the strategic design ensures that user safety and access are top priorities.

hubbard park in the village of shorewood is a local landmark in this wisconsin community. located on a nearly five-acre, 1,400-foot-long strip of land between the milwaukee river and the former chicago and northwestern railroad, the park contains the hubbard park lodge and access to the oak leaf trail. however, despite its location along the river, the park lacked easy access to the water’s edge for recreational watercraft. the shorewood 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 works department enlisted the services of the snyder & associates design team to develop a plan for a canoe and kayak launch that would give users of the park greater access to the milwaukee river.

charged with creating a launch that would aesthetically fit with the existing park site, our team worked closely with local river groups, the wisconsin dnr, and the 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 works leadership to balance the goals of the project and the overall project budget. it was agreed by all stakeholders the canoe and kayak launch had to be highly functional for various river levels, extremely durable for longevity, and easily accessible from a nearby parking area.

material challenges test the design team

the design team faced numerous challenges, including matching the high-quality amenities in the park on a limited project budget. this meant the team also needed to source materials that were logistically close to the park to reduce delivery expenses and help keep the overall environmental impact to a minimum. the primary challenge, however, required finding materials that would withstand the river’s elements and wisconsin’s frigid winters.

our team’s solution called for snapped, 6″ eden riser stones that provided a “zero-entry” area for the easy and safe launch of canoes and kayaks. also, high-quality eden outcropping stones were arranged to create a natural “amphitheater” area where users could comfortably sit and view the river. by sourcing local products, our team created a locally relevant, structurally timeless amenity and reduced the cost of transit to get the materials onsite.

following a graded path near the end of n. morris blvd. in hubbard park, the project area required approximately 35 cubic yards of earthwork grading, the installation of roughly 70 tons of outcrop stones and boulders, and the placement of approximately 16 pieces of snapped stone. with the canoe and kayak launch substantially completed, park users and recreational river enthusiasts now have a more convenient way to access the river that’s safe, aesthetically pleasing, and constructed with durability that will last for generations.

the post water access upgrade expands amenities at hubbard park: shorewood, wisconsin first appeared on 华体会英超赞助商 - engineers and planners.

when it comes to attracting and retaining a productive and talented workforce, communities of all sizes are increasingly compelled to think beyond simply repairing existing infrastructure. creating new, attractive, and inviting spaces, adding well-managed 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 venues, and continually striving to improve the natural environment are all essential elements for growing the population and maintaining a vibrant economy. the city of fort dodge has embraced this formula whole-heartedly.

the city is in the midst of what could be considered a renaissance, of sorts. over the last two decades, city leaders have worked to reimagine their community, rejuvenate aging infrastructure, and reawaken community pride in its citizens. they’ve worked this delicate balance by not just focusing on the big picture projects, but rather, also keeping the all-important small details in full view. led by the snyder & associates 2022世界杯32强预选赛 team, the central river district master plan is the latest effort by city leaders to breathe new life into an underutilized community asset.

comprehensive district 2022世界杯32强预选赛 identifies focus areas

overhead view of master plan focus areas.

surrounding the central avenue corridor just east of the des moines river, the central river district has been home to numerous industries for several generations. while much of the industry is now gone, the area’s prime location creates unlimited opportunities to help connect the historic downtown region with the riverfront by providing commercial, park, and infrastructure improvements. through an extensive information-gathering process that included business owner and stakeholder meetings, along with 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 input sessions, four unique focus areas were identified in the district.

the riverfront park and riverfront development area focuses on recreational and community activities, along with support for commercial redevelopment. it was determined the majority of the city-owned property in this area should be kept for 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 use and developed as a riverfront park, including a sculpture garden and community gathering space. it was also recommended that consideration be given to selling some city-owned parcels adjacent to the river for supporting private development in the entertainment, recreation, or ecotourism-based businesses.

the urban core light industrial area was identified as an essential element for accommodating existing industrial services, office, and commercial spaces within the district. the products and services provided by these varied industries create job opportunities for the district and the larger community.

as the main conduit through the area, central avenue was identified as its own area, acting as the spine connecting the downtown to the riverfront. this area primarily presents opportunities to enhance the pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle connection between the historic downtown and the riverfront.

located on the south side of central avenue, the village area was identified for the potential to offer mixed-use commercial and residential redevelopment opportunities, with an emphasis on business incubation and multi-family housing.

master plan establishes goals for river district

with the four central river district focus areas identified, the 2022世界杯32强预选赛 team then turned to establishing the framework and goals for reimaging the district. foremost was the creation of a set of overall design principles to encourage improvements that help create a cohesive, welcoming, and thriving district. at the same time, they focused on promoting and celebrating the area’s historic past and the city’s vibrant art culture and unique architecture.

expanding recreational opportunities by converting the riverfront into an active 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 park was also a top priority from the feedback received by the 2022世界杯32强预选赛 team. the master plan and riverfront park concept plan highlight potential recreational opportunities that the city-owned property offers along the des moines river and soldier creek. these opportunities should be aimed at complementing other city and regional recreational 2022世界杯32强预选赛 efforts and help foster a sense of community.

to maintain and encourage a sense of resiliency, sustainability, and vibrancy, the plan identifies a mixture of 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 and semi-private outdoor gathering spaces, as well as strong pedestrian and bike-friendly environments and corridors. the master plan also calls for a diversity of land uses and opportunities to encourage an adaptable live, work, and play atmosphere. access to these amenities through multi-modal offerings and accessible services are also highly encouraged. further, the plan supports the promotion of the district through specialized branding, social media platforms, wayfinding signage, and other special events.

development of action plan drives district 2022世界杯32强预选赛 success

based on the identified focus areas and comprehensive goals presented in the master plan, a detailed action plan was also included. the action plan highlights key priority projects and potential redevelopment areas, along with a breakdown of estimated costs for many of the proposed improvements. these projects include the buildout of riverfront park, as well as numerous infrastructure improvements along central avenue, south 3^rd street, and north 1^st street.

the central river district is a unique area within fort dodge, providing a critical connection between the historic downtown and the des moines river. although the river is no longer used as a significant commercial or industrial transportation route, it’s capable of serving a more important role as a destination site rich in recreational opportunities and natural beauty. by investing in improvements to the river district and providing enhanced connections to the downtown area, the city can recapture the importance of this natural system and encourage visitors and residents to use and experience this region in their daily work and play.

the snyder & associates 2022世界杯32强预选赛 team recommends the regular promotion of the master plan by city leaders and yearly commitments to implement improvement projects. these efforts, no matter how small, show the residents of fort dodge and potential redevelopment partners that the city is interested in investing in this district and are willing to partner with others to create an atmosphere where the central river district can prosper.

the post central river district master plan creates roadmap for fort dodge renewal first appeared on 华体会英超赞助商 - engineers and planners.

much like the materials used to make tennis rackets have changed over the years from wood to graphite, titanium, and other lightweight materials, so has the playing surface of the court itself. originally, grass and clay were the predominant court materials, but for the majority of recreational courts found in parks and sports complexes, asphalt (and to a lesser extent, concrete) often with an acrylic coating, is the go-to surface for durability and long life.

the landscape team at snyder & associates has been designing stand-alone tennis facilities (and as a piece of a park master plan) for many years. even as the popularity of other outdoor recreational opportunities has grown, tennis courts remain as one of the top draws in many parks, sports complexes, and school districts. and because the surfaces for tennis and its companion sport, pickleball, are similar, communities are increasingly requesting tennis courts with dual markings and adjustable nets to render the courts multi-use.

durable & professional results with seasoned sports field designers

outdoor tennis courts are typically constructed on asphalt surfaces with several surface coatings to choose from. engaging an experienced sports field design team, however, is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when considering adding or upgrading an existing tennis court facility.

achieving a professional result is so much more than simply creating a flat slab and adding nets. at a minimum, courts need to have the proper slope and adequate drainage for proper use. if these two critical components aren’t designed correctly, courts can be too steep, or worse, develop standing water after inclement weather. either of these issues will degrade the user experience.

choosing the best surface coating for your unique situation is another decision that a professional sports field design team can help make. numerous coatings are available depending on the variables of your court’s location. most surface coatings are acrylic-based and designed especially for coating asphalt. for outdoor courts, coatings are textured with a smooth and rounded, non-aggressive silica sand. this provides a slip-free surface in wet and dry conditions. options also exist to regulate the amount of cushion in the surface coating to help reduce player fatigue.

project sampling of snyder & associates-designed courts & sports complexes

doanes park

doanes park complex

in 2013, snyder & associates was approached by leaders from the pleasant hill parks & recreation department to design several new amenities for doanes park, including a new multi-use tennis and pickleball facility. this project called for three regulation tennis courts with markings for pickleball and tennis on each court. the design included all grading work, an asphalt surface and all-weather coating, fences, and dual-purpose nets.

these expansive park improvements added to a robust offering of ball fields, playground areas, and soccer fields that were designed by our landscape architects, as well, and provide first-rate recreational opportunities for the surrounding neighborhoods. through various 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 meetings and working with pleasant hill city staff and other stakeholder groups, our designers were able to understand the priorities and budgets of the various groups to accomplish numerous improvements over the past three years.

haines park & village park

the two new courts in this altoona park are marked for tennis and pickleball use.

a similar project in altoona saw the removal and replacement of two tennis courts in village park and two courts in haines park. dual markings for tennis and pickleball were added to the courts in both parks, as well. the altoona parks & recreation department commissioned our team to design and oversee this project which included four regulation tennis courts, a new asphalt surface and all-weather coating, nets, and 10’ tall black vinyl coated fencing. site adjustments were necessary to accommodate the regulation size courts.

at one location, buried foundations discovered during construction posed a unique challenge to the plan. our design team immediately stepped in to create a fair solution between the contractor and the city to keep this project moving forward.

north polk community school district

when the north polk community school district’s new high school opened in 2013, a tennis court facility was not allowed for in the building funds. unfortunately, this prevented the district from being able to host home tennis meets for their student-athletes. when the funds became available, the school district turned to snyder & associates to design an athletic facility that not only provided first-class amenities but also included ample and comfortable accommodations for spectators.

this project included the construction and installation of six brand new, regulation tennis courts, complete with concrete walkways and expansive bleacher pads. the courts are an asphalt surface with an all-weather coating and included posts, nets, fencing, and perimeter gating. stormwater detention was also created and additional electrical service and site restoration were completed after the courts were constructed.

mercer park

dedicated tennis and pickleball courts are the highlights of iowa city’s mercer park.

the iowa city parks & recreation department went in a different direction for their project in mercer park. an existing six tennis court complex was converted to retain three full-size tennis courts and add eight pickleball courts. snyder & associates professionals evaluated the current athletic courts for resurfacing and expansion needs. our sports field design team then developed a plan that included new asphalt, partial fencing, posts, nets, resurfacing, and striping.

the demand in the iowa city area for amenities like this had been strong for many years and mimics a nationwide popularity trend for the sport of tennis. whether you’re community or organization is looking to convert existing tennis courts, or design a new sports facility from scratch, snyder & associates has years of experience designing tennis and pickleball facilities that meet our client’s customized needs.

the post recreational tennis & pickleball courts thriving in parks & school districts first appeared on 华体会英超赞助商 - engineers and planners.

due to its central location in knoxville, young’s park is heavily used by residents. however, a lack of modern facilities and amenities kept the park from realizing its full potential. knoxville city leaders selected snyder & associates to create a master plan for renovating the 11-acre community park and adding numerous new facilities. this plan developed multiple design element improvements, as well as creating a park theme that reflects knoxville’s relationship with their sister city of warrnambool, australia.

the master plan developed by the snyder & associates team created a vision for the north side of the park, as well as the south. on the north side, the construction of an all-inclusive, ada accessible “miracle field” playground was the first phase of the plan to improve the usability of young’s park. additionally, the north side improvements include a splash park, shade structure, and a large shelter house and concession stand. in a nod to knoxville’s sister city, a large didgeridoo was included in the plans.

due to the land-locked nature of the park and the lack of significant storm sewer in the area, our team also prepared a detailed grading design and stormwater management plan that included a bioretention pond on the northeast corner of the park. this pond will greatly reduce the impact of localized flooding regularly experienced in the park, as well as maximizing open space areas.

skatepark creates regional recreation draw

on the south end of the park, the city coordinated with the knoxville school district to move the tennis courts out of young’s park to make room for a new, 8,000 sq. ft. skatepark. designed in coordination with spohn ranch, the skatepark is thoughtfully laid out to accommodate both skateboards and bmx bikes and includes a wide variety of terrain for all skill levels and riding styles.

the west end of the skatepark is anchored by a concrete “bowl,” which then flows into a modern street section with rollers, stairs, rails, and ledges. sections with colored concrete add a modern aesthetic. the new skatepark replaced the city’s ad hoc collection of wood and metal ramps located at the knoxville recreation center a few blocks away.

just a short distance away from the skatepark, a large rope-climbing structure is available for younger park users. a picnic shelter pavilion with spacious restrooms, new sidewalks connecting the amenities, and updated lighting and utilities were also part of the south end improvements. expanded parking was created on both sides of the park to accommodate the anticipated increased use. to keep the city’s maintenance equipment close to where it’s needed, the project also included a park maintenance facility.

the master plan and construction coordination efforts spread the park improvements over multiple phases. in addition to the plan, snyder & associates also performed all survey, site drainage reviews, and all utility coordination for this expansive park project. numerous aspects of the master plan have already been constructed while other pieces are continuing during the next project phase.

the post young’s park upgrades create destination hub for region first appeared on 华体会英超赞助商 - engineers and planners.