Project Luong collaborated with the City of Bellaire Parks and Recreation Department to enhance accessibility and pedestrian connections in front of their building. Working with City Staff, Project Luong provided several options to improve the existing site conditions.
Laurel Street originally ran in front of the existing Bellaire Parks and Recreation Building and parking lot. Over time expansions of Laurel Park led to the closure of Laurel Street and left a road appendage in front of the original Parks and Recreation Parking Lot. As a result, the current parking layout does not provide optimal pedestrian circulation and safety or accessibility.
To improve access and safety within the parking area, the project proposes two design options: one requiring minimal infrastructure improvements with fewer overall benefits, and another reimagining the parking area as an extension of the park itself. The first option involves reorienting the entry to the Parks and Recreation Building, adding a speed bump, and creating a pedestrian path connecting the parking area to the northern park area and the Family Aquatics Center, without altering the overall circulation. This cost-effective option enhances safety and can be implemented quickly, but it offers limited improvements in overall circulation and long-term benefits.
The second option, which the client ultimately chose to pursue, involves altering the layout to be more intuitive for drivers. It maintains the orientation of the entrance to the Parks and Recreation Building and establishes accessible connections to the park and Aquatics building. However, it goes further by expanding parking into the park to the North, creating additional accessible parking spaces. This option also introduces a centralized drop-off zone for the Aquatics building and a tree-lined central parking area that seamlessly integrates with the park surroundings. It reorients the entrance and lobby of the Parks and Recreation Building to face 5th Street, further improving overall accessibility and user experience. This redesign not only enhances accessibility but also creates a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing extension of the park.
Another perspective of Option 2, showcasing the entrance to the Parks and Recreation Building
