Parks, Recreation, Greenways, and Open Space ... - Town of Apex

Parks & Recreation Plan Update | 2013Additional tables should be added under the shelter.The mulch surface is well maintained but the playground equipment needs to bereplaced soon.StrengthsWest Street park is a small neighborhood park serving West, Harwood, and Lynch Street residents. The location is walkable for families in this area andis just a few blocks from the activity center of Salem Street. The picnic shelter, with the addition of tables, could be a great location for neighborhoodgatherings as the rolling topography and shade provide ample room for small games and group outdoor activities.ChallengesWhile most visitors to this location would likely walk or park on-street, the few parking spaces are gravel and the one accessible space is not trulyaccessible, as there is no smooth, hard surface or sidewalks connecting from the space to areas within the park. The playground is also in need of anupdate, including ADA access to the equipment. One additional challenge is safety and use. The water fountain was vandalized, causing a water leak. Anupdate in the playground equipment can encourage use, and additional pedestrian scale lighting can contribute to safety and decreased opportunitiesfor vandalism.SENSORY OBSERVATIONSThe park has a quiet neighborhood passive recreation setting. There is not a lot of noise; there are shade and sun opportunities; and there are passiveand active recreation activities and good separation between features.PHYSICAL ACCESS AND ACTIVITY LEVELThe site does not currently have accessible routes to existing site features. There is an opportunity to provide access to each feature, but topography onthe site might make access between each feature challenging; there is a low activity level on this site.Potential OpportunitiesWith the above mentioned improvements of adding lighting, replacing playground equipment, defining parking, and creating more seating under thepicnic shelter, the space will be more attractive to families and small groups. The park signage should also be updated to fit into a Town signage package.3-54 | Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Inventory