C a s e S t u d y

Park redevelopment plan for Silistra

Summary

As a result of the Bulgarian Technical Twinning Program, the municipality of Silistra has worked with experts from the city of Kettering, Ohio, to develop a concept plan for the redevelopment of Silistra's Danube Park. The work consisted of two major steps:

n Conduct a park inventory and analysis to determine public needs and desires relative to the Danube Park and the physical condition of the park

n Develop a conceptual design for the renovation and redevelopment of the Danube Park.

Both steps are extremely important in redevelopment of the Danube Park.

Problem Statement

Due to a lack of resources over the last few years as Bulgaria transitions into the free market economy, the park has had a long slide into decline. The condition of the park had a nega tive influence on the community and on most likely had the same impact on businesses considering locating or expanding in Silistra.

Project Description

Park redevelopment along the Danube River is a key component to the vitality of many communities in Bulgaria. To make good use of the Twinning Program's opportunities and resources, Silistra identified two critical issues facing the community. The first was how to generate business opportunities and the second was how to redevelop the Danube Park.

With regard to the park project, Kettering served primarily as a consultant and reviewed and commented on Silistra's ideas. As the dialogue between the partners developed, it served to reinforce many ideas and led to changing others' thoughts in the development of a concept plan. As the partners worked together, they formed personal relationships, and the open, transparent exchange of ideas improved.

Besides developing a concept for the physical redevelopment of the park, two other aspects had to be addressed for a successful program. The first was funding the redevelopment efforts, and the second was the maintenance of the park.

One suggestion made by the Kettering team was that the concept plan document itself should serve as a funding tool. It was important that the appearance and content of the concept plan document leave a positive impression with its readers. The plan document had to not only be clearly written, but also it had to be designed with graphics and text for the convenience of readers outside the municipality. In order to obtain support by both local and outside funding agencies, the Kettering team recommended including the estimated costs and the implementation timeline in the concept plan. The target readers were not only citizens but also representatives of funding agencies and businesses. A fundraising effort aimed at Silistra citizens was to have a Donors Alley included in the Park. A donor of a certain amount of money would get a pavement stone inscribed with his or her name set in the pathway.

As stated, park maintenance is critical. Silistra is developing a volunteer work program called "Friends of the Danube Park" to address maintenance needs. The procedure is to present the need for help to NGO groups, schools, private businesses, and interested citizens with the goal of gathering maintenance volunteers. The municipality will match facilities of the park to the volunteers based on the capabilities and interests of the volunteer groups.

The process used to develop the strategic goal of a concept plan is as follows:

Process

Conduct a park inventory and analysis with citizen participation:

n Develop a citizen taskforce.

n Conduct a citizen inventory of wants, desires, and concerns.

n Conduct a plant inventory and assessment.

n Conduct an equipment inventory and assessment.

n Develop an alley assessment within the park.

n Develop an inventory of the condition of park furniture, lighting, fountains, etc.

Results

Develop a conceptual design for the renovation and redevelopment of the Danube Park:

n Prepare a preliminary conceptual design.

n Conduct public input meetings to review the conceptual design.

n Incorporate citizen input.

n Complete the concept plan.

n Present the concept plan to the public.

n Use concept plan as the marketing tool for Silistra.

n Design and construct the part of the park called Kettering Corner.

n Rehabilitate four playgrounds.

n Establish Donors Alley to recognize donations made for the park.

n Design Skateboard Park as a gathering place for teenagers.

n Develop a volunteer work force to maintain the park.

n Develop guidelines for the appearance of vendors within the park.

Implementation Timeline

The Twinning Program between Silistra and Kettering began in September 2000, with the completion in June 2002 of the agreed-upon projects.

The development of the Danube Park concept plan started with the most important concept-citizen participation. Approximately 124 citizens respondents were interviewed to determine their needs and concerns. Participants represented and participating in the input to the Park concept plan included the Bulgarian's Women Union-Silistra; Bulgarian Scouts organization; Nature, Health and Child Foundation; Foundation of Man and Nature; and the Center for Environmental Education. Silistra officials used this information in developing the plan. Another critical component of the concept plan was an inventory detailing the physical conditions of the park. Several volunteer organizations assisted in taking an inventory of all the park's plants. An inventory of the park's physical infrastructure including pathways, alleys, fountains, irrigation, and electrical lighting was also conducted. Silistra officials were instrumental in working with the volunteer groups and documenting all citizen comments.

The various meetings between Kettering and Silistra allowed Silistra officials to prepare the draft concept plan. The partners revised the plan through e-mails back and forth between the two municipalities in between official visits. The final draft was reviewed, printed, and unveiled during the final visit to Silistra the first week of May 2002. Officials completed the Danube Park concept plan on schedule.

The concept plan is a changing document, which will need to be updated from time to time. This concept plan shows not only the ultimate goal/build-out, but also intermediate goals as the plan progresses and sections of the plan are underway. The Kettering Corner, Skateboard Park, and several playgrounds were identified early in the planning process and, since funding could be raised, were implemented as part of the concept plan. Future implementation of the remainder of this concept plan will be balance park needs with funding sources. The plan should be updated on a regular basis to keep it current with the community's needs.

Solutions Overview

Several major accomplishments were achieved as a result of the Danube Park Redevel opment Project between Silistra and Kettering officials. The process followed was first to determine what kind of park and park features the community both needed and wanted. This was accomplished with:

n Citizen, NGO, and municipal staff input for the redevelopment of the park.

n An inventory of the park's physical condition including plant materials, infrastructure, pathways, alleys, fountains, irrigation, and electrical lighting.

Based on the above actions led by the Silistra team, the development of the actual Danube Park concept plan indicated the following key items for the plan:

n Constructed the Main Entry Plaza and steps to the river (including fountains) (Complete)

n Design and construction of Play Areas (3 of 4 Complete)

n Reestablish the Alpinum Garden in the West Relaxation Area

n Establish and design the History Corner

n Redevelopment of the Sports Zone

n Design and construction of the Kettering Corner in the Danube Park (Complete)

n Design and construction of the Skateboard Park (Complete)

n Repair and maintenance of existing pathways, landscaping and lighting (Ongoing).

Benefits

The Twinning Program has produced numerous benefits relating to the redevelopment of the Danube Park in Silistra. The most noticeable benefit is the amount of public participation that occurred with this project. Silistra officials gained experience in surveying residents, holding focus groups, and obtaining public input using other methods. They also worked with several volunteer groups who inventoried plants in the park, infrastructure, pathways, alleys, foun tains, irrigation and electrical lighting. Working with community officials made citizens feel appreciated and proud of the city they live in.

With citizen input, Silistra and Kettering officials used their staff's expertise to develop the Danube Park concept plan. The Danube Park is an amenity for the citizens of Silistra as well as an indicator of the city's confidence in its future. The park is a wonderful amenity, as businesses consider locating or expanding in Silistra. Park redevelopment promotes civic pride and public confidence in Silistra's future. The Park has been described as the "Heartbeat of the City."

In addition to the amenities the park brings to the city, local citizens have been hired to construct the actual projects. The redevelopment of the park puts money into the pockets of its citizens, who in turn spend money in the city for goods and services. The park redevel opment will also encourage other redevelopment projects in the area like the business incubator.

Conclusion

The justification for the time, energy, and resources needed to plan and implement improve ments to the Danube Park is because the ark, besides being an amenity for the social and emotional needs of the community, it is also an indicator of the municipality's health and confidence in its future. The Park is a factor in the economic health of the community by being either a positive or a negative influence as business consider locating or expanding in Silistra. Park development will promote civic pride and confidence in the future of Silistra.

The Technical Twinning program resulted in the sharing of ideas and methods of implemen tation among colleagues. Confidence gained has resulted in effective action. Both Kettering and Silistra officials learned from one another.

Today, the Danube Park concept plan is complete, and work has already begun on several projects..