1. Maximizing Impact / Minimizing Impact: Balancing Human and Environmental Concerns through Site Access Design Lee-Anne Milburn Department of Landscape Architecture College of Design North Carolina State University April 26, 2006

2. The Challenge Creating site access areas which maximize the opportunities and experience of humans…while minimizing the impact on environmental and ecological systems So…how do we do it?

3. Four Stages of Consideration Site Assessment Site Assessment User Assessment User Assessment Site Design Site Design Site Construction Site Construction

4. Site Assessment Land Area Analysis Views to be preserved / blocked Views to be preserved / blocked Wildlife habitats / challenges Wildlife habitats / challenges Key plant communities requiring preservation or restoration Key plant communities requiring preservation or restoration Sensitive areas requiring protection Sensitive areas requiring protection Protection from/for adjacent land uses Protection from/for adjacent land uses Sensory considerations (noise, smells, etc.) Sensory considerations (noise, smells, etc.)

5. Site Assessment Water-related Analysis Trends in channel morphology and behavior Trends in channel morphology and behavior Sedimentation patterns and effects Sedimentation patterns and effects Erosion patterns Erosion patterns Need for protection from wind and currents Need for protection from wind and currents Stabilization needs Stabilization needs Shore configuration Shore configuration

6. User Assessment Human (Cultural) Analysis Trends in use patterns (who and when) Trends in use patterns (who and when) User profile User profile Expectations Expectations Implications of site location on trail (trailhead vs. intermediate location) Implications of site location on trail (trailhead vs. intermediate location) Accessibility considerations Accessibility considerations …develop site “program” (what you need and the characteristics required)

7. Human (Cultural) Analysis Parking Parking Experiential considerations Experiential considerations Education and interpretation requirements Education and interpretation requirements Regulatory and directional signage Regulatory and directional signage Amenities (picnic areas/storage/washrooms) Amenities (picnic areas/storage/washrooms) Water access characteristics (ramps/docks/railings etc.) Water access characteristics (ramps/docks/railings etc.) User Assessment

8. Human (Cultural) Analysis Visual access (views) Visual access (views) Accommodating and controlling physical access Accommodating and controlling physical access Safety Safety Liability Liability User Assessment

9. General Principles Identify applicable regulations Identify applicable regulations Address accessibility concerns Address accessibility concerns Identify conflicts between site constraints and user needs Identify conflicts between site constraints and user needs Identify conflicts between regulations, design requirements and budget limitations Identify conflicts between regulations, design requirements and budget limitations

10. Use design solutions over additive solutions where possible Use design solutions over additive solutions where possible Reduce the site “envelope” and use “cluster” design principles Reduce the site “envelope” and use “cluster” design principles Preserve native vegetation Preserve native vegetation Retain natural topography Retain natural topography Preserve natural flow patterns Preserve natural flow patterns Low Impact Design Principles

11. Minimize site disturbance during clearing and grading Minimize site disturbance during clearing and grading Use permeable paving Use permeable paving Minimize excavation foundations Minimize excavation foundations Minimize cut and fill Minimize cut and fill

12. Parking considerations: Design parking for carrying capacity of the site Design parking for carrying capacity of the site Don’t increase it Don’t increase it People will match their perceptions of the capacity of the trail to the parking People will match their perceptions of the capacity of the trail to the parking Site Design

13. Experiential considerations: Direct and control access to sensitive areas by use of materials and views Direct and control access to sensitive areas by use of materials and views Try to create spaces of “prospect and refuge” Try to create spaces of “prospect and refuge” People like mystery – don’t show them everything at once People like mystery – don’t show them everything at once Preferred landscapes: open, wooded with water Preferred landscapes: open, wooded with water Site Design

14. Education and signage: Keep in mind that signage is not always necessary Keep in mind that signage is not always necessary Design cues can tell as much or more information if used properly Design cues can tell as much or more information if used properly Use path materials, width, views Use path materials, width, views Site Design

15. Boat racks and equipment storage (long or short term) Boat racks and equipment storage (long or short term) Camping areas Camping areas Lighting Lighting Launch area Launch area Parking Parking Picnic area Picnic area Playground Playground Signs Signs Security (phone, lighting) Security (phone, lighting) Toilets Toilets Waste disposal Waste disposal Potable water Potable water Site Design Amenities to be considered:

16. Water access: Work with natural characteristics of site Work with natural characteristics of site Identify capacity of water’s edge and design to support it Identify capacity of water’s edge and design to support it Natural access areas: 3:1 maximum slope to minimize erosion Natural access areas: 3:1 maximum slope to minimize erosion Use natural local materials when possible Use natural local materials when possible Geogrids and mats can control erosion Geogrids and mats can control erosion Control number and extent of access zones Control number and extent of access zones Site Design

17. Safety Minimize vehicle/pedestrian conflicts in parking and access area Minimize vehicle/pedestrian conflicts in parking and access area Eliminate entrapment zones Eliminate entrapment zones Create opportunities for informal surveillance Create opportunities for informal surveillance Site Design

18. Create a blueway identity: Choose material palette Choose material palette Use colors consistently Use colors consistently Create identifiable “triggers” Create identifiable “triggers” Develop relationships between spaces that work and use them repeatedly Develop relationships between spaces that work and use them repeatedly Use amenity features to reinforce identity Use amenity features to reinforce identity Site Design

19. BMPs During Construction Avoid soil compaction Avoid soil compaction Application of fill on root zones kills trees Application of fill on root zones kills trees Exposure of interior tree areas stresses trees Exposure of interior tree areas stresses trees Changes in water flow patterns (over land or under ground) causes problems Changes in water flow patterns (over land or under ground) causes problems

20. BMPs During Construction Use protective fencing at canopy edge Use protective fencing at canopy edge Protect drainage areas Protect drainage areas Eliminate parking and storage under canopies or along bank edges Eliminate parking and storage under canopies or along bank edges Bore rather than trench if possible Bore rather than trench if possible

21. Conclusion Successful design works with existing patterns Successful design works with existing patterns Construction choices should be based on understanding of human and environmental considerations and constraints Construction choices should be based on understanding of human and environmental considerations and constraints Mother nature always wins! Mother nature always wins!