Buffalo, Iowa Facilitators: Scott Freres, The Lakota Group Daniel Grove, The Lakota Group Student Presenters: Myles Alexander, University of Illinois Jessica Morton, Western Illinois University
Buffalo Study Area War Memorial Gazebo Creek Kiosk Potential City Lot Locked Service Access Fill Sand Beach Historic Bldgs Boat Vehicle Access Natural Sand Beach Passive Park Significant Tree N Private owner willing to negotiate R.O.W
Buffalo Seen From the River Goals Passive park (as opposed to active) River education and Buffalo history Walking trails Beach and swimming area Play equipment Restrooms that are handicapped accessible Improve businesses by attracting more people Complete bike trail Improve boat launch Improved & expand dock Organized parking area More things to see, activity in vacant looking land, e.g. community garden Vision for the whole town
Challenges and Opportunities Connecting the bike path Working with the railroad Attaining permits Accessing the Western beach Negotiating private property Integrating wetlands Accessing grant money
Two Approaches to Buffalo s Beach Group #1 Fewest changes Lowest cost Integrating activities with town Build on current assets EXISTING USE PATTERNS Group #2 Big changes Lowest cost Original environment Restoration opportunities Integrating activities on the river bank RESTORED ENVIRONMENT PATTERNS
Group One New Picnic Area Existing Grass Area New Public Restrooms Existing Utilities New Front Street Character Based on Existing Buildings New Downtown Parking Existing Streets New Boat Ramps & Parking Existing Access & Dock New Boater Parking Existing Parking Lot
Passive Park Trail connects existing and eventually new features Bike & pedestrian bridge at creek, minimal permitting Access to downstream beach & beyond Natural Sand Beach
Pedestrian Crossing Zone Front Street crossing is opportunity for downtown entry Decorative fence defines waterfront and focuses RR crossings Draw people to the water
Fill Sand Beach Prairie planting provides natural character to water side Simple beach
Negotiate with bank to use Front Street parking for weekend boaters Reconfigure downtown street parking angled accommodates most cars & back-in is safest Motivate people to move between waterfront and downtown with businesses and services Fee parking on waterfront provides maintenance income from less parking on Mighty Miss. Most formal area, crisp sheet pile water edge
Group Two
Group One Ideas Sequential Potential Group Two Ideas Gain R.O.W across down river private property and permit to cross creek Install bike & pedestrian bridge Use fill sand beach until access gained to natural sand beach Create trail to connect uses on waterfront Swap lots and build public restrooms to serve 1) passive park and 2) boaters Historic Victorian buildings become model for development on Front Street Convert sand fill beach to more active boating Connect waterfront trail to regional trail Public restroom site developed to serve 1) boaters and 2) bicyclists Revise codes and ordinances so Front Street develops with consistent historic character consider form based code