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Ron Ory Community Garden Plots Site Master Plan
February 17, 2023 Update:
In 2022 the Park District received input from Garden Plots stakeholders for the development of the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots Site Master Plan. The Site Master Plan serves as a visionary document that guides the Park District in enhancing the Garden Plots site and programming. In addition, the improvements identified in the Site Master Plan will be considered during the development of the Park District’s annual capital budgets and phased over several years based on priority.
In 2023 the following garden plots site improvements are scheduled to be implemented:
- One additional water station with two spigots will be added toward the northern section of the site. This will provide a total of 14 water stations and 28 spigots across the facility.
- One additional raised bed will be added for those needing special accommodations.
- The number of ADA-accessible port-o-lets will increase to four, with locations spread across the site.
In 2023, the Park District will also begin to prepare for future site improvements involving:
- Site engineering and the preparation of construction documents for ADA accessible permeable paver parking lots to support activities at the garden plots and Knoch Park, raised planting beds, and site drainage enhancements proposed for implementation in 2024.
- In the summer of 2023, a survey will be distributed to all current garden plot renters to gather additional information on enhancements being considered for the 2024 season. During the Garden Plots Site Master Plan process, the Park District received input from stakeholders regarding several potential enhancements. The input that was gathered will be explored further in the survey with specific questions related to no-till plots, length of the gardening season, and soil amendments.
The District will continue to collaborate with the Garden Plots users as we plan for the future needs of gardeners.
August 12, 2022 Update:
Per the process described below, the project team developed a draft Site Master Plan, which was presented on July 28, 2022 and received by the Board of Commissioners at the August 11, 2022 meeting. The approach of receiving the Community Garden Plots Site Master Plan provides an opportunity to continue collaborating with stakeholders and gathering input, as well as further refine operations/maintenance plans and cost estimates in preparation for presenting improvements to the Park Board for review and approval as part of the annual capital budget process.
The Site Master Plan will serve as a visionary document and guide the Park District in enhancing the Garden Plots site and programming. In addition, the improvements identified in the Site Master Plan will be considered during the development of the Park District’s annual capital budgets and phased over several years based on priority.
Ron Ory Community Garden Plots Site Master Plan presentation slides from the July 28, 2022 Park Board meeting
Site Master Plan received at the August 11, 2022 Park Board meeting
If you have any questions or comments regarding the site master plan, please reach out to Brad Wilson at bwilson@napervilleparks.org
Why a Site Master Plan in 2022?
The Ron Ory Community Garden Plots provide approximately 500 plots for gardeners in the community to grow their own vegetables and flowers. Over the years, other features have been added to the site, including the Idea Gardens, a tree nursery, honey bee hives and more. In 2022, as new ideas were being proposed for further development of the Garden Plots, the Park District believed that it was important to take time to reach out to the gardeners and the community for feedback about the site as it is now and what improvements may be helpful in the future considering the space available onsite.
Summary of the Process
With the assistance of Upland Design, Ltd., the Park District created a Site Master Plan for the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots. The plan is based on a site analysis and community input provided through interactive meetings with stakeholders and with the public and through an online survey that was also available to the public. The design team prepared concepts based on the input gathered. Following review by the Park District, the plans were presented for comments at a second public meeting. The design team then prepared a Site Master Plan with photos and sketches and a cost estimate. Following further review by the Park District, the plan will be finalized in summer 2022.
Vision Statement for the Site Master Plan
“To enhance the community gardens through maintaining existing garden plots while diversifying and improving site elements at the community gardens.”
Project Timeline
Ron Ory Community Garden Plots Stakeholder Focus Group – 6:00 p.m., April 6, 2022
Invitations were sent to Garden Plot ambassadors, Master Gardeners, several other gardening participants, neighborhood organizations and Sportsman’s Club representatives. The group discussed the site analysis and desired improvements and priorities.
First Public Meeting – 6:00-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 27 at the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots (Rainout location is the Knoch Park Central Maintenance Facility, 427 W. Martin Ave.) This meeting was publicized through Park District communication channels and an email invitation was sent to current garden plot users. Upland Design led an interactive process to engage the community in this meeting. Participants completed a survey during the meeting. Read the meeting press release here.
Community Online Survey – April 28 – May 6
The survey conducted during the first public meeting was made available online to gardeners and the entire community to gather input from those unable to attend the meeting.
Conceptual Design Planning – Early to Mid-May
he design team prepared two conceptual designs based on data and public input received to date, and the Park District had the opportunity to review and comment.
Second Public Open House – 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 18 at the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots. The two preliminary concepts were made available for viewing and comment at the second public open house and the design team was on hand to answer questions. A digital version of the conceptual plans is now available online to gardeners and the public to gather input from those unable to attend the meeting. View the meeting press release here.
Second Community Online Survey – May 19-May 27
A digital version of the conceptual plans presented at the May 18 meeting was available online to gardeners and the public to gather input from those unable to attend the meeting. Anyone not able to attend the meeting was able to provide feedback online through May 27.
Master Plan Preparation and Park District Review – Late May through July
Based on public input and Park District direction, the design team prepared one Site Master Plan for review and receipt by the Park District. The plan will be finalized in summer 2022. Improvements identified in the Site Master Plan will be considered during the development of the Park District’s annual capital budget, with implementation of the plan phased over several years.
For more information about the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots:
Visit www.napervilleparks.org/gardenplots
View the 2023 Garden Plots FAQs
View the 2023 Garden Plots Map
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