Meeting Agenda
Creek and Bridge, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA
• Introductions
• Project Team & Experience
• Project Scope / Intent
• Planning Process
• Existing Conditions / Parcels & Ownership
• Precedent Examples
• Brainstorming
• Next Steps & Discussion
Wissahickon
Project Schedule
• October 8th | Advocates Meeting
• October 15th | Stakeholders Meeting
• November 6th | Public Meeting #1 – Brainstorming + Concepts
• December 9th | Public Meeting #2 – Draft Plan Review
• January | Vision plan complete
Client / Planning Committee
• Gwen McCauley, Executive Director, MDC
• Carla Ferro, MDC Project Committee
• Jamie Wyper, Architect
• John Hunter, Architect
• David Decca, Community Volunteer
Pathway near the Devil’s Pool, Wissahickon, Philadelphia, PA
Project Partners
• SEPTA
• Philadelphia Dept. Of Parks and Recreation
• Philadelphia Streets Department
• PECO
• The Penn Group
• Friends of the Wissahickon
• Roxborough Manayunk Conservancy
• Wissahickon Interested Citizens Alliance
• Philadelphia Water Dept.
• Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia
• Fairmount Park Conservancy
• East Falls Development Corporation
• Schuylkill River Greenway National Heritage Area
• Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr.
• Representative Tarik Khan
Project Team & Experience
Project Team
PA
• Peter Simone, RLA, FASLA, Principal
• David Bender, Associate ASLA, Project Manager
• Michelle Armour, Associate ASLA, Staff Landscape Architect
• Todd Poole, Managing Principal
• Susan Crowell-Berigan, Senior Associate
Bridges near the Devil’s Pool, Wissahickon, Philadelphia,
Simone Collins Philosophy
Simone Collins Landscape Architecture is a planning and design firm committed to creating an ecologically enduring society.
CONDUCT careful research. RESPECT ecological context and limits of each site. BUILD on sustainable practices of the past. EMPLOY new methods prudently. CONSERVE materials and energy. SUPPORT local economies.
DESIGN biologically & culturally diverse communities.
Simone Collins’ Experience
• 45 Design Awards – local, state, national
• 34 years in service, Simone Collins founded July 1990
• Principals offer 45 years experience – each
• Trusted partner and consultant to DCNR
• Primary focus - parks, open space & trails
• Experience with communities across PA
• 130+ Trail Projects Completed
Montgomery County, PA
Project Scope
• A community-driven vision for a trailhead that is a value-added facility for the Schuylkill River Trail
• Provide for basic trail user needs
• Engage project partners in conversation with the community and with each other
• A plan that will inform future planning for SEPTA, Dept. of Parks & Recreation, Dept. of Streets, and the Manayunk Development Corporation
Planning Process
Planning Process
We are Here
“All voices are heard and all ideas are honored”
11/06/2024 | Wissahickon Gateway Trailhead
Meetings
• 2 Public Meetings
• 2 Committee Meetings
• 2 Stakeholder + Advocate Meetings
• 4+ Key Agency Coordination Meetings
• Simone Collins professionals available to community for conversations and off-line meetings
Project Site: Existing Conditions
Site Context
• PECO site will vacate in ~2034
• New SRT design must maintain access to Philadelphia Canoe Club
New SEPTA Transportation Center
New SEPTA Transportation Center
Includes:
• Coffee Shop / News Stand
• Restrooms
• Will be publicly accessible if vendor found for shop/stand
Project Conditions
1. The WGT cannot be built until the new bridge and trail are complete. This is at least 4 to 5 years away.
a. Gives us time to develop a great design!
b. Gives us time to find funding + crystalize partnerships
c. Requires coordination between SEPTA, Streets Department, + Parks & Recreation, and others
Project Conditions
2. Once SEPTA completes its new Transportation Center:
Existing bus shelter + brick building on old transportation center site
a. Existing bus shelter + brick building will be demolished
b. Site (~11,000 sq. ft.) will initially become grass lawn with fencing
c. These changes are required for SEPTA to meet stormwater management regulations related to construction next door
The plan YOU help us develop is a long-term vision
Precedent Examples
Schuylkill River Trail Junction Center: Norristown, PA
Size :
Approximately one acre, with a ~4,000 sq. ft. renovated industrial building, located at the confluence of the Schuylkill River Trail and the Chester Valley Trail
Likely Elements:
• Cafe
• Shade canopy
• Tables and benches
• Bike racks
• Food truck/vendor spaces
South End Connector Trail Activation: Albany,
NY
Size :
This project includes four distinct spaces of varying sizes along a half-mile portion of a multi-use trail running beneath Interstate 787 in Albany’s South End neighborhood.
Elements:
• Colorful picnic tables & chairs
• Colorful bike racks
• Basketball court
• Fitness court
• Child bike track and hopscotch area
• Food truck/vendor spaces
• Pop-up spaces
Anne & Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail Restrooms: Austin, TX
Size:
• Festival Beach Restroom: 3,200 square feet
• Johnson Creek Restroom: 600 square feet
Elements:
• Festival Beach Restroom: local architect design, three stalls, shelter, ventilation, outdoor concrete wash basin, water fountain with pet fountain, LED lighting
• Johnson Creek Restroom: local architect design, four stalls, shelter, ventilation, outdoor wash basin, bike racks
Size:
4,400 square feet (3,000 outdoor/1,400 indoor)
Elements:
• Outdoor seating
• Sheltered perimeter
• Indoor restaurant/market
• Six-stall restrooms
• Outdoor performance space
• Bike parking
• Boat launch
Cultural Trail: Indianapolis, IN Size: Varying Elements:
• Illuminated (sometimes functional) public art
• Benches
• Shelter (with solar-powered lighting)
Creative Urban Bike Racks
Ithaca,
Brainstorming
Wissahickon Gateway Trailhead
What Are Possible Program Elements for the Wissahickon Gateway Trailhead?
Where could the WGT orient trail users and visitors (locals & tourists) to?
• Schuylkill River Trail
• Downtown Manayunk
• Pencoyd Bridge + Trail
• Cynwyd Heritage Trail
• East Falls Neighborhood
• Downtown Philadelphia
o Many locations
• Wissahickon Valley / Forbidden Drive
• Montgomery County Suburbs
o Lower Merion
o Valley Forge National Historical Park
• Others?
Key Questions:
• Who will develop/construct this Trailhead?
• Who will maintain this site?
• What does/could a multi-agency/community partnership look like?
Brainstorming – Card Technique
Your Ideas, Comments, Suggestions…create a program for improvements
Goals for the Project Initially broad, then specific: “Access for all abilities” or “Provide facilities for all ages” GOALS
Facts Neighboring land use, site conditions, existing facilities, potential partners.
Ideas for Attaining Project Goals “Upgrade play courts”, “New playground”, “Engage Neighbors”, or “Seek County funding” CONCEPTS
Brainstorming – Card Technique
Your Ideas, Comments, Suggestions…
GOALS FACTS CONCEPTS PARTNERS
COORDINATE WITH EXISTING TRAIL SYSTEMS
~11,000 SQ. FT.
SEATING IN THE SHADE
SUPPORT VISITORS FROM MULTIPLE TRANSIT MODES
PROPERTY OWNED BY SEPTA
PROTECT VISITORS FROM SUMMER SUN+ WINTER WIND
SITE MUST SOAK UP STORMWATER
FOOD TRUCK PARKING SPOT
PHILADELPHIA PARKS & REC SEPTA
“50 FOOT TALL WATER SLIDE”
Next Steps
Wissahickon Gateway Trailhead:
• Develop conceptual design alternatives
• Suggest ideas for SEPTA, Streets, Parks & Recreation to consider
• Estimate costs for construction
• Estimate costs for maintenance and operation
2nd Public Meeting
• Please share the public meeting poster with your friends and neighbors.
• SC will email a .PDF version for forwarding/printing and a .PNG version for posting to social media after this meeting.
Thank you! Please feel free to contact us anytime
• Peter Simone, RLA, FASLA, Principal psimone@simonecollins.com
• David Bender, Associate Landscape Architect, Project Manager dbender@simonecollins.com
• Michelle Armour, Associate Landscape Architect marmour@simonecollins.com
Simone Collins Landscape Architecture: (610) 239 7601
