University of Virginia Library

Grass Protection Needed

As increasing urbanization converts
fields of grass into fields of
concrete around the nation, 17
students at the University are
proposing ways for Charlottesville
to save its patches of green.

The 17, graduate students in the
School of Architecture's city planning
division, are placing on exhibit
this Wednesday eight proposals for
developing an open space, recreation
and parkway system for
Charlottesville. The plans will be
located in Barracks Road Shopping
Center. Charlottesville City Hall
and the County Office Building.

"Increasing population, mobility
and time for recreation create a
demand for outdoor recreation
facilities accessible for the inhabitants
of both city and county," said
one of the students who spent
seven weeks last semester working
on the problem.

Instructed by Max D. Evans,
assistant professor of city planning,
the students spent the first week of
the project comparing U.S. Route
29 and the U.S. Route 250 bypass
through Charlottesville.

The 250 bypass, the found, had
more characteristics of a parkway:
fewer problem intersections; more
green, open land adjoining the road;
fewer varying speed zones, and less
commercialization such as signs and
business entrances. Also, in line
with the original definition of
parkway as "way to the park," the
250 bypass provided scenic access
to McIntire Park from various parts
of the city.

The class then undertook a
detailed analysis of Charlottesville
in terms of topography, industrial
growth, land use, major roads, the
existing recreation program and its
share of the city budget and a
number of social indices.

To aid directly in planning, they
located steep slopes and flood
plains, which are not easily adaptable
for building but can be
preserved easily as green spaces for
hiking trails, fishing ponds and
game preserves. Studying open
spaces pointed out potential park
sites.

On maps they located such
factors as railroad facilities and
areas of the community with
highest density of felonies, high
school dropouts, poor housing and
blue collar employees.

"Few persons realize how things
like industry and education can
influence planning for recreation
areas," according to Mr. Evans.

One trend turned up by the
study, he said is that in Charlottesville,
as elsewhere, higher levels of
education are producing more professionals.
These persons generally
work longer hours each week and
need nearby recreation facilities.

On the other hand, he said, the
work week of blue collar employees
is decreasing, creating a demand for
recreation facilities which don't
involve costly transportation.

All information was considered
as each student developed a plan
for developing parkways, additional
parks and open spaces in Charlottesville.

In addition to the 250 bypass,
the students designated other roads
as part of parkway systems circling
around and cutting through the city
and including such things as small
roadside recreation areas.

All proposals included areas for
organized recreation such as swimming
and baseball and less structured
activities such as hiking and
bicycling.