North Elkhorn Creek: A Prototypical Greenway Master Plan

6 NORTH ELKHORN CREEK

a prototypical greenway master plan

Benjamin M. Schenk

abstract For this component project, a framework for a prototypical county greenway and trail network is described. But before the first steps were taken, the design team had to understand the county’s resource palette. What would be the “fabric” that holds the pieces together, thus providing the connectivity that stakeholders currently feel is lacking? Some basic analysis of the county and regional landscape unveiled a regional entity that community stakeholders refer to as one of their “gems”: the North Elkhorn Creek.

The North Elkhorn Creek winds its way from Hamburg in Fayette County, across the southeast border of Scott County, and through Downtown Georgetown and Stamping Ground. It meanders through urban, suburban, exurban, and rural areas providing the perfect framework for a trail system and a variety of spaces with which inter and intra-county commuters can interact. Located along the North Elkhorn Creek are a number of historical features in southern Scott County. The North Elkhorn Creek also offers a variety of topography, vantage points, and land cover as well as a connection between Fayette and Scott Counties that is promising.

The suggested North Elkhorn Creek Greenway is meant to serve three broad goals. First, combined with other component projects such as the county-wide greenway and a suggested Legacy Trail extension from the Kentucky Horse Park in Fayette County, connectivity both within the county and to neighboring counties can be increased. Second, ecology of adjacent land areas, such as riparian zones and wetlands, can be preserved and expanded through a set of recommendations offered by the design team.

Greenway planning can retain nearly five times more area of high ecological value than standard residential development and can increase land value at the same time (Hellmund & Smith, 2006). Third, the cultural amenities and suggested trails can create a recreational amenity for trail users that Scott County can call its own. Similar greenways have been built across the United States and internationally in places like Europe, Portugal, and Hungary where they are referred to as green corridors, corridors verdes, and zöld folyosó, respectively (Fabos, 1995). A domestic greenway, the Spring Creek Greenway in Joliet, Illinois, had similar intentions to the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway discussed in the following pages, and it is discussed in Chapter 3 of this report.

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NORTH ELKHORN CREEK a prototypical greenway master plan

introduction

The three issues of connectivity, impending growth, and lack of public green space for wildlife and recreational use set the stage for this component project. The intention is to tie together important pieces of the community, both literally and figuratively, while preserving the ecological, cultural, and historical heritage of the county. How will this be accomplished? What framework will be used? These are the types of questions that will be addressed in the next several pages.

ric” that holds the pieces together, thus providing the connectivity that stakeholders currently feel is lacking. Some basic analysis of the landscape unveiled a regional entity that stakeholders refer to as one of their “gems”: the North Elkhorn Creek. The North Elkhorn Creek winds its way from just east of Hamburg in Fayette County, northwest across the southeast border of Scott County through Downtown Georgetown and Stamping Ground, before intersecting the South Elkhorn Creek at the “Forks of the Elkhorn” just east of Frankfort in Franklin County, Kentucky (Figure 6.6.1).

Several individual component projects focus more specifically on connectivity and walkability, prototypical urbanization scenarios, and integration of a more sufficient county-wide park network. This component project involves the integration of aspects of each of these other component projects in the form of a prototypical greenway that could serve as a vein of the community. Component projects such as a county-wide greenway (yet to be described) and the Legacy Trail extension from the Kentucky Horse Park to Georgetown College in Scott County also tie directly to this project and are discussed in more depth in this report.

Before the first steps were taken in developing an ecological and cultural greenway through Scott County, the county’s palette of resources had to be understood. What would be the “fab-

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The creek winds through urban, suburban, exurban, and rural areas providing the perfect framework for a trail system and a variety of natural spaces with which commuters can interact. Located along the North Elkhorn Creek are a variety of cultural and historical sites, including many historical homes in southern Scott County and the Galloway Pike Iron Bridge off of Galloway Road.

The North Elkhorn Creek also offers a variety in topography, vantage points, and land cover as well as a connection between Fayette, Scott, and Franklin Counties. Not only does the creek offer access to many important cultural amenities, it is also home to a variety of wildlife, including six endangered animal species (refer to Chapter 2: Contextual Characterization).

The creek also serves as an important recreational amenity for canoers and kayakers. The North Elkhorn Creek Greenway Master Plan, discussed in the following pages of this chapter, is the design team’s attempt to tie together all of these aspects into a cohesive ecological, recreational, and cultural amenity that serves as connecting-infrastructure for inter and intra-county commuters.

public process figure 6.6.1 This map shows the regional context of the North Elkhorn Creek through Fayette, Scott, and Franklin Counties. (Data Source: Kentucky Geography Network).

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One of the most important factors in the design and recommendation process was stakeholder input. This input came in the form of three community meetings which were held at the Scott

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6 County Extension Center in Georgetown, Kentucky. At each of these meetings, the design team incorporated a system whereby information was distributed to and input was received from the community through verbal and visual communication. Through this public process, the team was able to work side by side with stakeholders to develop ideas. It is important to note that stakeholders were the primary instigator in the process and that the design team was merely a means to the community’s improvement.

Through this public process, the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway Master Plan evolved, grew, and is continuing to grow.

The component project described in the following section is part of a larger process meant to increase the enthusiasm of stakeholders and encourage them to make the recommendations a reality. Before discussion of the master plan can occur, one must first understand the definition of a greenway.

goals

According to Jack Ahern (1995), “greenways are networks of land containing linear elements that are planned, designed, and managed for multiple purposes” (p. 134). They are not meant solely for recreation but also for the movement of materials, species, and nutrients. Greenways often fall into one of three major, overlapping categories: greenways of ecologically significant corridors and

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natural systems, recreational greenways, and greenways of historical heritage and cultural values (Fabos, 1995). With community input in mind, the design team developed an overarching three-fold approach to the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway’s layout by adapting the principles set forth by Ahern and Fabos.

The first goal of the greenway was to increase connectivity both within the county and outside of the county. The suggested trail network in the following pages is meant to build upon existing trails systems within the county, including the Quilt Trail and Elkhorn Creek Corridor Trails, and to work in conjunction with the Legacy Trail extension from the Kentucky Horse Park in Fayette County and with a County-Wide Greenway system that ties the northern portion of Scott County to the southern portion (discussed later in this report).

The second goal of the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway was to increase the ecological value of land adjacent to the creek. This has been a major goal of recreational planners for many years (Fabos, 1995). Through analysis, it was clear that areas along the creek were suffering as a result of neighboring agricultural land uses, urban encroachment, and insufficient riparian forest and wetland cover.

When a waterway is not protected by a riparian vegetative buffer, its quality is often degraded and its ecological and

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aesthetic value is lost. When appropriately-wide enough, riparian strips can effectively remove as much as 81% of pollutants (primarily nitrogen) from surface and groundwater before it reaches an aquatic ecosystem (Canefield et al., 2005). For that reason, incorporation of riparian zones is recommended and considered a best management practice (BMP) by State and Federal resource agencies (Canefield et al., 2005; Fabos, 2004; Wenger, 1999). Another aspect that influences ecological value is parks and green space, which can provide not only recreational benefits but also habitat for wildlife (Gobster et al., 2004).

The third and final goal of the greenway was to increase the recreational value of the North Elkhorn Creek. There are currently 22.4 miles of existing and proposed county-instituted trails according to a 2007 report by the Elkhorn Creek Trails Committee (C. King, personal communication, March 28, 2011). The majority of these trails are located in close proximity to Georgetown. The majority of the public parks and green space are also located near Georgetown.

Through development of the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway Master Plan, the design team was able to increase trail coverage and identify a set of recommended locations for trailheads based on more in-depth site analysis.

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NORTH ELKHORN CREEK a prototypical greenway master plan

inventory + analysis

The designer used two methods of inventory and analysis. The first method was similar to that popularized by Ian McHarg, involving the use of Geographic Information Systems mapping (GIS) and overlays in order to determine the premier locations for various amenities as well as ideal routes for trails and ecologic corridors.

This more computer-based method was used in the county-wide greenway component project.

The second method, and the one primarily employed by the designer on the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway, was slightly more involved and adapted from the style used by Alta Planning and Design on the Waterbury Naugatuck River Greenway in Waterbury, Connecticut (Napoli et al., 2010). To begin, the team used resources such as Google Earth and Bing Maps to “study” the landscape from a large-scale context in order to understand the overall character of the Elkhorn Creek, looking particularly at the path it takes through southern Scott County and the ecological connections it makes along the way. Using the online databases, the design team learned about the surrounding topography and interesting landscape characteristics that may not be as evident or easily attained through the use of GIS mapping. Some GIS was used to understand how the North Elkhorn Creek fits into the floodplain system, but the majority of the preliminary assess-

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ment and inventory was accomplished through Google Earth and Bing Map’s aerial and three-dimensional bird’s eye imagery. This is the method that would be simplest for the majority of Scott County stakeholders to learn and use.

Once the preliminary inventory was completed, the design team worked with Steve Austin, the director of the Legacy Center in Lexington, Kentucky, to identify possible routes along the creek as well as a set of criteria that could be used to identify potential trailhead nodes. Once a compiled list of locations of important amenities and potential routing was complete, a series of site visits during which the designer walked along the creek and visited the areas identified through the imagery-based inventory was performed.

Unfortunately, man-hours were limited and the process was not as in-depth as it needs to be in order to further develop the ideas. However, the inventory and analysis method itself was successful and the design team was able to use the imagery and site visits to develop a good understanding of the natural and cultural resources and amenities offered by the creek and surrounding land. The following sections provide more detail into the individual components of the inventory and analysis.

physical

As indicated in Figure 1, the creek begins in Fayette County and runs through southern Scott County before intersecting the South Elkhorn Creek at the “Forks of the Elkhorn” (Figure 6.6.2) in eastern Franklin County.

figure 6.6.2 This image shows the

context of the Forks of the Elkhorn in Franklin County. (Data Source: Bing Maps; Imagery Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

The two creeks converge into the Elkhorn Creek which continues westward before emptying into the Kentucky River. While the South Elkhorn Creek remains one of the most polluted watersheds (Kentucky River Authority, 2011), the North Elkhorn is still relatively clean. However, changes in land use and land management practices could negatively impact water quality.

The North Elkhorn Creek is within the boundaries of Scott County for approxi-

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6 mately 39.9 miles (Carey, 2003). Overall, on-site inventory revealed that the creek is deep enough in most areas to sustain canoe and kayak travel. In shallower spots, creek users would have to portage their vessels during periods of low flow.

The design team did notice that the banks of the creek were relatively steep and eroded in many places. In some instances, this was a result of free-grazing by cattle up to the creek’s edge, which is one of the major reasons for riparian degradation (Canefield et al., 2005; Wenger, 1999). If plans for the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway are further developed, special attention will need to be given to these eroded stream banks. Recommendations of how to restore riparian vitality are discussed later.

Because Kaarst limestone geology comprises a large majority of Kentucky’s underlying bedrock (Woods et al., 2002), it is no surprise to find a large number of rocky outcrops and limestone bluffs along the North Elkhorn Creek. The entire creek falls within a series of floodplains that have, over time, undergone extreme saturation and allowed the creek to carve out these landforms (Figure 6.6.3).

Southern Scott County (Georgetown and Stamping Ground) is primarily agricultural and urban land cover. There are some areas along the North Elkhorn Creek that have a sufficient amount of riparian for-

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figure 6.6.3 This lower portion of the

Oxbow Slough falls within a floodplain and is fairly representative of floodplains throughout the watershed. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

figure 6.6.4 This image of the North

Elkhorn Creek on Degaris Mill Road represents sufficient riparian forest cover.

(Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

est cover (Figure 6.6.4), but overall forest cover is relatively-low (Figure 6.6.5). In fact, there are only 348 acres of forest cover (Zourarakis, 2001) existing within a 100-foot buffer of the creek recommended by Canefield et al. (2005). Much of the remaining cover is urbanizing land and agriculture.

Wetlands are also an important part of the ecosystem, but in Scott County they only make up 34 acres along the North Elkhorn Creek (Zourarakis, 2001). Most of the places where wetlands remain are not surprisingly in more rural areas (Figure 6.6.6). Grasslands and meadows currently cover 14 acres within a 100-foot buffer of the North Elkhorn Creek (Zoura-

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figure 6.6.5 This portion of the North

Elkhorn Creek, located at Richard O Winder Park in Scott County, has no riparian zone. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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historical + recreational

figure 6.6.6 This image shows a small

wetland area off of Robinson Road in Scott County. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

rakis, 2001). According to Canefield et al.

(2005), grasslands are overall more useful in terms of erosion prevention and sediment dispersion than in terms of pollutant filtration. Agricultural land, such as farms and livestock grazing areas, comprise 255 acres within that same 100-foot zone (Figure 6.6.7). Because agriculture is such an important industry in the community after Toyota, it would make sense to preserve these lands as much as possible while providing increased vegetative buffers between them and the North Elkhorn Creek. As was mentioned previously, industrial and developing residential areas make up a large part of the surrounding land cover and are some of the primary contributors to ecological degradation along the creek.

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figure 6.6.7 This farm, located off of

Crumbaugh Road, has a minimal riparian buffer separating it from the North Elkhorn Creek. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

In many places the roads and the North Elkhorn Creek run parallel, there is very little vegetation between the paved surface and the creek. All of the pollutants emitted by automobiles and contained in the paving material run into the water.

Asphalt-paved surfaces also increase the “heat-island effect” whereby the temperature of the pedestrian environment is drastically increased as a result of reflected heat. If a creekside trail were to be implemented in these areas, the lack of vegetative buffer and increased temperatures could create an uncomfortable environment for trail users (Alfonzo, 2005; Gobster et al., 2004). This component project addressing “walkability” discusses these concepts in more detail.

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There are a large number of cultural and historic sites in close proximity to the North Elkhorn Creek. Many of these resources can be seen directly from the creek while others are located further away. During the first public meeting with Scott County community stakeholders in February, the point was made to retain and preserve the historical and cultural integrity of the county—it defines those who live there.

Of all of the historic sites located within the county, the Cardome Center (Figure 6.6.8) is perhaps the most widely-known.

In fact, another of the design team’s component projects has been aimed solely at finding ways to preserve Cardome in light of the impending population increase.

In addition to the Cardome Center, there are a series of historic homes and sites, including the Vivian Upshaw Brooking House and the Choctaw Indian Academy near Stamping Ground Road. The landscape has scattered remnants of dry-laid stone walls (Figure 6.6.9).

Within the North Elkhorn Creek are a large number of man-made dams (Figure 6.6.10). These dams, although historic, do not provide ease of access for canoers and kayakers and pose some danger to users who are unfamiliar with the creek.

Design recommendations on how to overcome these obstacles without removing the dams are illustrated in a later section.

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figure 6.6.8 The Cardome Center is

a historic icon in Scott County. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

Despite difficulties for canoers and kayakers at the numerous dams along the North Elkhorn Creek, there have been efforts made at other points to make it easy for users to put their vessels in and pull them out (Figure 6.6.11). A later section addressing trailhead design incorporates canoe put-in points as a design standard based on a series of trailhead levels driven largely by numbers of users and trailhead location (urban, suburban, rural).

Within Scott County, there already exists a system of trails, but as was previously mentioned, almost all infrastructure, with the exception of several commuter and bicycle routes, is centered around Georgetown, virtually ignoring the remainder of the county and thus contributing to the lack of connectivity. Existing trails include the Quilt Trail and the North

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figure 6.6.9 This dry-laid stone wall is

located at the intersection of Frankfort Road and Stamping Ground Road.

(Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

figure 6.6.11 Canoers and kayakers can easily put their vessel in and take it out at put in points such as this one, located at Great Crossing Park of Stamping Ground Road. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

Elkhorn Creek Corridor Trails system, which is currently comprised of 17.1 miles of existing multi-use trails with 5.3 miles of proposed multi-use trails (C. King, personal communication, March 28, 2011).

A separate component project is focusing on expanding the commuter bike trail network and developing a safer route for the annual Horsey Hundred.

figure 6.6.10 This dam, located off of

Johnson Mill Road, illustrates how difficult it is for canoers and kayakers to move safely from the high side of the dam to the low side. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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When addressing greenway trail design, it is imperative that trail-road intersections be reduced or avoided altogether (Axelson et al., 1999; Moore, 2004). Road overpasses can provide a great opportunity to bring trails under the road (Axelson et al., 1999), thus limiting automobile conflicts with trail users and adhering to one of

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NORTH ELKHORN CREEK a prototypical greenway master plan

the five basic needs for walkability: safety (Alfonzo, 2005). In cases where there is inadequate room under the overpass to bring a trail through (Figure 6.6.12), the only other option is an intersection. Design recommendations for road crossings are made in a later section.

figure 6.6.12 The Galloway Road

overpass necessitates the trail crossing the road since there is no room to bring a trail beneath the overpass. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

environmental issues

Through the inventory process, several environmental issues surfaced. First was the insufficient riparian coverage, both forests and wetlands. Without riparian buffers, there is limited filtering of harmful pollutants from ground and surface water before it enters the creek (Fabos, 2004; Canefield et al., 2005). The quality of the creek will quickly diminish if steps are not taken to restore such areas.

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A second issue is the erosion potential of stream banks. Without vegetative cover (primarily grassy wetlands), erosion will effectively destroy the stream banks and thus aquatic habitat. While trees and shrubs do protect against some erosion, grasses are much more effective (Canefield et al., 2005) but are almost completely lacking along the entirety of the North Elkhorn Creek.

A final issue is the aesthetic value of the North Elkhorn Creek and adjacent land. Although stakeholders refer to the creek as one of their “gems” there are opportunities on which to capitalize.

According to Adam Kesheimer, an avid kayaker who regularly visits Scott County, the “North Elkhorn Creek itself is beautiful but the surrounding land has its flaws” (A. Kesheimer, personal communication, April 8, 2011). Urbanizing areas and illmaintained agricultural sectors generally do not enhance the paddling experience along the creek. The framework already exists for a greenway but some areas needs to be improved. With the amount of cultural and historical heritage that exists within the county, the North Elkhorn Creek could become a better tourist attraction that raises the aesthetic value of and increases revenue for Scott County (Fabos, 1995). Existing greenways, such as the Spring Creek Greenway in Joliet, Illinois (Figure 6.6.13), can provide stakeholders with an example on which to build.

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figure 6.6.13 The Spring Creek

Greenway in Joliet, Illinois can provide Scott County with an image of what it can become. (Image Source: Andrew J. Hawkins)

The most relevant information found through the inventory process was compiled into a basic inventory map (Figure 6.6.14) that highlights existing features, primarily the locations of cultural and historic sites in relation to the North Elkhorn Creek along with county-instituted existing and proposed multi-use trails. The team’s analysis process is discussed in the following section.

opportunities + constraints

Taking all of the information gathered through the inventory and site visit process, the design team synthesized it in order to identify opportunities and constraints along the North Elkhorn Creek.

Once the information was evaluated, the team would be able to begin the design

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figure 6.6.14 This North Elkhorn Creek Inventory Map represents the most important aspects of the design team’s inventory process. (Data Source: Kentucky Geography Network; Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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NORTH ELKHORN CREEK a prototypical greenway master plan

and recommendation phase of the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway Master Plan.

Along the almost 40 miles of the North Elkhorn Creek, much of which was covered on foot by the design team during the series of site visits, few constraints beyond property ownership were found.

As the inventory process elaborated on, the lack of riparian cover poses one of the greatest threats to the success of the greenway from an ecological standpoint (Figure 6.6.15). Without recommending the restoration and widening of riparian zones along the edges of the creek, the design team would be unable to accomplish one of its main goals: improving the ecology of the North Elkhorn Creek and adjacent areas.

A second constraint the design team identified along the creek was a developing residential area that was easily seen from the creek. Interestingly, problems like this could be addressed by increasing riparian forest cover to screen out unwanted views.

As landscape architects, members of the design team have been taught to look at constraints as potential opportunities, which is indeed what the team attempted to do. A series of limestone bluffs and rocky outcrops along the creek created natural vistas and overlook points. These are especially favorable because they can provide the location for alternate

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figure 6.6.15 This image, looking east

from Newtown Pike down the Goose Creek, which ties to the North Elkhorn Creek, shows a lack of riparian cover and the subsequent eroding of the adjacent stream bank. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

routes in the case of flooding and temporary closure of recommended creekside greenway trails. The Oxbow Slough (Figure 6.6.3) provides a great example of one of these vista points as it looks over the floodplain below. There are also several interesting landscapes that should be highlighted with the greenway design, including the “islands” formed at Galloway Road (Figure 6.6.16). Neighborhoods in close proximity to the creek, like Victoria Estates (Figure 6.6.17), provide opportunities to increase connectivity, another one of the design team’s main goals. The analysis map (Figure 6.6.18) shows the locations of identified opportunities and constraints.

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figure 6.6.16 The “islands” off Galloway Road are a unique design opportunity.

(Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

figure 6.6.17 The top of the reservoir at Victoria Estates would provide a great greenway connector. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

As was mentioned previously, related inventory and analysis processes were used on other component projects, including the plan for a county-wide

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figure 6.6.18 This North Elkhorn Creek Analysis Map represents the most important aspects of the design team’s analysis process and was used extensively in the layout of greenway trails and trailheads. (Data Source: Kentucky Geography Network; Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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greenway and an extension of the existing Legacy Trail from the Kentucky Horse Park to Georgetown College. Each of these projects was developed as a way of tying the disjointed parts of the county together. The North Elkhorn Creek Greenway’s analysis set aside areas that could serve as precedence for the remainder of the greenway network and revealed areas that would need to be improved in order to meet the project’s three main goals of connectivity, ecology, and recreation. The following sections outline the design and recommendation process.

recommendations

The design and recommendations phase of the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway Master Plan component project involved the graphic representation of greenway routing, recommended trail standards, trailheads and conceptual design, and site-specific improvements. It was also important that the designs and recommendations adhered to the project’s overarching goals.

trail alignment

The suggested trail routes are the project’s connecting fabric. They tie together not only various aspects of the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway and existing countyinstituted trails, but also aspects of previously mentioned component projects in an effort to increase connectivity.

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When addressing trail alignment, it is important to provide the stakeholder with options (Axelson et al., 1999). Because the landscape character changes along the North Elkhorn Creek, from urban, to suburban, to rural, there already exists a plethora of opportunities. The design team provided options for both creekside trails (32.9 miles/53 km) and non-creekside trails (5.52 miles/8.9 km). Creekside trails, as the recommended trail standards will later illustrate, should not run immediately adjacent to the North Elkhorn Creek, but rather maintain a set distance induced by a vegetative buffer in order to decrease the erosion potential along the stream banks.

Non-creekside trails are trails that do not follow immediately adjacent to the creek but rather branch off to follow alternate infrastructure such as county roads and rail lines. An important aspect of these trails is increased safety through the reduction of potential conflicts between motorized and non-motorized forms of travel. According to Alfonzo (2005), this is most easily accomplished through the use of physical and spatial buffers to separate pedestrians from automobiles.

Both the creekside and non-creekside trails were laid out to take advantage of not only the North Elkhorn Creek and other natural amenities, but also the cultural and historic amenities that stakeholders view as important. The Vivian Upshaw

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Brooking House and Choctaw Indian Academy, located between Georgetown and Stamping Ground, provide trail users with a viable rest area between the two cities as well as a chance to learn about the county’s heritage.

In order to take advantage of important ecological opportunities along the greenway, the design team recommended a series of new creek crossings in addition to the bridges already present. Currently, there are eight significant creek crossings, but with the implementation of the suggested routes, eleven more crossings would be incorporated to ease movement from one side of the creek to the other. The North Elkhorn Creek Route Master Plan (Figure 6.6.19) can be found on the following page. Its graphic style was adapted from the style used

by Wallace Roberts & Todd (WRT Design) on the Floyds Fork Greenway in Louisville, Kentucky.

Along the entire greenway, the design team encourages the community to practice forms of ecological restoration wherever possible. Incorporating large riparian zones will help to eliminate surface and groundwater contamination before it reaches the North Elkhorn Creek corridor. These and other recommended trail standards are discussed later.

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figure 6.6.19 This North Elkhorn Creek Route Master Plan represents the design team’s recommended layout of greenway trails and trailheads along with important natural and cultural amenities. (Data Source: Kentucky Geography Network; Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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trail standards

the first phase. This phase represents the majority of riparian cover along the North Elkhorn Creek which is often less than 100 feet in width.

Through research, the design team used and refined a set of recommended trail standards aimed at increasing connectivity, improving the ecology, and increasing the recreational benefits of the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway. These standards include guidelines for riparian zones and phases, trail overlook areas, roadside trails, and road crossings.

The third condition type is the minimum “recommended” phase, which involves a minimum 100-foot riparian forest buffer between the creek and adjacent land uses. This width is sufficient at filtering almost 85% of pollutants before they reach the creek and drastically reduces erosion (Hellmund & Smith, 2006).

As the North Elkhorn Creek Analysis Map (Figure 6.6.18) pointed out, there are several areas that the design team identified as having only a minimum riparian zone.

In some instances, areas along the creek have no riparian cover whatsoever. In order to illustrate the goal for which Scott County should be striving, a riparian condition types diagram (Figure 6.6.20) was created. The diagram separates riparian zones into four phases based on riparian widths deemed acceptable (Hellmund & Smith, 2006). The design team classified the first phase as “undesirable.” In this phase, riparian forest cover is absent.

Agriculture or development pushes right up to the creek’s edge and permits the direct flow of pollutants into the creek corridor. There is almost no protection against stream bank erosion.

The second condition type is classified as “minimal.” There is some riparian forest cover but it is not sufficient enough to effectively filter pollutants. It is however more efficient at preventing erosion than

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The final condition type is the “preferred” phase whereby the riparian zone expands beyond 100 feet from the creek.

This phase is unattainable in some areas along the North Elkhorn Creek because urbanization and agriculture are already within 100 feet of the creek corridor. For that reason, the “recommended” phase has been set as the ideal benchmark in riparian cover for the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway Master Plan.

figure 6.6.20 Figure 20 This diagram

represents the four riparian forest cover conditions. Completely forested is recommended to remove all pollutants.

(Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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To set up standards for riparian zones, the design team consulted a series of resources and precedence. The team found that there were no set standards for riparian width or composition. According to Hellmund and Smith (2006), a riparian buffer of approximately 30 meters (98 feet) in width was sufficient at controlling pollutants and debris. Others, such as the United States Army Engineer and Research Development Center have

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6 done extensive research addressing migratory birds and found that certain species prefer riparian zone widths closer to 150 feet. Still other resources, such as the 1999 National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Planning and Design Manual recommend breaking riparian buffer zones into three separate zones that serve three purposes. The design team’s riparian zone recommendation (Figure 6.6.21) combines aspects of the three recommendations, breaking the riparian buffer into three zones: the inner, middle, and outer, each with different functions. Figure 6.6.21 also includes a trail easement of 30 feet which is comprised of a ten-foot, unpaved multi-use trail, two-foot shoulders, and a minimum fifteen-foot filtration buffer between the trail and North Elkhorn Creek corridor.

Figure 6.6.22 makes recommendations for overlook areas along the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway. Adhering to the recommended 100-foot minimum riparian width, the design team suggests a way to cantilever a boardwalk out from the bluff or hillside rather than building a path directly onto the hillside and increasing erosion potential. Another benefit of the boardwalk, as the diagram illustrates, is that the greenway can still be used in cases of flooding since the boardwalk is perched above the flood zone. A singleuse, unpaved footpath can be incorporated next to the creek as long as a fifteen-foot filtration buffer is maintained.

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The Oxbow Slough (Figure 6.6.3) provides a prime example of where such a recommendation can be implemented.

The design team also has recommended roadside standards to increase the safety of trail users (Figure 6.6.23). The standards were adapted from the Green Infrastructure Plan for Saratoga County, New York (2006). As the diagram shows, a minimum twelve-foot road right-of-way should be maintained depending on the number of lanes and graded shoulder width. Between the road and trail easement there is a recommended ten-foot minimum buffer strip to protect trail users from motorized traffic. A 100-foot riparian zone remains a standard as well. Noncreekside trail segments of the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway Master Plan (Figure 6.6.19), such as the segment of Georgetown Road leading up to Robinson Road, are ideal places to implement this standard.

The final trail standard recommendation addresses road crossings (Figure 6.6.24).

At locations where no alternate means of access exist from one side of a road to another, such as the Galloway Road overpass (Figure 6.6.12), this recommended trail standard becomes imperative. As the diagram represents, vegetation along road shoulders should remain low cut to permit ample visibility in both directions. A transition area should exist to allow the vegetation to blend back in

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to the surrounding landscape by moving from lower-growing vegetation to taller grasses, shrubs, and trees. Bollards should also be used to encourage the slowing of cyclists and trail users before reaching the intersection, thus limiting automobile-trail user conflicts (Axelson et al., 1999). Adequate signage should be maintained at all intersections (Axelson et al., 1999). It is important to note that this standard could be altered to fit specific site needs.

The following sections deal with the trailhead nodes identified through the analysis process: their classification in a trailhead level rating system developed by the design team, an evaluation of their site-specific opportunities and constraints, and the conceptual design of one of the sites.

trailhead rating system

Based on analysis of the North Elkhorn Creek and community stakeholder input, the design team identified five trailhead nodes. Each of these nodes differs in location, natural amenities, and scale.

Therefore, the set of program elements would differ from site to site. The sites were chosen in part because they were different and the team wanted to once again provide Scott County with options.

Adapting the standards on trailhead design offered by the Bucher, Willis, and Ratliff Corporation (BWR) for the Northland Trails Vision Plan (2006), the team

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figure 6.6.21 This diagram represents the recommended riparian zones standards developed by the design team and based on a combination of resources.

(Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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figure 6.6.22 This diagram represents the recommended overlook standards developed by the design team and based on a combination of resources. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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figure 6.6.23 This diagram represents the recommended roadside standards developed by the design team and based on a combination of resources. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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figure 6.6.24 This diagram represents the recommended road

crossing standards developed by the design team and based on a combination of resources. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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NORTH ELKHORN CREEK a prototypical greenway master plan

created a rating system for three types of trailhead levels (Figure 6.6.25), driven largely by location (urban, suburban, rural). Along with each of these levels is a set of recommended program elements.

A Level One Trailhead would be implemented in a more urban setting. Program elements would be set up to accommodate larger numbers of trail users. The most vital program elements for this type of trailhead are an information building with public restrooms, sufficient parking, expansive landscaping, and a potential canoe put-in point.

A Level Two Trailhead would occur in a more suburban setting and be of moderate scale. Program elements would be similar to that of a Level One Trailhead except for a decrease in parking and lower-maintenance landscaping.

A Level Three Trailhead would be most successful in a rural area with lower traffic volume. The information building would be replaced by an open kiosk and restrooms would be portable. Parking and landscaping would be minimal.

Although BWR deems parking optional at Level Three Trailheads, Scott County stakeholders expressed a desire for parking at each type of trailhead. The design team agreed but retained the opinion that all parking should be as non-environmentally-intrusive as possible.

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An alteration to the program recommendations made by BWR is the inclusion of a park or picnic area at Level One and Level Two Trailheads. The community and design team felt this would provide more of a recreational draw for trail users and increase their numbers.

close proximity to each other, their value would have been potentially decreased.

Third, they each border the North Elkhorn Creek, providing visual and physical access to it. Finally, each trailhead borders a county road, thus increasing accessibility by trail users.

All trailheads and accompanying structures should be architecturally-sound and adhere to the standards defined by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Scott County Building Code. The design of all parking lot ingress and egress points shall be in compliance with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and AASHTO.

The five suggested trailheads, labeled Trailhead A through Trailhead E, can be referenced in the North Elkhorn Creek Route Master Plan (Figure 6.6.19). Each trailhead is described individually in this section.

As with all of the recommendations made by the design team for the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway Master Plan, the standards should be used in the context of individual sites.

trailhead design opportunities

The five potential trailheads identified along the North Elkhorn Creek are very different from one another. As indiciated previously, the trailheads were chosen for a variety of reasons. First, they maintained some level of cultural, historical, ecological, or recreational connection to the county. Second, they were spaced far enough apart to serve as rest areas along the greenway. If they had been in

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Trailhead A is located at the intersection of Newtown Pike and Johnson Mill Road (Figure 6.6.26). Located in a fairly rural part of the county, the 2.2-acre site would most likely be rated a Level 2 or Level 3 Trailhead. Bordered to the north by the North Elkhorn Creek, the site poses several design opportunities. First, its direct access to a major thoroughfare (Newtown Pike) could increase site visitors and provide direct access into Fayette County. Second, the dam provides a cultural amenity for trail users as well as a potential put-in point for canoers and kayakers.

The site includes a fairly large change in elevation, dropping approximately seven feet from the top southeastern corner to the bottom northwestern corner. This could be viewed as both an opportunity for an overlook or constraint. Due to a lack of riparian cover on the far northern side of the creek, residents living directly

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figure 6.6.25 This diagram represents the trailhead levels developed by the design team and based on the recommendations of the Bucher, Willis, and Ratliff Corporation. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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NORTH ELKHORN CREEK a prototypical greenway master plan

figure 6.6.26 This image outlines the

boundaries of Trailhead A, located on Johnson Mill Road in Scott County, Kentucky. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

across the creek may view this site as a poor location for a trailhead since trailhead users would be looking directly into the residents’ property. A final constraint addresses the dam itself and the difficulty with which canoers and kayakers are faced when moving from the high side to the low side.

Trailhead B is located on Paris Pike before the railroad underpass (Figure 6.6.27).

Located in an urban setting, the 5.1-acre site is the largest of the five nodes. The trailhead would most likely be classified as a Level One Trailhead simply because of its location and scale. A park already exists on site but should be improved if it were to serve as a trailhead for the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway. The site,

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figure 6.6.27 This image outlines the boundaries of Trailhead B, located on Paris Pike in Scott County, Kentucky.

(Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

which is relatively flat, borders the creek on its northern and western edges and is surrounded in the east by commercial land. Opportunities include the width of the creek, proximity to the commercial area, and plentiful room for parking. The existing park poses ample opportunity for landscape improvement. Constraints include a neglected area adjacent to and east of the site and possible noise pollution from Paris Pike. As in most cases along the North Elkhorn Creek, riparian cover would need to be expanded.

Trailhead C is Great Crossing Park, and is located just off of Stamping Ground Road (Figure 6.6.28). The approximate 3.9-acre site borders the North Elkhorn Creek to the west. Its topography is undulating and gets increasingly steep

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figure 6.6.28 This image outlines the

boundaries of Trailhead C, located on Stamping Ground Road at the Great Crossing Park in Scott County, Kentucky.

(Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

in the southwest corner of the site. This node would most likely be rated as a Level Two Trailhead since it lies in a semi-rural area. Opportunities include pre-existing infrastructure for parking as well as a canoe and kayak put-in ramp. The site also maintains access to Scott County’s existing Elkhorn Creek Corridor Trails. A large area of land known as the Taylor Reserve is located to the northeast of Great Crossing Park and is the site of another one of the design team’s component projects.

The reserve has been set aside for future development into a community park that builds on the existing Great Crossing Park. Trailhead C also possesses a couple of natural and cultural amenities, including a “babbling brook” and a dam. Constraints include damaged infrastructure

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6 and overgrown vegetation around the Stamping Ground Road overpass, which could be removed to allow greenway trail access under the road.

Trailhead D is the smallest of the five at 0.6 acres (Figure 6.6.29). However, it poses the greatest design opportunity. The site is located off of Robinson Road in a fairly rural part of Scott County. Separated into two pieces by the North Elkhorn Creek, the trailhead would likely be classified as a Level Two or Level Three Trailhead. Topography varies from relatively flat on the southwestern portion of the site to relatively steep on the far northeastern portion of the site. The site is surrounded by private residences to the southwest and agricultural land to the northeast.

A private canoe-launch located further down Robinson Road could be potentially opened to the public. The site is already a popular fishing site for locals according to Frank Henderson, a regular visitor to the site and strong advocate of a greenway through Scott County.

Opportunities include an existing parking lot, which would need to be expanded and improved, a wetland area which could be expanded (Figure 6.6.6), and a dam which could provide a portion of the infrastructure needed to bridge the North Elkhorn Creek. Currently, the only site constraints are the private residences located adjacent to the site and the size of the site itself.

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canoers and kayakers. Around the outer edges of the revamped “fishing hole� is a boardwalk to permit controlled access to the wetlands area. Parking is available.

Both the pier and the parking lot build off of existing infrastructure. Access to the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway is available on the far side of the creek where an open lawn and pavilion provide a rest area for trail users.

figure 6.6.29 This image outlines the

The final site, Trailhead E, is located on Galloway Road near the historic Galloway Pike Iron Bridge (Figure 6.6.31).

boundaries of Trailhead D, located on Robinson Road in Scott County, Kentucky.

(Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

Trailhead D, referred to by the design team at the Robinson Road Fishing Hole, was chosen as the site for a more detailed conceptual design development (Figure 6.6.30). The purpose of the plan is to present stakeholders with a vision of what their trailheads can become if implemented.

The trailhead was designed to maintain open views to the neighboring agricultural land while partially buffering neighboring residential land. Lower-growing native grasses were planted throughout the site to decrease erosion while maintaining visibility down Robinson Road and to the creek. A pier was designed to provide connection from one side of the creek to the other. Riparian cover was increased on both sides of the North Elkhorn Creek and canoe take-out and putin points increase the ease-of-passage for

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figure 6.6.31 This image outlines the

boundaries of Trailhead E, located on Galloway Road in Scott County, Kentucky. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

The site is relatively large at 2.3 acres and similarly to Trailhead D is broken into multiple pieces. The site in itself may be the most unique of the five because of a series of islands that it includes. Most likely

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figure 6.6.30 This image provides a conceptual plan for Trailhead D, the Robinson Road “Fishing Hole,� in Scott County Kentucky. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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6 falling under the classification of a Level Two Trailhead, this node has a lot of design potential. Opportunities include not only the interesting “islands” landscape, but also Galloway Pike Iron Bridge as a historical landmark, although it is currently barricaded. The site is relatively flat and the islands could pose an opportunity for campers in none flood times. The riparian forest cover is also sufficiently wide, falling into the “recommended” phase of riparian cover. There are few obvious site constraints.

The following section provides stakeholders with photorealistic site-specific improvements along the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway.

visualization

Throughout the analysis process, the design team identified four areas to visually represent how the recommended trail standards could be implemented and how they would realistically appear.

Adhering to the three main component project goals of increasing connectivity, enhancing the ecology of the North Elkhorn Creek and adjacent land uses, and increasing the recreational appeal of the greenway, the sites were chosen primarily because they represented a significant portion of the North Elkhorn Creek. A context map has been provided (Figure 6.6.32) to allow stakeholders to locate the sites within Scott County. General principles guiding the development of

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these photorealistic renderings include the following: 1. Practice riparian restoration through the planting of low-maintenance native trees, shrubs and grasses 2. Encourage wetland remediation in areas of decline 3. Retain and reuse existing infrastructure wherever possible in order to reduce construction costs 4. Capitalize on existing ecological, recreational, cultural, and historical amenities 5. Be as minimally-invasive as possible when installing new features and infrastructure 6. Use materials that help to maintain the cultural and historical integrity of Scott County 7. Provide trail users with amenities that encourage them to take pride in the greenway

1 | oxbow slough

The location of the first rendering is the aforementioned Oxbow Slough, which sits behind a residential neighborhood in eastern Scott County. The Before picture illustrates how overgrown the floodplain has become in some areas and how eroded the stream bank has become in other areas (Figure 6.6.33). The riparian forest zone is relatively thin. The site has a lot of opportunity for the incorporation of an unpaved footpath, as the After rendering illustrates (Figure 6.6.34). The footpath is not only low-maintenance, but also provides connectivity from the main greenway network at the top of the over-

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look down to the North Elkhorn Creek.

Following the general principles, the rendering represents how simply improving the quality of the creek corridor through riparian restoration and wetland remediation can not only improve the health of the ecosystem but also boost the site’s aesthetic and recreational appeal.

2 | richard o winder park

The location of the second rendering is Richard O Winder Park, near the Cardome Center on Cincinnati Road. The Before picture is fairly representative of the majority of the North Elkhorn Creek running through urban areas of Scott County (Figure 6.6.35). The stream bank is poorly-maintained, eroded, and littered with debris. The infrastructure exists for a trail to pass under Cincinnati Road and is currently in good condition. The biggest issue is the ecology and site aesthetic. The After rendering enhances the quality of the site (Figure 6.6.36). The trail has been maintained and the brush has been cleared. Streamside restoration efforts have been made and the overall user environment is much more inviting for greenway users.

3 | robinson road fishing hole

The third site chosen is the Robinson Road “Fishing Hole,” for which the design team developed a conceptual plan (Figure 6.6.30). As the Before picture indicates, the site has a lot of appeal (Figure 6.6.37).

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figure 6.6.32 This map provides the context and location of each of the four sites chosen for the photorealistic representations of recommended trail standards.

(Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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6 The dam is well-maintained with few signs of wear and tear. The stream bank is fairly rocky and littered with some brush and debris. The North Elkhorn Creek appears to be in good condition but a lack of sufficient riparian cover may be allowing agricultural waste from adjacent land to flow into the creek. The After rendering illustrates how the site could look if the conceptual plan was implemented (Figure 6.6.38). Riparian forest zones have been expanded and wetland remediation has been practiced. Much of the debris has been removed and the fishing pier pictured builds off of the existing dam and provides the connection from one side of the creek to the other. The materials used in construction of the pier—steel H-beams, cables, and wood—are similar to those used on the Galloway Pike Iron Bridge, which helps to maintain the historical integrity of Scott County. The pier shown in the photograph is merely representational and should be properly engineered to account for high waters during times of flooding. Overall, the site has more appeal in the rendered representation than in the Before picture.

4 | galloway pike iron bridge

The final site chosen by the design team as the host for the recommended trail standard implementation is the historic Galloway Pike Iron Bridge located on Galloway Road. The Before picture once again exposes the lack of riparian and wetland cover (Figure 6.6.39). The bridge

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itself, a historic icon in Scott County, remains in good condition but is closed off to potential users. The After rendering shows how the site could be improved by restoring the stream bank with native grasses and widening the forest riparian zone (Figure 6.6.40). Vegetation is kept low near Galloway Road to permit visibility in all directions. The bridge has been restored and reopened to greenway trail users, increasing connectivity, and the overall ambience of the site has been improved.

ecosystem improvements

By incorporating the suggested trails and by following the standards recommended by the design team for the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway Master Plan, Scott County stakeholders can expect to see improvements in commuter infrastructure, increases in overall wildlife habitat and water quality, and enhancements of the health of the county population as a result of people using the greenway.

The North Elkhorn Creek spans nearly 40 miles (64 km) through southern Scott County. County-instituted trails currently cover a total of 22.4 miles (36 km). Suggested creekside trails span 32.9 miles (53 km) and suggested non-creekside trails span 5.52 miles (8.9 km). If the suggested greenway routes were to be implemented, trail coverage, and thus connectivity,

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would be increased by nearly 172%, or 38.42 miles (61.84 km).

From an ecological standpoint, riparian forests, wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural lands would also experience improved changes as a result of greenway implementation. There are currently 348 acres of riparian forests within the recommended 100-foot buffer surrounding the North Elkhorn Creek in Scott County (Zourarakis, 2001). If riparian cover were expanded along the entirety of the creek through the county only to the “recommended” width of 100 feet, coverage could be increased to 869 acres. Wetlands would experience in even larger jump proportionately. Currently, they cover only 34 acres within the same 100foot buffer. By incorporating a minimum 15-foot strip of wetlands as a buffer between creekside trails and the North Elkhorn Creek, as the standards suggest, wetland coverage can be increased to 145 acres. Changes in grassland cover would vary but the ideal objective should be to expand in an effort to decrease erosion potential. Agricultural land will also experience a shift but the goal should be to condense and preserve rather than expand endlessly. If the recommended trail standards are followed, Scott County can expect a minimum of 632 additional acres of wildlife habitat (Figure 6.6.41).

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NORTH ELKHORN CREEK a prototypical greenway master plan

conclusion

All of the recommended routes, trail standards and specifics, and site specific improvements suggested by the design team in this report adhere to the three goals set at the beginning of the component project: increase connectivity, improve the ecology of the creek and surrounding land, and provide a recreational amenity for trail users (Figure 6.6.42).

Now that Scott County stakeholders have been provided with both a process and set of recommendations for the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway, they can allocate the resources needed to take the project to the next level of detailed trail alignment, programming, construction documents, and actual implementation. The resources necessary for further development of these refined ideas fall into one of four categories: money, leadership, technical expertise, and permission.

Greenways are generally funded through a combination of local, state, and federal sources. Often times, funding programs require local subsidies to match federal contributions. Scott County could leverage grant money from both private and state contributors as a match for alternate funding sources. National and regional organizations such as the National Park Service, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet may offer some

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assistance along with local businesses and organizations like the Elkhorn Creek Trails Committee. Other forms of funding can come in the form of municipal bonds, which are dependent largely on community support. Perhaps stakeholders could initiate a non-profit trust fund driven by grants and local donations. In order to avoid boom and bust construction as a result of decreased resource scarcity, proponents of the greenway should elicit funding from a variety of sources (Napoli et al., 2010).

Leadership resources come in the form of a central project committee that oversees and coordinates all aspects of the project, from further development of the design phase through construction and maintenance. In this case, an organization like the Elkhorn Creek Trails Committee, which already has an interest in the greenway, could provide the necessary framework.

project committee may have a difficult time acquiring the necessary tracts of land. Perhaps a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program, which comprises a separate component project, can allow some incorporated parcels to be freed of private ownership.

In addition to property rights, county building and accessibility codes must also be met before the greenway can be constructed.

Once all necessary resources are obtained for the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway, as well as for the Legacy Trail extension and following county-wide greenway, a regional network will be established that effectively connects different parts of Scott County to the surrounding counties.

The community will then possess an ecological and recreational amenity that is all its own.

Technical resources include landscape architects and contractors who can move the project from the conceptual design and recommendations offered in this report to the finalized and implemented network of trails and green spaces.

Permission is perhaps the single most difficult resource to obtain. Because the North Elkhorn Creek Greenway will travel through numerous parcels, all under separate public or private ownership, the

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figure 6.6.33 This picture shows the initial conditions of the Oxbow Slough. The riparian zone does not meet the 100-foot recommended standard along most of the creek. The stream bank has very little vegetative protection against erosion and pollution. Much of the floodplain is overgrown with thickets. The site poses some opportunity but no efforts have been made to increase accessibility. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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figure 6.6.34 This picture shows the recommended conditions of the Oxbow Slough. The riparian zone has been expanded on both sides of the creek. Native

grasses have been planted along the stream bank to protect against erosion and polution. A low-maintenance grass footpath has been incorporated as part of the greenway to increase accessibility to the site. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk) university of kentucky landscape architecture

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figure 6.6.35 This picture shows the initial conditions of the underpass at Richard O Winder Park. The underpass is overgrown and littered with garbage. Small

sections of the existing sidewalk could be improved but overall the infrastructure is in good condition. Invasive plant species have grown up, blocking views of the creek. A lack of vegetative cover along the stream banks leaves them suscpetible to erosion and pollutant runoff from Cincinnati Road. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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figure 6.6.36 This picture shows the recommended conditions of the underpass at Richard O Winder Park. The debris has been removed and overgrown

vegetation has been replaced with lower-maintenance native grasses that offer more aesthetic appeal. The stream banks and adjacent riparian zones have been restored in an effort to decrease erosion and pollution. The sidewalk has been improved and provides one of the greenways major urban connections.

Because the water quality has been improved, the creek now becomes a major attraction for canoers and kayakers. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk) university of kentucky landscape architecture

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figure 6.6.37 This picture shows the initial conditions of the Robinson Road Fishing Hole. Already a popular fishing site for locals, the surrounding landscape

provides much aesthetic appeal. The far stream bank runs adjacent to agricultural land but little vegetation exists to filter chemicals and other pollutants before they enter the creek. The existing dam is often used by fishermen as a bridge to cross from one side of the creek to the other, but the crossing is dangerous. The dam also makes it difficult for canoers and kayakers tosafely and easily move from the high side to the low side. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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figure 6.6.38 This picture shows the recommended conditions of the Robinson Road Fishing Hole. The riparian forest cover and stream bank on the far side

of the creek has been restored, but open views to the agricultural land have been maintained wherever possible. A pier has been suggested that builds atop the existing dam, creating a safer crossing from one side of the creek to the other. A canoe put in dock has alsobeen suggested to increase safety and ease of access for creek users. These recommendations are taken from the full conceptual design found in Figure 6.6.30. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk) university of kentucky landscape architecture

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figure 6.6.39 This picture shows the initial conditions of the Galloway Pike Iron Bridge. The stream bank is once again eroded and pollutants easily enter the

creek from Galloway Road. Riparian forest cover along the creek is minimal. The historic bridge is currently closed off to pedestrians and cyclists but opportunity exists to restore it. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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figure 6.6.40 This picture shows the recommended conditions of the Galloway Pike Iron Bridge. The stream bank has been planted with native grasses and the riparian zone has once again been widened and restored. Vegetation continues to remain low-cut near the road to allow visibility in all directions. The historic bridge has been reopened to pedestrians and cyclists, providing a connection to the greenway. (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk) university of kentucky landscape architecture

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figure 6.6.41 This diagram represents the ecological changes that could occur if the suggested North Elkhorn Creek Greenway were implemented. (Data Source: Kentucky Geography Network; Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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figure 6.6.42 This diagram represents the North Elkhorn Creek’s three main goals and the aspects of the design that accomplish each (Image Source: Benjamin M. Schenk)

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Alfonzo, M.A. (2005). To walk or not to walk?: The hierarchy of walking needs. Environment and Behavior, 37 (6), 808-836.

Axelson, P.W., Chesney, D.A., Galvan, D.V., Kirschbaum, B.A., Longmuir, P.E., Lyons, C., et al. (1999). Designing sidewalks and trails for access [PDF]. Retrieved March 16, 2011, from http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/docs/ada.pdf Canefield, T.J., Mayer, P.M., and Reynolds, Jr., S.K. (2005). Riparian buffer width, vegetative cover, and nitrogen removal effectiveness: a review of current science and regulations (Report No. EPA/600/R-05/118). Ada, Oklahoma: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development. Retrieved February 26, 2011, from http://www. epa.gov/nrmrl/pubs/600R05118/600R05118.pdf.

Carey, D., Kentucky Geography Network. (2003). NHD 24k Streams of Kentucky by county [Data file]. Retrieved March 1, 2011, from http://kygisserver.ky.gov/geoportal/catalog/main/home.page Fabos, J.G. (1995). Introduction and overview: the greenway movement, uses and potentials of greenways. Landscape and Urban Planning, 33, 1-13.

Fabos, J.G. (2004). Greenway planning in the United States: its origins and recent case studies. Landscape and Urban Planning, 68, 321-342.

Hellmund, P.C., and Smith, D.S. (2006). Designing greenways: sustainable landscapes for nature and people. Washington: Island Press.

Kentucky River Authority. (2011). Priority watersheds. Retrieved April 9, 2011, from http://www.uky.edu/OtherOrgs/KRWW/PW.htm Moore, R.L. (2004). Conflicts on multiple-use trails: synthesis of the literature and state of the practice [PDF]. Retrieved March 16, 2011, from http://atfiles.org/files/pdf/Conflicts.pdf Napoli, R.A., McNamara, K., Bulkovitch, K.M., Caldarone, T.A., Curran, K., DeCesare, et al. (2010). Waterbury Naugatuck River Greenway routing and feasibility study: final report [PDF]. Retrieved March 16, 2011, from http://www.waterburyct.org/ filestorage/458/4301/4334/4352/5531/6425/waterbury-naugatuck-river-greenway-final-report.low-resolution.05-01-2010.pdf Natural Resources Conservation Service. (1999). Riparian buffer zone [PDF]. Retrieved March 1, 2011, from http://www.abe. msstate.edu/csd/NRCS-BMPs/pdf/streams/bank/riparianzone.pdf Platte County Parks and Recreation. (2006). Northland Trails Vision Plan [PDF]. Retrieved March 16, 2011 from http://www.co.platte. mo.us/northlandtrails/designcriteria.pdf Saratoga P.L.A.N. (2006). Green infrastructure plan for Saratoga County [PDF]. Retrieved March 1, 2011 from http://www. saratogaplan.org/documents/AppendixE.pdf Thayer, Jr., R.L. (2003). Lifeplace: Bioregional thought and practice. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

Wenger, S. (1999). A review of the scientific literature on riparian buffer width, extent and vegetation [PDF]. Retrieved March 16, 2011, from http://www.chathamnc.org/WatershedReviewBoard/supporting_documents/stream_buffers/ LitReviewRiparianBuffers.pdf Woods, A.J., Omernik, J.M., Martin, W.H., Pond, G.J., Andrews, W.M., Call, S.M. et al. (2002). Ecoregions of Kentucky (color poster with map, descriptive text, summary, tables, and photographs): Reston, VA., U.S. Geological Survey (map scale 1:1,000,000).

Zourarakis, D., Kentucky Geography Network. (2001). Kentucky NLCD01 [Data file]. Retrieved March 1, 2011, from http:// kygisserver.ky.gov/geoportal/catalog/main/home.page

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