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.

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just over a decade since the village of cottage grove dedicated a parkland area in honor of a local philanthropist, phoebe bakken, the community’s parks and recreation department has been steadily adding new attractions in phoebe bakken memorial park. the 38-acre park is home to several athletic fields and a rugby pitch while the addition of two age-appropriate playgrounds in recent years further enhanced the park’s draw. other recent installations include a 2,900-square-foot shelter building with restrooms and a 2,500-square-foot splash pad adjacent to the playgrounds.

in 2020, snyder & associates was brought on board to develop a plan for a “miracle field” that required integration into the overall design and framework of the existing bakken park master plan. designed to allow children and adults with disabilities to safely play baseball, miracle fields have been growing in popularity for over two decades. instead of the grass and dirt found on a typical baseball field, a miracle field diamond and outfield are made of a custom-designed, rubberized turf material that provides athletes with a flat, cushioned surface, free of obstacles. the bases are flat, as well, allowing the players with disabilities to run, walk, or roll a wheelchair without fear of injury. likewise, the concourse, player dugouts, and bleacher areas are all ada compliant.

the village of cottage grove’s new miracle league field rendering.

material sourcing & design challenges addressed through coordination

spearheaded by another local humanitarian, bill schultz, and coordinated by greg sweeney, the miracle league of dane county was founded to raise the necessary funds for bringing the field to reality. because of the organization’s non-profit status, our team went to great lengths to source equipment and materials at reduced rates in order to build the most cost-effective field. we worked with generous local vendors who were excited about the project and able to deliver quality equipment at great rates — with some materials even being donated.

a primary design challenge faced by our team was building the ball field and its supporting infrastructure to fit seamlessly with the unbuilt portions included in the park’s master plan. this included working within the confines of the park’s existing trail network. these easily accessible trail routes throughout the park connect amenities with the neighborhood and regional trail network and meet ada compliance. to fit the ball field and the necessary improvements into the available space, we worked in close collaboration with village leaders and parks and recreation department staff.

bill schultz (center) founded the miracle league of dane county to raise funds for the new ball field.

complete services offering streamlined build process

in addition to the overall design work, our team handled countless other aspects of the project, including topographic survey and construction staking, along with concept development and 3d modeling. we also provided all construction drawings, utility 2022世界杯32强预选赛 and mapping, and offered construction management services throughout the build process. a strategic landscaping plan included tree plantings to complement and extend the nearby natural, wooded environment and increase shade within the frequently used areas.

with a grand opening ceremony planned for june of 2021, the miracle league of dane county field represents our firm’s first built park project in the village of cottage grove and our first miracle field for our madison office. this project aims to provide a developmentally appropriate and unique experience for all users regardless of intellectual, sensory, or mobile capacity. with a strong dedication to promoting and expanding all-inclusive play opportunities, snyder & associates has contributed to the successful development and implementation of miracle league fields in numerous communities.

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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.

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skateboarders wait their turn to “drop-in” on one of the skateparks bowl features.

the newly opened lauridsen skatepark in downtown des moines is one of the largest outdoor skateparks in the nation. named in honor of a local donor and philanthropist, the skatepark has more than 88,000 square feet of skateable surface and is designed to provide safe, fun, and challenging opportunities for skateboarders and spectators, alike. the 2022世界杯32强赛程表时间 , along with subsidiary 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 , worked in close collaboration with the world-renowned skatepark design firm, california skateparks, to design and construct this top-of-the-line facility.

while the desire to build a regional skatepark was many years in the making, it wasn’t until fund-raising efforts reached a sufficient level in the mid-2010s when plans could begin in earnest. the city of des moines donated two acres of beautiful riverfront property adjacent to 2^nd avenue to serve as the skatepark’s new home, while a combination of grants, private donations, and 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 funding sources was critical in taking this ambitious project from vision to reality.

the skatepark design was heavily influenced by the sloping topography of the land. a focus was placed on modern street and park elements while balancing the difficulty level for beginners through advanced skateboarders. features of the park include competitive street and park courses, a snake run, junior flow bowl, and an amoeba pool. an elevated spectator park located along 2^nd avenue creates a great location to watch the action below, while a concrete switchback trail provides access to the park from 2^nd avenue.

legacy infrastructure creates design challenges

a large retaining wall network was needed to control the topography of the building site.

while the hillside location overlooking the des moines river is picturesque and ideally suited for the project, the location did present a host of challenges for the design team. foremost was the extensive number of utilities running through and around the site. the snyder & associates team began by reviewing and mapping the utility locations before any design efforts were started. this information then allowed the skatepark designers to position the skatepark features on the site while accounting for these obstructions. this initial investigative and design work also provided the skatepark design team the information they needed to maintain proper elevations in relation to the project area. the snyder & associates engineers worked in close coordination with california skateparks during this critical timeframe of the project.

another obstacle the design team encountered was the existence of inconsistent soil quality and fill on the site due to long-abandoned coal chutes that dotted the riverbank. this required our structural engineers to devise different construction techniques for various locations around the site. this included the retaining wall running parallel to 2^nd avenue on the west side of the property, the foundation for the skateable sculpture (more on this shortly), and the foundation for the onsite, romtec-designed restroom building.

unique features tie skatepark to community

a young skateboarder tries out the skateable “wow” sculpture in the park.

beyond creating a competition-level skatepark for area youth, the designers also wanted a facility that seamlessly tied to the surrounding community. to that end, the skatepark incorporates an extension to the principal riverwalk, giving pedestrians using the trail an option to travel through the passive section of the skatepark. the nearby women of achievement bridge spanning the des moines river adds an additional element to the setting and serves as a route to the skatepark from the east village. attractive landscaping features designed by the snyder & associates team create a park-like setting that welcomes community gathering events.

on the southern edge of the skatepark, a skateable sculpture feature welcomes visitors as they approach the park. spelling the word wow in large cursive letters, the sculpture mimics the flowing currents of the river and creates a sort-of entryway signage. our structural design team created the heavy-duty foundation to support this massive steel sculpture that still allows skateboarders to safely use it for performing tricks.

as an added advantage, the designers incorporated overhead competition lighting for the skatepark. the reasons were twofold. first, the high-intensity musco lighting will extend the park hours for spectators and skateboarders. second, the community hopes that by incorporating competition-level features, the facility will draw national and international competitions to the des moines site. the park can also host a variety of other events including demos and concerts.

monitoring private & donated funds keep project on task

in addition to the extensive design work performed by the snyder & associates and 2022足球世界杯小组赛赛程 engineers, our team was also responsible for keeping the project on track by performing all construction administration duties for the skatepark. this included monitoring all funding sources and ensuring payments to vendors and construction contractors were made successfully and on time. with the large amount of 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 and private money being used for the project, this was a critical component for the skatepark’s success.

the world-class, lauridsen skatepark is sure to be a popular destination and a crown-jewel attraction for the city of des moines. while aimed at the youth of the community, the skatepark is certain to be a major draw for people of all ages.

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chichaqua valley trail spans over 30 miles from baxter to just south of the east mixmaster in des moines.

designed to accommodate bicyclists, runners, hikers, and cross-country skiers, the chichaqua valley trail spans over 30 miles from baxter to just south of the east mixmaster in des moines. built almost entirely on a former railroad line, this expansive trail system is jointly managed by the polk county and jasper county conservation departments. the snyder & associates team has worked side-by-side with these organizations, and others, to create new and rehabilitate existing trail components over many years.

major flood event decimates trail sections

in 2011, major floods destroyed twelve different sections along the trail. some of the washed-out areas supporting the trail had been constructed as far back as the 1880s when the original rail line was installed. our team stepped in to orchestrate repair solutions to return the trail to a useable condition. this project was made more complicated by the need for federal emergency management agency (fema) funds to cover the cost of repairs and the challenge of working with two counties.

additionally, the discovery of deeper structural damage required our team to adjust on the fly to develop new solutions. at several locations, metal plates were added to create more secure and safer transitions between the repaired trail section and bridges.

bondurant rail corridor transformed into regional trailhead

the water bottle filling station located by the trailhead shelter provides a much-needed amenity for trail users.

perhaps one of the most rewarding projects our team has tackled around the chichaqua valley trail was the master plan design created to bring a regional trailhead park to the heart of bondurant. the trailhead would be located on an abandoned railroad corridor between main and grant streets on a site that was formerly a part of the historic chicago great western railway operations. city and county officials, and other stakeholders, envisioned the proposed trailhead acting as the centerpiece of the eastern polk county trail system. at the same time, they tasked our team with developing a plan that would pay homage to the rail line’s presence in the area and the history of bondurant.

the snyder & associates team conducted several 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 input meetings to gather feedback about what the residents of the area would like to see in the new location. then, after further meetings with officials, our designers prepared the bondurant trailhead master plan and a comprehensive estimate of construction costs.

the proposed master plan incorporates a 1,440 square foot open-air shelter with restrooms and water bottle fill stations. also, seating areas, a splash ground, trail hub kiosk, and interpretive signage were included. the shelter is a replica of the original bondurant train station that served train passengers from 1883 to 1962. entryway features and screening walls were based on the railroad theme and give the site a unique flare that references the location and bondurant’s past.

based on our team’s master plan, the city of bondurant immediately installed the shelter, trail section, and paved seating areas. the 0.7-acre bondurant regional trailhead park officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in 2013. in the intervening years, most of the other amenities have been added to the site as funds became available.

two trail extensions pave the way for future trail loop

a “fresh” trail section meanders its way into the des moines metro area.

piggybacking on the success of the bondurant trailhead project, our team was again enlisted by polk county officials to create a plan for extending the chichaqua valley trail from a location west of bondurant, continuing to the southwest where it would intersect with the gay lea wilson trail. this new trail section required the rehabilitation of two former railroad bridges near the community of berwick.

our team then designed a second trail alignment that carried the chichaqua valley trail into the norwoodville neighborhood in the northeast corner of the des moines metro. currently, the trail ends at broadway avenue. however, an extensive reconstruction plan is currently being developed by our team to expand the broadway avenue corridor, including a plan to provide a trail segment that will intersect with the chichaqua valley trail and connect with the gay lea wilson trail to the east, creating an entirely new trail loop for users.

while the chichaqua valley trail has evolved over the past several decades, the snyder & associates-led flood recovery efforts and creation of the bondurant trailhead have been two of the most transformative projects impacting the future of the trail. as trail systems continue to expand to meet the recreational and multimodal needs of communities, our comprehensive team of professionals stands ready to provide our first-rate design and 2022世界杯32强预选赛 services.

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