Community Research

Waterfront Development


	People are inherently drawn to water. Hence the importance of waterfront development. There have been many great waterfront developments, such as the Coeur d' Alene Resort and North Idaho College. www.preferredhotels.com
	North Idaho College www.thebackup.com/
Figure 1: Spectacular Water Effects	You see the Sydney Australia Opera house located on the water with boats in the harbor and the sun setting in the background. A designer should pay attention to historic, current and future development patterns. Waterfronts provide an excellent opportunity place live, enjoy art, recreate, shop, or relax by the water. Waterfront areas provide multiuse activities, improve social interaction and a sense of community. www.hargreaves.com/projects/waterfronts
	Riverfront Park, Spokane, WA www.icehouse.net/ jim_d/spokane.html

Ingredients for Successful Waterfront Development

This area of the Portland waterfront could be a place for all seasons with a roof structure.

"It has become apparent that urban waterfronts, whether natural or artificial, are now prime pieces of real estate, essential ingredients in forming a community image, valuable stages for architectural display and great places for public recreation." GRADY CLAY, 1998

Basic Human Needs

· Safety: lighting & clear sight lines

· Rest rooms

· Water & Food: drinking fountains, food vendors at mealtimes & weekends

· Seating: views, people watching, sense of safety, moveable seating and tables

· Trash receptacles

· Views emphasizing waterfront from all vantage points

· Signage: way-finding/interpretive/educational

· All season use preferable

Access

Transportation to park/within park

· Parking structure preferable to parking lot _ saves space, central location, low maintenance.

· Separate access for people and automobiles

· ADA access to and within park

· Docking space for water vessels if appropriate

www.gibsonsced.com/waterfront/park.html

Recreation Opportunities

· Play fields

· Playgrounds

· Multipurpose lawns

· Interactive water feature

· Athletic space

· Concert space

· Skateboard park

· Picnic

· Food vendors

· Views

· Public gardens

· Fishing pier

· Swimming/Wading pools

· Interactive water features (i.e.. fountains)

· Performance/events space

www.murrayco.com/spokane/opera_house.jpg

Paths and Promenades

Separate trails for wheels and legs

Connect to existing community pathways

Sense of security

Sense of Place/Uniqueness

Environmental preservation/conservation

Historical preservation/emphasis/celebration

Place making details: ground, vertical, etc.

Interesting art and architecture

Catering to all senses:

see, hear, touch, smell, taste

darkwing.uoregon.edu/.../ pathsthumbnail.html

Examples of Built Sites
	In Oakland the San Francisco Bay goes 19 miles to the Bay Bridge. At the North end you will find the Port of Oakland marine terminal. The South end is the Oakland International Airport. Between them is the Estuary, which brings the community and the shoreline together. The design goal was to provide a pedestrian trail along the bay throughout Oakland.
	The images of waterfront development below are from Bethany Gregg. They are of the port area in the city of Oakland, California. This web site edited and redesigned by Bill Gabiou, Cole Larson and Mike Cannon
Pittsburgh's Point Park	Pittsburgh's Point Park, Pennsylvania is a reclaimed commercial slum turned into waterfront promenades featuring views, and a massive water feature for all ages. The 36 acres of the park include an historic preservation area with natural landscaping, connection to city linear trails, and a historical museum. Park features include rest rooms, ADA access, seating, wildlife habitat, picnic areas, and welcome pets. www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks /parks/point.htm

Portland Oregon Park

(click to hyperlink more info on Portland)
www.parks.ci.portland.or.us/ waterfront park/masterplan_large.htm

Saint John Waterfront

Saint John Waterfront is in New Brunswick

Canada. It is a large-scale oceanfront planning in progress featuring all amenities from linear parks to lawns. The set of images illustrate the design and open space potential offered by waterfront park

projects. The image in Figure 1 shows the routing of a pedestrian and bike path. The parking lot as a symbol of everyday pressure, anxiety and rigidity is separated from the pathway, promoting feelings of relaxation and freedom. Figures 2 is a cross section illustrating the importance of separating various modes of transpiration for user safety and enjoyment. Careful considerations of slope, right-of-way width and potential for flooding are concerns in waterfront park planning and design.

The selection of viewpoints will accentuate the citizen's and tourist's appreciation of the natural and man made scenic resources. In Figure 3 a covered viewpoint is prominently located at a road intersection. It serves as a trail head for pedestrians and bicyclists. Figure 4 is a perspective image of the same viewpoint.

Figure 2: Trail.
www.sjwaterfront.com/

Notice the presence of interpretive signage used to educate and heighten the appreciation of the landscape, wildlife and community history. Lighting at the interpretive center and along the trail are a safety feature and a an opportunity for special event advertising, community identity emphasis and added interest.

This rendering (Figure 5) an example of a linear trail with a side room featuring a skate board area. From an ecological perspective, the linear trail is a low-impact land use on a very sensitive area (waterfront/wetlands). Native plants can help ease runoff and erosion while maintaining the site's natural character. Side rooms like the skate board park reduce damage to other areas of the site caused by undirected activity. From a psychological perspective, detours fill our innate human need for exploration and relief from everyday monotony, providing true re-creation.

The proposed shade and interpretive structure shown in Figure 6 offers use and educational opportunities along the waterfront path.

See the link below for general information about this project.

http://www.sjwaterfront.com/english /index.asp

See the link below for a step by step tour of the waterfront design and development process. The site offers a community involvement model.

http://www.sjwaterfront.com/english/imag ine/imagine_form.asp

Louisville Waterfront Park

The Louisville Tennessee waterfront park is a recent development. In 1999 the first phase of the park was completed. It replaced an industrial landscape of wharfs and warehouses. This large Ohio River park is focused on several different areas with different themes and was developed by the city to host large public and private events. Park theme areas include the plaza area, several awns, a wharf area with vendors, a mile long linear park, and a garden area.

Features and Facilities:

(click to hyperlink)

Figure 1: