LANDSCAPE & PLANNING PORTFOLIO 2024 by sarahidrew

2024

SARAH DREW PROFESSIONAL WORK & ACADEMIC PORTFOLIO Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning

RESUME

Profesional & Academic EDUCATION May 2023

May 2023

MLA Candidate MURP Candidate

University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO

May 2018

WORK EXPERIENCE

BS in Environmental Studies

University of Vermont, Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources Burlington, VT

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SARAH DREW e: sarah.drew@ucdenver.edu c: (802) 272-2531

Concentration: Ecological Design for Human Health & the Environment • Capstone Internship title: “Community Based Herbalasim”

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SKILLS P HOTOS HOP ILLU S TRA TOR

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IN DE S IGN A RCGIS S K E TCHU P LU M ION HA N D DRA WIN G

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WRITIN G P HOTOGRA P HY DOG M OM

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Research Assistant / LA Intern Univeristy of Colorado UTAP Program, Colorado Center for Community Development Denver, CO

Creation of illustrative & schematic designs and renderings for clients based on community suggestions and feedback Compose final written reports and project documentation for clients in rural communities and municipalities of Northeast Region Research and prepare analysis of various site conditions, materials & construction methods Facilitate and organize community engagement Aug 2019

A U TOCA D

Apr 2019

DTJ Design, Denver, CO

Assistant Landscape Designer, Vermont Stone, Colchester, VT

• Research and development of site analysis’, design Completion of various design tasks and production details, mockups, & basemaps in colloboration with documentation, including assembly of SD, DD, and lead designer & sub contra CD level packages; with project work in a variety • Research & compilation of specs for bid quotes of subject areas (e.g. high end residential, master • Coordination with plant install & maintenance crews planning, and public/urban space) Proficiency in Auto CAD, Adobe Suite, Sketch-Up, Field Intern Aug 2017 & Microsoft Office programs Green Mountain Club Waterbury Center, VT Creation of digital and hand drawn renders & graphics Mix of Self-directed and team colloboration work

May 2020

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Landscape Designer,

Environmental Technician

VT Agency of Natural Resources, Dept. of Environmental Protection Essex, VT

Provide technical assistance & outreach support to shoreland owners based on lake-friendly shoreland practices Assisted on-going shoreland projects with varying stakeholders Including bioengineering manual & Natural Shoreland Erosion Control programs Developed shoreland outreach & creative materials Updated/maintained Lake Wise database/maps

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Caretaker on Mt. Mansfield: leading backcountry conservation, utilizing Alpine zone management, & educating the public Conducted visitor use surveys for VT Trails & Greenways Council Acted as a public relations representative for the GMC

NATURAL RESOURCE PLANNING Aug 2018

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Essex Trails Assessment Update Parks and Recreation Department Essex, VT

GPS to map existing and new trails in the Freeman Woods and Birchwood areas Used ArcGIS to updating existing Essex trails map shapefiles to be used by the department for creating new informational materials May 2023

Nederland Parks, Open Space, & Trails (PROST) Master Plan Update PROSAB Nederland, CO

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Updated existing and new inventory of PROST Used ArcGIS to update existing trails shapefiles & assess trail connections & gaps Conducted ADA compliance assessment within Nederland Parks

Professional References

Sara Branard, LA Landscape Architect Boulder, CO p. 303.562.4188 e. sarasul@msn.com Nancy Locke , Principal (Stantec) Visiting Assistant Professor Department of Landscape Architecture University of Colorado Denver Denver, CO p. 303.295.1717 e. nancy.locke@stantec.com Anna Bierbrauer, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Planning and Landscape Architecture 925 Bascom Mall, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI p. 612.385.1480 e. abierbrauer@wisc.edu Jennifer Kovarik, PLA, AICP Field Supervisor University Technical Assistance Program (UTAP) University of Colorado Denver Denver, CO p. 970.305.7805 e. jennifer.kovarik@ucdenver.edu

CONTENTS Academic Work

Hello. I am an interdisciplinary creative, with a background in Environmental Studies, Ecology, and Conservation, and a passion for socially and environmentally just communities. It is my belief that our environment has the power to define who we are as people. It is my hope to improve the quality and environmental impact of our landscapes and cities; benefiting, enriching, and improving our communities’ lives.

01.

02.

03. 04. 05.

Nederland Parks, Trails & Open Space Master Plan Update

2023 Urban Planning Spring Capstone

Placemaking Along Denver’s RTD A - Line

Landscape Architecture Spring Vertical Studio

Finding Solace in the Great Basin Desert

P 11

Landscape Architecture Immersive Studio

Water Resilient Longmont

P 16

Landscape Architecture Spring Studio

Examing Wildfires & Beetle Kill Occurence in the Front Range

P 20

GIS Spatial Analysis

Professional Work

06.

Summerlin West Vegas - Community Residential Master Planning

A Sample of Landscape Architecture products through DD & CD

NEDERLAND (PROST) UPDATE & ADA ANALYSIS

The following report was conducted by a team of two graduate students from the University of Colorado Denver as fulfillment for their Master of Urban and Regional Planning. The report provides a comprehensive assessment and update of Nederland’s Parks, Open Spaces, and Trails as well as connections to adjacent regional parks and trail systems. The provides an assessement tool that helps assess ADA compliance and helps to determine where trails could meet Universal Design Standards.

Nederland At A Glance Nederland, Colorado (population 1,500) is a small scenic mountain town situated seventeen miles west of Boulder and serves as a gateway to the Indian Peaks. This wilderness paradise offers residents and visitors nature-based recreational activities as well as access to some of Colorado’s most beautiful adventure spots. Increased visitation, changing characteristics of the Peak to Peak residential population, and increasing trail and park usage have created a need for the Town to update its public parks and trail systems as well as suggest new opportunities for outdoor activities through planning and continued development. 72

COMMUNITY DESIRES Out of Ned Jurisdiction Accessibility/Safety Commuting to/from school/work and other public areas New trails (trails network expansion into underserved parts of town) Other Maintenance Signage and Wayfinding Access to out-of-town trail systems

119

Connecting different parts of town In-town recreation Traffic/parking alleviation Adding additional footpaths/pedestrian options along (or bypassing) busy roads Dogs Fire Safety Documentation of trail networks 0

Frequency of Charette Theme Among Community Member Feedback

accessible safety environmental stewadrship fund/implement balanced multimodal travel options partnerships + connections high quality trails increase bike/walk education and support conected network transit health/fitness/recreation/quality of life convenient access to destinations appropriate development low stress connect to nature complete streets alignment with existing plans

119

Shown above: Nederland (PROST) Update & ADA Analysis Report The Town of Nederland devised a plan (Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails Master Plan (PROST), last updated in 2013, to connect incomplete sections of sidewalks, multi-use trails and to create additional multi-modal connectivity to parks and open spaces within the town and surrounding areas. The Town wanted to ensure the desires of the current population were reflected in the PROST update. While implementation of the plan has been impeded by lack of finances and staff capacity, the Town and the Parks, Recreation, Open Space Advisory Board (PROSAB) seek to continue to update PROST to reflect the changes, challenges, and opportunities at present, and lay out next steps for three to five years.

119

Frequency of Goal Theme in Relevant Plans

Trails and park-related goals were compiled and sorted thematically from an analysis of existing plans relevant to the Nederland Parks, trail, and Open Space system. As well as an analysis of charette feedback from community members. Overall, the most common themes among both plan goals & community desires include accessibility and safety. Esri Community Maps Contributors, UCB CAD/GIS Office, Boulder County, Esri, HERE, Garmin, SafeGraph, GeoTechnologies, Inc, METI/NASA, USGS, EPA, NPS, US Census Bureau, USDA, Sources: Esri, Airbus DS, USGS, NGA, NASA, CGIAR, N Robinson, NCEAS, NLS, OS, NMA, Geodatastyrelsen, Rijkswaterstaat, GSA, Geoland, FEMA, Intermap and the GIS user community

The update to the plan is intended to reflect the values and needs of the town. Therefore, it is important that the vision and goals are compatible with the desires expressed by community members as well as the goals of the existing plans. Recommendations for the Master Plan Update center around these themes.

Typologies

PARKS & TRAILS ANALYSIS

Open

Parks

More than 5 acres

Mud Lake

Nederland Ice and Racquet

Natural Areas Unprogrammed

Mud Lake

Flarty Park

Community 681'2 :1

More than 5 acres

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Tom Riley Park

Barker Meadows

$1&

Serve large population of community-town Passive & active activities

* .< 67 , 1

Joe Smith Park

Peace Park

Guerico Memorial

Neighborhood

Youth and Family Center

Less than 5 acres

Big Springs Park /$.(9,(: Chipeta %,* 635,1*6 Park

,1(&/,))

%28/'(5

Serve 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile radius Concentrated activities

Tilden Park

3,1(

This analysis details the existing parks and trails within the town boundary, establishes distinct parks and trails typologies, assesses gaps or barriers in the system, as well as looks at a high-use park (Chipeta Park) and trail (Tungsten) within the system to provide an example of where ADA accessibility and Universal Design should be prioritized.

9$//(< 9, (:

Pocket

Angel PArk

Less than an acre

3($.9,(:

Serves concentrated population Considered a “walk to”

Trails

OVERALL SUMMARY FINDINGS & TAKEAWAYS Overall Nederland faces several challenges through the entire Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails system. From both a parks and trails perspective accessibility, safety, and connectivity are a primary concern. Throughout the town, more accessibility-friendly infrastructure, including the expansion of wayfinding, branding, and education would meet both town and community goals as it relates to these

Looked At

Park location, Park size, Park Amenitites

Typologies

Pocket Parks, Neighborhood Parks, Community Parks, Open Space

Priority

Community Parks

Problem

Need more funding & way to prioritze existing funding

Analysis

ADA evaluation of existing conditions for Chipeta Park & supporting documentation

Takeaway

(VUL &RPPXQLW\ 0DSV &RQWULEXWRUV 8&% &$' *,6 2IILFH %RXOGHU &RXQW\ (VUL +(5( *DUPLQ 6DIH*UDSK *HR7HFKQRORJLHV ,QF 0(7, 1$6$ 86*6 (3$ 136 86 &HQVXV %XUHDX 86'$ (VUL 1$6$ 1*$ 86*6 )(0$ Ridge

Mud Lake

Trail

Nederland Ice and Racquet

Regional

Mud Lake

Mud Lake Trail

1 trail over .3 miles Connections between Boulder County & Nederland

Flarty Park Caribou Ridge Trail

Joe Smith Park Community Center Trail

School Trail

Barker Meadows

Tom Riley Park Peace Park Community Center Trail Tungsten Trail

Angel PArk

Typologies

GuericoBarker Memorial Reservoir Trail Youth and Family Center Big Springs Park Trail

Chipeta Park High School Tilden Park Trail

Community

Stinky Gulch

9 trails over 2.6 miles Primary Routes & Connections between Neighborhoods & Community Assets

Recreational 8 trails over 4.3 miles Low Volume Trails Connections Between Parks & Open Space

Looked At

Parks Facilities are not in compliance to serve needs of all users & lack the regular maintenance/staffing capacity needed for upkeep Trail Structure & Connectivity

Typologies Regional, Community, and Recreational Priority

Community Trails

Problem

Address trail gaps for better cohesion & make more accessible

Analysis

Trail gap identification & ADA evaluation of existing conditions for Tungsten trail

Takeaway

Trails are disjointed, incomplete, & lack an established primary route, this prevents all users types from navigating safely/comfortably

PROJECT ANALYSIS

Quality of Life Compounded

Both the Elryia-Swansea & Montebello neighborhoods have higher rates of poor health outcomes, poor mental health outcomes, limited access to food, poverty, and low income. They are also primarily minority race with limited access to parks (6-8 total), and lower life expectancies (by 6 years).

Factors of Need:

Race & Income

Reported Poor Health Reported No Activity* Reported Physical Distress Lower Life Expectancy Diagnosed Depression* Mental Distress** Low to Moderate Income In Poverty Minority Limited access to Food* No Vehicle Access

The following neighborhoods reveal themselves as opportunity neighborhoods:

Food & Car Access

61% Identify As a Minority Compared to the U.S 38.4%.. National Average 38.4%

in 18% Live Poverty

Compared to the U.S National Average 13.4% 13.4%..

Low-Mod

60% Income

Physical Health

Compared to the Denvers HUD Income Levels, 53% 53%..

Average Life

Reported

71 Years Old Expectancy

16.7%Poor Health

17.2% Depression

6.3 years less than the U.S National Average (77.3 years).

Compared to the U.S 15.3%.. National Average 15.3%

Compared to the U.S 8.4%.. National Average 8.4%

10.2% Reported Distress Compared to the U.S National Average 7.4% 7.4%..

2 Counties: Denver & Aurora Montbello Profile:

15 Impacted Neighborhoods

20+

Fast Food Restaraunts

11 of those alone are located within 1 mile of the station

87% ofAreResidents 1/4 Mile from a grocerry store..

in 23% Live Poverty Compared to the U.S National Average 13.4% 13.4%..

Due to missing data on the Aurora Neighborhoods, we cannot be entirely sure these neighborhoods should be ruled out.

Montbello is a Food Desert.

PLACEMAKING SOLUTIONS IN MONTBELLO

A community food system is one where food production, processing, distribution, and consumption are geographically integrated and benefitd the environmental, social, economic, and nutrittional health of a particular community.

Determinants of Health & Wellbeing

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Placemaking creates quality public spaces that contribute to people’s health, happiness and wellbeing by building on a community’s knowledge and assets. The process brings people together with a shared purpose, which in itself is a key driver of health and well-being.

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each of these issues converge around public

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availability of 1 opportunities

to be physically

for a community to function and be sustainable, the basic social needs of its residents must be met.

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2 access to healthy food

healthy environment with a high degree Production Farm

Placemaking Solutions:

2.5

parcel acres. Increase access to nature

Incoporate mix of land uses

Minimize noise pollution

Human scale & connected street networks

Accomodate a grocery store & farmers market promote healthy food retail

5.5

Community Garden

parcel acres.

Play Spaces for children

parcel acres. Community Farmers Market Facilitate social engagement

Sidewalks & enhanced streetscapes

Provide enhanced access to drinking water

Bike Supported Infrastructure

A COMMUNITY FOOD SYSTEM

The idea is to develop a Food Hub, and therefore a localized Community Food System (a system of production, education, distribution & local consumption) for the community members of Montebello.

02 “

URBAN FOOD

Gardens are the first sign of commitment to a community. When you plant something, you’re saying, lets stay.

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Local Distribution

Production Greenhouse

Food from the grocerry store on travels 1500 miles.

Test Plots

Hoop Houses

Tool Shed & Rain Barrels

1/2 ACRE produces ~5,000 lbs of food*

Production Fields

Composting

3-Bin-System

.44 ACRES needed for av. daily intake for one year

Mix of Community & Individual Plots

Food production varies widely by climate, water, crop type, cultivation & practice etc. ** Some calculators estimate 1 ACRE can provide space for 15,000 plants.

Annually the average person eats 425 pounds of veggies and 273 pounds of fruit. This does not account for an entirely vegetarian diet which would consume twice as much.

CASE STUDY: Peoria Station Platform LowMaintenance Native Plantings

Demonstration Garden Plots

Community Plaza & Gathering Space

They hosts numerous educational programs and community events throughout the year (e.g. workshops, field trips, tours, farm camp, an after-school enrichment program, internships, apprenticeships, and volunteer days).

Peoria receives 7,233 visitors annually.*

Denver Green School (DGS) Community Farm is a oneacre organic vegetable farm (established 2011) on the grounds of the Denver Green School. The farm has partnerships with Denver Public Schools and the non-profit Sprout City Farms.

averages 10,000 lbs of food annually Food goes to: • school cafeteria (where 68% of students receive reduced/free lunch) • supports 65 CSAs (45% of which are low-income households) • low costs/donation base farm stand

WATER & SALT IN THE DESERT

Water pumped from the alluvial fan aquifer (for operations & salt lay down) depletes the aquifier over time (increasing flow from the shallow brine aquifer). Removal of mineral from the shallow brine aquifer is causing the salt layer to thin. Changing climate & increasing temperatures exacerbate these symptoms leading to further dry / draught conditions in the Great Basin.

SITE CONTEXT

Great Salt Lake Minerals Intrepid Potash WENDOVER

EXPLANATION Direction of Groundwater Movement

SALT LAKE CITY

MOAB Intrepid Potash

Alluvial Fan

Carbonite Mud

Salt Crust

Carbonite Mud

LOCATION OF STATE MINES CITIES

Bonneville Salt Flats... A Legacy Of Salt Intrepid Potash

BSF

Consolidated rock

l Co e n

t lec

h tc

Alluvial Fan aquifer Lacustrine sediment of the upper part of the basin-fill aquifer

HEALING THROUGH WATER, SALT & THE DESERT

INTENT STATEMENT

A sustainably driven, water resilient backcountry campus surrounded by native desert plant life, ancient rock formations and endless sunsets. Spread over several acres the retreat features low frills backcountry camping, passive solar salt pools, as well as therapeutic salt cabins and impressive views.

SITE PLAN

l g A1

A2 i

b B1

SITE MODEL d

p e

1” = 50’

SITE ELEMENTS a. Sol Reflecting Pool (Solar Evaporation Pool #1) b. Solar Dip (wide canal) c. Solar Evaporation Pool #2) d. Solar Evaporation Pool #3 e. Solace Pool (Solar Evaporation Pool #4) f. Bonneville Canalway

l. Northern Water Walls (1-4) m. Salt Cabins (1-6) n. Floating Isl. Point (lookout) o. Southern Sun Walls p. Southern Water Walls (1-3)

g.Main Entrance h. Sun’ken Plaza i. Solar Patio + Solar Shelter j. wash station

03.

SITE INFRASTRUCTURE & SUSTAINABLITY IN THE DESERT

3 Tertiary Water Storage Not to Scale.

First Flush Diverter

Secondary Reservoir

(Smaller water tank 1 of 4)

Calming Inlet

Slow-drip flow control release

The spa operates the salt pools seasonally 3-4 months of the year, during late summer when it is most ideal to visit the BSF, and solar evaporation is ideal. Water is collected by rainwater through the year, primarily during the winter and spring months. While annual precipitation is generally low, collecting rain water over a large combined surface area provides ample total water for the pool system.

1 (Aboveground) Rainwater Collection System Not to Scale.

1a Sunken Plaza + planting beds 1b Earthen Walls 1c Patios 1d Solar Evaporation Pools + Canals (highlighted in red)

(prevents remixing of sediments)

Typically plastic or fiberglass

2 (Belowground) Collection & DistribuNot to Scale.

5 Secondary Water Storage Not to Scale.

Same system as Primary Water storage, but closes the loop on the water system and returns water to upper part of systen. Water cycles constantly, and will replenish groundwater when in exes.

4 Primary Water Reservoir Not to Scale.

Inflow Pipe (disitribution pipes direct water here)

Pump Vault Submersible Pump

Pond Liner Geo-Textile

Primary Reservoir

Overflow Infiltration

03.

SOLAR EVAPORATION

Inspired by the phenomenon of salt, the legacy of the Bonneville Salt Flats, Salt mining, and the rugged beauty of the great Great Basin Desert, Solace Spa & Retreat is an immersive experience with a focus on deep healing through salt and water (Recognition, Reflection, and Recharge).

A1 A2

Open Air Shelter

Solar Walls

Stormwater Walls

Sunken Stormwater Plaza

Stormwater Walls

Section A2-A3 - Solar Patio + Sol Reflection Pool

Section A1-A2 - Main Entrance + Sunken Plaza

03.

SOLAR ISOLATION

Inrepid Potash uses 5 Billion gallons a anually (returning roughly .5 million gallons of brine). Solace pools would require roughly 13,000-19,000 gallons of water to run (roughly 5,000 - 8,000 square feet of surace area needed). Walls, patios, and sunken plaza offer over 20,000 qt ft of Surface Area for water collection.

A1 A2

Solar Evaporation Pool #1

Section A2-A3 - Solar Patio + Sol Reflection Pool

Solar Dip (wide swimming canal)

Swivel Sun Shades

Canalway

Solar Walls

Section B1-B2- Solar Patio + Solar Shelter

04.

LONGMONT ANALYSIS 100 YR FLOOD

A proposed “network” of water resilient strategies through the site, act as a network of sponges that provide the Riverfront District with the ability to exist in harmony with the river, not contradiction.

The Network SITE BOUNDARY

EXTENT OF 2013 FLOOD

The existing and future improvements, that are apart of the Resilient St Vrain project, are especially crucial to controlling the impacts of flooding in our site area.

100 YR FLOOD

SITE BOUNDARY

During Flooding EVENTS A NETWORK OF "SPONGE" ZONES PROVIDE AN ADDED LAYER OF PROTECTION

As it stands, not all improvements are complete within our site, and with many unknowns it is crucial that we have other approaches in place.

04.

A NETWORK APPROACH

Network will consist of a connected series of 1) Eco-corridors, 2) Open Space / Green Spaces / Habitat, 3) Planting Pockets, and 4) Green Infrastructure (which inlcudes green streets, green roofs, pervious parking, permeable pavers, and bio-swales).

green roofs

Eco-corridor

THE BIO-CORRIDOR permeable surfaces

prairie pockets

green gutters

bio-swales + planting pockets

THE BIO-CORRIDOR, the anchor of the nextwork, will consist of appropriate planting typologies that work with natural systems to absorb water during large and small storm events.

04.

A RESILIENT DISTRICT

The River District develops a conceptual framework for an adaptive landscape, mixed-use, live-work center that responds to the changing needs of water in West Longmont.

Creating a versatile and resilient district that is responsive and adaptive to flood danger. A neighborhood built in harmony with the river, not contradiction.

St Vrain Bikepath

Bio-Corridor

Market Live-work Train

Pocket Prarie

St Vrain River

A RESILIENT NEIGHBORHOOD

04.

A more localized version of a “Sponge City”*, the “Sponge District” allows the Riverfront District to be more responsive to the impacts of climate excaerbated flash flooding evemts.

**A model of flood management, which strengthens ecological infrastructure & drainage systems (by absorbing & capturing rainwater). It also aims to alleviate water resource shortages, urban heat island, and improve biodiversity.

05.

THE COLORADO FRONT RANGE

It should be noted that there are many other factors that contribute to Wildfire conditions in the Front Range, Colorado, and nationally. To conduct a more thorough spatial analysis other biotic and abiotic conditions that play into Wildfire burns (e.g. lighting strike density, elevational, slope aspect, and mean wind speed) should be considered too.

Land Area • • • •

Colorados population: ~5 m w/ relatively low population density in many areas of the state. 80% of population resides in the Front Range. By 2040, population is expected to be to 7.8 m. 40% of land area is comprised of state, federal and tribal lands, parks, and forests.

Forest Cover Forests cover is ~ 24.4 M acres lodgepole forest comprise 1.7 M acres ponderosa pine forests ~ 2.5 M acres.

Eco-zones Occurrence of one fire disturbance is likely to affect the susceptibility of further successive disturbances. Severity of beetle infestations has been found to further affects ensuing fire severity.

05.

RESULTS & FIGURES

*It is important to note, ecologically speaking insect disease (beetle kill), and likewise Wildfires, do not respond directly to municipal borders. It is important to acknowledge that these exist beyond these arbitrary boundaries and keep that in mind as we calculate summaries

Looking at the overall figures, an indirect spatial connection can be made between Beetle Kill and Wildfire, as we would expect given current research, but more importantly it raises concern for the Front Range as we can see a higher percentage of overlap occurring.

71.6% of Beetle Kill (374,412 acres of 522,625 acres) also corresponds to Wildfire burn acres in the Front Range alone.

In comparison to the 52.4% of total overlap throughout the state (1,090,415 acres of 2,080,181 acres), accounting for only 17% of total Beetle Kill in total.