Get Started Studio | Case Study 1: Orchard Park

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Photo: The current entrance to Orchard Park; no modification.

Description of Problem: Orchard Park is a popular neighborhood park in a small town in New Jersey. It is about 15 acres in size, and contains a new playground, two tennis courts and two small open fields for free play. The park is extensively used by young children and their care-takers every day and all day long.

There is only one entrance to the park, which is on Hart Road at approximately the mid-point of the block. The entrance is an asphalt paved footpath, approximately the same width as the residential driveways on Hart Road. The footpath meets the sidewalk and there is an asphalt apron (curb cut) between the sidewalk and the street. A chain has been put up between two short wooden posts across the asphalt apron to block cars from using the footpath. Municipal park maintenance vehicles cut across the sidewalk using a nearby resident’s driveway to access the “footpath” and drive into the park.

There is virtually nothing on the street that identifies the park or the presence of young children. The entrance to the park as well as the park itself is surrounded by homes. Orchard Park is essentially a place space for the neighbors, all of whom have small yards or lots.

The Orchard Park Neighborhood Association and especially the residents of Hart Road do not want excessive signage on the block advertising the park, but they would like to have some physical treatment on the block to slow cars down especially near the entrance to the park where young children have been known to run out. Recently two neighborhood dogs have been hit by cars on the block which has caused some alarm over speeding vehicles.

Neighbors have also noticed that while people used to walk to the park, more and more people seem to be driving to the park, even though most park users seem to be from the general surrounding area.

Problem Statement: Hart Road needs some treatment on the block to provide visible clues to drivers that there is a park on the street and force them to slow down. The treatment should be consistent with the look and feel of a park.

A front view of the current park entrance.

View of Hart Road; park entrance is on the right-hand side.

Closeup of park entrance from Hart Road.

Opposite view of Hart Road; park entrance is on the left-hand side.

Foothills Blvd. Ideas

Photo: A suggested treatment for the Orchard Park Entrance; see text below for details.

A LOW-COST SOLUTION (Cost Estimate: $2,000-5,000 )

Raised crosswalk – A raised crosswalk can improve visibility and lower motorists speeds.

Reflective bollards and park benches at the entrance can – if carefully placed – discourage drivers from turning into the park.

DETAILS:

- Raised crosswalks are 3-4 inches above the elevation of the street on either side. They have a profile similar to a 22-foot speed hump and reduce vehicle speeds where pedestrians are encouraged (or expected) to cross a street.

- Pedestrian curb ramps are needed to bring the sidewalk down to the elevation of the roadway. However, since the roadway rises 3-4 inches at the crosswalk, the sidewalk will only be several inches higher than the crosswalk and the curb ramps will be short.

- Pavement markings and signs are integral elements of a raised crosswalk, serving to warn approaching motorists of its presence. Since there are no standard signs and markings yet, agencies have used a variety of approaches. The photo above shows one example of how crosswalks can be marked. Below is another example. In addition, parking restrictions are common adjacent to raised crosswalks to improve visibility.

RESOURCES:

- Pedestrian Plan; City of Cambridge (MA); 2000; p.4.12
- Pedestrian Design Guide; City of Portland (OR)
- Raised Crosswalk Album; Portland (OR)
- Traffic Calming - State of the Practice; ITE/FHWA; 1999; p.94-97
- Traffic Manual, Chapter 3.6 Raised Crosswalks; City of Portland

Photo: A more expensive suggested treatment for the Orchard Park entrance, including colored pavement and bulb-outs.

A HIGHER-COST SOLUTION (Cost Estimate: $5,000-10,000)
Solution features a raised crosswalk with curb extensions and colored pavement. The curb extensions reduce crossing distance,narrowing the roadway while the colored pavement draws more attention to the crossing.

Curb extensions: The curb extensions keep motorists from parking too near the crosswalk (or in it) and they reduce the amount of time that pedestrians are exposed to traffic. One issue that may arise with the curb extensions is drainage. In some cases, a covered channel adjacent to the original curb may be needed to allow for storm water runoff.

Colored pavement: This effect can be achieved through a variety of means. One approach that is NOT recommended is using paving bricks, cobblestones and the like. Such a surface can cause problems for wheelchair users and and walkers who have gait problems. For this reason, crosswalk and sidewalk surfaces must be “stable, firm, slip-resistant,” according to the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). ADAAG-compliant alternatives include concrete with a colored admixture and colored asphalt products, like StreetPrint Pavement Texturing.

- Americans With Disabilities Act Guidelines; US Access Board
- Raised Crosswalk Examples, Portland, Oregon (bottom of album page)
- Streetprint Pavement Texturing
- Traffic Calming: State of the Practice; ITE/FHAW 1999

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