Final Master Plan

The preferred concept plan was developed based on feedback from the community including desirable park uses, location of various elements, circulation, access, and overall character.

The southern portion of the park features enhanced entries, one through an inclusive play area and one through an educational pollinator garden. This zone provides active recreational opportunities with a multi-purpose fitness zone. A multi-use lawn anchors the space and creates a large open area to gather.

The northern portion of the park strengthens the connection to the Civic Center through an improved parking area and an inviting reading grove. A fenced dog park, one of the most highly requested programs by the community, sits adjacent to the maintained skatepark. A civic lawn and nature play area provide more opportunities for recreation and gathering.

Programming

Programming adjustments for Walker-Branch Park are rooted in community feedback received during the engagement process. Current park programs were assessed for level of use, as well as desire for retention, upgrade, or removal. The master plan looks to maintain highly utilized and valued programs, while replacing underutilized programs with new recreational opportunities.

Key recommendations:

1. Implement a new parking lot at the north end of the park to support new park amenities. Design the parking lot to function as a flexible plaza for other community needs with permeable paving and water quality planters. Provide controlled access with bollards for daily uses and events.

2. Improve connection to Edgewater Civic Center with outdoor reading grove and gathering space for picnicking and casual gathering near the Civic Center. Incorporate spaces to be used by Edgewater Library and for other civic needs.

3. Create a flexible lawn space south of Edgewater Civic Center in the newly acquired parkland.

4. Add a fenced dog park with two double-gated entrances into the park to reduce friction amongst dogs. Include adequate shade and consider adding a water station. Provide trash and recycling bins nearby, as well as pet waste stations and signage to encourage park users to keep the dog park clean.

5. Maintain the skatepark. Plant deciduous trees between the skatepark and the dog park to serve as screening and provide shade.

6. Remove the existing central playground and replace it with nature play opportunities and a climbing boulder that activate pathways and offer a variety of play experiences for people of all ages and abilities. The climbing boulder should be an age-inclusive and iconic element.

7. Reshape the large multi-use sports lawn and batter slope to allow for dual use as an amphitheater for community programming. Level field space to accommodate at least one regulation youth soccer field. Maintain batter slope steepness to support winter sledding.

8. Include a dual-facing shade structure near the 17th Avenue and Harlan Street park entrance to serve as a central gathering space and stage area for community gatherings on the open lawn.

9. Provide benches and seating elements along the walking loops and adjacent to the swale for people of all ages and abilities to rest and enjoy the park.

10. Remove the underutilized sand volleyball court and add a fitness pad to support community wellness.

11. Update and improve the south playground area with new equipment within the existing tree grove to create a unique play experience with ample shade. Play areas to feature inclusive play equipment for all ages and abilities.

12. Remove softball field and create an upper hub to the park, including flexible lawn space and a new picnic shelter to support the expanded playground.

13. Maintain 1 porta-potty at the south end of the park, with an updated enclosure. Consider wayfinding and signage to inform park users of the Edgewater Civic Center bathrooms.

14. Remove the existing picnic shelter and the underutilized sand volleyball court to create a pollinator garden in memory of Randy Walker and Michael Branch, for whom the park is named. Provide one new picnic shelter adjacent to the pollinator garden and the upper lawn.

Natural Systems

The master plan seeks to improve the natural systems of Walker-Branch Park by creating more opportunities for park users to interact with natural features and diverse landscape typologies. Experiential landscapes that tell a story of drainage, native character, and recreational uses are thoughtfully applied to the various spaces of Walker-Branch Park to ensure a balance of high use turfgrass and passive native plantings.

Key recommendations:

1. Remove noxious species throughout the park and enhance native plantings in the existing swale.

2. Add additional tree canopy to the park to provide shade to amenities and high use areas.

3. Locate the pollinator garden near the south entrance and parking lot to use colors and fragrance as gateway into the park. Locate near the road and parking lot to provide ease of maintenance.

4. Convert bluegrass fields that are not used for active recreation to native species to preserve water irrigation, pesticide usage, and mowing.

5. Create a second park swale with native plants that can withstand occasional water inundation during large storm events. Embed interactive elements such as informal crossings to provide engagement opportunities with the swale.

6. Utilize permeable pavers and rain gardens in the new north parking area to promote environmental best practices.

7. Increase tree canopy within drainageway in coordination with project partners.

Culture & Art

Culture & Art are a key element to Walker-Branch Park today, and the master plan looks to elevate these components in future park improvements. The previous cultural elements referencing the site’s history as a tree farm are to be refocused into a broader theme of environmental stewardship that is more empowering in today’s context. In addition, art is to remain an important facet of the park’s features and identity.

Key recommendations:

1. Educational signage at the pollinator garden, swale, detention, and drainageway to provide learning opportunities about our ecosystems, waterways, and native plants.

2. Create a more prominent Walker-Branch memorial to recognize the park’s namesake and promote safety awareness around drainageways during large storm events.

3. Utilize the flexible parking lot adjacent to Edgewater Civic Center to support cultural activities and events.

4. Collaborate with 40 West ArtLine to integrate more art into the park. Consider including seasonal lighting and ephemeral art elements to activate the park.

5. Add spaces for performance art, programming, and events.