Destination: Greenways!
Destination: Greenways! focuses on creating an improved greenway experience within New York City parks so that greenways are not simply connections between places, but also enjoyable destinations in themselves. The concept plan identifies existing gaps and issues along each route and proposes design solutions to create continuous, safe and enjoyable routes for all New Yorkers. The plan highlights key pedestrian and bike routes – one in Brooklyn and one in Queens – for an improved greenway conceptual design. Working in close partnership with New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), the plan facilitates safe on-street connections between the park segments.
Working closely with the client NYC Parks, QRP led a design team comprised of traffic and ecological engineers to analyze the existing open space and traffic and environmental conditions along the Brooklyn and Queens routes. Of particular interest were the locations where the greenway segments end without a clear path to the next segment, and where additional amenities such as seating, lighting, drinking fountains and comfort stations would make the most impact. These needs are noted in the borough-route sections of the final concept plan.
The analysis reviewed ADA access and makes recommendations where suitable within the study scope. In Flushing Meadows Corona Park (FMCP), the study recommends rerouting the greenway to provide universal accessibility. Non-ADA access points have been noted; modest interim improvements have been included for these areas.
The analysis also reviewed topography, flood potential and sea level rise. The concept plans respond to the potential for increased flooding with strategic grading and path location, and through the recommended use of durable materials, improved drainage and increase in pervious surfaces.
Following preliminary design work, the routes were refined through community participation via virtual meetings, in-person conversations, and web-based surveying, resulting in the final Destination: Greenways! Concept Plans.
Location
Brooklyn and Queens, NY
Client
NYC Parks
Role
Prime Consultant
Team
Sam Schwartz Associates
eDesign Dynamics
