GREAT FALLS PARK POTOMAC RIVER PROJECT
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT POSSIBILITIES IN EACH ZONE
ZONE #1 (the area from the south edge of the main parking lot, through and around the visitors center building and extending south into the picnic area for about 100 feet):
Rehabilitate and incorporate new designs for the approach path, the visitor center courtyard, the access ramps, and the trails and area immediately adjacent to the building.
This project includes incorporating ADA-compliant access into the visitor center building, designing a visually pleasing, welcoming, and interesting approach to the building and through the courtyard. These actions would incorporate a new path and approach to the building from the main parking lot, installing a new, safe surface in the courtyard that also incorporates a water feature (note: water feature is explained in greater detail in a separate section). The courtyard design will increase the efficiency of foot traffic and it will “draw” visitors into the area due to its pleasing design. Landscaping near the building, along the approach trail, and next to other trails near the building, will incorporate (where possible) green-infrastructure features (rain gardens, etc.) to accept rainwater runoff from the paths, the courtyard and the visitor center roofs (which now drain into the courtyard, for the most part). The Canal Trail area, on the east side of the building (and the area next to the building), will be improved and become visually appealing and more convenient to use during wet weather. The green-infrastructure features will also handle problems of poor drainage in areas next to the building. These features will provide practical solutions to runoff problems as well as provide visitors with educational opportunities to understand this “green” technology. Trails next to/leading away from the visitor center building will be rehabilitated to provide safe, effective, all-weather approaches to and around the building.
Note: It might be cost/time effective, aesthetically pleasing, and in the interests of safety to consider using the same type trail surface (ideally a permeable, environmentally-friendly surface) on the Canal Trail that goes to the overlooks, as will be used next to the visitor center building.
Results Achieved: The Zone 1 projects will provide solutions to a less than safe courtyard and a need to incorporate ADA requirements into the access ramps. The problems of poor traffic flow and poor aesthetics (the “unwelcoming” appearance) will be solved. Opportunities to excite and educate visitors about “green” technologies will be created. More visitors will be drawn into the courtyard and into the visitor center due to the new design work. The project will save money and time because numerous problems and projects will be addressed with one, well integrated design.
ZONE #1 Water Feature:
A Water Feature will be constructed in the visitor center courtyard and it will continue into the grass/dirt area immediately south of the building.
The water feature will be designed so that it is a representation of the Potomac River and its watershed. Variations for the design include having the feature be a: “replica” of the river in the section of Great Falls Park, a “model” of the Potomac River Gorge, or be a stylized “replica” of the river to include showing its entry to the Chesapeake Bay.
Note: Suggestions received during the November 16, 2004 workshop included the idea of having a scale model of the Patowmack Canal, as a water feature not far from the visitor center building. This could be incorporated into the above described feature, or this could be considered as a separate feature. The purpose of this feature will be to educate people about how the canal here operated through a hands-on opportunity with the in-the-ground scale model of the canal, to include working locks.
The water feature will serve several purposes: it will attract people to and through the courtyard; it will educate and inspire people about water, the river and its related watersheds; and it will educate people about river safety. This feature will invite “hands-on” visitation-experiences. Children and the visually impaired will literally get a feel for the environment they are visiting. Interpretation programs will make use of the feature to allow visitors to become more closely connected to the importance of the river, its watershed, and to the importance of the Bay.
The water feature could be fed by runoff water from the visitor center building (or other means if necessary). The exact design of the feature will support the needs for efficient visitor flow through the courtyard and blending well with the other designs/modifications in the area.
Results Achieved: The water feature will draw people into and through the visitor center court-yard. It will excite visitors and help them develop a respect for watershed areas. The feature will educate young and old about river safety issues in this area. The water feature will provide a creative means to handle some of the rainwater runoff from the visitor center building.
GREAT FALLS PARK POTOMAC RIVER PROJECT
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT POSSIBILITIES IN EACH ZONE
ZONE #2 (the area from the south edge of the main parking lot along the west side of the visitors center building, extending south into the picnic area - adjacent to the Canal Trail - toward the wooden footbridge that is over the canal bed):
Design and construct exhibits and green infrastructure features:
This zone will make use of areas that currently receive runoff and/or remain very damp and sometimes muddy. Green infrastructure features (such as rain gardens) will be installed to handle runoff, enhance the appearance of the area, and to exploit the habitually damp areas. Some drainage from the visitor center building roof will be directed into the “green features.” These features will provide practical, environmentally friendly solutions to vexing runoff problems next to the building. They will also educate and inspire visitors about the possibilities “green” technologies have for protecting the environment. Exhibits (such as for geology, watershed issues, etc.) will take advantage of the area adjacent to the Canal Trail. The exhibits will support the site’s interpretation themes and compliment the indoor exhibits.
Results Achieved: This zone turns what is now under-utilized and/or damp, muddy areas into an active interpretation/education area. Visitors who choose not to enter the visitor center building will be provoked and excited by outdoor displays/exhibits. The area becomes more visually pleasing, while drainage and runoff problems are addressed. The value of green infrastructure technologies is at work and “on display.” The GWMP/GRFA site establishes itself as a leader in innovative use of green technology to not only handle problems, but to also educate and inspire visitors. The above actions support the stewardship aspects of the NPS’ mission.
GREAT FALLS PARK POTOMAC RIVER PROJECT
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT POSSIBILITIES IN EACH ZONE
ZONE #3 (the area from the south edge of Zones 1 and 2 , extending south to the Overlook 2 area, west of the Patowmack Canal Trail and to the west edge of the service road through the picnic area – as it goes toward overlook 2):
Design and construct exhibits and displays:
Exhibits will take advantage of the area near the Canal Trail. The exhibits will support the site’s interpretation themes and they will focus on natural and cultural topics related to the river, its watershed, and the Potomac River’s importance to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Results Achieved: Interpretation and education services are expanded. Visitors who choose not to enter the visitor center building will be emotionally and intellectually connected to the importance of the river – past, present, and future - by high quality outdoor displays/exhibits. The area will remain visually pleasing, while providing interpretation and education media (to include safety information) that would otherwise not be available.
GREAT FALLS PARK POTOMAC RIVER PROJECT
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT POSSIBILITIES IN EACH ZONE
ZONE #4 (the areas immediately next to the curbs, to include the islands, in the main and north parking lots):
Rehabilitate and/or design/install features that control erosion and continue to provide visitor access while effectively handling runoff:
The current situation in the parking lots is such that bare spots in the island areas, and some of the trail sections next to the curbs, are subject to erosion during moderate-to-heavy rainfall. It is not uncommon to see sediments from the above areas being washed across the parking lots. The bare areas, particularly in the islands are extremely unattractive and become a nuisance for visitors when muddy.
Through creative design and the use of appropriate materials (to include vegetation), erosion will become minimal. The use of permeable trail surfaces (where appropriate) will provide convenient access for visitors. The inclusion of green infrastructure into the design will assist in controlling runoff and it could also handle runoff from the non-permeable surfaces of the parking lots. The parking lot areas will become visually appealing through the use of the above techniques.
Results Achieved: Great Falls Park will send a clear, environmentally friendly, message that it is pro-active and innovative about erosion and runoff problems. Unattractive and nuisance areas in/near the parking lots will become attractive and convenient for visitors. Handling runoff from the parking lot surfaces will set a strong example for other parks, and for businesses, and will be in keeping with the NPS’ mission.
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