Pollocks Branch Walkable Watershed Concept Plan · Skeo Solutions Pollocks Branch Walkable...

OverviewThe City of Charlottesville has collaborated with residents and partner agencies to develop this Pollocks Branch Walkable Watershed Concept Plan. The Walkable Watershed process links the concepts of clean waters and healthy communities to improve creeks and neighborhoods simultaneously.

Building on the design goals from the 2013 Strategic Investment Area Plan (SIA Plan), this concept plan integrates pedestrian, cyclist and watershed improvements into a collective vision to improve both Pollocks Branch and neighborhood quality of life.

Working together, the City, the James River Association, Skeo Solutions, the Center for Watershed Protection, and The Bridge PAI have identified a set of near-term action steps, and are beginning to implement improvements over the course of the next year. The Pollocks Branch Walkable Watershed Concept Plan aims to: • Connect the neighborhood to Pollocks Branch,

Moores Creek and the surrounding natural areas/parks;

• Provide safe passage and routes for pedestrians and cyclists;

• Clean stormwater runoff using green infrastructure before it enters the creeks;

• Engage and educate residents to celebrate Pollocks Branch and promote watershed stewardship.

Please visit: www.walkablewatershed.com or contact Dan Frisbee, City of Charlottesville at (434) 970-3997 or frisbee@charlottesville.org for more information.

Project Partners

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Parks and Open Space

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D o w n t o w nD o w n t o w n

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Rain that falls within Pollocks Branch watershed (shown in blue above) flows to the Pollocks Branch, then to Moores Creek, the Rivanna and James Rivers and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

In urban areas, the stormwater drainage system, which includes a series of underground pipes, open stream channels, street gutters and ditches, can carry pollutants from streets, yards and businesses to the creek.

A walkable watershed includes neighborhood amenities that improve stormwater and pedestrian safety simultaneously.

Pollocks Branch Walkable Watershed Concept Plan

DRAFT

September 2015 - DRAFT

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C o n C e p t p l a n

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CHERRY AVE

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LANKFORD AVE

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BLENHEIM AVE

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STONEHENGE AVE

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Opportunities On-Street Routes Primary Routes Missing Sidewalks

Safe Crossings Improved Intersections with Potential Stormwater Treatment (see SIA Plan)

Greenway System Existing Trails Potential Greenway Extension Potential Access Points Potential Creek Crossings

Green Infrastructure Projects Potential Capstone Projects Potential Planted Buffers Potential WaterWise Murals

Skeo Solutions | Pollocks Branch Walkable Watershed Concept Plan 3

Improve On-Street RoutesPrimary RoutesAdd pedestrian and cyclist safety amenities along priority routes. Integrate natural drainage strategies to improve stormwater in conjunction with pedestrian amenities where feasible.

Missing SidewalksAdd missing sidewalks along primary routes.

Safe CrossingsProvide safe crossings at intersections along primary routes. Integrate stormwater treatment where feasible (see SIA Plan).

Monticello Ave. ConnectionCreate pedestrian connection from South 1st Street to Monticello Avenue.

Enhance and Extend Pollocks Branch GreenwayExisting TrailsFormalize and clean-up existing section of Pollocks Branch Greenway.

Greenway ExtensionExtend Pollocks Branch Greenway to Jordan Park, connect to regional trails along Moores Creek. Add creek overlooks at street crossings.

Access Points and Creek CrossingsProvide additional access points and creek crossings. Improve connections to on-street route.

Improve Water Quality through Green Infrastructure and ArtGreen Infrastructure Capstone Projects (see pg. 4)Build one of the following green infrastructure capstone projects with existing grant support:

A. Crescent Halls Concrete Channel RetrofitB. Jordan Park Stormwater Bioretention Garden

Planted BuffersConsider planting buffers at street ends to slow and clean runoff before entering creek.

Waterwise Street MuralsHost workshops to teach neighborhood children about watershed health and design murals to celebrate the creek. (Led by The Bridge PAI)

Rain Barrels and Educational WorkshopsInstall 100 rain barrels in the neighborhood and host residential workshops to promote watershed stewardship. (Led by the James River Association)

o p p o r t u n i t i e s

Examples of natural drainage strategies that support stormwater and walkability: a) curb extension, b) planted swale, c) curb extension with crosswalk, d) corner stormwater bulb-out with sidewalk.

Example of creek crossing.

Proposed WaterWise street murals inspired by local youth creek discoveries.

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A. Crescent Halls Concrete Channel RetrofitOpportunities to:• Retrofit existing concrete

stormwater channel into a planted swale.

• Include benches for residents and plants that attract pollinators and birds.

• Consider adding walking/biking connection to Monticello Avenue.

B. Jordan Park Stormwater Bioretention GardenOpportunities to:• Install natural drainage

feature at entrance of park to slow and clean stormwater from large drainage area before it enters Moores Creek.

• Enhance park entrance by replacing guardrail.

• Consider including educational signage about the stormwater feature and the area’s history.

ChannelRetrofit

Monticello Ave. Connection

Crescent Halls

Monticello Ave.

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t. S

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Stormwater Garden

Jordan Park

Rougemont Ave

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Next StepsFall 2015• Extend greenway trail from

Rougemont Avenue to Jordan Park.

• Improve existing trail at Elliott Avenue.

• Select green infrastructure capstone project.

• Plan Pollocks Branch trail and stream cleanup and educational workshop.

• Install rain barrels in Ridge Street community (ongoing).

Spring 2016• Improve intersection at Monticello

Avenue and 6th St.

• Construct green infrastructure capstone project with the help of volunteers.

• Host educational workshop

• Install WaterWise storm drain murals.

AcknowledgmentsThis effort is funded by a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grant.

Representatives from the following organizations participated in the process through interviews, briefings, community meetings or working sessions:

City of Charlottesville Departments of Public Works, Neighborhood Development Services and Parks and RecreationCharlottesville Redevelopment and Housing AuthorityRidge Street Neighborhood AssociationPiedmont Housing AllianceCharlottesville Public Housing Association of Residents

The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

One of the following green infrastructure capstone projects will be selected after soliciting community input and will be constructed in spring 2016. See map on page 2 for project locations.

For more information, please visit: www.walkablewatershed.com or contact Dan Frisbee, City of Charlottesville at (434) 970-3997 or frisbee@charlottesville.org.