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We are currently gathering feedback on possible designs for the community splash pad that will be located at Martin Road Park. The survey will show you multiple design options with the opportunity to select your preferences. Your input is valuable to us.
The presentation from the August, 6 meeting can be found here.
The survey can be found here.
Upgrades at Schiffer Park are nearly complete with the majority of construction and installations complete. The remaining tasks include electrical and lighting work, irrigation, and landscaping. Although construction paused after site demolition in accordance with Governor Whitmer's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order, it resumed on May 7 with enhanced social distancing protocols and operates on a timeline that sees project completion by the end of September 2020.
When completed, Schiffer Park will provide a scenic gathering space along West Nine Mile for activities including passive recreation, quick lunches, or small community events (when it's safe). The project represents a collaboration of the City of Ferndale, Ferndale Downtown Development Authority, and Ferndalehaus.
The park is not accessible to the public during construction.
The City requires all contractors to comply with the COVID-19 Field Operations Policy or submit a copy of their own that meets or exceeds these standards, which include:
· Maintaining safe social distancing
· Daily screening of employees for COVID symptoms and a plan for managing sick employees
· Enhanced disinfection and sanitization of tools and common areas, and more.
The resulting construction delay from the Stay Home, Stay Safe order has shifted the anticipated project completion timeline from the end of August to the end of September.
When will Schiffer Park be built? Schiffer Park construction began in early March 2020 and was originally scheduled to be complete by August 2020, but the project was paused related to COVID-19. Construction resumed on Thursday, May 7, and a revamped timeline sees project completion by the end of September 2020.
How did COVID-19 impact the project timeline? It is anticipated that closures due to COVID-19 will force a delay that sees the project completion date shift from late August to late September 2020. While work resumed on May 7, the workforce itself may continue to be impacted as construction teams accommodate social distancing and enhanced safety measures. The supply chain remains choppy as well, with borders still closed and supplies and shipments being limited. We will work to keep you updated as new information is available.
What COVID-19 social distancing protocols will be in effect for the construction crews?
As work resumes at Schiffer Park—and other sites throughout the community—the City will require all contractors to comply with the COVID-19 Field Operations Policy or submit a copy of their own that meets or exceeds these standards, which include:
- Maintaining safe social distancing
- Daily screening of employees for COVID symptoms and a plan for managing sick employees
- Enhanced disinfection and sanitization of tools and common areas, and more.
What will the new park include? The new and improved Schiffer Park will include elements that create a scenic gathering space along West Nine Mile such as:
- New trees for shade
- Planter boxes with integral wood benches and LED lighting
- Movable café seating
- New pavers and curbs
- Green space for recreation or seating
What types of events are planned for Schiffer Park? No events are planned yet, but the Parks & Recreation Department, along with the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority, plans to activate the space with small community events when it is safe to do so. Currently, Planavon is closed several times a year to support smaller events in downtown. With these new park improvements and expansion, we hope to reduce the need for those closures and creating spaces that have the opportunity for activation.
Will there be a seat platform in the rear of the park? The wood seat platform was removed from the original plans due to budgetary constraints. It will be considered for a potential future phase of this project.
Will there be any impact to traffic or parking? The park improvement plan includes the removal of the right-turn-only lane on Planavon and the incorporation of additional space into the park. Two on-street parking spaces on Planavon will also be removed. A traffic study conducted to determine the impacts resulting from these removals showed a predicted increase in vehicle delay for southbound traffic on Planavon at 1.7 sec (5.2%) in the AM peak hour and 2.0 sec (8.2%) in the PM peak hour. The projected delay and level of service are in line with urban areas that prioritize Complete Streets principles.
Will Schiffer Park be open and free to the public? Yes, this park will be open to everyone.
Will the park have lighting? Yes. Lighting was a major focus in these design plans as we look to create a gathering space where people feel safe and secure to enjoy downtown Ferndale.
What sort of maintenance will the park require over time? The City of Ferndale Public Works Department will be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the park by the maintenance of the flower beds, cleaning/sealing the pavers, and overseeing turf management efforts. The park does not consist of a dog park or dog run. Park patrons who visit with their pets will be asked to clean up after them using dog waste stations provided on-site.
How is the park redevelopment being funded? The project is being funded jointly by the City of Ferndale, Ferndale Downtown Development Authority, and Ferndalehaus.
What is the best way for me to stay informed on the project? Project updates and notifications will be posted to this website. Questions can also be submitted directed to the Parks & Recreation Department at lwheeler@ferndalemi.gov
Presentation to City Council, February 24, 2020: https://prezi.com/view/utC2hpRjlh2qMu92UHNZ/
Funding Request to Downtown Development Authority, February 13, 2020: https://d2kbkoa27fdvtw.cloudfront.net/ferndalemi/72ff09369ba40ee322f3a5f65b5e52160.pdf
Schiffer Park Concept Plan – Jan 2019
Updated Schiffer Park Concept Plan – Feb 2020 *Plan was revised to remove the seat platform in the rear of the park due to budgetary constraints.
The City of Ferndale has completed construction on features outlined in the Alternate G-5 phase of park improvements scheduled for Geary Skatepark. This phase includes the completion of installing retaining walls and a bioswale.
How are the park improvements being funded? The Parks & Recreation Department received a grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation Built to Play Green Skatepark Grant in the amount of $50,000 to fund Alternate G-5. The department also received a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Trust Fund grant in the amount of $165,700, including the City’s 50% grant match and America In Bloom Grant in the amount of $25,000. Improvements under these grants include access pathway, park bench, recycle bin(s), landscaping, drinking fountain(s) with water bottle refill stations, exercise station(s), sustainability signage, and waterless urinals. Additional park improvements may be funded from the park bond, General Fund, and/or future grant funding.
How has the project been impacted by COVID-19? With the exception of improvements outlined in the Alternate G-5 phase, all other park improvements have been placed on hold indefinitely and will be re-visited in the fall of 2020.
Was the community involved in the design process? Yes, we worked with the City’s architect, Hamilton Anderson Associates, to hold a Community Design Meeting on September 20, 2018, and Community Open House on October 10, 2018.
What is the best way for me to stay informed on the project? There are several ways to stay informed on the park improvements at Geary Park: check the Ferndale Parks & Recreation Facebook page regularly, check the City’s website regularly, and provide your email to our office to be included on update eblasts.
With the changes slated for Geary Park, what is the City doing to address the trees currently located within the park and ensure a healthy green canopy today and into the future?
The City of Ferndale has been a Tree City USA-designated community for more than 15 years, and we pride ourselves on actively working to maintain a healthy urban forest.
Throughout the full Geary Park improvement project (2019's Phase I improvements, skate park, and basketball court, as well as the not-yet-scheduled Phase II improvements), a total of 39 trees will be taken down. Of these, roughly 30% are in critical or poor condition, 60% are in fair condition, and 8% are in good condition, and 2% are not known. A number of these trees are, or will soon be, growing into power lines and are/will soon be at risk of being removed by DTE Energy.
Also as part of this project, the City will be planting/adding a total of 125 trees. The City follows a per-caliper replacement schedule: for example, if a removed tree has a 20-inch caliper, several new trees would have to replace it (for instance, ten 2-inch caliper trees). The new trees have been carefully considered to provide maximum benefit to the area—water retention, potential canopy, and more.
Construction plans at Wanda Park have largely been put on hold due to the circumstances of the COVID-19 situation. P&RD has plans to install a new playscape by Fall 2020, but all other construction efforts will be placed on hold until further notice.
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City of Ferndale, Michigan
300 East Nine Mile Road
Ferndale, Michigan 48220
