Conveniences & Facilities
By Daliah G. Macon, Karen A. Barnes,
& Melissa E. Lamb
INTRODUCTION
The advent of the Coal Mining Heritage Park creates the need for several
necessities to allow visitors to feel comfortable. The following discussion
of facilities and family-oriented activities is based on feedback from surveys,
community meetings, and informal interviews. People indicated that they desire
conveniences such as restrooms, water fountains and picnic areas in the park.
These amenities will allow the visitors to comfortably enjoy the natural environment
and absorb the rich history of the area. The chapter's discussion of facilities
and infrastructure is also based on a survey of park planning literature (Bartling
1983; Christiansen 1983; Espeseth 1982; Fogg 1975; Hultsman et al. 1997; Marcus
et al. 1998; Molnar 1986; Sharpe 1983). This chapter contains ideas that will
make the park a popular place for friends and family to gather in order to relax
and learn.
In this chapter, we will discuss the details of the park’s infrastructure
and the need for convenience facilities, including restrooms, drinking fountains,
parking, benches, picnic areas, pavilion, and bicycle racks. We will also address
security concerns and the need for regular park maintenance. These additions
will help to create a complete heritage park and community resource. These facilities
are necessary implements for the successful functioning of this park project.
Figure 4.1 shows a map of the recommended park facilities.
Americans
With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Before any specific facilities are addressed, it is important to define
ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) in terms of the contents of this chapter. The
ADA "…sets standards for facility accessibility by physically handicapped
persons for Federal and federally-funded facilities. These standards are to
be applied during the design, construction, and alterations of buildings and
facilities…" (UFAS:5). This act was specifically designed for persons with
disabilities to have access to parks like the Coal Mining Heritage Park. These
standards should be integrated into the park not only because the law dictates
them, but also because it would be a courtesy to the park visitors. The Coal
Mining Heritage Park is meant for everyone and should be designed as such. Without
these considerations, we would be excluding a large portion of our park patrons.
RESTROOMS
The community and users of the Huckleberry Trail have stated that restrooms
are needed at the park. In the survey, restrooms were the most frequently asked-for
facility (51 requests out of 64 respondents). Restroom facilities would serve
the Huckleberry Trail users as well as the visitors of the Coal Mining Heritage
Park. Currently, the trail is six miles long and without restrooms, so trail
users would greatly appreciate this convenience.
There are a few considerations that need to be added to the design of the
restrooms. First, it is necessary for the restrooms to be ADA accessible. This
includes consideration for things such as the width of the door stalls, the
width of the door entrances, sink heights and incorporating Braille into the
signs. They need to be accessible to everyone. Another consideration would be
to put diaper-changing stations in each male and female restroom. ADA Accessibility
and family-oriented conveniences are needed immediately. At the moment, there
are not only adults and children using the Huckleberry Trail, but also wheelchair
users. The restrooms are needed for these patrons of the trail.
We have researched some possible additions that should be integrated into
the design. The structure should be aesthetically pleasing and in balance with
the natural surroundings. Incorporating skylights into the design would cut
down on electricity costs, but needs to be inaccessible as a means of unwanted
entry (Marcus and Francis 1999:110). It is best to use unbreakable or shatterproof
materials such as stainless steel and polyvinyl for things such as mirrors,
toilets, and sinks (Christiansen 1983:78-9). Water and sewage pipes should be
hidden in an inner room so they will also be inaccessible to the public (Bartling
1983:36). There are ways to minimize maintenance work by using paints and tiles
that are easy to clean (Bartling 1983:36).
While the Coal Mining Heritage Park is being developed, there will be families,
school and other groups that would need and use these facilities. We suggest
that the restrooms attached to the picnic shelters and be constructed during
Phase Two. Later, another restroom can be built into the Museum/Visitors Center
in Phase Six. By incorporating these needs and considerations into the design
of the restrooms, all types of users will be accommodated and visiting the park
will be a more enjoyable experience.
DRINKING FOUNTAINS
The community members and Huckleberry Trail users have made many requests
for drinking fountains, both at the community meetings and in the survey. In
the survey, nearly three-quarters of the respondents requested drinking fountains
(46 out of 64 respondents). Those exercising on the trail will need a drink
of water to quench their thirst and cool them off and will be especially appreciated
on hot summer days.
The fountains need to be located on a pull-off area off of the Huckleberry
Trail in order to avoid traffic congestion and safety problems. This could be
a small area covered with wood chips, mulch or bricks leading away from the
trail to the fountain. The fountains will need to be accessible to children,
adults, and disabled persons. This can be accomplished by building two types
of fountains. One can be wheelchair accessible and the other can be constructed
to accommodate children and adults. Making the second fountain accessible on
both sides can do this. On one side, there can be stairs that the children would
use to climb up and the other side would be accessible to standing adults.
Like other features of the park, the fountains should blend in with the
surroundings. These can be built in Phase Two. Additional fountains could be
located near the picnic shelter and playground area (discussed in Chapter 5)
and the Heritage Bridge in the center of the park. Later, when the Museum/Visitors
Center is built (recommended for Phase Six), a drinking fountain would be located
there also.
SECURITY
Security and vandalism are major concerns of the community. "It is unrealistic
to expect to find ‘THE solution’ (singular) to such a collection of complex
problems, but it is possible to eliminate some forms of vandalism, minimize
others, as well as reduce the damage and cost of those forms which inevitably
occur" (Christiansen 1983:2). Park vandalism control management should
be cost effective. It is very important to have a security system, but it should
be realistically designed for the Coal Mining Heritage Park. The security system
should not cost more than the vandalism it is trying to prevent (Christensen
1983:6). Security concerns were brought up a number of times in our community
meetings and surveys. Trail users and community members want the Coal Mining
Heritage Park to be protected.
After talking with the Montgomery County Public Facilities Director and the
Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Director, the most effective security
system would consist of lights and motion sensor video cameras located along
various points in the park (Phillips and Bain interview 10/13/1999). The area
should be well lit, but not overbearing, thus not burdening the landscape with
light pollution. These lights should blend with the landscape and the naturalistic
style of the park. Security lights and cameras will deter vandalism and promote
security within the park.
There are other ways, in addition to installing security systems, to make the
park safer. The park entrance should be inviting, but should also clearly show
the park boundaries. These boundaries define the park and make people more aware
that they are entering a county-owned park and are more likely to acknowledge
the park rules. Hidden spots in the park should be avoided when possible (Christiansen
1983:107). We suggest that the park hours be sunup to sundown. An emergency
phone and an emergency access route will help to make park and trail users feel
safer. We have heard from community members, especially women, that they feel
uncertain about safety at that location and along the Huckleberry Trail in general.
Integrating these security features will not only cut down on vandalism, but
will also make the users feel more comfortable about using the park and the
Huckleberry Trail.
PARKING
Parking for the Huckleberry Trail is located at the New River Valley Mall and
in Blacksburg, too far away to serve the Coal Mining Heritage Park. The park
will need its own parking lot. At the moment, parking at the proposed park site
is limited. We will need more spaces than what is presently available if we
wish to encourage people to visit the park, and especially if we wish to attract
large groups to the park for school field trips and community events. The best
primary parking area is where the current Consolidated Waste Site is located.
This site is ideal for parking, and especially provides space to accommodate
handicapped parking and a school bus turnaround area. The county already owns
the land that is adjacent to the current Consolidated Waste Site. A second tier
can be built for additional parking on the hill above where the waste site is
presently located (see Figures 4.2 and 4.3). When the second tier is built,
we feel it is important to leave several feet of land with trees to block the
cars from the park view from below so that the parking area will not detract
from the overall scenic view. Trail users and park visitors do not want to get
distracted from the park by an obtrusive parking lot. These two levels would
be united by one access road through the main entrance of the current consolidated
waste site
Figure 4.2 Current Consolidated Waste Site at Merrimac
Figure 4.3 Hill beside the Consolidated Waste Site at Merrimac
There are several ADA requirements to consider. First, if the waste site
area is to be turned into a parking area, the designated spaces will need to
be large enough to allow for handicapped accessible vans. This parking area
should be paved to accommodate wheelchairs and make it an easier walk to the
park. The lot will hook up to an ADA Trail (discussed in Chapter 5) and connect
the parking area to the park. While the park is being developed, the primary
parking area can be where the current consolidated waste site is located. This
transition to a parking lot should be done in Phase One. We recommend that the
upper tier of the parking lot be developed in Phase Six, when the
Museum/Visitors Center is constructed. Dirt removed from the hillside to construct
the upper tier of the parking lot can provide some of the fill needed for the
foundation of the Museum (see below).
BENCHES AND PICNIC TABLES
A few strategically placed benches and picnic tables will help to create a
comfortable atmosphere for the Coal Mining Heritage Park. Individuals and groups,
such as the Warm Hearth Retirement Community, will be able to sit, relax, and
socialize. Visitors to the park will be able to rest while imagining what life
was like in a New River Valley coal mining town. The picnic tables would be
an ideal place to stop and eat and enjoy the view. In the survey responses,
two-thirds of the respondents requested picnic tables (44 out of 64 responses)
and over one-half requested trail benches (35 out of 64).
Picnic areas should be scattered throughout the park in arrangements that give
a personalized feeling to family and social gatherings (Marcus and Francis 1999:92).
We suggest that most of the picnic table arrangements be concentrated in the
Community Recreation Area (discussed in the Chapter 5). Also, there should be
a high concentration of picnic tables near the parking lot. These sites would
be convenient for those using the playgrounds and for those who are just stopping
to eat. Trail benches should be placed along the Huckleberry Trail and low-impact
trails to provide visitors with places to rest. These should be placed near
the signage for Bunker Hill, the Tipple, and the Commissary. There should also
be sitting areas near the Reconstructed Miner’s House and the Nature Education
Area (discussed in Chapter 6) to serve visitors who wish to sit and enjoy activities
at the west end of the park.
There are a few established trees on the site that should be left for individuals
or groups that want to relax or picnic. The environment surrounding the bench
and table areas should be private, yet open. The tables and benches should fit
in with the style of the park and take advantage of shade and sun use. The benches
that are placed along the trails should also have a pull off area to not disrupt
the trail traffic. It will be wise to have the benches and tables made of a
material, like a polyvinyl chloride material, that would minimize carving (Sharpe
1983:206). The tables and benches should be secured to the ground.
Benches and picnic tables are an important convenience to place in the park.
These facilities will get much use and their availability will be an attractive
draw to the park for a wide range of users who wish to sit down to enjoy leisurely
visits. These structures will establish a park presence and the community will
feel positively involved in the park. They will feel invited to sit down, rest,
and enjoy the scenery. We suggest that some benches be placed along the Huckleberry
Trail right at the beginning, in Phase One, and that others be added during
the development of the low impact trails so that visitors can stop and contemplate
heritage and environmental sites. It would be wise to put a few picnic tables
into the park during Phase One also, so that families and Huckleberry Trail
users will begin to think of the park as a destination for outings and trail
lunch breaks. When the Community Recreation Area is built (recommended during
Phase Two), additional picnic tables should be placed in that area of the park.
PICNIC SHELTERS I AND II
A picnic shelter is a perfect location for family reunions and school gatherings.
These shelters allow people to mingle, talk, and play. They will allow families
and friends to spend quality time together. They will be used frequently and
will be greatly appreciated by the community, the Huckleberry Trail users, and
local school groups.
The picnic shelters can be simple structures like those at Bisset Park in Radford
(see Figures 4.4 and 4.5). The ones shown here are larger than we envisioned
for the Coal Mining Heritage Park, since the space at Merrimac is more limited.
The picnic shelters should have picnic benches and trash facilities, and should
provide a few barbeque areas for cookouts.
Figure 4.4 View of a picnic shelter at Bisset Park in Radford.
The picnic benches, barbeques,
and trash facilities are visible in this
view.
Figure 4.5 View of a picnic shelter at Bisset Park in Radford.
This view shows the restrooms,
lighting, and trash facilities at the shelter.
Restrooms should be added to the picnic shelters for trail and park users.
The examples from Bisset Park demonstrate how restrooms could be attached to
the end of the picnic shelters (Figure 4.6). Since the shelters will be close
together, it might be possible to have a single set of restrooms (one for males
and one for females) on one of the shelters, however, if you consider that the
two shelters might be in use by different groups, it might be courteous to provide
a set of restrooms at each shelter. Also, during community events at the pavilion,
heavier use of restrooms might justify providing a set of restrooms on each
of the two shelters. The restrooms should be placed onto the back of the structure
so that users who go to use the facility do not disturb a family reunion or
other gathering that would be going on in the picnic shelter.
Figure 4.6 Restrooms attached to the end of a picnic shelter
at Bisset Park in Radford
The construction of the picnic shelters should fit in with the heritage theme
of the park and be as unobtrusive as possible. We suggest that these facilities
be built in the Community Recreation Area in Phase Two, so that they will be
available for community use early in the project.
BIKE RACKS
Bike racks will be a useful addition, especially when picnic tables and shelters
are brought into the park. Bikers will want to stop and learn about the heritage,
rest, picnic, and see shows at the Front Porch Pavilion (discussed next). These
could be conveniently placed in locations along the Huckleberry Trail: one at
the southwest end of the park near the Reconstructed Miner's House, one near
the Tipple Heritage Area, and another near the Community Recreation Area on
the eastern side of the park. These can be integrated into the park in Phase
Two.
FRONT PORCH PAVILION
The Front Porch Pavilion will be a perfect place for families and friends
to gather for special events. The events that can be held at the pavilion will
be discussed in Chapter 5, but this chapter will discuss the actual structure
of the pavilion (see Figure 4.7).
Figure 4.7 Drawing of the Front Porch Pavilion. Drawn by Jeffrey
Wallentiny.
The Front Porch Pavilion can be constructed as an open timber frame structure.
Its design will mimic a historic house with a covered porch. The roof of the
pavilion will be covered with standing seam tin sheets. The "porch"
floor wood can be made of tongue-and-groove planking. To create a structure
that is most weather resistant, the flooring can be made of plastic composite
decking that resembles wood. A stone foundation can be built to raise the floor
off the ground, which will help to protect it further from outside elements.
Lights appropriate to the period should be added to the main posts of the structure.
Community labor and private donations can be utilized in the construction of
this pavilion. There are several timber frame companies in the surrounding area
that can be approached for possible private donations of the crafted timbers.
A workshop manned with community volunteers can assemble the building in a weekend.
Traditional standing-seam roofers can teach volunteers the techniques of this
trade in the same weekend. While building the pavilion, volunteers can learn
traditional building techniques, turning construction activities themselves
into a form of heritage education.
PARK MAINTENANCE
The Coal Mining Heritage Park will generate a need for certain maintenance
tasks to be completed by Montgomery County. These maintenance tasks include,
but are not limited to, trash pick-up services and lawn care. A maintenance
shed can be built on or near the site of the old Mule Barn. It can be a timber-framed
structure to fit in with the surrounding area. This area lies in a flood plain,
so it needs to be elevated and constructed of composite plastic decking to prevent
damage to the structure. Any materials that the County maintenance crew would
need could be stored in this building.
Trash cans should be placed near picnic areas and anywhere trash is being generated.
These should be animal-proof and non-moveable. The material should be strong
but lightweight, due to the fact that they will become difficult to lift when
filled. An entryway will be needed to pick up the trash at a central location,
probably with a large truck.
It will be necessary to cut down much of the brush in the flood plain near
Merrimac Road, but some of the natural vegetation should be left. Some areas
can be planted with grass and certain areas can be covered with wood chips.
This will cut down on the amount of mowing and maintenance needed for the grounds
(discussed in Chapter 6). Another responsibility of the maintenance crew will
be to maintain the trails. The maintenance crew will need be an established
presence at the park to show that the County cares. Maintenance needs should
be fixed promptly to continue a good relationship with the users (Marcus and
Francis 1999:111).
HERITAGE BRIDGE
The former tipple location is the central heritage focus of the park and
is an appropriate place for an initial Visitors Information Area (until the
Museum/Visitors Center is built at a later date). This type of area is "often
the initial contact point for people…whether it’s their first stop or not."
This is how many "users often base much of their opinion" (Hultsman
1998:112).
Some exhibits in the Tipple Heritage Area can be outside exhibits, but we also
recommend the construction of a covered Heritage Bridge. This structure is a
recommended feature for safety reasons. Currently, the site of the old tipple
could be unsafe for visitors since there is a large gap between the remaining
concrete foundations that might provide a hazard to children. A covered bridge
with railings could be built over the concrete foundations to connect the two
sides (see Figure 4.8). A simple structure that reflects the time period is
appropriate, such as a structure of wooden planks with a simple tin roof.
Figure 4.8 Drawing of the Heritage Bridge. Drawn by Jeffrey
Wallentiny.
The Heritage Bridge structure would provide an excellent initial information
center and exhibit area for the Coal Mining Heritage Park. Standing kiosk-style
exhibit panels can be placed inside the covered bridge structure. Photo exhibits
of the mine and tipple could inform visitors of the area’s mining history. Other
displays could explain how the Coal Mining Heritage Park will be developed,
with information on the plans and phases of park development. Boxes could be
placed on these panels to hold information pamphlets that park visitors could
take with them to share among family and friends. The center walls of the bridge
would be left open to allow for views of the creek. These panels would be protected
from the weather by the nature of their design. They would be placed in a way
that visitors could walk around them and see different exhibits on either side
of the panel.
ADA accessibility will need to be provided in the area between the Huckleberry
Trail and the Heritage Bridge, and for entering the Heritage Bridge exhibit
area. In the early stage of it's development, the far side of the Heritage Bridge
will be blocked off with a railing until the Mule Trail is developed. Later,
the back railing will be taken down so that the structure will function as a
bridge linking the Tipple Heritage Area with the Mule Trail. The Heritage Bridge
will serve the need for an information area until the Museum/Visitors Center
is built.
MUSEUM/VISITORS CENTER
The museum has already been
described (in Chapter 3) in terms of its potential as a focal point for visitor
education, exhibits, and heritage-based preservation activities. In this chapter
we will discuss the needs and considerations for the museum site. We recommend
that the Museum/Visitors Center be sited as the eastern-most facility, located
across the road from the park's parking lot. Currently, the land slopes down
toward the flood plain, so it will require engineering to raise the site up
to road level. We are aware that this is in a flood plain zone and can only
be developed if it is feasible from an engineering standpoint. The site should
be built up enough above the flood plain so that if a flood did occur, the retaining
walls would not be undercut. (The parking lot possibly could be expanded at
the same time, providing the fill dirt for the museum site.) We also need to
ensure that there is no runoff/drainage from the museum site into the creek,
so a drainage system will need to be included in the site construction plan.
We think it should be feasible to raise the ground level with fill, raising
it at least halfway to the road level, if not all the way to the road level.
Building halfway might lessen the grade of the slope down to the creek bed but
would still raise the building above the flood plain.
We have selected this particular site for the Museum/Visitors Center for
a number of specific reasons. The number one reason is accessibility from the
parking lot. The museum site is close to the parking lot and still allows legal
turning room for school buses. During discussion at the community meetings,
we were repeatedly asked that it be easy for the elders of the community to
get to the museum site. Siting the Museum/Visitors Center close to the parking
area makes it easily accessible to those who are not physically able to walk
through the park. This will allow them to enjoy the heritage that is featured
at the park, even if they don't go any further than the Museum. Secondly, a
museum right next to the parking lot would concentrate a majority of the in-and-out
visitors (visitors who are interested only in a quick view of the museum facilities
and exhibits) in the front area of the park, close to Merrimac Road, leaving
the rest of the park less developed/disturbed and more pristine for nature/trail/heritage
users desiring to see, hear, and feel the natural settings of the park. Third,
the Museum fits well into this location. It would be nestled into the park,
blending in well. There is a natural line of trees and bushes along the creek
toward the Merrimac Road end of the park that would shelter the view of the
museum from that end, where the Huckleberry Trail enters the park. Fourth, by
putting the museum structure in that location, it will not be as intrusive an
interference on peoples' sight lines from the Huckleberry Trail. One aspect
that we have tried to carry out throughout the design of this park is to refrain
from overburdening the landscape or disturbing the views that visitors can enjoy.
We recommend that the Museum be located near the parking lot for the reasons
stated above, and strongly argue against placing it further down the flood plain
in the area that we have designated for the Community Recreation Area. If we
were to put the museum further down this flood plain, we would be essentially
plopping a huge building into the largest open green space in the park. We feel
it is more appropriate to keep the green space open and reserve it for the picnic,
playground, and pavilion activities of the Community Recreation Area. We do
not want to take up the open green space with a museum. We feel it best to separate
the museum from the Community Recreation Area, and place it near to the parking
lot where it will be easily accessible to visitors, as well as having road access
for deliveries to the museum. If it should not be possible to build the museum
at our preferred location, as an alternative, it could be situated at the back
of the parking area (the current Consolidated Waste Site) if the parking area
was enlarged.
The museum building should be constructed so that it fits in with the mining
heritage theme of the park. It would be surrounded with benches, a few tables,
green landscaping, and bike racks. In addition, it should have its own restroom
and drinking fountain facilities. The Museum/Visitors Center will serve as a
focal entry point into the park for some park visitors, and a destination in
itself for other visitors.
MERRIMAC JUNCTION
As you enter the park from Merrimac Road, there is a concrete bridge
where large metal drainpipes are visible. This primary entrance and view is
disrupted by these drain pipes (see Figure 4.9).
Figure 4.9 View of the metal drainage pipes at the entrance
to the park
Since we want visitors to have a positive initial impression of the park, we
need to make the park entrance as welcoming as possible. This area is already
a natural meeting place for the trail users, and the addition of a "Merrimac
Junction" landscaping feature will enhance the location. A simple wooden
deck with railings would be constructed over the pipes to hide them. Seats could
be built around the edges of the deck, and a small roof overhead could protect
the visitors from sun or rain (see Figure 4.10). A welcoming sign can be integrated
into the Merrimac Junction area to briefly inform the visitors about future
developments at the heritage park (see Chapter 3 for the suggested text of a
welcoming sign to the park).
Figure 4.10 Drawing of Merrimac Junction. Drawn by Jeffrey Wallentiny.
INFRASTRUCTURE
The park is dependent on three basic needs: electric, water, and sewage lines.
Electric lines already run through the park and will need to be brought to the
South End Caboose, the south end Reconstructed Miner’s House, the Front Porch
Pavilion, the Picnic Shelters I and II, the Heritage Bridge, the Mule Barn,
and the Museum/Visitors Center. It will also be needed to maintain the security
lights and cameras that will cover the length of the park. Water lines are already
located close to the Huckleberry Trail from the direction of the current consolidated
waste site. These lines are needed for the water fountains, the restrooms at
Picnic Shelters I and II, and the Museum/Visitor Center. Sewage lines will need
to go to the restrooms at Picnic Shelters I and II, to the Museum/Visitor Center,
and the Mule Barn. These lines should be tied into the main city lines. It may
be more expensive initially, but it will pay off in the long run (Fogg 1975:
49). In a meeting with Montgomery County Public Facilities Director, Steve Phillips,
and Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Director, Tom Bain, it was suggested
that the sewage lines be placed parallel to the Huckleberry Trail (Phillips
and Bain 1999). We recommend that these lines be set up as part of the infrastructure
development (recommended for Phase Two). The restrooms with Picnic Shelters
I and II can be built at the same time to accommodate Huckleberry Trail users
and visitors to the park's Community Recreation Area.
CONCLUSION
We have stated that there is a strong need for these conveniences for the users
of the Huckleberry Trail and for the future Coal Mining Heritage Park visitors.
The community has consistently shown interest for these facilities. The Huckleberry
Trail will become more popular when these facilities are built. The Coal Mining
Heritage Park will not be able to operate well without these facilities. There
is no doubt that these facilities are needed at the site, especially when the
park is fully developed. The park has become extremely important to many different
groups in the community. It would be difficult for school group to take trips
to learn about coal mining heritage without the availability of these facilities.
Families will want to stay for extended periods of time and learn about the
history and spend quality time together. If these facilities are not integrated
into the park plans, groups will not have places to sit or have the basic conveniences
that parks usually offer. The Coal Mining Heritage Park’s emphasis is on heritage,
recreation, and education, but it would be incomplete without these facilities.
They would benefit all types of users at the park and make it a more enjoyable
and comfortable experience.
|
