Survey Report
Jackson St Plaza usage survey
Sample size – 199 neighbors
Q6 - 1. The first question is about transportation at Jackson Street Plaza. How often do you expect you'll do the following things in the Plaza this summer?
Q1 - 2. This question is about food and Jackson Street Plaza. Have you done any of the following in the last year?
Q17 - 3. This question is about other ways people use Jackson Street Plaza. Have you done any of the following in the last year?
Q17 - 3. This question is about other ways people use Jackson Street Plaza. Have you done any of the following in the last year?
Other (please describe): |
eat ice cream |
Performances |
Use little free library |
Atwood Tool Library help station |
eat ice cream |
Put a book in the little library's |
Dodge homicidal motorists. |
Walking and biking through the plaza |
ZSCV |
Ride through there once a day or more; also, is there a drinking fountain in the Plaza?? |
Had an information table for passersby |
Q21 - 4. This question is about traffic concerns people might have about Jackson Street Plaza. Please rate how much of a problem you think the following things are.
Q21 - 4. This question is about traffic concerns people might have about Jackson Street Plaza. Please rate how much of a problem you think the following things are.
Other (please describe): |
Cars on Jackson |
Vehicular traffic turning from Atwood onto Jackson at high speeds and with little regard for peds or cyclists |
People lined down Jackson St to get ice cream , not the sidewalk |
no hand signals. ice cream eaters not paying attn. cars that stop to let ppl cross and hold up traffic/cause accidents. |
The line for ice cream extending into the street |
Not sure about bikes going too fast. I've never seen it, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. |
Cars speeding and not paying attention |
The real danger is from impatient drivers passing where the lanes narrow there. |
cars failing to be aware of peds/bikes |
Cars stopping on Jackson St to pick up or drop off people. |
Q21 - 4. This question is about traffic concerns people might have about Jackson Street Plaza. Please rate how much of a problem you think the following things are.
Other (please describe): |
Not being aware of others |
Unleashed dogs |
Cars screeching around the corner from Atwood not paying attention - potentially risking peoples lives |
people in the plaza forget there's a bike path and stand in the way/block it/step out in front of passing bikes |
Jackson St. being open to motor vehicles; lack of stop sign for St. Paul at Jackson |
People wanting to close Jackson St |
cars turning left onto Jackson from Atwood driving too fast, being unaware of pedestrians and bicyclists |
Motor traffic on the increase |
Route bikes to St Paul |
Q2 - 5. This question is about other concerns people might have about Jackson Street Plaza. Please rate how much of a problem you think the following things are.
Q2 - 5. This question is about other concerns people might have about Jackson Street Plaza. Please rate how much of a problem you think the following things are.
Other (please describe): |
The sculptures are unappealing, new art please! |
The noise from the building exhaust fan in the first floor of the newly constructed building (Barriques) is exceedingly loud. |
fast traffic and a lot of traffic on dead end of St. Paul and inconsiderate parking in front of driveways |
The owner of the home on the corners often had his dog running loose. |
Not noise or anything else - but dogs off leashes! |
Exhaust from the generators! |
Cars coming off Atwood at breakneck speed putting the lives of pedestrians and bicyclists in the crosswalk at risk. |
when I say "smell from the food carts" is a serious problem, I mean the smell of the fossil fuels, not the food |
People hanging out too late at night |
near a very busy intesection (Atwood & Dunning). Prefer to keep this at a smaller use scale. |
Q3 - 6. There might be new ways to use the space at Jackson Street Plaza for events or activities. Please rate your feelings about the following.
Q15 - 7. There might be new ways to use the space at Jackson Street Plaza for bikes. Please rate your feelings about the following.
Q12 - 8. These questions are about your general feelings about the Plaza. Please rate your agreement or disagreement with the following:
Q22 - 9. Which best describes your feelings about the Plaza usage?
Q15 - 10. How close do you live to Jackson Street Plaza? Please check one.
Q15 - 10. How close do you live to Jackson Street Plaza? Please check one.
A different part of town - please tell us which neighborhood you visit from. |
Worthington-Darbo Neighborhood - 3 respondents |
Eastmorland - 4 respondents |
Tenney-Lapham - 1 respondent |
Emerson east - 4 respondetns |
Capitol Square - 1 respondent |
Q14 - 11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, concerns, or ideas for Jackson Street Plaza?
11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, c... |
Some permanent seating options such as a small concrete arena or clusters of seats and/or benches might be nice. |
I’ve been at the past two food cart evenings and after watching many near misses on the bike path, I’d like to suggest erecting some form of a fence on the grassy side of the bike path to limit places for people to cross and hopefully encourage more awareness when folks do cross. �Plus, with all the little ones running about and parents trying to eat and keep them from getting hit, some structural impediment reducing this risk would be a welcome addition to the area.��It’s a great opportunity to showcase some local design skills….or art…..or install benches… or all of the above |
More seating!! |
Like I said, I don't really like the concrete mushroom and dragon pillar. I see them almost every single day and I realize someone put a lot of work into them but I just don't like looking at them. ��I think it's a wonderful idea to make it more of a community space! |
When did it get the name "Jackson Street Plaza"? Jackson Street is the shortest side of the triangle, St. Paul and Atwood Avenues have much longer frontages. I agree the space should have a more formal name, but "Jackson Street Plaza" should not be it. Perhaps there can be a public vote to decide on a name. |
Q14 - 11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, concerns, or ideas for Jackson Street Plaza?
11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, c... |
Please do NOT close [Jackson St.] off to cars again! |
Bike riders need to be more conscientious of how they ride through the area and more respectful of pedestrians. Jackson street should not be closed off to traffic. This is a mixed use area and as such all need to be respectful of each other and pay attention to rules of the roads and proper mixed use behaviors. |
I am excited about the potential for placemaking at Jackson Street Plaza. Traffic safety is a high priority at this location where there are frequent car drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. When the area fills with pedestrians, I hope there will be a way to keep everyone aware and focused on car/bicycle/pedestrian traffic. |
Thank you for putting time into this topic!! I would LOVE to get a refilled water bottle station there - I would be willing to help get this (http://www.cityoforlando.net/mayor/2015/09/new-hydration-stations-promote-reusable-water-bottles/). |
It isn't clear that the Plaza is all public space. As it is currently arranged and used, it seems more like a thorough fare. |
dead end sign on St. Paul should be more visible , parking on St. Paul is a concern , many rude Parkers . food carts have caved in curbs and the smell and noise keep me from opening my windows on a summer night . Ice cream store should be held responsible for possible accident about to happen, perhaps their service window should be out the back side . Bikers should not assume cars will stop for them |
Q14 - 11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, concerns, or ideas for Jackson Street Plaza?
11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, c... |
The Jackson Street Plaza when blocked off from cars and open to more pedestrians, food carts, and events has been one of the best parts of our fun neighborhood. We met people who we would have otherwise never met. |
Make the St. Paul intersection a four way stop. �Add traffic indicators for walker/biker crossing Atwood at Jackson like lights and flags. �Enforce traffic behavior at Atwood at Dunning and Atwood at Division. �Add speed humps to LaFollette to stop the incessant speeding. �Stop illegal activities from the drug selling apartment house at 2310 LaFollette. |
This has been a great addition to the neighborhood! |
As a general principle, please respect the concerns of more immediate neighbors in the planning process. Odors, noise, and traffic are likely to be more serious issues for those neighbors. ��Also-one big concern I have about the Plaza is children crossing Atwood to reach the plaza, and children playing too close to Atwood itself.. I wonder if there are ways to improve traffic flow to lessen the risk of accidents, and/or to keep children safety away from the street (landscaping solutions?). |
The [Jackson] street should not be closed. |
Personally, I love it when the area is barricaded off from Jackson auto-traffic. However, I never have need to drive on Jackson street to or from Atwood Ave. If I did, I might not love the barricade so much. But for bicyclists it is awesome. |
Q14 - 11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, concerns, or ideas for Jackson Street Plaza?
11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, c... |
I drive to my daughter's school and to work and use Jackson street as my primary access out of the neighborhood and to Atwood. Despite any changes to my routine that resulted, I greatly enjoyed when Jackson Street was closed to traffic. I feel this really created a special atmosphere in our neighborhood and had the effect of bringing people out into the community who would otherwise likely stay in their homes or yards. |
The traffic problems of speeding, traffic not stopping for pedestrians, running the red light nearby, etc. needs to be addressed, whether or not the park is utilized more, but certainly before the park can be considered a safe place to be. |
Perhaps this is not directly related to the use of the Plaza itself, but I would like to see fewer automobiles trying to turn left onto Jackson St. during the evening rush hour. To me, it makes more sense, for traffic flow and safety, to use the controlled intersection at Atwood/Dunning during this time to enter that area of the neighborhood north of Atwood. I don't know if it's necessary to regulate it--and I'm sure some people would complain about their personal convenience. It just seems like common sense to me. |
I think it's a beautiful, dare I say organic, gathering spot. Don't over-program it. The natural hill and grass and simplicity of the space is lovely. Bike accommodations can be found up the street (support local stores!). Definitely leave [Jackson] street open to cars. Don't try to build in kid accommodations. The water fountain is a godsend when running or working in the gardens. Maybe at most replace those hideous bushes by the fountain |
Q14 - 11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, concerns, or ideas for Jackson Street Plaza?
11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, c... |
Parking and traffic is already a problem. It should remain friendly primarily for our neighborhood use, and if there is an occasional event, residents shouldn't have to suffer any consequences. Events should remain on a small scale and alcohol-free so people who need beer go inside one of our numerous local establishments. |
Cut down those huge bushes. They waste space and aren't attractive at all. In general, there is a lot of unusable space in the area that could likely be recovered with some planning and analysis. |
Close that block of Jackson street to cars from May1st-September 30th.� |
Close Jackson St completely to car travel |
The plaza is on a busy road. Must consider the traffic when planning events. |
Pedestrian traffic in that area since the ice cream shop opened has become hazardous for both vehicles and bicycles. There are plenty of other green space areas near by that would be safer for the kinds of gatherings described here. My family and I drive down Jackson every day, sometimes multiple times per day. I bike to work that way and find the intersection dangerous enough without people wandering around, not paying attention. |
Do not close Jackson to auto traffic!!!! |
Q14 - 11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, concerns, or ideas for Jackson Street Plaza?
11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, c... |
Personally, I would like to see Jackson St. closed where it abuts the plaza. I would also lile to see St. Paul treated as much as possible like public open space. i understand there might be a necessity for access to the houses, but I would hope it would be minimal, since only two houses seem to be served. |
Closing Jackson Street for the summer would make the area much safer and more inviting. All the traffic that goes through there can be trivially re-routed, and the sight lines are terrible. |
This is coming from the perspective of a year-round bike commuter who passes over Jackson Street at least twice daily:��I like seeing people having fun, relaxing, spending time away from a screen, enjoying a frozen treat or a food cart dinner on my way home from work. I don't like seeing kids darting across the multi-use path or adults meandering along the sidewalk or street.��Working in marketing, I know that "people don't read", but I think a path-use sign would be helpful (like the one across from the Harmony where the path continues) and, perhaps, some creative version of those bright, flimsy, orange pylons that are sometimes used to indicate areas that require attentiveness.��Other ideas include bicycle traffic signs for foot-folks and pedestrian alert signs for bike-folks. Perhaps some line art on the street between the two sides of Jackson to indicate path crossing that extends a few yards on either side. |
Q14 - 11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, concerns, or ideas for Jackson Street Plaza?
11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, c... |
I really enjoy this space and I don't necessarily thing the road should be closed. I do think there should be a lot more use by the community and the neighborhoods of this space. It would be great to have a market there or some more seats that aren't just the seats that are behind the ice cream stand. ��I also think many bikers go by this area on the bike path way too fast, so it rests on the bikers and the cars to both slow down to make it a safe place for everyone. |
Thank you for working on this! I love the idea of improving the usability and appearance of the plaza. More public art, trees, re-vamped existing plantings and additional sitting areas would be great. I STRONGLY feel that Jackson Street needs to remain open, however. I understand the discussion of the plaza area currently does not include Jackson Street closure but want to be on record as opposing that. For those of us on other neighborhood streets, closing that entry to the neighborhood only forces more traffic down our streets. �I'm also in favor of additional entertainment spaces for local artists, musicians, performers, etc. as a way to tie in food cart offerings and neighborhood events. �The only caution I have with adding benches and other structures and finishing off a public space is unintentionally creating a spot for 'loitering' and panhandling. While I'm all for providing services for those who are homeless or struggling with other challenges, given the issues Madison has had with other public parks/installations it is important to consider this aspect as well. The stone installation at the top of State Street that was recently removed in connection with the behaviors of the clientele who gathered there is an example of this. |
Q14 - 11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, concerns, or ideas for Jackson Street Plaza?
11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, c... |
Crossing Atwood to the Plaza at evergreen/Jackson can be very dangerous, especially with excited kids. Install a clear crosswalk at that crossing (similar to the cross at willy and ingersoll for example). ��I would like to see the plaza block of Jackson closed to vehicles year round or at least during summer months. Our neighborhood lacks a gathering space that connects both sides of Atwood. |
The survey does not address traffic. To safely and fully utilize Jackson St. Plaza, traffic should be routed off of the street and Jackson Street should become a pedestrian area. There are numerous ways to transition to/from Atwood from St. Paul and other connecting streets within the neighborhood. This minor inconvenience, for some small minority, would result is a substantial benefit for the greater good and safety. |
There are some people pushing to permanently close Jackson St. between Atwood and St. Paul. I am very strongly OPPOSED to this idea [of closing Jackson St.] |
I think the plaza is nice, but I don't want this to become a big pedestrian vs. bike battle. I'll admit I get a little annoyed at people not remembering that there is a major bike path running through it, but I – and I'm sure others use good judgement when approaching. Maybe some signage asking bikes to slow down and reminding pedestrians to keep clear of the bike path would be enough to avoid conflict. |
Q14 - 11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, concerns, or ideas for Jackson Street Plaza?
11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, c... |
If Jackson Street is ever going to be shut down again, please put up good signage, and also disallow parking on one or both sides of Ohio St between Atwood and St Paul so it's safer for everyone. |
I love the idea of movies in the park, but this plaza space isn't the best because of the traffic going by. Imagine how one loud motorcycle will block the sound for many lines in the movie. It's not safe for small kids to get up and move around while parents watch, because of the street traffic and safety. Perhaps Hawthorne Park would be much safer and better. Same for music events. While it would be fun, there isn't room to dance unless the street would get closed. It is such a contorted space with all those streets around it. Please, please close Jackson St., so it can be made much safer and better utilized. It is a gateway space, but it's difficult to use as is. |
I think the bike path should be widened (all along St Paul) and the shrubs cut back near Division St to improve visibility. Do NOT close Jackson St, as it is a vital access to the neighborhood. |
When Jackson st was closed, traffic on dunning greatly increased. With the new construction near dunning, traffic concerns have increased. The traffic on dunning would be overloaded if Jackson st closed. Please do not close Jackson. There are a lot of kids on dunning and too much traffic. Also, Hawthorne park is near Jackson plaza. The park could be used for events, Like a movie night, or food carts |
I am concerned about cars going past or unable to drive through but maybe they try anyway if Jackson St closes again. I think someone needs to look at traffic patterns of neighboring streets, can Dunning with the way bikes cross handle more for instance? If closing becomes permanent, someone should at least first look at traffic charges due to Union Corners before making any permanent changes to this Plaza |
Q14 - 11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, concerns, or ideas for Jackson Street Plaza?
11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, c... |
Best that it is a space for our neighborhood. Would not like it to attract too many people. |
Like biking past all the people. �Liked it when they blocked off the street for summer.�Thanks for the interest in improving this area. |
I hate when the road is blocked off to car traffic. turning onto Atwood from Ohio or Corry is far more difficult, terrible visibility for both. Please don't close the street, make pedestrians more careful. |
A tenant/owner in the white house on the NE corner of Atwood and dunning frequently lets his unleashed dog hang out in the plaza or leaves him unattended on a very long leash to the point I thought the 1/2 plaza was part of their private property. I would definitely be in favor of developing it for more public use in a safer way I would feel comfortable relaxing with young children. |
The flower bed is a mess there. Thinking there should be a volunteer committee to clean it up or plant new flowers. |
I loved when it was shut off to car traffic. Couches and coloring books! It added a lot to the neighborhood, with only a flea-sized inconvenience to motorists. |
Q14 - 11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, concerns, or ideas for Jackson Street Plaza?
11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, c... |
do not shut down Jackson Street again. It is a necessary avenue to the neighborhood. �Outlaw the generators; the stink is horrible and they pollute the air (same as on Library Mall downtown). Sell only food that does not require these. Why do we grant air quality exceptions to food carts? |
It's a wonder nobody (especially young children) have been injured by cars on Jackson. Close Jackson during the summer months to cars! It's cut through anyway and cars will find other ways (e.g. Dunning Street) into the hood. |
First priority should be increasing safety for pedestrians, clue-less but cute kiddos, and bicyclists. Many usage options will happen naturally once that is done, IMHO. |
Keep it grassy, just use it more. :) |
I love the activity at the plaza but it does seem ripe for bike/car/pedestrian mishaps. Of the three users of the area, I would prefer to see cars limited, but I almost never drive on Jackson, so I have the least to lose and the most to gain by limiting car traffic. |
Dont block the car traffic. When it was temporarily blocked it caused major issues. |
I bike through 2-4x/day, so pedestrian conflict is high on my list. A wider, demarcated path would be nice. |
Q14 - 11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, concerns, or ideas for Jackson Street Plaza?
11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, c... |
You may have surmised this from my comments already, but as a daily observer of this Plaza, it is essential that the block of Jackson from Atwood to St. Paul be closed permanently to motor vehicles. On weekends and weekday evenings particularly, I see the danger of insufficiently supervised kids running into the street or bike paths. Although I am a full-time bicyclist, I am critical of bicyclists who ride way too fast through here, especially through commuters who got the green bicycle at the light at Atwood and Dunning (diagonal crossing), aka Spandex Commandos. Especially if Jackson St. stays open to cars, bicyclists should be encouraged to ride down the sidewalk from St. Paul to the bike path. Although the patch just west of Jackson St. on the bike path makes it safer, it is a sharp turn when you have to also be looking for bicyclists going too fast for conditions, cars totally oblivious to anything other than what they do when driving (texting, speeding, running the stop sign at St. Paul, etc.). There should be a four-way stop at the intersection of St. Paul and Jackson. Too many cars speed down St. Paul and cut the corner very sharply roaring into Jackson. This is especially a problem at night when these same motorists, already going too fast for conditions, are only looking for cars headlights, not bike lights, bikes without lights, and pedestrians in and around the bike path. |
I would like to see it kept as a green area as much as possible, not a patio table scenario. |
The biggest problem there is motor vehicle traffic on Jackson St. Not bikes, not peds, not kids. It can be dangerous crossing Jackson. The only reason we are having this discussion is the Chocolate Shoppe & (to a lesser degree) food carts. People get ice cream & must cross Jackson to get to the "plaza." The potential of the plaza won't be realized until it is truly safe to walk across Jackson. Close that block of Jackson permanently? Sounds like a good idea to me. |
Q14 - 11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, concerns, or ideas for Jackson Street Plaza?
11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, c... |
I really appreciate this group taking the time to create good outdoor, casual social spaces for our neighborhood. |
Two summers ago, when Jackson Street was closed, this area was the best! It truly brings the neighborhood together. I live on Corry Street and use Jackson to get to Atwood, but I am more than happy to change my route to have the amazing community space there. Please bring back the pedestrian area. |
I love the plaza! My biggest concern is car traffic on Jackson street. |
Love the idea of it being a gateway to the hood and generally support anything that enhances that vision. |
Keep the bike path open for bikes--that is primary use of the plaza. |
I think the plaza has a lot of potential to be a well-loved pocket park, and it wouldn't take a lot of changes. Just some benches/seating, shade, and improved safety along the bike path. ��- A few seating options would be great: benches, stone seats like at Blair St. Gardens.�- Please get more shade there. Everyone crowds under the one tree in the plaza, a few more shade trees would be great.�- Some safety measures to make the bike path safer with all the pedestrians who use it in summer. |
Q14 - 11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, concerns, or ideas for Jackson Street Plaza?
11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, c... |
Any planning for the Plaza should consider its context - the public seating area at the Chocolate Shoppe, the community garden plots along the bike path, the Atwood Tool Library across the street. Despite being outside the official boundaries, those [other] uses can and do intersect with Plaza uses. |
The ped traffic makes that section of bike path challenging. |
I would like to do a careful survey of the best location for SASY public neighborhood plazas. It's great to have the ice cream and a grassy knoll - but here is close to Atwood, Dunning and can be a very congested area. I'm not sure about growing or expanding the use here. It's also precarious to cross Atwood here. I also think more than one public plaza is great ! |
I'm most worried about cars turning on to Jackson Street from Atwood. The turn is very short, and cars go through quickly. |
It would be nice to have a safe space for little kids |
Muggers |
Love the idea of bike parking!!!! |
Q14 - 11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, concerns, or ideas for Jackson Street Plaza?
11. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience, c... |
I thought most of the plaza was private property so have not utilized it much in the past. I have had a few run in with dogs off-leash and their owners who refuse to control them. It has made me not enjoy the area. |
I like the simplicity of sitting on the grassy knoll. I like that it is not "developed"!��I think that the flowers/sculptures in the garden could be improved (just needs some updating, maybe more vibrant flowers and perennials) |
Possibly post signs asking bikes to slow when entering this area. More shade needed please: shelter and trees are nice. |