Enhance the High Line Canal Projects

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1 Enhance the High Line Canal Projects Joint Project Proposal for Arapahoe County Open Spaces Funding Partner Sponsors: South Suburban Park and Recreation District City of Centennial City of Littleton October 22,

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3 Project Summary Abstract The historic High Line Canal is owned by Denver Water and primarily has been an irrigation water delivery system for over 100 years. The Canal Trail was put into service in 1970 for beneficial use of the public as a recreation trail. Since then, many parks, trail connections, and subdivisions were built along the length of the Canal corridor. As the subdivisions and parks were built, bridge connections were installed to allow access to the High Line Canal Trail. These bridges in some cases are over 30 years old and are now past their useful life. Trail connections developed where people wanted access to the trail, but were unimproved; and very few public amenities, such as restrooms, have been built. Scope of Project This project proposes to upgrade the most critical needs of the now out-of-date infrastructure to enhance the High Line Canal trailway from County Line Road to Orchard Road. The projects consist of: Pedestrian Bridge Replacements: Southbridge Swim and Tennis Bannock Street South Suburban Ice Arena dekoevend Park Entry New Pedestrian Bridge: South Franklin Street Restroom: Milliken Park (S. Clarkson St. near E. Panama Dr.) Trail Connection: South Elati Street Location The High Line Canal Trail runs for 8.76 miles from East County Line Road north to East Orchard Road, and through the cities of Littleton and Centennial. The trail property is owned by Denver Water and operated by South Suburban Parks and Recreation through a lease agreement for recreational use. The trail in this reach provides a major north to south off-street connection. Trail connections from the High Line provide access east to west at the Centennial Trail, Mineral Avenue Trail, Little Dry Creek Trail, Big Dry Creek Trail and Lee Gulch Trail, which link to the Mary Carter Greenway (South Platte River trail system). 3

4 Expected Results Update and replacement of critical trail infrastructure and installation of a needed restroom amenity. Public Benefits The benefits of the project are increased safety and access on bridges and updated convenient restroom access. Partner Contributions South Suburban Park and Recreation District $300,000 City of Littleton $100,000 City of Centennial $225,000 Arapahoe County Open Space (proposed) $625,000 Total $1,250,000 Expected Time of Completion The projects will be completed by December of Relevance to Existing Plans High Line Canal Working Group (High Line Canal Preservation and Enhancement Study) In 2012, the High Line Canal Working Group retained Applied Design Services to produce the High Line Canal Preservation and Enhancement Planning Study. The study inventoried current conditions and outlined potential projects that could be completed to improve the Canal corridor. In the circulation system improvement report, the study identified deficiencies with the existing bridges, the need for more restrooms, and the need to improve and consolidate local trail connections. County Comprehensive Plan Utilizing the preservation study, South Suburban, Littleton and Centennial staff members toured the Canal and identified the previously-listed, high-priority critical needs which conform to the Arapahoe County Comprehensive Plan. The projects specifically address: Conformance with multiple Transportation Policies by improving safety and convenience of the County s pedestrian and bicycling network. Conformance with the County s Open Space, Parks and Trails policies by improving the County s system of connected open space, public parks and trails. 4

5 County Open Space Resolution The project is consistent with the intent of the Arapahoe County Open Space Resolution no , reauthorized in 2011, which states that funds are to be used for water, wildlife, open space, trails and parks. The resolution states specifically that the funds can be used to preserve urban and rural open space and natural areas; provide, maintain and improve neighborhood parks, open space, sports fields, picnic facilities and biking, walking and multi-use trails; protect wildlife habitat and corridors; and protect views, vistas and ridgelines. County Open Space Master Plan The Enhance the High Line Canal projects are consistent with the County s mission outlined in its Open Space Master Plan to acquire, conserve, protect and steward strategic land and water resources necessary to establish an interconnected network of open space, parks and trails, as well as the goal to work with partners to identify, develop and implement regionally significant joint projects. Agency Plans In 2014, South Suburban Parks and Recreation convened a 70-member volunteer citizens advisory committee to prepare recommendations for improvements to the District. The committee identified four areas to focus on: Parks, Trails, and Open Space, Recreation and Golf Facilities & Programs, Communications & Marketing, and Finance & Strategic Planning. In the Parks, Trails, and Open space section, the committee recommended the District take care of what we have and review maintenance master schedule and continue regularly scheduled maintenance for bridges and trail surfaces depending on type of construction. The committee also reinforced the importance of to continuing to partner with other entities, to secure funding for park and trail projects. Detailed Discussion Need and urgency As documented by the High Line Canal Preservation and Enhancement Study, the City of Littleton staff, City of Centennial staff, South Suburban staff, and the District s volunteer citizens advisory committee, there is a need to update the infrastructure along the High Line Canal Trail. Bridge abutments are crumbling, access points are eroded and access to clean sanitary restrooms is lacking. Since 2010 the High Line Canal Working Group has worked to bring forward these types of projects to secure funding for and implement projects that will help ensure and protect the unique recreation experience along the High Line Canal Trail. 5

6 Goals The goal of the projects is to enhance the High Line Canal trail experience for County residents and others, improve safety, and provide needed improvements to the aging infrastructure. This project is phase 1 of a number of similar projects that need to be completed along this reach of the High Line Canal Trail. Expected User Groups The High Line Canal Trail is a widely used recreation trail corridor which serves a large portion of Arapahoe County in the City of Littleton and City of Centennial. The 8.76 miles of trail are used primarily for recreational purposes, such as hiking, biking and jogging. Process Used to Evaluate Project/Planning Efforts to Date The project is a cooperative effort by the City of Littleton, City of Centennial and South Suburban Parks and Recreation. Staff from each agency met and toured the High Line Canal to prioritize projects which are the most critical needs. Since most of the projects are updates to existing amenities, an extensive public process is unnecessary at this point. A public input process will be held to notify residents if the funding is approved. The projects are currently proposed in the cities and District s budgets for 2015 and are supported by the city councils and District s board of directors. Environmental Considerations The project will not permanently adversely impact the High Line Canal corridor. During construction care will be taken to limit disturbance to existing vegetation, disruption of wildlife, and erosion of sediment from the construction site. Inclusivity The District and cities support accessibility for all abilities, and we will plan and design the projects to the current Americans with Disabilities Act standards or guidelines where practical and feasible. Connectivity The five bridge projects provide updated connectivity to the surrounding neighborhoods, schools and parks, including the Southbridge, Highland Village, Broadway Estates neighborhoods; the Damon Runyon and Ben Franklin elementary schools; and Ben Franklin Pool, Southbridge Park, and dekoevend Park. The Elati Street Trail connection serves the Linda Vista and Bel-Vue Heights subdivisions. 6

7 Long-Term Sustainability and Maintenance Each of the projects will be designed for an anticipated 25- to 30-year useful life. High-quality and weather- and vandal-resistant materials, such as corten steel railings, concrete decks, concrete siding, steel roofs and stainless steel fixtures, will be used. Post-consumer recycled materials will be used in restroom partitions, wall systems and roofing. Steel and concrete are recyclable and self-weathering steel railings will not require painting over the life of the bridge structure. South Suburban Park and Recreation District is the parks & recreation provider for both the City of Littleton and City of Centennial. South Suburban will be responsible for maintenance of the projects on a long-term basis. Maps, Photos and Description of Projects (# corresponds to the location on the vicinity map) Pedestrian Bridge Replacements #1-Southbridge Swim and Tennis #2-Bridge at Bannock Street #3-South Suburban Ice Arena #4-deKoevend Park Entry New Pedestrian Bridge #5-South Franklin Street Trail Connection #6-South Elati Street Restroom #7-Milliken Park 7

8 #7 #5 #3 #4 #2 CENTENNIAL #1 #6 8 Vicinity Map NORTH

9 Proposed Project: Remove and replace 32 x 4-6 bridge Update abutments, railings and deck to meet current codes Update approach slab materials and slope #1-Bridge at Southbridge Swim and Tennis Estimated Cost:$150,000 #2-Bridge at W. Davies Ave. 9 Proposed Project: Remove and replace 40 x 7 bridge Update abutments, railings and decks to meet current codes Update approach slab materials and slope Estimated Cost:$150,000

10 Proposed Project: Remove and replace 76 x 5-4 bridge Update abutments and railings to meet current codes Update approach slab materials #3-Bridge at South Suburban Ice Arena Estimated Cost:$200,000 #4-Bridge at dekoevend Park Entry 10 Proposed Project: Remove and replace 32 x 4 bridge Update abutments and railings to meet current codes Update approach slab materials Estimated Cost:$170,000

11 Crumbling infrastructure 11

12 Proposed Project: Install new 8 x 60 bridge and approaches to provide access to the High Line Canal Trail from Broadway Estates, Ben Franklin Pool and Ben Franklin Elementary School #5-New Bridge at S. Franklin St. Estimated Cost:$200,000 12

13 13 Example of bridge design standard Self-weathering Corten steel railings Concrete decks Concrete approaches

14 #6-Access at S. Elati St. Proposed Project: Install a concrete ramp from S. Elati St. to the High Line Canal Trail to improve access Estimated Cost:$50,000 14

15 #7-Milliken Park Restroom Proposed Location Proposed Project: Install flush restroom facility for trail and park users. Nearest restroom downstream is approx. 1.7 miles at dekoevend Park Nearest restroom upstream is approx. 5.3 miles at Writer s Vista Park Estimated Cost: $300,000 15

16 Examples of flush restroom facilities design standards Prefabricated preplumbed, pre-wired building Arapaho Park 16 dekoevend Park

17 Timeline Task Install 5 Bridges Estimated Hours and/or Expected Date to Complete September 2015 Responsible Person/Group South Suburban Parks and Recreation Install Flush Restroom October 2015 South Suburban Parks and Recreation Install trail connections June 2015 South Suburban Parks and Recreation Measurable Objective/Deliverable Remove 4 existing bridges and install new bridges. Install 1 new bridge. Install 1 pre-fabricated flush restroom at Milliken Park Install concrete ramp at S. Elati Street 17

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20 Budget Project Explanation SSPR Amount City of Littleton City of Centennial ACOS Grant Total High Line Canal Bridge at dekoevend Park Replace bridge at dekoevend parking lot $50,000 $50,000 $100,000 $200,000 Entry High Line Canal Bridge at Franklin Street New bridge at Franklin Street $50,000 $50,000 $100,000 $200,000 High Line Canal Bridge at SSIA Replace bridge at SSIA parking lot $50,000 $50,000 $100,000 $200,000 Miliken Park Restroom Install flush restroom at Milliken Park $75,000 $75,000 $150,000 $300,000 Total Centennial $225,000 $0 $225,000 $450,000 $900,000 High Line Canal Bridge at Bannock Street Remove and replace bridge near $37,500 $37,500 $75,000 $150,000 High Line Canal Bridge at Southbridge Swim and Tennis Bannock Street Remove and replace bridge near Southbridge Swim and tennis $37,500 $37,500 $75,000 $150,000 High Line Canal Elati Street Connection Improve connection from Elati St. to the $25,000 $25,000 $50,000 High Line Canal Total Littleton $75,000 $100,000 $0 $175,000 $350,000 Grand Total $300,000 $100,000 $225,000 $625,000 $1,250,000 20