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Designs advance for Miller, Emerson and Cushing parks; Bellevue farm site study under way
Summary
Staff reported concept designs for Miller Park and design procurement for Emerson, a Cushing Park groundbreaking in August, a Bellevue Park feasibility study for farm relocation and restroom planning for Northwest Greenbelt.
Adrian Torres, Open Space Manager, reviewed park-level work funded by the bond, including feasibility work at Bellevue Park, a Cushing Park renovation scheduled to begin in August, ongoing procurement for Emerson and initial concept designs for Miller Park.
Torres said Bellevue Park’s existing farm sits in a FEMA floodplain and is "grandfathered in" only so long as the city does not make improvements. Because of that restriction, the city has started a feasibility study to identify potential alternate locations within the park where the farm could move; the design team met with farm staff to gather day-to-day operational needs.
"They're currently looking for potential areas that we can move the farm to," Torres said, adding the study should identify candidate locations by the end of next month.
Staff said Cushing Park is slated to receive a new playground in the same footprint as the existing play area to preserve two large evergreen trees that provide shade; a dog park site is planned west of the turf. Elite Industries is the selected contractor and staff expect an August 4 on-site start for construction mobilization.
Emerson is in procurement: staff received five construction proposals and the evaluation committee expected to complete reviews imminently before procurement recommends a contractor to City Council, likely in late July or early August. Emerson’s work will include a small pavilion, a swing, nature-play features, expanded tree and shrub plantings and a new irrigation system.
Miller Park concept designs include options for a playground, splash pad, a larger community pavilion or amphitheater, soft-surface skate paths, added plantings and parking reconfiguration; designers presented multiple layouts and will refine concepts based on community input. Staff plan community engagement sessions for Miller on July 15 and August 6.
Northwest Greenbelt will receive a restroom; staff discussed locating restrooms near the playground and above the FEMA floodway to meet siting constraints. Staff also plan to introduce water-wise landscaping and pollinator plantings at the park’s south end in coordination with sustainability committee input.
Staff reiterated that concepts are early-stage and that final layouts will depend on site stormwater retention, retention of healthy turf where feasible, budget constraints and community feedback.
