Comal River. Improvements Project Existing Conditions Assessment

Transcription

1 Comal River Improvements Project Existing Conditions Assessment

2 Prince Solms Park Hinman Island Park Tube Chute Park Mill St. Property Stinky Falls Weir Focus Areas

3 Focus Areas Last Public Exit

4 Assessment Focus Safety Accessibility Resiliency and sustainability User experience Aesthetics For park users, tubers, outfitters, and City staff Focus Areas

5 Average RIVER USAGE & Passage

6 Observed Conditions Tube Chute Count 60 people per minute No assistance needed from staff

7 Observed Conditions Stinky Falls Count 30 people per minute With assistance from staff

8 Observed Conditions Stinky Falls City starts queuing based on backup

9 Observed Conditions Last Public Exit Estimates Exit Platform, Stairs, and Shuttle Pickup: people per minute with assistance

10 River Usage Summer 2017 Saturdays: 12,888 wristbands Sundays: 7,500 wristbands Holidays (weekdays): 5,805 wristbands

11 Key OBSERVATIONS & Recommendations

12 Observations Dam is in good condition overall Resilient to flooding Recommendations Repair erosion at abutments Tube Chute Dam

13 Chute Exit and Lifeguard Area Observations Tubes collide and flip after chute; difficultly swimming in turbulent water Lifeguard operation is critical for safety Recommendations Modify the tube chute to improve tuber safety and reduce staffing needs Improve lifeguard station to provide better separation from park users Tube Chute Park

14 Stinky Falls Weir Observations Good structural condition Backup occurs due to limited capacity Park rangers required to assist through chute and cut twine Recommendations Modify Stinky Falls weir to improve safety, increase capacity, and reduce staffing requirements Tube Chute Park

15 Tuber and Pedestrian Circulation River Access Point Observations One river access point upstream of Tube Chute No dedicated entry point downstream of Stinky Falls weir Recommendation Improve egress and ingress for pedestrians bypassing the tube chute and Stinky Falls area Tube Chute Park

16 Exit Platform Observations Good overall condition Platform only extends 2 into water and 1 below water surface Hard to reach handrails Last Public Exit

17 Exit Platform Observations Safety concerns Staff intensive to assist tubers Recommendations Extend the platform into the water to improve safety and reduce staffing requirements Last Public Exit

18 Stairs and Ramp Observations Fair overall condition Limited width due to ramps ADA access is challenging due to crossing exit path Recommendations Evaluate options to increase stairway width and improve the ADA aspect Monitor the walls Last Public Exit

19 Vehicle and Pedestrian Circulation Observations All vehicles have to use the same loop (parking, drop-offs, EMS) No sidewalks from Liberty Ave. or amenities; no direct route from San Antonio St. Recommendation Improve pedestrian safety throughout park Improve vehicular circulation Prince Solms Park

20 Queuing the River Observations Long lines create unsafe conditions in peak heat times Staff intensive to mange entrance, install line guides and water stations Prince Solms Park

21 Queuing Area Recommendation Improve the queuing area to improve tuber safety and reduce staffing requirements Queuing the River Prince Solms Park

22 Observations Confusing for users Lacks climate control for staff No direct restroom access for Prince Solms Park users Recommendation Reconfigure Tube Rental Building to be more userfriendly to park users, provide restrooms for Prince Solms Park users, and better serve staff needs Tube Rental Building Tube Chute Rental Building

23 Shaded Picnic Area River Access Point Observations Staff building for river operations team Underutilized by Tube Chute Park users Staff Building and Parking Recommendation Visioning opportunity for desired park programs Float Inn Mill Street Property

24 Observations Bank retaining walls in fair condition with some rotation and material loss Dive inspection found some voids Grass strip susceptible to erosion Recommendation Monitor the walls at regular intervals and after flood events Hinman Island Park

25 Reduce algae growth on water access stairs Incorporate resilient materials to prevent erosion on riverbank Replace stairs, sidewalks and handrails to meet code and ADA Incorporate Low Impact Development Strategies to Manage Stormwater Durango Trail and Whitewater Park Amenities Denver, Colorado All Focus Areas

26 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES Outreach and Meetings with Stakeholders June 2018 Public Meeting July 2018 o Share summary of existing conditions o Gather feedback on recommendations o Identify initial preferences Survey July 2018 o Public meeting o On-site

27 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Support Help us Spread the Word! Tell people or groups about the project, and how to sign up and get involved!