Improving Trailheads on the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail by The Conway School

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL IN NORTHWESTERN VERMONT

PREPARED FOR THE NORTHWEST REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION AJA MATHEWS & GRETA MOORE THE CONWAY SCHOOLâ&#x20AC;¢ SPRING 2019

INDEX The Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail................ 1 Trailhead Improvement............................. 2 Population and Demographics.................. 3 Trail Use..................................................... 4 Watershed and Ecology............................ 5 What Makes a Good Trailhead?................ 6 St. Albans Existing Conditions................. Site Analysis.............................................. Final Design............................................... Final Design: Entryway............................. Final Design: Parking area........................

7 8 9 10 11

Greens Corners Existing Conditions........ 12 Site Analysis.............................................. 13 Final Design............................................... 14 Design Details........................................... 15 Sheldon Junction Existing Conditions...... 16 Site Analysis.............................................. 17 Final Design............................................... 18 Casino Road Existing Conditions............. 19 Site Analysis.............................................. 20 Final Design............................................... 21 Richford Existing Conditions.................... Site Analysis.............................................. Final Design I: Four Spot Stop................. Final Design II: Pedestrian Plaza.............

22 23 24 25

Plant Palettes.................................... Planting Plans.................................... Materials & Precedents..................... Grading Plans.................................... Construction Details................................. Design Alternatives................................... Cost Estimates.......................................... Citations....................................................

26-28 29-30 31 32 33-34 35-36 37-41 42

INSERT MAP HEREoute 105

*nts

The Northwest Regional Planni ng Commission receives a gran t for “Wayfinding and Marketing” of the MVRT

The Mississquoi Valley Rail Trail (MVRT) is completed.

1872-1986

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ST. ALBANS

2019

•

spring 2019

1984

A train derails on a bridge near Shel don, VT and rail serv ice is abandoned with in 8 years.

2002

The Sheldon Junction bridge is repaired.

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The “Milk Train” is used to transpor t dairy products across Vermon t.

1872

ENOSBURG FALLS

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Missisquoi River

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

SHELDON

1994-1995

The Mississquoi Railroad is completed.

EAST BERKSHIRE

THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Prior to its conversion to a multi-use trail, the Missisquoi Railroad operated as part of the Richford Branch of the Vermont Central Railway. In 1986, a train derailed on a bridge in Sheldon, Vermont. The rail line was decommissioned within a decade following the accident, due in part to the high cost to repair the bridge, and the economic decline of the railway system. Between 1994 and 1995, with community support, the defunct rail line was transformed into the recreational resource that it is today.

RICHFORD

In the warmer months, pedestrians, cyclists, and runners on the MVRT take pleasure in the sweeping views of the Missisquoi River the rolling hills of northern Vermont. In winter, snowmobiles can be found whizzing along its long, straight, and groomed stretches.

The trail is used in all seasons by community members and tourists. Although it is owned by the State of Vermont, it is maintained by the Vermont Agency of Transportation, and the Department of Forest, Parks, and Recreation. The Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NRPC), Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST), and Northwest Vermont Rail Trail Council are also involved in trail planning and maintenance. The NRPC is a governmental organization that coordinates and guides activities between state and local governments. The Commission completes projects for local municipalities, area non-profits, and other regional organizations, and is often involved in projects along the MVRT. The Northwest Vermont Rail Trail Council, a volunteer group of representatives from the nine communities through which the MVRT passes as well as other trail users, advises the State on trail issues, assists trail users, and helps make trail improvements. The trail falls within the railroad rightof-way, a property line extending approximately 25 feet from the centerline of the trail on either side.

The Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail (MVRT) is a 26.1-mile multi-use rail trail that is adjacent to the Missisquoi River, meandering through farmland and small towns. Beginning in St. Albans City, the trail crosses State Highway 105 multiple times and passes through the towns of Sheldon, Enosburg, and Berkshire (among others) before reaching its northern terminus in Richford.

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

MONTPELIER RICHFORD

SWANTON

MVR

ENOSBURG SHELDON JUNCTION ST. ALBANS GREENS TOWN CORNERS BAKERSFIELD ST. ALBANS FAIRFIELD CITY

2. Improve circulation and ensure all sites are universally accessible. 3. Delineate clear parking areas. N 0

MONTGOMERY

miles

All of the trailheads identified for redesign share similar characteristics. While parking is available, parking patterns are generally unclear. Most trailheads lack seating, signs, and other amenities such as bathrooms and bike racks. Redesigning these spaces to address the goals listed above will improve user experience, and will hopefully encourage more people to use the trail.

ST. ALBANS CITY

GREENS CORNERS

SHELDON JUNCTION

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

miles

RICHFORD

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BERKSHIRE

FRANKLIN

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HIGHGATE

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*not to scale

FARMLAND

BURLINGTON

1. Improve visibility from the road.

4. Incorporate features such as sanitary facilities, benches, signs/kiosks, shelters, bike racks, public art, vegetation, and stormwater best management practices.

ROUTE 105

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The Northwest Regional Planning Commission chose to focus its efforts for trailhead improvement at four sites along the MVRT. The NRPC chose these sites based on their perceived need for amenities, as well as community feedback. The sites include the southern and northern termini of the trail in St. Albans City and Richford respectively, and Greens Corners and Sheldon Junction. Based on feedback from the NRPC, the Rail Trail Council, and community members at two public meetings held in spring 2019, the following goals were outlined to improve each of the four trailheads:

MVRT

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

The Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NRPC) and the Rail Trail Council would like to improve the MVRT to attract more users and contribute to economic development in the region. To this end, the two organizations were co-awarded the Norther Border Regional Commission Economic and Infrastructure Grant for the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail Marketing and Wayfinding Project. This federal grant is awarded to projects that help reduce poverty, unemployment, and outmigration in various counties in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. The MVRT seeks to partner with local business owners, municipal representatives, and trail users to develop strategies to stimulate business along the trail, create clear branding and wayfinding for the trail itself, and develop a marketing strategy. One subset of this project is to improve existing trailheads. By providing trail users with appropriate facilities and attractive and pleasant spaces en route, the NRPC and Rail Trail Council hope to encourage more people to use the MVRT. The planning phase for all facets of the Marketing and Wayfinding Project will continue through fall of 2019, with implementation of the final plans projected to begin in October through March of 2020.

MISSISQUOI RIVER

FARMLAND

TRAILHEAD IMPROVEMENT

CANADA

spring 2019

TRAILHEAD IMPROVEMENT

A conceptual section showing the relationship of the MVRT with the Missisquoi River, Route 105, and the agrarian landscape through which it meanders. The areas surrounding the trail influence the experience of users on the trail.

carpool walk/bike

ST ALBANS TOWN (6,249)

other

SHELDON JUNCTION (2,190)

ENOSBURG (1,295)

1 dot=1 person

ST ALBANS CITY (6,864)

Residents are scattered throughout the landscape surrounding the MVRT, with pockets of higher density in town centers. Because the population densities along the trail are low, the need for large facilities and parking areas at trailheads is minimal.

LANDUSE PATTERNS

SWANTON

SHELDON

BERKSHIRE

RICHFORD

number of flags 0 1 2 3-4 5-10

ENOSBURG MONTGOMERY

ST ALBANS TOWN

FAIRFIELD ST ALBANS CITY

BAKERSFIELD

deciduous forest mixed forest pasture/agriculture low density developed medium density developed

SHELDON JUNCTION GREENS CORNERS

grasslands/wetlands water

ST. ALBANS CITY N

Areas near the MVRT that have the most flags as identified by the Social Vulnerability Index include West St. Albans City, Berkshire, and Enosburg.

RICHFORD

•

FRANKLIN HIGHGATE

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SWANTON (6,476)

work from home

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RICHFORD (2,301)

VERMONT SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

drive alone

N Within a half-mile of the trail, 15% of the land is developed (i.e., built, paved, or otherwise covered in an impervious surface), 29% is forested, 50% is agricultural, and 6% falls within an “other” category that includes wetlands, barren lands, grasslands etc.

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In the areas with fewer people, land use is largely agricultural. Large swaths of farmland extend east of Lake Champlain and line the MVRT/Route 105 corridor. Patches of forest dot the trail, with a notable swath between Greens Corners and Sheldon Junction. These land use patterns influence views, traffic patterns, and commerce both on the MVRT and at trailheads. For example, in areas dominated by farmland, tractors and other farm vehicles travel past trailheads on Route 105.

POPULATION AND COMMUTER TRENDS

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Richford, Sheldon, and Enosburg contain less than half as many people as the westernmost towns along the trail. The MVRT is used less in the eastern towns, presumably because lower populations correlate with proportionally fewer people using the trail. Creating connections to higher population centers via roads, sidewalks, and trail extension may increase use.

Certain populations may benefit from these connections more than others. The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) flags census blocks that, based on a number of socioeconomic indicators, fall within the top tenth percentile of a given category within the state. West St. Albans City is flagged for containing a high percentage of households without a vehicle. Thus, in this area, the trail may be used by people without a car as a safe corridor, connecting people to other towns and resources.

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

St. Albans City, St. Albans Town, and Swanton are the most populated towns along the MVRT. Notably, the population of St. Albans City nearly doubles during the day as people commute into the city for work (citydata. com). On average, people in the region commute 30 minutes per day, primarily alone in a car. A public bus travels from St. Albans to Richford daily for $5, but it is not used as much as other modes of travel. Because the trail is close to Route 105 and because people are commuting from the east to St. Albans, there is potential for people to use the trail as a commuter line and the trailheads as a park-and-ride, especially Greens Corners, which is only 4.4 miles from St. Albans.

PATTERNS RELATING TO POPULATION DENSITY AND DEMOGRAPHICS IN NORTHWESTERN VERMONT MAY SUGGEST WHO IS CURRENTLY USING THE MVRT AND WHO HAS THE POTENTIAL TO USE THE MVRT IN THE FUTURE.

POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

RICHFORD

ST ALBANS

area encompassing MVRT least use

most use

Strava data shows that some cyclists are using the MVRT uniformly throughout, as indicated by the light blue-white line connecting the stars along the trail. Providing amenities such as bike racks and bike repair stations may benefit cyclists uniformly across the length of the trail.

PEDESTRIAN USE OF THE MVRT & ROADS TRAILS IN OR NEAR VERMONT SHELDON JUNCTION

TRAIL USE

RICHFORD

ENOSBURG

GREENS CORNERS ST ALBANS

MVRT LVRT-not yet built

area encompassing MVRT

LVRT-completed Northern Forest Canoe Trail La Route Verte

N 0

50 miles

Lake Champlain Bikeway

The MVRT connects with or is near a variety of recreational trails in the region. Creating connections between trails may increase usership. Also, placing trailheads at junctions may reduce the need for amenities at multiple locations.

least use

most use

Strava data shows that pedestrians use the St. Albans to Greens Corners section of the trail the most. There is a significant drop off in usership between Sheldon Junction and Richford. In areas where people walk less, creating connections between the trail and town center may increase usership.

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GREENS CORNERS

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ENOSBURG

SHELDON JUNCTION

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A large trail network in the region may bring more outdoor enthusiasts onto the MVRT. For example, the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT), a 93-mile multi-use trail

The MVRT is part of a growing network of trails in the U.S. and Canada. La Route Verte in Canada comprises miles of on-road cycling routes and is just two miles north of Richford at the U.S./Canada border. Because the two trails are so close, there is potential to connect La Route Verte with the MVRT, creating an international network of trails. To the west, the Lake Champlain Bikeway circumnavigates Lake Champlain. While not currently connected, the proximity of these trails to the MVRT could allow for a possible linkage in the future. Finally, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, a paddling route that spans 700 miles across various water bodies in the northeastern U.S. (including the north branch of the Missisquoi River) runs parallel to the MVRT for several miles. Outdoor enthusiasts and recreationalists may be among the intrepid few who can come up with creative ways of connecting these routes for long distance, multi-modal travel.

CYCLIST USE OF THE MVRT & ROADS

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In 2018, the SE Group, an independent firm in Burlington, VT, placed three trail counters on the MVRT in Enosburg to assess trail traffic volumes, understand trail user behavior, and supply data for the town’s Vital Village Master Planning process. They found that during the summer, average daily visitation across the three counter sites was approximately 23.9 trips per day. Additional trailuse patterns were obtained from Strava, an application that tracks people’s movement, speed, and mode of travel. Heat maps (pictured right) show varying degrees of usership along the MVRT for cyclists and pedestrians. Because these maps do not show trail users who are not using the phone application, further study of trail use is recommended to better understand how usership changes seasonally and at different locations along the MVRT.

(currently under construction), will eventually cross the MVRT at Sheldon Junction. The intersection of the MVRT and LVRT will give trail users the ability to connect to other areas of Vermont via one long and continuous multiuse network. Trailheads at junctures like these have the potential to direct and guide users, and serve as areas of consolidated resources and amenities.

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Understanding how often people use the MVRT, their mode of travel, how far they live from the trail, and where there is a potential for to usership increase in the future may reveal which trailheads should be a priority for redesign and the types of amenities best suited for a given site.

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

TRAIL USE

THERE ARE MANY LONG DIATANCE TRAILS IN THE NORTHEAST. ON THE MVRT, THE FREQUENCY AND CONCENTRATION OF TRAIL USE DIFFERS BETWEEN CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS.

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

MP LA IN HA EC

ST. ALBANS

Presence of rare or uncommon species

MVRT

Wild and Scenic River N

10 Miles

Rare and uncommon species (mapped above and pictured below) exist in the Lake Champlain Basin and along the trail, with several pockets near Sheldon Junction. Increasing vegetation and improving water quality at trailheads in these areas may help improve habitat for these sensitive species.

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GREENS CORNERS

The Lake Champlain Valley, including the Missisquoi River, contains a wide range of natural communities including sections of floodplain forest and numerous wetland, marsh, and bog habitats. These diverse natural communities are host to a wide range of floral and faunal species, some common, others rare. Because of this, taking measures to treat contaminated stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces before it enters these waterbodies is essential to keeping these communities flourishing. At trailheads near the Missisquoi River, increasing vegetation, improving stormwater quality, and creating vegetated corridors between the trail and the river may help to enhance habitat.

A view of the Missisquoi River from the MVRT in Enosburg, Vermont, shows a vegetated buffer along the river with farmland beyond. Photo credit Elliot Rosewater.

Spiny softshell turtle

Lake sturgeon

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Maine snaketail dragonfly

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Rusty blackbird

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SHELDON JUNCTION

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

RICHFORD

LAKE CHAMPLAIN

Sections of the Missisquoi River have been nationally designated as a Wild and Scenic River. This designation is based on the riverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free-flowing nature, unimpeded by dams, and its outstanding resource values that fall into the following categories: Cultural, Fish, Geologic, Historic, Recreation, Scenic, Wildlife, and Water Quality. The Missisquoi River is one of only two rivers in Vermont to receive this designation. The 25-mile stretch of designated Wild and Scenic River spans from Richford to the Enosburg Falls hydroelectric facility in Sampsonville.

Land use changes near rivers can impact ecosystem health and water quality. As rivers change over time they may impact nearby human and natural communities. River corridors delineated by the state are areas within which rivers may naturally meander over long timescales, and that may be suitable to dissipate water in the case of major flooding events. Depending on the level of impact, improving trailheads within these corridors may require state permitting.

LA K

The MVRT falls primarily within the Missisquoi River Watershed, the area from which water drains into the Missisquoi River and eventually into Lake Champlain. The Missisquoi River is approximately 80 miles long and contains two branches. The north branch, closer to the MVRT, flows from the Vermont/Canada border in the northeast towards Lake Champlain to the southwest. The MVRT parallels the river from Richford until Sheldon Springs, where the river continues west, and the trail veers off towards St. Albans to the southwest. The river provides trail users with views and opportunities to swim, fish, and enjoy the water during their journey.

PART OF THE GREATER LAKE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY, THE MISSIQUOI RIVER WATERSHED IS HOME TO A NUMBER OF HABITATS AND RARE SPECIES.

WATERSHED & ECOLOGY

MISSISQUOI RIVER WATERSHED & ECOLOGY

Trail users also expressed interest in amenities such as bathrooms, trash and recycling receptacles, bike racks, bike repair stations, benches or picnic tables, and pleasant areas to congregate, as well as elements such as childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play areas and public art to make sites more attractive and engaging. They also showed enthusiasm for integrating quilt squares into trailhead designs, a visual nod to the Vermont Quilt Trail, a stretch of colorful hand painted wooden quilt blocks that hang from porches, houses, businesses and barns in the area.

buffer between trailhead and road that also permits visibility

accessible by public transit, bike, or car

Treating stormwater onsite, remediating contaminated soils often found underlying old railbeds, and revegetating bare or eroded areas may help improve the quality of water entering the ground, nearby wetlands, or the Missisquoi River, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve the aesthetics of the site. Trailhead designs should seek to serve both the human and ecological communities in which they are embedded.

integrated with the natural landscape

wayfinding kiosk

Wayfinding kiosk

Decorative pavers

Picnic table

Entrance arch

Using the same palette of materials and/or structural elements may help create visual cohesion across all trailheads.

runoff from impervious surfaces treated

bathroom

bike rack

seating/picnic area

A good trailhead incorporates key amenities, has parking areas that are accessible from the road but are also buffered from seating areas and the trail, and is integrated into the surrounding landscape. It provides trail users easy access on and off the trail, as well as places to rest and play during longer stretches of travel. Incorporating native plants and stormwater best management practices and minimizing impervious surfaces may have a positive impact on the ecology and habitat in the area.

MVRT stakeholders, Northwest Regional Planning Commission staff, and community members participated in two meetings in April and June 2019 where they provided feedback about the proposed trailhead locations, potential designs, and desired amenities. Their insights informed the design elements pictured above.

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COMMUNITY MEMBERS GIVE FEEDBACK AT A PUBLIC MEETING IN APRIL 2019

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Based on this feedback, it was determined that trailheads should be easily accessible via roads, public transit, or other connecting trails. Ideally, trailheads should be close enough to nearby roads to be visible while simultaneously buffered from the noise and dust from passing vehicles. Vehicle and trail traffic should be separated. Where trails cross the road, striping or other visual cues should direct cars and trail users to reduce the risk of collisions. Additionally, in areas where there is a conflict between vehicles and trail users, using different surfacing materials (gravel, asphalt, pavers, etc.) may help visually signal the different intended uses for paths and/or roads. Wayfinding kiosks and other signs should provide helpful directions for users and help them place themselves in context of the greater trail network. Educational signs that draw attention to certain aspects of the landscape may also help users engage with the ecology, history, or culture of the area. Shade should be provided for people and vehicles to prevent overheating in direct sun, and open sight lines should be

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maintained to prevent crime. Using natural, locally available materials that are consistent with the local architecture may help integrate the trailhead into the existing landscape and reflect the local culture.

Shade pavilion

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Input from the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, the Rail Trail Council, and other community stakeholders helped to identify desired qualities and amenities to be incorporated into each trailhead design where possible.

Bike rack

WHAT MAKES A GOOD TRAILHEAD?

WELL DESIGNED TRAILHEADS MAY SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE USER EXPERIENCE BY PROVIDING A PLACE OF REFUGE AMIDST LONG STRETCHES OF OTHERWISE UNINTERRUPTED TRAVEL.

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

WHAT MAKES A GOOD TRAILHEAD?

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

pedestrian/ cyclist entrance only 3

Seymou

r Road

mixed residential/ commercial development

Route

Aldis Hill Park

Maple City Diner

residential neighborhood

The St. Albans trailhead marks the southern terminus of the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail. It is located on the northern edge of St. Albans, a town of approximately 7,000 people. The trailhead comprises a dirt road used by vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, a parking area that accommodates approximately 12 vehicles, a kiosk, and a small picnic area with benches. The area totals approximately 100,000 ft2 or 2.3 acres. The entrance is marked by a sign and a wooden pole with a bicycle fixed to the top.

eld

Route 7

To downtown

picnic area

In 2018, the City of Saint Albans hired Resource Systems Group Inc. (RSG) to conduct a Livability and Connection Study, and identify opportunities for improving cycling and pedestrian use along Route 7. Initial findings pointed to a need to connect nearby neighborhoods and the downtown to the MVRT through better sidewalks and bike lanes. The RSG also found that the number one reason residents don’t currently walk or bike along Route 7 (and consequently connect with the MVRT) is that they feel unsafe. Specifically, it noted high speed limits, lack of safe crossings, and limited lighting. Residents also expressed a desire for secure bike storage, more parking, signs, and places to rest at the MVRT trailhead.

1 N

arborvitae hedgerow

parking area & MVRT path

bridge over swale

picnic area

A’

The north end of the St. Albans trailhead is tucked between two vegetated areas and comprises a parking area, a kiosk, and a bridge to a picnic area. The trail is used by cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.

The trailhead entrance and start of the MVRT is marked by a metal sign and pole with bicycle attached.

The road connecting the Rte. 7 entrance to the parking area parallels a vegetated swale and is shared by vehicles and trail users.

Cars are shaded by vegetation in the parking area. From here, trail users travel west on the MVRT.

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trailhead entrance and start of MVRT

*not to scale

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TRAILHEAD

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Cabot Cheese

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St. Albans City Elementary School

ST ALBANS EXISTING CONDITIONS

Maple City Diner

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parking area and kiosk

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ST. ALBANS TRAILHEAD EXISTING CONDITIONS

SUMMER SUN & VEGETATION

Most trail users park in the grass along the length of the trail or in the northern parking lot that accommodates twelve vehicles. From here, they bike, walk, or run north on the MVRT. Simultaneously, cars pull into the one-way, southern entrance, and exit in the north onto Sheldon Road. This poses a conflict between cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles traveling in both directions on the same path. The trail is also used as overflow parking for Maple City Diner.

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The southern entrance to the MVRT is in full sun, with minimal vegetative cover. The northern half of the site, including the parking area, is lined with a variety of trees, including arborvitae, sugar maple, and white ash as well as a row of 15-foot-tall sumac that creates filtered shade.

Route 7

ur Roa

Maple City Diner

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Providing shade for gathering spaces and parking can create more comfortable conditions for trail users.

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Separating paths for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles will improve safety. Additionally, creating a sense of arrival will clarify the intended uses for the trail.

N parking

one-way vehicle traffic

hours of summer sun

pedestrian/cyclist traffic

12h

Water drains off Sheldon Road to the east and onto the site, either infiltrating into the ground or entering a swale that parallels the trail and eventually reaches a municipal catchment basin. At the northern edge of the site, runoff is directed under the MVRT via a culvert.

N % slope

0-5

5-10

10-15

>15

catchment basin direction of water flow

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d Ro a

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swale

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Changes in grading may require redirecting stormwater into new or existing swales. Additionally, increasing the amount of plants that phytoremediate may help improve the quality of stormwater runoff filtering into the ground or entering the municipal system.

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Any significant changes to the trail, road, and/or parking area would require significant regrading. Explore options to maximize parking spaces and make all areas of the trailhead accessible while minimizing necessary grading which may be costly and ecologically disruptive.

bridge to picnic area

eld

parking area

culvert under trail

swale

Steep slopes to the east lead to a drainage swale that parallels the trail. A picnic area is accessed from the path via a small wooden bridge and several stairs. The picnic area itself is flat. The trail is graded at <3% with a slight southfacing aspect.

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DRAINAGE

ST ALBANS SITE ANALYSIS

SLOPES

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

ACCESS & CIRCULATION

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

THE ENTRANCE TO THE ST. ALBANS TRAILHEAD, ALTHOUGH VISIBLE FROM ROUTE 7, IS NOT WELL-DEFINED. A WELCOMING ENTRANCE THAT DIFFERENTIATES THE ZONES OF USE FOR CARS, PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS WOULD MAKE THE TRAIL SAFER AND MORE PLEASANT.

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ST. ALBANS SITE ANALYSIS

At the northern edge of the site, a two-way pull-in parking area accommodates 20 vehicles. The area also comprises a shaded seating area, natural playscape, bathrooms, a bike-repair station, and a kiosk. temperate acidic outcrop

LAYERED VEGETATION

Maple City Diner

Layering vegetation based on form, size, and sun tolerance adds texture to the landscape. Interweaving groundcovers, ferns, and other low herbaceous species under trees creates the feeling of an enclosed woodland while simultaneously maintaining open sightlines from the parking area to the road.

pedestrian and cyclist path

trees

signed entryway

40 feet

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

ST ALBANS FINAL DESIGN

bioswale

sedge meadow

low ground cover

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bathroom

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natural playscape

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

seating area woodland

parking area

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In this design, a large signed entryway visible from the road marks the start of the MVRT and draws users into the space. From here, the path, open to pedestrians and cyclists only, leads to a parking area to the north. The path maintains the existing linear geometry, but is narrowed to 10 feet wide. It traverses a variety of planted areas that mimic natural communities in Vermont and is marked with educational signs providing information about the flora and fauna on site. Along the length of the swale and in the southern section of the site, wetland plants such as sedges, red fescue, and green bulrush treat stormwater and add layers of texture to the landscape. In the middle of the site, on the western edge, plants that mimic a temperate acidic outcrop offer shade and color in all four seasons. Plants in this area include red maple, serviceberry, and little bluestem. In the north, where the trail meets the parking lot, the understory of the existing wooded area is cleared out, selectively thinned, and expanded to mimic a Vermont woodland. Low herbaceous plants maintain open sightlines from adjacent roads while preserving an enclosed feeling. These include ferns, trilium, and low sweet blueberry. (See sheet 29 for planting plan.)

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kiosk, bike rack, & bike repair station

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ST. ALBANS TRAILHEAD FINAL DESIGN

T VR

allée of trees

bioswale

kiosk

entryway

trees and shrubs create a barrier between the adjacent parking lot and the trailhead

circular entryway provides a sense of enclosure while still maintaining visibility from the road.

a rain garden captures, filters, and cools stormwater before it enters the ground or the municipal system.

30 feet

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rain garden

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ST ALBANS ENTRYWAY DESIGN

lighted flagstone path

sidewalk

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IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Parking at Maple City Diner has been reconfigured to accommodate fourteen vehicles and to maintain safe circulation for restaurant patrons and trail users. A row of small trees and shrubs creates a buffer between the trail and the restaurant and deters people from driving or parking within the trail right-of-way. Two paths leading from the Maple City Diner parking lot connect to the trail, maintaining a link between the two destinations.

+ M

This welcome area can be accessed from the MVRT and the parking lot off Seymour Road, the Maple City Diner, and from a stone path that connects to sidewalks spanning Route 7. This stone path is marked by wooden beams with lights that illuminate the space (see sheet 34, detail 11 for stone path construction).

shrubs

defined parking spaces at the Maple City Diner

Route

The entryway is a timber framed structure with lateral beams that mimic railroad ties, redolent of the trail’s history. A circular gathering space below the entryway is enclosed by layers of vegetation and curving stone wall benches (see sheet 34, detail 10 for stone wall construction). A kiosk with information about the trail orients trail users and welcomes them onto the MVRT. A rain garden east of the space stores and filters runoff from the road and from the connected bioswale that spans the length of the site. In the event of an overflow, water flows from the rain garden into a nearby catchment basin that is connected to the municipal storm sewer system (see sheet 33, detail 3 for rain garden construction and sheet 29 for planting plan).

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

ST. ALBANS TRAILHEAD FINAL DESIGN ENTRYWAY

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

ST. ALBANS TRAILHEAD FINAL DESIGN PARKING AREA

bike rack/repair station crosswalk

Seymou

r Road

kiosk

+ +

parking for 20 vehicles

A two-way driveway off Sheldon Road leads to a reconfigured parking area that has twenty parking spaces, three of which are universally accessible. As visitors arrive, they have the choice to cross a striped crosswalk to continue north along the MVRT, or south towards the natural playscape, bathroom, main pedestrian/cyclist entrance, and the Maple City Diner. Before crossing the road to continue north, visitors may stop at a kiosk that gives directions to local attractions and information about the region. They also have the option to tune their bikes at the bike repair station or leave them locked to the bike rack. The eastern side of the parking area is bordered by a vegetated swale that moves stormwater south and abuts a wooded area with an open understory that allows people to see both into the site from the road and out of the site from the parking area (see sheet 29 for full planting plan). For those seeking shade, a place to picnic, or a quiet place to stretch, a seating area within the wooded area is equipped with a small, tea-house-like pavilion, and a picnic table. The south side of the parking lot transitions into the MVRT with a change in surface material and a narrowing of the path.

+ +

planted woodland

+ +

seating area

vegetated swale

bathroom

natural playscape

A‘

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

+ +

The expansion of the parking area and associated stormwater treatment requires moving a telephone pole as well as significant grading (see sheet 32 for conceptual grading plan). Grading on the slope may require stabilizing soil, which can be achieved using a biodegradable vegetated mat (see sheet 33, detail 2 for vegetated mat construction).

+ +

SEATING AREA

A natural playscape at the southern edge of the parking area gives children an opportunity to interact with features in the landscape. Climbing boulders, woven tunnels, bridges, and movable logs allow for exploration and innovation. Benches line the perimeter from which parents can supervise play.

A sheltered seating area provides trail users with a quiet place to rest, picnic, and/or observe the activity of the parking lot. The shelter is bordered by trees with an open understory, allowing for clear sight lines from the road, shelter, and parking lot, while still providing a sense of enclosure.

40 feet

10 feet

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NATURAL PLAYSCAPE

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ST ALBANS PARKING AREA DESIGN

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

parking area

bridge

seating area and shelter

cleared out woodland

Sheldon Road A’

wetlands 3

The wide-open, exposed feel of the trailhead is due to its proximity to the highway, a lack of overstory vegetation, and the unbroken views to adjacent open spaces including a cemetery across Route 105 and nearby farm fields. A state-mapped wetland is located north of the parking area and appears to be contiguous with additional wetlands that abut the northern and southern edges of the site. While these additional wetlands are not state mapped, they may be regulated in the same way as those with official designation. Thus, projects involving grading, dredging, or filling within a 50-foot buffer of the wetland (one-fourth of the trailhead) would require permitting.

A’

wetlands

trailhead and parking

farmland

cemetery N

110

Feet 220

A *Not to scale

wetland A

parking area

vegetated swale

Route 105

The parking area at Greens Corners is separated from the MVRT and is bordered by a vegetated swale and a wetland. Although there is an abundance of low-growing vegetation, a lack of large trees makes the site feel open and exposed.

A’

The parking area is separated from the road by a low strip of vegetation that permits views of the area but fails to buffer views or noise from oncoming traffic.

A metal fence with an opening separates the parking area from the trail and creates an entryway for trail users.

The MVRT runs adjacent to the parking area, providing easy access to both.

greta moore

Route 105

The trailhead at Greens Corners is located a mere 4.5 miles from St. Albans City, and 7.5 miles from Swanton, a population center of 6,543 people. The trailhead is approximately 25,000 ft2, or 0.6 acres, and comprises a hard-packed gravel pull-off west of Route 105 and a parking area. The parking area accommodates 8 vehicles and is bordered by a metal guardrail along its southwestern edge. There is also a picnic table that provides seating and a steel mesh fence that separates the trail from the parking area. Because of the trailhead’s size and proximity to St. Albans City, community members and the Rail Trail Council identified its potential to be used as a park-and-ride for people carpooling or biking into the city.

ute

farmland

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farmland

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

farm

•

TRAILHEAD

pedestrian/cyclist entrance to parking area

spring 2019

wetlands

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

MVR

cemetery 10 5

farmland

small stream

GREENS CORNERS EXISTING CONDITIONS

Route 105

farmland

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

GREENS CORNERS TRAILHEAD EXISTING CONDITIONS

GREENS CORNERS SITE ANALYSIS

The trailhead experiences full summer sun due to a lack of tree canopy cover. A small crabapple tree sits in the western corner of the site, but does not cast significant shade. DESIGN DIRECTIVES Providing shade may create more comfortable gathering spaces and prevent cars from overheating. There may also be an opportunity to use solar PV for lighting and/or amenities like bathrooms.

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Buffering exposure to the highway may create a more intimate and pleasant user experience, but may limit trailhead visibility. By maintaining visibility and creating a clear sense of arrival at the trailhead, people both on an off the MVRT will be able to better identify the area as a destination.

N parking

vehicle traffic

pedestrian/cyclist traffic

110

N hours of summer sun

Feet 220

110

Feet 220

12h

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

The parking area is located off Route 105, which experiences fast-moving and often loud traffic. A short path connects the parking area to the adjacent MVRT. Trail users continuing north on the MVRT cross Route 105, posing a safety risk.

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

SUMMER SUN & VEGETATIVE COVER

Route 105

ACCESS & CIRCULATION

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

THE GREENS CORNERS TRAILHEAD IS LARGE AND FLAT ENOUGH TO INCLUDE MULTIPLE AMENITIES.

swale

wetland % slope

0-5

5-10

10-15

>15

110

Feet 220

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â&#x20AC;˘

Route 105

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Grading, dredging, or filling within the 50-foot buffer would require permitting. Improving the quality of polluted stormwater runoff from the road and parking area may help to lessen the impact on wetland habitat.

swale

N direction of water flow

wetland

regulated wetland buffer

0 possible wetland buffer

110

Feet 220

spring 2019

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Grading may be required to direct stormwater if significant changes are made to the parking area or the surrounding landscape.

Water flows from the parking area and road into a swale to the east and into the wetland to the southwest. This runoff may be polluted and may impact vegetation and wildlife. Approximately one-fourth of the site is located within a possible 50-foot wetland buffer.

Route 105

The parking area is extremely flat and is slightly raised above the surrounding landscape. A swale borders the eastern edge along Route 105. A slight southwesternfacing slope leads into the nearby wetland. Thus, water that does not infiltrate directly into the ground likely enters the wetland.

GREENS CORNERS SITE ANALYSIS

DRAINAGE

SLOPES

crosswalk

Stone dust paths define the edge of the triangular gathering space where a pavilion and two picnic tables create a shady spot for trail users to eat, rest, and observe the surroundings. Pavers separate the gathering space from the stone dust pathways that are connected to the trail and parking area.

portable toilet within a 3-sided shelter

bike rack +

GATHERING SPACE

pavilion & picnic area

+ +

salt tolerant shrubs

gravel parking lot accommodates 11 vehicles

+ +

ENTRANCE TO MVRT

The main entrance to the MVRT is located near the northwest corner of the parking lot, closest to the accessible parking space. Decorative quilt square pavers create a landing in front of a kiosk which signals access to the trail, and is visible from both the parking area and the trail. A bike rack on the opposite side of the path from the kiosk provides bike storage. A portable toilet is protected from vandalism by a three-sided structure and is tucked into a vegetated area near the trail’s entrance.

rain gardens

wetland plants

RAIN GARDENS

overflow to existing wetlands

Two rain gardens flank either side of the gravel pull-off from Route 105 into the parking area. An existing culvert underneath the pull-off directs overflow from the northern to the southern rain garden. This tiered system collects contaminated stormwater from Route 105 and the parking area in the northern rain garden first, allowing particulates to settle out and water to infiltrate, cool, and be taken up by plants before water drains to the second garden. Further percolation, uptake by plants, and settling out of contaminants occurs in this area before treated overflow enters the adjacent wetland habitat. (See sheet 33, detail 6 for construction detail).

30 feet

ENHANCED WETLAND

A diverse palette of trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses line the western edge of the trailhead (see sheet 29 for planting plan). Plants well suited to full sun and wet conditions thrive in this environment, establishing a buffer that creates texture and depth between the cattail marsh and the trailhead, and shading the gathering space.

A 0

cattail marsh 10

enhanced wetland 20 feet

path

pavilion

path & bike rack

MVRT

cattail marsh

A’

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prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

The expanded parking lot is built partly on the footprint of the existing lot to minimize costs and the impact of construction on the nearby wetland habitat. Cars enter and exit the double-loaded gravel parking area from Route 105. Curb stops mark each of the 11 spots in the absence of striping. Should traditional asphalt or porous pavement be installed in the future, striping parking spaces is advised. A row of sun-loving, salt-tolerant shrubs lines the eastern edge of the parking lot, buffering it from busy Route 105.

Route 105

PARKING LOT

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

A‘

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kiosk

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quilt square paver

GREENS CORNERS FINAL DESIGN

This design creates a comfortable gathering space for trail users next to an enhanced wetland habitat. The design increases parking capacity by slightly expanding the size of the existing lot and clearly delineating the parking spaces through the use of wheel stops.

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

GREENS CORNERS FINAL DESIGN

bike rack

Trees that tolerate “wet feet,” or periods of time when their roots are inundated, such as river birch (Betula nigra) and red maple (Acer rubrum), cast shade on the trailhead and provide food and cover for wildlife. Shrubs such as black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) produce berries for birds, and buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is attractive to numerous pollinators. All the plants recommended for this area (see sheets 26-28 for plant palettes) are adapted to fluctuating water levels, ensuring their ability to tolerate periods of drought and inundation, depending on the intensity of the storms in a given year.

kiosk portable toilet within a 3-sided shelter

parking area for 11 vehicles

enhanced wetland edge

crosswalk

ute

5 10

•

moisturetolerant grass and perennial mix salt tolerant shrubs

rain gardens

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spring 2019

Buttonbush is a wetland species that also attracts a variety of pollinators including this woodland swallowtail butterfly. Planting buttonbush in the enhanced wetland at Greens Corners helps create pollinator habitat.

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Similarly, the area between the parking lot and Route 105 that is currently dominated by wild parsnip is enhanced with two rain gardens to treat and direct stormwater from the highway and parking area before it overflows into the cattail marsh (see sheet 33, detail 6 for construction detail). Managing parsnip through manual removal or by mowing before seeds enlarge (and taking precautions to protect skin from its burn-inducing sap!), and seeding the area with grasses and perennials suited for detention basins, turns this area from a problem into a meadow of native species with the capacity to hold and treat stormwater.

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

pavilion

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

The cattail marsh to the south of the Greens Corners parking lot begins approximately 50 feet from the edge of the parking area. This area, currently dominated by grasses and wild parsnip, could become an enhanced wetland habitat by increasing species diversity to create new wildlife niches. Installation of moisture tolerant trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses create a visually interesting edge without significantly altering the cattail marsh just beyond, thereby leaving intact the ecosystem services that this habitat type performs.

GREENS CORNERS DESIGN DETAILS

The trailhead at Greens Corners is located between two wetlands, one abutting the site to the south, and one abutting the MVRT to the north. Among the different types of wetlands found across Vermont, these are best described as cattail marshes, due to the predominance of common cattail (Typha latifolia). Cattails are aggressive spreaders, and have the tendency to take over areas where water levels hover at six to eighteen inches for the growing season. Though this habitat type is usually low in species diversity, these wetlands perform numerous ecosystem services such as storing flood waters, filtering stormwater, and providing wildlife habitat for birds, amphibians and small mammals (Sorensen, 2000).

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Redwing blackbirds are among the many birds who feed and nest in cattail marshes. Redwings create their nests from wetland plants between the thick cattail stalks near ground level.

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GREENS CORNERS DESIGN DETAILS

Integrity Auto

The Sheldon Junction trailhead is approximately 1.5 miles north of the town center of Sheldon, Vermont. Before arriving at Sheldon Junction, the MVRT crosses the river on a truss bridge, the repair of which occurred in 2002 and marked the completion of the trail. Users turn off Route 105 and onto Severance Road, passing a local creemee (ice cream) stand, before reaching the small pull-off that accommodates five vehicles behind Bourdeau Brothers Inc., a large company specializing in fertilizer, seed chemicals, farm equipment, etc. A few hundred feet down the trail, an old bus-stop structure provides shade. The entire trailhead falls within the “River Corridor,” an area designated by the state based on the natural meander of the river system over time, and the concurrent space needed to dissipate and infiltrate water in case of major flooding. Because of this designation, projects within this zone may require state permitting and should include stormwater best management practices that help reduce runoff and improve water quality. The site, including the parking area and seating area to the east, covers approximately 15,000 ft2 or 0.3 acres.

Bourdeau Brothers Inc.

farmland

c ran

TRAILHEAD

bus stop structure

e Sev

MVRT

farmland

creemee stand 1

MVRT 3

ssi

trailhead parking

ive

The future junction of the MVRT and the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is a few hundred feet east of the parking area. The junction is unmarked and is dominated by large trucks, farm equipment, and railroad debris. Farm fields border the junction to the north and south. The noise and dust from Bourdeau Brothers’ heavy machinery and views of towering silos may create unpleasant conditions for trail users at the trailhead. Furthermore, vehicles, farm equipment, trucks, and trail users all use the same path.

junction of MVRT and LVRT

greta moore

e 105

MVRT

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

sports field

Bourdeau Brothers Feed and Seed Rout

Vehicles, farm equipment, pedestrians, and cyclists all travel along the same road, creating potentially unsafe conditions.

An old bus stop sits amongst farm equipment, providing minimal shade and seating.

vegetated area

parking area & MVRT path

Bourdeau Brothers Inc.

The Sheldon Junction trailhead sits between a vegetated area and a path shared by the Bourdeau Brothers, cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. The parking area is not distinguished from the rest of the Bourdeau Brothers’ lot as the surface material is the same.

A’

Trailhead parking is marked by a small sign that may be overlooked amidst other undefined parking areas.

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*not to scale

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farmland

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

ute

te ou

SHELDON JUNCTION EXISTING CONDITIONS

Papa Noel’s Pizza and Creemees

proposed Lamoille Valley Rail Trail

A’

Missisquoi River

vehicle access from Route 105 to trailhead

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

SHELDON JUNCTION TRAILHEAD EXISTING CONDITIONS

SUMMER SUN & VEGETATION

To access the parking area and trailhead, vehicles travel directly onto a road used by Bourdeau Brothers’ trucks and farm equipment. This road overlaps with the MVRT used by pedestrians and cyclists. The shared use of the path coupled with minimal signage and a lack of a clear direction of travel creates a safety hazard.

Most of the trailhead is exposed to full summer sun, but a row of tall staghorn sumac and paper birches provide some shade along the southern edge of the parking area. The current seating area is exposed to full sun. DESIGN DIRECTIVES Providing shade may create more comfortable gathering spaces and prevent cars from overheating.

N hours of summer sun

SLOPES

DRAINAGE

The trailhead and parking area are flat, abutting a slight south-facing slope that tilts slightly towards the Missisquoi River.

From the trailhead, water drains south toward the Missisquoi River. Because the trailhead contains old railroad ties (containing creosote and other harmful chemicals) and is located next to an industrial facility that produces chemical fertilizers and operates heavy machinery, water leaving the site may be contaminated.

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Because the site is flat, changes to the parking area and/or the junction between the MVRT and LVRT will likely not require significant grading. However, grading may be necessary to direct stormwater away from flat areas where pooling may occur. N % slope

0-5

5-10

10-15

>15

12h

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proposed LVRT

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Increasing vegetation and decreasing the amount of impervious surfaces may help to filter stormwater, thereby improving the quality of water running off the site towards the Missisquoi River.

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MVRT pedestrian/ cyclist traffic

•

vehicle traffic

SHELDON JUNCTION SITE ANALYSIS

parking

spring 2019

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Resolving the conflict between pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles by clearly delineating separate paths for each will improve safety.

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

ACCESS & CIRCULATION

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

THE SHELDON JUNCTION TRAILHEAD IS CONSTRAINED BY A LACK OF SPACE AND ITS PROXIMITY TO THE OFTEN BUSY, NOISY, AND DUSTY BOURDEAU BROTHERS INC.

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

SHELDON JUNCTION SITE ANALYSIS

N direction of water flow

river corridor

A pavilion shelters two picnic tables

kiosk

farm field

Across from the kiosk, a bathroom enclosed by a structure (to prevent vandalism and theft) sits in a wooded area that has been cleared out of railroad debris, and gives users privacy and shade. A small path leading to the bathroom hugs a planted area and mimics the geometry of the seating area opposite to it, visually tying the two trails together.

Trail users may seek refuge or stop for lunch in the shaded pavilion that is equipped with a picnic table and located just east of the kiosk and bathroom. A tree to the south provides additional shade and a row of trees to the north creates a screen between the pavilion and the adjacent farm fields. This area is separated from the MVRT by a lawn-like area planted with a low-mow groundcover where users can sit comfortably or lay their bikes.

MVRT

low-mow groundcover farm field

Wherever possible, vehicles should not drive on the trail, so relocating the existing MVRT parking area off the trail is recommended. While this would prevent trail users from driving on the trail, Bourdeau Brothers may continue to do so. Therefore, having a conversation about land use and parcel boundaries, and administering a legal survey may help to establish zones of use between the MVRT, LVRT, and Bourdeau Brothers and mitigate conflicts between cars, trucks, and farm equipment, and pedestrians and cyclists.

bathroom

RELATIONSHIP OF PARKING AREA AND TRAILHEAD

NEW PARKING AREA

30 feet

A QUIET SPACE existing parking

existing MVRT parking area

â&#x20AC;˘

Trailhead parking should be relocated so that vehicles are not traveling on the same path as trail users.

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junction of MVRT & LVRT

Trailhead parking may be relocated just north of the MVRT on the Bourdeau Brothersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; property. This area is currently occupied by large trucks and farm equipment and can accommodate ten parking spaces. A kiosk or sign directs people to the pedestrian trailhead.

30 feet

A three dimensional view of this design shows how the two trails connect and how vegetation encloses the pavilion, kiosk, and bathroom, creating a quiet and private space.

spring 2019

T VR

LV proposed MVRT parking area

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

greta moore

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

This design moves the parking area from its current location on the trail and celebrates the junction of the MVRT and the LVRT through the addition of signs, gathering spaces, and pockets of vegetation where the two trails meet. When trail users reach the junction, a kiosk gives information about each trail and directions to local businesses. It is bordered by a low seating stone wall and vegetation that provides shade (see sheet 34, detail 10 for stone wall construction). Plant selections are adapted to full sun and nutrient poor soils and match the species richness of the surrounding area (see sheet 30 for planting plan).

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

stone wall around seating area

SHELDON JUNCTION FINAL DESIGN

PROPOSED TRAILHEAD

farmland

farmland Rout

e 105

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

MVRT

farmland

Integrity Auto

A’

farmland

3 2

The Casino Road trailhead was not initially selected for redesign by the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, but was later identified by community members as an alternative to the trailhead at Sheldon Junction, in part due to the various constraints at Sheldon Junction and the comparatively quiet and less trafficked setting at Casino Road. This proposed trailhead is a mere quarter mile to the east of Sheldon Junction and is approximately 10,000 ft2 or 0.25 acres.

farmland

Visitors access the site from Route 105 by traveling 500 feet south on Casino Road. There is a grassy, unused, and open area next to where the trail intersects Casino Road. Due to its proximity to the MVRT, the relatively short distance from Route 105, and its large size, this area may be suited for a variety of trailhead amenities. The majority of this area is within the rail-line right-of-way, which extends 25 feet from both sides of the MVRT. However, the property boundary of Integrity Auto, a vehicle repair shop, is adjacent to the MVRT property boundary in the northeast. Parking and/or other trailhead amenities that fall outside of the rail line right-of-way would require permission from corresponding landowners. A row of spirea shrubs line the trail to the south and stands of black birch abut the eastern edge of the open grassy area.

farmland

the former Sheldon Casino

*not to scale

grassy area

Casino Rd

farm field A’

The proposed trailhead at Casino Road sits between farm fields, Integrity Auto, and the former Sheldon Casino. The mowed grassy area is easily accessed from the trail and Casino Road and is near Route 105.

The proposed trailhead is located off Casino Road, an unpaved road with minimal vehicle traffic which helps create conditions for a quiet trailhead.

An open grassy lawn next to the trail partially extends onto Integrity Auto’s property. Obtaining landowner permission will be required in order to build trailhead amenities on this parcel.

An open area sits next to a farm field providing long views across the landscape, including a look at the Bourdeau Brothers lot (and Sheldon Junction) in the distance.

spring 2019

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prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

105

ute

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Bourdeau Brothers Feed and Seed

Integrity Auto

CASINO ROAD EXISTING CONDITIONS

Rou

sin

Papa Noel’s Pizza and Creemees

Missisquoi River

proposed parking and MVRT trailhead

greta moore

CASINO ROAD TRAILHEAD EXISTING CONDITIONS

Vehicles access the proposed trailhead by turning off Route 105 onto Casino Road. Casino Road experiences minimal traffic, so conflicts with pedestrians/cyclists and vehicles is not of great concern. There are currently no constructed parking areas close to the trailhead.

This site experiences full sun due to the lack of tree canopy cover. Spirea shrubs line the southeastern portion of the trail, but are not large enough to cast significant shade. The lack of tall vegetative barriers creates long sight-lines from the road up and down the trail.

Water drains from adjacent farm fields toward Casino Road as well as off the MVRT and into the grassy area in the northeast corner of the site. While not directly in a wetland buffer or River Corridor, activities such as paving may impact these nearby sensitive areas.

oa sin oR Ca

farm fields

basin-like space farm fields

N % slope

0-5

5-10

10-15

>15

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Water entering the site from nearby farm fields and Integrity Auto may contain harmful chemicals. Therefore, grading and revegetating may help improve the quality of runoff filtering into the ground or leaving the site.

12h

Farm fields in the northwestern corner of the proposed trailhead slope southwest toward Casino Road. Across the street, in the northeastern corner of the site, slight slopes border the depressed grassy area, creating a subtle basin-like space.

DRAINAGE

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SLOPES

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Regrading may be necessary depending on where a parking area and other amenities are sited, to limit pooling that could potentially damage structures or create a nuisance for trail users.

hours of summer sun

•

MVRT pedestrian/ cyclist traffic

vehicle traffic

spring 2019

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Providing shade for gathering spaces and so that cars do not overheat can create more comfortable conditions for trail users. Vegetation should be strategically placed to preserve desired views.

CASINO ROAD SITE ANALYSIS

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Due to a lack of space within the MVRT right-of way, establishing parking at this site would require encroaching onto adjacent landowners’ parcels and require their permission.

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

SUMMER SUN & VEGETATION

greta moore

ACCESS & CIRCULATION

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

THE AREA OFF OF CASINO ROAD MAY BE A PREFERABLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE TRAILHEAD AT SHELDON JUNCTION BECAUSE IT IS HAS FEWER CONSTRAINTS AND IS LOCATED ON A QUIET AND INFREQUENTLY TRAFFICKED ROAD.

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

CASINO ROAD SITE ANALYSIS

N direction of water flow

river corridor

wetland

regulated wetland buffer

kiosk Integrit

Drivew

+ +

AMENITIES

VEGETATION

pollinator meadow

portable restroom

A’

As guests leave the parking area, they arrive onto a stone dust path. In the center, a kiosk bordered by flowering vegetation gives information about the trail and directs users to nearby destinations. From here, the path extends in two directions, both leading to the MVRT. To the east, a pavilion with a picnic table provides trail users with shade and shelter from the elements. To the west, a portable restroom sits within a small structure that prevents theft and vandalism and provides privacy.

allée of sugar maple trees

low-mow groundcover

stone dust path N

20 feet

parking area A

20 feet

path & kiosk

low-mow groundcover

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CASINO ROAD FINAL DESIGN

Plants in this design enhance habitat, provide shade, and define spaces. An allée of sugar maples parallels the MVRT and other trees are dispersed throughout, shading the parking lot while simultaneously separating it from the trail, and defining the borders of the site. The groundcover beneath the sugar maples is a low-mow lawn where visitors can sit comfortably in the shade after a long stretch of the trail that is exposed to full sun. A meadow west of the parking area is planted with flowering species that attract pollinators, adding color to the landscape while maintaining trail visibility from the road.

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

The parking area is accessed from Casino Road via a driveway that continues to Integrity Auto. It accommodates six vehicles including one universally accessible parking space. It sits within the currently open area of Integrity Auto’s property and is surfaced with gravel or porous pavement for optimal drainage. The parking area borders a stone dust path that connects to the MVRT making trail access easy and separating vehicles from trail users.

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

y Auto

sin

PARKING AREA

pavilion with picnic tables

In response to the constraints of the existing trailhead at Sheldon Junction, this design relocates parking and amenities to a quieter, more visible location along Casino Road. This design extends beyond the rail line right-of-way, crossing onto Integrity Auto’s property. Thus, permission must be obtained from the landowner prior to construction.

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

parking for six vehicles

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CASINO ROAD FINAL DESIGN

MVRT

N A’

feet

The trailhead at Richford marks the northern terminus of the MVRT and is located within a quiet, residential neighborhood less than half a mile south of downtown Richford off Troy Street. The 3,000 ft2 (about 0.2-acre) trailhead consists of a pull-off parking area that accommodates approximately three vehicles, and a metal sign that denotes the MVRT. An extension of the MVRT that would connect the trailhead with downtown Richford has been proposed and has been partially cleared out directly across the street. Farm fields slope downward to the east and abut the parking area that is bordered by a wooden fence. A break in the fence suggests that the neighboring landowner may use the site as a cut through to his/ her fields. Trees and shrubs line the edges of the parking. At present, the parking area falls within the right-of-way of Troy Street, a town owned street. Expanding the parking area in the future may require negotiations with both the town and residents of the adjacent parcels.

farmland

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Richford Elementary

A’

MVR

residential area

iss

isq

ive

trailhead parking and end of MVRT

Rail Trail Council members expressed a desire to acknowledge the terminus of the trail with a marker and identified the potential to “postpone” creating such an acknowledgment if/when the trail is extended into downtown Richford.

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

Missisquoi River

*not to scale

farmland

parking area

Troy St

A’

The Richford trailhead is a small pull-off parking area sandwiched between sloping farm fields and Troy Street. A number of trees cast shade on the parking area, creating pleasant conditions for trailhead users.

Where the trail meets the parking lot, there are currently no signs indicating the eastern terminus of the MVRT, so trail users may not know where to proceed from here.

Cars park haphazardly along the pullout, making it difficult for more than 1 or 2 vehicles to park.

Sloped farm fields and a wooden fence abut the western edge of the parking area, defining where and how many vehicles can park.

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TRAILHEAD

RICHFORD EXISTING CONDITIONS

te ou

proposed extension of MVRT t yS Tro

To downtown

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

RICHFORD TRAILHEAD EXISTING CONDITIONS

RICHFORD SITE ANALYSIS Vehicles pull into a small parking area from Troy Street to access the trailhead. Troy Street experiences fastmoving and often noisy cars, large trucks, and farm equipment. The lack of loading/unloading space and the close proximity to the road creates unsafe and unpleasant conditions for trail users.

During summer months, the parking area is partly shaded by a variety of trees, including paper birch, crab apple, and sugar maple, that border the western and southern perimeter of the site.

hours of summer sun

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farm fields

â&#x20AC;˘

culvert

% slope

0-5

5-10

10-15

>15

r ive iR uo isq iss

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Grading and increasing vegetation may improve overall drainage, eliminate muddy conditions, and improve stormwater quality entering the Missisquoi.

iss

isq uo

ive

depressed area swale

spring 2019

Water drains onto the parking area from farm fields to the east, occasionally creating muddy conditions. Swales collect runoff from the road and the trail and direct water into a depressed area in the woods where there is occasionally standing water. A culvert diverts this water under the trail and the road towards the River Corridor and Missisquoi River.

12h

Tro

The parking area is relatively flat and sits at the base of a farm field that slopes downward to the east. The trail itself sits several feet above the parking area and descends a >15% slope to join the parking area.

y Tro

DRAINAGE

RICHFORD SITE ANALYSIS

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

proposed MVRT extension

SLOPES

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Some grading may be necessary to accommodate more vehicles, to make the trail universally accessible from the parking area, and to direct water away from the trailhead.

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

iss

M pedestrian/cyclist traffic

vehicle traffic

parking

isq

ive

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Pockets of shade may be best suited for gathering spaces in the summer, but any significant changes to the parking area may require removing some trees.

isq

ive

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Buffering the parking area from the road may improve safety and user experience if trailhead visibility is maintained. This may also be accomplished by creating a clear sense of arrival and signaling where trail users cross the road.

t yS Tro

SUMMER SUN & VEGETATION t yS Tro

ACCESS & CIRCULATION

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

THE RICHFORD TRAILHEAD IS CONSTRAINED BY ITS SMALL SIZE, ABUTTING SLOPES, ADJACENT FARM FIELDS, AND WET CONDITIONS. ALTHOUGH IT IS THE TERMINUS OF THE MVRT, THERE ARE NO SIGNS TO DENOTE ITS END.

direction of water flow

River Corridor

Trailhead designs for Richford explore two alternatives. In this option, trail users park at the trailhead and a small pocket park adjacent to the parking area provides a space in which visitors can sit and rest. The design addresses the need to delineate clear parking and the request to celebrate the northern terminus of the trail by including an archway under which trail users pass to complete (or begin) their journey. Strategies to reduce safety risks such as striping the road surface where the trail crosses Troy Street are especially important at this location because of fast-moving traffic and the limited visibility of the trailhead from the road.

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

RICHFORD FINAL DESIGN I FOUR SPOT STOP

POCKET PARK

parking for four vehicles

Troy Street

quilt square paver

bench

TRAIL TERMINUS

Richford is the northern terminus of the MVRT, and should be celebrated as such. A timber archway similar to the archway proposed at the southern terminus in St. Albans alerts trail users and passing vehicles to the trail.

kiosk

crosswalk

A trail user sits in the shade at the trailhead pocket park beside the parking lot before enjoying a ride on the MVRT.

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RICHFORD FINAL DESIGN I

archway

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A small seating area comprising a bench, kiosk, and row of shrubs provides trail users with a place to rest. The change in surfacing, from gravel in the parking lot to pavers in the pocket park, distinguishes the seating area from the nearby street and trail. A decorative quilt square paver placed in front of the kiosk gives a visual nod to the preceding trailheads. A row of shrubs along the eastern edge of the parking area separates the pocket park from parked vehicles, creating a sense of enclosure while still maintaining open views to the road and parking lot.

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

A pull-off gravel parking lot that accommodates four vehicles is located adjacent to Troy Street. Cars can enter the parking area coming from either direction. Wheel stops, vegetation, and the configuration of the parking area all guide trail users to park in the delineated spaces and back up without entering the road.

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

PARKING LOT

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

SEATING AREA

EXTENSION OF MVRT

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

proposed Richford extension

Routing the MVRT so that it parallels Troy Street and connects to the proposed Richford extension allows trail users easy access into downtown Richford. A row of shade-loving and salt-tolerant shrubs buffers this extended portion of the MVRT from Troy Street in a roadside bioswale, thereby creating separation between pedestrians and cyclists and oncoming traffic (see detail 1 on sheet 33 for roadside bioswale construction and sheet 30 for planting plan). Striping a crosswalk across Troy Street further signals to drivers to slow down and look out for people crossing the road.

crosswalk MVRT extension

WOODED COVE

Trees and shrubs line the perimeter of the gathering space, providing shade and creating a protected, cove-like space. A strip of flowering perennials creates a sense of separation between the MVRT extension and the seating area, and adds color to the landscape. Wetland species are planted on the eastern edge of the site, as this area often experiences standing water and may have saturated soils.

Troy Street

vegetated buffers

bike rack

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

The seating area comprises two low stone-wall benches that form a half circle, with a kiosk in the middle. Pavers are used to differentiate the seating area from the gravel trail.

quilt square paver

kiosk

archway

The MVRT is extended and parallels Troy Street to connect with the proposed Richford extension (not pictured). Vegetated bioswales separate the trail from the street and seating area where trail users sit and rest.

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RICHFORD FINAL DESIGN II

stone wall seating

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RICHFORD FINAL DESIGN II PEDESTRIAN PLAZA

This design assumes that the extension of the MVRT will be built and moves parking to an alternative, to be determined location that is closer to downtown Richford. Moving parking away from the trailhead frees up space for pedestrians and cyclists. Furthermore, it allows for the extension of the MVRT along Troy Street and its connection with the proposed Richford extension, the start of which currently lies on the eastern side of Troy Street, approximately 130 feet north of the current terminus of the MVRT. The proposed Richford extension trail would run approximately a half mile into the town center of Richford. Connecting the two trails via a striped crosswalk that crosses Troy Street would clarify the preferred route for pedestrians and cyclists to use, and provide a safer method for connecting the trails than biking in the breakdown lane.

Acer rubrum

Red Maple

70-90’

30-50’

March to April

3-9

Betula alleghaniensis

Yellow Birch

60-75’

April to May

3-6

Betula nigra

River Birch

35-80’

40-60’

FS/PS

April to May

4-9

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Green Ash

35-70’

35-50’

April to May

3-9

Hamamelis virginiana

Witch Hazel

10-15’

15-20’

FS/PS

October to December

3-8

Juniperus virginiana

Red Cedar

25-50’

8-25’

Non-Flowering

2-9

Quercus bicolor

Swamp White Oak

35-100’

50-60’

April

3-8

Salix discolor

Pussy Willow

6-15’

4-12’

FS/PS

March to April

4-8

Aronia melanocarpa

Black Chokeberry

3-4’

3-6’

FS/PS

May

3-8

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Buttonbush

10-20’

4-8’

FS/PS

June

5-9

Cornus sericea

Red Osier Dogwood

6-12’

7-10’

FS/PS

May to June

3-8

Ilex verticillata

Winterberry Holly

3-12’

FS/PS

June to July

3-9

Kalmia latifolia

Mountain Laurel

5-6’

5-15’

May

4-9

Lindera benzoin

Spicebush

6-12’

FS/PS

March

4-9

Viburnum lentago

Nannyberry

10-20’

6-12’

FS/PS

May

2-8

Rhododendron canadense

Rhodora

2-4’

FS/PS

March-May

4-8

Rosa palustris

Swamp Rose

6-8’

3-6’

June to July

4-9

Sambucus canadensis

Elderberry

5-12’

FS/PS

June to July

3-9

Vaccinium corymbosum

Highbush Blueberry

6-12’

8-12’

FS/PS

May

5-8

Shrubs

Betula alleghaniensis

Iris versicolor

Salix discolor

Perennials Trillium grandiflorum

Trillium

1-1.5’

0.75-1’

PS/S

April to June

4-8

Verbena hastata

Blue Vervain

2-6’

1-2.5’

July to September

5-8

Anemone canadensis

Windflower

1-2’

2-2.5’

FS/PS

April to June

3-8

Aquilegia canadensis

Columbine

1-2’

1-1.5’

FS/PS

April to May

3-8

Caltha palustris

Marsh Marigold, Cowslip

2’

1-1.5’

FS/PS

April to June

3-7

Coreopsis lanceolata

Coreopsis

1-2’

1-1.5’

May to July

4-9

Euthamia graminifolia

Flat-top Goldenrod

3-6’

2-4’

FS/PS

July to October

3-9

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Boneset

4-6’

3-4’

FS/PS

July to September

3-8

Iris versicolor

Blue Flag Iris

2-3’

2-2.5’

FS/PS

May to June

3-9

Onoclea sensibilis

Sensitive Fern

3-4’

PS/SH

Non-Flowering

4-8

Festuca rubra spp.

Red Fescue

1-3’

FS/PS

April to September

4-10

Carex crinita

Nodding Sedge

1-2’

FS/PS

May to June

3-8

Carex intumescens

Greater Bladder Sedge

1-3’

1-2’

FS/PS

May to July

2-9

Carex vulpinoidea

Fox Sedge

1-3’

.5-2’

FS/PS

May to July

3-9

Juncus effusus

Soft Rush

2-4’

June to August

4-9

Scirpus atrovirens

Green Bulrush

3-6’

3-4’

FS/PS

May to August

3-9

Aquilegia canadensis

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

Trees

Many trailheads along the MVRT are located near the Missisquoi River and/or near wetlands. The proximity to hydrological features coupled with site-specific characteristics such as topography and soil drainage creates wet conditions at some trailheads. Choosing plants that can endure these conditions may improve the trailhead’s aesthetic appeal, increase habitat, and improve the quality of stormwater runoff entering a site from nearby parking lots, roads, and farm fields. Many of the plants listed can be sourced from Vermont Wetland Plant Supply.

Viburnum lentago

Caltha palustris

Vaccinium corymbosum

Grasses Verbena hastata

Rosa palustris

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Hardiness Zone

Bloom time

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Height

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Common Name

PLANT PALETTE I

Botanical Name

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

PLANT PALETTE I MOISTURE-TOLERANT

Amelanchier arborea

Downy Serviceberry

10 - 25’

15-25’

FS/PS

March to April

4-9

Betula nigra

River Birch

35-80’

40-60’

FS/PS

April to May

4-9

Carpinus caroliniana

Musclewood

20-30’

20-35’

PS/SH

February

3-9

Celtis occidentalis

Hackberry

40-60’

FS/PS

April to May

2-9

Hamamelis virginiana

Witch Hazel

10-15’

15-20’

FS/PS

October to December

3-8

Ostrya virginiana

Hophornbeam

25-50’

20-30’

FS/PS

April

3-9

Myrica pensylvanica

Bayberry

5-10’

FS/PS

May

3-7

Aronia melanocarpa

Black Chokeberry

3-4’

3-6’

FS/PS

May

3-8

Cornus racemosa

Gray Dogwood

10-15’

FS/PS

May to June

4-8

Spirea latifolia

Spiraea

4-7’

4-8’

March to April

3-7

Vaccinium corymbosum

Highbush Blueberry

6-12’

8-12’

FS/PS

May

5-8

Actaea rubra

Red Baneberry

1-3’

2-3’

April to June

3-7

Aster umbellatus

Flat-topped Aster

3-7’

2-4’

FS/PS

July to October

3-8

Aquilegia canadensis

Columbine

1-2’

2-3’

FS/PS

April to May

3-8

Baptisia australis

Blue False Indigo

3-4’

FS/PS

May to June

3-9

Desmodium canadense

Canada Tick-Trefoil

4’

1-2’

July to August

3-7

Heliopsis helianthoides

Smooth Oxeye

3-5’

2-4’

June to August

3-9

Iris versicolor

Blue Flag Iris

2-3’

2-2.5’

FS/PS

May to June

3-9

Lobelia cardinalis

Cardinal Flower

2-4’

1-2’

FS/PS

July to September

3-9

Rudbeckia hirta

Black-Eyed Susan

2-3’

June to September

3-7

Symphyotrichum nova-angliae

New England Aster

4-6’

2-3’

August to September

4-8

Waldsteinia fragarioides

Barren Strawberry

0.25-0.5’

0.5-1’

FS/PS

April to May

4-7

Carex vulpinoidea

Fox Sedge

1-3’

0.5-2’

FS/PS

May to July

3-7

Carex grayi

Gray Sedge

2-3’

1.5-2’

PSH

May to October

5-7

Panicum virgatum

Switchgrass

3-6’

2-3’

FS/PS

July to February

5-9

Schizachyrium scoparium

Little Bluestem

2-4’

1.5-2’

August to February

3-9

Shrubs Actaea rubra

Symphyotrichum nova-angliae

Perennials

Panicum virgatum

Carpinus caroliniana

Rudbeckia hirta

Lobelia cardinalis

Grasses

Aronia melanocarpa

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

Trees

Roadsides tend to be degraded environments that have sandy and compacted soils and a high salt content from deicing roads in the winter. High salt content in soil can limit a plant’s ability to absorb water, stunt growth, or kill it. Because all of the trailheads along the MVRT are located on or next to a road, choosing plants that can withstand these conditions may help to ensure longevity.

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Hardiness Zone

Bloom time

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Height

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Common Name

PLANT PALETTE II

Botanical Name

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

PLANT PALETTE II ROAD-SIDE/SALT-TOLERANT

Prunus Serotina

Black Cherry

50-60’

30-60’

FS/PS

May

3-9

Prunus americana

American Plum

40-70’

30-60’

FS/PS

April to May

3-8

Robinia pseudoacacia

Black Locust

30-50’

20-35’

May to June

3-8

Crataegus mollis

Native Hawthorne

12-36’

20-30’

FS/PS

May

4-8

Tilia americana

American Basswood

50-80’

30-50’

FS/PS

June

2-8

Amelanchier arborea

Downy Serviceberry

10 - 25’

15-25’

FS/PS

March to April

4-9

Cornus alterniafolia

Pagoda Dogwood

15-25’

20-30’

FS/PS

May to June

3-7

Cornus sericea

Red Osier Dogwood

6 - 12’

6-9’

FS/PS

May to June

3-8

Prunus virginiana

Chokecherry

10 - 25’

15-20’

FS/PS

April to May

2-7

Rhododendron canadense

Rhodora

1-4’

2-4’

May to June

3-6

Rhus hirta (Rhus typhina)

Staghorn Sumac

15 -35’

15-20’

FS/PS

June to July

3-8

Sambucus canadensis

American Elderberry

5 - 12’

5-12’

FS/PS

June to July

3-9

Spiraea alba

Meadowsweet

3-4’

3-6’

FS/PS

June to September

3-7

Ilex verticillata

Winterberry

3-12’

FS/PS

June to July

3-9

Solidago rugosa

Goldenrod

2.5-3’

September to October

4-8

Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly Plant, Milkweed

1-3’

1-2.5’

June to August

3-9

Euthamia graminifolia

Narrow-leaved goldenrod

2-3’

2-4’

FS/PS

July to September

3-9

Heliopsis helianthoides

Smooth Ox-eye

3-6’

2-4’

June to August

3-9

Monarda didyma

Scarlet Beebalm

2-3’

FS/PS

July to September

4-9

Rudbeckia hirta

Black-eyed Susan

2-3’

June to September

3-7

Asarum canadensis

Wild Ginger

0.5-1’

1-1.5’

PS/S

April to May

4-6

Arisaema triphyllum

Jack-In-The-Pulpit

1-2’

1-1.5’

PS/FS

April to May

2-9

Aruncus dioicus

Goatsbeard

4-6’

2-4’

FS/PS

April to May

4-8

Zizia aurea

Golden Alexanders

3’

1-2’

FS/PS

April, May, June

3-8

Vaccinium angustifolium

Lowbush Blueberry

0.5-2’

1-2’

FS/PS

May

2-8

Symphyotrichum nova-angliae

New England Aster

4-6’

2-3’

August to September

4-8

Elymus virginicus

Virginia Wild Rye

2-4’

1-2’

FS/PS

June to October

3-8

Andropogon gerardii

Big Bluestem

4-6’

2-3’

September to February

4-9

Schizachyrium scoparium

Little Bluestem

2-4’

1.5-2’

August to February

3-9

Deschampsia cespitosa

Tufted Hair Grass

1-3’

May to July

4-9

Shrubs

Perennials

Heliopsis helianthoides

Amelanchier arborea

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

Trees

Native flowering plants enhance the aesthetic quality of a space and provide important habitat and forage for pollinators such as native bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, and birds. These species are vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems because they aid in plant reproduction by fertilizing plants. This allows a plant to produce seeds, ensuring a new generation will grow. Pollinator meadows can be planted with seed mixes and may require less maintenance than lawns once established, requiring mowing just once or twice a year.

Prunus virginiana

Spiraea alba

Grasses Asclepias tuberosa

Zizia aurea

Arisaema triphyllum

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Bloom time

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Height (ft)

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Common Name

PLANT PALETTE III

Botanical Name

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

PLANT PALETTE III POLLINATOR MEADOW

PLANTING PLAN I MT

Moisture-tolerant

North end - Full sun (FS) to part shade (PS) RG RT PP

Roadside/Salt-tolerant

Pollinator Meadow

Trees (MT)

Trees (RT)

Trees (PT)

Shrubs (MS)

Shrubs (RS)

Shrubs (PS)

Perennials (MP)

Perennials (RP)

Perennials (PP)

Grasses (MG)

Grasses (RG)

Grasses (PG)

GREENS CORNERS

PT Woodland

Fern (Onoclea sensibilis) Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) Lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)

Hardiness Zone 4b Light requirements: Full Sun (FS)

PP MS

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MP MS

RG MG MT

RG MG Sedge meadow

RS MS

Red fescue (Festuca rubra) Green bulrush (Scirpus atrovirens)

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Red maple (Acer rubrum) Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

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Temperate acidic outcrop

PLANTING PLAN I

spring 2019

South end - Full sun (FS)

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

Hardiness Zone 5a

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

ST. ALBANS

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Planting plans for designs at all trailheads consist of color-coded areas where a variety of possible plant species could thrive. Three categories of plants, moisture-tolerant, roadside/salt-tolerant, and pollinator meadow plants, are depicted here. Plants within each category are further broken down by type: tree, shrub, perennial, and grass. The plant palettes on previous sheets list multiple species that could be chosen for each of these sub-categories, though matching the light requirements and hardiness zone of a given species within a sub-category to the light conditions and hardiness zone of the trailhead will result in the most success for the plant. All the plants are native to Vermont, and therefore adapted to climatic conditions like harsh winters. However, many of the plants are in their upper range in northern Vermont, and can grow in warmer, more southerly climates. Because of this, it is likely that in a changing climate with warmer temperatures extending farther north, most of the plants selected for these designs will continue to grow well in the decades to come. Note: masses of grasses are intended to be seeded under trees and shrubs.

Trees (MT)

Trees (RT)

Trees (PT)

Shrubs (MS)

Shrubs (RS)

Shrubs (PS)

SHELDON JUNCTION

Perennials (MP)

Perennials (RP)

Perennials (PP)

Full sun (FS) to part shade (PS)

Grasses (MG)

Grasses (RG)

Grasses (PG)

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Pollinator Meadow

Roadside/Salt-tolerant

Hardiness Zone 4a

PP PG

CASINO ROAD

Full sun (FS) to part shade (PS)

MP RP MS

Hardiness Zone 4b PS

RT MG

RP PP

MS RP

MT PT

PP PT PG

MP RS

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prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

Part shade (PS) to full shade (FS)

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RICHFORD PEDESTRIAN PLAZA

PLANTING PLAN II

RICHFORD FOUR STOP SPOT

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Hardiness Zone 4b

spring 2019

PLANTING PLAN II

Moisture-tolerant

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

MATERIALS AND PRECEDENTS

Providing a place for trail users to sit and rest along their journey is an important part of creating an inviting trailhead. Many types of seating options exist, from classic park benches to picnic tables to stone walls. The size of the space, the number of people expected to be using it, and the materials palette of the site will all determine which option for seating structures makes the most sense.

ARCHWAYS Archways signal a grand entrance, passing a threshold, and beginning a journey. In the context of a trailhead, they may act as markers, a way of commemorating or drawing attention to important way points such as the start or end of a trail. Materials may include stone, metal, or timber, among others.

SURFACING Surfacing materials such as brick, stone pavers, and gravel all impart a different feeling both underfoot and within the space. Using multiple surfacing materials within a single site is both visually interesting and may help distinguish between different zones of use. For example, using one material for pathways and another for gathering spaces visually differentiates the areas and implies distinct uses for each.

RESTROOMS Portable toilets are a convenient and cheap alternative to the traditional bathroom where there is not sewer infrastructure or where connecting to existing infrastructure is cost prohibitive. A structure to enclose a portable toilet may discourage theft. Outhouses or pit toilets are more permanent options but require excavation. Composting toilets are an ecologically sound solution, but are comparatively more expensive and may require more maintenance.

PAVILIONS

BIKE RACKS

Pavilions provide shade and shelter during inclement weather. They can be constructed out of various materials including timber and metal. Some have stone footings. They are often attached to concrete pads that serve as flooring, though they can have dirt floors as well. Various custom built or do-it-yourself kits for constructing pavilions accommodate a range of budgets and size needs.

Bike racks are a convenient amenity for cyclists who may need to store their bikes for short or long periods of time during their travel on the trail. Bike racks give cyclists more options for experiencing areas off the trail as they are able to lock their bikes and explore by foot. Some bike racks also add whimsy to a landscape by serving as public art pieces.

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Kiosks are emblematic of trailheads and alert people to the presence of the trail. They can educate trail users about the surrounding ecosystem and provide wayfinding. Kiosks come in many shapes and sizes, though they are usually small wooden structures that sometimes have pitched roofs protecting a glass or plastic case where maps, safety information, and updates on weather or the trail status can be posted.

SEATING

spring 2019

KIOSKS

aja mathews

MATERIALS AND PRECEDENTS

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

The feel of a space can be crafted through the use of materials with various textures, colors, and shapes, as well as through the amenities and other landscape features. Depending on the project budget, community needs, and aesthetic preferences, different options for surfaces, structures, and amenities may be chosen for varying effects. The following precedents provide inspiration for crafting a cohesive palette for the trailheads.

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

A COHESIVE PALETTE OF MATERIALS AND AMENITIES CAN VISUALLY LINK TRAILHEADS ALONG THE MVRT.

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

GRADING PLANS

These conceptual grading plans illustrate grading changes required to implement designs. Sites not pictured below may still require some grading once a more detailed site survey is completed.

GREENS CORNERS

Grading the parking lot, path, and seating area at a <5% slope ensures universal accessibility. Although grading requires a significant portion of the existing wooded area be cleared, replanting with trees spaced at >20 feet on center and low herbaceous groundcover would maintain open sight lines from the road, fulfilling a desire expressed by the client.

Grading at this site directs water into a system of tiered rain gardens. Water first flows into a rain garden north of the entrance. From here, water is directed through an existing culvert and into a second rain garden south of the entrance. Further calculation is needed to determine runoff volume and accurate rain garden depth.

2 449

448

Continue grading swale along path

451 450

447

446

445

444

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

Grading the southern entrance of the St. Albans trailhead directs water through a vegetated swale and into a rain garden to be treated before entering the ground or the municipal storm sewer system.

ST. ALBANS PARKING AREA

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

ST. ALBANS ENTRYWAY

401 400

440

20 feet

existing underground culvert

feet

greta moore

& aja mathews

441

outlet to catchment basin (see sheet 33 for construction detail)

â&#x20AC;˘

442

spring 2019

4 40 02 1

GRADING PLANS

443

428 427 426

5 33

CONTAINER SHRUB PLANTING

3 33

RAIN GARDEN WITH OVERFLOW

6 33

TIERED RAIN GARDENS (GREENS CORNERS)

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

spring 2019

â&#x20AC;¢

aja mathews

EROSION STABILIZATION

B&B TREE PLANTING

4 33

greta moore

ROADSIDE BIOSWALE

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS I

These typical construction details may be modified prior to construction and installation given site conditions. They provide general guidance for installation of landscape elements.

11 34

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

12 34

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

FLAGSTONE PATHWAY

PAVERS

Potential layouts for quilt square pavers.

greta moore

EXISTING SUBGRADE

4-6" CRUSHED STONE OR GRAVEL

aja mathews

ASPHALT PARKING LOT

1" SAND

â&#x20AC;¢

9 34

3-4" THICK FLAGSTONE PAVING

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

GRAVEL PARKING LOT

EDGING (RAISED OR FLUSH)

spring 2019

DRY LAID STONE WALL

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS II

10 34

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

6" SUB-BASE OF PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION GRANULAR MATERIAL

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

8 34

BOND/HEADER STONES TO COMPRISE 1/3-1/4 OF WALL

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

WALLS CAN BE BATTERED ON BOTH FACES

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

POROUS PAVEMENT PARKING LOT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

7 34

CAPSTONE

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS II

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

ST. ALBANS Path to MVRT

Kiosk

Kiosk/Seating area

Parking lot

Parking area

Natural playscape

Bathroom

SHELDON JUNCTION

Shade trees

Vegetated buffer

Kiosk bordered by a stone seating wall Open air shelter with picnic tables

Maple City Diner cut-through

Sedge meadow Main entryway

Rain garden

*nts

GREENS CORNERS Kiosk

Striping signals road crossing

Picnic area

Mowed grass

Kiosk Bike rack

Striping signals road crossing

Bathroom Bike rack Picnic area

Bathroom

*nts

Parking for 11 vehicles

Trees buffer the road

Boardwalk/ lookout into wetland

Bioswale Rain gardens N Parking for 9 vehicles

*nts

Boardwalk/ lookout into wetland

N *nts

Bathroom

N *nts

greta moore

*nts

aja mathews

Arched entryway

â&#x20AC;˘

Pollinator meadow

ALTERNATIVES I

Vegetated buffer

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Temperate acidic outcrop

Sinuous path separated from parking area

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

Woodland

Natural playscape

spring 2019

ALTERNATIVES I

At a formal presentation in April 2019, design alternatives for each of the five trailheads, shown below and on the the following sheet, were presented to professional design critics, the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, and The Conway School. In June 2019, these alternatives were presented to community members and local stakeholders at a public meeting in Enosburg, Vermont. Feedback from both events helped shape the final designs presented in previous pages.

CASINO ROAD

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

ALTERNATIVES II Parking for 6 vehicles

Bathroom Seating area

Striping signals road crossing

Bathroom

N *nts

Kiosk Vegetated strip

*nts

Shade trees

Climbing boulders

Striping signals road crossing

Allée of trees

Kiosk

Private bench

Bike rack

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

Parking for 7 vehicles

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Pavilion

Parallel parking for 3 vehicles

Kiosk

Stripes denote trail crossing

Bench and bike rack Stone wall seating

*nts

Decorative paver plaza

Bench Kiosk

Stripes denote trail crossing

N *nts

*nts

greta moore

& aja mathews

Vegetative buffer

•

Parking for 4 vehicles

Stripes in breakdown lane connect to proposed extension

spring 2019

Stripes denote trail crossing

Stripes in breakdown lane connect to proposed extension

ALTERNATIVES II

RICHFORD

Total (high)

76.00

$20.00

$30.00

$1,520.00

$2,280.00

155.00

$20.00

$30.00

$520.00

$780.00

excavation - paths/gathering space - 6’’ depth

excavation - parking - 8” depth, expanding upon existing lot

grading

22,770.00

$0.20

$0.40

$4,554.00

$9,108.00

clearing and grubbing

30,000.00

$0.10

$0.25

$3,000.00

$7,500.00

imported topsoil

30.00

$30.00

$50.00

$900.00

$1,500.00

Item

Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

gravel top course - gathering space - 2’’ depth

6.25

$90.00

$100.00

$562.50

$625.00

gravel top course - pathways - 2’’ depth

4.25

$90.00

$100.00

$382.50

$425.00

gravel base course - paths/gathering space - 4’’ depth

21.00

$60.00

$80.00

$1,260.00

$1,680.00

gravel top course - parking area - 2’’ depth

21.50

$90.00

$100.00

$1,935.00

$2,150.00

gravel base course - parking area - 6’’ depth

65.00

$60.00

$80.00

$3,900.00

$5,200.00

striping across road

26.00

$0.50

$1.00

$13.00

$26.00

striping, ADA accessible stalls

2.00

$30.00

$40.00

$60.00

$80.00

wheel stops

20.00

$20.00

$80.00

$400.00

$1,600.00

raingardens

800.00

$10.00

$50.00

$8,000.00

$40,000.00

trees (3’’-4’’ caliper)

39.00

$500.00

$750.00

$19,500.00

$29,250.00

vegetation (shrubs)

1 gallon

150.00

$15.00

$25.00

$2,250.00

$3,750.00

native grass and wildflower seed mix (18 lbs/acre)

1 lb bag

12.00

$25.00

$40.00

$300.00

$480.00

portable toilet

1.00

$650.00

$1,000.00

$650.00

$1,000.00

portable toilet 3-sided structure

1.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

8.00

$30.00

$50.00

$240.00

$400.00

square face ft

64.00

$40.00

$60.00

$2,560.00

$3,840.00

Line

AMENITIES Line

Item

quilted paver inset - mason’s labor

stone wall benches

picnic table

1.00

$400.00

$1,500.00

$400.00

$1,500.00

bike repair station

1.00

$1,000.00

$2,500.00

$1,000.00

$2,500.00

bike rack

1.00

$500.00

$1,500.00

$500.00

$1,500.00

kiosk

2.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

interpretive/educational signs

4.00

$300.00

$1,000.00

$1,200.00

archway

1.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

pavilion

1.00

$5,000.00

$16,000.00

$5,000.00

$16,000.00

natural play area surface - wood chips - 2’’ depth

7.75

$90.00

$100.00

$697.50

logs, play structures etc.

3.00

$1,000.00

$4,000.00

boulders

2.00

$300.00

$1,000.00

$3,798.90

$9,588.83

Total Project Cost

$63,314

$159,813

ALTERNATIVES Item

SITE IMPROVEMENTS

Taxes @ 6%

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Total (low)

$26,199.00

Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

parking area 2- asphalt - 2’’ depth entire footprint

10,400.00

$3.50

$6.00

$36,400.00

$62,400.00

gravel base course - parking area - 6’’ depth - entire footprint

192.50

$80.00

$100.00

$15,400.00

$19,250.00

excavation - parking - 8” depth - entire footprint (substitute for - lines 2, 9, 10)

289

$20.00

$30.00

$520.00

$780.00

Subtotal

$97,862.50

$205,295.00

(+mobil.+taxes +contin.)

$27,401.50

$57,482.60

Total Project Cost

$125,264

$262,777

parking area 3- porous pavement - 2’’ depth entire footprint

10,400

$4.25

$7.50

$44,200.00

$78,000.00

gravel base course - parking area - 12’’ depth - entire footprint

385.00

$80.00

$100.00

$30,800.00

$38,500.00

excavation - parking - 14” depth - entire footprint (substitute for - lines 2, 9, 10)

450

$20.00

$30.00

$520.00

$780.00

Subtotal

$123,702.50

$243,665.00

(+mobil.+taxes +contin.)

$34,636.70

$68,226.20

Total Project Cost

$158,339

$311,891

$2,200.00

$1,700.00

$2,200.00

bathroom 2 - ADA portable toilet (substitute for - line 18 )

bathroom 3 - composting toilet (substitute for - line 18)

1.00

$1,700.00

$10,000

Subtotal

$52,947.50

$132,195.00

(+mobil.+taxes +contin.)

$14,825.30

$37,014.60

Total Project Cost

$67,772

$169,209

$65,000

$10,000

$65,000

Subtotal

$61,247.50

$194,995.00

(+mobil.+taxes +contin.)

$17,149.30

$54,598.60

Total Project Cost

$78,396

$249,593

pavers

700.00

$3.00

$15.00

$2,100.00

$10,500.00

sand - joint swept and under pavers - 1’’ depth (substitute for - line 6)

ton

3.00

$16.00

$20.00

$48.00

$60.00

Subtotal

$53,483.00

$140,930.00

$6,000.00

(+mobil.+taxes +contin.)

$14,975.24

$39,460.40

$4,000.00

Total Project Cost

$68,458

$180,390

$10

$775.00

Subtotal

$51,287.00

$130,307.00

$3,000.00

$12,000.00

(+mobil.+taxes +contin.)

$14,360.36

$36,485.96

$600.00

$2,000.00

Total Project Cost

$65,647

$166,792

natural play area surface 2 - sand 2’’ depth (substitute for - line 29)

ton

0.5

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

Unit Cost (high)

$10,379.50

greta moore

Unit Cost (low)

Contingency @ 20%

Quantity

$2,619.90

•

Unit

$1,037.95

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Item

Mobilization @ 2%

COST ESTIMATE ST. ALBANS

Line

$130,995.00

aja mathews

SITE PREPARATION

Total (high)

$51,897.50

spring 2019

COST ESTIMATE: ST. ALBANS

Total (low) Subtotal

$1,092.96

Contingency @ 20%

$5,385.30

$10,929.60

Taxes @ 6%

$1,971.02

$4,000.23

Total Project Cost

$32,850

$66,670

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

$538.53

Mobilization @ 2%

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

excavation - paths/gathering space - 6’’ depth

$20.00

$30.00

$680.00

$1,020.00

excavation - parking - 8” depth, expanding upon existing lot

$20.00

$30.00

$520.00

$780.00

grading - paths and gathering space

1,825.00

$0.20

$0.40

$365.00

$730.00

imported topsoil

40.00

$30.00

$50.00

$1,200.00

$2,000.00

ALTERNATIVES

SITE IMPROVEMENTS Line

Item

Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

Item

Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

parking area - asphalt - 2’’ depth - entire footprint (substitute for lines 2, 7, 8)

5,250.00

$3.50

$6.00

$18,375.00

$31,500.00

gravel base course - 6’’ depth - entire footprint

97.00

$80.00

$100.00

$7,760.00

$9,700.00

excavation - parking - 8” depth - entire footprint

146

$20.00

$30.00

$520.00

$780.00

Subtotal

$52,049.00

$94,573.00

(+mobil.+taxes +contin.)

$14,573.72

$26,480.44

Total Project Cost

$66,622

$121,053

$2,200.00

$1,700.00

$2,200.00

gravel top course - pathways/ gathering space - 2’’ depth

11.25

$90.00

$100.00

$1,012.50

$1,125.00

gravel base course - paths/gathering space - 4’’ depth

33.75

$60.00

$80.00

$2,025.00

$2,700.00

gravel top course - parking area 2’’ depth

3.75

$90.00

$100.00

$337.50

$375.00

gravel base course - parking area 6’’ depth

11.25

$60.00

$80.00

$675.00

$900.00

wheel stops

11.00

$20.00

$80.00

$220.00

$880.00

striping across road

23.00

$0.50

$1.00

$11.50

$23.00

striping, ADA accessible stalls

1.00

$30.00

$40.00

$30.00

$40.00

raingardens

44.00

$10.00

$50.00

$440.00

$2,200.00

trees (3’’-4’’ caliper)

18.00

$500.00

$750.00

$9,000.00

$13,500.00

vegetation (shrubs)

1 gallon

55.00

$15.00

$25.00

$825.00

$1,375.00

native grass and wildflower seed mix (18 lbs/acre)

1 lb bag

3.00

$25.00

$40.00

$75.00

$120.00

portable toilet

1.00

$650.00

$1,000.00

$650.00

$1,000.00

portable toilet 3-sided structure

1.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

AMENITIES

1.00

$1,700.00

Subtotal

$27,976.50

$55,848.00

(+mobil.+taxes +contin.)

$7,833.42

$15,637.44

Total Project Cost

$35,809

$71,485

pavers (substitute for line 8)

700.00

$3.00

$15.00

$2,100.00

$10,500.00

sand - joint swept and under pavers - 1’’ depth (substitute for line 5)

ton

3.00

$16.00

$20.00

$48.00

$60.00

Item

Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

quilted paver inset - mason’s labor

per hour

8.00

$30.00

$50.00

$240.00

$400.00

Subtotal

$28,062.00

$64,083.00

(+mobil.+taxes +contin.)

$7,857.36

$17,943.24

Total Project Cost

$35,919

$82,026

picnic tables

2.00

$400.00

$1,500.00

$800.00

$3,000.00

bike rack

1.00

$500.00

$1,500.00

$500.00

$1,500.00

kiosk

1.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

pavilion

1.00

$5,000.00

$16,000.00

$5,000.00

$16,000.00

•

Line

bathroom 2 - ADA portable toilet (substitute for line 16)

Unit

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

Item

COST ESTIMATE GREENS CORNERS

Line

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

SITE PREPARATION

greta moore

$54,648.00

aja mathews

Total (high)

$26,926.50

spring 2019

COST ESTIMATE: GREENS CORNERS

Total (low) Subtotal

$831.70

Contingency @ 20%

$4,097.25

$8,317.00

Taxes @ 6%

$1,499.59

$3,044.02

Total Project Cost

$24,993

$50,733

Total (low)

Total (high)

Item

Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

$2,200.00

$1,700.00

$2,200.00

excavation -paths and gathering space - 6’’ depth

2.50

$20.00

$30.00

$50.00

$75.00

grading

406.00

$0.20

$0.40

$81.20

$162.40

Subtotal

$21,536.25

$42,785.00

clearing and grubbing

406

$0.10

$0.25

$40.60

$101.50

imported topsoil

25.00

$30.00

$50.00

$750.00

$1,250.00

(+mobil.+taxes +contin.)

$6,030.15

$11,979.80

bathroom 2 - ADA portable toilet (substitute for line 10)

1.00

$1,700.00

Total Project Cost

SITE IMPROVEMENTS Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

gravel top course pathways/gathering space - 2’’ depth

2.50

$90.00

$100.00

$225.00

$250.00

gravel base course pathways/gathering space - 4’’ depth

5.00

$60.00

$80.00

$300.00

$400.00

trees (3’’-4’’ caliper)

13.00

$500.00

$750.00

$6,500.00

$9,750.00

vegetation (shrubs)

1 gallon

41.00

$15.00

$25.00

$615.00

$1,025.00

native grass and wildflower seed mix (18 lbs/ acre)

1 lb bag

0.25

$25.00

$40.00

$6.25

$10.00

portable toilet

1.00

$650.00

$1,000.00

$650.00

$1,000.00

portable toilet 3-sided structure

1.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

Line 5

Item

AMENITIES Line

Item

quilted paver inset mason’s labor

per hour

8.00

$30.00

$50.00

$240.00

$400.00

stone wall -2’ height

square face foot

80.00

$35.00

$50.00

$2,800.00

$4,000.00

picnic table

1.00

$400.00

$1,500.00

$400.00

$1,500.00

kiosk

1.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

pavilion

1.00

$5,000.00

$16,000.00

$5,000.00

$16,000.00

$27,566

$54,764

pavers

356.00

$3.00

$15.00

$1,068.00

$5,340.00

sand - joint swept and under pavers - 1’’ depth (substitute for line 5)

ton

0.50

$16.00

$20.00

$8.00

$10.00

Subtotal

$21,337.25

$46,685.00

(+mobil.+taxes +contin.)

$5,974.43

$13,071.8

Total Project Cost

$27,311

$59,756

Unit Cost (high)

•

Unit Cost (low)

spring 2019

Quantity

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

Unit

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

ALTERNATIVES

COST ESTIMATE SHELDON JUNCTION

Item

$41,585.00

$409.73

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

SITE PREPARATION Line

$20,486.25

Mobilization @ 2%

greta moore

Subtotal

Total (high)

aja mathews

COST ESTIMATE: SHELDON JUNCTION

Total (low)

excavation - paths/ gathering space - 6’’ depth

$20.00

$30.00

$500.00

$750.00

excavation - parking - 8” depth

$20.00

$30.00

$520.00

$780.00

grading

2,750

$0.20

$0.40

$280.00

$420.00

clearing and grubbing

2,750

$0.10

$0.25

$275.00

$687.50

imported topsoil

$30.00

$50.00

$90.00

$150.00

Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

gravel top course pathways/gathering space - 2’’ depth

8.25

$90.00

$100.00

$742.50

$825.00

gravel base course - paths/ gathering space - 4’’ depth

Item

$25,277

$51,612

ALTERNATIVES

SITE IMPROVEMENTS Line

Total Project Cost

16.50

$60.00

$80.00

$990.00

$1,320.00

Item parking area 2 - asphalt 2’’ depth (substitute for line 8)

Unit SF

Quantity 1,400.00

Unit Cost (low) $3.50

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

$6.00

$4,900.00

$8,400.00

Subtotal

$23,659.00

$47,435.50

(+mobil. +taxes +contin.)

$6,624.52

$13,281.94

Total Project Cost

$30,283

$60,717

$2,200.00

$1,700.00

$2,200.00

Subtotal

$20,596.50

$41,110.50

$5,767.02

$11,510.94

gravel top course - parking area - 2’’ depth

8.75

$90.00

$100.00

$787.50

$875.00

gravel base course parking area - 6’’ depth

26.00

$60.00

$80.00

$1,560.00

$2,080.00

curbs stop

6.00

$20.00

$80.00

$120.00

$480.00

striping across road

23.00

$0.50

$1.00

$11.50

$23.00

striping, ADA accessible stall

1.00

$30.00

$40.00

$30.00

$40.00

trees (3-4” caliper)

8.00

$500.00

$750.00

$4,000.00

$6,000.00

vegetation (shrubs, 1-gallon)

1 gallon

20.00

$15.00

$25.00

$300.00

$500.00

(+mobil. +taxes +contin.)

native grass and wildflower seed mix (18 lbs/acre)

1 lb bag

2.00

$25.00

$40.00

$50.00

$80.00

Total Project Cost

$26,363

$52,621

portable toilet

1.00

$650.00

$1,000.00

$650.00

$1,000.00

portable toilet 3-sided structure

1.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

quilted paver inset mason’s labor

8.00

$30.00

$50.00

Line 18

Item

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

$240.00

$400.00

picnic table

1.00

$400.00

$1,500.00

$400.00

$1,500.00

kiosk

1.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

pavilion

1.00

$5,000.00

$16,000.00

$5,000.00

$16,000.00

pavers sand - joint swept and under pavers - 1’’ depth (substitute for line 6)

1.00

$1,700.00

313.00

$3.00

$15.00

$939.00

$4,695.00

TON

0.50

$16.00

$20.00

$8.00

$10.00

Subtotal

$19,751.00

$43,790.50

(+mobil. +taxes +contin.)

$5,530.28

$12,261.34

$25,281

$56,051

Total Project Cost

•

AMENITIES

bathroom 2 - ADA portable toilet (substitute for line 16)

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Total (high)

$2,921.45

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

Total (low)

$7,982.10

$1,430.80

greta moore

Unit Cost (high)

$3,909.30

Taxes @ 6%

Unit Cost (low)

Contingency @ 20%

aja mathews

Quantity

$798.21

spring 2019

Unit

$390.93

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Item

$39,910.50

Mobilization @ 2%

SITE PREPARATION Line

Total (high)

$19,546.50

COST ESTIMATE CASINO ROAD

COST ESTIMATE: CASINO ROAD

Total (low) Subtotal

$2,493.55

$4,128.00

Taxes @ 6%

$912.64

$1,510.85

Total Project Cost

$15,210

$25,180

Contingency @ 20%

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

33.00

$20.00

$30.00

$660.00

$990.00

grading

1,800.00

$0.20

$0.40

$360.00

$720.00

imported topsoil

15.00

$30.00

$50.00

$450.00

$750.00

SITE IMPROVEMENTS Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

gravel top course - gathering space - 2’’

2.50

$90.00

$100.00

$225.00

$250.00

gravel top course - pathways - 2’’

8.50

$90.00

$100.00

$765.00

$850.00

gravel base course - pathways/gathering space - 4’’

22.00

$60.00

$80.00

$1,320.00

$1,760.00

extruded curbing (roadside bioswale)

34.00

$10.00

$18.00

$340.00

$612.00

trees (3’’-4’’ caliper)

3.00

$500.00

$750.00

$1,500.00

$2,250.00

vegetation (shrubs)

1 gallon

31.00

$15.00

$25.00

$465.00

$775.00

striping across road

23.00

$0.50

$1.00

$11.50

$23.00

native grass and wildflower seed mix (18 lbs/acre)

1 lb bag

0.25

$25.00

$40.00

$6.25

$10.00

Item

Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

quilted paver inset - mason’s labor

per hour

8.00

$30.00

$50.00

$240.00

$400.00

bike rack

1.00

$500.00

$1,500.00

$500.00

$1,500.00

stone wall - 2’ height

75.00

$35.00

$50.00

$2,625.00

$3,750.00

kiosk

1.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

archway

1.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

pavers

sand - joint swept and under pavers - 1’’ depth (substitute for line 4)

ton

400.00

$3.00

$15.00

$1,200.00

$6,000.00

0.50

$16.00

$20.00

$8.00

$10.00

Subtotal

$13,450.75

$26,400.00

(+mobil.+taxes +contin.)

$3,766

$7,392

Total Project Cost

$17,216

$33,792

spring 2019

Line

•

AMENITIES

aja mathews

Item

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

Quantity

greta moore

Unit

Line

$412.80

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

excavation -pathways/ gathering space - 6’’

$249.36

Mobilization @ 2%

COST ESTIMATE RICHFORD I

Item

$20,640.00

ALTERNATIVES

SITE PREPARATION Line

Total (high)

$12,467.75

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

COST ESTIMATE: RICHFORD PEDESTRIAN PLAZA

Total (low) Subtotal

$215.01

$355.26

$2,150.05

$3,552.60

Taxes @ 6%

$786.92

$1,300.25

Total Project Cost

$13,115

$21,670.6

Contingency @ 20%

ALTERNATIVES Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

Item

Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

1,500.00

$3.50

$6.00

$5,250.00

$9,000.00

excavation - paths and gathering spaces - 6’’ depth

6.00

$20.00

$30.00

$120.00

$180.00

excavation - parking - 8” depth, expanding upon existing lot

1.50

$20.00

$30.00

$45.00

parking area 2 - asphalt 2’’ depth - entire footprint (substitute for - lines 2, 7, 8)

27.75

$80.00

$100.00

$2,220.00

$2,775.00

grading

1,500.00

$0.20

$0.40

$300.00

$600.00

imported topsoil

12.00

$30.00

$50.00

$360.00

$600.00

gravel base course - parking area - 6’’ depth - entire footprint excavation - parking - 8” depth - entire footprint

41.75

$20.00

$30.00

$520.00

$780.00

Subtotal

$16,527.75

$27,548.00

(+mobil.+taxes +contin.)

$4,627.77

$7,713.44

Total Project Cost

$21,155

$35,261

SITE IMPROVEMENTS Line 5

Item

Unit

Quantity

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

$90.00

$100.00

$180.00

$200.00

pavers (substitute for line 5)

314.00

$3.00

$15.00

$942.00

$4,710.00

$400.00

sand - joint swept and under pavers - 1’’ depth

ton

0.50

$16.00

$20.00

$8.00

$10.00

Subtotal

$11,520.25

$22,283.00

gravel top course - pathways/ gathering space - 2’’ depth

gravel base course - pathways/gathering space - 4’’ depth

gravel top course - parking area - 2’’

9.25

$90.00

$100.00

$832.50

$925.00

(+mobil.+taxes +contin.)

$3,225.67

$6,239.24

gravel base course - parking area - 6’’ depth

22.50

$60.00

$80.00

$1,350.00

$1,800.00

Total Project Cost

$14,745

$28,522

extruded curbing (roadside bioswale)

70.00

$10.00

$18.00

$700.00

$1,260.00

wheel stops

4.00

$20.00

$80.00

$320.00

striping across road

23.00

$0.50

$1.00

$11.50

$23.00

trees (3’’-4’’ caliper)

6.00

$500.00

$750.00

$3,000.00

$4,500.00

vegetation (shrubs)

1 gallon

20.00

$15.00

$25.00

$300.00

$500.00

native grass and wildflower seed mix

1 lb bag

0.25

$25.00

$40.00

$6.25

$10.00

Unit Cost (low)

Unit Cost (high)

Total (low)

Total (high)

4.00

$60.00

$80.00

$240.00

AMENITIES Line

Item

Unit

Quantity

quilted paver inset - mason’s labor

per hour

8.00

$30.00

$50.00

$240.00

$400.00

kiosk

1.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

archway

1.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

$1,500.00

$3,000.00

spring 2019

•

2.00

Unit Cost (low)

greta moore

Unit Cost (low)

Quantity

aja mathews

Unit

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

Item

$17,763.00

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

Line

Mobilization @ 2%

$10,750.25

COST ESTIMATE RICHFORD II

SITE PREPARATION

Subtotal

Total (high) 88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

COST ESTIMATE: RICHFORD FOUR STOP SPOT

Total (low)

88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

CITATIONS

https://urlzs.com/Mc6Tp

http://mvrailtrail.org/images/gallery/2009_winners/S. Ratte,Scenic%20ride.jpg

Sheet 31

All other images courtesy of creative commons or original.

WORKS CITED Thompson, E. H., Sorenson, E. R., Nature Conservancy (U.S.), & Vermont. (2000). Wetland, woodland, wildland: A guide to the natural communities of Vermont. Montpelier: Vermont Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and the Nature Conservancy. “St. Albans, Vermont.” City Data, 2019, www.city-data.com/city/St.-Albans-Vermont.html.

prepared for the northwest regional planning commission

https://urlzs.com/DEY4Z

https://urlzs.com/oU7xy

IMPROVING TRAILHEADS ON THE MISSISQUOI VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

https://urlzs.com/jt75x

Sheet 31

https://urlzs.com/Kwm72

Index

Sheet 31

Sheet 1

IMAGES

greta moore

National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rivers.gov/vermont.php

& aja mathews

•

Maps throughout this document were created using ArcGIS® software by Esri. ArcGIS® and ArcMap™ are the intellectual property of Esri and are used herein under license. Copyright © Esri. All rights reserved. For more information about Esri® software, please visit www.esri.com.”

spring 2019

Data layers sourced from http://geodata.vermont.gov/

CITATIONS

DATA