HOME ABOUT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OUR CITY PARK RESOURCES PAY MY BILL CONTACT US OUR CITY PARK LaFayette’s new city park is for every age, every ability, and every neighborhood. The park will serve residents of the city and surrounding rural areas, offer a recreation area for people coming to work in LaFayette, and provide a gathering place for families, friends, and out-of-town visitors. The new park is a visionary 52-acre project spearheaded by the City of LaFayette. The City of LaFayette, your Advisory Team, and the Smart Landscapes design team developed a master plan based on public input during 2016-2018. Thank you for contributing your voice and enthusiasm to this exciting project. We share the park master plan with you now as a starting place for developing this significant greenspace for LaFayette and the surrounding community. Phase 1 of the new city park opened in 2018 and includes a five-acre area with a playground, picnic pavilion, and parking. Phase 1 was paid for with a grant from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and with additional funding for playground and adult fitness equipment provided by Chambers County Extension Agency, Chambers County Coalition on Obesity, and Chambers County Development Authority. PARK MASTER PLAN (Click to enlarge) Paved Sidewalks, Nature Trails, & Beautiful Places LaFayette explore nature idea LaFayette boardwalks ideas LaFayette garden parking lot idea LaFayette greenway vision LaFayette hiking ideas LaFayette landmarks examples LaFayette mown paths idea LaFayette nature trail biking ideas LaFayette places to walk LaFayette temp art ideas PLACES TO WALK Paved sidewalks are an important part of this park. During public outreach, the LaFayette community’s most requested park feature was paved walking areas. The park master plan includes: Nearly 2.5 miles of paved walking paths Over a quarter mile of handicap-accessible boardwalks Walking connections to nearby roads and cemetery Almost 1.25 miles of nature trails for exploring nature on foot and by mountain bike Lighting, benches, trashcans, drinking fountains, and bike racks Signs to mark entrances and provide directions within the park Over 200 parking spaces, including handicap-accessible parking The proposed paved walking paths connect to neighborhoods throughout the city by linking to existing sidewalks. The master plan includes a “walkability study” of the full city, which the City of LaFayette will use to prioritize future improvements to the city’s sidewalks and roadways over time. Paved trails for biking and walking (greenways) are proposed for utility rights-of-way, connecting neighborhoods in southwest and northwest LaFayette to the new city park and linking schools for outdoor classroom and sports activities. Community Event Center The Community Event Center was custom designed for LaFayette based on community ideas. The building includes a drop off area for guests, a welcoming covered porch entrance, and a large ballroom with doors opening onto a second porch with views across the park. The building holds space for small group meetings, concessions and catering, and an office area for park administration. The lower level of the building opens to the playground and splash pad, perfect for birthday parties and reunions. LaFayette eventCtr ballroom idea LaFayette eventCtr bldg design LaFayette eventCtr concessions idea LaFayette eventCtr office ideas LaFayette eventCtr porch idea LaFayette picnic shelter LaFayette Playground idea LaFayette SplashPad idea LaFayette adult fitness rev Picnics, Festivals, & Sports The community of LaFayette asked for big fields for holding festivals and reunions, a nice track and sports field, and a variety of places for picnicking, grilling, and gathering. The Festival Field includes built-in seating on the hillside for crowds to enjoy seasonal activities like outdoor movies, roller skating, and trampoline events. The smaller Activity Field is perfect for fitness groups and outdoor classroom activities. The open air pavilion, custom-designed for LaFayette with input from the city’s youth, is a relaxing spot to watch the game on the big screen, cook out, and play basketball. LaFayette activity field examples LaFayette festival field example rev LaFayette festival field examples LaFayette festival seating ideas LaFayette open air pavilion design LaFayette open air pavilion idea1 rev LaFayette picnic ideas LaFayette sports field ideas LaFayette temporary activities rev LaFayette water play Public Input & Community Ideas The master plan design was developed in close collaboration with residents of LaFayette and the surrounding rural areas. A series of public open houses invited LaFayette residents to vote for their favorite features and ask the design team questions. A citizen Advisory Committee met regularly throughout the project to provide on-going feedback and share progress. LaFayette’s city council and mayor continue to play key roles in spearheading the park’s development. Advisory Team Existing Site Advisory Team Recognition rev Existng Site Existing Site Existing Site Existing Site Existing Site Existing Site Existing Site Existing Site Design Team Advisory Team site visit rev ChristmasFestival06 rev ChristmasFestival05 rev ChristmasFestival04 rev ChristmasFestival03 rev ChristmasFestival02 rev ChristmasFestival01 rev Design Team Open House Open House Open House Open House Open House Open House Open House Open House Open House Open House 02 rev Open House Open House Open House Open House Open House Open House Open House 03 rev Open House 01 rev LaFayetteDay 02 rev LaFayetteDay 01 rev Open House Open House Open House Open House Open House Open House Variety of Experiences LaFayette’s new city park includes a variety of experiences, from woodlands and streams to open fields and lawns. Lawn / Turf Grass Festival Field, Activity Field, Track and Sports Field, as well as park entrance areas and cemetery expansion. These areas are perfect for family play and community events, and give a traditional look to the park. Field / Pasture Open views throughout the park, planted with native grasses and wildflowers. These areas attract birds and butterflies which park visitors will enjoy viewing, and provide seasonal color changes. These areas are low maintenance as well. Woodlands Woodlands provide welcomed shade to park visitors during hot weather months, and offer an interesting walk on the nature trails. Stream Buffer Trees and other plants in the stream buffer area help protect the park’s creek so that children can enjoy splashing in clean water. This area provides important habitat / housing for wildlife, and a good place for park visitors to view wildlife. Screening Buffer Planting layered vegetation (a mix of shrubs, small trees, and tall shade trees) along the park edges gives privacy to people living next to the park. A dignified row of trees at the edge of the cemetery expansion also provides an important separation from park activities. QUESTIONS? Visit City Hall to see the city park display boards. Walking Paths Event Center Picnics & Festivals Mayor Kenneth Vines (334) 864-7181 kvines@cityoflafayetteal.com Elise Cormier, RLA SmartLandscapes DesignWorks, LLC (404) 309-5889 elise@SmartLandscapes.net HOW WILL THE PARK HELP YOUR FAMILY? The Personal Benefits of Parks The Health Benefits of Green Spaces Parks and Recreation are Essential Public Services Role of Parks on Health and Wellness Economic Impact of Local Parks Parks and Public Health: Working Together PARK NEWS February 2018: Grading finished at city park (LaFayette Sun) March 2017: LaFayette recognizes city park committee (LaFayette Sun) November 2016: Master Plan nears completion for LaFayette park (LaFayette Sun) October 2016: Park Inching Closer (LaFayette Sun) June 2016: Construction of Park Hits Snag (LaFayette Sun) June 2016: 56 Families Attend Input Session for New Park (LaFayette Sun) June 2016: People come out to offer suggestions for new park (LaFayette Sun) April 2016: Phase 1 Begins on New LaFayette City Park (LaFayette Sun) December 2014: Auburn University Students to Help City With Proposed Park (LaFayette Sun) August 2014: LaFayette Council Discusses Funding for New City Park (LaFayette Sun) THANK YOU, ADVISORY TEAM: Butch Busby Ruby H. Carr Patricia Davis Terry Mangram Mayor Barry D. Moody Darryl Seroyer Tytianna Smith Charlene Story Johnnie M. Sutton Bell D. Todd Councilmember Tammie B. Williams QUESTIONS? Visit City Hall to see the city park display boards. Walking Paths Event Center Picnics & Festivals Mayor Kenneth Vines (334) 864-7181 kvines@cityoflafayetteal.com Elise Cormier, RLA SmartLandscapes DesignWorks, LLC (404) 309-5889 elise@SmartLandscapes.net LEARN MORE ABOUT LAFAYETTE Area Attractions: Events, History, & Outdoors Chambers County Schools Chambers County Development Authority Mayor’s Office City Council CONTACT US City of LaFayette 50 Alabama Ave W LaFayette, Alabama 36862 334-864-7181 info@cityoflafayetteal.com Copyright © 2015 City of LaFayette Website Development by Red Sage Communications, Inc.