council for their consideration; if approved detailed plans will be prepared and submitted to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for approval at the end of 2008. While the time required for DFO review cannot be predicted, staff are hopeful that approval from the federal regulator will be obtained by the end of 2009. Once DFO approval is in place, construction of Stuart Park can begin.
http://www.kelowna.ca/CityPage/Docs/PDFs//Departments/Parks%20and%20Leisure%20Services/Parks%20Division/Downtown%20Waterfront%20Plan/080505%20Concept%20plan%201-750%20colour.pdf
The Downtown Waterfront Park Plan is broken down into the following three components:
Stuart Park Concept
http://www.kelowna.ca/CM/AssetFactory.aspx?did=6389
Stuart Park is a new park that will be a showcase for urban waterfront park development. Named after former mayor Jim Stuart the community park will function as an important year-round civic space. Key components for Stuart Park include:
A civic plaza - featuring a winter ice rink and an interactive summer water feature - that will function as a year-round venue for public gatherings and community events;
A raised central area that functions as a stage for the civic plaza, provides a variety of informal seating and is the site of a major public art piece dedicated to the concept of ‘community’ in Kelowna;
An enhanced streetscape for Water Street, defining it as a civic street and including recognition for recipients of the annual community leadership awards;
A grand public promenade along the waterfront, providing a scenic stroll along the lake and connecting Kerry Park to Waterfront Park;
Removal of the existing retaining wall along the shoreline and development of a functioning riparian ecosystem along the edge of the lake;
A manufactured stream and wetland for re-circulating lake water to improve the water quality of the boat basin in front of the park;
An urban ‘orchard’ that pays homage to the community’s agricultural roots;
Conversion of an existing asphalt parking lot at the end of Queensway to open water and a small habitat island;
Relocation of the yacht club building and deep keel boat launch to north of the site, and relocation of near shore yacht club moorage slips to deeper water; and
A central service building that includes a café, public washrooms and support infrastructure for the park.
Kerry Park Concept
http://www.kelowna.ca/CM/AssetFactory.aspx?did=6390
Kerry Park has historically been the community’s ‘heart’, or focal point, where its main street (Bernard) meets its greatest asset (Okanagan Lake). Key components proposed for Kerry Park include:
Retention of the “Sails” sculpture and redesign and redevelopment of the water feature around it, as well as retention and relocation of the “Ogopogo” sculpture;
A plaza centered around the “Sails” that provides opportunity for walking, sitting, viewing and events, and enhances the community’s “front door” on Okanagan Lake;
Partial closure of the ends of Bernard Avenue and Abbott Street (i.e. at non-peak times and except as required for maintenance and emergency vehicle access) to provide a predominately pedestrian area around the “Sails”;
Widening and re-development of the waterfront pathway between Stuart and City Parks;
A public pier near the end of Queensway that provides boating services (e.g. fuel, sanitary pump out) and day-use moorage for the boating public;
A privately-run restaurant at the foot of the pier adjacent to the park;
Public washrooms as part of the proposed restaurant building or as part of a private building developed next to the park;
Relocation of the commercial boats currently moored beside the “Sails” to the proposed pier, re-opening views of the lake from Kerry Park; and
Redevelopment of the informal performance venue, including a performance platform and grass seating area.
City Park Concept
http://www.kelowna.ca/CM/AssetFactory.aspx?did=6391
The improvements proposed for City Park as part of this design process are focused on the park’s waterfront edge, between the walkway and the waterline, and in special instances into and over the lake. These improvements include:
A wider and higher quality pedestrian promenade along the lake side of the park;
Development of a new aquatics pavilion at the site of the historic one, including a 50 metre swimming area, diving platform and ‘beach’ upland of these waterside facilities;
A public gathering place and panoramic viewpoint where Hot Sands Beach and Cold Sands Beach meet;
A performance venue in the northeast corner of the park, adjacent to the proposed “Sails” plaza that has a slightly higher audience and performance capacity then the venue proposed for Kerry Park;
Replacement of the existing playground with a single, large, multi-age playground including play equipment and activities for the beach and into the lake;
A family picnic area located between the proposed playground and the existing water park;
Improvements to the fisheries habitat along Cold Sands Beach; and
One new public washroom near the “Sails” plaza and redevel
Timing
The redevelopment of the downtown waterfront is expected to begin with construction of the first phase of Stuart Park in 2009. However, the timing is contingent upon federal government environmental approvals. The plan is expected to take several years to complete and is meant as a framework for future works.
From The City of Kelowna