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WASSON WAY RECREATIONAL TRAIL 75
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PLANNING DESIGN STUDIO: COMPREHENSIVE / REGIONAL MENELAOS TRIANTAFILLOU SPRING 2016
WASSON WAY RECREATIONAL TRAIL PLAN 3031: Planning Design Studio - Comprehensive / Regional Professor Menelaos Triantafillou April 28, 2016
PROJECT ELEMENTS Project Materials Funding & Grants
COMMUNITY IMPACT & CONCLUSION
GUIDELINES
DESIGN GUIDELINES Wasson Way Consortium
ELEMENTS
REGIONAL PROPOSALS Overview: Regional Aspect Bike Network Route & Design Infill Development
REGIONAL
DESIGN PROPOSALS Overview: Recreation Parks University Park Athleisure Park Little Miami Lookout Short Park Ivy Park Disc Golf Course
DESIGN
DEMOGRAPHIC & SITE ANALYSIS Cincinnati Region Demographics Site Oppotunties & Constraints Case Study Research
DEMOGRAPHICS
INTRODUCTION Team Introduction Studio Process
INTRODUCTION
CONTENT
IMPACT
TEAM TRAIL: INTRODUCTION DEMOGRAPHIC & SITE ANALYSIS
LAUREN BIHL
NICK SEILER
REGIONAL
KYLE FEDERMANN
DANIELLE CAMPBELL
DESIGN
JAKE DEVOST
ALEX OSBORNE
PROJECT ELEMENTS & FUNDING
HAYLEE MARTINKO
SAEED PIRACHA
DAVID WARD
JESSE URBANSCIK
This proposal for the Wasson Way Recreational Trail seeks to promote healthy living and engaging communities by way of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. The trail emcompasses six different parks ranging from the Xavier University area to the Little Miami Bike Trail in Anderson Township. The actual trail runs approximately 7.6 miles and is currently owned by the Norfolk-Southern Rail Company. According to the Wasson Way Project site, approximately 100,000 people live within one mile of of the trail. Before this Trail team was formed, the studio class analyzed small sections of Wasson Way in small groups, collecting information on land use, history, and general demographics of the area. After the Trail team was established, we conducted a site visit to the abandoned rail line, taking photos and getting a feel for the neighborhoods. We researched multiple case studies that inhabited similar characteristics to Wasson Way, and brainstormed ideas that make successful parks and active spaces. The Trail team was then split into smaller groups: demographic & site analysis, proposal design, regional planning, and project elements & funding. Multiple charrette-style sessions occurred throughout the 10-week process, making sure all members of the group were on the same page and everyone was able to contribute ideas.
After critiquing the first presentation proposal, the trails team shifted focus to set goals for the community, and adhere to these goals through our designs. The Trails team set three promotive goals for the Rail Trail and the impact on the surrounding community: 1. Promote connectivity through multi-modal networking. 2. Promote a healthy lifestyle through community interaction and recreation. 3. Economic development through placemaking. After setting goals, the team began to redesign and rethink the variety of activities that are possible along the trail, and incorporate those possibilities into our design. The most effective way to portray a plan is to display it visually. The team focused effort on providing creative and convincing photographic renderings of the Rail Trail. This strategy provides a clear comprehension of the plan that anyone can inclusively understand. The proposals also include more architectural designs that provide a more technical and detailed understanding.
INTRODUCTION
PROJECT PROCESS
D E M O G R A P H I C & S I T E A N A LY S I S
34
$36k
$119k
40
$47k
$195k
39
$56k
$113k
37
$82k
$294k
14
$47k
$141k
NORWOOD OAKLEY FAIRFAX
EVANSTON
MARIEMONT
HYDE PARK
PLAINVILLE MT. LOOKOUT NEWTOWN
34
$34k
$256k
38
$71k
$379k
LEGEND Average Age
CINCINNATI AVERAGES
Average Income Average Property Value
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$35k
$120k
34
$87k
$334k
40
$67k
$145k
ANDERSON
39
$81k
$210k
nities vary greatly from low to high income, generally gaining affluence as the Wasson Way rail moves from Xavier University to Eastern Cincinnati. Some of cincinnati’s more popular neighborhoods well known for their relatively higher income levels and housing types are surrounding the line such as Hyde Park, Mt. Lookout, and Mariemont. Neighborhoods with more modest income surrounding the line are Evanston, Norwood, and Oakley. Theses neighborhoods on the east side of Cincinnati all have average ages in the 35 - 40 year old range, aside from one outlier. Making the area around the line a fairly young and active population. There are many young families and college students that can use our proposed Wasson Way Recreational Trail for transportation, leisure, and fitness.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Wasson Way passes through ten different community jurisdictions within Cincinnati, each with their unique characteristics. The commu-
D E M O G R A P H I C & S I T E A N A LY S I S
75
Withrow High School
Hyde Park Plaza
562
Rockdale Avenue
Lexington Avenue
Burch Avenue
Ault Park
Marburg Avenue
End of Rail
Mariemont Gardens
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Little Miami Trail
Montgomery Road
Wasson Road/ Paxton Avenue Rookwood Commons
Xavier University
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Wooster Road
Ault Park
0
0.25
0.5
1
1.5
Miles 2
Flag Spring Cemetery
Broadwell Road
to show where it would be easiest to access the trail, based it off of the op75
portunities and constraints map. Access Points are at: Rockdale Avenue, Montgomery Road, Lexington Avenue, Burch
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Avenue, Wasson Road/Paxton Avenue,
Dana Avenue
Madison Road
Marburg Avenue, Ault Park, Wooster Road, Mariemont Gardens, Flag Spring Cemetery, Broadwell Road, End of Rail (Round
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Bottom Rd/Terrace Park Country Club).
Church Street
Labeled crosswalk adjustments along the trail, major ones include: Woodburn Avenue, Dana Avenue, Montgomery Road, Madison Road, Edwards Road and Church Street.
Woodburn Avenue
Edwards Road
Montgomery Road
0
0.25
0.5
1
1.5
Miles 2
50
DEMOGRAPHICS
Created an access point map in order
CASE STUDY RESEARCH: URBAN TRAILS The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is an 8-mile world class urban bike and pedestrian path in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail seamlessly connects neighborhoods, cultural districts and entertainment amenities while serving as the downtown hub for central Indiana’s vast greenway system. The Cultural Trail is made possible by a large public and private collaboration by Central Indiana Community Foundation, the City of Indianapolis and non-profit groups devoted to building a better city. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is managed by a nonprofit, Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. (ICT, Inc.). ICT, Inc. works to thoughtfully manage, maintain and promote the Trail to ensure it continues to exist as a world-class public space for residents and visitor of Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is recognized around the world for enriching the lives of Indianapolis residents and visitors by providing a beautiful connection to each other, culture, art and healthy living.
LENGTH: 8 MILES STRETCHING THROUGHOUT DOWNTOWN INDIANAPOLIS, OPENING IN 2013 TOTAL COST: $63 MILLION. $27.5M FROM PRIVATE FUNDING, $35M FROM FEDERAL FUNDS. NO TAX MONEY WAS USED.
of finished trail, 5 miles of unimproved trail and 9 miles of lots of work to do. The ultimate goal is the extension of the existing ICV Trail both in a northward and southward direction for a total of 22 miles, with the eventual tie in with the Great Allegheny Passage Trail.
Trail Information
or visiting the is open for four luding walking, nd snowshoeing. ship section are ng.
o South
he ICV Trail, the s a northward Jones Mills area. hich runs along ne. It provides n upper Indian ail is owned by of Conservation
nsion d or MWA Board to spearhead its te 31 south to rthern terminus e Blair Brothers ute 31 crossing This section of one bridge over nstruction as of
Saltlick Township Section County Line Road to Indian Head Road This section of trail, running from County Line Road south to Indian Head Road, is owned and maintained by Saltlick Township. It has a finished surface. This section has several road crossings and also passes by one of MWA’s passive mine drainage treatment systems.
Indian Head Road to Route 381 MWA is currently in the process of finishing an additional two miles south of Indian Head Road. There is currently no public access below this two mile segment, but we are working on it!
Indian Creek Gorge Route 381 to the Yough River This section of trail is unimproved but is open for public access. Expect uneven and often wet surfaces, rocks, roots and other conditions that require caution. It is recommended for experienced cyclists only. This section runs through the Indian Creek Gorge, a beautiful steep sided gorge through which Indian Creek flows on its way to the Youghiogheny. Cell phone access is limited, and there is no vehicular access at the confluence of Indian Creek and the Youghiogheny River. Additional Information Portions of the Indian Creek Valley Trail run alongside private property. Please respect the
About the Indian Creek Valley Trail The Indian Creek Valley Railroad was established in 1906 for Laurel Hill timbering operations. By 1910, 22 miles of railroad were complete from the Jones Mills to the Youghiogheny River, passing through the small towns of Champion, Melcroft, Indian Head and Mill Run. By this time, four passenger trains were running per day in addition to the freight trains carrying coal from local mines. In 1969 the railroad was abandoned as timbering and deep mining declined and much of the coal that continued to be mined in the valley was transported by truck.
After abandonment by the railroad, Saltlick Township acquired ownership of the portion of the RR grade in their township, and MWA acquired the grade from Jones Mills to Champion and downstream from Indian Head approximately 2 miles. MWA is currently seeking to expand the trail southward to the Youghiogheny River where it will serve as a spur to the popular Great Allegheny Passage. The Indian Creek Valley consists of farms, villages, and wood lots, and is located between Laurel Hill and Chestnut Ridge. Portions of the valley feature unique habitat, high quality streams, and extensive forest cover. Some areas bear the scars of years of under-regulated coal mining activities. Mining continues in some parts of the valley today, and MWA is currently
Indian Creek Valley Trail Located in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania Trail Map & Area Guide
Plans were completed in 2001, first organized meeting in 2002, kicked off in 2007. The entire length of Indian Creek is approximately 31 miles, from its source to the confluence with the Youghiogheny River. Indian Creek is an idyllic Pennsylvania native trout stream, starting high on Laurel Ridge as a trickle and ending in a deep forested gorge with formidable whitewater and waterfalls just before its confluence with the Youghiogheny River about 5 miles upstream of Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Small-country towns, “ma and pa” restaurants and markets
DEMOGRAPHICS
Indian Creek Valley Trail has 8 miles
DESIGN PROPOSALS This proposal for the Wasson Way Recreational Trail seeks to promote healthy living and engaging communities by way of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. The trail emcompasses six different parks ranging from the Xavier University area to the Little Miami Bike Trail in Anderson Township. The actual trail runs approximately 7.6 miles and is currently owned by the Norfolk-Southern Rail Company. According to the Wasson Way Project site, approximately 100,000 people live within one mile of of the trail. We can look to a few other projects for how public space can be a valuable tool for healthy, engaging environments. Included among those are the High Line in New York City and the Cultural Trail in Indianapolis, Indiana. Successful parks tend to have a central location with close proximity to nature, provide a safe and pedestrian-oriented space for visitors, be clean, and have spaces to hold community events. The Wasson Way Community Trail uses these factors as the bases for the design of the bicycle and pedestrian path and points of interest along the way, which serve towards connecting the Eastern Corridor.
DESIGN
D E S I G N : U N I V E R S I T Y PA R K
DANA AVE
3 1 4 1 2
IDLEWIL
WOODBU R
D AVE
N AVE
3
POTTER P L
1. 2. 3. 4.
PARKING ZEN GARDEN PROPOSED CROSSWALKS BIKE REPAIR STATION
University Park is located south of Xavier UNiversity, and is the opening park for the entire trail.. It is designed to create a beutification park around a dense area of student housing and institutional
in cement and concrete, but barely utililized by local residents and students. This was an opportunity to provide students with an outdoor escape and will bring students to the outdoors. It also allows residents arund University Park to have access to the Recreation Trail. This park is dedicated for relaxation and a true green zone in the area. Local vegetation and a Zen garden will exist, as well as small paths and benches for leisurely walking. These amenities adhere to the goals set by the team to create engaging spaces around Cincinnati, and is a placemaking initiative for the adjacent University. Proposing a nice starting point for the trail with a seated area surrounded by greenery and colorful plants to be a nice area for people on the trail as well as Xavier students to use. With this is a proposed crosswalk at the corners of Dana Ave. and Idlewild Ave. to allow for safe crossing of the 8’
52’
8’
16’
8’
SIDEWALK
DANA AVE
SIDEWALK
GRASS
TRAIL
street. Making the crosswalk unique with color allows for you to see the beginning of the trail and excited for the transportation, leisure, and exercise the entire Wasson Way Recreational Trail has to offer.
DESIGN
facilites. This park was a large parking lot covered
ER Y
RD
D E S I G N : WA S S O N PA R K
M
LEXINGTO
2
3
4
6
1
7 5
9 8 10 FLORAL AVE
M
ON
TG O
N AVE
DANA AVE
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
PROPOSED CROSSWALK PARK FACILITY & RESTROOM BASKETBALL COURTS SKATE PARK PLAYGROUND
6. GAZEBO 7. POND 8. DOG PARK FIELDS 9. COMMUNITY GARDEN 10. CONNECTED FLORAL AVE
This park serves as a primary destination for the Rec Trail . The space is large enough to host large events and a variety of recreation activities, and simultaneously allow for semi-private wooded
This park development also complements the new development along Montgomery Road and Xavier University. The park facility building contains restrooms and an information center, with access to trail information and urban recreation culture. The basketball courts and skate park cater toward the college and teenage demographic surrounding the park. The wetland pond restores the vacant brownfield into a habitable environment for birds and plants, and improves air quality for all. Parking will be accessible within the proposed infill development. A parking garage may be implemented to meet the increasing demand for park access and cater to large events. This particular section shows infill on both sides of the park, with the hope that infill development will expand 3’ INFILL DEVELOPMENT
20’ LEXINGTON AVENUE
3’
54’
52’
96’
16’
PARK AMENITIES & NATURAL BUFFER
PARK FACILITIES & PUBLIC RESTROOMS
PARK AMENITIES & TRAILS
RAIL TRAIL
8’
to all opportunistic land parcels. INFILL DEVELOPMENT
It is important to maintain and conserve the natural areas, so a large amount of vegetation and green space is desired. This proposal also reconnects Floral Avenue so automobiles can cross the trail and connect to neighborhoods to the North.
DESIGN
trails and access to a large community garden.
D E S I G N : AT H L E I S U R E PA R K
DOWNING DRIVE
2
1
TAMARAC
K AVE
1
4
3
1. 2. 3. 4.
EXERCISE ZONE POROUS PATHWAY CONNECTOR WITHROW HIGH SCHOOL INTERACTIVE PUBLIC ART
Something that we want to promote for The Wasson Way Recreational Trail is an active and healthy lifestyle. When complete, there will be a designated, outdoor work-out zone available for any and all users of the trail. The idea is to
community. The attraction along the proposed Wasson Way Recreational Trail will encourage surrounding residents to come and have an active work-out. There are four specific zones that will have outdoor workout stations, each targeting a different set of muscles. These facilities can be used independently as well as together or combined with a cardio workout. People will be able to stop off here during a run and improve the intensity of their work out tremendously. While the park is meant to promote an active lifestyle,due to the prime location of this pocket park we wanted to provide a space for users of all ages instead of just to those who are living a vigorous lifestyle. On the western most portion of the park there is a leisure section for people to come and relax. Ideally, there will be the imple32’
RESIDENTIAL BACKYARD
WORKOUT STATION
5’
4’
POROUS MULCH CONNECTOR BED PATHWAY
8’
RAIL TRAIL
mentation of art from a local artist that will help
WITHROW HIGH SCHOOL
to activate the space and provide an interesting aesthetic on the trail.
DESIGN
provide access to free work out facilities to the
D E S I G N : L I T T L E M I A M I LO O KO U T
2
1
3 4 I IAM
E AC R R
TE
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L ITT
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LITTLE MIAMI RIVER
VD BL
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N TO NG
I SH WA
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LOOKOUT PAVILION PARK FACILITY & RESTROOM LAUNCH DOCK / WATER ACCESS PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE RENTAL COTTAGES
This park is designed to reinforce the goals of the Wasson Way Recreational Trail. Laying on the northern bank of the Little Miami, this space provides a place for sport, leisure, and environmental education. Accessible to the Village of
to be a great destination or point of access for the trail. Cincinnati residents and visitors will be able to canoe, kayak, or paddle boat off the proposed boat launch. The environmental education building would provide shelter and information, which would work towards engaging people and creating a culture based on sustainability and fitness in the Cincinnati area. The park respects the existing density of the surrounding localities and orients itself toward scenic semi-rural, pedestrian-based experience. As part of a broader network of parks and open space along the Wasson Way Recreational trail, this park will serve as an anchor of activity centered around both water and land activities. The park puts minimal strain on the surrounding natural environment.
40’
200’
40’
LAWN
WATER SPORT
LAWN
DESIGN
Mariemont, the Little Miami Lookout would prove
D E S I G N : S H O R T PA R K
1
7
ST LT
BO
DE
2
6 4
5 1 3
ARK RD SHORT P
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
SURFACE PARKING FACILITY & RESTROOMS TENNIS COURTS GAZEBO ATHLETIC FIELDS BIKE REPAIR STATION MIAMI VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
This is an existing green space, which lies along the proposed Wasson Way Trail. To ensure a continuous fabric of recreational points of interests along the path, we propose that the park becomes accessible through an added connection
DESIGN
stemming from the rail.
D E S I G N : I V Y PA R K D I S C G O L F
4 3
1
2
BATAVIA RD
1. LEISURE BENCH AREA 2. DISC GOLF BASKETS 3. WETLAND POND 4. NATURAL BARRIER
Located in the peaceful country club town of Newtown is the Ivy Disc Golf Park. Newtown being a semi-rural area doesn’t want or need large noisy attracthat allows them to continue their active golf club lifestyle. The proposal calls for maintaining the natural high vegetation areas currently around the railroad track. Laying the rubber way sidewalk over the existing line and laying more greenery around the trail allows you to keep the integrity of the neighborhood while still making it useable for transportation and leisure. To include exercise into the park, it’s proposed to include a disc golf course to stretch the entire length of the park. Disc golf is a sport that has recently become really popular. It also flows into the golf theme the town currently boasts.
8’ NATURAL BUFFER
RAIL TRAIL
IVY PARK DISC GOLF COURSE
DESIGN
tions but instead a usable recreation trail
PHOTOGRAPHIC CONCEPTS
The most effective way to portray a plan is to display it visually. The team focused effort on providing creative and convincing photographic renderings of the Rail Trail. This strategy provides a clear cominclusively understand. The proposals also include more architectural designs that provide a more technical and detailed understanding.
DESIGN
prehension of the plan that anyone can
PHOTOGRAPHIC CONCEPTS The Wasson Way Recreation Trail creates a community of active residents who appreciate the benefits of living in close proximitity to a usabel natural resources. One of the goals of this project was to incrporate a community placemaking initiate while encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle. These renderings dispay the trail as an identifier for all communities along it. The Athleisure Park has specific landscaping to create a small park with exercise stations for all age cohorts and athletic ability. The bridge rendering displays the Wasson Way Recreation Trail crossing over Interstate 71 parallel to Dana Avenue. The signage is cohesive with the many bridges in the Cincinnati region that display the neighborhood to which they are located in. The unique “living bridge� and mural setting create a sense of identity that is distinctive for those who use the Trail.
DESIGN
PHOTOGRAPHIC CONCEPTS oooooooo
DESIGN
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REGIONAL PROPOSALS 75
The Wasson Way Recreational Trail future goal is to establish a destination point through trail connectivity and recreational ameni-
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ties. As a destination point within the region the next steps would be to create available access through bike lanes within the region. The objective of the proposed bike lanes will be to create a second form of transportation for the Cincinnati region, which is a critical
71
need of Cincinnati. Cincinnati is known for its lack of methods for transportation and being a car-oriented city. Cincinnati has a large
22
bike community with a variety of clubs, for example Cincinnati Cycle Club, University of Cincinnati Cycling club, and Queen City Bike.
50 The cycling culture in Cincinnati is increasing and these proposed bike lanes would have high usage.
42
Although the City of Cincinnati has a current master plan of bike lanes, this proposal of bike lanes will be formed around the Wasson Way Recreation Trail as this will be the core centralization of the proposed paths. Wasson Way as a central location will connect Cincinnati with Anderson Township Trail and the Little Miami Trail,
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which will connect Cincinnati to the Dayton region. This will put Cincinnati on a new level of cycling transportation. In addition to the connection of Cincinnati to regions outside the area, the bike lanes will connect the current sporadic bike lanes and various popular amenities in the local area. The proposed bike lanes will be a total of 80 miles in length.
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EXISTING BIKE LANES STREET CAR ANDERSON CONNECTION LITTLE MIAMI WASSON WAY
The creation of the regional bike lane network will have three
total phases. Each phase is a slow build off from the Wasson Way Recreational Trail. Each phase has specific connection points of 125
local amenities.These three phases will span fifteen years and each phase will take an average of five years. The estimated cost of all the proposed bike lanes will be roughly $10,000,000. The average cost per mile of one bike lane is $13,000.
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REGIONAL
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5
3
7 10
6
STREET CAR ANDERSON CONNECTION LITTLE MIAMI
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WASSON WAY EXISTING BIKE LANES PHASE 1 PROPOSED BIKE LANES PHASE 2 PROPOSED BIKE LANES PHASE 3 PROPOSED BIKE PLANES
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MAJOR CONNECTION POINTS 1. LOWER MIILCREEK GREEN WAY TRAIL 2. UC 3. STREETCAR 4. XU 5. RIVERSIDE TRAIL 6. KELLOGG 7. LUNKEN AIRPORT 8. RAIL TRAIL 9. LITTLE MIAMI 10. ANDERSON TRAILS
BIKE NETWORK DESIGN The proposal will include two different types of bike lanes, which will be bikeshare lane and separated bike lanes on a street. As, the streets of Cincinnati vary in length and traffic congestion this will be used on a case by case basis. One example of the bikeshare lane is the Montgomery Proposed Bike Lane. The Montgomery Proposed Bike Lane is apart of the Regional Phase One Proposals. The elevation above illustrates Montgomery Road looking south near the intersection of Dana Avenue and Montgomery Road. Both proposed bike lanes are shared lanes. The southbound shared lanes are the left bike lanes while the northbound shared lanes are the right bike lanes. Both shared bike lanes are nine feet wide and vary from four car lanes to as many as eight lanes within the proposed area along Montgomery Road. EXISTING BUILDING
12’
9’
27’
9’
6’
SIDEWALK
BIKE LANE
MONTGOMERY ROAD
BIKE LANE
SIDEWALK
EXISTING BUILDING
The other type of bike lanes proposed in the regional bike connections are conventional bike lanes. These conventional bike lanes exist along Madison Avenue on both north and southbound sides of Madison Avenue. These phases will connect Madison Avenue to Red Bank Road to the north and Hopple street to the south west. To connect to Hopple Street, these conventional bikes lanes will continue along Madison Avenue, then change to shared bike lanes when they then finally connecting to Hopple Street. Martin Luther King Boulevard and Hopple Street will have shared bike lanes due to existing infrastructure and cost. The last elevation illustrates Woodburn Avenue ELEMENTS
just north of the Purcell Avenue intersection. Woodburn Avenue has no existing bike lanes but is a key corridor to connect Madison Avenue and Montgomery Avenue. Woodburn Avenue has a large amount of residential and multi family
GILLIGAM FUNERAL HOME
6’
3’
29’
9’
6’
SIDEWALK
BIKE LANE
WOODBURN AVENUE
SHARED BIKE LANE
SIDEWALK
housing units along it. DESALE APARTMENT
REGIONAL
cross over to Martin Luther King Boulevard, and
INFILL DEVELOPMENT PHARMACY GROCERY STORE SIT-DOWN RESTAURANTS
POST OFFICE BARS & NIGHTCLUBS REB BIKE STATIONS
ENTERTAINMENT VENUES EVENT SPACE PARKING GARAGES
This proposed infill development is located along the southern border of the park, with street access from Dana Avenue. The current businesses in this area are largely construction-based service providers and auto service providers. There is an existing bike shop, Metro Scooter, at the West end of the site that is a valuable asset for the Wasson Way Recreation Trail.
The Eastern end of the site has seen new devel-
Park Medical Associates building and the American Red Cross building located near Interstate 71. These buildings are part of the new Keystone Parke development that is planning to construct even more office and residential buildings in the future. Evanston Playground also serves as another nearby asset because it offers more opportunities for holding events and can be connected to the proposed park along Lexington Avenue.
Surface parking currently takes up approximately 50% of the site. A parking garage can densify the parking areas and provide more parking options for the general public. There is also excessive amounts of parking to the West, near Xavier University and the Family Dollar on Montgomery Road. Any newly constructed buildings will maintain similar character as the new development occurring across Norwood and Evanston.
REGIONAL
opment in recent years, including the new Hyde
PROJECT ELEMENTS COST: The total construction cost estimate is approximately $11,200,000 to $13,000,000. For the material of the trail, which is a Rubberway Softwalk is computed to be around $4.75 per square foot. For the estimated seven miles of Wasson way the total came to be around $1.4 M - $1.6 M for recycled trail material. Operational costs for traffic signals and grade crossing devices are dependent upon design and coordination with local Departments of Transportation. The decisions to include lighting, parking and restroom/trailhead facilities and the upkeep will also play a major factor in these costs. Given current expectations, a minimum operational budget of $25,000 is recommended. Given the urban setting of the trail, a minimum maintenance budget of $35,000 per year is recommended. The bike lanes for the entire region that is proposed is estimated to be $10,000,000, separated into distinct phases. FUNDING: To be able to create the vision of Wasson Way there a variety of numerous funds and grant that can assist with funding possibilities. One of the largest funds that Wasson Way can receive is the Clean Ohio Fund which can grant up to a few million dollars. This would be the largest grant that the trail receives. Others organizations that can help fund and support this project are Tiger Grants, the Recreational Trails Program, People for Bikes, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ), Rails to Trails Conservancy, Safe Routes to School National Partnership, Transportation Alternative Program (TAP), and State & Local Capital Improvement Plans. Along with the Clean Ohio Fund, Tiger Grants and the Recreational Trails Program will be the other two largest funding options for Wasson Way. Tiger Grants (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) currently announced that over $500 million will be available for transportation across the country. This is a huge beneficial factor for the future of the trail along to generate economic stability in the areas along the trail access points and to motivate growth in other areas. All of these grants are secure but there are numerous steps and options to ensure and improve chances of receiving these specific grants. The most important way to improve the chance of receiving funds is to raise public awareness and support. Project selection processes are part policy and part politics. There’s plenty of wiggle room for the projects with the most political support to get funded. This can work for bicyclists if the politics will be on the side for the trail. Advocates can have the most impact by demonstrating the need and benefits of bicycling infrastructure and to make sure that their voices are heard. Some partnerships might be beneficial with the Alliance for Biking & Walking and The League of American Bicyclists. MATERIAL: The material of the trail is a crucial aspect for the longevity and usage along the trail. The material needed to be cost effective, durable, ergonomic, and easy for all ages to use. The Rubberway Softwalk and Pervious Pavements was chosen to be the effective material to enhance the walkability of the urban setting as it encourages people in the surrounding area to want to exercise and walk. Rubberway Softwalk and Pervious Pavements are perfect for comfortable jogging and for the elderly to walk on, and can help prevent serious injury from falling. The surface allows pedestrians to proceed safely, yet the density is suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, skateboards, bicycles, and roller-blades. The shock absorbing base layer is fabricated from recycled rubber tires, topped with a colored pure virgin rubber compound with UV resistance allowing for custom design options with a large variety of custom colors to choose from. The color chosen for the trail since the material is not pitch black and rough like asphalt or concrete, the lighter color of the material doesn’t get too warm in the summer so it is able to be used in the hottest of Mid-August afternoons in Cincinnati. Additionally the pavement material is a non-slip surface so activities can go on in both wet and dry conditions. Rubberway is a very sustainable surface by being 100% recycled, which is one the important factors that Wasson way is trying to achieve. Provides rapid, even drainage for stormwater management while allowing water, air and nutrients to reach tree roots below ground along the side of the trail, encouraging deep rooting, and healthy urban trees.
ELEMENTS
DESIGN GUIDELINES The impact of Wasson Way will be extremely
The Wasson Way Recreation Trail encompasses
beneficial to the communities that surround it
10 separate municipalities. Since the trail affects
and will bring people of all lifestyles and rac-
all municipalities it will need representation
es together. Some of the important aspects of
from each to allow influence from the majority
constructing a recreational trail are: trails con-
of individuals affected. To accommodate each
nect people with places, enabling them to walk
jurisdiction a new board will be established.
or cycle to run errands or commute to work.
The proposed board will be named the Wasson
They are important in communities that aspire
Way Consortium. The consortium will have a
to be diverse and culturally rich. They addition-
total of 10 members on the board that repre-
ally could add economic development along
sent each municipality and will be chosen by
the trail which can bring new shops and stores
the city council of each jurisdiction. Wasson Way
to communities that are in desperate need of
consortium goals are to promote healthy and
them. Trails and greenways provide natural, sce-
engaging communities, connect the local ame-
nic areas that cause people to actually want to
nities by way of pedestrian infrastructure, and
be outside and physically active. Trails connect
provide economic development through creative
neighborhoods and schools so children can cy-
placemaking. The board's main tasks encompass
cle or walk to their friend’s homes or to school,
the maintenance, cost, community events, and
especially in communities that lack sidewalks.
master plan of the recreation trail. The Wasson
In this age of expensive indoor gyms and health
Way Consortium will create equality between
clubs, trails and greenways offer cost-effective
all 10 municipalities and promote a prosperous
places to exercise and enjoy exercising outside.
future for Wasson Way Recreation Trail.
Overall, the positive benefits that are contributed to the community by creating a recreational trail are undeniable.
NORWOOD 0.73 MILES
OAKLEY
1.25 MILES
FAIRFAX
0.80 MILES
MARIEMONT 0.12 MILES
COLUMBIA 0.19 MILES
GUIDELINES
EVANSTON 0.81 MILES
HYDE PARK 1.4 MILES
MT. LOOKOUT 0.80 MILES
ANDERSON 4.24 MILES
NEWTOWN 2.85 MILES
CONCLUSION
1. PROMOTE HEALTHY AND ENGAGING COMMUNITIES 2. CONNECT THE CITY’S AMENITIES BY WAY OF PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE 3. PROVIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH CREATIVE PLACEMAKING
Thank you,
Lauren Bihl, Danielle Campbell, Jake Devost, Kyle Federmann, Haylee Martinko, Alex Osborne, Saeed Piracha, Nick Sieller, Jesse Urbanscik, David Ward
IMPACT
TEAM TRAILS