101 E. Badger Road ● Madison, WI 608.255.0800 ● www.AyresAssociates.com

Peninsula State ParkEagle Tower Concept DesignJune 9, 2017

Table of Contents

Introduc on .............................................................................................pg 5

Planning Area and History ........................................................................pg 5

Concept Plan Considera ons....................................................................pg 6

Planning Process ......................................................................................pg 7

Concept Op ons .......................................................................................pg 8

Final Plan Concepts ..................................................................................pg 12

Opinion of Probable Construc on Cost ....................................................pg 14

Acknowledgments

Stakeholder Team

Ben Bergey – Wisconsin State Parks (Director)

Missy VanLanduyt – Wisconsin State Parks

Erin Brown – Wisconsin State Parks

Kelly Raleigh-Moses – Wisconsin State Parks

Mike Bergum – Wisconsin State Parks

Rick Schmale – Wisconsin State Parks

Brian Markowski – Wisconsin State Parks

Rachel Stollenwerk – Friends of Peninsula State Park

Chris Holicek – Friends of Peninsula State Park

Bob Ross – U.S. Forest Products Laboratory

Consultant Team

Blake Theisen, PLATravis Schroeder, AIA

Ayres Associates101 E. Badger RoadMadison, WI 53713www.ayresassociates.com

4

5Peninsula State Park – Eagle Watch TowerConcept Design

Introduc on

The following memorandum summarizes the process, fi ndings and recommenda ons of the Concept Plan for the new Eagle Tower at Peninsula State Park. Exhibits referenced in this report are a ached at the end of the document.

Planning Area and History

In 2017, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources retained Ayres Associates Inc to complete a concept planning study in order to develop design op ons and a construc on budget for the replacement of the Eagle Watch Tower at Peninsula State Park. The original tower was constructed in 1932 and served as a landmark within the park for many decades. A structural analysis was completed on the structure in spring 2015 and deemed the tower unsafe for con nued public use. A second study confi rmed the results of the fi rst analysis, and was further supported by the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory review. The tower was subsequently deconstructed in fall 2016.

As part of the structural review conducted by the U.S. Forest Products Lab, it was determined that although there were no members fi t for reuse in a structural capacity for a new tower, it would be possible to re-purpose some of the original wood into benches, interpre ve signage, and other miscellaneous items. The intent is to incorporate these items into the project and locate at the tower site, or as appropriate for other projects within the property.

A group of project stakeholders was assembled to par cipate in the planning process, including DNR staff , members of the Friends of Peninsula State Park, and U.S. Forest Products Lab staff .

6

Concept Plan Considera ons

The DNR in conjunc on with the Friends group and other stakeholders developed a list of parameters to guide the conceptual planning process. They are as follows:

• New tower shall be designed to visually replicate the old structure as much as possible

• All new material shall be used in the construc on • New tower shall be fully accessible including the top viewing pla orm• The Governors Council on Physical Disabili es and DNR Disability

Advisory Council desires the facility to be fully physically accessible• New tower should provide the same experience to users of all

abili es • New tower shall be designed and constructed to have long lifespan

and minimize maintenance requirements • New tower shall meet all building codes• Alternate energy sources and materials should be considered when

reasonable• Exis ng parking lot and traffi c pa erns should not be disrupted/

changed in design • Construc on budget shall be in range of $500,000 to $1,250,000

7Peninsula State Park – Eagle Watch TowerConcept Design

Planning Process

The conceptual planning process began in February 2017 and was concluded in May 2017. Several mee ngs were held during the process with the stakeholder group and consultant to provide updates on the conceptual development and cost implica ons.

Kickoff Mee ng – February 10, 2017This mee ng was held in the DNR Central offi ces in Madison and via GOTO Mee ng. Goals and objec ves for the project were discussed and a meline for future mee ngs established.

Aerial Video Flight – February 28, 2017Ayres’ aerial fl ight pilot conducted a fl ight mission on the site of the old tower to collect panoramic viewsheds at mul ple viewing heights. 360 degree photographs were taken at 10’ increments from 35’ above ground to 75’ above ground.

Progress Review Mee ng – March 10, 2017This mee ng was held at the Ayres offi ce and via GOTO Mee ng. Nine people a ended. Ayres presented the fi ndings of the aerial video fl ight and illustrated poten al views from 35’ height, 45’ height, 55’ height, 65’ height, and 75’ height. Three schema c concepts were shown.

Progress Review Mee ng – March 24, 2017A progress review mee ng was held at the Ayres offi ce and via GOTO Mee ng. Ten people a ended. Ayres presented two modifi ca ons of Concept C a emp ng to achieve a closer resemblance to the old tower and providing an accessible route to the top observa on deck.

Progress Review Mee ng – April 21, 2017A progress review mee ng was held at the Ayres offi ce and via GOTO Mee ng. Eight people a ended. Ayres presented the updated concept plans including the plan views and rendered eleva ons. In addi on to the 40’ tower height, two addi onal scenarios were laid out illustra ng the impacts of a 50’ and 60’ tower. Ayres presented the updated concept layout and 3D model graphics.

View

at 5

5 fe

etVi

ew at

65

feet

View

at 7

5 fe

etVi

ew at

35

feet

View

at 4

5 fe

et

8

Op on B – This concept presented a four corner post with internal ramp structure with a top viewing deck eleva on of 50’. The footprint of the tower resulted in a much larger one than the old structure. Es mated construc on cost = $1,131,000. To achieve a top eleva on of 75’ is es mated at $1,639,000.

Op on A – This concept was based on an elevator assist scenario and assumed a top viewing deck eleva on of 50’. This op on would require a new electrical service to be installed from USH 42 to power the li . Es mated construc on cost = $2,405,000. To achieve a top eleva on of 75’ is es mated at $3,313,000.

Option A Option B

Concept Op ons

9Peninsula State Park – Eagle Watch TowerConcept Design

Option C

Option C

Op on C – This concept inves gated a tower with stairs accessing two deck levels. A separate canopy trail was outlined through the woods south of the park road and “bridged” the road providing ADA access to the lower level observa on deck. This scenario assumed an accessible view deck eleva on of 25’. Es mated construc on cost = $500,000.

Wide metal and wood ramp to wind through woods for 300’

10

Op ons C1 and C2 – Based on the feedback from review mee ngs, the decision to further explore the op on of ramping through the woods was pursued. This scenario not only accomplishes the goal of providing full accessibility to the top of the viewing pla orm, but also establishes a new educa onal and recrea onal opportunity as a canopy walk. This would be the fi rst of its kind in the Wisconsin State Park system.

Two scenarios were discussed including a helical ramp, and a longer single-level alignment extending farther into the forest. The top eleva on of the observa on tower was established at 40’ providing a typical viewing eleva on of 45’. The group consensus was to further develop the op on with the single-level path alignment due to the enhanced user experience. An interim landing pla orm was desired to establish a rest area, and a path connec on was desired to connect to the Sen nel Trail. Ayres discussed addi onal path connec ons to the lower level parking lot and the desire for greater interpre ve/educa on opportuni es somewhere near the base of the tower.

Option C1 Option C1

Option C2 Option C2

11Peninsula State Park – Eagle Watch TowerConcept Design

Two addi onal scenarios were developed illustra ng the impacts of a 50’ and 60’ tower. This change would result in signifi cant cost implica ons as well as placing a large amount of the ramping system at or above the treeline, thus resul ng in an uncomfortable user experience. A detailed cost comparison is included to illustrate all op ons.

Option C2 w/variedramp lengths

12

Final Plan Contents

TowerThe fi nal concept of the tower structure very much mimics the original aesthe c and footprint size. Four corner posts with cable bracing will provide the main support for one viewing deck, and one res ng landing, and the staircase is located in the center of the tower. The top viewing deck has been expanded from the original geometry to provide a larger viewing area and will be can levered over the lakeside edge. Material selec on should be carefully considered for the structure supports, decks, and stairs. There are many new wood technologies available, and this project off ers an excellent opportunity to showcase new materials and methods of construc on.

Canopy TrailThe decision to integrate the ramping system into the forest and not integral to the tower provides an opportunity to achieve the accessibility goal and also add a new experience to the park. Because a rise/run ra o of 1:12 must be maintained to meet ADA regula ons, a viewing deck height of 40’ requires a total length of 600’ including rest landings. The walkway system will steadily climb to an eleva on 37.5’ on the forest side of the park road, and then bridge over the road reaching the tower deck at an eleva on of 40’. Depending on the fi nal eleva on of the top tower deck, the canopy trail length will need to be adjusted to maintain this rise/run ra o. Considera on should be given to the fi nal eleva on crossing the road in rela on to the tree canopy height. Placing the bridge above the tree line may result in added structural requirements due to wind loading, and create an uncomfortable experience for the user.

Interim pla orms are proposed at various eleva ons on the far south side of the ramp loop, off ering an opportunity for canopy classrooms for educa onal and interpre ve sessions. Materials for the ramp and supports could include nontradi onal wood members such as laminate mbers while the decking could consist of either composite boards,

metal decking, or other types of laminated lumber materials. In 2009, the DNR replaced the staircase and observa on pla orms at Roche-A-Cri State Park and used a combina on of glue-lam mbers for the structural supports and coated metal decking to resist moisture build-up under heavy tree canopy.

Site ImprovementsThe replacement of the tower structure provides an opportunity to make several site improvements to the exis ng parking area. The proposed plan illustrates the beginning of the ramp system in the southeast corner of the exis ng parking lot. Adjacent parking stalls should be reconfi gured and re-striped for handicap accessible parking closest to the ramp entrance. Suffi cient distance and stall geometry must be considered for redesign. Two addi onal trail segments are proposed as part of this project. A short connec on to the exis ng Sen nel Trail will need to include a staircase to achieve the 30’ eleva on at the proposed connec on point. The plan also illustrates the opportunity for a new pedestrian pathway connec ng to the exis ng lower parking lot at Eagle Terrace picnic area. This lot could also be reconfi gured to provide an addi onal 15-20 parking stalls to support the increased visitor demand this new tower will likely yield. Bicycling in the park is a very popular ac vity, and dedicated bike parking near the base of the tower should be included in any site improvement eff orts.

Educa on and Interpreta onAs discussed earlier in this report, some of the original wood materials from the old tower were salvaged and stockpiled. These materials could be re-purposed and integrated into an interpre ve kiosk and signage at the base of the tower or along the canopy trail segments. Environmental, cultural, and historical data/case studies could be highlighted at key areas in decora ve and robust exterior sign applica ons.

Given the emo onal signifi cance of the old tower, it is appropriate to pay tribute to the history of the site and structure with photographs and historical anecdotes.

13Peninsula State Park – Eagle Watch TowerConcept Design

Design character images

40’ Tower w/ 45’ view

New hiking trail from additional parking to Eagle Tower

Side elevation

Upper tower platform

14

Opinion of Probable Construc on Cost

The design team evaluated mul ple op ons during conceptual design and reviewed construc on budgets from similar projects around the country. Ayres also consulted with several local material suppliers and contractors to verify local cost climate and access to materials. The following table illustrates the projec on of likely costs for each of the major project elements. The table also shows the implica ons of increasing the tower eleva ons to 50’ and 60’, respec vely. These fi gures are in 2018 dollars with projected 2019 infl a on impact.