What Does Decatur's "Green Shed" Look Like?
Decatur Metro | August 5, 2008After reading through some of the recent discussions on the site about Decatur’s green space, Scott decided to look beyond all the arguments and try to get a real hold of how well Decatur provides “green space” to its residents.
To do this, he used a planning tool that draws a circle with a half mile diameter over individual locations on a map. This allows the planner to see all residents that are within a 1/4 mile of that point, which as Scott has mentioned before, is the recognized standard of how far the average person is willing to walk before they start to consider other means of transportation. He included “all of our parks, playfields and other recreational green that are either public or provided through a public/private partnership”. He purposely excluded Courthouse Square, the cemetery, Agnes Scott and Columbia Seminary. The results are below.
Scott's (Revised) Green Shed Map
Bottom line? To me, it shows that while you may have personal opinions about individual green locations around the city, to assert that the city is lacking for parks/green space is a bit of a stretch. Looking at the map above, around three-quarters four-fifths of city residents seem to be within walking distance of a park or green space. Couple that with the Greenspace Commission’s recent accomplishments (including 12 acres of acquisition since 2001) and future plans to link our green spaces and you begin to see a very different and much greener picture of Decatur.
Coming tomorrow…a much more light-hearted “shed” from Scott.
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Sorry to say it but that big green space in the upper right center is the cemetery. Unless I’m reading it wrong. You said he left the cemetery out.
Yes, but the circle is over Glenlake Park…
I think a park-like preserve area (don’t know what it’s called) just west of Sycamore off, maybe, Ridgeland was overlooked.
Thanks runswithdogs! Scott’s revised the map to include “Glenn Creek Preserve” or whatever that spot’s name might be, along with the College Heights park that was previously not included.
With most of Decatur Heights now covered…we’ve gotta be up near 80%-85% coverage now.
If I am not mistaken, I think people were more concerned about the lack of greenspace in a very densely developed area such as what is planned for downtown. In other words, the lack of a central park. Sure, there are lots of peripheral parks but no city gem central park.
I know not everyone agrees but, as far as I’m concerned, the cemetery qualifies as downtown’s green jewel; in parts, it’s every bit as picturesque as NYC’s Central Park. On top of its obvious benefits in terms of water filtration and CO2 processing, I’ve used it for hiking, Vespa riding, duck feeding, dog walking, sitting, pondering, historical snooping and general relaxing. I don’t know ’bout y’all, but that sounds like a park to me.
It’s all a matter of perspective. Just ask the Victorians.
Yep. Or just go right to the source and ask Olmsted where he got his inspiration for Central Park.
Scott- I walk around there quite often myself…you are right…much of it is beautiful in some respects….and as I look around I notice I am usually completely by myself. Its an amazing space but its a cemetary and I’m 99.9% sure that most people will not use that space as a central meeting spot. First of all, most people can’t handle facing thier own death much less walking around buried bodies unless they are visiting a deceased family member. Secondly, the headstones kind of get in the way of putting blankets on the ground and hanging out with your neigbors.
No, I’m with you, Rick. My point is that, in a town pushing 200 years old, there are certain limitations in terms of flexibility and resources so you need to get a bit creative. Yes, opportunities to throw out a blanket downtown and toss a Frisbee with your neighbors are limited but places to meet/chat/hang out with them aren’t. And, because of the cemetery, neither are opportunities to immerse yourself in a sense of natural solitude. All downtown.
I suppose my point is that, if the experiences you’re looking for are available in Decatur through our many other parks and green spaces, I don’t know if I see the value in trying to recreate those experiences downtown just for a locational difference. I would rather we direct our growth downtown. Not only does it encourage a commercial core that’s vibrant, alive and supportive of a local economy, it also relieves other, less intense or more natural parts of Decatur from development pressure.
A big town green or central park would, of course, be a lovely asset. But I don’t feel like Decatur’s seriously hurt by the lack of one.
I much agree that the cemetery is perhaps our most functional greenspace. If anyone is a little freaky over walking amongst headstones, just do it a few times; you’ll get over it.
You’re not likely to be alone early in the morning or before dark.. lots of runners and walkers there of both the 2 and 4 legged variety.
Lots of history there too..
If you want throw the fris, just take the little path into Glenlake park.. there’s big field perfect for that!
If you’re interested inthe history in the Decatur cemetery, there is a regular guided “Second Sunday Stroll” that begins every second Sunday (next would be this Sunday) through October at 2:30 PM at the gazebo.
I like the cemetery too. Especially the Woodsmen of the World tree stump headstones. But a park it ain’t folks. Lets get real. The map makes it look like there’s a big park right off Commerce. A small, say Savannah size square wouldn’t hurt the commercial aspects of downtown. And it would be a heckuva lot better than that awful Marta roof we have now.
I’ll just duck now.
Slightly off topic, but I agree with David….why in the world our town has TWO entrances to MARTA within 500 yards is a question that boggles the mind. It happened long before our curren leaders were in place, so no fault therre… It is a shame those light poles installed are that blue color, which does not tie to the new theme look of the directionals around town with the amber lanterns…oops!
yeah, those blue things are a disaster. They look dated, as though from the 80’s, and they are brand new!
The biggest obstacle to creating a park downtown, as I see it, is that there is no public land to do it. All the land, as far as I know, please correct me if I’m wrong, is privately owned. I’m just not a fan of eminent domain (which is the only way I can see to get a park downtown). I’ll bet the landowners that had their building torn down for the Marta stop downtown were thrilled!
If Decatur is going to go green I would rather see it get encourage green roofs like Chicago. Think Daley would come down and govern…er…dictate Decatur?
Again, the only way I can see a parcel of greenspace being added centrally to help offset the density…just to enhance the quality of life for the number of people that are going to be living centrally….. is getting rid of the parking lot in the Square. But as Decaturite said, a perception exists that there is not enough parking, and until that is overcome I think it would be an uphill battle. The Square should be greener. It shouldn’t be concrete and pavement. But it is what is it. And if the business owners on the Square like to have mini-traffic jams in front of their businesses while people hopelessly drive around and around in a circle trying to find parking in that small lot..well…it is what it is.
Hey Rick…this really seems to be a passion of yours. Have you approached the city or commission about its feasibility? I’d be interested in their response.
There you go, Newbie, bein’ all practical…
Seriously, you make a good point about the viability of ideas. It’s easy to say “we need a central park” because essentially no one would object to having one, however unlikely it may be. This allows someone to position themselves as smart and the city as stupid because they’re not acting on such stellar advice.
Of course, if the folks behind such an idea wanted to make it a reality, they could conceivably do so. All they would need to do is: become regularly involved with the Greenspace Commission, DDA and DBA; get their proposal on the table; build a consensus; orchestrate a community outreach effort; get the Strategic Plan amended; bring Marta or perhaps the DOT to the table and actually expect them to deviate from their usual demands; find a suitable piece of property with a willing seller; establish a non-profit to raise the money or take on the political minefield of using tax dollars; and run a public design process.
Which is why I’m not holding my breath. Taking potshots at our “clueless leaders” is a lot easier (not referring to any one poster specifically, just a general mindset I encounter a lot).
The Greenspace Commission is newly formed and looking for members. Get involved !
Scott, you make it sound so easy!
There’s plenty of green space in Decatur. Most homes here have both front and back yards. Folks in Manhattan who use Central Park don’t quite have that luxury.
What y’all are talking about reminds me a little bit about the restoration of Ellis Square in Savannah. The square was torn down (like, 50) years ago to make way for a parking lot, and is currently / has recently been restored with underground parking (about 1000 spaces) and mixed used development surrounding it.
I have no idea how it was done or how it has turned out, but on paper it seems like a great way to add more green space and more people to enjoy that green space.
@ jim, why wouldn’t we have two Marta entrances? I mean, the design of the Sycamore St. entrance is far from perfect, but I think two entrances are absolutely necessary to accommodate all the buses and folks from all sides of downtown Decatur.
Decaturite you are right. I need to step up to the plate on this and stop griping. I spend alot of time on the road for work..I’m a project manager for a software development firm…and life always seems to be very busy and in flux but I really should figure out a way to make the time. Next week I am going to go do some volunteer work in a refugee camp on the border of Kenya and Sudan for a month. I’ll be back in town after that and will check it out. I think the process that Scott laid out above is probably worst case scenario…but hey…I can start getting myself out there a bit. Cheers.
Rick- once you return from Africa (wow), definitely keep us updated.
Jim – one MARTA entrance is pedestrian while the other is for buses..most stations have a similar set up. And even though I don’t take the bus, I exit on that side because that’s my direction home. If I had to exit on Church…it would add an extra 5 minutes to my walk.
You’re right about the worst-case scenario, Rick, because one of the great things about Decatur is, if you’ve got a good idea, you’ll find a lot of people willing to get on board and help. So the onerous process I laid out may be required, but you wouldn’t have to go it alone.
I hope you get an opportunity to give it a shot. Active citizens and leadership willing to listen is a big part of what makes Decatur overall such a great town.
I’m not as repulsed by the new MARTA square design as most, however, they really missed an opportunity to make that a green space instead of all that hot concrete, particularly in the middle of the summer. It could have been done, but now were probaby stuck with what we’ve got for at least 20 years. It it had been grass instead of concrete, I’d bet you it would not be as empty as it is most days.