CROTONA & TREMONT PARK MASTER PLAN JUNE 2015 Photo by Karl Crutchfield
CROTONA & TREMONT PARK MASTER PLANJUNE 2015
Photo by Karl Crutchfield
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 20342
PURPOSE OF THE MASTER PLAN This plan will serve as a guide for a coordinated long-term effort that will make Crotona Park a vital part of its community as well as the City’s most scenic small park.
How was it developed? NYC Parks worked with community groups, Bronx Community Boards 3 and 6, the Friends of Crotona Park and user groups to develop a shared understanding of the park’s problems, community needs and solutions.
INFORMATION GATHERING
SITE ANALYSIS & MAJOR GOALS
CONTENTS
Hydrological Context & Park Comparison...............9
Park Evolution & History...................................10-11
Prior Plans & Studies.......................................12-15
Health Profile.........................................................16
Who We Talked To.................................................17
Community Goal Summary....................................18
Community Postcards from 2034..........................19
Community Workshops....................................20-23
Demographics & Recreational Needs..................25
Site Analysis.........................................................26
Major Goals..........................................................27
Concept Plan.......................................................29
Project List & Budget...........................................55
Credits..................................................................56
CONCEPTUAL PLAN & PROJECTS
How will it be implemented?NYC Parks will work with the Bronx Community Boards, The Friends of Crotona Park, non-profit partners and elected officials to prioritize projects and identify the needed expense and capital budgets over a twenty year period.
PURPOSE & SUMMARYPurpose & Contents...............................................2
Location & Historical Context.............................3-4
Assets & Challenges..............................................5
Main Issues............................................................6
Vision & Major Projects..........................................7
Photo by Karl Crutchfield
What kind of park will it be?
A park where we love to play, stroll, explore and share good times with our friends and community.
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 20343
CITY
NEIGHBORHOOD SITE .2 miles2 miles
8 miles
LOCATION
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
Bronx River
4
Crotona Park
Tremont Park
Crotona ParkwayMalls
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1
6
6
78
3 45
1 4 7
2 5 8
3 6 9
Claremont Park Soundview Park Van Cortlandt Park
Bronx Park Ferry Point Park Riverdale ParkJohn Mullaly ParkSt. Mary’s Park Pelham Bay Park
9
CONTEXT Crotona Park is the ‘Central Park’ of the South Bronx and serves approximately
180,000 Bronx residents. It notable topography, but it never had a landscape plan that
amplifies its unique character or provides seasonal beauty.
In 1887 John Mullaly, a newspaperman and activist who is now called the father of the
Bronx parks system, wrote the following in New Parks Beyond the Harlem:
“The beautiful tract known as Crotona was found to possess all the features of a natural
park, and to have the additional advantage of location and accessibility. It is situated on
the ridge of land which forms the eastern crown of the water-shed of Mill Brook Valley
and commands an extensive view of the surrounding country, bringing within the range
of vision the Palisades and the piers of the Brooklyn Bridge. From its former name of
Bathgate Woods it is evident that in the essential matter of shade it is liberally provided.
Of all the parks it is in fact conspicuous in this respect, and among its fine old forest
trees, luxuriant in their foliage, can be reckoned the oak, the elm, the magnolia, the
maple and a bewildering variety of others of more or less value of trees, soft carpets
of moss and lichens, springs and rivulets of cool and refreshing water, and all this in
the centre of a district that in less than a decade is destined to have within its bounds a
large portion of the population north of the Harlem.”
Bronx Parks System
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 20345
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6
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4
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Major Assets
Major Challenges
The park’s topographic variety and underlying beauty is notable.
Historically significant places and structures: Indian Lake, the Crotona Pool house and Tremont Park.
Large trees and established groves.
It has many recreational facilities used for team sports and neighborhood uses that are well integrated into the landscape.
The path system confuses many visitors and is distrupted by the streets that cut through the park.
Poorly lit and isolated areas in the park discour-age use.
The landscape lacks seasonal beauty and spatial distinction.
Reoccurring algae and phragmites in Indian Lake.
Needs more year-round facilities for seniors, teens and adolescents.
Surrounded by an underserved neighborhood.
SCENIC LANDSCAPE
INDIAN LAKE
HISTORIC TREE GROVE
ALGAE &PHRAGMITES
LACK OF CLEAR CONTINUOUS PATHS
ISOLATED AREAS
WEAK LANDSCAPEVIEWS
RECREATION
ASSETS & CHALLENGES
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
Crotona Park Master PlanPrepared by Planning and Parklands2014
Indian Lake
Hill & Dale Playground
SoccerField
Crotona Playground(NE Corner)
Prospect Park Playground
Roberto ClementeBallfield # 4
Ballfield # 3
Pool
Pool House
Boxcar Playground
Carter Playground
Ballfield # 1
Ballfield # 2
Martin Van Buren Playground
TennisHouse
Hylan Park
ClintonPlayground
Playground of the Stars
BathgatePlayground
Crotona Playground(NW corner)
Handball &BasketballCourts
Victory Garden
CrotonaAmphitheater
TremontPlayground -2
TremontPlayground -1
Ballfield
NatureCenter
FULT
ON A
VENU
E
CROTO
NA AV
ENUE
Tenniscourts
Tenniscourts
Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning
CLAREMONT PKWY
CLAREMONT VILLAGE
EAST TREMONT
CLAREMONT VILLAGE
CROSS BRONX EXPRESSWAY
TremontPark
174 th Steet Station
Picnic Area
Handball &BasketballCourts
Spray Shower
BasketballCourt
BasketballCourt
Handball &BasketballCourts
(Under construction)
HandballCourts
Old BoroughHall Site
SleddingArea
Bridges
CROT
ONA
PAR
KWAY
M
ALLS
Hank GreenbergBallfield # 5
Crotona Park Master PlanPrepared by Planning and Parklands2014
Indian Lake
Hill & Dale Playground
SoccerField
Crotona Playground(NE Corner)
Prospect Park Playground
Roberto ClementeBallfield # 4
Ballfield # 3
Pool
Pool House
Boxcar Playground
Carter Playground
Ballfield # 1
Ballfield # 2
Martin Van Buren Playground
TennisHouse
Hylan Park
ClintonPlayground
Playground of the Stars
BathgatePlayground
Crotona Playground(NW corner)
Handball &BasketballCourts
Victory Garden
CrotonaAmphitheater
TremontPlayground -2
TremontPlayground -1
Ballfield
NatureCenter
FULT
ON A
VENU
E
CROTO
NA AV
ENUE
Tenniscourts
Tenniscourts
Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning
CLAREMONT PKWY
CLAREMONT VILLAGE
EAST TREMONT
CLAREMONT VILLAGE
CROSS BRONX EXPRESSWAY
TremontPark
174 th Steet Station
Picnic Area
Handball &BasketballCourts
Spray Shower
BasketballCourt
BasketballCourt
Handball &BasketballCourts
(Under construction)
HandballCourts
Old BoroughHall Site
SleddingArea
Bridges
CROT
ONA
PAR
KWAY
M
ALLS
Hank GreenbergBallfield # 5
The pool house has importantcharacter, but is not year-round
Lack of street trees on theperimeter to buffer the street
Limited parking for Tennis Center
Beautiful & unique Bald Cypress trees
Important forest & sceniclandscape with long views
Phragmites unattractive landscape
Poor connection from tennis courts to park entrance on Fulton Ave near Bathgate plgd
Homeless family residencewith need for park activities
No crosswalk
Help USA: Homeless shelter needs park activites
Future Cary Leeds Centerfor Tennis & Learning: will be a magnet
Poor connection between Crotona Park and Crotona Parkway Malls
No good bike lane connection to Crotona Parkway
Algae and phragmites ruin thelake health & appearance
Picnic area and handball courtsview detracts from amphitheater
Indian Lake & Picnic Area
Tremont Park
Unsafe pedestrian crossing
Northwest Zone
Hylan Park
North Zone
Ballfield fences interruptflow of meadow
Park perimeter offers limitedactivities for the neighborhood
Handball courts intrude on scenic landscape
Flooding behind Bathgate Plgd
Old borough hall site
Cross Bronx Expressway separatesCrotona Park and Tremont Park
Grand steps to old borough hall site:potentially a community centerpiece
Unused large builiding
Historic fountain moved to City Hall;replaced with planter
Park needs a football / soccer field, track, skate park, dog run,
senior citizenseating areas, defined running loop, a
multipurpose community center and maintenance
facilities.
Park Needs
Scenic landscapeConnection
Poor drainage
Important featureLandscape feature
Perimeter needs improvement
Critical issuePoor viewGood view
KEY
Under utilized area
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MAIN ISSUES
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 20347
Crotona Park will be the most beautiful park in the Bronx and a haven for the community with recreational opportunities for every age.
VISION
Proposed park plan showing new facilities and landscapes.
What major projects are included?1. A landscape plan to improve scenic beauty2. Restoration of Indian Lake3. Restoration and conversion of the pool building to a year-round recreation center4. One multipurpose field5. One 1/8 mile track6. One skate park7. One dog park8. Four comfort stations9. Pedestrian bridge over Crotona Avenue10. Indian Lake café and boat rental 11. Picnic house for community rental and cultural activities12. Seating and activity areas for seniors13. Park maintenance facility with secure storage for vehicles14. Improved park path safety and beauty15. Beautification of the Crotona Avenue and Claremont Parkway intersection 16. Landscaped bridge to Tremont park 17. Restoration of the Borough Hall stairs and construction of gymnasium / cultural community building 18. Restoration of Tremont paths and plantings
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
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We learned what people know, what they are concerned about, what they are working on and what more they think can be done. We reviewed existing studies, interviewed elected officials, leaders, NYC Parks personnel and external experts.
INFORMATION GATHERING
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 20349
Bronx River
BRONX
MANHATTAN
Harlem River
Indian Lake
Harlem River
Bungay or BoundBrook
Crotona Park
HYDROLOGICAL CONTEXT & PARK AREA COMPARISONIndian Lake is a naturally occurring pond that captures the
runoff from the surrounding park. Historically it fed the Bungay
or Bound Brook that flowed south near Southern Boulevard
before reaching the Harlem River.
Prospect Park Lake
Nethermead
Long Meadow
These drawings show how Crotona Park’s lakes and lawns compare to those in Prospect Park.
Spuyten Duyvil
Tremont Park
2 miles
IndianLake
LongMeadow
ProspectHill
Bronx Watershed Map - 1873 Crotona Park, 142.5 Acres Prospect Park, 562.3 Acres
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203410
Early Park Era: Late 1800s Robert Moses Era: 1930s-1960s- The city purchased the property from Andrew Bathgate during the consolidation of the Bronx park system in 1888.
- New public activities like ice skating, warming hut, concession stands were installed near the Indian lake.
- Natural shoreline of the lake was replaced with concrete walls and lake perimeter was paved.
- 300 American Elms were planted around the lake.
- A new boathouse was built in 1928 along with the old “Farm Gar-den” to teach children about plant science, conservation, nutrition, and hygiene.
- From 1934 to 1960s new recreational facili-ties like one Olympic size swimming pool and bathhouse, five baseball fields, twenty tennis courts, and nine playgrounds were con-structed.
- New park paths, four comfort stations, pic-nic, and sitting areas were added.
- Cross Bronx Ex-pressway was built be-tween 1948 and 1972.
PARK EVOLUTION & HISTORY
1937 aerial view of Crotona Park in construction.
1937 aerial view of Crotona Park Pool.
Existing conditions, 1935.
Indian Pond in Crotona Park, 1905.
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203411
Era of Decline: 1960s-1990s Recovery Era: 1990s Onward- After urban decay in the 1960s, park recovery began in the mid 1980s when new restoration projects were carried out.
- Major pool and bathhouse restora-tion was carried out in 1984.
- Urban Park Rangers made the park a base for en-vironmental educa-tion, leading walks and tours with focus on children.
- In 1996, ‘Friends of Crotona Park’ was founded and the park was included in the pilot ‘Urban Forestry and mapping’ project carried out by the Parks Department’s Natural Resources Group.
Tremont stairs in 1980s.
Crotona Park amphitheater, 2014.
Indian Lake in Crotona Park, 2014.
- Park restoration and management plan was prepared by the Cityscape Institute and Saratoga Associates in 2000.
- In 2001, the Nature Center was reopened with new programs and activities.
- Construction of Crotona amphitheater and lake restoration was carried out in 2009.
PARK EVOLUTION & HISTORY
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203412
In 1992, Bronx Community Board 3 produced the 197a Plan, a community-based
master plan for their neighborhood. In it, Crotona Park was noted.
Partnership for the Future 197a Plan1992 Bronx Community Board 3
From the plan:
“The plan recommends developing vacant land for new parks, open space, and
recreation facilities in tandem with residential development. The plan further
recommends establishing a Bronx Greenway via linear parks and bikeways
along transportation corridors to link Crotona Park to the borough’s major parks,
waterfront, and cultural and educational institutions; and using Crotona Park as a
learning environment supplementary to community schools.”
PRIOR PLANS & STUDIES
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203413
Crotona Park Restoration and Management Plan2000 Cityscape Institute and Saratoga Associates
At the Community Workshop held in 2001,
participants identified nine themes that should
serve as the guiding principles for park
restoration.
1 The park as a clean, safe and beautiful
place to experience nature.
2 The park as a place for families and
children.
Indian Lake as the heart of the park. 3The park as the home of world class sports
and recreation facilities.4
The park as a place that links and connects
the surrounding communities instead of
separating them.
The park as a haven from traffic.
Facilities in the park that are appropriately
sited and well-maintained.
A strong and cohesive identity throughout
the park.
The park as a place to celebrate community
history.
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PRIOR PLANS & STUDIES
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203414
The Urban Forest Management Plan mapped and documented 40% tree cover in Crotona Park. The above GIS map shows the locations and diameters of trees.
Crotona Park Urban Forest Management Plan2004 NYC Parks A Yale School of Forestry student, Kyla Dahlin, studied Crotona Park as part of three
separate planning efforts to inventory, characterize, and formulate systematic man-
agement strategies. The plan examined the past and present forest resources in Cro-
tona Park, giving the following recommendations for its future.
Management Goals:
Canopy cover and public health Protect and improve tree canopy
Passive recreation Create inviting spaces for formal and informal gatherings
Aesthetic value Maintain and enhance
Wildlife habitat Manage the park to encourage song birds through building
nest boxes, planting trees and reducing predators.
Erosion control and storm water run-off reduction Areas with steep slopes need trees to reduce the effects of
rain and trampling on the soil.
Views Identify viewshed elements
Cultural heritage and current use Address cultural landscape protection. Currently the park
lacks winter foliage.
Education Young tree adoption. Great tree walk.
PRIOR PLANS & STUDIES
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Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203415
In 2007, Abel Bainson and Butz prepared a conceptual plan for the reorganization of paths and facilities in the park. Playgrounds, items B and C, were constructed.
The Reconstruction of Tremont Park2007 Abel Bainson and Butz
PRIOR PLANS & STUDIES
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203416
HEALTH PROFILENYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene2012 Epiquery Community Health Profiles
SouthBronx
49
Upper West Side
Kingsbridge/Riverdale
32 19 78 / 21
55 29 17
34 35 30
88 / 12
71 / 29
Hospital District % at avg.
weight or less
% over
weight
% obese
Exercised in last 30
days Yes / No
136,000 Hispanic
Racial composition of the South Bronx
60,000 Black
3,000 Asian
3,000 White
Notes:- 71% exercise is the lowest exercise rate in the Bronx
- 70% exercise is the lowest exercise rate in NYC, located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
- 88% is the highest exercise rate in NYC, located on the Upper West Side in Manhattan.
For Comparison..
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203417
• Friends of Crotona Park
• Aguila Inc
• Office of Bronx Borough President
• Bronx Community Board 3
• Bronx Community Board 6
• Bronx Director of Recreation
• Crotona Runners Club
• City CM Maria del Carmen Arroyo
• Office of City CM Ritchie Torres
• Office of City CM Vanessa Gibson
• Friends of Crotona Park
• Goodwill Baptist Church
• Karl Crutchfield (journalist)
• Mary Mitchell Community Center
• Matt Rey NYPD 42nd Precinct
• New York Junior Tennis League
• Oval Community Youth Program
• Partnerships for Parks
• Phipps Neighborhood
• Tremont Merchants Association
COMMUNITY CONCERNS: Who We Talked To
All photos courtesy of The Friends of Crotona Park
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203418
We interviewed citizen and civic groups, park employees, and community planners. People who have a history of working in a park or using a park have intimate knowledge
of what should be preserved, enhanced or fixed. A broad range of park users and organization representatives participated in several community wide work sessions in June,
November, and December 2014, where they mapped community concerns, work underway and ideas for improvement.
Crotona Park Master PlanPrepared by Planning and Parklands2014
Indian Lake
Hill & Dale Playground
SoccerField
Crotona Playground(NE Corner)
Prospect Park Playground
Roberto ClementeBallfield # 4
Ballfield # 3
Pool
Pool House
Boxcar Playground
Carter Playground
Ballfield # 1
Ballfield # 2
Martin Van Buren Playground
TennisHouse
Hylan Park
ClintonPlayground
Playground of the Stars
BathgatePlayground
Crotona Playground(NW corner)
Handball &BasketballCourts
Victory Garden
CrotonaAmphitheater
TremontPlayground -2
TremontPlayground -1
Ballfield
NatureCenter
FULT
ON
AVE
NUE
CROT
ONA
AVEN
UE
Tenniscourts
Tenniscourts
Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning
CLAREMONT PKWY
CLAREMONT VILLAGE
EAST TREMONT
CLAREMONT VILLAGE
CROSS BRONX EXPRESSWAY
TremontPark
174 th Steet Station
Picnic Area
Handball &BasketballCourts
Spray Shower
BasketballCourt
BasketballCourt
Handball &BasketballCourts
(Under construction)
HandballCourts
Old BoroughHall Site
SleddingArea
Bridges
CR
OTO
NA
PAR
KWAY
M
ALLS
Hank GreenbergBallfield # 5
ZONE 51. Connect Crotona and Tremont Parks.2. Add soccer fi eld 3. Increase lighting in SW Tremont park 4. Construct new entrance - NE corner.5. Solarium at old borough hall.6. Mounted police offi cers.7. Amphitheatre.8. Litter campaign, better trash collection.9. More benches, picnic tables.10. Bike racks along Arthur Avenue.11. Restroom.12. Licensed food vendor.13. Replace fountain with active recreation.14. Destination for evening sports practices.
ZONE 1
1. Pool Building - Construct indoor playground for winter use, clean the pool, add surveillance cameras, plant a fl ower garden east of pool build-ing2. Bathgate Playground - add more seating and more shade trees, prevent from fl ooding 3. Add a safe path connecting Tennis house to park exit on the north side of Bathgate playground4. Remove ball fi eld for more liberal use of the lawn 5. Construct a waterfall/fl owing water system to the south of ball fi eld6. Increase lighting on the Central N/S path7. Designate a dog park8. Add a safe path connecting Tennis house to park exit on the north side of Bathgate playground9. Smoke free playgrounds10. Build new comfort station
ZONE 21. Provide more benches on the western path2. Clinton Playground: expand3. Playground of the Stars: build swings for all ages, increase lighting 4. Increase lighting on circular pathways and baseball fi eld5. Add swings for all ages6. Designate a Dog Park7. Add benches throughout
ZONE 31. Build new soccer fi eld with track at Boxcar playground2. Indian Lake - clean the lake, introduce boating add pay-phone, Gazebos, fences, food concessions, fountain or a bird bath south of Indian bridge and a carrousel 3. Construct a low-cost park eat-ery to the south of tennis fi elds4. Add more parking on Crotona Ave near Tennis fi elds5. Charlotte St Entrance feels unsafe6. Carter Playground: renovate7. Nature Center: reopen8. Add comfort station9. BBQ area needs to be cleaned up10. Mounted Park Ranger stable.
ZONE 41. Provide an easier connec-tion to the park from 174th street subway station2. Mini golf course north of tennis fi elds 3. Skate Park in Hylan park 4. Improve drainage and sur-veillance for ball fi elds 5. Handball courts: need repair6. Designate dog park7. Add comfort station
Community Brainstorm MapCrotona Park April, November 2014
ZONE 5
ZONE 1
ZONE 2
ZONE 3
ZONE 4
COMMUNITY GOAL SUMMARY
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203419
20 years from today, I will return to Crotona Park
to see great green pastures where citizens BBQ
in peace, and to join the camping sessions one
night during summer months.
I rode with my kids through the park greenway. We turned west at Claremont parkway Greenway,
Continuing on the much greener Claremont Parkway; I’m so glad they “put the ‘park’ back in Claremont Parkway.”
Today my Grandkids and I took a blanket
and lay down under a beautiful tree and
read our books. Like our moms did.
Coming back to Crotona Park after being gone for so long, we were
very impressed by the ice skating rink, the clean bathroom, the picnic
area - so clean! The wild life... We enjoyed ourselves so much, rowing
in the Indian Lake. Thank you so much for the memory that we created.
-Sol R.
Dear Family,
I had a great time boating on the lake at Crotona Park last summer and my kid is now the best player on the Crotona Hockey Team. CROTONA PARK 2034
USA $5
20 years from now I’ll go to Crotona Park and find my-
self enjoying rowing in Indian Lake alongside beautiful
ducks and looking at the beauiful fish and turtles living
in the lake.
POSTCARDS FROM 2034: What Community Members Imagined
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203420
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Recreation & Concessions• Infrastructure for children: sprinklers, playground for special needs children, sand box, zip line, more swings and slides, seesaw.• More comprehensive sports fields: football, soccer, track and field, handball, skate park, basketball. Include bleachers and adequate lighting with all fields. Gym facilities.• More BBQ areas, year-round activities, and food concessions in the park.
Safety & Enforcement• More and brighter lights throughout park – especially in problem areas.• More security: PEP officers, police officers to monitor park. • Other ideas: cameras, alarm boxes, police buzzers.• Develop park curfew. Lock the park after a certain time, keep Illegal activities out. • Enforce rules about littering – especially with larger summer BBQs.
• Establish rule that dogs without leashes cannot be in park.
Facilities & Amenities • Bathrooms: increase numbers, renovate existing, keep clean.• More benches and water fountains.• Create dog run.• Create better indoor spaces for children and families during winter months – make park a year-round resource.• New pool for young children. • Ice / roller skating rink.
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Navigation & Communication• Maps, signs, legends at every park entrance. Map all park facilities and resources. Include arrows throughout parks to help users navigate.• Foster community support. Build more comprehensive list of partners, create a reliable and consistent calendar to communicate parks events. • Name parts of the park.• Create signs in different languages, make color coded signs to help special needs patrons find their way.
Programming & Volunteering • More parks events: concerts, movies.• Family friendly gatherings, with lots of weekend programming to include parents who work full time: tournaments, nutrition and cooking classes, art classes, sports days. • Dog programming: dog shows, dog health, dog meet ups.
Indian Lake & Nature• Clean up lake. Boating and swimming in the lake. Make area safer. Build new gazebo.• Keep Bathgate Playground from flooding when it rains.• Create more significant gardening areas. • Trim trees.
Maintenance• Keep bathrooms clean.• More trash cans needed.• Clean pool.
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Bike & Pedestrian Issues • Mile marker for walkers and runners.• Create a well laid-out continuous east-west path along Claremont Parkway. • Make an extension off road greenway south from Claremont Parkway to exit at Crotona Park East• Connect bike paths to Prospect Ave – better northbound path than Crotona Ave.
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COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS: June Community Workshop Goals
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203421
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS: Community Board Six Goals Tremont Park
Recreation• More swings at Tremont playground and softsurface• Handball courts well used but no basketball• Track or field near old borough hall site• Exercise equipment• More swings at Tremont playground 2• Little league uses Ball field Facilities• Amphitheatre• Solarium• Gazebo senior center• Picnic area requested• Dog run• Indoor activity space
Amenities• Bike racks along 3rd avenue and Arthur ave by Tremont• Licensed food vendor• Bike racks along Arthur ave • Restroom needed of old concessions• More benches• Signage: maps , health trails
Maintenance • Sanitation cleanup• Empty trash• Fencing by Bronx Expressway • More lights near ballfield and along Fulton Avenue
Programming• Better signage, events posted• Tours history, litter campaign• Maps in the park highlighting sites• Tree ID for teaching botanicals • Mounted park / police officers• Bring back the boats
Facilities• Gazebo
Maintenance • Staff cleanup • Clean bathroom• Roberto Clemente needs facelift
• Litter removal• Bring back mounted police• Health walk trail markers
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3
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Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
In early December, we met with the Tremont Merchants Association, a group
assembled to foster businesses and economic growth in the area. The group
- composed of community board members, business owners, and long-time
residents came up with several ideas for developing Tremont Park.
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COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS: Tremont Merchants Association Goals
Recreation• In 1960s: summer events,
carousels, fields packed
• Can’t live in the past, need
to make park a destination
• More programming
• Add sports fields instead of
replacing fountain
• Playgrounds
• Add track
Safety • Lighting is a major problem
both around park and in park
• More Parks Enforcement
Officers
General Ideas• “Live work play” space
• Activate the park
• Make the park a destination
• Add recreation and more
programming
Facilities• Administrative / permit office
• Café
• Renovate abandoned red
building
• Build a new community
center at site of old borough
hall
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Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
We talked to teenagers at the Mary Mitchell Community Center about what they wanted to see in their park.
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COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS: Mary Mitchell Community Center
Recreation• Indoor gym• Parkour / Skate park• More soccer fields • Community Center• Volleyball courts• Secure indoor gym • Indoor basketball
1 2
3
4Facility• Bathrooms in every park• Add more restrooms
Programming • Greenhouses• Seasonal family Olympics• Community garden• Free tennis lessons for all
Safety• Security cameras• More enforcement• More lighting throughout • Repave paths • More Park Rangers
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203424
SITE ANALYSIS ANDMAJOR GOALSInvestigate the existing conditions of the site to determine opportunities and constraints. Identify the major goals that must be addressed.
Photo by Karl Crutchfield
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
DEMOGRAPHICS & RECREATIONAL NEEDS
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Population (0-9yrs)0 - 281
281 - 534
534 - 801
801 - 1194
1194 - 2134
Population (10-64yrs)0 - 2032
2032 - 3448
3448 - 5045
5045 - 9685
9685 - 18502
Population (65yrs +)0 - 239
239 - 469
469 - 800
800 - 1869
1869 - 6272
• There are insufficient interior or covered spaces for after school and summer programs• There are insufficient football and soccer fields to meet demand• There are insufficient activities for adolescents• There are no opportunities for socializing with food in a café setting
• Some areas of high activity lack comfort stations• There are insufficient benches in areas where there are concentrations of seniors or other populations such as homeless families.
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
Crotona Park Master PlanPrepared by Planning and Parklands2014
Indian Lake
Hill & Dale Playground
SoccerField
Crotona Playground(NE Corner)
Prospect Park Playground
Roberto ClementeBallfield # 4
Ballfield # 3
Pool
Pool House
Boxcar Playground
Carter Playground
Ballfield # 1
Ballfield # 2
Martin Van Buren Playground
TennisHouse
Hylan Park
ClintonPlayground
Playground of the Stars
BathgatePlayground
Crotona Playground(NW corner)
Handball &BasketballCourts
Victory Garden
CrotonaAmphitheater
TremontPlayground -2
TremontPlayground -1
Ballfield
NatureCenter
FULT
ON A
VENU
E
CROTO
NA AV
ENUE
Tenniscourts
Tenniscourts
Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning
CLAREMONT PKWY
CLAREMONT VILLAGE
EAST TREMONT
CLAREMONT VILLAGE
CROSS BRONX EXPRESSWAY
TremontPark
174 th Steet Station
Picnic Area
Handball &BasketballCourts
Spray Shower
BasketballCourt
BasketballCourt
Handball &BasketballCourts
(Under construction)
HandballCourts
Old BoroughHall Site
SleddingArea
Bridges
CROT
ONA
PAR
KWAY
M
ALLS
Hank GreenbergBallfield # 5
Crotona Park Master PlanPrepared by Planning and Parklands2014
Indian Lake
Hill & Dale Playground
SoccerField
Crotona Playground(NE Corner)
Prospect Park Playground
Roberto ClementeBallfield # 4
Ballfield # 3
Pool
Pool House
Boxcar Playground
Carter Playground
Ballfield # 1
Ballfield # 2
Martin Van Buren Playground
TennisHouse
Hylan Park
ClintonPlayground
Playground of the Stars
BathgatePlayground
Crotona Playground(NW corner)
Handball &BasketballCourts
Victory Garden
CrotonaAmphitheater
TremontPlayground -2
TremontPlayground -1
Ballfield
NatureCenter
FULT
ON A
VENU
E
CROTO
NA AV
ENUE
Tenniscourts
Tenniscourts
Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning
CLAREMONT PKWY
CLAREMONT VILLAGE
EAST TREMONT
CLAREMONT VILLAGE
CROSS BRONX EXPRESSWAY
TremontPark
174 th Steet Station
Picnic Area
Handball &BasketballCourts
Spray Shower
BasketballCourt
BasketballCourt
Handball &BasketballCourts
(Under construction)
HandballCourts
Old BoroughHall Site
SleddingArea
Bridges
CROT
ONA
PAR
KWAY
M
ALLS
Hank GreenbergBallfield # 5
The pool house has importantcharacter, but is not year-round
No water supply or maintenanceshed at Victory garden
Improve forest for bird habitat
Lack of street trees on theperimeter to buffer the street
Limited parking for Tennis Center
Beautiful & unique Bald Cypress trees
Important forest & sceniclandscape with long views
Phragmites unattractive landscape
Very nice London Plane allee
Heavily used playground
Too much sidewalk createspoor park image
Park entrance lacks character
Hylan park is isolated
Poor connection from tennis courts to park entrance on Fulton Ave near Bathgate plgd
Homeless family residencewith need for park activities
Sledding area
No crosswalk
Help USA: Homeless shelter needs park activites
Future Cary Leeds Centerfor Tennis & Learning: will be a magnet
Poor connection between Crotona Park and Crotona Parkway Malls
No good bike lane connection to Crotona Parkway
Algae and phragmites ruin thelake health & appearance
Pond collects litter & requires more frequent cleaning
Overused picnic area with poor visual appearance Picnic area and handball courtsview detracts from amphitheater
Indian Lake & Picnic Area
Tremont Park
Unsafe pedestrian crossing
Northwest Zone
South Zone
Hylan Park
North Zone
Senior citizens need apleasant spot to use
Ballfield fences interruptflow of meadow
Park perimeter offers limitedactivities for the neighborhood
Handball courts intrude on scenic landscape
Flooding behind Bathgate Plgd
Old borough hall site: possiblecovered activity structure
Poor connection betweenCrotona Park and Tremont Park
Vacant green space adjacent to BXExpressway, can connect Crotona & Tremont Parks
People congregating & sleepingon the sidewalk along the park
Scenic landscape & long views
Grand steps to old borough hall site:potentially a community centerpiece
Unused large builiding
Ballfield in poor condition & too small
Historic fountain moved to City Hall;replaced with planter
Scenic landscapeConnection
Poor drainage
Important featureLandscape feature
Perimeter needs improvement
Critical issuePoor viewGood view
KEY
Under utilized area
SITE ANALYSIS
26
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203427
MAJOR GOALS
Add new recreational facilities and programs for youth like football, soccer and skateboarding.
Provide more activities and sitting ar-eas for seniors.
Provide indoor areas for exercise and community use.
Provide comfort stations in areas of concentrated use.
Provide indoor and outdoor spaces for social gathering. Maintain and improve existing fields and courts.
Provide venues for picnicking.
Recreation and New Facilities
Make Crotona Park the most beautiful park in the Bronx.
Restore the lake appearance and beauty.
Enhance and promote the beauty and cultural landscape of Crotona Park.
Prepare a landscape plantingplan to guide future planting and forest management.
Implement the Crotona Park Urban Forest Management plan.
Nature and Landscape Beauty
Social Life, Culture and EducationProvide ways of engaging the public in caring for the park’s arboreal legacy and historic significance.
Provide focal point for community and family activities.
Improve the functionality and beauty of Crotona Pool.
Volunteer center, greenhouse, Nature Center, Cary Leeds Center are all op-portunities for education.
Integrate Cary Leeds Tennis Center into the life of the park.
Provide food and boat rental.
Circulation and SafetyProvide a safe, continuous, and beautiful pedestrian path system.
Provide routes for scenic walks and runs.
Improve park perimeter. Create welcoming entrances with social seating.
Enhance way finding in the park by provid-ing attractive signage.
Establish a park wide security network.
Improve pedestrian crossings at Crotona Avenue.
Connect the bike route to the on-street network.
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
CONCEPTUAL PLAN Illustrate the major actions and projects necessary to solve the problems and meet the needs of the community.
Photo by Karl Crutchfield 28
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
Crotona Park Master PlanPrepared by Planning and Parklands2014
Indian Lake
Hill & Dale Playground
SoccerField
Crotona Playground(NE Corner)
Prospect Park Playground
Roberto ClementeBallfield # 4
Ballfield # 3
Pool
Pool House
Boxcar Playground
Carter Playground
Ballfield # 1
Ballfield # 2
Martin Van Buren Playground
TennisHouse
Hylan Park
ClintonPlayground
Playground of the Stars
BathgatePlayground
Crotona Playground(NW corner)
Handball &BasketballCourts
Victory Garden
CrotonaAmphitheater
TremontPlayground -2
TremontPlayground -1
Ballfield
NatureCenter
FULT
ON
AVE
NU
E
CRO
TONA
AVE
NUE
Tenniscourts
Tenniscourts
Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning
CLAREMONT PKWY
CLAREMONT VILLAGE
EAST TREMONT
CLAREMONT VILLAGE
CROSS BRONX EXPRESSWAY
TremontPark
174 th Steet Station
Picnic Area
Handball &BasketballCourts
Spray Shower
BasketballCourt
BasketballCourt
Handball &BasketballCourts
(Under construction)
HandballCourts
Old BoroughHall Site
SleddingArea
Bridges
CR
OTO
NA
PA
RK
WAY
M
ALL
S
Hank GreenbergBallfield # 5
10
NATURE & LANDSCAPE BEAUTY
Provide landscape buffer for courts & fields throughout the park
Improve appearance of Indian Lake. Add food and activities.
SOCIAL LIFE, CULTURE &EDUCATION RECREATION AND NEW FACILITIES
A
New comfort stationB
Cafe and boatingC
Skate park D
GymnasiumE
Dog parkF
Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & LearningG
Picnic houseH
Senior activity areaI
2
1
4
5
7
7
9 10
11
13
B
C
E 13
F
I
CIRCULATION & SECURITY
Provide a safe & attractive connectionbetween Crotona & Tremont Park
Scenic running and walking path loop
Enhance way-finding in the parkby providing signage
Establish a park wide security networkof call boxes
Add crosswalks for pedestriansafety and connections
Enhance scenic enjoyment
G
1/8 mile track with exercise equipment
15
8
Crosswalk
Scenic landscape
Winter landscape
7
7
A
K
K
K
K
10
I10
10
B
Improve visual appearance of Crotona Avenue
D
Prepare a Landscape Master Plan
Protect and enhance scenic landscape zone, add winter foliage & native trees
Provide indoor & outdoor space for social gathering
Modify the pool building for use as year-round recreation center
B
H
Scenic pedestrian bridge over Crotona Avenue
K
6
L
12
Rehabilitate & repurpose the historicstaircase and old borough hall site.
Promote and enhance the sceniclandscape & arboreal legacy of the park.
8
3
B
L
Football/Soccer synthetic surface fieldL
FBK
14
14
CONCEPT PLAN
Concept PlanCrotona Park February 2015
15 Reroute bike lane
Construction of food concession and rest room
29
1 Provide a garden shed and water
2 Explore urban design solutions to make theintersection a feature
3 Extend London Planeallee
4 Clean the pond and add water cascade feature
5 Buffer picnic ground and BBQ area
6
7 Enhance park entrance
8 Create attractive winterlandscape for sledding
9 Beautify landscape views. Reveal water source & create cascade with circulation pump
10 Provide seating area withoutdoor exercise equipment
11
12
Beautify landscape
13
Plant conifer trees Add seating with tables and activity area
CONCEPT PLAN NOTES
Connect bike route to Crotona Parkway and Bronx River Greenway
14
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203430
The Pool building is deteriorating due to poor roofing, flashing and brick pointing. It is a very significant structure that needs immediate attention. Numerous interior spaces are ill con-figured or unusable due to poor conditions. The gymnasium is closed in the summer for use as pool locker rooms.
There are capital funds allocated for roof, mezzanine, clock tower renovations. The project is in the bidding process. More funds are necessary.
Original rendering of the pool house. Exterior of pool house today.
RECREATION & NEW FACILITIES: Restore Pool House & Convert to Year-Round Use
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
RECREATION & NEW FACILITIES: Restore Pool House & Convert to Year-Round Use
31
View of gymnasium.
Convert the existing arched window opening and storage room on the north-east corner
of the building into an entrance and lobby.
Connect lobby area to a new corridor that runs through the existing men’s locker room to
connect to the existing women’s locker room.
Original rendering of gymnasium.
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
At every community meeting we had, building more fields for
football and soccer was a major concern. We searched through
Crotona and Tremont Park to locate potential sites.
We examined the whole park to see where a full size (300’ X
180’) field would fit.
A smaller field ( 240’ X 150”) could be sited in Tremont Park or
in Crotona Park, each other site would involve tree removals,
but are worth consideration.
Field 5, east of the Roberto Clemente field, is the only place a
full size field will fit.
RECREATION & NEW FACILITIES: Possible Sites for Multipurpose Field
All of the potential sites for a multipurpose field in Crotona Park. 32
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
Best site identified for a new multipurpose field.
Current conditions at the site identified.
RECREATION & NEW FACILITIES: New Multipurpose Field
33
Due to the increasing demand for football and soccer facilities in Crotona Park, and the
shortage of acceptable site without trees, rocks or rolling topography, converting field five
to soccer/football is the most feasible option and is supported by the major users.
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203434
Construct the City’s First Long Board Skate Park Construct a dog run at the under- used sitting area at Hylan Park.
• This will activate Hylan Park in the mornings and evenings
• The site is separated from residential areas
Proposed location of dog run. Skateboarding in Vermont, courtesy of enthuzed.com.
Skateboarders enjoy Skate the Cape Shred Festival in Fort Miles section of Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware. Courtesy of axsgear.com.
RECREATION & NEW FACILITIES: New Dog Run & Skate Park Establish a New Dog Run in Crotona Park
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203435
Many of the groups we interviewed expressed a desire for indoor areas for
church fucntions, family reunions, birthday parties and weddings. The picnic
house is intended to be a place for of symbolic importance in the park -
visible in the landscape and across the Lake.
1/8 mile track with outdoor exercise equipment for all ages.
New Track Facility New Picnic House RECREATION & NEW FACILITIES: New Maintenance Facility & Picnic House
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203436
Tremont Park was once a “Town square’” with the Bor-
ough hall and a formal area focused on a fountain. The
Borough hall was demolished and the decorative center-
piece fountain was removed.
Recent playground improvements, done in accordance
with a mini-master plan by Abel Bainson and Butz, have
brought vitality to the park. The rest of the park needs to
be restored to community prominence and serve as the
focal point of cultural and community gatherings.
Borough Hall and terrace. New lawn and playgrounds in 2014.
Deteriorated condition of the steps in 1980.
RECREATION & NEW FACILITIES: Tremont Park
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203437
RECREATION & NEW FACILITIES: Tremont ParkMake Tremont park a beacon for neighborhood recreation and activity on Tremont Avenue.
• Construct a gymnasium/community event space sited on the site of the old Borough Hall.
• One large enclosed space with lighting, heating and mechanical ventilation.
• Design the end facing the park to open completely in order to facilitate its use for large cultural gatherings.
• At night it should glow from within.
• Permit it primarily for after school activities for youth.
Reconfigure the paths around the fountain basin to accommodate a jogging loop (shown in yellow on the plan) that would be well lit to attract evening use.
• Reconfigure the smaller diameter path around the central feature, to accommodate strolling, admiration of gardens and social seating.
• Use the central feature area for public art that is activated by wind, water or motors so that it is an attraction.
• Construct a smaller synthetic surface football / soccer field within the jogging loop. Light it for night time use.
Convert the closed comfort station to a café/comfort station. Serve food at the street level and at the park level.
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
NATURE & LANDSCAPE BEAUTY: Implement a Landscape Planting Plan
38
Make Crotona the Most Beautiful Park in the BronxCrotona Park has the notable topography and un-
derlying beauty but it has never had a landscape
plan that amplifies the unique character of the dif-
ferent areas: the long meadow near the pool, the
large hill overlooking the lake, the sledding hills in
the Northwest corner, or the vale around the lake in
particular.
For the most part recreational facilities have been
integrated into the topography of the park to make
them barely visible from the scenic interior. Howev-
er, there are a few instances where handball walls
and ballfield fences impinge on the park beauty.
Frequently indiscrete trash cans and poor signage
are the sole flaw in the landscape appearance.
The picnic area and handball walls are an unfortu-
nate backdrop for the amphitheater.
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
NATURE & LANDSCAPE BEAUTY: Implement a Landscape Planting Plan
39
The rolling hills and rock outcroppings of Crotona Park
create a setting of great scenic opportunity.
Pruning and lifting of tree canopies as well as planting
of understory trees and shrubs of seasonal beauty will
make Crotona Park’s Long Meadow a significant land-
scape.
Remove thicket and open view of Long Meadow.
Long Meadow.
Winter Hill existing conditions.
Photoshop rendering of Winter Hill with evergreen trees.
Example of handball walls that interfere with scenic beauty.
Photoshop rendering of evergreens planted to improve view.
EXISTING CONDITIONS EXISTING CONDITIONS
PROPOSED SOLUTIONPROPOSED SOLUTIONPROPOSED SOLUTION
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203440
NATURE & LANDSCAPE BEAUTY: IMPROVE THE PARK PERIMETER• Provide attractive views into the park with plantings of seasonal beauty and habitat value. Entrances will enhance natural features such as outcroppings and gardens, be furnished with benches, and create a welcoming atmosphere.• Perimeter paving and fencing should be as transparent as possible, most likely 3-foot picket fence, so that seated people can see over it into the park.• Park lighting fixtures should be spaced so as to provide at least 1 foot candle on the pavement.• If the surrounding land uses are objectionable in appearance from inside the park, landscape buffer plantings should be installed to provide interest inside the park.• Uses on the park perimeter should be designed to meet the needs of the adjacent population such a Senior centers, day care centers, and homeless family residences.• If the adjacent uses include drug treatment facilities, benches in secluded in less public areas should be designed to discourage domination by a single person. • Provide benches in the most public areas for use by the general population.
View of entrance to Hylan Park. This could be greatly improved with the addition of flowering trees, which would also en-close the park in beauty.
View of perimeter traffic which should be screened with attractive plantings.
View of wooden fence on Crotona Avenue which should be replaced with 3-foot steel picket fence.
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203441
NATURE & LANDSCAPE BEAUTY: ENHANCE PARK ENTRANCES • Make every entrance attractive. Highlight seasonal landscape beauty, landmark elements, and provide handicapped accessible curb cuts. • Provide sufficient companion seating, smooth paving for wheelchair users, lighting, as well as drinking fountains where possible. • Locate trash cans. • Provide greeting signage with orientation maps, rules, space for events postings, as well as contact information for the Parks Administrator, Friends of Crotona Park, and 311 numbers.
Park entrance with potential.
Use trees and shrubs of seasonal beauty to envelop visitors Improve seating area and use Crotona bench.
Current entrances feature unattractive vandalism proof benches.
EXISTING CONDITIONS EXISTING CONDITIONS
PROPOSED SOLUTIONS PROPOSED SOLUTIONS
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
NATURE & LANDSCAPE BEAUTY: Implement a Landscape Planting Plan
42
Use the 1930s landscape plan as a rough guide to massing of a new layer of shrubs and middle story trees.• Do not replicate the 1930s shrub and vine vocabulary as most of those plants are no longer acceptable due to invasiveness and growth habit. • Pay attention to the middle story and flowering trees and make an effort to understand its massing and adjust the new plantings to shape views and block unsightly additions to the park or off site conditions. • Use multi stem varieties of middle story trees not trees that have been limbed up for street tree use.• Add trees that will extend the flowering season and add other interest such as fall color.• The potential exists to do some substantial plantings using the Million Trees program in accordance with a landscape planting plan.
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203443
TODAY
The chemistry of the water in the lake is high in phos-phorous that encourages algae growth. Consequently, the beauty of the water is severely compromised. It is likely that the health of the aquatic ecosystem is also compromised.
The naturalized shoreline of the lake has provided good growing conditions for Phragmites which have out competed the plantings that were installed when the lake was restored.
Consequently, views from the shoreline and across the lake into the surrounding groves have been blocked.
Indian Lake, August 2014.
INDIAN LAKE: Diagnosis & Next StepsFUTURE
Our top goals for Indian Lake:
1. Understand the ecological condition of the Lake and
create a management plan.
2. Create educational and stewardship partnerships to
keep up Lake’s appearance and wellbeing.
3. Make the Lake a destination - a place to take a
family photo, canoe, enjoy a meal, explore the Nature
Center!
Indian Lake, April 2014.
HISTORYIndian Lake is actually a pond. When the Bronx was first settled, the area surrounding Indian Lake was among the finest forest downstate.
Initially part of the Morris family holdings, the Lake served many commercial pursuits. From the 1850s un-til Prohibition in the 1920s, Indian Lake provided ice to several nearby breweries, an integral part of the local economy.
In 1846, the land was sold to Andrew Bathgate, who opened the lake area for picnicking in the 1850s. The Zeltner family leased the lake for the winter months - running a beer house / dance hall as well as ice skat-ing on the lake.
In 1888, New York City purchased the park, yet for decades beforehand, Crotona Park was a community focal point for row boating, ice skating, fishing, and picnicking.
Indian Lake, 1934
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203444
UNDERSTAND, CARE FORECOLOGY
CREATE INNOVATIVE
PROGRAMMING
BUILD STRONG
PARTNERSHIPS
Perform limnology, water,
and soil tests to understand
current conditions.
Conduct a Bio Blitz - This will
allow the DPR to understand what
species reside in Indian Lake.
Create lake management
plan to rectify the excess
phosphorous issue.
Ensure a team of staff and
volunteers can help execute the
plan and implement.
Create an RFP to invite
boating in the lake.
Allow for fishing in the lake.
Outings with local groups.
Create programming around the
animals and ecosystem of the lake -
amphibians, fish, and more.
Utilize the Lake in Nature Center
programming and lessons.
Work with Urban Park Rangers to
include routine canoeing trips, use
staff to maintain Lake.
Create annual spring clean up days,
work with local churches, community
groups.
Engage youth in education
and stewardship: Girl / Boy
Scouts, Local Schools.
Create a formal partnership
with a NYC college or
University.
INDIAN LAKE: Improvement Plan
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034Photos by Karl Crutchfield
Restore a Community Focal PointSince the 1800s, Indian Lake has been a focal point of Crotona Park. The deterioration of its water quality is a constant dissapointment. Improving the appearance of Indian Lake will be
a huge boost to the residents who use Crotona Park often. Indian Lake will be more vibrant than ever, as we plan to restore the Nature Center, add a cafe, and boat rental concession.
45
INDIAN LAKE: Restore Lake Appearance & Beauty
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203446
• This is a conceptual design for a pedestrian
bridge that would cross Crotona Avenue just
south of the Carry Leeds tennis center. It would
take advantage of the existing topography and
handicapped accessible slopes on the path
system so that it would not require stairs or
ramps.
• The bridge is sited to provide a continuous
scenic route through the park for walkers and
runners. A scenic loop, which is lit at night, is
of paramount importance for exercise and for
traversing the park. The bridge should be
Art-Modern in character, to be ensemble with
the pool.
CIRCULATION & SAFETY: Improving Walkabiltiy
Construct a Pedestrian Bridge Across Crotona Avenue
• Crotona Avenue and Claremont Parkway
cut the park into four pieces without
regard for pedestrian paths or park
beauty.
• There are no signalized pedestrian crossings
or adequate crosswalks.
• The cross Bronx expressway separates
Tremont Park from Crotona.
Major park paths cross Crotona Avenue without signals or crosswalks. Such crossings disrupt the park experience.
INTERIM SOLUTION
This interim solutions shows a crosswalk and pedestrian refuge island.
Improve CrosswalkEXISTING CONDITIONS
FUTURE SOLUTIONSITE LOCATION
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203447
CIRCULATION & SAFETY: Navigation, Walkability, Lighting & Public Art
• Create safe routes through the park at night by
concentratking activity.
• Design a scenic walk that has an orchestrated
set of views.
• Make use of simple signage to make it clear how to
reach popular destinations.
• Mark and measure a jogging loop.
Create Scenic Running and Strolling Loop, Install Lighting, Wayfinding Signage and Public Art Exhibits
Lighting Plan
Key
Nighttime “hot spots of activity”
Scenic Path Loop
Public Art Installation Sites
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203448
• The bicycle route striping and signage are jarring and
interfere with the beauty of the park.
The bicycle route striping and signage interfere with the beauty of the park.
The bicycle route striping signage should be replaced with park scale greenway signs.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Improve Bike Signage CIRCULATION & SAFETY: Improving Bikability
• The bicycle route through the park is not connected to the Bronx River Greenway or the Crotona ParkwayImprove Bike Paths and Connectivity
City-wide bike route plan with new bike routes.
Remove angle parking and continue striped bike route on E 174th St. Stripe on street bicycle route on E 175th St to Crotona Parkway.
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034Photos by Karl Crutchfield 49
Over $2M in capital funding has been allocated for the renovation of the Nature Center. After reconstruction, Crotona Park will make the Nature Center a vital part of the park, open on a
daily basis for community, school and after school use.
SOCIAL LIFE, CULTURE & EDUCATION: Nature Center Engage the Public in Caring for Crotona Park’s Natural Area and Landscape Beauty
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
SOCIAL LIFE, CULTURE & EDUCATION: Revive Victory Garden
50
• Prune and thin trees to improve sunlight access to garden.• Install new fencing
• Provide water, storage and propagation area.• Provde a public sitting area inside the garden.
EXISTING CONDITIONS EXISTING CONDITIONS
The current garden has a blighted appearance and lacks storage, water and propagation areas.
FUTURE SOLUTIONS FUTURE SOLUTIONS
The Garden of Life at 1685 Weeks Ave in the Bronx is a great example of what the Victory Garden can become (photographed above).
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
CROTONA PARK DESIGN VOCABULARY
51
New Parks signage.
Rodent proof trash and recycling containers in black. Traditional type B light fixture and pole.Improve seating area and use Crotona bench.
Crotona Park is remarkably intact 1930s Gilmore D. Clarke landscape
with Art Modern Architecture. Therefore the park vocabulary should stick
to elements common in that period, such as the B pole and Riverside
Park Luminare. The Crotona bench is unique to this park and should be
preserved as a signature element.
New architecture and structures should inflect towards modern
interpretations of Art Modern, romantic structures with cast iron or other
structural elements expressed, high relief abstracted nature motifs, and a
dose of exoticism.
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
SOCIAL LIFE, CULTURE & EDUCATION: Programming & Volunteerism
52
Photo by Karl Crutchfield Photo by Karl Crutchfield
Programming Volunteerism Programming is one of the things that lots of people want to do. It the park provides a
desirable venue, then other groups will step up to provide programming. This ranges
from concerts to Easter egg hunts. Since the park runs on a tight budget, it should be
understood with all permitees that events in the park are “public,” that the park will be
provided to them for their use clean and it must be returned clean.
Volunteerism is a joy, and a way for people who do not have private gardens to enjoy
the satisfaction of cultivation of a public place. It is worth the effort to organize and
support a broad range of citizen volunteerism from individuals who adopt a site - from
groups who work together on a regular basis to corporate and academic groups on
an irregular basis. Each of these must be supported with a firm understanding of their
scope of activity, supported with tools and materials and recognized for their efforts.
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
Many groups and local residents are leaving the park to find food and refreshments. To accommodate the desire for food within the park, we are proposing a cafe near Indian Lake and
the Nature Center. This will serve as an amenity to those using the Lake area recreationally and educationally. Additionally, this will be a great resource to those visiting the park.
53
SOCIAL LIFE, CULTURE & EDUCATION: New Indian Lake Concessions
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 203454Photo by Karl Crutchfield
Constructed in a partnership between the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation and the New York Junior Tennis League, the Cary Leeds Center will house a two-story, 12,000-square-foot clubhouse and educational facility, which will be the flagship home for NYJTL coaches to provide free year-round instruction and play for young people.
The center will serve more than 30,000 families and children in and around Crotona Park. It will also provide space for educators to help young people improve their performance in school.
Rendering and information courtesy of New York Junior Tennis League.
NYJTL CARY LEEDS CENTER FOR TENNIS & LEARNING
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
Circulation and Security Improve park safety and beauty Cost
4,258,800
390,000
Decorative entrance lighting, benches, trash cans and orientation signage 600,000
Security cameras and cellular boxes for problem locations 1,000,000
Measured loop for running with signage and bike route modifications 125,000
Landscape the bridge to Tremont Park and widen sidewalk 280,000
DOT400,000
DOT300,000
DOT Beautify the Crotona Avenue and Claremont Parkway Intersection 4,000,000
Circulation and Security Total $11,353,800
Nature and Landscape BeautyRestore the scenic beauty of the park Cost Create four signature landscapes:
Winter Hill 350,000Long Meadow 1,700,000Vale of the Lake 1,000,000Prospect Hill 900,000
Plant flowering trees and shrubs of seasonal beauty 500,000Buffer undesirable views 500,000Beautify the park perimeter 1,500,000Restore the Lake shoreline, the Cascade and the Rill 1,500,000EXPENSE BUDGETImplement the Forest Management Plan and care for park landscape $200,000 Restore Indian Lake, remove algae and Phragmites $70,000
Nature and Landscape Total $7,950,000
Estimates are in 2015 dollars including Design 10%, Construction Insection 10%, Construction Contingency 10%
Estimates are in 2015 dollars including Design 10%, Construction Insection 10%, Construction Contingency 10%
Construct a scenic pedestrian bridge over Crotona Avenue: Art Moderne precast concrete shallow arch bridge, graduated T section, custom stainless steel railings and supports for an arc of stainless steel net and integral bridge lighting. 120 foot span, 12 feet wide, bearing on rock outcropping.
Crotona Avenue bridge approaches: Path paving, structural curbs, new path lighting, 30' wide landscape
Two signalized pedestrian crossings on Crotona Avenue: Bring intersection into compliance with Vision Zero
Bicycle route connections to Crotona Parkway and Bronx River Greenway: Striping of streets and greenway signage
Per yearPer year
MAJOR PROJECTS SUMMARY DRAFT
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
MAJOR PROJECTS SUMMARY DRAFT
Crotona & Tremont Park Master Plan 2034
CROTONA PARK MASTER PLAN: CREDITS
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NYC Parks
Office of Parklands and PlanningAlyssa Cobb-Konan, Assistant CommissionerNicholas Molinari, Chief of Planning & Parklands Charles McKinney, Principal Urban Designer
Katerina Athanasiou, Conservation Corps FellowRucha Mandlik, Planning and Parklands InternDana Wall, Planning and Parklands Intern
Crotona Park Administrator’s OfficePortia Dyrenforth, Park Administrator
Capital ProjectsAndrew Penzi, Bronx Team LeaderRenatta Sokolowski, Deputy Team Leader