YMCA Nature Trail

Client Name and Contact Information:

Mark Stento, Membership Health & Wellness Director, Flagstaff Family YMCA

(P) (928)637-6590; (F) (928)556-8625; Email: mstento@voymca.org

Kevin Maurer, Facility Director, Flagstaff Family YMCA

(P) (928)637-6590; (F) (215)264-3997;p Email: kmaurer@vosymca.org

Team name:

YMCA Nature Trail Team

Names of members and Contact Information:

Yang Li yl85@nau.edu)

Billy Orr (wo8@nau.edu)

Bill Cowan (wc53@nau.edu)

Reyburn Joe (reyburn_joe@yahoo.com)

Cameron Ragan (cjr85@nau.edu)

From left: Billy Orr, Cameron Ragan, Yang Li, Bill Cowan and Reyburn Joe

Project Description

Problem Description:

The objective of the project is to provide the Flagstaff YMCA, located at 1001 North Turquoise Drive with a multi-use trail starting and ending at their facility. The primary users of the trail will be children at the YMCA care facility and the trail will serve as a conduit to natural learning and education. Along the trail, numerous kiosks will be provided to supplement the walk with useful and educational information about nature and its inhabitants.

Description of final products:

The surface of the trail may be up to 2 inches thick of 100% aggregate or earth ground without pavement. Though the trail will be designed specifically for younger users, and the direct needs of the Flagstaff YMCA; the trail can be tied into the existing Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) located approximately 100 feet from the project location. In addition, a pre-manufactured pedestrian bridge will be built connecting this nature trail to the existing FUTS trail, Switzer Canyon Trail.

Scope of Work:

Task 1-Project Management

1.1 Meetings with client

The team will meet a minimum of 4 times with the client to discuss ongoing project details. During these meetings the team will ensure that the client is remaining satisfied with the team’s work. The team will also discuss with the client their expectations and ensure that if they have changed, those changes are being met and fall within the team’s scope of services. The team will provide to the client a copy of meeting minutes from each of these meetings and their project understanding.

Deliverables: Meeting Minutes, Project Understanding

1.2 Obtain Soil Test Report

Since this project will not include the soil test, the team will attempt to attain soil information for the project location from the City of Flagstaff Department of Engineering. If available, the team will provide the client the soil test report, however the team’s scope does not include completing soil analysis.

Deliverables: Meeting Minutes, Copy of Soil Test Report

1.3 Obtain Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) Building Regulations

The team will obtain the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) codes from the City of Flagstaff. The FUTS codes will be one of numerous references used for trail alignment design. The client will be provided with the FUTS building regulations.

Deliverables: Meeting Minutes, Building Regulations

Task 2-Mapping and Surveys

2.1 Survey Control

In order to identify the exact limits of the project and the specific survey needs, the team will conduct a survey of the project site. The team will use a localized coordinate system that will not tie in to existing surveys. This survey will include only the project site and not the surrounding area. (i.e. parking lot, structures, roads, etc.) Tree location and diameter will be marked to minimize tree removal during trail alignment. Horizontal and vertical control points will be established throughout the project using GPS, electronic total stations and digital levels. The control points will be included in “Survey Control Data Sheet”. The client will be provided with survey control data sheet.

Deliverables: Survey Control Data Sheet

2.2 Topographical Survey

All surface features and improvements will be captured using electronic total station methods. The team will collect an adequate number of data points, to provide sufficient information. The above survey data will be processed and rendered into AutoCAD base map. The CAD map will exhibit 1-foot contours, spot elevations, all pertinent surface features, trees, improvements, and utilities as observed in the field, and existing right-of-way. A detailed topographic map will be provided to the client.

Deliverables: AutoCAD base map Topographic map

Task 3-Soil Analysis

As mentioned in task 1.2, the team will obtain soil information for the project location from the City of Flagstaff. The soil analysis documentation will summarize anticipated earth materials and conditions based on reference data and site exposures, discuss approach and bank conditions: slope stability, cut/fill slopes, excavation conditions, comparisons of alternative alignments and discuss conditions and constraints on likely foundation types for potential retaining structures. Additionally, the soil analysis documentation will summarize the surface and subsurface conditions as they relate to geotechnical design of the pedestrian trail, including the results of field and laboratory soils testing, test boring logs presented in 8 ½” x 11” format, and discuss encountered earth materials. With identified soil type, the team will use the data for hydrology analysis. The results of these soil tests above will be provided to the client. If no such data exists, the team will proceed with project design without soil analysis and the client will be required to use a Geotechnical Engineer to develop the above necessary information.

Deliverables: Soil Analysis Documentation

Task 4-Drainage Analysis

According to site observation, this project is likely located within the Flagstaff floodplain. A drainage analysis report will be provided if the proposed trail alignment falls within the floodplain boundary as determined by Task 5 below. The team will evaluate surface drainage, providing the drainage features necessary to perpetuate existing drainage patterns and convey storm water off of N Turquoise Dr. The existing drainage patterns and storm drain facilities in the project area will be obtained including the extent of existing watershed boundaries, the location of existing gutters, inlets, storm drain pipes, and areas of documented flooding or drainage problems.

If the client decides to build within the floodplain, the City of Flagstaff will require a report in order to prove that all floodplain requirements are met. At the request of the client the team will provide assistance in acquiring needed permits in accordance with the City Storm Water Department.

Deliverables: Drainage Analysis Report, Assistance in permitting, Meeting Minutes

Task 5-Hydrology Analysis

The team will conduct water flow study and analysis to determine an estimated maximum and average flow rate. If seasonal maximums do not occur during the time of study of the team, the team will create conservative estimates of maximums based on historical rainfall data. The client will be provided with the average and maximum estimated flow rates. HEC-HMS will be applied for hydrology analysis modeling to obtain the flow.

Deliverables: Hydrology Analysis Report, HEC-HMS Outputs, Flow Master Analysis Outputs

Task 6-Hydraulic Analysis

Some of the proposed alignments regarding the pathway may encroach the 100-year floodplain of Flagstaff YMCA. The team will build a hydraulic model for the project site using HEC-RAS modeling software based on AutoCAD map obtained from the team’s survey. In order to reflect proposed improvements such as structure encroachments, pathway construction, and improvements to the existing maintenance road (raising of road), the team will analyze the model and evaluate the results. Regarding the results, the team will determine the hydraulic impacts and minimize the impacts with adjustments. The requirements regarding Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) need to be met during hydraulic analysis.

Deliverables: Culvert Master Analysis Outputs, Hydraulic Analysis Report, HEC-RAS Outputs, pre-manufactured bridge specification

Task 7-Trail Alignment Design

7.1 Trail Alignment

The team will utilize the topographic map to determine suitable routes for the project. Concepts of suitable route alignments will be overlaid on the topographic map and provided to the client for consideration. The key aspects that will influence alignment choice are trees, slope of the trail and drainage. The site is covered by many trees. Considering the needs of our client, the team will minimize tree cutting. Slopes of the trail will affect the horizontal and vertical alignment. The radius of curves should be large enough to provide safety level for biking. In addition, the team will take drainage analysis into consideration for the trail alignment. The client will have a choice of the preferred path.

Deliverables: Proposed routes overlaid on to Topographic map (AutoCAD base map)

7.2 Trail Materials regarding FUTS codes

In accordance with FUTS building codes, trail materials will be designed based on the soil report, drainage analysis, hydraulic analysis and hydrology analysis. With the data and information obtained, several construction alternatives will be developed. The trail materials documentation will be provided to the client.

Deliverables: Trail Materials Documentation

Task 8-Pedestrian Bridge Design

With use of the AutoCAD map, a pre-manufactured pedestrian bridge will be specified to connect the team’s alignment with the existing FUTS trail so as to avoid trail damage in the event of heavy drainage. In order to tie in to the existing FUTS, the bridge needs to satisfy FUTS building specifications. Since the budget is limited, the pre-manufactured pedestrian bridge is optional for the client; however the proposed trail will not tie in to the existing FUTS without the bridge. If the client chooses to use the bridge, the team will provide a grant proposal for bridge funds.

Deliverables: Documentation of Pedestrian Bridge Design, A grant proposal for bridge funds

Task 9-Permits from City of Flagstaff

9.1 City Requirements

The project site is owned by the City of Flagstaff and granted to the YMCA for project use. The team will correspond with the City of Flagstaff to determine restrictions for land use (i.e. permanent structures, flood plain restrictions, etc.).

If the final route alignment falls within the flood plain boundary, City of Flagstaff Storm Water requirements must be met. Permitting must be obtained in order to proceed with this option. Requirements include but are not limited: no fill introduced, no permanent structures, no change in water flow and signage would include City of Flagstaff Development Review Board (DRB) approval. If the final route alignment does not fall within the flood plain boundary, no City of Flagstaff permitting is required. Design could include raised trail design and simple post signage. If and when permits are required, the team will fill out the permit application forms. The team will not submit these forms, but will provide the client with them.

The team will provide to the client any information regarding the restricted use of project land. All property and or easement rights are the responsibility of the client.

Deliverables: Meeting Minutes, Memorandum of Permits, Permit application Paperwork

9.2 City of Flagstaff FUTS

The design trail will be compliant with the FUTS building codes. The team will provide information to the client regarding the integration of the project into the existing Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS). Necessary details and building requirements from the City of Flagstaff will be acquired to determine the feasibility of integration in to the FUTS. Permitting will be initiated if the team deems the integration feasible. If and when permits are required, the team will fill out the permit application forms. The team will not submit these forms, but will provide the client with them.

Deliverables: Meeting Minutes, Memorandum of Permits, Permit Application Paperwork

Task 10-Preparation of Design Report

10.1 Sign Project Plans

The team will develop a design report summarizing the entire project. The design report will include, but is not limited to all tasks 1-9 outlined above. All information provided to the client over the course of the project will be included in an appendix to the design report. The client and the Flagstaff YMCA will be provided with a complete, compiled copy of the team’s design report.

Deliverables: Design Report and Construction Plans