Reclaiming North Charles Street For the Community and Pedestrians Aislynn Herbst In collaboration with the residents along North Charles Street Supported by the Penn State Center LArch 414 Pittsburgh Studio Department of Landscape Architecture The Pennsylvania State University Fall, 2012
Table of Contents Site Analysis Green Spaces Vehicular Circulation Bus Stops Street Lights Sidewalks Overlay Project Development Paving Enhancements Site Interventions Planting Palette City Steps Row Homes Pittsburgh project Access Road Pedestrian Path Entrance Fowler Playground Entrance 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 15 17 19
Site Analysis: Green Spaces Locations of Green Spaces This map does not include all vacant lots along North Charles Street, but denotes the major spaces The larger green stretch to the north includes Fowler Playground and the gardens and stage near the Rec Center and pool The majority of these green spaces are located directly next to residences without any type of barrier This analysis was used to determine where there might be possible places for design interventions 1
Site Analysis: Vehicular Circulation Vehicular Circulation Elements North Charles Street is a major connection road between Perrysville Avenue and Brighton Road The secondary streets leading off North Charles Street all lead into residential areas There are two brick roads leading off North Charles Street, Nublock Street and Melrose Avenue The purpose of this mapping is to determine where the largest amount of traffic is coming from Vehicle Circulation Highest Amount of Traffic Lowest Amount of Traffic Brick Paving 2
Site Analysis: Bus Stops Locations of Bus Stops There are bus stops on both sides of the road and located at most intersections Most bus stops are denoted by a single sign on the sidewalk. Often, there is not enough standing room in order to keep the sidewalk free for pedestrians This analysis was conducted to find the amount of bus stops and their condition to determine if interventions can be made there Frequently used bus stops are marked with a red circle The bus stop below the Crispen Street intersection has no standing room for people to safely wait Many bus stops are located in areas where there is a nearby vacant lot which can be utilized as a waiting area 3
Site Analysis: Street Lights Locations of Street Lights Most street lights are only located along the east side of North Charles Street. This becomes an issue for heavily used spaces on the opposite side of the street The secondary street intersections only contain one street light although there are sidewalks on all sides of the street Some bus stops are not located beneath a street light and therefore become unsafe to use at night One example of a bus stop along North Charles Street that is not located beneath a street light 4
Site Analysis: Sidewalks Locations of Sidewalks North Charles Street has sidewalks on both sides of the road expect stretching along the side of the Crispen Street intersection where a bus stop is located Much of the sidewalk is in disrepair. The crumbling sidewalks make walking difficult More often than not there is overgrown vegetation creeping onto the sidewalk that also makes walking difficult if not impossible The only remnant of this sidewalk is a 2ft wide stretch along the curb An example of an area with overgrown vegetation that makes it difficult to walk and stand to wait for the bus 5
Site Analysis: Overlay Locations of Bus Stops, Street Lights, and Sidewalks This overlay shows the elements that were discussed on the previous pages Those bus stops with poor sidewalks, no sidewalks, or not beneath street lights can be clearly seen These issues must be addressed to help facilitate more residents walking along North Charles Street The black squares highlight the areas the should be addresses throughout project development 6
Project Development Project Goals: 1. To create a walkable and lively street that will strengthen the neighborhood ties and bolster socialization 2. Improve sidewalk conditions to make it easier for pedestrians to walk 3. Use paving art made by the residents to physically show that the community has a presence and cares for the street 4. Improve bus stops where there is little to no standing room 5. Implement small scale site designs at the places of interest along the street in order to create destinations for people to walk to Concept: Create a walkable and lively street for the residents on and around North Charles Street 7
Paving Enhancements Paving Improvements Repair Crumbling Paving Paving Art Signifies place is unique from other areas of he surrounding neighborhoods Bus Stops A street light should be installed above every bus stop to brighten up the area for safety purposes Place benches at stops where there is the greatest need When applicable, move stops to improved vacant lot to provide more standing space Where there is no sidewalk, create paved standing area Use the above paving art to denote that bus stops are significant places. This will show to those on the bus that North Charles Street is important to its residents. Prune and manage overgrown vegetation and invasives Place stepping stones or handprints into cement paving Source: GTECH Strategies http://gtechstrategies.org/ 8
Site Interventions Elements of Site Interventions: 1. Site Interventions are located along the street at the entrances to places of interest. This will help to draw in visitors who are walking along the street. 2. Each design is comprised of a seating area, planting beds, and areas of paving art 3. The planting beds contain flowering plants and tall grasses and are planted as to not block views that inhibit safety (see Planting Palette on pg. 10) Places for Site Implementation: 1. City Steps (rotated to vacant lot adjacent to Puharic Mark J Plumbing &Heating) 2. Row Homes (vacant lot on the south side) 3. Pittsburgh Project Access Road to Community Rec Center and pool (next to the Farmer s Market Building) 4. Entrance to the Pedestrian Path (on the southern end of Fowler Playground) 5. Entrance to Fowler Playground Row Homes City Steps Fowler Playground Entrance Pedestrian Path Entrance Pittsburgh Project Access Road 9
Planting Palette Perennial Flowering Plants Common Name Scientific Name Height Spread Flower Color The Planting Palette is a guide to different species of plants that will work well in all five site interventions. Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata 6 2 Pink, lavender Black Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta 2-3 3 Yellow Woolly Yarrow Achillea tomentosa 1 1 Yellow American Columbine Aquilegia canadensis 2 2 Red, Pink Butterflyweed Asclepias tuberosa 2-3 2 Orange Creeping Phlox Black Eyed Susans Woolly Yarrow American Columbine Butterflyweed Trees Grasses Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name Height Honey Locust Gladitsia tricanthos Switchgrass Panicum vigatum 3-5 London Plane Plantanus x acerfolia Sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula 3 Sycamore Plantanus occidentalis Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium 3 Indian grass Scripus cyperinus 5 Honey Locust London Plane Sycamore Switchgrass Sideoats grama Little bluestem Indian grass 10
City Steps: Plan The proposed relocation of the city steps provides a safer route for pedestrians. On the upper level on Brighton Road, one can see down to North Charles and Strauss Street which provides a full view of people using the steps. This new location is also a more direct route between North Charles Street and Brighton Road. North Charles Street Entrance Low Perennial Tall Grass Benches Paving Art Paving Art Medium Height Perennial North Charles Street Existing City Steps Proposed City Steps City Steps Overlook to North Charles St. Brighton Road Entrance (same location) 0 12 24 N 11
City Steps: Section Elevation Sidewalk Overlook to N. Charles St. Low Perennial A1 City Steps A Tall Grass Benches Medium Height Perennial Tall Grass Low Perennial Row of Trees 0 Seating Wall 10 20 Medium Height Perennial A This section elevation cuts through the North Charles Street entrance, part of the path, the steps, and the overlook on Brighton Road. The trees help to focus the view from the overlook onto North Charles instead of the adjacent businesses. The seating at the North Charles Street entrance provides for socialization and resting. A1 12
Row Homes: Plan Row Homes The row homes along central North Charles Street are not provided with front or back yards. This design proposes a playing and gathering space adjacent to the south end of the row homes. The trees will provide dappled shading for the seating area and paving art locations. Low Perennial Boarder Paved Gathering Space Tables and Chairs Row of Trees Tall Grass Paving Art North Charles Street Medium Height Perennial Grass Lawn 0 12 24 N 13
Row Homes: Ground Level Perspective The children living in the row homes were previously playing on a gravel vacant lot. This design allows for plenty of playing space. The paving art is placed between the wall seating where it can be easily viewed by pedestrians walking along North Charles Street and those visitors sitting within the space. Benches Paving Art Wall Seating Tall Grass Trees planted in tall grass bed Plaza: Gathering and Play Area 14
Pittsburgh Project Access Road: Plan North Charles Street Paving Art Seating Space Tall Grass Low Perennial Medium Height Perennial Existing Sculpture Row of Trees Raised Crosswalk This design links North Charles Street to the Pittsburgh Project Rec Center and community pool. The row of trees and linear planting beds help to draw the eye back from North Charles Street to let pedestrians know that there is something unique off of the main street. Feet 0 12 24 N North Charles Street Rec Center Pool 15
Pittsburgh Project Access Road: Section Elevation A A1 Tall Grass Raised Crosswalk Trees Connect the two roads Benches Paving Art Medium Height Perennial Sidewalk Low Perennial North Charles Street Feet 0 6 12 A1 The sidewalk along the access road is perpendicular to North Charles Street to provide the most direct access to both the Rec Center and the Pool. The raised crosswalk also helps to provide direct access by putting the primary focus on the pedestrian. 16
Pedestrian Path Entrance: Plan The entrance to the pedestrian path will be marked by planting beds on either side to highlight its location. Pedestrians are forced to pass over the paving art as they enter and exit the path which will help to show the community s presence. The planting beds extend down the path a few feet to entice people to continue walking. North Charles Street Low Perennial Paving Art Tall Grass Seating Area Paving Art Medium Height Perennial Existing Path Existing Path Existing Trees Feet 0 6 12 N 17
Pedestrian Path Entrance: Ground Level Perspective The previously barely noticed entrance is now highlighted by the planting beds and seating area. The benches offer a resting point and a place to meet before walking along the path. Tall Grass Low Perennial Paving Art Seating Area Medium Height Perennial Existing Light Low Perennial Tall Grass 18
Fowler Playground Entrance: Plan Paving Art Seating Area Low Perennial Tall Grass Seating Area Medium Height Perennial Row of Trees Fowler Playground s gathering area stretches back towards the ball field to help induce movement. The placement of the planting beds also influences movement as people will want to look at each layer of plants. Here, as at the Feet pedestrian path, people are forced to walk over the paving art which is located between two sets of benches. 0 12 24 19 N
Fowler Playground Entrance: Ground Level Perspective Unlike the other site interventions, Fowler Playground s Entrance includes vehicle access. The safety bollards placed between the vehicle entrance and the seating area will help to keep pedestrians and visitors looking at the paving art safe. Safety Bollards Vehicle Entrance Seating Area Medium Height Paving Art Tall Grass Seating Area Low Perennial Perennial 20