Management Concepts
1. Distribution of Use:
How the park was designed:
True to Marina Vista's name, the park overlooks the water and provides a scenic atmosphere. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy two soccer fields, tennis courts and a softball diamond. The park itself sits on 18.2 acres of flat open land covered by patchy grass. It has freestanding restrooms, night lighting for its baseball field, a bicycle path that connects to Boat House Lane, the surrounding neighborhoods and to the rowing center and Jack Dunster Marine Reserve. A fully equipped playground with benches surrounding, a shade awning and trashcans conveniently located to the tennis fields and only parking lot for the park. Two soccer fields reside for use on the park and a baseball field are fully accessible to all. The park conjoins three surrounding neighborhoods, is centrally located to the neighborhood's elementary school , junior high school, lagoon, and Marine Stadium. Interconnecting all areas of the community, the park is a place for all people of the surrounding neighborhoods to gather together to build physical health through playing sports, watch their children foster communication skills through play, and bond the community together as one. No gating, and central entrance or exit, the park is available for all.
Why the park was designed this way:
The park itself resides on soil directly linked to the ocean at the Marine Stadium located across the street. In the late 1970's, soil from the excavation of Spinnaker Bay Channel was placed on the site to raise its elevation and allow topographic variety in the future park. The soil was unfortunately high in salt content, and the quality of park landscaping suffered. The park does have grass, however, is extremely patchy suffering due to the high salinity in its soil. In 1999, a sewer and storm drain easement was granted to a housing development on the Knob of Naples site, which crosses the park to Loynes Drive. This development was controversial as a portion of the private site had been unfenced and appeared to be part of the park. Without fencing, the park gives the public use the freedom of its accessibility at all times. Implemented lighting encourages night use for sports and community gathering during spring and summer seasons.
How the park is accessible:
American's with Disabilities Act transition plan improvements were completed in 2004. Marina Vista Park, in combination with the northwest end of Marine Stadium is a popular location for Municipal Band concerts. Development of the park was controversial again in 2008 and 2009 as improvements of tidal circulation for Colorado Lagoon considered recreating the open channel between Colorado Lagoon and Marine Stadium through Marina Vista Park. The park now is ADA accessible. A large portion of this is due to the park having no fencing in its entirety aside from the tennis courts for safety. Ramps are located at the parking lot near the playground equipment and the bicycle path which connects all three of the surrounding neighborhoods is completely flat and ADA accessible.
http://www.longbeach.gov/park/parks_and_open_spaces/parks/marina_vista.asp
This photo captures Distribution of Use best because it shows the openness and vast space of the land of the park in its entirety. There I am, standing in the open park field.
How the park was designed:
True to Marina Vista's name, the park overlooks the water and provides a scenic atmosphere. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy two soccer fields, tennis courts and a softball diamond. The park itself sits on 18.2 acres of flat open land covered by patchy grass. It has freestanding restrooms, night lighting for its baseball field, a bicycle path that connects to Boat House Lane, the surrounding neighborhoods and to the rowing center and Jack Dunster Marine Reserve. A fully equipped playground with benches surrounding, a shade awning and trashcans conveniently located to the tennis fields and only parking lot for the park. Two soccer fields reside for use on the park and a baseball field are fully accessible to all. The park conjoins three surrounding neighborhoods, is centrally located to the neighborhood's elementary school , junior high school, lagoon, and Marine Stadium. Interconnecting all areas of the community, the park is a place for all people of the surrounding neighborhoods to gather together to build physical health through playing sports, watch their children foster communication skills through play, and bond the community together as one. No gating, and central entrance or exit, the park is available for all.
Why the park was designed this way:
The park itself resides on soil directly linked to the ocean at the Marine Stadium located across the street. In the late 1970's, soil from the excavation of Spinnaker Bay Channel was placed on the site to raise its elevation and allow topographic variety in the future park. The soil was unfortunately high in salt content, and the quality of park landscaping suffered. The park does have grass, however, is extremely patchy suffering due to the high salinity in its soil. In 1999, a sewer and storm drain easement was granted to a housing development on the Knob of Naples site, which crosses the park to Loynes Drive. This development was controversial as a portion of the private site had been unfenced and appeared to be part of the park. Without fencing, the park gives the public use the freedom of its accessibility at all times. Implemented lighting encourages night use for sports and community gathering during spring and summer seasons.
How the park is accessible:
American's with Disabilities Act transition plan improvements were completed in 2004. Marina Vista Park, in combination with the northwest end of Marine Stadium is a popular location for Municipal Band concerts. Development of the park was controversial again in 2008 and 2009 as improvements of tidal circulation for Colorado Lagoon considered recreating the open channel between Colorado Lagoon and Marine Stadium through Marina Vista Park. The park now is ADA accessible. A large portion of this is due to the park having no fencing in its entirety aside from the tennis courts for safety. Ramps are located at the parking lot near the playground equipment and the bicycle path which connects all three of the surrounding neighborhoods is completely flat and ADA accessible.
http://www.longbeach.gov/park/parks_and_open_spaces/parks/marina_vista.asp
This photo captures Distribution of Use best because it shows the openness and vast space of the land of the park in its entirety. There I am, standing in the open park field.
2. Direct Management:
The park has many signs from the City of Long Beach posted throughout its land. Many of the signs explain the use of the park, including rules of the tennis court, baseball field, and soccer fields. There is also a sign posted that explains the importance of neighborhood watch. I believe the City of Long Beach implemented these signs throughout the park to directly manage its use and protect its surrounding community members and users/non users of the park use of safety hazards. Using signage directly manages the park by being efficient, effective, quick, easily evaluated, easily cost effective, and taking a behavior to shape an attitude.
This photo is an example of one of the signs located at the park. Placed on the tennis court fencing, which is located right in front of the parking lot and playground equipment, it directly states the park hours to its users.
The park has many signs from the City of Long Beach posted throughout its land. Many of the signs explain the use of the park, including rules of the tennis court, baseball field, and soccer fields. There is also a sign posted that explains the importance of neighborhood watch. I believe the City of Long Beach implemented these signs throughout the park to directly manage its use and protect its surrounding community members and users/non users of the park use of safety hazards. Using signage directly manages the park by being efficient, effective, quick, easily evaluated, easily cost effective, and taking a behavior to shape an attitude.
This photo is an example of one of the signs located at the park. Placed on the tennis court fencing, which is located right in front of the parking lot and playground equipment, it directly states the park hours to its users.
3. Hardening a site as a form of management:
As stated prior, the park lays on soil with a very high salinity content because of its close location to the ocean. Because of this the grass is very poorly distributed throughout the park. Most of the grass is patchy, rugged, and unmarked. With the salinity in the soil being a major issue, irrigation, specifically the implementation of a sprinkler system is very valuable to the park. Without grass, the sport fields would suffer, which ultimately would suffer the community as an entirety (physically and community bonding wise). In relation to signage and having specific hours for the park parking lot, these sprinklers also implement hardening a site by keeping the surrounding community protected from noise at hours at after park hours and from safety issues. A main water drain was created in order to protect the soil as well. Because of all of this, sand was needed to create an environment safe for children and their parents on the playground equipment. Here, sand is placed in the playground equipment area as a safe buffer for children to play on.
The photo I used is a good example of hardening a site because it shows how a man made implementation was used to protect the users of the park.
4. Indirect Management: (other than hardening a site)
The park was designed with numerous picnic benches and trashcans, specifically surrounding the playground equipment, tennis courts, and next to the baseball fields. Picnic benches built facing the playground increases indirect management by encouraging parents and guardians of children to better watch and protect their children while playing on the equipment. The trashcans placed next to all picnic tables at the park encourage less littering, which in turn keeps the grass healthy and park in a clean condition to encourage more people to use its amenities. This example of indirect management keeps the park in top condition, which in turn helps to create less needed repairs and less money from the city for this involvement. Above all else, it protects the community members who use the park, encouraging a healthy, happy, and safe playing atmosphere for both children and parents.
The photo I used shows the relation of the picnic tables to the trashcans, properly integrating indirect management. I was going to take a photo of the mothers sitting on the picnic tables facing the playground equipment, but did not want to make anyone feel uncomfortable.
The park was designed with numerous picnic benches and trashcans, specifically surrounding the playground equipment, tennis courts, and next to the baseball fields. Picnic benches built facing the playground increases indirect management by encouraging parents and guardians of children to better watch and protect their children while playing on the equipment. The trashcans placed next to all picnic tables at the park encourage less littering, which in turn keeps the grass healthy and park in a clean condition to encourage more people to use its amenities. This example of indirect management keeps the park in top condition, which in turn helps to create less needed repairs and less money from the city for this involvement. Above all else, it protects the community members who use the park, encouraging a healthy, happy, and safe playing atmosphere for both children and parents.
The photo I used shows the relation of the picnic tables to the trashcans, properly integrating indirect management. I was going to take a photo of the mothers sitting on the picnic tables facing the playground equipment, but did not want to make anyone feel uncomfortable.
5. Hazard Management: (hazard managed well to minimize risk)
Although the actual Marina Vista park has no entrance or exit fencing surrounding it, this fencing around the tennis courts and baseball fields. This fencing is extremely important to protect other users of the park from getting hit by a ball and to set a safe atmosphere for those park users engaging the sport as well. One gate that has a latch on it to close and open as you enter and exit is placed at the front of the tennis court. This is to limit entering and exiting of the tennis court, to ultimately protect the players using the court and those entering the court while it is in use.
This photo best shows the fencing of the tennis court - which is directly located right next to the playground equipment. Therefore, it is fully enclosed to protect the users of the playground equipment and to keep them safe.
6. Hazard Management: (hazard NOT managed well so visitors may be at risk)
The playground equipment, tennis courts, restrooms, and baseball fields all have at least 1 water fountain central to it for use. However, every single water fountain at the park was 100% unsanitary and 100% unusable. All water fountains were clogged, overflowing, and full of mold and decay. Therefore, they are in no use to the public and in their condition, cannot serve as an amenity to the park users. This problem is very easily fixable. The plumbing needs to be examined and unclog each sink. It is just the fact of doing so. Although many people who use the park bring their own water with them when they visit, it is still essential that the water fountain are accessible.
This photo shows an example of the water fountain that is located directly outside of the tennis court. As you can see, it is clogged and full of mold. When tennis court users enter and exit the park, the water fountain in its current condition serves no purpose. It could hinder some of its users from playing at the tennis court, and use another's courts services.
The playground equipment, tennis courts, restrooms, and baseball fields all have at least 1 water fountain central to it for use. However, every single water fountain at the park was 100% unsanitary and 100% unusable. All water fountains were clogged, overflowing, and full of mold and decay. Therefore, they are in no use to the public and in their condition, cannot serve as an amenity to the park users. This problem is very easily fixable. The plumbing needs to be examined and unclog each sink. It is just the fact of doing so. Although many people who use the park bring their own water with them when they visit, it is still essential that the water fountain are accessible.
This photo shows an example of the water fountain that is located directly outside of the tennis court. As you can see, it is clogged and full of mold. When tennis court users enter and exit the park, the water fountain in its current condition serves no purpose. It could hinder some of its users from playing at the tennis court, and use another's courts services.
7. Wildlife Management: (well managed)
Many trees at the park are palm trees. In their old condition, a few are supported by poles and supportive beams that attach to the trees to keep them standing. Although I did not see any animals at the park, I am aware that small birds and rodents such as the gofer and squirrels live in this park. Therefore, the trees are very important for the animals themselves and for the atmosphere of the park as an entity - providing shade and oxygen to the surrounding community and park users.
This photo illustrates the importance of supportive structure for the surrounding trees in the park that are home to birds and small animals who live in the park.
Many trees at the park are palm trees. In their old condition, a few are supported by poles and supportive beams that attach to the trees to keep them standing. Although I did not see any animals at the park, I am aware that small birds and rodents such as the gofer and squirrels live in this park. Therefore, the trees are very important for the animals themselves and for the atmosphere of the park as an entity - providing shade and oxygen to the surrounding community and park users.
This photo illustrates the importance of supportive structure for the surrounding trees in the park that are home to birds and small animals who live in the park.
8. Wildlife Management: (poorly managed)
As mentioned previously, the grass is in very poor condition. The park does not have many plants nor animals that inhibit the area. It is mainly filled with palm trees and patchy grass because of its location. One thing I did notice however, was many gofer holes throughout the area where the soccer fields are set up during soccer season. I tripped a few times simply walking around the area. I can not imagine having to run while playing sports and break your ankle in a gofer hole. This can be fixed with the proper installment of new soil and continuing to focus on vegetation restoration of the grass. I believe this should be done in order to create a safe environment and boost the landscape of the park.
The photo I chose is some of the gofer holes that I actually tripped over myself found near the playground equipment. This worries me because a child could potentially really hurt themselves.
As mentioned previously, the grass is in very poor condition. The park does not have many plants nor animals that inhibit the area. It is mainly filled with palm trees and patchy grass because of its location. One thing I did notice however, was many gofer holes throughout the area where the soccer fields are set up during soccer season. I tripped a few times simply walking around the area. I can not imagine having to run while playing sports and break your ankle in a gofer hole. This can be fixed with the proper installment of new soil and continuing to focus on vegetation restoration of the grass. I believe this should be done in order to create a safe environment and boost the landscape of the park.
The photo I chose is some of the gofer holes that I actually tripped over myself found near the playground equipment. This worries me because a child could potentially really hurt themselves.
9. Management policies or practices that UNINTENTIONALLY limit the public’s participation / use of an outdoor recreation resource:
Marina Vista Park does not have many limiting variables. Unfenced, an open parking lot that does not close regardless of what the sign says about time, lighting that automatically turns on at sunset, and a full 18.2 acres of open land, is accessible to anyone at just about anytime. Located directly across from the local elementary and junior high schools, a fire station is placed directly across the street from the park. ADA accessible, the park is open for everyone. There is only 1 small parking lot, but it is located directly in front of the playground equipment to better serve families with small children. Also since there is no fencing to entrance or exit the park, the entire exterior the park serves and is used as parking - and it is free to everyone.
There is however, a few things I noticed as far as safety that could limit the public's participation of the park when noticed. Since the park is unfenced, safety can be a hazard and limit use as far as traffic. Two busy intersections surround the park, which can hinder use. Also, I notice that all electrical and water meters were not locked. Any person could open them and tamper with them, at the expense of the park and its guests.
The photo illustrates the unintentional limit to public's use of the park by showing the danger of the meters that are left open for anyone to tamper with.
10. A scene that illustrates the mission of the management agency of your chosen park - make sure you include the mission statement too:
The Marina Vista Park does not have a mission statement, however if I did I believe it would goes as follows:
The Marina Vista Park enriches the lives of children and families in the City of Long Beach community by providing access to outdoor space to play and exercise, facilities for organized recreational opportunities, positive alternatives, healthy lifestyles, social connections, human development, lifelong learning and enhanced quality of life!
The photo that I took illustrates this mission vividly! The bike path which I am dancing on connects all of the surrounding neighborhoods to access the park. I dance for exercise, for freedom, and for the use of the park promotion in itself.