RE OUTDOOR RECREM'WNAL RM‘Q SAL FOR FUTU HAVEPE; MW'QGAN A P FACMTlES {H G-RARD . in! IfllllllllflzllflgllflllilfllifllflfllifllIlfllflllgllflfl ‘ Wsfl J A PROPOSAL FOR FUTURE OUTDOOR RbCRtATIONAL FACILITIES IN (3mm HAVEN, MICHIGAN BY HILLAR JOHN FALK A COMPRLHENSIVE PROBLEM REPORT Submitted to the School of Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture of Michigan.$tate University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTiR IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITdCTURE 1963 I. II. III. IV. OUTLINE Foreword Introduction Sc0pe of Study Basic Geographical Data A. Location 1. Regional 2. Tri-City B. TOpography and Drainage C. Soil and Subsoil D. Geology E. Vegetation F. Wildlife G. Climate The Human Pattern A. History 8. Economy C. Population D. Tranaportation 5. Open Land.Areas F. Existing Land Use 1. Business and Commercial 2. Residential 3. Recreational G. Existing Zoning H. Area Investigation Page USN-4m \O 12 1h 17 18 l9 19 20 29 32 3h 35 2% 2% ti L2 V. Analysis A. Particular Needs for’Grand Haven B. Future Land Use Considerations 1. 2. 9. 10. 11. One-Family District Two-Family District MUItiple-Family District Commercial Areas Industry major Streets Semi-Public Recreation Land Neighborhood Pattern Schools Papulation Visitor Population VI. Investigation of General Recreation Standards in Reference to Grand Haven A. Objectives of Park and Recreation Plan 8. Park and Recreation.Standards C. Minimum Size, Equipment, and.Game Facilities for Recreation Areas 1. 2. 3. h. Neighborhood Playground and Playlot Neighborhood Park Community Park Community Playfield VII. Application of General Recreation Standards to Grand Haven A. Methods of Determining Recreation Needs from Standards 1. 2. Determination of Service Areas Deternination of POpulation Within the Service Area and Number of.Additional Acres of Recreational Land Needed within the Neighborhood Page hh Lb 115 L6 h6 L6 h? h? b3 h9 h? 52 52 St 55 SS 56 62 63 65 65 65 67 70 76 76 VII. IX. X. 8. Determination of Possible Sites for Acquisition Land Acquisition . A. B. C. D. 5. Design A. B. C. Size and Location of Acquired Land Justification for Acquisition Methods of Acquiring Land Financial Support of Recreation Sites Relocation of Present Land.0ccupants PrOQram 1. 2. 3. b. S. Program.Planning Principles Design Principles Combination Park-School Plan a. Outdoor Recreational Facilities b. Indoor Social and Cultural Facilities Proposed Site Adjacent to Highway Area on‘Haverly and Beech Tree Street Application of Former Concept of Parks and Recreation to Grand Haven Character of PrOposed Recreation Site 1. 2. 3. A. Site Analysis Diagram Site Structure Diagram Total Design of Proposed Site a. Enlargement of Areas b. Basic Construction Details for Recreational Areas c. Vegetation Master Plan Conclusion Page 93 93 9b 9b 98 100 102 105 108 109 111 FURLNORD Recreation is of vital necessity today. Particularby in the last year, we have been urged over the television.and radio to become more physically fit; to get out and build ourselves into stronger, healthier beings. Our schools are now required to offer a sound recreation plan for physical fitness, and our children are being taught how to use their muscles to become agile, healthy and strong. Adults are suddenly finding it important as well as enjoy- able to hike. Some have even gone so far as to hike 50 miles in a single day to prove that they are physically fit. with the automation and mechanization of industry, there has been a definite change in working trends. Today there are shorter work hours and longer vacation periods than ever before. Because of these changes, there is a great need for a sound recreational systea to meet the pace of modern living. A re- creational system must be designed to seat the demands of re- creational activities for adults as well as children. It is because of the timeliness and vital importance of this issue that I have chosen the subject of recreation. I have chosen the City of Grand Haven, Michigan in which to center this recreation issue because it is a city attracting more and more permanent residents and vacationers with its ideal location on the Grand River and Lake Michigan, and its industrial, commercial, and economic value. Therefore, it must have adequate recreation facilities to accommodate this in- flux of people presently and in the future. 1. I. INTRODUCTION ”There was a time when life was rugged and hard. PeOple did not espect leisure. First it was something high in the sky that seemed to be man's only respite from the rigors of life. Then people looked forward to a period of retirement, then to vacations, then to week ends, and finally to leisure hours within a day. If recreation is to make its complete contri- bution to life, it will need to consider the wholeistic approach to life and to help fill all of life with zest. One is re-created through recreation. However, work too is often regenerative. both are important functions in life. In various things we do, in both work and play, we experience regeneration of spirit and body and thus, find ourseIVes more capable for all of life. It is not enough to struggle througn life for a happier existence by and by. What I wish for mySeli and believe others wish for themselves is an all-pervading zest for life-each task preparing for those to come--regenerative living.” The develOpaent of publicly owned and used parks and re- creation areas is a relatively recent idea. In the early days of the Egyptians and Romans, the hunting preserve was what we would now compare to a park. But the setting aside of open spaces for the use of all people was a practice introduced Donald Howard, Dean of the College of Social wont, University of California at Los Angeles, Recreation Places, Wayne willians. 2. during the industrialization period. The early parks and gardens in EurOpe were developed solely for the use of royalty. These parks were placed on a scale of axial relationships which con- sisted of clipped trees and shrubbery, and elaborate use of water displays. By the latter half of the eighteenth century, England de- velOped a park and garden character of its own.which influenced the Continent of Europe. The English were more active than the peOple of southern countries and preferred greater spaces for exercise. The gardens took on the appearance of informal walks and plantings. At the end of the eighteenth century, English estates were deve10ped with an informal manner of natural landscapes and native shrubs and trees. At this period came the ascendancy of the common an and a transfer to informal living. The changes were even reflected in the design of gardens. The use of parks was now available to the poorer classes of peOple for leisure hours away from the daily strain of poorly lit and inadequatdy ventilated buildings in which they toiled.aost of their lives. "With the increasing urbanization and industrialization particularly in Aaerica, the great masterpieces of idealized rural landscape created by Olmsted and other pioneers in.park building had, inlaany'instances, been transformed from places where city dwellers could secure the genuine recreation coming froa the peaceful enjoyment of an idealized.rural landscape to active recreation areas. Broad, open meadows had been appro- 3. priated for golf or baseball diamonds; the swift moving auto- mobile had usurped the pleasant carriage driveway, destroying restful atmosphere of the area.” To accommodate the automobile traffic which began to dominate the urban scene, streets were constructed at a fast pace directly in front of dwellings and through forests and parks, destroying the natural beauty and creating hazards to pedestrians. At this time, parkways and boulevards were introduced to separate pedestrians from traffic, and further, to divide con- gested streets from the homes. The parkway, an extension of a park, serves to attract passing motorists as we ll as provide safe pedestrian routes and divide traffic from housing units. "Both Eliot and Olmsted recognized that the supreme functional use of parks was for the recreation of the peeple, but the type of recreation they advocated was of a passive and semi-active kind, the dominant ideal being peaceful enjoyment amid beautiful surroundings of a naturalistic kind. There can be no doubt that this conception was fundamentally sound then, especially as applied to city dwelling peOple. It is of even greater importance today as cities have grown larger and the stress and strain of living have become greater. The life needs of peeple which can be expressed in their leisure are far wider than those comprehended in early conception, and a wide range L. H. Heir, The Changing Concept of Parks, 1926. of active forms of recreation have come to be included, such as areas devoted more or less exclusively to playgrounds, play- fields, athletic fields, stadiuos, neighborhood recreation parks, swimming and boating centers, golf courses, boulevards and pathways." L. H. Hair, The Changing Concept of Parks, 1926. 5. II. SCOPE OF STUDY The following pages consist of a comprehensive problem of developing a sound, Justifiable, and accurate system of public Open spaces for recreation in relation to the physical aspects of‘Grand Haven and its neighboring areas. The problem also in- cludes a plan for a man.made means of approach to the city which will better serve the growing population. The study deals with the deficiency in the present outdoor recreation system and a proposal for future additional re- creation facilities based on certain national and selected municipal standards in regard to their size, location and function for recreation activities. The standards are adjusted to meet Grand Raven's present and future residential needs and to at- tract aore visitors to the area. Further, this study is not solely based on needs for out- door recreation, but it establishes a way in which recreation and modern progress in highway building can.be coordinated into one useful and successful function, and if carried out, can benefit both needs. With the increasing pOpulation demands for better and faster highways in Michigan, the Highway Commission is constantly faced with the problem of locating new highways which will accommodate the increasing population. In the case of Grand Haven, the highway department has presently prepared plans for an interstate highway along Lake Michigan through.Holland and Grand Haven to Huskegon on presently existing U.S. 31, however, it has yet to develOp a successful way to serve Grand Haven. The study also reveals a successful plan by which the interstate highway and adjacent recreation land can be com- bined to benefit each other. The proposed highway is left at its present location on U.S. 31, but upon its entrance into the city, it is prOposed to be elevated to allow the land under the highway to be used for recreation purposes. By establishing the recreation land adjacent to the highway, it will help to buffer the highway's appearance and provide unused right of way for recreation purposes. III. BfiSIC GEOGRAPHICAL DATA Location Grand.Haven and the surrounding area is located on the western side of the State of Michigan in Ottawa County, and is ideally situated next to Lake Michiganiand the Grand River. It is easily accessible by varied means of tranSportation on water, air and land. It is particularly well situated for automotive transportation as it is located within a few miles of a major interstate highway which serves Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids and Muskegon. Because of its location on Lake Hichigan and the Grand River, it is easily reached by boats for both in-state and cut-state travelers. To meet the de- nerds of those traveling by plane, Grand Haven serves its visitors and residents with a nearby airport. REGIONAL LOCATION Benton Harbor 65 Miles Chicago 1u8 Miles Detroit l7u Miles Ft. Wayne 183 Miles Flint 136 Miles Grand Rapids 32 Miles Holland 21 Miles Kalamazoo 55 Miles . Lansing 95 Miles '. h A" E " Huskegon 13 Miles Muskegon . ~ "D . \u‘ = Major Highways ‘3‘ Flint .. Proposed Limited " Access Highway Harbor 3; - 1 §,\ Detroit Greater Chicago \\ \\\\\"’ I ‘ nd 2&NN o edo 9. Tri-City Location The Tri-City area, composed of Grand Haven and the villages of Spring Lake and Ferrysburg, form where the Grand River and Spring Lake meet. On the south side of Grand Haven is the in- corporated village of bpring Lake, and on the northern side is the unincorporated community of Ferrysburg. The unique part of the Tri-City area is that the communities are marked by physical boundaries rather than the blending of one urban area into another. The Grand River is also the boundary line for Grand Haven Township. These areas are connected by bridges, and the land connection is relatively new. The three urbanized communities of the Tri-City area are markedly different in land use patterns. The City of Grand Haven, consisting of appromimately 5.5 square miles, of which 3,th acres or 5.h miles comprise land area and 35 acres or .05 miles comprise water area, has important industrial units and commercial develOpment for the resort trade. Its residential section is middle class with the most expensive housing on the west side of the city, and the newer housing being built near its southernhboundary. The Village of Spring Lake has some commercial establishments and considerably good residential development with.many of the area's newer homes on its eastern boundary. The community of Ferrysburg is a mixture of land uses, many markedly incompatible with each other. As part of the township area, it has not been subject to building and zoning restrictions until just recently. It has a few bulk 10. storage facilities, some sh0ps, and several small industries. On its fringes, are many summer cottages. To the west of the Ferrysburg community and north of Grand.Haven is a small sec- tion.known as North.Grand Haven which is located on Lake Michigan. This was part of the original settlement in the area. It is now a small collection of well built summer houses with many year-round residents. These residents are a short dis- tance by water from the city, but are five to six.miles away from the city by automobile. As a result, although they pay city taxes, it is difficult to provide them with some of the city's services, such as fire protection, parks and schools. 12. Tc- 0 raphy and Drainage The tapography of Grand Haven and its surrounding areas is essentially flat with the exception of the west side of town where the vertical elevation varies from the elevation of the shore of Lake Hichigan (SoO feet above sea level) to 100-150 feet above lake level. Lands which have a slope of less than l5 per cent are con- sidered desirable for most building purposes. Areas having slepes of less than 8 per cent are particularly desirable for residential areas, commercial and industrial purposes. Sloping areas of more than is per cent and up to 20 per cent present difficulties in building, although there are a few small structures present on the land. Any areas which slape more than 20 per cent are not used for building purposes, particu- larly if such slopes are on sand dunes. Areas of any elevation at all are found only on the west side of Grand Raven, and these are made up entirely of sand dune material. The city has recently completed a storm drainage system throughout the area which eliminates any accumulation of water particularly on the east side of the city where the topography is completely flat. ta 1|.I ..\. . . \h i I I u in... . a. \ ... _ N u a .. VI . -.\\ C. .. .. . \‘i ‘ \ .. ... . L .. \ws‘V I \\ V: W . .1. 1 i..... .f\ ...xNx .. \ , z , ... , , x , . 4., \ . y I x\ i 1 J‘ y u . . m .l .11. .v 0 h .. .7: o. u , . x . j. . \ < \ I v .‘ .// i 1/ i H/(\ . I ’11 l. . ..... ,HI/ \ V .. ii. / \ f“-‘.".-.- if ,jf‘fit'f. 1-} it'll. Slave 0-152 ,‘ I Slope 15-0": [1 Slope 0 ~01 [J . . ,... -. . . . . . a 47.))-.1K - . w I .. i . F ., .. ... . . . W :7... , .. r: .. l ...... it... . v... . d .\. Q . L. .. at\\.:.‘. s _. .. . ,v. i .N Tx . .. y c .. ..0..u\ . w a . r , _ x ._ . .. ..tL. . .. ...]... . If . .4}. m a. - I... a I i. .. fl. ., r. I .. . . .. .. .1.-. ._.. .. _ . .... , , . .74. . . . ,3 i .\ . al v . i , . _. .. If ... I . ..a ’91 i y . V _‘ .. .5». lawn. . .. . ... [Pf RF ‘1 . .a , . . h. : J. I I . .. . . _ tunnel. .. . . ,..l - i. y . .. .44.). Itse‘ii \ ... .M‘. \ I.\ , . J... . . ... . . ! N V N . .. .. H Cm ...m u. g ..l. I P. .m . .. .1 . ..w e D H \ .. N .I. w A M 0% v R -... G SPRING LAKEfFERRYSBURG TOPOGRAPHY 1140 Soil and Subsoil Between 1850 and 1690, most of the best timber land was stripped off by timber industries. As soon as the land was cleared, settlers invaded and removed the last traces of brush and tree stumps to make the land suitable for farming. The shallow layer of organic material which was built up by the forest cover, soon was lost by oxidation, blowing or washing away. By the early 1930's, the western part of the county was being ruined by moving sand. Craps were being blown away, and sand was covering fertile farm land farther and farther inland. Hethods were attempted to control the loss of fertile soil and growing crops, and the most successful attempt was made when beach grass, evergreens, and blueberries were planted as ground cover to shield fertile land from wind and the drifting sand. There are several different types of soils in the Grand Haven area. The soil covering most of the area is bridgman fine sand. The surface soil of the bridgman fine sand con- sists of litter and forest mold, two to four inches in depth. This type comprises the soil of the high dunes along the shore of Lake Michigan. Because of its tendency to shift under wind action, it has very little value for cultivation of creps. However, it holds a small quantity of moisture and is conducive to the growth of a fairly dense cover of trees and shrubs 15. including hardwoods and conifers. In some instances, it has proved successful in the growth of vineyards and orchards. Another type of soil found in Grand Haven is plainfield sand. This type of soil is widely distributed and found in large amounts in the western half of the county. Found in orchards and vineyards, it is one of the more important types of aggregate acreage since it comprises over 20 per cent of the total areas of the county. The plainfield soil is loose and incoherent in structure throughout its depth. on the surface, it is a light brown humus soil, h to 6 inches in depth. The subsoil is cream colored sand from 10 to 15 inches thick. Its water-holding capacity is low, and this is the reason for its liaited success in plant growth. Its fertility is also low, however, this can be improved.with the use of commercial fertilizers. Harsh land is found to a great extent along the islands of the Grand River. The land is covered.with water throughout the greater part of the year, and is therefore referred to as permanent marsh. Vegetation consists of sedges and various water grasses. The soil contains a small proportion of the sediment carried by tne river and consists mainly of suck It'd p..te Legend Bridgman Fine Sand Plainfield Sand Harsh SOIL MAP 17. Geology Ottawa County's surface features are the result of a massive ice sheet which covered the entire state millions of years ago. In the last 20,000 years, this ice sheet has disappeared and in its place has left such glacial features as lake plain, moraine, till plain, and outwash plain formed from deposits of drift materials of gravel, sand, boulders, and clay. In Ottawa County, this thickness of glacial drift varies approximately from five to three hundred feet. More than half of the county's surface consists of sandy lake bed deposits which settled in the glacial Lake Chicago once covering the area. The area is essentially flat with the exception of small mounds which were lake bars of spits. The sand in this area has, in some cases, blown into small dunes in the interior, and in other instances, created very large dunes reaching elevations of over 800 feet. where elevated tracts of land reach a height of over 900 feet in the western part of the county, there is the creation of features known as moraines. The material of such moraines consists of a mixture of boulders, silt, sand, gravel, and clay particles. These moraines are of a hilly and pitted ap- pearance and in direct contrast with other areas known as till plains. The appearance of the till plain region of'Ottawa County is much more regular than that of a moraine. It has a smooth rolling characteristic and has more clay than the moraine. 15. The outwash plains found in the county are primarily flat and consist mainly of sand and gravel. Rock formations which underlie Ottawa County are from the Paleozoic Era. Vegetation Before the 1050's, Grand Haven.was covered with natural vegetation which was later destroyed by the lumber industries. In time, the timber was replanted as part of a soil stabili- zation process. Most of the natural vegetation was completely destroyed, but the same and other suitable vegetation was re- placed. The main vegetation masses are composed of the fol- lowing trees: Pinus Pinus Banksiana Pinus Resinosa Pinus Stroous Pinus Sylvestris Pinus bigra Tsuga Canadensis Acer Saccharum Acer Rubrum Quercus Alba Quercus Rubra Quercus tllipsoidalis Tilia Americana ThuJa Occidentalis Sorbus Americana POpulus Deltoides Populus Balsamifera Fraxinus Americana Fagus Grandifolia Betula Papyrifera Uhnus Americana Laris Laricina Carya Ovata Juglans Nigra Norway Pine Jack Pine Red Pine White Pine Scotch Pine - Austrian Pine Hemlock Sugar Maple Red Maple Red Oak white Oak Northern Pin Oak Basswood white Cedar American Hountain.Ash Cottonwood Balsam Papular White Ash Beech white Birch American Bum Tamarack hickory Eastern Black Walnut 19. Wildlife Before the concentration of population in the area, Grand Haven had many types of wild birds and animals. The wildlife disappeared as the pepulation increased, and its only traces remaining may be seen in the few privately owned lands which are left along the islands of the Grand River. These islands play an important role during the hunting season for numerous private hunting clubs. The following animals may be found presently within the city and its islands in the Grand River: Michigan Beaver Quail Herten Wild Ducks - Harsh Mink Hondchucks Squirrels (Black a Gray) Skunks Partridge Mud Turtles Red Fox Rabbits Deer - In harsh Grass Muskrats Sea Gulls Climate The principal modifying factor in Grand Raven's climate is its proximity to Lake Michigan. The greatest effect the lake has in relation to agriculture is its stabilizing in- fluence on temperature. Grand Raven's annual precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year. The average yearly rainfall recorded at the Weather Bureau Station is 31.37 inches. Snowfall is a definite certainty in this area, and thus, each year forms as a protection for fall-sown grain. Average snowfall per season is 59.1 inches. 20. The prevailing winds south to west average 10 to 15 miles per hour, and produce a much lower temperature on the lake than farther inland. The highest wind gusts recorded have reached 50 miles per hour with no cyclones or hurricanes ever having been present. . h . s e xm ma 0 s 08H 1: MN # .DN W D . C o _ . 00 NOJN W1 3 (t #méomfi mm. W Ann mow NO. &ON ‘ . ... Q hm .uUO H KANE N. 0: mm! HCa N 0 .L I .1 H "m5 a“ as EN 3 N 9 mi 2 E m m QV /b ,t n .:11 _ m o 6 L L PVIIILTII. 1 11 ; I'Fisilll .I. ”L oi Illv O O:m Cum 0 o s We 1. Us m. M. J R. m Ju N. wvr. a, G '5 Us. a m. "M. W W MVP. A B J S to w T: B m ....» v m M o my v w m ...... A” _ “do. ,w w u a m. m. m w mm o o d V w d a m _ a 3 . a e w m ...,A e m. w m w m m m ,m m. M. a J m. m a _ m a _ m a m. m. 4% u m m w wu T. I. 3 . . n. a a a w. s .A w T. u. .M .M 1.3 1.m w J” u. T. .T. J J J n 1‘ m D. W w... w m w w. m I ..l W D. pmoum mcfiddmx ousuauuqauh comunuwafiomum umauo>< W 90 magma mmau~>< nlzx >mJ .x / / GRAND HAVEN MICHIGAN and vicinity SPRING LAKE-FERRYSBURG "It"! . _ 1 - -— Islet unlinked eeedeien 7' _ — leteueaaealiy " n — luleaal - City eetnaeu : Cllllfltllfllfl 0! Cl" Pele“ at More“ Ialev "an AREA INVESTIGATION : ! Lilla V. ANALYSIS Particular Needs for Grand Haven Although Grand Haven may be characterized as the center for a great deal of industry, its tourist business also thrives, particularly in the summer months. Like many similar communities of its size, it has certain recreational needs. However, with its advantageous location on two bodies of water, its recreational needs far outweigh those of similar communities. Grand Haven's particular needs are geared to two classes of peOple; its local inhabitants, and its many summer and win- ter visitors. Grand Haven not only must satisfy its residents, but it must also set up a recreational system to attract as well as satisfy its visitors. Primarily, the first problem to solve in establishing such a recreational system is the problem of providing adequate space for various types of recreational activities. First, such space must be found. Secondly, it must be so dis- tributed as not to be a hindrance or hazard to its potential users. or common dilemma to other such cities, the greatest need and demand for recreational activity is in the heart of the town where it is most crowded, but where those peOple are nearest to its benefits. Naturally, it is here where the least space is to be found. In Grand Haven, there is a particularly undesirable traffic problem especially during the peak tourist season of the summer. hS. Because its streets are of a rectangular grid system, the traffic spreads to the main arteries of the residential section. These meet with collector streets which are highly overfilled with cars and capecially hazardous to pedestrians. Although there exists a double land highway (U.S. 3i) which carries traffic directly into the asin street of Grand Haven, the highway is now inadequate in serving the growing number of motorists. Another problem common to cities which have a definite lack of recreational facilities, is that of blight in the older sec- tions of the town. when a family with young children occupies a dwelling without access to play areas, the children are hin- dered from playing sufficiently. However, they must play some- where, and therefore use the house and its surroundings for their tools. When such a couple improves their income, they move out, leaving a vacant house with no upkeep until the next such couple moves in. Over the years, with frequent turnover, poor main- tenance, and lower rental rates, one house or an entire neigh- borhood contributes an area of slums to a city. Although the lack of recreational facilities may not con- tribute 100 per cent to the occurance of a run down area, it is of undetermined importance to the well being of a community. fixture Land Use Considerations After having determined the existing conditions and trends of Grand Haven, the following assumptions may be made for the us. proposal of future planning for recreational facilities and land use patterns. One-Family District Because Grand.Haven is surrounded by natural physical barriers on the north, east and west, its future growth can only Spread to the south and southeast. Within the City of Grand Haven, the nest ideal vacant land remaining will pro- bably be used for the future development of one-family dis- trict residential areas. This would leave the less desirable land, which is not used for residential building, to waste un- less it can be deveIOped into desirable cpen spaces and a supplement to the city's recreation needs. Two-Family District At present, the two-family district areas lie between the multiple-family areas and the commercial sites. The growth of two-family areas in the old section of the city (west of 0.5. 3) will probably stay within the boundaries of presently esta- blished zones, but on the east side of U.S. 31, the two-family districts will Spread south along Beech Tree Street to Robbins Road because of the intense commercial deve10pment from Fulton Street along Beech Tree Street. Multiple-Family District Presently the multiple-family district is located in the old section of the city (west of U.S. 31) between the two-family 14?. district and con-croial and aanufaoturing areas. The aultiple- faaily district in this section will probably be confined to its presently zoned boundaries. But a new section along both sides of U.S. 31, starting at Haverly Aveme and extending south to Robbins Road, will be developed. Connercial Areas Grand Raven's principal business area is located in the old section of town close to the aaio downtown area. Since Grand Haven was separated by U.S. 3i, another comercial area he been developed along Beech Tree Street. As the pepulation increases, it will be evident tilt the present soned ourcial areas will not adequately serve the peeple. Also with the growing population, vehicular traffic will continue to increase and a great proble- of traffic congestion will ocomir. It will be necessary to plan for sore adequate off-street parking and off-street loading senes. Industry Industry in Gran! i-iaven supports acre than 50 per cent of the tax dollar, and therefore plays an extraaely iaportant role in the prosperous growth of the city. To establish a sound recreational systea for the city and its surrounding areas, it is iaportant to consider the types of industries that will likely thrive in the future. Anong the best suited industries are the aamfacturing of snail craft for to. pleasure and sport use; manufacturing of industrial plastics; tool and dye shOps, brewery, chemical and industrial paints, etc. Also with the increase in.marine transportation, increase in.marinas and dock facilities will be necessary in the future. (Refer to Existing Land Use Map, Page 37). Major Streets In order to prepose Open spaces for recreational facilities, the question of safe circulating systems including major streets is important to consider, and a close look must be giveito the routes which peeple must take to arrive at a recreational area. Major streets are a necessity for motorists, but in another light, are a pure hazard for children to cross in reaching their destination. A traffic count taken at various points on U.S. 31 and H-lou recently indicates that approximately l?,h30 vehicles enter and leave the City of Grand Haven every 2h hours. The major streets of Grand Haven can be classified for this study into several types according to their function. 1. Neighborhood Connector Streets (Major residential streets which we the neighborhoods together). Washington Street Rabbins.Road Franklin Street Haveriy.Avenue Fulton Street Sheldon Road Pennoyer Street Grant Street Ferry Street Lake Avenue Beech Tree Street Hater Street h9. 2. Interconnunity Streets (Connecting streets which have access from neighborhoods to nearby munici- palities). U.S. 31 - Beacon Blvd. Robbins Road Sheldon Road Beech Tree Street Ferry Street Waverly Avenue 3. Regional Highways (Connector system which supplies large volumes of traffic from long distances). U050 31 ".1013 (Limited access highway proposed to replace U.S. 31 in the future). Refer to Area Investigation Map, Page h3. Semi-Public Recreation Land Part of Grand Raven's land is used for a cemetery, ski bowl, and private recreational lands found on the islands of the Grand River in the form of hunting preserves and open spaces of beauty. These areas must of course be left in their present state to retain Grand Haven's feeling of Open spaces, and to act as pleasant interruptions to monotonous suburban deveIOpnent. Such a facility of undeveIOped land is in- valuable to the city's overall recreation program, and once deveIOped, can never be replaced. Neighborhood Pattern For planning purposes, the City of'Grand Haven is di- vided into four neighborhood areas. The city itself is divided by U.S. 31 (Beacon Boulevard), resulting in two neighborhoods to the west of the highway, and two neighborhoods S). to the east. The community is further divided by Park Street; its extension west to the lake, and its extension east into the Beech Tree industrial park. For the purpose of reference, the neighborhoods are numbered and named; beginning with the Northwest neighborhood, i1, Central, the Northeast neighborhood, i2, Ferry; the South- east neighborhood, '3, Griffin; and the Southwest neighborhood, #L, Taylor. The neighborhoods have, for the most part, assumed the name of existing elementary schools, and the elementary schools are the focal point of each neighborhood. \D I \1 ,f If A , . h_ A/ ya /’ o , , ,1 ‘\ yo, ‘§:_—v”/ I , I 7 J I R I ‘3 w \ -5" / ' / . . \ ( ' \ "I? I g I “\ ‘7 . ' s . . ' , . ' 7 ‘7). - ,4: - ‘ Q" LLLLl! " h ' , ‘ 1’ 4“ _ . —V' ,J x ;\ \\‘; ,4 * '~:~44( - . ' ’ ‘ . 1 O 1711 Iunumm (mllotlu u gratin.” _ V! ‘ \ \‘5;\ q , ‘ ,s |" \_ i' >4 muu “ , ‘ /‘ o . Public r c a a v s a u n a w,f,-—\, .- - Print. .. , _ ‘, ”j“ Plum-u unlu nu hound "smell unlu am '31.- ‘ :5.“ I "\s; ‘ )4 IN! \> \ GRAND HAVEN \ / \ MICHIGAN ./ ' sm ANALYSIS SPRING LAKEjFERRYSBURG . a” . . so.» I/ A C ’ II. (I ~o;v- 52. Schools The site analysis map shows the location of all existing public and parochial schools and future prOposed schools. Presently, the Grand Haven School Board has anticipated a need for a new Junior high school, and its location will be in the southeast neighborhood. With the steady increase of papulation, the high school will undoubtedly have to be any larged, and the presentLy preposed Griffin school playground will have to be constructed. Population The distribution and density or existing and potential population is determined from the present land use map. A reliable estimate of population density and distribution is helpful in determining the best size and location of parks, playgrounds, playfields, and other recreation areas. The ultimate neighborhood papulation estimate was prepared by Grand Raven's Planning Commission, and the 1960 neighborhood population was estimated from present land use. Reasonable estimates of papulation density for 1980 and its ultimate distribution in the neighborhoods are based on existing sons ing, existing and probable future land uses, tapography and the physical suitability of vacant lands for residential de- velopment. The chart on the following page estimates the 1960 papulation, 19o01p0pulation, and the ultimate pepulation. 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Determination of Possible Sites for Acquisition The vacant land indicated on the existing land use map has been studied in regard to accessibility, possible development, suitability, and topography. However, most of this land is unsuitable because of its inaccessibility to neighboring users. The vacant land in the one-family areas is so small it could only be used for playgrounds and neighborhood parks. The Northwest neighborhood shows promise of extensive re- creational uses, however, its traffic hazards reduce its de- sirability'greatly. Because of the lack of suitable land in the areas studied, another solution has been developed. This solution is to acquire approximately 89 acres of land on either side of U.S. 31 with the acknowledged construction of a new inter- state highway through the city in place of U.S. 31. This pro- posal gives needed recreation land adjacent to each neighborhood and to six of the nine schools in Grand Haven, and provides an attractive entrance into the city. The Michigan Highway Department would then have to ac- quire 68 acres of land for the construction of the highway, and deve10p the remaining land for recreation and aesthetic value. (Refer back to Site Analysis Map, page 51). O O . l u a . A a e . . Q... o . c .. . .. e . . . r. . . r ‘ . o . . . -e . . ‘1 y . 4 . . i . A . ’1 xu . i . . . . a .S I. n ‘ .c I... .O o o s . ..O '0 s . C 1 c as n . v . . . a a. . . w. . . a v I a .‘a *5!‘i.[ 50. VIII. LAND ACQUISITION Size and Location of Acquired Land According to the determined recreational standards, there is a need to acquire 125 acres of park and recreational land in Grand Haven. Hith the construction of the limited access high- way, the Highway Department should further be convinced to ele- vate the highway so that the land under it and the right of way, 300 to 350 feet (total; 68 acres) can be developed into re- creational land. Further, the recreational land can serve as a buffer strip between the highway and the adjacent residential areas. This preposal would lessen the need to acquire all 125 acres, but acquire approximately 89 acres in a linear manner on both sides of presently located U.S. 31, beginning at Robbins Road on the south end of the city, and extending north to the second bridge on the Grand River. The total recreation program includes playgrounds, play- fields and parks which.will be adjacent to the proposed ele- vated interstate highway. The two sides of the city will be connected by six existing streets used as throughways. Several other alternative locations for the highway have been investigated. One in particular is that of rerouting the highway from presently existing U.S. 31 to the west side of the city along Lake Michigan over the sand dunes on.presently un- developed land. This investigation has some advantages, however, they are far outweighed by the disadvantages. One point in its favor is that the highway would be located on mostly undeveIOped 81. city land, and would thus avoid congesting traffic in the middle of the city. The disadvantages of this location are many. Pri- marily, the project is too expensive. It would destroy the natural and visual qualities of the sand dunes, and further, it would lower the property value of the presently most ex- clusive section of the city. Also, it would increase con- % gestion of the already overcrowded conditions of the state park. i Another prOposal is to reroute the highway on the east side of the city along the Grand River to the presently lo- cated bridge across the river. This prOposal is hmpractical ' because of the presently located manufacturing area along the Grand River, excessive marsh land along the river, and because the construction and acquisition of land would be too costly. A third pr0posal is to reroute the highway on the east side of the city across the Grand River and around Spring Lake. This method is also inadequate in serving the city and the area north of the city because such a location would come too close to the presently existing 1-96 highway. Justification for Acquisition There are many reasons which Justify the acquisition of the prOposed land for the combining of recreational land with the elevated highway. 1. The elevated highway would provide easy access into the city without any traffic congestion, and the land on both sides of the highway would present a beautifully scenic entrance into the C ity. 2. With the elevation of the highway, its right of way would be converted into recreational land. However, if the highway were to‘be proposed on ground level, the land could only be used as its right of way. 3. The combination of elevated highway and recreational i land into one area would also prevent the city from having to 0 seek alternative locations for its recreational land in the city where the land is expensive and ranges in the neighborhood E of $100 to $200 per square foot. h. The difference in cost between the elevated highway and ground level highway in the Grand.Haven area is roughly $6,900,000 of which 90 per cent would be paid by the Federal Government. 5. Since the limited access highway is financed for the most part by the Federal Government, Grand Haven can further receive additional money for recreation land through various Federal Assistance Programs. 6. The combination of recreational land.with the high- way would centralize community'recreation within easy reach of all the sections of the city, and away from hazards of traffic. 7. With the establishment of such an area, surrounding preperty values would increase and thus, encourage more per- manent residents. 83. 8. The location of a central recreational area would unite the neighborhoods of Grand Haven, rather than the two separate communities it has become, due to the physical di- viding line of U.S. 31. 9. Because the area is located next to four public schools and two parochial schools, the required play facilities could be provided adjacent to the schools, and supervision could be handled by the School Board and Muni- cipal Recreation Department. Establishing such an area would, of course, bring hard- ships and inconveniences to some peOple. In some instances, certain.pe0ple will be forced to move to a new location. However, it is true that the proposed area is in below average and average neighborhoods, and these neighborhoods will likely never advance to higher standards, but will pro- ceed to decline in‘value and eventually decay. By developing a park-type recreation area, unsightly structures on the land would be eliminated, and at the same time, surrounding structures would increase their value because of park land adjacent to them. Methods of Acquiring Land for Recreation The various ways by which the City of Grand Haven may ob- tain land for recreational purposes are through purchase, gifts, dedications, transfer of land, tax delinquenoy, or a combination of all. 8h. Financial Support of Recreation.Sites Revenues for the municipal government are obtained from several sources, of which the general preperty tax yields are by far the greatest amount. Business taxes, forfeit, and donations also make up methods by which financial support may be gained for recreation sites. Also the funds apprcpriated by the ciqy for communioy recreation can be supplemented with expenditures made by the U.S. Goverrnent for comaunity recreation under the work of relief agencies. If community recreation.is provided by a combination of park-school plan, it any receive some state support under federal financial aid to states for education. Recreation sites say also be financed through bond issues when a city borrows for long term bonds of 20-304years. Other methods by which recreation sites may be financed are through local benefit taxes for special assessments on resi- dents whose properties border on recreational sites and who receive added benefits because of site location, and through the sale of general obligation.bonds, which are assessed to people living outside the city limits but enjoying the benefits of schools and comauniby recreation. The actual construction of the limited access highway will be undertaken.by the State Highway Department, and financed for the most part by the Federal.Governnent with assistance fron.the State of Michigan. Since the highway is prOposed as 85. an elevated highway, I 300-350 foot right of way should be deveIOped into a park-type buffer strip and financed along with the construction of the highway. This assistance would supplement the construction of the total recreation area, and help to develOp a better aesthetic value to both the motorist and the urban dweller. Relocation of Present Land Occupants With the construction of the liaited access highway and the develOpment of recreational land, 3&0 homes and their occupants, and four duplex apartments and four triple apartment buildings, plus their occupants, will have to be relocated. The relocation should be so carried out as to retain the maximum number of residents within the city limits to protect the city's present tax benefits. To carry out this idea, it is necessary to acquire the presently open land, mostly in the Griffin neighborhood, and provide the peOpla involved with beneficial qualities, such as larger lots, less traffic congestion, and a better Opportunioy to build a larger home. To further encourage these people relocating, more monetary value should be put on their property if they choose to stay within the city limits. Cbmnercial and manufacturing occupants should also be given the same consideration where a new location could bene- fit their production and sales, with little or no increase to the cost of land. The area which should be considered for 86. relocated establishmcnts is the land immediately west of the newly proposed limited access highway,- from Park Street to Robbins Road. This area is presently zoned for manufacturing purposes. Another ideal area along Beech Tree Street has de- veIOped rapidly in the last seven years, and provides ex- cellent Opportunity for both comercial and manufacturing establishments. IX. 0:516} Program The usefulness of a city's recreation areas depends not alone upon their size and location, but Upon the way in which they are designed, developed, equipped, maintained, and oper- ated for use. During much of the year when outdoor activities are curtailed because of bad weather, it is essential that school buildings or other recreational buildings be made avail- able for indoor activities. Whenever possible, playgrounds and.playfields should be adjacent to these buildings so that all activities are centralized together. Program Planning Principles "A community program for recreation must include the discovery of potential interests, talent and skills; train- ing and education in the creative use of leisure, and a wide variety of opportunities to serve the multitudes of interests- physical, social, musical, dramatic, nature, etc. of different individuals." In almost any community, individuals differ in their re- creational interests and needs. It is, however, important to set forth certain essential activities which will benefit all Danford, Howard 6., Recreation in the American Community, New York: Harper and Brother, 19b . 88. peOple. Such activities would include: 1. Provide equality of opportunity for all. Facilities and programs should.be sufficiently broad and.well distributed to enable all the p¢0p1¢ to be served. 2. Provide a wide range of individual choices in different types of activities, games, music, arts and crafts, nature, social recreation, athletic games and sports. 3. Provide continuous recreation throughout the year. h. Provide activities which will serve children of all ages, young peOple, adults, and senior citizens. 5. Provide equal activities for both sexes by furnishing separate active play areas. 6. Provide activities which will encourage family re- creation froa.picnicing to bicycle riding. 7. Provide passive as well as active forms of recreation from vigorous participation to enjoyment of watching, listening, or mere contemplation. 8. Assure safe and healthful conditions for recreational activities. Design Principles There are certain factors and objectives which should be considered in establishing a sound recreation system. ‘Among Guide for Planning Facilities for Athletics,‘Recreation, Physical and Héalth education, by Participants in National Facilities Conference, Published by Athletic Institute, 1910. 89. these principles are: 1. An effective use of the entire area because recreation land is limited in size. Since the land prOposed for recreational areas is eXpensive, they should be planned for minimum papulation standards where every part of the area functions preperly in both utility and beauty. 2. Location and arrangement of the areas and facilities. The facilities should be so arranged as to provide for the best use as to their orientation in relation to the sun and prevailing winds, as well as their location within the recreation site in relationship to other uses. 3. Adequate space for the facilities. To assure safety and satisfaction of use of play equipment, game courts, playfields, and other features, there must be satis- factory allowance given to each area so the use can be carried out with no interference from adjacent facilities. h. Ease of supervision and gperation. The areas which require more supervision should be closely related to one another so that they can be supervised and oper- ated from a central point, preferably near the tot lot since mothers usually accompany their children. 5. Facility_of circulation and accessibility. The walks and path system should be so distributed through the area as not to interfere with facilities and give direct access to other areas on the site. 90. 6. Utilization of natural features. Utilize all natural features found on site such as trees, slepe, water, etc. 7. gagggy. Areas such as ball fields should be located and oriented so as not to interfere with adjacent areas and pedestrial cir- culation. 8. Economy in maintenancc. The materials used should, by nature, require little main- tenance. The playground should be constructed on sand, court games in concrete or aSphalt, and playfields in grass. 9. Convenience of people usigg areas. The total recreation area should have adequate comfort facilities, such as drinking fountains, seating, toilet facilities, adjacent parking spaces, and direct circulation systems Spaced equalty throughout the total area. 10. Parking Spaces. The parking Spaces should be located adjacent to almost all activities which are used by a variety of peOple, and individual parking lots should be large enough to accommodate at least ho to 50 cars. 11. Appearance. The total recreation area should present a pleasing appearance from both within the area and outside. A pleasing appearance stimulates adjacent properties and a better use of the total recreation land. Lee, Joseph, Play in Education, New York: National Recreation Association, l9u2. Combination Park-School Plan The park-school plan is one which combines a park, school, playground, and similar recreation facilities into a single functional unit for education, recreation and other community activities. The concept is greater than Just a grouping of these facilities on a single site. It is a unit, the whole- ness of which is its essential characteristic. It is a plan functionally designed to house and make possible an integrated program of education, recreation and community activities suitable to the geographic area it serves. This functional concept recognizes that day-by-day eXperiences of children.vhich take place outside school are also educational. They are as essential in a complete edu- cational program as many of the more formally organized class- room activities. The park-school combination, therefore, is a plan designed to integrate both school and community ex- perience into an overall program of community education. The program provided in these areas should be equally carried out by the school board and community education board. With the cosperation of both agencies, the program can be better carried out to serve children and adults in c00perative Joint planning for programs of educationprecreation. Further, this combination provides and helps to finance both outdoor and indoor recreational facilities. 92. Outdoor Recreational Facilities Outdoor recreational facilities are generally considered in two categories: active, which include neighborhood play- grounds, community playfields, and city-wide facilities sucn as beaches, golf courses, etc.; and passive, which include neighborhood parks, community parks, regional parks, and various special types of city parks around municipal buildings. Outdoor recreational facilities in residential areas, such as neighborhood parks and playgrounds, provide Opportunity for active exercise and eXposure to sunshine. Passive re- creation helps to relieve the nervous strain of urban life and helps foster good social relationships. Neighborhood parks are planned to serve all groups, however, special em- phasis is placed on serving mothers with babies, the aged, and entire families. Indoor Social and Cultural Facilities Indoor social, cultural, and recreational facilities supplement dwelling facilities and provide Opportunities forrormml group activity. Services and organizations for which space may be required in a neighborhood include: Social service; vocational and employment guidance, child guidance; Literature and the Arts; library, art exhibits, lectures, musical programs; Recreation; parties given by neighborhood organizations, indoor Sports and games. 93. PrOposed Site Adjacent to Highway The design program for the prOposed recreation site ad- Jacent to the highway should include a variety of recreational activities ranging from active to passive. The active recreational activities should be located ad- Jacent to the school in pr0posed playgrounds and playfields where the schools can supplement the outdoor recreation acti- vities with indoor activities during bad weather. The play- grounds and playfields will be geared to activities which are suitable for the young and old. For the types of activities which should be located on playgrounds and playfields, refer to pages 62-66. The passive recreation areas will be distributed through- out the total preposed site, and will include activities of park-type nature, such as sitting areas, picnic grounds, wood- land, nature trails, bandshell, arboretum, marina for boat rental and storage, and wildlife refuge. The various acti- vities distributed through the site will be connected by a direct walk system separated from the automobile traffic or any other hazardous obstacles. Area on Waverly and Beech Tree Street This area is presently used as a community ball field, but is to be converted into a neighborhood playground. For size and type of area, refer to page 63. The ball field will be relocated on the major prOposed site where it will better serve the future papulation. 914. Application of Former Concept of Parks and Recreation to Grand Haven W Looking back into history, we saw that the development of parks, boulevards and parkways had a definite purpose to fulfill; that is, to provide light and air to adjacent pro- perties, provide both active and passive recreation, se- parate the pedestrians from traffic, and connect parkland by bands of vegetation to guide the inhabitants from pure nature to aan.aade structures. This naturalistic idea could be developed similarly in Grand Haven with the acquisition of land adjacent to the proposed elevated limited access highway in.a linear manner whichnwould give clear separation from automobile traffic, and at the same time, give aesthetic beauty to the land for motorist and city dweller satisfaction, and provide needed recreation land. Character of Proposed Recreation Site The preposed design of the site is of a naturalistic character with a variety of activities in.betweennmasses of vegetation. The recreation site is designed for the city dweller as well as the passing motorist. The activities prOposed for the site fall into two categories; active and passive, with the active areas lo- cated for the most part next to six existing schools, and the passive activities distributed throughout the site. 95. The central location of the recreation site equally serves all neighborhoods, and.provides easy access to the by-passing motorist. The site strives to encourage the peOple to congregate, walk and participate in a variety of activities away from the automobile and other hazards. To encourage more extensive participation by people living in the city, the existing city streets will be lined with vege- tation belts where needed to establish a direct guide to the recreation site and a gradual association to nature. The major preposed recreation site consists of approximately 89 acres acquired by the City of Grand Haven, and additional recreational land of 63 acres acquired.by the Hichigan.Highway Department after the construction of the elevated, limited access highway which will include land under the highway and 300-350 feet of right of way. The location of the recreational site will be in a linear manner along both sides at various points of the proposed high- way. This major site will begin at Robbins Road on the south side of the city, and extend to the second bridge on the Grand River at the north end of the city. Another prOposed site is a small site presently located on Beecn Tree Street and Waverly Road. This area is now a community hall fiat; however, it will be converted into a neighborhood playground. The Franklin-Eastern Playground will be converted from its present facility into residential building purposes as its location is of minor importance to recreation. 96. The major site will provide centrally located recreation in a park atmoSphere which continually flows from one area to another, enabling a person to travel uninterrupted by traffic or other obstacles. The tapography of the site proves satis- factory for construction of active recreation areas. Before any actually designing can take place, the pro- ject site must be broken down into two parts; its existing land use, and its design program for recreational use. Site Analysis Diagram In order to design the prOposed designated recreation land, it is first necessary to record the presently existing land use. This is done on.a site analysis diagraawmap which shows every home, business and manufacturing establishment. school, street and other structures proposed in and adjacent to the recreation site. This data helps to establish the number of people and buildings in the area and the necessary streets to carry the city's traffic from one side of town to the other. 9 3...... 25.019 m.m>s>>>>> tF ’ . . .. .“ '.\ 'h —‘I s. e. —”F... c..i.i F.% . ..... 4151JJJ39 m: J. . . fillv aloos‘al’leV . ..... flLr 102. Enlarge-eat of Areas Hith the detemination 01' total land use of the re- creation sites and their relationship to activities, two areas are depicted and enlarged for a detailed observation. One of the areas is that of a’playground adjacent to Perry School; the other is a pquield area adjacent to the high school. s ’A. ’- \ . t . 3....- . 3-: x} \O K, / g). k f\ .14 , «1’3, 11% \‘I . /’l‘ \, A W3 Q a J -, 1‘ _A<\ ... h2m2m0¢<42w ‘II Fill). .1, '0. {all suit... .. «g. . Niel? DZDO¢0><._._ 1‘. 105. Basic Construction Details for Recreational Areas Drainage and Grading - All sites include overall drainage and grading, desigrad to facilitate quick drying of all out- door areas. Surface drainage on unpaved areas is controlled by slepe grading to natural or artificial surface-water col- lectors, such as inlets and catch-oasins connected to a storm- water drainage system. In order to facilitate surface drainage of activity areas, it is necessary to establish a 21 minimum slape. The surface slope on paved areas should be a minimum of 1%. Surfacing - There is no one surface which satisfactorily meets all criteria for all activities because conditions of use, climate and location differ. Playgrounds: berth is preferred for utility, appearance, psychological and aesthetic values of the area. Court Games: Concrete is the material desired because of durability, performance, and hard surface. Ualks: Asphalt is the desired.naterial to be used for all walks. The walks vary in width in accordance to traffic density. Paths: In areas such as picnic grounds, gardens or ar- boretum, the material desired for use is Tanbark or tightly packed gravel. Lighting - The use of lights will categorize intothna types: field lighting, court game lighting, and general area lighting. 106. 1. Field lighting - will be located only in the combination field, football and baseball. As a result of this combination, two different lighting systems must be used as baseball requires higher illumination than football. 2. Court game lighting - Since the players are looking up much of the time, particular attention is given to keeping the lighting units out of their field of vision. Floodlights are found to be less annoying when located between courts and near the net line. Four aluminum floodlights per court are sufficient. A relatively even distribution of light upon the court and in the region of ball travel is required. Night lighting would accommodate such activities as basketball, badminton, volleyball, and shuffleboard. 3. General lighting - The lighting of park and playground areas is provided through tower lighting. It provides sufficient illumination for movement throughout the area, and is generally arranged to cover as much territory as possible with the greatest economy. Tower lights of this nature are Operated by time clocks so that those in certain areas turn off at a specified time and others remain lit. The placement of lights in the outdoor design usually are at a location to serve their primary function and still not be a nuisance to the neighborhood residents or highway travelers. All lighting service is supplied through underground conduits. The lighting is so placed to illuminate stairways, ramps, and secluded angles of buildings to eliminate misuse and provide 107. safety. The walkways throughout the park are also lighted by underground conduits and the entire power system is tied into the city lighting system. Fencing - Fences are required around facility units for the purpose of isolation to aid in supervision, and for the protection of participants, Spectators, and general public preperty. The fences are, for the most part, provided to keep the flow of traffic sun the participants separated. The type of fencing for special areas would include those for tennis courts, small children's area, and apparatus area. A tennis court should be surrounded by a fence l2 feet in height, placed 2i feet behind the baseline, and extending 10 feet btyond the sidelines. The small children's area should be protected with a low fence to keep the children inside. The apparatus area should be encircled with a medium height fence. Backstops - are provided for the protection of spectators as well as for the prevention of loss of equipment. Pedestrian Ramps - The construction opredestrian ramps is for the safety of the park users. They are made of pre- stressed concrete ramped_in an arch across the stree.to rail- road tracks. The height of each ramp extending across a road is 16 feet, and 22 feet across railroad tracks. 108. Highway and Through Streets - The highway will enter’Grand Haven on existing U.S. 31 from both sides of the city. It will be- come structurally elevated 600 feet south of Park Street and extend north to the existing surface of U.S. 31 after the first bridge over the Grand River. The highway will main- tain a level of 16 feet above the existing ground surface, and will have four connection points leading to Grand Raven's street system. The east and west part of the city will be connected by existing streets having downgrade ramps of 3 feet upon entering the park land. This is to discourage persons from crossing the highway. Vegetation - Vegetation used for the design of the site is of the same general type of trees and shrubs found throughout the Grand Haven area. Nothing unusual will be utilized for the vegetation, but rather, easily identifiable trees and shrubs which give the area a familiar appearance, and.blend in with the vegetation already in existence on surrounding land. Along the streets extending through the site, there will be barriers of dense shrubs planted to discourage park users from crossing the streets and encourage them to use the over- pass bridges as a means of getting from one recreation area to another. All trees are within 50 feet of the highway structure. 109. Master Plan The Master Plan snows all the retained existing and pro- posed recreation areas needed for the present and future growth of the City of Grand Haven. llCIII Illsilu I ”use“ reenallea Scheels liel. stale put Iilsae COIII] part Hun vegetatiaa GRAN l) HAVEN MICHIGAN and \ iq-inil)‘ SPRING I..--\KE-FERR\’SIH'RC MASTER PLAN 111. X. CONCLUSION The preposed plan for establishing a system of recreation in various areas of'Grand Haven was derived froa a study of many major phases. The main questions which had to be answered in order to even seriously consider such a pr0posal, were first, was there a true need for additional recreation facilities based on the future growth of papulation and economy in Grand Haven; and secondly, was there an area which could best serve the placement of such facilities? When these questions were answered, there was then a reason for covering all phases of Grand Haven's character in order to further add to the information needed to establish a future plan for recreation in Grand Haven. In regard to the need for recreation based on future papu- lati‘on and economy growth, Grand Raven's pOpulation has increased steadily since its incorporation, and by 1979, it will have in- creased by 20 per cent. Its econaqy has been ever increasing with more homes, restaurants, shaps, industry and visitor accommodations being constructed every day. A set of average recreational standards were used to de- termine the actual needs for Grand Haven. These standards re- vealed that a variety of recreational facilities should be in close proximity to most of the city's residents. With this in mind, it became apparent that the best plan would.be to combine the needed recreational land with the prOposed elevated, limited 112. access highway going through the city. In this combination, the land under and on each side of the highway could be utilized for the purpose of recreation rather than a mere right of way for the highway. This was the most ideal Spot for many reasons, one being its proximity to all neighborhoods, another, its ability to bring together for recreational enjoyment, the neighborhoods which have been separated by the physical dividing line of U.S. 31. The many detailed studies presented in the foregoing pages are each in their own way of vital necessity to the establishment of an ideal recreation program for the City of Grand Haven, Michigan. BIBLIOGRAPHY American City, "New Ideas for Playgrounds", Vol. 69, January, 195a. American Public Health Association Committee on the Hygiene of Housing, Plannin The Neighborhood, Public Administration Service, 1550. Barr, C., The Story of American Landscape Architecture, 1952. Brown, J. Lee, Planning for Recreation Areas and Facilities in Small Towns andhCities,fU}S. Federal Sec. Agency, Washington, DaCa, 1930 Butler, George 0., "Changes in the City Park", Landscape, Winter, 1958. Butler, George 0., ”Introduction to Community", Recreation, March, 1956. Butler, George D., "School-City C00peration in Planning of Recreation Areas and Facilities", Recreation, April, Hay, June, 1953. Butler, George 0., "Standards for Municipal Recreation.Areas", Recreatiog, New York, July-August, 19nd. California Committee on Planning for Recreation Park Areas and Facilities, Guide for PlanniggRecreation Parks in California, T536. Cate, John, "Playground.Surfacing”, National Association of Public School Business Officials, Pittsburgiii§u3. City of Chicago Park District and Chicago Recreation Commission, Suggested Goals in.Park and Recreation Planning, 1952. City of Grand Haven, 1960 Population Census. City of Grand Haven,.Zonin Ordinance, Prepared for Planning Com- mission, June 5, 19SO. Danforth, Howard 6., Recreation in the American Community, Harper and Brother, New York,‘1933. De Silets, Eugene R., "Highway Aesthetics", Landsggpe Architecture, October, 1957. Department of Recreation, Annual Report,gGrand Haven, Michi an, September 1, 1961 to September 1, 1962. Desy, Jean, "The Human value of Parks", Parks and Recreation, October, 1952. Detroit City Plan Commission, Proposed Standards for Recreation Facilities, September, 1959. Doell, Charles 5., ”Origin and Development of Parks“, Parks and Recreation, October and.flovember, 1952. Giedion, Sigfried, Space, Time and Architecture, Harvard Uni- versity Press, 19E6. HJelte, George, The Administration of Public Recreatiog, Hac- aillian Company, New York, I9D5. Hubbard, H.V., Parkwa and Land values, Cambridge, Vol. XI of Harvar C ty lanning Studies, 1957. International City Manager's Association, Municipal Recreation Administration, 19h8. Jacobs, Jane, "Why Parks Live or Die”, Architectural Forum, October, 1961. Joint Recreation Planning Committee and.Grand Haven Planning Com- mission, A Recreation Plan for Grand Haven, Hichiggg, October, 1938. Jones, John 11., The Geometric Design of Modern Highvazg, London, 1961. Lille, L90 0., Historic Grand Haven and Ottawa Countl, Grand Haven, Michigan, I§§I Linn, Karl, "Melon Neighborhood Park", Landscape Architectural Cuarterlz, January, 1962. Lutan, D. 8., "Parks and People”, Lmdscapa, Winter, 1962. Marple Township Planning Board, A Park and Recreation Plan, 1950. Michigan State Highway Department, 1960 Highway Survey and Design Manual. National Electric Manufacturing Association, 'NEMA Standard Flood- light Layouts for Floodlighting Sports Areas", New York’ 19119. National Facilities Conference, Guide for Planning Facilities for Athletics, Recreation Phlsical and Has ucation, Athletic—Institute, 1 UK ' National Recreation Association, Playground Layout and Eguipment, New York, 1953 ' National Recreation Association, Recreation and Park Yearbook, NEH York, 19610 National Recreation workahOp, Recreation for Community Living- Guiding Principles, 1958. National Resources Planning Board, Long-Range Pro of _ Munici a1 Public Works, Superintendent o uments, ea ork, 1935. Simonds, John Ormsbee, "The Shaping of Man's Natural Environment", Landscape ArchitecturaJ F. W. Dodge Corporation, New York, 1961. Paterson.Planning Board, Parks and Recreation, City of Paterson, New Jersey, December, f95h. Pomeroy, H.R., "Planning for Recreation in the Modern City", Recreation, Vol. L7, February, l95h. Recreation, “The Parking Problem: Part Recreation Plays", Vol. héA, December, 1953. Robinson, U., The Parks, Pronenades and Gardens of Paris, London, 1869. Seelye, Elwyn 3., Design, John Wiley & Sons, New York. Snow, H. Brewster, The Highway and the Landscape, Rutgers Uni- versity Press, has Jersey, I959. Tanner, Ogden, "Parks are for Pleasure”, Architectural Forum,L January, 1959. Toledo-Lucas County Plan.Commission, School-Park Plans-Sylvania Township and.Village, 1960. United States Department of Commerce, "Climate of the States: Michigan", A ricultural Yearbook Separate, No. 1830, Reprint of 9 1. United States Department of Commerce, Waterborne Commerce of The United States, Army Corps of Engineers,_l9bl. University of Washington, Standard of Recreation Facilities, Seattle, l9h7. Violich, Francis, "Recreation and the Landscape Architect-1965", Landscape Architecturg, October, 1957. Williams, Wayne R., Recreational Places, Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York, 193o. RDOM USE ONLY. k ROOM us: om; __ 1 ”MW Wing/z :- HICHIGRN STQTE UNIV. LIBRQRIES III!” "I I!“ llllllllll IHW H 9 9 9 312 31005 23 7