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Home My WebLink AboutParker Meadow UA Parking Area, Trail and Pond Observation Deck 10.17.2019TOWN OF LEXINGTON: PARKER MEADOW CONSERVATION AREA Planning and Designing a Universally Accessible Parking Area, Trail, and Pond Observation Deck October 17, 2019 • Introduce the Project • Review Existing Conditions • Solicit Feedback on initial design ideas and precedents • Parking and entrance • Trail layout and materials • Pond overlook MEETING PURPOSE SITE HISTORY • 17 acres of field, forest and wetland • Farmed in the 17th century • Conservation Commission built a pond around an existing spring in the 1980s, to protect the watershed and maintain habitat for wildlife • Named for Jonas Parker, who owned the property during its history, and was killed on Lexington Common April 19, 1775. Jonas Parker was a cousin to John Parker, the militia commander at the Battle of Lexington AERIAL VIEW PARKING AREA & ENTRANCE TRAIL CONNECTION TO BIKEWAY TRAIL CONNECTION TO BIKEWAY TRAIL CONNECTION TO BIKEWAY MINUTE M A N C O M MUTER BIKE WAY HANCOCK STREET ADAMS STREET REVERE STR E E T TRAIL CONNECTION 8’ wide stonedust path LEGEND 5’ wide stonedust path 5’ wide boardwalk on helical piers 5’ wide boardwalk on sills and stringers 0 50 100 200 FT. 0 50 100 200 FT.N CURRENT TRAIL SYSTEM LEGEND Mown/dirt path Wooden boardwalk Social trail September 2019 Project Initiation October- November 2019 Site Plan Alternatives December 2019 Develop preferred site plan February 2020 Develop bid documents October 17, 2019 Community Forum #1 Mid-November 2019 Community Forum #2 January 2020 Permitting & Conservation Commission Review PROJECT TIMELINE Approach from Revere Street sidewalk Entrance to trail, doubles as emergency access route with gate View from trail toward parking area Parking area EXISTING CONDITIONS - PARKING AND ENTRANCES Entrance to trail, doubles as emergency access route with gateGravel Parking Area EXISTING CONDITIONS - PARKING AND ENTRANCES Bikeway entrance nearest Revere Street Bikeway entrance nearest downtown Middle bikeway entrance EXISTING CONDITIONS - PARKING AND ENTRANCES MINUTE MA N C O M MUTER BIKE WAY EXISTING CONDITIONS - TRAILS View of main entrance path Mown path near meadow; Pond on right Wooden boardwalks; varying sizes Materials vary along individual paths Woodland path - exposed roots from compaction EXISTING CONDITIONS - AMENITIES Overgrown vegetation & invasive species obscure the Pond The only bench within the Conservation Area Trailhead kiosk at Entrance ACROSS Lexington trail signageConservation Area signageBike racks and boulder seating where trail meets bikeway EXISTING CONDITIONS - VEGETATION Joe Pye Weed, Jewelweed - Not ‘weeds’ Elderberry - Native Buttonbush - Native Woodland - ferns, pawpaw, tulip tree.....Dead poplar trees on edge of the meadowMeadow with poplar seedlings Invasives: Buckthorn, Multiflora Rose, Burning Bush, Oriental Bittersweet, etc. TRAIL IMPROVEMENT CONCEPTS APPROX. 0.16 OF A MILE PROPOSED OVERLOOK SHORT ROUTE LONG ROUTE ADDS APPROX. 0.20 OF A MILE PARKING & ENTRANCE CONCEPTS KIOSK SHARED EMERGENCY ACCESS GATE/PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCE 8’ WIDE ACCESSIBLE TRAIL FENCE PROPERTY LINEFOOTPATH REVERE STREET PROPERTY LINE PARKING & ENTRANCE CONCEPTS KIOSK 6’ WIDE PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCE 8’ WIDE ACCESSIBLE TRAIL FENCE PROPERTY LINESHARED EMERGENCY ACCESS/HANDICAPPED PARKING ACCESS AISLE REVERE STREET PROPERTY LINE PARKING & ENTRANCE CONCEPTS KIOSK SHARED EMERGENCY ACCESS/TRAIL ENTRANCE NO DIRECT TRAIL ENTRANCE FROM THE STREET 8’ WIDE ACCESSIBLE TRAIL FENCE PROPERTY LINEREVERE STREET PROPERTY LINE PARKING & ENTRANCE CONCEPTS KIOSK 6’ WIDE PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCE REVERE STREET 8’ WIDE ACCESSIBLE TRAIL FENCE FOOTPATH PROPERTY LINEPROPERTY LINESHARED EMERGENCY ACCESS/HANDICAPPED PARKING ACCESS AISLE TRAIL LAYOUT Trail Widths and User Groups TRAIL MATERIALSkzla Gettysburg/Eisenhower Community Comprehensive Trails Plan User Group Trail Characteristics National Park Service (GETT/EISE) 12 December 2014; Revised 13 March 2015 Summary of Design Guidelines by User Group Mode of transport Trail width (two-way) Clearing width (two-way) Gradient Surfaces Duration/speed Support Miscellaneous Minimum width Ideal width Minimum width Ideal width Longitudinal Cross-slope Materials Duration Amenities Design features Pedestrian  Walking 24” 6’ – 8’ 12” shoulders 12” – 18” shoulders Less than 5.0%3.0% max. Mown Earth Stone dust/ Crusher fines Asphalt 1 –2 mph for 2 to 4 miles Benches Natural surfaces for greater difficulty; paved for easier trail Use sidewalks to access trail network  Hiking 24” 3’ – 4’ Less than 18%; up to 300’ at 30% 5.0% max.2 – 3 mph for 4 to 10 miles Loop trail preferable Places to rest and observe scenery desirable Layout should response to topography  Accessible 36” min.; requires passing spaces if less than 60” 60” or greater 36” overall 12” – 18” shoulders Less than 5.0%2.0% max. “Firm and stable” Stone dust/ Crusher fines Asphalt 1 –2 mph for 2 to 4 miles Accessible benches Should meet ABA Accessibility Standards (ABAAS) or Guidelines (GODA) Outdoor Developed Areas Regulations Vertical clearance of 80” min. Bicycle 6’ (one-way) 8’ (two-way) 10’ – 14’ (two-way) 24” shoulders 36” shoulders 5.0 –6.0% up to 800’; 8.0% up to 300’; 10.0% up to 100’; >11.0% up to 50’ 2.0% max. Gravel Asphalt 2 - 3 hours = 20 – 25 miles; 15 mph (unpaved) 20 mph typical (paved) Bike racks Benches Should meet AASHTO Guide for the Planning, Design and Operations of Bicycle Facilities where possible Varied difficulty desirable Loop trail preferable Safe road crossings essential Vertical clearance of 8’ – 10’ min. Sight lines of 50’ min. Equestrian  Rider 18” min. (one-way: single file preferable for horses) 24” 4’ min. 6’ - 8’ Less than 10.0%; 15% max. 5.0% max. Antietam mix Minor obstacles acceptable No angular stone 7 –10 miles; 1 hour = 3 – 5 miles Hitching post Mounting platform/ramp Loop trail preferable to access trailers Vertical clear height of 10’ – 12’ min. Sight lines essential: 100’- 200’ with autos Bridges need to be 6’ – 8’ wide Access to water sources helpful  Horse & buggy 8’ min. (one-way) TRAIL RECOMMENDATION • Stonedust or wooden boardwalk • 5’ wide, minimum • Curb on elevated boardwalk • Railing when drop is greater than 30” • Slope of walkway less than 5% kzla TRAIL RECOMMENDATION • Stonedust or wooden boardwalk • 5’ wide, minimum • Curb on elevated boardwalk • Railing when drop is greater than 30” • Slope of walkway less than 5% kzla TRAIL RECOMMENDATION • Stonedust or wooden boardwalk • 5’ wide, minimum • Curb on elevated boardwalk • Railing when drop is greater than 30” • Slope of walkway less than 5% PROPOSED TRAIL LAYOUT & MATERIALS PROPOSED TRAIL LAYOUT & MATERIALS 0 50 100 200 FT. 0 50 100 200 FT.N N TRAIL LAYOUT AND MATERIALS OPTIONS LEGEND 8’ wide stonedust path 5’ wide stonedust path 5’ wide boardwalk on helical piers 5’ wide boardwalk on sills and stringers 0 50 100 200 FT. 0 50 100 200 FT. 0 50 100 200 FT. 0 50 100 200 FT.N PROPOSED VEGETATION MANAGEMENT LEGEND Area of proposed clearing Area of proposed invasive species removal EXISTING MEADOW CLEARED ANNUALLYSTONE WALL OVERLOOK CONSIDERATIONS Seating Extension Seating Areas Vegetation Cover Views NEXT STEPS For more information: Jordan McCarron, Conservation Stewardship Program Coordinator jmccarron@lexingtonma.gov, 781-698-4505 • Develop Site Plan with input from today’s meeting • Community Meeting #2 - mid-November