Commission advances Richardson Bay pond site plan but seeks bike‑route solutions before final approval
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Summary
RHAA’s concept for the former sanitation pond — including a basketball court, two sand‑volleyball courts, shaded picnic areas and open lawns — was generally supported, but commissioners required staff and designers to present viable bicycle‑routing and traffic‑calming alternatives before final approval is taken to council.
The Post Commission reviewed a concept to convert the former Richardson Bay sanitation ponds into an active‑recreation node that would include a basketball court, sand volleyball courts, shaded picnic/overlook areas, and flexible lawn. The consultants (RHAA) emphasized balancing active recreation with habitat gardens and connections to the waterfront trail network.
Design and public priorities: The design team showed two shade‑structure options and a set of survey results (222 respondents) in which basketball drew the strongest favor (about 60%), volleyball scored nearly half the respondents, and most proposed features showed broad support. Presenters emphasized safety and circulation: how to separate or slow bicycle traffic that currently travels the narrow multi‑use route adjacent to the site was raised repeatedly.
Why the commission paused: While commissioners and many public commenters supported converting the ponds into active space, a recurring concern was the existing bicycle flow along the Old Rail multi‑use trail that passes the site. Commissioners directed RHAA and staff to provide alternatives for routing faster bicycle traffic away from primary play areas (options flagged included creating a southern waterfront alignment as in the adopted master plan, regrading a parallel bike route, or physical design treatments that require riders to dismount or slow to walking speeds through the active spine). The commission voted to forward the concept to Town Council conditioned on viable bike‑circulation alternatives and design details for bike/pedestrian separation and enforcement.
Practical points raised by the public: Residents urged consideration of (a) sand quality and drainage for volleyball courts, (b) adjustable net/hoop heights and seating for different age groups, (c) parking and crosswalk safety at nearby street crossings, and (d) options for one vs. two volleyball courts to preserve some flexible lawn area.
Next steps: RHAA will provide a packet of bicycle‑circulation alternatives, suggested physical measures (bollards, narrowed vehicle widths, design elements to slow riders), and refinements to shade/ seating; staff will coordinate how those alternatives map to the town’s adopted parks master plan and timeline for a joint council hearing.