Woodbridge
Place Game
and the
Place Definition
Process
The Woodbridge Homeowners Association quickly took their need to address a public space issue in their neighborhood from analysis and brainstorming to a concept and definition.  They used the Omaha by Design Place Game and Place definition processes to achieve a consensus and plan that can be used to raise funds and begin making their ideas a reality.
Place Game

The Woodbridge Homeowners Association met on October 15, 2005 to consider how to transform the vacant lot on the Northeast Corner of 78th and Sorensen Parkway.

The Woodbridge Homeowners Association will be taking possession of the 90,000 square foot parcel currently owned by the developer of the subdivision.  A creek bisects the lot running from the southwest to northeast. The Homeowners Association is currently negotiating the terms of transfer.

The Association asked Omaha by Design to conduct a Place Game Workshop to develop ideas for how to best utilize the land.  Ten Woodbridge residents were divided into two groups. Group 1 evaluated the northern half of the site and Group 2 evaluated the area immediately surrounding the creek.

• Emerging Themes


Each team developed specific short-term and long-term improvement ideas for each site visited. Their concepts for Woodbridge Park are presented here.  Web site visitors are encouraged to make comments and suggestions on the Place Game ideas.

• Group 1 – North Side

• Group 2 – The Creek

In addition to improvement ideas, Place Game participants came up with organizations and groups that might be interested in becoming partners to help implement their place making suggestions.

• Local Partners

For more information about Omaha by Design and the Place Game, email ellen@omahabydesign.org.
Place Definition

During the Woodbridge Homeowners Association Place Game, ten residents made suggestions for a park based on four criteria for successful public spaces: uses and activities, comfort and image, access and linkages, and sociability.  At the end of the Place Game, participants voted on priorities.  They agreed on a general park concept—a safe, attractive and manageable park for the subdivision.  The suggestions focused on creating a relatively quiet place for walking, sitting or playing with low maintenance landscaping to enhance the creek.

Park Concept
At a follow-up Place Definition meeting, led by an Omaha by Design volunteer facilitator, a group of residents met to shape their improvement ideas into a concept plan and implementation strategy for the park.  The residents agreed the park should be able to accommodate picnics, a walking path, play area for small children and an open space for informal play.  They also decided that improvements need to be made in ways that also address creek safety issues, on-going maintenance requirements and respect for adjacent homeowners.

The creek guided the overall concept for the park.  Improvements will be made to enhance the natural environment and enjoyment of the creek.  In addition, native plantings along the bank will create a natural separation between the creek and private property, stabilize the bank, improve drainage and create habitat for birds and butterflies.
Along half of the western edge, a privacy fence shields the lot from 78th Street and a Woodbridge subdivision sign marks the entrance to the neighborhood.  The boundary between the park area and private property is undefined, with only the creek or change from homeowners’ landscaping to vacant land marking the boundary.  To create a park from the vacant lots, the residents want to provide a sense of enclosure and privacy without visually cutting it off from the surrounding neighborhood.  For this reason, they do not wish to extend the existing fence.  Instead, a more transparent fence and/or trees and shrubs will be used to define the space.

The area to the north of the creek will serve as the more formal activity area.  A small “tot” play area will be located in the northwest corner.  In keeping with the natural theme of the area, small sculptural pieces designed for children to play on are preferred over conventional play equipment.  Picnic tables and benches will also be placed in the northern half of the park.

A walking path will be installed around both the north and south halves of the park.  Initially, the paths will form two separate loops with benches along both.  Later, a bridge will be added across the creek both linking the loops and creating a focal point for the park.  A corner of the south half will be dedicated to additional landscaping or a garden.  The remainder of the southern half of the park will be left open for informal play.

Project Priorities

The Woodbridge Homeowners established a set of priorities for the park development process:

  • Hiring a landscape architect or designer to create a detailed design for the park.
  • Grading/leveling the land to prepare the area for creek landscaping, new grass for the open space and the path along the perimeter.
  • Reseeding the open space.
  • Installing picnic tables, children’s play area and concrete path.

Upon completion of the top priorities, the Homeowners Association will evaluate future improvements based on the response to the preliminary improvements.  Future improvements to be considered are:

  • Enclosing the park with an open fence and trees.
  • Installing a safety surface for play area.
  • Building a bridge over the creek to connect walking paths and serve as the park’s focal point.
  • Constructing pull-in parking along Vane Street at the eastern edge of the park.

Next steps

Before moving forward on the improvements, the Woodbridge Homeowners Association will resolve the following issues:

  • Locating or establishing 501c3 status for grants.
  • Finalizing the transfer agreement for the land.
  • Contacting the Papio Natural Resource District to resolve safety concerns about culvert and pipe cover and learn regulations for creek bed improvements.
  • Developing a plan for on-going maintenance and upkeep.

 

The Homeowners Association is committed to the creation of Woodbridge Park, despite constraints on funding for the creation and maintenance of the park.  Members have already completed preliminary research on the City of Omaha’s park funding requirements as well as private funding sources.  As the Association resolves the outstanding issues, and armed with their plan, they will identify and obtain funding for the new Woodbridge Park.

To request a Place Game and Place Definition process for your group or organization contact
Omaha by Design.

 

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