Design Process

Manhattan Parks and Recreation is receiving assistance from the National Park Service (NPS) for the master plan process. MHKPRD was awarded a grant through the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RCTA) Program. This unique partnership will utilize the expertise and resources of the National Park Service to identify and analyze the site and generate community input through proven outreach and participation strategies. Learn more about the RTCA Program.

Planning Timeline

Information Collection & Site Assessment | Winter 2015 – Spring 2016

Community Engagement | Throughout
Public Meeting #1 1/28/2016
Public Meeting #2 3/10/2016
Public Meeting #3 7/19/2016
Public Meeting #4 8/4/2016

Concept Development | Spring - Summer 2016

Preliminary Master Plan | Summer 2016

Final Master Plan | February 2018

 Information Collection & Site Assessment

Site inventory is an important part of the planning and design process. Site inventory is used to help planners and designers understand the site's characteristics. Recorded inventory items vary from project to project, however, typical information collected for site inventory may include the following:

  • Cultural Resources
  • Easements
  • Elevation
  • Land Cover
  • Plant Diversity
  • Site History
  • Slope
  • Slope Aspect
  • Soil Suitability
  • Utilities
  • Viewsheds
  • Zoning
Site Suitability Analysis Flyer

Site Analysis

Once the site has been inventoried, the site analysis begins. Site analysis starts with a review of the information gathered in the site inventory stage. The purpose of the analysis is to better understand the site's features in relation to one another.

Suitability Analysis

Suitability analysis can be performed for a variety of elements such as trails, structures, parking areas, play areas, and many other amenities. One example of how site features may influence development is through slope and soils. A 5 % slope may desirable for building a trail, but if the soils are highly erodible then it may be unwise to build a trail there.

Site analysis is an influential part of the design process and helps begin to shape possible element connections and configurations.

Master Plan

The park master plan is a long-range vision for the park that responds to the site's natural and cultural resources and community-identified priorities. The plan will include:

  • a summary of the planning process
  • images of proposed features and park amenities
  • cost estimates
  • a phased implementation strategy
  • a land management plan