Landscape Architecture, Landscape Design, Park Design

1. Introduction and Project Overview
Introduction and Project Overview:
The town of Silverthorne is maturing as a tourist
destination as well as a year-round community.
Establishing the town’s character and creating
amenities that focus on the scenic natural resources
available within Silverthorne are important goals as we
look towards the future. The creation of Rivers Edge
Park as an entrance feature to the Silverthorne Town
Center fulfills the town’s Vision Statement.
Vision Statement:
“Silverthorne, a vital community of residences and
businesses in the Lower Blue River Valley, is dedicated
to protecting its spectacular natural resources,
enhancing its sense of place, and creating a diverse,
stable, and sustainable economy.”
Park Vision:
Draw people to the Town Center and welcome them
to Silverthorne.
Goals:
1. Connect pedestrian circulation with the Town Center
and Blue River Trail System.
2. Provide a visual marker for the Town Center.
3. Open view corridors along the Blue River.
4. Provide physical access to the river for fisherman,
visitors, and residents.
5. Create a magnet of activity for pedestrian traffic.
6. Create a welcoming entrance presence
to Silverthorne for vehicular traffic along Hwy 9.
7. Emphasize the unique mountain vernacular here
in Summit County.
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2. Existing Conditions Map
Path to River
Pedestrian Bridge
Farmers Stand
Bike Path
Blue River
Bike Path
Town Center Sign
Bike Path Underpass
Open Space
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3. Existing Conditions
1 2 3
1. Looking towards the Silverthorne Pavilion from the bike trail
4 5 running through the proposed Rivers Edge Park.
2. Looking into the open space property along the river from
the north.
3. Looking northeast at the river from the bridge overpass on
State Highway 9. The outlets stores and bike trail are
located on the opposite side of the river.
4. Looking southwest at the large flat open space located
adjacent to the Silverthorne Pavilion. The Outlets At
Silverthorne can be seen the the distance.
5. Looking west at the large flat open
space. Buffalo Mountain can be seen in
the far distance and the temporary
fruit stand can be seen in
the foreground.
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4. Conceptual Analysis Study
Fishing Access
River Access Paths
- -
Pathways to
-
Bike Trail
Possible Kayak Park
Put In Temporary
Parking
Park
Parking
Kayak Park River Bike Path
Seating Areas
Take Out Access
Gathering Kayak Park
Area Blue River Put In Views
Boardwalk
Covered Learning Trails
Shelter
Views Ecosystem Learning
Areas
Bioswales
Picnic Areas
Landscape Buffer
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5. Increase Circulation Connections
Inside Park:
Rivers Edge Park will create a welcoming
rest area along the trail. The diverse park
uses will give cyclists, and walkers a
great place to people watch and enjoy
the river. The bike path will move through
the space while a more narrow mulched
path will give people on foot a chance HWY
to explore the trail, the educational 9
stations, and the connections to the river
bank.
Bike Path
Landscape Native
Buffer Wetlands
Blue
River
Park Path
Trail Circulation Section View
Connections:
Attracting existing pedestrian circulation is one of the
main goals of the park. Through proper connections
to existing trails and signage this will be achieved.
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6. River Access
Fishing:
Several miles of the Lower Blue River river is a main goal of this park. In particular,
running through Silverthorne have been barrier free construction will open at least one area
designated as "Gold Medal" waters by along the waters edge to all anglers.
the Colorado Wildlife Commission. "Gold
Medal" designation is given only to Kayaking:
waters offering outstanding angling The creation of a put in and take out for kayakers
opportunities for large trout. Providing expands the multi-disciplinary aspect of the park.
access points for all anglers along the The 500' long kayak park allows another user group
access to the river. The ample viewing
areas available for spectators make it an
ideal situation for future competitions.
Viewing Areas:
View corridors of the river throughout the
park are important. In addition, creating
usable spaces that access the river and
take advantage of the surrounding
scenery will enhance the user experi-
ence. Places for people to access the
river, simply to enjoy the view, or observe
others interacting with the river are a pri-
ority as well.
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7. Gathering Spaces
Large Gathering Areas:
Creating a gathering space in such a on this site will help to enhance events such as the
prominent park creates a sense of Blue River Festival that celebrate the lower Blue
identity and entrance to the town. It River, one of Silverthorne's most valuable natural
attracts the attention of vehicular traffic resources.
and gives them visual cues that they
have just entered a community. The Picnic Areas:
gathering space can serve as an area The views from the park and its location along the
for parties, celebrations, and fairs. This bike path create a perfect area for
space can stand on its own or act as a people to relax and enjoy a break. The picnic
supporting role to celebrations, concerts, areas will accommodate small and medium sized
and other events held on the pavilion groups and allow multiple users to enjoy the park
lawn. A farmer's market, artist's fair, flea simultaneously. The ease of access and the
markets , and other events can be held proximity to the town center, create an ideal
in this area. A gathering space setting for the use of these picnic areas.
Seating Benches:
Benches, and informal resting areas
provide places for people to enjoy the
park and take a break. Benches and
seating areas are designated
throughout the park to encourage
people to spend time in the space
rather than simply move through the
space. Observation and spectator
areas will be a priortiy for seating
options.
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8. Education
Education:
The creation of an Another aspect Silverthorne could address
educational walking path in this park is how people and history have
within the park will provide interacted. Possible “stations” include how
place specific learning. the Ute Indians used certain plants, how
Interdisciplinary educational the dam was created, and how people in
stations might include natural covered wagons crossed rivers,etc.
history, ecology, geography, Exploring the connections between
and the history of settlers in the nature, history, and humans in an outdoor
area. Possible informational or setting can help stimulate and promote
interpretive “stations” include further interest in the natural world.
tree rings, bioswale, fish
habitat, Gore Range mountain
peak names “viewing tubes”, Bioswale Wetland
etc.
Blue
Runoff from River
Buildings and
Streets
Bioswale
Runoff
Bioswale Section View
The view of a mountain from a
“viewing tube”.
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9. Signage
Existing Signage: Entrance Signs:
Signage is important to the success of Following the town standard, an Entrance Sign with
the park. This park is part of a larger the name will help identify the Park.
recreational system. Signage is important
on three levels: Informational Signage:
Rivers Edge Park is a key area in the connection of
Vehicular: the existing Blue River Trail System. While the park is
Welcome people to the Town of visible from the highway, pedestrian connections
Silverthorne and let them know they are are not as apparent. Informational signage
approaching the Town Center. Also, the including directional signs, a map of the trail system,
park serves as a great location to and possible walking loops showing distances and
advertise local events. landmarks will help users feel more comfortable with
the park and more willing to explore various walking
options. In addition, internal
informational signs will be incorporated
into the educational walking loop.
Signage promoting walking loops,
distances, and landmarks can help
promote a healthy lifestyle. Encouraging
people to use the trails begins with
helping them understand different
walking/biking loop options. People will
be more willing to explore and get
exercise with proper informational signs.
Proper signage can be part of a healthy
lifestyle.
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10. Landscape Concept
Fishing Access
Pedestrian
Bridge River Access Paths
Possible Kayak Park
Put In Temporary
Bike Path Parking
Park
Bike Rack and
Parking
Park Sign
River Seating Areas
Access
Kayak Park Slope
Take Out Restoration
Event Fishing Access
Area
Kayak Park
Put In
Blue River
Boardwalk
Covered Learning Trails
Shelter
Ecosystem Learning
Relocated Areas
Sign Bioswales
Small Pedestrian
Bridge Picnic Areas
Landscape Buffer
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