The presentation from the final meeting with Sasaki Associates regarding strategies to improve the City of Bridgeport, CT's parks system.

1. Master Plan Process
Introduction
Vision for the Future
What will the Park System look like for the next
generation?
Vision for Today
How will we meet today’s immediate needs and
close the service and performance gaps?

2. IntroductIon
The Process to Create The Park
City Master Plan
» Team
» Process
» Schedule
» Agenda

3. Project Schedule
1: Framework 2: Concepts 3: Master Plan
• Kick-off & Stakeholder Interviews • Develop 3 Scenarios • Final Master Plan
• 2011 Parks Inventory • Plan Refinement • Implementation Strategy
• Needs Assessment • Draft Action Plan
• Existing Conditions Analysis • Launch Public Outreach
• Community Survey Development
APRIL MAy JUNE JULy AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
Community
Public
Survey
Meeting #1
Public Public
Meeting #1 Meeting #2
#1
Kick Off Client Parks Board Stakeholder Client Stakeholder Client Stakeholder
Review WorkSession Review Worksession Review Worksession

4. Client Leadership Stakeholder Group
• Mayor Bill Finch • Board of Parks Commissioners
• Charles Carroll, Parks Director & Public Facilities Director • Public Facilities-Charles Carroll + Ted Grabarz
• Ted Grabarz, Sustainability Director & Deputy Director of • Parks Manager-Andy Valeri
Public Works
• Recreation Superintendent-Luann Conine
• Steve Hladun, Project Coordinator
• Tree Warden/Urban Forester-Steve Hladun
• Mike Nidoh, Director of Planning
• Planning & Economic Development-Bill Coleman; Donald
• Board of Parks Commissioners: James Brideau, James Giles, Eversley, Director of Planning and Economic Development
Banjed Labrador, Mark Marko, Frank A. Mercaldi, Ann E. Owens,
• Neighborhood/NRZ Coordination-Angie Staltero
Rosa Cruz
• Downtown Special Services District-Rick Myers + Michael Moore
Sasaki • Bridgeport Regional Business Council-Paul Timpanelli
• Historic Preservation Commission-Stuart Sachs
• Jason Hellendrung-Managing Principal
• Small and Minority Business Resource Office-Deborah Caviness
• Gina Ford-Design Principal
• Lighthouse Program, Office of Education and youth-Tammy Pappa
• Brie Hensold-Project Manager, Planner
• Greater Bridgeport Regional Business Council-Brian Bidolli
• Eamonn Hutton-Landscape Architect
• City Council-Lydia Martinez, Martin C. McCarthy, Susan Brannelly,
• Stephen Gray-Urban Designer Denese Taylor-Moye, Anderson Ayala, Robert S. Walsh, M. Evette
Brantley, Howard Austin, Sr., Thomas C. McCarthy, Michelle
Lyons, AmyMarie Vizzo-Paniccia, Warren Blunt, Richard Bonney,
Heller & Heller Angel M. DePara, Jr., Carlos Silva, Manuel Ayala, Richard M.
Paoletto, Jr., Robert Curwen, James Holloway, Andre F. Baker
• Barbara Heller-Parks & Recreation Planner

5. Builds on Foundation of
Existing Plans and Activities
Master Plan of Conservation and Development (2008) BGreen 2020
Waste,
Green Energy Greenfields & Water Businesses
downtown Jobs neighborhoods Education Infrastructure Environment Green Spaces Materials & Marketing
& Buildings Green Wheels resources & Jobs
recycling
New Parks Amenities 2011 Parks
and Improvements Master Plan
New Signage
7 NRZ Plans School Renovations Complete Streets Complete Streets
Policy & Action Plan
Knowlton Park
Main & Gold Pocket Parks “Surprise, it’s Bridgeport”
Black Rock & South End Bike Paths
Community Development
Tennis Courts Save the Sound Green
Block Grant Public Park
Improvements Infrastructure Feasibility Scan
Improvements Program

6. Builds on Community Support
Local Leadership The Neighbors
Board of Groundwork Bridgeport Arts & 34 Seaside Day Hundreds of 80+ people at
Bridgeport BRBC & DSSD
Education Cultural Council Campers survey responses Public Forum #1
2011 Parks
Master Plan
GBRC: BGreen 2020
Mayor’s Parks & Rec. Pequonnock Parks, Water, Fairfield County Trust for
Office Department Parks Board River Initiative, Community Fndn. Public Land
Open Space
Monroe, Trumbull,
Bridgeport Committee
Public Leaders Regional Coalitions

7. tHank you...

8. Community Survey
Hundreds of online and paper responses
More family-friendly parks and amenties are desired
• playgrounds
• splash pads
• picnic shelters
• swimming facilities
top 3 parks for improvement are large, city parks
1. Seaside
2. Pleasure Beach
3. Veteran’s Memorial Park
9
A little more than half
of households have NOT
participated in Bridgeport rec yeS NO
programs or events in the last
12 months. 54% 46%
Responses from online park system survey

9. Community Survey
Community Survey
Community Survey
10
Community Survey
10
11
1
11
2% 10%
2%
Most residents learned 10% 18% Newspaper
Most residents learned 2% 10% 18% Newspaper
Most residentsParksservices
Most residents & Rec & Rec services
about Parks learned
about learned 18% City of Bridgeport Website
Newspaper City of Bridgeport Website
about newspaper, city web web
via Parks & Rec services Social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
City of Bridgeport Website
aboutsite, and citycity web city
via newspaper,
Parks & rec services
via newspaper, staff. staff. 20% 20%
Social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
Promotional material or flyers
site, and city Social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
Promotional material or flyers
via newspaper, city website,
site, and city staff. 20%
21% From City Staff
21% Promotional material or flyers
From City Staff
and city staff. 21% From friends and neighbors
From City Staff
From friends and neighbors
9% 9% Materials at the Parks and Recreation Department
From friends and neighbors
Materials at the Parks and Recreation Department
9% 6% 14%
6% I have not seen or heard anything about parks services
Materials at the Parks and Recreation Department
14% I have not seen or heard anything about parks services
6% 14% I have not seen or heard anything about parks services
Residents believe park
residents Residents believe park
believe User friendliness of Park of Park District website
User friendliness District website
maintenance and the the
Residents believe park and
maintenance
maintenanceand thethe
quantity of and walking/biking
maintenance walking/biking
User friendliness of Park District website
quantity of QualityQuality of ice rink ice rink
of indoor indoor
quantity of trails most most
trails require the require
quantity of walking/biking
trails require the Number of parks
Quality of indoor ice rink of parks
Number
the most support in next 3-5
support most the
trails require the next 3-5
support in in the Number of parks
years.in the next 3-5 Availability of info about programs/facilities
nextsupportyears.
3-5 years. Availability of info about programs/facilities
years. Availabilityof programs and facilities for adults
QualityQuality of programs and facilities for adults
of info about programs/facilities
Quality of programs andplayground equipment
QualityQuality of playground equipment
of facilities for adults
Youth programs
Quality of playground equipment programs
Youth
Adult programs
Youth programs programs
Adult
QualityQuality of outdoor swimming pools
of outdoor swimming pools
Adult programs
Quality of outdoorwalking/biking trails trails
Quantity of swimming pools
Quantity of walking/biking
Park maintenance
Quantity of walking/biking trails
Park maintenance
Park maintenance 0 100
0 100
0 100

10. Community Forum # 1
August 10, 2011 august 10th at cesar Batalla
assessment of overall Park System 80+ people signed in
Strengths
• Many diverse park types in the system
• Access to water and location on the Long Island Sound
• Special parks like Beardsley Park and Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
• Park City – history of park system and large quantity of parks
Weaknesses
• Overcrowded
• Lack of access or transportation options
• Lack of diverse activities, rec centers or recreation program
Highest Priorities
• Maintenance/upkeep/cleaning
• Education
What’s Missing? • Access/access, visibility and safety of parks
• Connection to nature and ecology • Natural resources and protection of habitat
• Education for children and adults • Secure finances so Parks Master Plan recommendations can be
• Safety: lighting needs to be addressed implemented
• Upkeep and maintenance

11. “connEct”
Community Forum # 1 • Streets as connectors to parks
• Enhanced water access
community Feedback on 3 Scenarios
• Like ability to access parks without access
• Stories about how Bridgeport’s future might unfold for its parks
• A method for finding appropriate movements down each path
“EnHancE”
• Big Wins make sense
• School grounds as publically accessible amenities are great
• Durable surfaces and focused programming (ie. Old Mill Green as
a hyperpark)
• Support for pocket parks and enhanced small parks
Refined Plan “EXPand”
• Partnerships and more friends of parks groups
• Support school partnership but requires coordination
• Neighborhood investment would be useful and lead to creativity
• Volunteers are good for parks
• Like funding programs, but responsibility issues surrounding
“sponsored by” parks

12. FuturE VISIon
What is the plan for the next
generation of parks?

13. A Healthy, Connected Future
As the population grows and resources become scarcer, urban centers
like Bridgeport are an essential component of a sustainable society—
and one critical key to livable cities is a successful park system.
Bridgeport’s park system will lead the way by being:
Physically connected
• Envision Bridgeport’s parks as part of a green infrastructure system
throughout the city that keeps people and the environment healthy
• Connect Bridgeport’s signature regional parks to its neighbors
Ecologically diverse
• Celebrate the range of open space types in Bridgeport’s system
• Bring renewed brownfields, vacant lots, and neglected lands back
into the open space system
accessible to all
• Offer more diverse programming
• Improve communications and ensure parks are highly visible
Economically Viable
• Support growing population trends with new parks to serve needs
• Create value for future development

14. CREATE EAST/WEST LINK TO REGIONAL PUBLIC ACCESS ALONG
Physically Connected CONNECTIONS HOUSATONIC RAIL-
TRAIL SySTEM
yELLOW MILL CREEK AND
PEQUONNOCK RIVER
PUBLIC ACCESS UTILIZE RAILROAD PARK AVENUE WATER TAxI ACCESS TO
ALONG ALL CITy AVENUE FOR COMPLETE STREET WATERFRONT
WATERFRONTS CROSS-CITy TRAIL
CONNECTION

15. INCREASE TREE CANOPy RENATURALIZE REHABILITATE
Ecologically Diverse ALONG STREETS THROUGH
TREE PLANTING PROGRAM
LARGE PARKS RIPARIAN CORRIDORS
PROTECT KEy HABITAT AREAS WHILE
PROVIDING PUBLIC ACCESS

16. WEST SIDE II WENT FIELD OLD MILL GREEN SUCCESS PARK
Accessible to All
• OFFER MORE DIVERSE PROGRAMMING
AND IMPROVE SERVICE TO ALL
IMPROVE SERVICE UPCHURCH PARK
• IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND
TO HIGH NEED BELT
ENSURE PARKS ARE HIGHLy VISIBLE
THROUGH HyPER-PARKS
THROUGH SIGNAGE AND PUBLICATIONS

17. CONTINUE OPERATING FAIRCHILD DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES PARTNER WITH LAKE SUCCESS
Economically Viable WHEELER GOLF COURSE AS PARK STEWARDS ECO-BUSINESS PARK
INCREASE VENDOR ENHANCE WATERFRONT TO PARTNER WITH DEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITIES AT STIMULATE GROWTH TO CREATE PARK SPACES
SEASIDE PARK

18. The Future of
the Park City

19. MEEtInG
today’S nEEd
How do we close the service
gaps?

20. What are the Gaps Today?
• accessibility
• neighborhood Parks
67 NA 203
216 289
86 new Main and Gold mini-park
72
4.4 BPT NRPA SA/HH
BPT NRPA SA/HH
MINI-PARK NeIgHBoRHood PARK
ToTAl AcReAge ToTAl AcReAge Mini
Special Use Neighborhood
distribution
of Park COMMUNITy
286 1,082 26
286 1,082 types
577 577 REGIONAL
291 551
BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH
% of ToTAl AcReAge
coMMuNITy PARK RegIoNAl PARK
ToTAl AcReAge ToTAl AcReAge

21. What are the Gaps Today?
• Play / Family friendly activities
• durable court sports
Play
2
53 1 Longfellow Playground
2 2
19 115 72 1 1 2 3 5 5 1 7 3 1 7 3
BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH
PlAy gRouNdS Ice SKATINg RINK SPRAy PAd INdooR Pool ouTdooR Pool
court Sports
24
1
17
29 29 24 72 48 4 NA 5
11
BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH
BASKeTBAll TeNNIS volleyBAll
Success Park

22. Where is the Need Highest?
Park Need
Population Density
Car Access
Diversity
HIGH
Income LOW

23. What are the Gaps Today?
• Maintenance
• recreation programming / staff
current Staff Size
20
RecReATIoN 3
MAINTeNANce 14 22 47 63
Park System BPT NATL. USUAL STND. BEST
COMPS PRACTICE
1,346 acres
45+ parks

24. How does the plan
meet the need? 2011 Parks
Master Plan
Adding Sustainable Visibility +
5 Strategies Partnerships Amenities
Connections
Maintenance Outreach

25. How does the plan
meet the need? 2011 Parks
Master Plan
Adding Sustainable Visibility +
5 Strategies Partnerships Amenities
Connections
Maintenance Outreach
Examples Schools
Quick Wins Board of
Education

26. Partnerships
We need everyone’s help to keep the parks safe,
clean, active, and living up to the Park city legacy.
46 Parks
& growing
• City-wide parks
• NRZ neighborhood adopted
parks
• Downtown parks
• Key natural resource parks
• Shared school parks
• New hyper parks
• Small or specialized parks

27. • Stewards major city and regional parks
• Protects the Olmsted Parks legacy in Bridgeport
city • Provide large, diverse park offerings for citizens
*
• Seeks revenue-generating opportunities *
Beardsley
Seaside
Fairchild Wheeler Golf course
F.W. Golf course provides
city revenue
$2.5 M
$2 M
$1.5 M
$1 M GOLF COURSE
*
0.5 M
0 OTHER
Protect the Legacy -
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
ToTAl ANNuAl ReveNueS
3 olmsted Landscapes

28. • “Adopt” a neighborhood park
nrZ • Contribute ‘sweat equity’, improvements,
daily care and stewardship
• Pursue official non-profit organization status
or partner with neighborhood non-profit
Boston Ave/Mill Hill Manilla Park
Black Rock Ellsworth Park
Brooklawn/St. Vincent Alice St. Lot Washington Parks & People , Washington dc
Downtown Baldwin Plaza
East End Newfield/Jessup
East Side Washington Park
Enterprise Zone NO PARKS
The Hollow Lafayette Park
North Bridgeport Beardsley Park
North End Puglio Park
South End Seaside Park (shared)
West Side McGovern Park
Whiskey Hill Glenwood Park

29. • Sponsor a highly visible downtown park
down- • Work with DSSD, BRBC, and the City on
town programming and events
• Integrate public art and coordinate with
Bridgeport Arts and Cultural Council and
local arts organizations
Waterfront Park New Main and Gold pocket park
McLevy Green Farmer’s market
Wheeler Park Majestic Park
Broad Street Steps Baldwin Plaza
McLevy Green City Hall Annex Park
Jackson Square, nyc

30. • Support city by initiating conservation initiatives
(Save the Sound’s Green Infrastructure Feasibility
nature Scan and the Pequonnock River Initiative)
• Help organize volunteer efforts
• Incorporate education and community outreach
into activities
Pleasure Beach
Fairchild Memorial Park
Elton Rogers Park
Pleasure Beach (c Emmett unlimited)
Veterans Memorial Park
Vacant lands and future community gardens
Already active in this area:
Save the Sound
Connecticut Audubon
Groundwork Bridgeport
Ash Creek Foundation
Volunteer clean-ups

31. School yard amenities
Schools • 216 acres of park space
• Playgrounds - 31 playgrounds
# leISuRe AcTIvITIeS
# PlAy fAcIlITIeS
• Basketball - 15 courts
# couRTS
# fIeldS
• Baseball - 8 diamonds
• Football / Soccer - 9 fields
Sources: http://www.bridgeportedu.com/schools/Schools%20Elementary.html and Google Earth
amenities in Schools today Waltersville/Barnum School contains 2 courts and play facilities

32. Parks Field Sports 4
25 29 29 17 14 14
BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH
BASeBAll/ SofTBAll fooTBAll/ SocceR
court Sports
24
1
17
29 29 24 72 48 4 NA 5
11
BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH
BASKeTBAll TeNNIS volleyBAll
Play
2
53 1
2 2
19 115 72 1 1 2 3 5 5 1 7 3 1 7 3
BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH
PlAy gRouNdS Ice SKATINg RINK SPRAy PAd INdooR Pool ouTdooR Pool
Leisure
# leISuRe AcTIvITIeS
# PlAy fAcIlITIeS
# couRTS
# fIeldS
amenities in Parks today 2 3 3 12 3 3 7 6 6
1
BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH
Bocce HoRSeSHoeS SHelTeRS

33. Parks + Schools Field Sports
32 29 29 23 14 14
BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH
BASeBAll/ SofTBAll fooTBAll/ SocceR
court Sports
1
8
20 29 29 26 72 48 4 NA 5
BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH
BASKeTBAll TeNNIS volleyBAll
Play
2
35 1
37 1 2
115 72 1 1 2 3 5 5 2 7 3 1 7 3
NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH
PlAy gRouNdS Ice SKATINg RINK SPRAy PAd INdooR Pool ouTdooR Pool
Leisure
# leISuRe AcTIvITIeS
# PlAy fAcIlITIeS
# couRTS
# fIeldS
Schools and Parks 2 3 3 12 3 3 7 6 6
1
combined amenities BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH BPT NRPA SA/HH
Bocce HoRSeSHoeS SHelTeRS

34. School Partnerships
Schoolyards to Playgrounds, new york ny
• Supports 10–minute walk for all to a park or playground.
• 258 schoolyards will open by 2013.
• Open after school, on weekends, and during breaks.
• Parks Department, the Department of Education (DOE), and
Trust for Public Land (TPL) are working together to improve 161
of the 258 schoolyards.
• NyC is investing $95 million for playground improvements
PARTNERSHIP OF PARKS DEPT, DEPT OF EDUCATION, AND THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND • The 258 sites will be maintained by the DOE.
SCHOOLyARDS OPEN DURING OFF-HOURS

35. Board of Education
Johnson oak + tisdale School
• Reconfigure layout and circulation so that public park zone is
accessible off of main streets
• Allow public use of the school area during agreed non-school
s
cces hours
ify a
clar
• Shared maintenance and security through partnerships of Parks
Department, school security, neighbors and police
accessible public area
Secured school area
Proposed future
conditions diagram
PoPuLatIon Johnson oak Park
0 25 50 100 200

36. How does the plan
meet the need? 2011 Parks
Master Plan
Adding Sustainable Visibility +
5 Strategies Partnerships
Amenities
Connections
Maintenance Outreach
Examples Schools Hyper Parks
Quick Wins Board of Success Park
Education synthetic field

37. Where do we add amenities?
Hyper-park Program
old Mill Green Success Neighborhood
Population
upchurch/James
Brown Waterview Need by Neighborhood
Went Field
West Side II
Amenities Deficit
Physical Potential

38. Where do we add amenities?
Hyper-park Program
old Mill Green Success
Centrally Located
upchurch/James Accessible to all
Brown Waterview
Went Field
West Side II
Distinctive Identities
Durable + Highly
Programmed
destination Playground

39. reet
ain st
east m north Bridgeport/East Side
t
Old Mill Green
e
re
st
m
y lu
rt as • Under programmed space
.1
• Limited pedestrian access
• High maintenance mowed surface
east main street
e street
rt
.1
pembrok

40. reet
ain st
east m north Bridgeport/East Side
t
Old Mill Green
e
re
st
m
y lu
rt as • Increased amenities including 8 tennis courts, skate park, dog run,
.1
PReSeRve HISToRIc playground, and historic park
TReeS ANd MARKeR
PlAzA
• Close 2 streets for pedestrian safety (North Hallett and Goddard)
SKATe PARK • Historic, shaded open space serves as gateway to the park
• Traffic calming through improved and increased number of
crosswalks to improve pedestrian access
IMPRoved cRoSSwAlK
AT TRAffIc SIgNAl • Builds on adjacent Fire Department and Parent Center resources
60,000 Sf deSTINATIoN fIRe dePT AcceSS
PlAy gRouNd ANd PARKINg
PlAzA
8 TeNNIS couRTS
putnam street
east main street
dog PARK
e street
rt
.1
pembrok
0 100 250 500

41. East Side
crescent ave Upchurch and James Brown
• Unrealized potential connection betrween parks
• Potential partnersip with school and housing authority
• Limited connection to yellow Mill Creek
treet
hallett s
eek
cr
ill
wm
lo
yel

42. HouSINg AuTHoRITy
develoPMeNT SITeS
East Side
eNvIRoNMeNTAl
educATIoN PlAy AReA
crescent ave Upchurch and James Brown
• Gateway to the yellow Mill Creek Corridor
• Waterfront path and internal trail circut
• 2 destination playgrounds:
1. Educational and environmental focused waterfront play
treet
2. Neighborhood play & recreation zone
hallett s
couRTyARd/
coNNecTIoN
PAvIlIoN
oN-STReeT
PARKINg
P TRAIl
coNNecTIoN
BARNuM
ScHool cRoSSwAlKS
wAlTeRSvIlle
exISTINg
eek
couRTS
P
cr
ill
wm
lo
yel
RevITAlIzed
PoPuLatIon
PlAyfIeld
TRAIl To jAMeS BRowN PARK ANd
ecologIcAl ReSToRATIoN AReA
TeNNIS couRT 0 100 200 400
exISTINg
BASKeTBAll couRT

43. Boston ave/Mill Hill
cou
rt D Success Park
• Backed by housing
eet
• Limited visibility
r str
• Field in poor condition
rbo
l ha
pear
Gra
nFie
lD a
ve

44. co
ur
Boston ave/Mill Hill
t
D
RAIN gARdeN
Success Park
• Synthetic turf play field planning already underway by City
25,000 Sf deSTINATIoN
eet
PlAy gRouNd • New through road provides better access, visibility, and overall
r str
BuffeR PlANTINg neighborhood connectivity
rbo
eNTRy • 2 basketball courts, 1 tennis court, synthetic turf, and destination
l ha
SIgNAge
playground
pear
New coNNecTIve
RoAd
2 BASKeTBAll
PAvIlIoN ANd
couRTS
PIcNIc AReA
New TeNNIS couRT SyNTHeTIc TuRf
PlAy fIeld
ReSToRed exISTINg
TeNNIS couRTS
P
eNTRy SIgNAge Gra
nFie
lD a
ve
PoPuLatIon
0 25 50 100 200

45. How does the plan
meet the need? 2011 Parks
Master Plan
Adding Sustainable Visibility +
5 Strategies Partnerships Amenities
Connections
Maintenance Outreach
Complete
Examples Schools Hyper Parks
Streets
Quick Wins Board of Success Park Pleasure Beach
Education synthetic field fishing pier

46. Connections
restore ecological connections and amplify the Pequonnock and yellow Mill
transform bare infrastructure through plantings and green infrastructure
complete Streets and reinforce walkability to parks

47. Build on current initiatives
Progress at knowlton Park along the Pequonnock river new sidewalks improve walkability at Seaside

48. Sliver by the River
today...

49. Sliver by the River
... tomorrow

50. Sliver by the River
... tomorrow

51. Greenway Partnership
Mill river Park and Greenway, Stamford ct
• The channelized Mill River runs through the center of Stamford.
• In 2002, Mill River Collaborative was formed.
the Mill river collaborative
• Initiated by Stamford Partnership, City of Stamford, Urban
Redevelopment Commission and Trust for Public Land.
• A 501c3 non-profit corporation
STAMFORD’S MILL RIVER PARK URBAN GREENWAy • Many partners contributed to its success.
2009 Financial Partners
33 Broad Street Associates II, LLC SLGreen
Boehm Family Foundation Robinson & Cole
Bridger Management Robyn Rubinstein Memorial Fund
Carlson Family Foundation S L Green Management
Cummings & Lockwood Charitable Fndn Samuel Lotstein Realty Company LLC
Fairfield County Community Foundation Selkowitz Family Foundation
First County Bank Foundation, Inc. The Edith & Herbert Lehman Foundation
GE Asset Management The Insurance Exchange
General Reinsurance Corp The Malkin Fund
Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. The Trust for Public Land
Melissa Anne Leonhardt Fund The Velaj Foundation
Overbrook Foundation UBS AG
Pitney Bowes Employee Involvement Fund W&M Properties of CT, Inc.
Pitney Bowes Foundation William & Sylvia Silberstein Foundation, Inc.
Purdue Pharma L.P. xRAM LTD
RBS Securities
yELLOW MILL CREEK TODAy

52. Pleasure Beach fishing pier
central avenue, Bridgeport

53. How does the plan
meet the need? 2011 Parks
Master Plan
Adding Sustainable Visibility +
5 Strategies Partnerships Amenities
Connections
Maintenance Outreach
Complete Naturalized
Examples Schools Hyper Parks
Streets Landscapes
Quick Wins Board of Success Park Pleasure Beach Ash Creek
Education synthetic field fishing pier Enhancements

54. Sustainable Maintenance
• Seek big wins by focusing first on the large parks
• Renaturalize the edges and “roughs” of large regional parks
BeARdSley PARK
• Renaturalize small, underutilized parks to minimize mowing
181 acres
• Low-maintenance vacant lots/community gardens program
Large Parks - Beardsley, Seaside, F.W. Golf course
underutilized - Manila Street, Majestic, West End
Undeveloped
635 Park Space
1,346 Total
Park Acres
711 Developed
and
Maintained
SeASIde PARK Park Space
370 acres
308 210
developed Parks WHAT 17 FULL-TIME
STAFF MAINTAIN IN
WHAT 17 FULL-TIME
STAFF TyPICALLy
WHAT BEST MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES RECOMMEND
BRIDGEPORT MAINTAIN FOR 17 FULL-TIME STAFF

55. Sustainable Maintenance
Greener Management in Bridgeport Means:
• Renaturalize 180 acres total - 25% of Beardsley, Seaside, and
Golf Course
• Potential operations savings of $1,005/acre vs. traditional
landscape or $180,900 annually in operations costs*
• Savings can result from staff time, equipment, and materials
• Upfront costs for conversion from turf followed by longterm
savings
Benefits
• Introduction of native plants
• Restoration of former habitat
• Enhanced biodiversity
• Reduction of carbon impact from mowing and maintenance
*Potential savings estimated based on current Bridgeport parks spending and maintenance
practices in Bridgeport, and case studies of similar changed landscape managment practices.

56. Sustainable Maintenance “Managing and maintaining a man made
landscape is anything but natural.
training & new Skillsets
We have to cut the lawns, fertilize the
• Restoration ecology techniques
trees, water the plants and spray for
• Awareness of new landscape types
diseases and pests.”
• Education among staff and community
- Buffalo Olmsted Conservancy
Minneapolis Parks & recreation Board
• Natural areas converted to prairie grasses, storm water ponds and
shoreline buffers
• Management standards:
» Athletic Field - Maintained daily to weekly, grass height of 2.5 to
3”. Potential for durable astroturf
» General Park Turf Maintenance - Maintained on a less frequent
basis. Grass height can exceed 5” at times.
» Reduced Mowing in Natural Areas - Maintained on an
infrequent basis.
Buffalo olmsted conservancy
• Goal to convert 20% of each park to maintained meadow areas.
• Meadows contain native plants and are mowed 1-2 times per year.

57. Sustainable Maintenance
Vacant Lots
• Potential for new park space on lots larger than 1 acre
• Small scale productive landscapes and community gardens
N
o
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vIRgINIA Ave
N
TI
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Large vacant sites provide the opportunity to introduce new parks to the system, while the integration
of durable, sustainable systems will help minimize impact on maintenance operations.
Vacant Lots

58. Ash Creek Enhancement

59. How does the plan
meet the need? 2011 Parks
Master Plan
Adding Sustainable Visibility +
5 Strategies Partnerships Amenities
Connections
Maintenance Outreach
Complete Naturalized
Examples Schools Hyper Parks
Streets Landscapes
Parks Guide
Quick Wins Board of Success Park Pleasure Beach Ash Creek
Parks Map
Education synthetic field fishing pier Enhancements

60. Visibility & Outreach “Bridgeport has a great story to tell, and it
• Improved Parks and Recreation Department website needs to get out there,” Curtatone said.
• Branded, consistent wayfinding and signage
In Somerville, we’ve implemented a
• Enhanced Recreation program offerings
branding plan because we’re still fighting
• Recreation program guide and “parks passport”
generations of negative perceptions.”
- Mayor Joe Curtatone, Somerville, MA

61. Recreation Program Guide
Connect with the Park City
Watch For More The Curtain Rises at
Reservoir
Indoor Programming Bijou Theater
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Amazing Art with the
Brooklawn/
St. Vincent Enterprise Boston Ave/ Dogs In The Parks Bridgeport Arts + Cultural
Zone Mill Hill
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West End/
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South End
Olympic Athlete to Improved Training For
Visit Seaside Camp Volunteer Coaches
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CITYA Parks Master Plan for
PROGRAM GUIDE
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Bridgeport
Connecticut

62. Park City Park System and
Amenities Map
• Coordinate with Greater Bridgeport Transit maps
• Link to future bike and complete streets maps
• Inventory provides families, downtown employees, and athletes
with information about walkable playgrounds, event locations, and
recreation training facilities

63. “Park City Passport”
• Incentives program to encourage residents and visitors to visit all
of Bridgeport’s parks
• Users receive a “stamp” in their parks passport
• Enhances visibility, awareness, and appreciation of the park system
Washington Park
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A Parks Master Plan for
Bridgeport
Connecticut
Place Stamp Here

64. 2011 Parks
Master Plan
Adding Sustainable Visibility +
5 Strategies Partnerships Amenities Maintenance
Connections
Outreach
Naturalized Complete
Examples Schools Hyper Parks
Landscapes Streets
Parks Guide
Board of Success Park Ash Creek Pleasure Beach
Quick Wins Education synthetic field Enhancements fishing pier
Parks Map
Funding CDBG Grants & EPA and Federal Corporate and
Foundations and State Downtown
Sources Public Private Brownfield
and Nonprofits Transportation Sponsorships
Partnerships Grants

65. What’s Next for the
Park City & How Can
You Help?
Visit http://www.bridgeportct.gov/

66. Parks Standards
Reservoir
North End Whiskey Hill
North Bridgeport
Brooklawn/
St. Vincent Enterprise Boston Ave/
Zone Mill Hill
East Side
The
Hollow
East End
West End/
West Side Downtown
South End
Black Rock
THE
PARK
CITYA Parks Master Plan for
PARKS STANDARDS
PROGRAM GUIDE
Bridgeport
Connecticut

67. Partner
nature/
neighborhood city / Government nrZ Private Schools conservation
High
Boston ave / Mill Hill
Success Park Hyper Park
East End
Johnson oak Park Hyper
Park
Pleasure Beach
improvements
rail trail/ Linear Park
East Side
the Hollow
South End
West End / West Side
Moderate
Whiskey Hill / reservoir
Brooklawn / St. Vincent
downtown
Black rock
Low