Hogans Creek Park Master Plan

[fsu813]

FYI: The creek is still there, along the same path.

Of course there hasn't been a proposal to "move it out of the neighborhood"

Exaggeration = bad.

I certainly don't speak for SPAR, but i'm going to take an educated guess and say they will wait and see what the final plan is before endorsing anything.

[thelakelander]

Before people get too bent out of shape, things need to be put in their proper place.  Overall, the plan has some good elements (a good mix of passive/active uses, etc.), along with several issues that need to be addressed (ex. historic preservation, connectivity, shifting around existing assets, etc.).

However, its VERY preliminary.  The presentation format easily confirms this.  As the process continues, reality will enter the picture and a more well thought out plan will be produced.

[Ocklawaha]

How about out of the box radical? Yes, people do this and clubs all over the world are in city parks... Usually the club agrees to train rides a couple of times a month, and can use the track anytime as long as rides are provided. But it will quickly go WAY BEYOND trains, into tractors, steam boats (yes you CAN ride), automobiles, and I even saw a 14 cylinder Airplane Engine at one of the annual meets. I have belonged to Los Angeles Live Steamers, Oklahoma City Live Steamers, Pacific Northwest Live Steamers, and founded the Jacksonville Live Steamers, which now have a track and "playground" in Bostwick under the name Northeast Florida Live Steamers and Railroaders. Most all of the clubs have web sites so if we're interested, check it out. Here is just a tiny sampling of the (fill in the blank) LIVE STEAMERS.

LOS ANGELES LIVE STEAMERS, PASSENGER TRAIN COMING INTO THE DISNEY LOOP




RIVERSIDE LIVE STEAMERS TRACK, CITY PARK, RIVERSIDE CA.





TOP: IT'S NOT A STANLEY, IT'S A DOBLE     BOTTOM: BRITISH STEAM CAR SEEKING WORLD RECORD + 1,000 MPH





DID SOMEONE SAY "LAKE?"   HOW ABOUT "CREEK?"





OH TOYS AND FUN THINGYS WILL APPEAR TOO...





YOU'LL BE AMAZED WHY THE NEIGHBOR HAS KEPT HIS GARAGE SHUT FOR 10 YEARS!

OOP'S, WTF? HOW DID THIS GET ON HERE? YES LUNICAN, IT'S A REAL RAILROAD!

OCKLAWAHA

[Lunican]

Here you go Ock...

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/7xq6U-wbgOQ&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;hd=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/7xq6U-wbgOQ&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;hd=1</a>

[chris farley]

My God how beautiful, my brother in England would go crazy for this, his vactions are done riding trains to anywhere they take him

[Springfielder]

that is just so cool, and looks like it's a lot of fun

[Ocklawaha]

There is something magic about this machinery, and the children (of all ages) that build and play with them learn skills and craftsmanship of old school excellence. Engineering, design, construction, landscape, metal work, welding, math calculations, and fine woodworking just some of the fields this could open to our citizens. Since it's a International Brotherhood (IBLS) Live Steamers, there is much hands on, sharing, caring, and walking newbies through the ropes. Craftsmen passing skills down to others in a traditional style, slow perfection. Putting this in a city park, as done around the globe, would expose Jacksonville to a world of wonders.

Try these sites, including a couple for your brother in the UK.

http://www.steamdays.co.uk/index.php?page=stock

http://www.railsusa.com/links/Live_Steam_Mini_Rail/more12.html

http://www.discoverlivesteam.com/

http://www.livesteam.net/

http://www.steamingpriest.com/2008/07/26/international-brotherhood-of-live-steamers/  (for the IBLS)

Don't suffer sticker shock, it's not cheap until you learn to build from scratch. Sometimes a rare used piece comes along in a bargin deal. There is also a whole area of toy steam engines either antique or reproduction that knocks the price down to the hundreds. Otherwise better sell the BMW! The hobby is incredible fun and we have at least 60+ guys and gals right here and many more who would join in if exposed to it. Yes, women are LIVE STEAMERS too.

Won't you guys join me in pushing this into a Jacksonville park? We once "almost" had the JLS club in Hanna Park, then the deal was killed in the infamous insurance crisis of the 80's.

OCKLAWAHA

[tufsu1]

Before people get too bent out of shape, things need to be put in their proper place.  Overall, the plan has some good elements (a good mix of passive/active uses, etc.), along with several issues that need to be addressed (ex. historic preservation, connectivity, shifting around existing assets, etc.).

However, its VERY preliminary.  The presentation format easily confirms this.  As the process continues, reality will enter the picture and a more well thought out plan will be produced.

Exactly!

And as fsu813 stated, the best way to provide input is to ATTEND a public meeting!

[thelakelander]

PPS has a pretty good track record.  We've featured a couple of projects they have been involved with in the past.  It would be nice if they can play a larger role.

www.pps.org

[sheclown]

Even though the plan is preliminary, the vision for the plan ought to be in place.  For example, will the balustrades be removed to have a natural creek? 

The decision to save the canal or return it to a natural creek -- has this been decided?

[zoo]

HDR's project list - http://www.hdrinc.com/13/default.aspx

PPS' current project list - http://www.pps.org/info/services/current_projects/where_pps_working_today_all

[thelakelander]

Even though the plan is preliminary, the vision for the plan ought to be in place.  For example, will the balustrades be removed to have a natural creek?

The general vision seems to be to restore the park into a centralized public space that offers a diverse things to do.  From what has been explained here is that the options and components of such a plan can change as more input is given.

The decision to save the canal or return it to a natural creek -- has this been decided?

My guess would be if enough of the community demands preservation, the city will come around.  JTA did with the DT BRT plan and the city appears to be doing so with Friendship Fountain.  The key is to participate early in the process of decision making.  So despite what the conceptual sketches may show, don't accept them as being set in stone.

[sheclown]

So, now is the time to take on stand on preserving our Klutho Canal and its balustrades.

[thelakelander]

yes.

[sheclown]

Do we know if SPAR is working toward preserving the canal and its balustrades?