What used to be Herman Gardens ...

**hybridy** · February-17-21, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by Meddle

^^ That's one thing I noticed in the satellite pictures. There's a long greenspace right along the service drive with a wet spot in the middle, like maybe a pond area is being worked on.

That is a detention basin. It's there to capture stormwater in heavy rains so as to not overwhelm DWSD treatment system. DWSD mandates these in all large projects.

Regarding parks, there are small playscapes interspersed throughout and there will be central greenspace in the final build-out.

**royce** · February-17-21, 02:50 PM

So looking at the rendering [[see above) in the center of this development is all this greenspace. If you live in Manhattan, then it's a nice touch. However, for this kind of development with families, it just would make more sense to me if the greenspace was park space or used for picnic space. Woodbridge Estates has that same middle greenspace minus the "crown" looking area. I never see anyone in that area. Put some basketball courts there and kids have a place for activity. I know a lot of folks would find basketball courts to be problematic - noise, possible drugs deals, whatever. However, if you don't build recreation areas, then the kids have to go off site and can't be monitored by parents, especially young kids and pre-teens. Also, isn't the retention basin dangerous for a development that has children? Why can't the old way of collecting rain water work here?

**hybridy** · February-17-21, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by royce

So looking at the rendering [[see above) in the center of this development is all this greenspace. If you live in Manhattan, then it's a nice touch. However, for this kind of development with families, it just would make more sense to me if the greenspace was park space or used for picnic space. Woodbridge Estates has that same middle greenspace minus the "crown" looking area. I never see anyone in that area. Put some basketball courts there and kids have a place for activity. I know a lot of folks would find basketball courts to be problematic - noise, possible drugs deals, whatever. However, if you don't build recreation areas, then the kids have to go off site and can't be monitored by parents, especially young kids and pre-teens. Also, isn't the retention basin dangerous for a development that has children? Why can't the old way of collecting rain water work here?

As mentioned, there are multiple playscapes integrated into several blocks at the rear of housing units accessible by sidewalks from all directions. I can't speak to basketball courts, but there is a Boys + Girls Club in the SE corner of the development + a school [[vacant). I imagine any of the duplex homes can add a hoop to their driveway.

I think the intent of a central green comes into play when the trees become more established. A central green can be used for a myriad of things: carnival, swap meet, kite flying, frisbee, football, soccer, picnic, sunbathing, walking, exercise, yoga etc. It's also low cost [[first cost + maintenance). You have to remember these are government low income projects, so there aren't grandiose budgets for these spaces with regard to equipment and maintenance.

Regarding detention ponds: they are meant to capture large amounts of runoff during 100-yr storms [[which are becoming more common) and then slowly release the water over time so as to not overwhelm systems after a large rain event. They are not intended to be "wet" ponds and remain dry most of the time. If they are retention ponds that remain wet they would require fencing for safety.

**Sehv313** · February-17-21, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by royce

I know a lot of folks would find basketball courts to be problematic - noise, possible drugs deals, whatever. However, if you don't build recreation areas, then the kids have to go off site and can't be monitored by parents, especially young kids and pre-teens.

In my neighborhood it's the opposite, most kids near the Sojourner houses play basketball and football to stay out of trouble, which is why the court was recently moved from the back of the park to the front right across from the housing development.

**Sehv313** · February-17-21, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by hybridy

That is a detention basin. It's there to capture stormwater in heavy rains so as to not overwhelm DWSD treatment system. DWSD mandates these in all large projects.

Regarding parks, there are small playscapes interspersed throughout and there will be central greenspace in the final build-out.

I swear they have been working on this development since Kwame was still in office while Emerald Springs [[old Buffalo Projects) started after and finished years ago.