Specifications include, but are not limited to: The goal of rehabilitating and expanding Gomez Park is to create a sense of place and provide a healthy outlet for those living within the neighborhood. The expanded park would include numerous amenities that will not only improve the health of the users, but the quality of life for them as well. Based on the community outreach completed, the neighborhood has a mix of elderly individuals, young families, many of which are large families with children of all ages. Thus, the park will incorporate features for all ages and abilities. At all of the community meetings, there were individuals that represented all segments of the community and were able to voice what they would like to see as follows: Inclusive Playgrounds- The project proposes two (2) playground areas, one for children ages 0-5, and the other for those ages 5 and above. The playground the community is proposing is an all inclusive playground. Inclusive playgrounds are both a physical and social event, inclusive play is not just solely about physically accessing the environment, but also intensely focused on what happens once the individuals gets there. By equipping children of all abilities with inclusive environments and the skills to play together more independently, children will feel nurtured, encouraged respected, and active during play, both physically and socially. For example, one of the multigenerational features of an inclusive playground is a wheelchair accessible ship with enough space for a wheelchair to roll into that has multiple seats for caregivers who may be elderly or parents. This allows for fun, multi-generational play for all abilities. The playground theme selected was a superhero themed playground. The child who suggested the theme, said that he would like it superhero theme because superheroes provide hope. Now, more than ever, we live in a world desperate for hope. For those who are the poorest and most vulnerable, such as those living in the Gomez Park neighborhood, there are few places to go and isolation due not having a car or money to go places, can be the norm, thus, the playground has to provide a high sense of amusement and hope for the neighborhood. Sky Run Zip Track- Through community engagement, it was learned that users prefer activities with motion. The Sky Run Zip Track offers a fun and exciting motion play activity that feels like flying through the air. This type of track is also for teen who prefer more challenging and adventurous activities. During the meetings, it was mentioned that sometimes the activities offered are solely for younger children leaving little or nothing to do at the park. Providing these types of activities for youth, create fun experiences that provide adventure without risky behavior. These types of amusements also keep youth physically active and engaging with the community, rather than being in isolation. Fitness Areas and Walking Track Along Perimeter- The park incorporates two Fitness Areas, one is geared towards seniors who desired to walk along the park while completing exercise stations. The other fitness area is for teens and younger adults. The exercise stations along the walking track are lower intensity and incorporate ADA Accessibility features. It’s important to underscore, that when individuals are limited on funds such as those residing in this neighborhood, gym subscriptions are not the norm. Also, as individuals age, their ability to drive decreases, limiting their ability to go places to exercise, thus, increasing the importance of high quality neighborhood parks. Lastly, the walking path was an element that was highly desired for all neighborhood members. The current park space is used as a track, but the slope and uneven surfaces make it challenging to complete laps. Additionally, lighting is lacking in many portions of the park space, creating an environment that makes some of the residents afraid and unwelcomed, especially when the time changes during the nicer winter months. Multipurpose Sports Courts- A feature that was highly desired was a safe place to play active sports for the neighborhood. While basketball was the highest desired, a multipurpose sports court was seen as a win-win for all members involved in the design. The multipurpose sports court includes the following sports: basketball, volleyball, pickle ball, and tennis.
