W&OD PARK MASTER PLAN. The City s Greenest Street. DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 1

Transcription

1 W&OD PARK MASTER PLAN Adopted XXX-XX-XXXX The City s Greenest Street DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 1

2 Introduction and Purpose The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (W&OD) (which includes the W&OD Trail) stretches from Shirlington in Arlington County to the Town of Purcellville in Loudoun County. The park has a typical width of 100 feet, contains more than 533 acres and stretches a distance of 44 miles. The portion of the park within the City measures 16 acres, making it the second largest park space in the City behind the playing fields at George Mason High School and Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. Many Uses of the Park The W&OD Railroad Regional Park, and the W&OD Trail serve several purposes, including: 1. Recreation and Exercise place to bike, jog, walk, play 2. Transportation connection to regional activity centers, transit facilities (including the East Falls Church Metro Station), and other bike trails 3. Environment tree canopy, open space, wildlife habitat, gardens, water quality (wetland along Four Mile Run) 4. Economic Development the W&OD Trail provides access to the city s commercial districts; additional wayfinding information could direct trail users to City businesses This plan establishes a vision for developing amenities along the portion of the W&OD Park that runs through the City of Falls Church. Park History Original railroad ROW relation and City settlement and development Developed as a park, when, by whom, first mile of park dedicated when and where? Since then? Regional expansion, local investment in Route 7 overpass Park Vision Planning Principles 1. This is a park planning project, not a traffic project 2. Emphasize and do more with the park aspects of this 3. Treat the Park as a Great Street (per the comp plan) 4. Accommodate automobile traffic, but make ped/bike the priority Vision Statement: Develop the W&OD Park as a Great Street and greenway within the City, a place that provides opportunities for recreation, relaxation, and transportation, while preserving and improving the environment, and connecting and relating to the City s residential neighborhoods and commercial districts. Design Strategies 1. Use the entire 100 right of way a. Use boundary landscaping to mark edge of park and update landscaping to provide a sense of openness within the park while still providing screening for private property adjacent to the trail b. Including lighting c. Widen trail to 20 d. Highlight/daylight streams DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 2

3 2. Reinforce the park at intersections a. Narrow street to 24 (for the entire 100 width of the park), or as narrow as practicable b. Raised park and trail crossing preferred Park Elements 1. Define entry points and other plazas along the park 2. Include comfort stations with a. Bathroom b. Bench c. Bike repair d. Water e. Signage and information kiosks 3. Amenities connect these to the plazas a. Bocce court b. Horseshoe pit c. Exercise equipment d. Public art 4. Additional uses use these along the trail a. Tree nursery b. Community gardens Design Flexibility This plan provides a vision for developing the W&OD Park, but it is not a final design document. As implementation continues, among other things, change may be needed to address possible impacts to specific park neighbors, changing preferences for recreation amenities, changes in landscaping design practices. DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 3

4 Future Park Layout DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 4

5 Environment and Landscaping Cross Section Existing Conditions Invasive specifies Underground streams Undefined boarder between public and private land Figure 2: Oak St, looking west Figure 1: Great Falls, looking east DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 5

6 Typical Future Cross Section Power Lines 20 Natural Landscaping Buffer 20 natural landscape buffer space Amenity Space Amenity or Landscaping space Separate Ped/Bike Trails 20 Natural Landscaping Buffer DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 6

7 Crossings Typical Crossing Narrow street to use to 11 lanes through entire park Raise streets at trail crossing so that trail continues at grade Use a 20 raised trail section to accommodate future trail widening use ped/bike crossing signs that relate to railroad history Figure 3: Existing grade separation carries the W&OD Trail over W Broad Street N Washington Street grade separated crossing under N Washington Street directly connect W&OD sections through Crossman Park (alternative to going up to Lee Highway crossing) model after crossing of Trail and Carlin Springs, Wilson, 50 in Arlington alternative is to go over 29, allows for banners/signs DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 7

8 Western Entrance Figure 5: Landscaping and furniture recreate the feel of old train station. Figure 4: The existing storage shed provides a base for future projects. Figure 6: Separation from the trail improves safety. DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 8

9 West Street Figure 7: The existing space is underutilized. Figure 8: A recreated train station could provide a modern weigh-sation for travelers. Figure 9: A plaza would relate to surrounding uses, and provide a buffer for neighborhoods. DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 9

10 Walter Mess Plaza Figure 11: Landscaping and furniture could provide information, both historical and current. Figure 10: The existing site feature minimal information and does not attract visitors. Figure 12: Updated crossings improve safety and predictability. DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 10

11 Great Falls Crossing Figure 14: Picnic/Gaming tables and shaded seating make the new plaza a destination. Figure 13: The existing landscaping is pleasant, but does not create a sense of place. Figure 15: Final design is needed to provide more separation from the trail. DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 11

12 Veterans Common Eastern Entrance Figure 17: Landscaping can attract more people to learn about the military history of community members. Figure 16: Private investment has provided working elements for a place of reflection. Figure 18: Spacing and crossings improve safety and predicability. DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 12

13 Implementation Seek grant and civic funding sources. Work with partners on implementation and maintenance. NOVA Parks Arlington County Cost estimates Plan Element Cost Estimate Plazas $100,000 (per plaza) Comfort Station???? Trail Crossing???? Trail Expansion???? (per block) Landscaping???? (per block) N Washington Street Underpass???? Crossman Park Trail update???? Total???? Grant Funding Sources Federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Both of these are 80% Federal / 20% Local match programs. Phasing Because of the scope of this plan and the costs involved, implementation will have to be phased. With each phase, an entire portion of the project should be delivered. For example, if the Walter Mess plaza in included in the first phase, then the adjacent crossing of Oak Street and a meaningful length of landscaping should also be updated. Implementation partners Friends of the W&OD VPIS DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 13

14 Appendix A: Comprehensive Plan Guidance DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 14

15 DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 15

16 Appendix A: Planning Process and Public Engagement Public Engagement? Date Groups Event Stakeholders? Outreach Tools? DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 16

17 Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation Tree Commission Environmental Services Council Historical Commission Planning Commission City Council The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call (TTY 711). For more information call DRAFT W&OD Trail Master Plan v4.docx Page 17