RLRC COMMUNITIES THIEF RIVER FALLS AREA CHARACTER COMMUNITY TRAIL OPTIONS OAKLAND PARK EXISTING CONDITIONS OAKLAND PARK DESIGN DESIGN DETAILS

Transcription

1 THIEF RIVER FALLS AREA CHARACTER COMMUNITY TRAIL OPTIONS OAKLAND PARK EXISTING CONDITIONS OAKLAND PARK DESIGN DESIGN DETAILS 61

2 THIEF RIVER FALLS AREA CHARACTER Thief River Falls has a number of existing recreational resources, including the Riverwalk Trail system which links nearly all the amenities within the city. This existing network of trails and park spaces informed the planning for the communities design framework. The plan integrates and expands existing amenities while creating new connections, producing a strengthened relationship between the parks, trails, neighborhoods within the existing parkway system. This community driven approach is specific to this section of the Red Lake River where the river turns south an proceeds along the historic Beach Ridges of the Glacial Lake Agassiz. DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS THIEF RIVER FALLS DAM: This river feature acts as a bridge for pedestrians, produces power for the community of Thief River Falls, and forces river travelers to portage from the Mill Yard Park to the Lower Dam Carry-in site. RIVERWALK BRIDGE: This bridge structure is the only pedestrian bridge in Thief River Falls and make the Riverwalk system of trails contiguous. The patina of the rusted Core-10 has little or no negative visual impact this section of river. Elevated views up and down the river are garnered along the entire length of the bridges span. OAKLAND PARK CARRY-IN: The carry-in location at Oakland Park is in one of the most scenic locations along the entire Red Lake River. Shallow water depths here create a vista that is filled with boulders which are partly or completely revealed. Navigation along this river section is difficult during low water levels. RED ROBE FISHING PIER: The fishing pier at the historic Red Robe Park offers river access and viewing opportunities to fisherman, and also provides access for physically challenged individuals. The pier is a floating structure which is relocated during the winter months. FINSBURY PARK: Finsbury Park is characterized by large open recreational areas located across from a swift meander of the Red Lake River. BOY SCOUT PARK LAUNCH: The existing canoe carry-in / boat launch at Boy Scout Park is a potential portage landing for river travelers as they approach the Thief River Falls Dam. 62

3 THIEF RIVER FALLS DAM RED ROBE FISHING PIER RIVERWALK BRIDGE FINSBURY PARK OAKLAND PARK CARRY-IN N BOY SCOUT PARK LAUNCH 63 63

4 THIEF RIVER FALLS COMMUNITY TRAIL OPTIONS COMMUNITY TRAILS DESIGN CONCEPT: A community-wide system of trails use the river as a focus from which other loop trails extend. The Riverwalk and water trail as the main trails; loop trails connect community resources and make a network of green spaces that tie the community together. EXISTING RIVERWALK: The historic Riverwalk provides 7.3 miles of walking, biking, and cross country ski trails through town along the Red Lake River & Thief River. The trail passes through 6 city parks, 2 forest trails, recreational areas, historical points and the dam. The additional loops suggested for the Riverwalk seek to unify the remaining disparate elements of the community by connecting to the Riverwalk to the Northland Community College Campus, the downtown area, and the east bank communities multiple amenities such as it s parks and schools. CAMPUS LOOP OF RIVERWALK: The trail surrounding the Northland Community College campus connects Finsbury and Alan-a-dale Parks to the river-walk and provides bicycle access to and from the campus. DOWNTOWN LOOP OF RIVERWALK: The Riverwalk s downtown section runs through the historic depot district along Davis Avenue and Main Avenue. Parkway street trees along the rail corridor create a new destination and link to the existing recreation system in the city. COMMUNITY LOOP OF RIVERWALK: The focus of the community loop of the Riverwalk is to make deliberate connections between the parks, and schools in this part of the community. The roadside and sidewalk trail connections are suggested to provide increased safety for the children of the neighborhood. NEW OAKLAND PARKWAY: Oakland Parkway acts as an extension of Oakland Terraces Park. The new alignment creates a visual connection from Highway 32 to the park and the river. The street trees separate the neighborhoods from the industrial and commercial land uses. OAKLAND PARK: A southern river-walk terminus and a loop trail connect both the land and water trails. Park improvements create new amenities for the community in the unique riverine landscape. GREENWOOD ST. PARKWAY: This new parkway creates a new amenity across the community. The parkway increases connections for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. This parkway is possible because of the potential for a bridge seen on the north side of the Greenwood Trails Recreation Area providing more connections across the community for pedestrians and vehicular traffic. RLRC TRAIL SIGN: The road sign marks the river-walk, the community trails, the river trails and trail access locations. Signs placed at strategic locations throughout the community strengthen the connections between community, its special amenities, and the river. These locations also provide opportunities to interpret natural and cultural assets. 64

5 To Thief Lake Wildlife Area COMMUNITY TRAIL OPTIONS Riverwalk Additions CAMPUS LOOP OF RIVERWALK RLRC TRAIL SIGN OAKLAND PARKWAY PLAN VIEW HWY.32 EXISTING RIVERWALK Gateway Intersection Riverwalk Additions Somerset Dr. Oakland Park Rd. Northrup Park DOWNTOWN LOOP OF RIVERWALK Elk s Olson Park Park Lincoln High Potential Mill Yard Park Auto Bridge Hartz / Tourist Parks Boy Scout Park Red Robe Park Greenwood Trails Rec. Area South Town Park Lower Dam Carry-In OAKLAND PARK COMMUNITY LOOP OF RIVERWALK Challenger Elementary LaFave Beach Engelstad Park Annie St. Park Northland Community College A B Future Grade Separated RR Crossing Centennial Park Potential Pedestrian Bridge Native Burial Ground Interpretive Opp. Frankilin School Swenson House To Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge Finsbury Park Canoe Carry-In Alan-A-Dale Park Birding Trail To Smiley Bridge GREENWOOD ST. PARKWAY SECTIONAL VIEW Pedestrian Trail Bicycle Trail Thief River Falls Section of the Red Lake River Depicted on Sign with the RLRC Logo Signage to be MNDOT style Painted Steel Shoulder Parkway Plantings Aspen Plantings Existing Riverwalk Industrial / Agriculture Vanrooy Dr. to Oakland Park Proposed Riverwalk Riverwalk Loop Trails City Parks N A Infiltration Swale B 65 65

6 THIEF RIVER FALLS: OAKLND PARK EXISTING CONDITIONS Oakland Park occupies a peninsula created by a meander of the Red Lake River. The Red Lake River s processes of erosion and deposition created the park s three distinct river terraces. Terrace identity is reinforced by the nursing home s location, the current uses, and the existing vegetation patterns. The nursing home site on the upper terrace has a pastoral, woodland quality. The middle terrace is dominated by an open meadow that accommodates active recreation. The lowest terrace has riparian vegetation, a sandy beach and riverbanks. OAKLAND PARK TERRACE DIAGRAM Upland Terrace Meadow Terrace River Terrace 5ft. Contours N 66

7 EXISTING CONDITIONS Greenwood Trails Recreation Area 100 yr. Floodplain Oakland Park Nursing Home Storage Buildings Lift Station Open Meadow Property Boundary (County) Cafe Drop-off Eagle Scout Garden Service Drive Master Parking Rest Room Volley Ball Picnic Structures Riverwalk Unclear Entry Linkage Parking Canoe Carry-in 5ft. interval Agriculture Residential Agriculture N 67 67

8 THIEF RIVER FALLS OAKLAND PARK DESIGN CONCEPT & COMPONENTS DESIGN CONCEPT: The riparian peninsula, three existing terraces, and existing land cover inspired the design. These riverine landscape features drove the design of the gathering spaces and suggested the design elements that interpret the park s natural and cultural assets. The three existing terraces of the park define park use zones and are used to organize the park. Geometries created by the nursing home and new gathering spaces are aligned on a strong axis to create a flow between different uses on the park terraces. MEMORIAL GARDENS AND SCULPTURE PARK: The memorial garden design expands the existing Boy Scout garden. New plantings include rain gardens with native prairie flower species. A vine-covered arbor on the private / public edge of the park establishes a park gateway. A series of sculptures are placed along the high terrace trail. Trails lead visitors to the Greenwood Trails Recreational Area via a pedestrian bridge. COFFEE SHOP PATIO & MASTER GARDEN: Placed between the coffee shop and master garden, the new patio serves as an outdoor room and gateway leading to the new nursing home parking lot, rain gardens, memorial gardens, and sculpture park. CANOE CARRY-IN TRAILHEAD: Mounded earth berms and a portage trail create the entry experience to the canoe landing. A Red Lake River Canoe sign marks the drop-off site. Grading reveals the sedimentary layers in the riverine landscape. REFECTORY & FIRE RING STRUCTURE: This gathering place features a large fireplace and hearth under a two-tiered shelter with an outdoor fire ring. It is nestled in the landscape on the lower woodland terrace at the edge of the open meadow terrace. GRASS AMPHITHEATRE & MULTI-USE SHELTERED STAGE: The turf amphitheater is sited between the upper and middle terraces taking advantage of the change in grade. Seating is carved into the upper terrace. Trails encircle the seating area and mark the edge between the terraces. RIVER WALK TRAILHEAD GATHERING SPACE: The river walk trailhead serves as a gathering space with restroom facilities, interpretative kiosks, and resting places. It is sited at the head of the parking area and overlooks the park while visually orientating the visitor to the park s features. The Red Lake River and the Thief River are depicted in the paving as they flow through the community. The paving acts as a surface drain collecting storm water from rooflines and hard surfaces and directing flows into the rain gardens. The rain gardens create views across the open meadow, serve as backdrops for the Red Lake River kiosk, and provide shade for resting places. DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION: The design can be addressed as a whole, can be phased over time, or can be built as independent installations, based on the park design terrace delineations. 68

9 OAKLAND PARK DESIGN Pedestrian Bridge Oakland Park Nursing Home COFFEE SHOP PATIO & MASTER GARDEN Planted Arbor Naturalized Forest MEMORIAL GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK RIVERWALK TRAILHEAD Upper Terrace Vistas Meadow Trail GRASS AMPHITHEATRE & MULTI-USE STAGE Open Meadow Terrace Volleyball Court River Trail Naturalized Woodland Terrace RLRC Signage For Campsites REFECTORY & FIRE RING STRUCTURE Parking 55 Cars Rest Area with Benches/Bike Racks Canoe-In Camp Sites Nursing Home Parking & Rain Gardens 3 Terraces Playground CANOE CARRY-IN TRAILHEAD Carry In Access & Sandy Beach Landing RLRC Signage For Canoe Landing 69 69

10 THIEF RIVER FALLS OAKLND PARK GATHERING SPACES With the addition of new memorial gardens, conservatory, sculpture park, amphitheater, and trailhead, the new Oakland Park design provides a number of gathering places for year-round use by a variety of user groups. It also expresses and accentuates the landform of the Red Lake River by providing different recreational opportunities on each of the park s three main river terraces. The three terraces are linked by gathering spaces that create transitions between the different activity areas. PERSPECTIVE VIEW From Facilities Building to Open Meadow Showing Planted Kiosks, Rain Gardens, Stage, and Meadow 70

11 OAKLAND PARK GATHERING SPACES Conservatory Memorial Gardens & Sculpture Park Earth Berms Create a Gateway To Amphitheater Sculpture Park Trail Bermed Plantings 750 Person Seating Capacity Grass Amphitheater Gathering Space Linden Bosque Memorial Garden Lighting Rain Gardens W/ Native Prairie Flower Species Concrete Seating Steps Set in Turf Multi-Use Stage Structure And Shelter 1125 Sculpture Park Trail Sculpture Rooms Rivers of Thief River Falls Surface Drain & Seating Wall Trailhead Gathering Space Facilities Bldg. Water/Restroom Rain Gardens Kiosk Signs Lighting Long Vista Vista Rest Area W/ Bike Racks and Benches Pastoral Woodland Riverwalk Trail Parking River Birch Rain Garden Allee 1110 One Way Drive Canoe Carry-In Trail Head & Drop Off Earth Beams frame Drop-Off Staging Areas Children s 3 Terraces Playground 71

12 THIEF RIVER FALLS OAKLND PARK TRAILHEAD & CANOE CARRY-IN Mounded earth berms and a portage trail create the entry experience to the canoe landing. A Red Lake River Corridor Trail sign marks the drop-off site. Grading reveals the sedimentary layers in the riverine landscape. Roadside pullout locations allow automobiles to drop off canoes at a staging are where corridor users can prepare for thier jouney. 72

13 TRAILHEAD & CANOE CARRY-IN Red Lake River Sandy Beach Landing Canoe Carry-in Naturalized Woodland Red Lake River Corridor Signage Earthen Berms Canoe Drop Off Infiltration Rain Garden Path to Children s Play Area Vehicles With Trailer Parking Area To Riverwalk Trailhead, Information Kiosk and Restroom Facilities Path to Upper Terrace 73

14 THIEF RIVER FALLS: OAKLAND PARK SECTIONAL VIEWS The built structures in Oakland Park respond to the terraces created by the Red Lake River. The siting of the buildings at the edges of the terraces and step-down form of the buildings emulate the stepping of the terraces. SECTIONAL VIEW THROUGH OAKLAND PARK GATHERING SPACES B1 Arbor Option Upland Terrace Memorial Garden Gateway Berms Earthen Amphitheater Multi-Use Stage 74

15 SECTION KEY A2 OAKLAND PARK SECTIONAL VIEWS B1 A1 B2 SECTIONAL VIEW OF POTENTIAL PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE A1 100-Year Flood Stage A2 Mean High Water Level Red Lake River Upper Terrace Memorial Garden Upper Terrace Sculpture Garden Lower Woodland Terrace 100-Year Floodplain 150 Ft. Bridge Span Lower Woodland Terrace 100-Year Floodplain Elevated Walkway On Pilings Greenwood Trails Recreation Area Multi-Use Stage Open Meadow Terrace RefectoryFire Ring River Trail 75 B2 75

16 THIEF RIVER FALLS OAKLAND PARK STRUCTURAL DETAILS The long, low rooflines reflect the horizontal sedimentary layers in the landscape. Flagstone columns and timber beams are used as building materials. The buildings metal details recall the metal signature elements of the Red Lake River Corridor. The higher, more open stage roof, accommodates acoustics and reflects its meadow location. The lower refectory roof and seating wall provide more protection from the elements and reflect the forest location. 76

17 STRUCTURAL DETAILS MULTI-USE STAGE REFECTORY RLRC Rebar Details Roof Open ToAmphitheater In Front For Acoustics West Elevation Roof Steps Down Columns 20-0 O.C West Elevation RLRC Rebar Details Flagstone Columns 2-0 Seating Wall South Elevation 21-0 South Elevation 2-0 Seating Wall Roofline Stage Area Stairs Backstage Area Walkway Fire Pit Gravel 12 Walkway Ramp Plan View Plan View Columns 18-0 O.C Columns 12-0 O.C