Coraopolis - D. Yackuboskey

Design Charette:
teamwork
After introductions and map orientation our brainstorming session gained momentum
as residents of Coraopolis were willing to pick up the markers and share their ideas. The
process was highly constructive and helped develop the following goals and objectives
1. Unite the citizens of Coraopolis with the Ohio River and other
natural amenities.
- Establish Coraopolis as the pulse of an integrative trail network
- Offer recreational connections in close proximity to Coraopolis
2. Create opportunities for generating revenue.
- Create a waterfront node that entices regional visitors
Dave Yackuboskey_Penn State University_Department of Landscape Architecture_11.17.2010
A m e n i t y m a p p i n g current and future areas of interest
1
City of Bridges
The local bridges will serve as connection corridors
for the proposed land-based trails. They are also
visually appealing and contribute to the identity of
the region.
2
Locks and Dams
The locks and dams in the vicinity of Coraopolis create a still water condition out of the flowing Ohio.
Although this is detrimental to the natural ecology,
it creates optimal flat water paddling conditions as
well as a visually interesting amenity.
3
Coraopolis Waterfront
The waterfront at Coraopolis boasts great potential
for an amenity to be included along a greenway network. The possibility of a business/restaurant district coupled with the site’s proximity to such a significant water resource defines the area as a cultural
and natural node. At right is a current view from the
water, this will be greatly improved through future
development.
4
5
Mill Street Restaurant District
Along with development goals for Coraopolis’ waterfront, future plans for a restaurant district on Mill
Street will be a pull factor for the pedal paddle trail
network. In order to generate revenue and establish
Coraopolis as a convivial greenway, Mill Street will
need to undergo an important transformation.
Robert Morris University Island Sports Center
The complex offers:
Mini golf
Public skating
Youth and adult league sports
Birthday party reservations
Users of the Coraopolis pedal/paddle network may
be interested in completing a small scale circuit that
involves some of the activities.
6
Paradise Beach and Public Dock
A dock available for public access exists at Paradise
Beach. The infrastructure provides access to Paradise
Island Bowl which offers an entertainment interest
along the pedal paddle greenway. The dock also offers a southern gateway to Neville Island via the Ohio
River.
7
The Point of Neville Island
Accessible only by watercraft, the point of Neville
Island is currently the host of unsanctioned social
gatherings. Sedimentation and the resulting sandbar
emerge during seasons of low water levels. Evidence
of fire-pits and rope swings prove that the site is an
important space for users of the Ohio.
8
Wooded Hillsides
“No city of equal size in America or perhaps the world,
is compelled to adapt its growth to such difficult complications of high ridges, deep valleys and precipitous
slopes as Pittsburgh.”
— Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr. (Allegheny Land Trust)
While these slopes hinder development, they also
support biodiversity within and around the city.
9
Montour Trail
The Montour Trail is over 40 miles long and accommodates multiple recreational uses such as horseback
riding, cross-country skiing, hiking, and biking. The
surface of the trail is crushed limestone and can be
used as a model for the remaining proposed trails
throughout the network.
10
Sports Legacy Project
Coraopolis is the future home of the sports legacy
project and promises to provide an active recreational
component to the fabric of the community. The
project will extend the Montour Trail about one mile
closer to Coraopolis and is planned for the adjacent
property Southeast of the Waterfront Node proposed
by this project (Westenzweig).
(RMU)
P e d a l P a d d l e N e t w o r k : civic engagement of Coraopolis’ natural resources
Network map
Legend
Allegheny green“Coraopolis Pool”
8
2
8
Network trails
8
Road-based trails
1
8
8
8
Montour Trail
8
8
7
4
3
Waterfront trails
5
1
6
1
10
Secondary Nodes
1
9
2
2
8
8
0
.5
1
1.5
Miles
N o d a l H i e r a r c h y f a c i l i t a t i n g b o a t e r s a n d b i ke r s a c r o s s t h e l a n d s c a p e
Nodes
Nodes exist in the network at key points along the river where travelers can
switch from a kayak to a bicycle or vise versa. In order to accomplish this
goal each node will be fitted with a minimal set of program elements.
1. Access to the water for boat launching (below)
2. Lockers or racks for securing both kayaks and canoes (right)
Additional amenities can be added where it is feasible.
3. Refreshments such as water fountains or vending machines
4. Rest rooms
5. Seating areas / dining tables
N o d a l H i e r a r c h y creating the main node on Coraopolis’ waterfront
Co
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Wa
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Re
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Waterfront Node Context Map
Wa
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No
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Montour extension
ion
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Co
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W a t e r f r o n t N o d e : part 1 the event hall
A
Event hall / reception desk for kayak and canoe rental
G
Lawn / Overflow parking
B
Overlook / breakout space for events
H
Montour extension towards Coraopolis
C
Bike storage overhang
I
Grassy mound look-out
D
Bio-swale receives stormwater run-off
J
Terraced Pavilions with situated views of the river
E
2nd step of the bio-swale treatment system
K
River access / Fishing dock
F
Railroad crossing via signalization
L
Watercraft storage / Waterfront cafe
M
Kayak / Canoe specific docking structure
N
Modular “beach” for direct put-in
O
Trailer parking
K
A
I
J
GG
J
L
M
J
B
N
A’
A
O
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C
G
E
B
H
10’ 20’
NOT TO SCALE
50’
100’
F
B’
W a t e r f r o n t N o d e part 2 floodplain ecology+public park+dog park
P
Signage circles explain floodplains zones from dry to saturated
W
Climbable mounds allow children to enter the site
Q
Floodplain forest species
X
Ropes ensure children can permeate the boundary but dogs cannot
R
Floodplain scrub shrub species
Y
Wooden train / industrial history
S
Floodplain obligate wetland species
Z
Capsized boat / tie to the water
T
Benches with high vantage point for parents and onlookers
AA
Valley with rope bridges
U
Adventure playground equipped with natural and historic elements
BB
Double gated entrances
V
Dredging sand pit
CC
Water guzzler for dogs to drink
DD
Doggie time-out zone
EE
Dog lawn
FF
Towards waterfront trail and hillside discovery
HH
S
P
S
C
C’
DD
R
V
Z
X
CC
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W
BB
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BB
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AA
BB
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FF
Design Details:
GG
perspective views
View from the water of the event hall and
waterfront cafe / watercraft storage.
HH
Sedimentation at the mouth of the Montour is currently
used as impromptu river access, the proposed design
responds to this desire.
Design Details:
section cuts
A’
8 % slope
A
Switchback Paths
Terraced Pavilions
Drop-off
Driving Lane
Parking Lane
Driving Lane
B
Parking Lane
Fishing Dock
B’
Bio-swale
Bicycle storage
Modular
Time-out zone
C
Parking lot
Exploratory forest
Open lawn
Fenced dog zone
Limited access for both children and dogs
C’
Flood plain restoration educational walk
Floodplain restoration:
Tree Species
Herbs/Forbes
plant list
Shrub Species
F l o o d p l a i n r e s t o r a t i o n : cont’d
Wetland Indicator Defined (USDA)
OBL Obligate Wetland Occurs almost always (esƟmated probability 99%) under natural condiƟons in wetlands.
FACW FacultaƟve Wetland Usually occurs in wetlands (esƟmated probability 67%-99%), but occasionally
found in non-wetlands.
FAC FacultaƟve Equally likely to occur in wetlands or non-wetlands (esƟmated probability 34%-66%).
FACU FacultaƟve Upland Usually occurs in non-wetlands (esƟmated probability 67%-99%), but occasionally
found on wetlands (esƟmated probability 1%-33%).
A minus sign refers to the lower end of the category’s range, while a plus sign designates a species in the upper porƟon of the range.
Invasive species control mechanisms
Removal of Japanese knotweed (Polygonom cuspidatum) is recommended as a means toward floodplain
restoraƟon in the study area. UprooƟng the plant is not recommended because the species regenerates by
rhizome dispersal. It is recommended that the species of concern be cut back four Ɵmes a year and treated
with localized herbicide applicaƟons.
Invasive species removal can be an educaƟonal community builder if done properly. CommuniƟes that parƟcipate in the eradicaƟon of exoƟc species take greater pride in their landscapes and feel a sense of ownership over their public spaces.
AŌer removal and herbicide treatment, it is recommended that shade trees be planted where possible.
Japanese knotweed is a light-loving species that will not survive in the shade (Kalisz and Dunn 2004).
Conclusions
Generating revenue
1. The event hall
Renting out the event hall for weddings and reunions is one way to generate year-round income from this development proposal. The pavilions are
intended for free public use, but they could also be rented if there is a large
demand.
2. Kayak / Bike rentals
Renting kayaks, canoes, or bikes could also be a form income. This will not,
however generate a substantial flow of money in the winter time.
3. Memberships
Membership dues could be enforced for access to bike lockers and canoe
racks. Members could also have elite access to refreshment bars at various
nodes along the network.
4. Volunteer work
Community engagement could be a cheap way to implement many of the
proposed designs. This process will also foster community identity and project pride.
Future partnerships
Allegheny Land Trust
Engaging the hillsides with a trail network
may add support for the goal of keeping the
wooded slopes undeveloped.
http://www.alleghenylandtrust.org/
Bike Pittsburgh / Kayak Pittsburgh
Expanding the network of pedaling and
paddling advocates down river to Coraopolis
should be a priority.
http://www.kayakpittsburgh.org/
http://bike-pgh.org/
Ohio River Trail Council
With the goal of connecting Coraopolis to the
Ohio state line, the group is expert in land and
water based trail networks.
http://www.ohiorivertrail.org/
Sierra Club
One of America’s largest grassroots organizations is still deeply concerned with community efforts.
http://www.sierraclub.org/
Venture Outdoors
A group committed to the outdoors and
capable of guiding land and water tours.
http://www.ventureoutdoors.org/
REFERENCES
Fike, J. (1999). ‘Terrestrial and Palustrine Plant Communities of Pennsylvania.’
Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory.
Kalisz, S., Dunn, J. (2004) ‘Ohio River Botany.’ Pittsburgh PA: STUDIO for Creative Inquiry,
Carnegie Mellon University.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Plants Database. available at http://
plants.usda.gov/ accessed Nov. 14, 2010.
Westenzweig, H. Sports and Athletics Complex site map. personal email: Nov. 3, 2010.