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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-10-020 - Walter Bean Trail BridgeREPORT REPORT TO: Community Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: April 12, 2010 SUBMITTED BY: Jim Witmer, Director of Operations PREPARED BY: Tim O'Brien, Landscape Architect ext 2399 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 3 DATE OF REPORT: April 8, 2010 REPORT NO.: CSD-10-020 SUBJECT: WALTER BEAN GRAND RIVER COMMUNITY TRAIL PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE RECOMMENDATION: That in accordance with the May 17, 1999 Council resolution to construct and subsequently maintain sections of the Walter Bean Trail and trail access points within Kitchener, the final design for the Walter Bean Trail Pedestrian Bridge over the Grand River be approved as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-10-020; and, That staff proceed with inviting tendered bids for construction of the proposed pedestrian bridge and connecting Walter Bean Trail; and further, That a Trail Management Plan be implemented for the 2010 - 2011 winter season, including trail and bridge closure as detailed in the Environmental Assessment (EA) Addendum Report, 2005, with a report to be brought back to the Community Services Committee in spring 2011 summarizing the results of the trail monitoring and enforcement program, with recommendations for future winter closures of the trail and bridge. BACKGROUND: Since it was first proposed in the 1980’s the purpose of the Walter Bean Grand River Trail (WBGRT) initiative continues to be the creation of a continuous trail along the banks of the Grand River through Waterloo Region that is easily accessed and used by all, providing a place for recreational activities such as hiking, bicycling, nature appreciation, fishing and canoeing, and moreover to ensure an educational, environmental and recreational heritage resource for generations to come. The need for a pedestrian bridge over the Grand River in the vicinity of Doon Golf Course was identified in the WBGRT Master Plan completed and presented to Kitchener City Council in May 1999. The Grand River was designated as a Canadian Heritage River in 1994 on the basis of human heritage and quality outdoor recreational opportunities. The Region of Waterloo and the area municipalities formally signed a declaration of support for the Heritage River designation in 1993/4. In the spirit of the “Grand Strategy” management plan (1994) created for the Grand River valley by the GRCA in collaboration with the watershed municipalities, in part to guide the planning and management of recreational opportunities within natural settings throughout the watershed, the townships and ê ó ï municipalities of Waterloo Region have given full support to the community led vision of creating the Walter Bean Grand River Community Trail (WBGRT). The Grand River Corridor Conservation Plan (1995), completed by the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) and the municipalities within the Region of Waterloo, provides the broader perspective master plan within which the WBGRT and the proposed river crossing at Doon Golf Course, fit. The Corridor Plan proposed public trails along the entire length of the Grand River within the Region of Waterloo. Development of the WBGRT is a major step toward realizing the Corridor Plan’s long range goals of improved river access, recreational use and environmental enhancement. Construction of the Walter Bean Trail began in 1999 and continues to the present time. Over one million dollars was donated to and will be contributed by the WBGRT Foundation, now the Grand River Conservation Foundation (GRCF) for the purpose of funding construction of the WBGRT and also trail access points in Kitchener. The WBGRT Foundation advised Council at their May 27 2002 meeting of a 1.2 million dollar single family donation received by the WBGRT Foundation specifically for construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Grand River, as was identified in the Foundation’s 1999 trail master plan document. A Schedule B Class Environmental Assessment (EA) was completed in 2004 to further consider the need for a pedestrian bridge and to determine the best location for the river crossing. An EA Addendum Report was subsequently completed in 2005 as a result of extended public and agency review, addressing issues identified by Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources associated with the expansion of the wintering bald eagle habitat into the project study area. This EA Addendum also examined in greater detail the options for trail and bridge locations which would provide for a continuous trail along the Grand River. The City of Kitchener was notified by the Minister of the Environment in May 2005 that further consultation under the EA process was not required and that the project may proceed to detailed design for a bridge at the location recommended by the completed EA and Addendum reports. Council approved the bridge location recommended by the completed 2004 EA and 2005 Addendum reports and as outlined by Community Services Department report CSC-05-070, and directed staff on September 19, 2005 with the following resolution: “That the Community Services Department proceed with detailed design of the Walter Bean Grand River Trail Pedestrian Bridge over the Grand River at the location confirmed through the completed Environmental Assessment for this project; and That Community Services staff proceed with detailed design of the proposed trail which connects the proposed pedestrian bridge to the existing Walter Bean Grand River Trail, including a Trail Management Plan as required within the Environmental Assessment; and further, That the Community Services Department present the proposed bridge and trail design for consideration to a future meeting of the Community Services Committee.” - and – “That one member of the Lower Doon Neighbourhood Association be allowed to participate in the detailed design phase for the Walter Bean Grand River Community Trail pedestrian bridge crossing of the Grand River.” At their meeting on June 18, 2007, Committee decided to not initiate a third EA process to address the location for an alternative river crossing, and upheld the previous Council decision to construct a pedestrian bridge at the location recommended by the completed EA and Addendum studies for the purpose of creating a continuous trail system along the Grand River in Kitchener. ê ó î REPORT: CONSULTATION A project design team was assembled in January 2006 and proceeded to prepare preliminary design work for the trail and bridge. The team is composed of individuals representing the WBGRT Foundation and also the LDNA and Mill Club Condominium Association, located upstream of the proposed bridge, as well as City of Kitchener Golf and Operations staff, and staff representing GRCA and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). In consultation with review agencies and consultants for the Doon Golf Expansion project, the design team created the trail and bridge design guidelines that have since informed the project consultant’s detailed design work. The design team also prepared the preliminary layout for trail routes on both sides of the river crossing and preliminary work to guide preparation of the Trail Management Plan. Staff and their consultants have presented the proposed bridge and trail designs to local residents (Mill Club Condominium Association, December 7, 2009) and to the general public (January 20, 2010). Public comments received to date including those generated as a result of the two formal presentations, continue to inform the detailed design work as well as to inform preparation of the Trail Management Plan. PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE Following preliminary work by the project design team, City Council approved the hiring of R. J. Burnside and Associates consulting engineers (RJB) on August 18, 2008, to prepare detailed designs for the pedestrian bridge and trail connections and to prepare construction drawings and tender documents for implementation. RJB has continued to consult with the project design team, and with Doon Golf Course staff and their expansion project consulting architect throughout the design process as well as with all relevant review and regulatory agencies. The proposed bridge is to be constructed at the location recommended by the project EA and Addendum studies and as approved by Council. In accordance with the EA document, no part of the bridge will be constructed within the river bed, and no in-stream work will be permitted to construct the bridge and abutments. The bridge is to be fabricated of durable materials requiring low levels of maintenance over its expected lifespan of 75 to 100 years. The design exploits efficiencies of pre-fabricated bridge structure technology and employs custom treatments for aesthetic purpose, which will attract submissions from a number of bidders. The bow or arch truss bridge form echoes the bridge concept originally prepared for the WBT master plan as well as local bridge forms historically in existence along the Grand River. (Refer to Attachment #1: Walter Bean Grand River Trail Pedestrian Bridge Over the Grand River.) The open design form will afford trail users with superb views of the Grand River. The bridge will be outfitted with features that will close the bridge at all times to vehicle traffic, and seasonally to all users during the winter trail closure. The bridge decking and approach ramps are designed to be universally accessible. The design team has incorporated materials recommended through public consultation. Ramps to the bridge deck elevation as well as portions of the exposed bridge abutments will be restored with an interlocking system of soft vegetative earthscape units, a bioengineered solution which achieves both structural integrity and a live, growing surface of herbaceous and woody plant materials. The project team recommends that all aspects of the bridge design meet or exceed review agency requirements. Permit submissions are in progress. The consulting team estimates that the cost of constructing the proposed bridge and connecting trail will be within the project budget. Construction activity will not interfere with private property, planned winter closures, or golf course play and operations. ê ó í TRAIL The proposed trail design extends the WBGRT in Kitchener 2.5 kilometres from Pioneer Memorial Tower to the entrance of Doon Golf Course at 500 Doon Valley Drive. (Refer to Attachment # 2: Walter Bean Grand River Trail Pioneer Memorial Tower to Doon Golf Course.) The trail will be constructed to the standard WBGRT detail from Pioneer Tower to the proposed bridge location, being a 3 metre wide, stone dust surfaced trail. Where the WBGRT traverses Doon Golf course, shared sections of the trail will be asphalt paved and double width in order to accommodate both golf carts and trail users, with the remaining sections for trail users only to be stone dust surfaced and 3 metres wide. The proposed Doon Golf Course trail section represents the southern trail head for the WBGRT within Kitchener and a strategic point for public access to the trail. A WBGRT access point will be constructed at the public entrance to the golf course, an important location providing trail users with vehicle parking spaces, directional and interpretive information, and by way of the golf clubhouse, access to food and beverage services, washrooms, telephone and first aid as well as staff assistance. The proposed trail route through Doon Golf Course is the result of collaborative work by the project design team, Golf staff and their Golf Course expansion project consultants, and has the full support of each partner with the expectation that both golfers and trail users alike will benefit. Limited sections of trail within the golf course coincide with golf cart paths and will be shared by golfers and trail users. These widened and paved trail sections will be clearly marked to maintain separate routes and safe travel. All sections of trail will be marked and signed clearly with information posted to guide the safe use of trails within the golf course. TRAIL MANAGEMENT PLAN In accordance with the project EA report recommendations, preparation of a Trail Management Plan (TMP) has been planned simultaneously with the bridge and trail plans, to address the issues of public education and safe use of the trail with respect to the location of the trail relative to active golf course operations, private property and winter closure of the trail, as well as to guide the ongoing maintenance of the trail and bridge. In accordance with OMNR recommendations and due to bald eagle and waterfowl wintering habitat, the TMP recommends that a portion of the proposed trail including the pedestrian bridge, be closed to public winter use. The trail is proposed to be closed on the downstream side of the Pioneer Tower storm water management pond and the upstream side of the Doon Golf Course storm water management pond, so that these facilities remain fully accessible throughout the year. Within the trail closure area the trail thst and March 31 (actual dates per OMNR would not be winter maintained between November 15 notification). Temporary and permanent signage and trail closure features will be placed at appropriate locations throughout this stretch of trail to effect the closure, with monitoring and enforcement in place to reinforce the public education and compliance aspects of the closure. The TMP provides direction for installation of a series of trail barrier features (gates, fence, bollards, etc.) and signage features at the bridge and at strategic locations throughout the proposed trail route between Pioneer Memorial Tower and the Doon Valley Drive entrance to Doon Golf Course. Trail signage will be used to provide interpretive and educational information to trail users relative to the historical, heritage and conservation aspects associated with the river locations that the trail will traverse. Directional signage will guide trail users throughout the project route, and together with signage that describes expectations for trail use, will guide both trail users and golfers safely through Doon Golf Course. Both permanent and seasonal signage will be used to inform trail users about the nature of the trail closure due to bald eagle and waterfowl winter activity each year, and will advise when trail closure is in effect. Seasonal signage installations will form part of the monitoring and enforcement implementation plan for the winter trail closure. Trail barrier features will be used to restrict access to the bridge and sections of trail when trail closures are in effect. ê ó ì Staff recommend a monitoring and enforcement program to be implemented through the 2010 – 2011 trail closure season (approximately November 15 through March 31), with a summary report to be brought back to Committee in spring 2011 to provide staff’s recommendations for future winter trail closure monitoring and enforcement programs. A future staff recommendation to amend the by-law being Chapter 270of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code,as well as installation of the appropriate trail closure and seasonal signage features will enable by-law enforcement staff to monitor and enforce use of the trail within the recommended trail closure limits. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Funding for construction of the Walter Bean Trail pedestrian bridge over the Grand River is by private donation originally made to the Walter Bean Grand River Community Trail Foundation. Funds for construction of the bridge are presently held in account by the City of Kitchener with a balance of 1.562 million dollars as of December 31, 2009. Funding for construction of the Walter Bean Trail is by private donations originally made to the Walter Bean Grand River Community Trail Foundation, and now administered and disbursed by the Grand River Conservation Foundation. COMMUNICATIONS: Presentation materials displayed at the Public Information Centre held at Doon Golf Course on January 20, 2010 continue to be available for public viewing on the City’s website. A summary of the public meeting and of responses received to date as prepared by the project consultant, are also available on the website’s project information. Through the project consultant, staff will communicate with local residents prior to commencement of and during construction of the trail and bridge, to advise of construction activities including schedule and duration of work as well as in order to deal with any concerns raised during the work. The Trail Management Plan will be posted on the City’s website and will be revised and updated from time to time in the future as use of the new facilities and future comments received, informs. CONCLUSION: The proposed bridge represents a critical link in completing construction of the Walter Bean Grand River Trail and a significant piece in realizing the vision of a continuous trail system along the Grand River, linking the communities of Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo and also the townships of Waterloo Region. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, General Manager, Community Services Department ê ó ë Attachment #1: Walter Bean Grand River Trail Pedestrian Bridge Over the Grand River ê ó ê Attachment # 2: Walter Bean Grand River Trail Pioneer Memorial Tower to Doon Golf Course ê ó é ê ó è ê ó ç