1

Acknowledgements ii

Executive Summary iii

Introduction iv

1. Project Context 6

Project History

Main Street Dam

Fifth Avenue Dam

Looking North

Precedent Projects

River Run Project

Eco Sports Corridor

Eco Sports Corridor

Alum Creek

2. Planning Process 12

Project Timeline

Input: Lessons Learned

Project Priorities

Recreational Features

Desired Amenities

3. Existing Conditions 17

Floodplains

Sewer Infrastructure

Connections

Amenities

4. Vision 22

Focus Areas

Habitat and Water Quality

Aquatic

Erosion

Sediment Deposition

Educational Programming

Whetstone Site

Worthington Site

Connections and Trail Amenities

Water Access

Olentangy Park

Delawanda Park

Northmoor Park

Ohio State University

5. Next Steps 36

Conclusion 41

THE OLENTANGY RIVER GREENWAY

Table of Contents

ii

Acknowledgements

This project would not have been possible without the active involvement of community activists and concerned citizens. We have great respect and appreciation for everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to speak with us, attend public meetings, and share their knowledge and insight. Their guidance, reflections, and informed criticisms of our work were invaluable to our process. We extend our gratitude to the following stakeholders:

Jacob Boswell, Ohio State University

Laura Fay, Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed

Erin Miller, City of Columbus

Larry Peck, MetroParks

Ryan Pilewski, Franklin County Soil and Water

Bryon Ringley, Stantec

David Rutter, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

Anthony Sasson, Nature Conservancy

David Seslar, Columbus Outdoor Pursuits

Laura Shinn, Ohio State University

Steve Studeman, MetroParks

With thanks from the class:

Annie Bergelin

Ashley Betteker

Christopher Cannon

Brian Davis

Zach Gaines

Steve Muza

Larissa Najjar

Danah Palik

Eric Plapper

Fangyuan Xie

Aron Fraizer, Instructor

Andrew Overbeck, Instructor

THE OLENTANGY RIVER GREENWAY

iii

Executive Summary

Columbus has seen substantial investment in its physical and cultural infrastructure, with an growing population and a genuine optimism in planning for the future. The excitement surrounding these efforts must be capitalized upon to ensure that due attention is paid to the region’s ecological and recreational assets. The Olentangy River watershed presents the most effective, high-impact opportunity to continue a trend of success. This report envisions a transformed river corridor, making specific and proactive proposals based on public input.

The greatest obstacle to this initiative is a series of low head dams blocking the flow of the Olentangy and Scioto rivers. Low head dam removal is not an unfamiliar concept: neighboring cities such as Pittsburgh, Dayton, and Springfield have recognized that their rivers are an invaluable asset, and enacted plans to restore them to a more naturalized state. Columbus, too, has put forth this notion in numerous planning efforts, with removal of the Fifth Avenue dam complete and the Main Street dam slated for removal in 2014.

What began as an academic exercise—a landscape architecture seminar on low head dam removal at Ohio State University—has become a viable visioning strategy due to active involvement from watershed stakeholders and community members. Through extensive background research, analysis of precedents and existing conditions, and a substantive feedback process involving public meetings, stakeholder interviews, and a web survey, consistent project priorities emerged. This report makes proposals for the following focus areas:

• Habitat and Water Quality;

• Educational Programming;

• Connections and Trail Amenities;

• And, Water Access.

This report first presents the project context (chapter one), including relevant planning studies and regional precedent projects. Next, the planning process (chapter two), including the sources of feedback that went into priority formation, is described. This input, combined with a thorough account of existing conditions (chapter three), generated clear overarching project goals. These focus areas (chapter four) are then presented, with a toolbox of proactive strategies to attain each desired outcome. Finally, specific recommendations (chapter five) are made to strategically implement these ideas throughout the corridor.

THE OLENTANGY RIVER GREENWAY

iv

Introduction

The City of Columbus is uniquely situated, with a growing population and a genuine optimism in planning for the future. With activity concentrated along the north-south spine created by High Street, a high level of investment has been made in both physical and cultural infrastructure along the corridor. The role of Columbus as the capital of Ohio, along with influential stakeholders such as the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, the City of Columbus, and the Ohio State University, has endowed the region with a unique vibrancy unparalleled among mid-sized midwestern cities.

The excitement surrounding these efforts must be capitalized upon to ensure that due attention is paid to the region’s ecological and recreational assets. The Olentangy River watershed presents the most effective, high-impact opportunity to continue a trend of success. Just as High Street represents the region’s infrastructural spine, the Olentangy River has the potential to serve as a unifying natural corridor, connecting far northern suburbs with Downtown Columbus through a strategy of enhanced recreational features and proactive ecological restoration.

The greatest obstacle to this initiative is a series of low head dams blocking the flow of the Olentangy and Scioto rivers. In many cases, the purpose for their installation has been rendered obsolete with time. Dam removal presents the opportunity to restore the river channel to its natural state, creating an unprecedented amount of new park space, natural habitat, citywide bike and pedestrian connections, educational programming, and water access. The Fifth Avenue dam has been removed and restoration along the banks is ongoing. Detailed planning work is taking place towards the removal of the Main Street Dam, and funding has been allocated for the project.. The momentum is strong and the time is right to consider the remaining dams in the Olentangy River. This study seeks to harness this energy and look north, envisioning removal of the low head dams situated along the University District, Clintonville, and Worthington.

THE OLENTANGY RIVER GREENWAYTHE OLENTANGY RIVER GREENWAY

1 HISTORY

LOW-HEAD DAMS IN THE

WATERSHED

PROJECT CONTEXT

H ISTO R Y ///LO W -H EAD D AMS IN TH E W A TER SH ED

Project History

1.1 Main Street Dam

1.2 Fifth Avenue Dam

1.3 Looking North

Precedent Projects

1.4 River Run Project

1.5 Eco Sports Corridor

1.6 Nine Mile Run

1.7 Alum Creek

6

Project H is tory

Low head dam removal is not an unfamiliar concept. Neighboring cities such as Pittsburgh, Dayton, and Springfield have recognized that their rivers are an invaluable asset, and en-acted plans to restore them to a more naturalized state. Columbus, too, has put forth this notion in numerous planning studies. In addition to the Main Street and Fifth Avenue dams, Central Ohio has removed dams in the cities of Bexley and Westerville along Alum Creek. Despite widespread recognition that low head dams impair rivers, there exist numerous mis-conceptions as to their purpose. The most commonly cited fear is that low head dams pre-vent flooding. However, none of the dams along the corridor were installed for this purpose, nor will their removal alter the floodplain significantly.

Main Street - Downtown Columbus

The original purpose for their installation varies by location. The Main Street Dam, situated prominently on the Scioto waterfront in Downtown Columbus, was originally installed to feed a canal that is no longer in use today. Currently, the only purpose it serves is to provide an artificially wide river channel for aesthetic reasons. Yet the steep retaining walls required to maintain this width renders the river inaccessible to users, and the water quality resulting from channel impoundment leaves little want for access. The City of Columbus recognizes this obstacle and is actively working towards removal of the Main Street Dam.

The Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan (2010) envisions dam removal as essen-tial to the future of the region. This multi-stage idea started as a proposal to re-move the Main Street Dam and return the Scioto River to a flowing, functional river at its original width and depth. Doing so would lower the water level five to seven feet and narrow it to around half its current width, adding 45 acres of new open space along the banks. Over time, this plan was expanded to remove all dams between Highbanks Metropark and the Scioto Audubon Metropark to create 125 acres of new open space.1

THE OLENTANGY RIVER GREENWAY

Project Context

Before

After

1 Columbus Underground2 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan 78

7

“If we are to truly embrace our rivers and take our environmental responsibilities seri-ously, we, as a community, need to do everything in our power to reverse the envi-ronmental damage that has besotted our waterways. In the context of a $2.5 billion plan to separate storm and sanitary sewers, the potential cost of removing these low head dams is far outweighed by the environmental and community benefits that would result. Improving the health of the river increases its value to the community, creating a more prosperous, competitive metropolis for the 21st century.”

Fifth Avenue - Ohio State University

Moving north, the Fifth Avenue Dam once provided a cooling pool for a power plant no longer in use today. In recognition that it no longer serves its intended pur-pose, removal has occurred and channel restoration is in progress. The Ohio State University, one of the most influential stakeholders in the City of Columbus, has served a pivotal role in this effort. The One Univer-sity Framework Plan (2010), which will guide the school’s physical planning efforts for decades, seeks to concentrate campus activity and provide new open space and green infrastructure. Low head dam re-moval is essential to this effort.3 One Ohio State Framework Plan 234 Columbus Dispatch5 ULI Columbus 2050 30

One Ohio State Framework Rendering

Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan

8

“Open space is a critical component of our civic infrastructure. The Olentangy River is the geographic center of the Columbus campus, and as such represents a singular opportunity. A transformed river corridor will be an active research and learning corridor; a pastoral recrea-tion zone; and a highly functional infrastructure conduit enabling multi-modal transportation, stormwater management, a continuous regional open space network, and renewable energy through geothermal wells. The restored stream tributaries and associated open space ele-ments are critical contributors to the green reserve. The re- imagined river corridor is the per-fect symbol for One University; it could be our next Oval for the coming 100 years.”3

Looking N orth - U niv ers ity D is trict/Clintonv ille/W orthingt on

Given the momentum behind dam removal in the southern portion of the watershed, focus has shifted to the next five dams at Dodridge Street, Union Cemetery, North Broadway Street, Broadmeadows Park, and State Route 161. These five dams currently house sewer infrastructure, but the feasibility of rerouting these lines has already been studied. Full re-moval, with an estimated cost of $60 million4, remains a viable option. And given the hefty scope and $2.5 billion price tag of ongoing plans to separate storm and sanitary sewers in Columbus, the opportunity exists for synergy between the projects. Further, given the cost of ongoing environmental degradation to the watershed caused by low head dams and sewer overflows, the benefits of a healthy, accessible river corridor will outweigh the investment in new infrastructure.

These projects, taken as a whole, represent an essential building block in the vision for both the City of Columbus and the surrounding Central Ohio region. With the removal of the Main Street and Fifth Avenue dams, the initial link in this river greenway system will be created between OSU and downtown Columbus. In time, this model can extend north along the river corridor, connecting neighborhoods to the river and to downtown Columbus.5 Columbus 2050, which provides a sustainability blueprint for a thriving and inclusive region, envisions restoration of the Olentangy River watershed as essential to this mission:

“This vision for 2050 supports the economic vitality of the Central Ohio community by conserving natural areas, maintaining a dynamic natural landscape, connecting and enhancing open spaces, and funding a regional network through public and pri-vate resources. This big idea will permanently protect natural habitats and open spaces from the center of Columbus to the rural outskirts. Creating a one-of-a-kind integrated open space network will also fuel the region’s competitive edge. When compared with its global competition, the Columbus area will stand out for being an environmentally friendly place to live, work, and play. Having protected and con-nected green corridors will enhance quality of life and draw new residents and corpo-rations. It will also ensure that Central Ohio’s growth is both economically and envi-ronmentally sustainable.”6

ULI 2050 Existing Open Space, Rivers, and CorridorsULI 2050 Existing Open Space, Rivers, and Corridors

6 ULI Columbus 2050 31

Fifth Avenue Dam Removal

9

Precedent Projects

As urban sprawl has drawn residents away from urban living, downtowns have become solely places for business, creating dead zones that are void of culture and activity. However, across the nation cities are taking steps to reinvigorate their downtown cores. Recognizing the inherent economic and environmental issues of sprawl, a shift has begun to develop that focuses the city back to its urban core. Opportunities for economic growth, more sustainable living, and active, convenient lifestyles are driving factors behind this shift.

Most urban strategic plans try to capitalize on unique, existing qualities. Geographical conditions are one such quality. Rivers have always been the lifeblood of great cities. Once used as a mode of transportation for travel and trade, many prominent cities have been established on the banks of rivers. While only the nation's largest rivers remain as viable commercial and industrial hubs, many cities such as Columbus are built on the edges of smaller rivers. These smaller rivers may not provide the same economic opportunities as their larger counterparts but there is shift towards regaining these rivers as focal points of urban centers. However, human activity of the past has created obstacles in many reclamation projects. Low head dams are commonplace in smaller rivers, including the Olentangy River. Removing these dams is often seen as difficult, costing millions of dollars and creating engineering and logistical issues. Yet, a number of cities have proven this to not be the case. These cities have shown the feasibility of low head dam removal while also strengthening the argument for an accessible riverfront.

River Run Project - Dayton, OH

As part of the Dayton Downtown Plan, the River Run project seeks to restore and develop a lengthy stretch of the Great Miami River. The project proposes the removal of the low head dam at Monument Avenue, opening up a seven mile stretch of the river. The dam will be replaced by two small drops further upstream that will act as a whitewater area for river paddlers as well as encourage wildlife habitat and movement. Each drop will have two passages, one for more inexperienced paddlers and a more difficult one for those that are up to the challenge. This development creates an outdoor recreation destination that is currently absent from Dayton's downtown. Creating this destination complements other improvements to the river corridor and appeals to the growing number of people who enjoy an active lifestyle. Overall, the project promotes a safer river for recreation, better water quality, free outdoor recreation, and a public connection between the river and Dayton's scenic downtown.

Eco Sports Corridor - Spring!eld, OH

In Springfield, the Eco Sports Corridor is an initiative to develop recreational opportunities along Buck Creek. The initiative includes paddling, mountain biking, and bouldering and fits into Dayton's Buck Creek Education Corridor. To increase and improve paddling opportunities, four low head dams have been removed from Buck Creek. The sites of these dams were subsequently modified into whitewater features for paddlers. This has resulted in a five mile stretch that includes nine whitewater features of varying difficulty. Including the natural limestone shelf rapids further upstream, this completes a six mile run from Buck Creek State Park to the confluence of Mad River. The Friends of Buck

River Run, Dayton OH

Eco Sports Corridor, Springfield OH

10

Creek played an integral role in this project and have negotiated "weekend releases" from the upstream C.J. Brown Dam and Reservoir, creating water flow and volume that further enhances the whitewater experience. As one of the only whitewater destinations in the Midwest, the Eco Sports Corridor has become a draw for paddlers from neighboring states, placing Springfield at the forefront of dam removal and river improvement projects.

Nine Mile Run - Pittsburgh, PA

Larger cities are also taking steps to remediate and reclaim their forgotten or abused waterfronts. Nine Mile Run is a different type of undertaking, focused more on ecological restoration than active recreation. For decades, the 360 acre valley served as a point of deposition for industrial waste such as slag from steel production. The valley was further compromised by a series of sewage overflows and copious amounts of urban runoff. Dissecting the valley was the remnants of an urban stream flowing from a major city park to the Monungahela River. As part of the Nine Mile Run Aquatic Ecosystem restoration project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have since completed the largest urban stream restoration project in the nation's history. The $7.7 million project included stream channel reconfiguration, stream bank stabilization, wetland reconstruction, native wildlife enhancement, and native tree, shrub, and wildflower plantings.

A major component of the restoration has been community involvement and education. The Nine Mile Run Greenway Project kicked off the transformation which worked to build a model for reclaiming urban brownfield sites. The project identified community understanding of the environmental, economic, and artistic relationships as critical for the success of such a process. Community education manifested into community stewardship and led to the formation of the Nine Mile Watershed Association. The Association is constantly working to further educate the public. Nine Mile Run has come to serve as an outdoor classroom and allows the community members to understand firsthand the importance of land stewardship.

Alum Creek - Bexley, OH

Two low head dams situated in Wolfe Park and Academy Park were removed in 2008 and replaced with artificial riffles. Originally built for aesthetic reasons, these dams had outlived their functional use. Further, these dams created negative environmental, economic, and social impacts. Low dissolved oxygen levels and sediment accumulation impaired habitat, maintenance costs exceeded removal costs, and drowning hazards and obstruction of boat access hampered recreational opportunities within the parks. Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries partnered with local stakeholders, city officials, and landowners to remove the dams and restore the riverbanks, identifying the project as “the single best way to immedi-ately improve the water quality, aesthetics and public safety of Alum Creek.”

Nine Mile Run, Pittsburgh PA

Alum Creek, Bexley OH

2 The Game Plan

PLANNING PROCESS

T h e G ame Plan

Project Timeline

Input: Lessons Learned

2.1 Project Priorities

2.2 Recreational Features

2.3 Desired Amenities

2.4 Public Meetings

12

Project T imeline

What started as an academic exercise—a landscape architecture seminar on low head dam removal at Ohio State University—has been transformed into a viable visioning strategy due to active involvement from watershed stakeholders and community members. Given the mo-mentum this process has taken, low head dam removal planning will continue through the 2012-2013 school year, as a studio class continues the work to date:

Background Research

Review of related planning and engineering studies, including the Lower Olentangy Bal-anced Growth Plan (MORPC), Lower Olentangy Watershed Action Plan (FLOW), Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan and Columbus Stormwater Management Plan (City of Columbus), Columbus 2050 (ULI), Lower Olentangy River Watershed Lowhead Dams Feasibility Study (Stantec), and the One Ohio State Framework (OSU).

Stakeholder Interviews

One-on-one conversations with 11 stakeholders, including the City of Columbus, Ohio State University, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Web Survey

Analysis of 60 responses, with questions designed to guide project proposals; promotion of survey and project via social media, Columbus Underground, local advocacy groups, and student organizations. Survey questions provided to following information:

• Overarching project priorities

• Desired recreational opportunities

• Desired amenities along the corridor

• Purpose, geography, and frequency of trail system use

• Familiarity with the project

• Interest and affiliation of respondents

THE OLENTANGY RIVER GREENWAY

Planning Process

13

Public Meeting #1

Presentation of background research and existing conditions to stakeholders and community members, identification of potential opportunities, and refinement of strategies via one-on-one breakout activities.

Revisions and Proposals

Analysis of all input to date, and proposal of four focus areas, including habitat and water quality, educational programming, connections and path amenities, and water access.

Public Meeting #2

Presentation of feedback to date, proposal of tentative focus areas to attendees, and additional one-on-one breakout activity to final-ize community input and formu-late draft plan.

Final Draft Review

Summary of all research, stake-holder interviews, and feedback from public meetings and sur-veys; finalized vision to carry the project forward in coming years.

Input: Lessons

Learned

Prior to launching an outreach campaign to collect the public’s perspective on dam removal, one-on-one conversations took place with stakeholders, includ-ing the City of Columbus, Ohio State University, Friends of the

Lower Olentangy Watershed, state government agencies. These conversations indicated general support and enthusiasm for the project, with reservations primarily involving the cost of dam removal within the study area.

“The 5th Avenue Dam and the Main Street dam are the “low hanging fruit” as they do not have utilities in them, and I am so proud of our city for moving forward on those. I think the completion of those two projects, the restoration of the river and creation of a park on campus and downtown will be transformational and will create an appe-tite for more improvements to the river… …The momentum of the removal of two dams will hopefully cement this concept in the city’s thinking. So, I think it feasible to remove the remaining dams, in the long-term time frame, and I would urge patience and persistence in ensuring that as each sewer line is slated for replacement, an alternative location/solution is implemented.” –Laura Shinn, Ohio State University

“FLOW is really excited about the removal of the 5th Avenue Dam as it is expected to improve water quality in this stretch of the river which has the worst water quality of any part of the river. The change from impoundment to free-flowing river offers a bright future for this stretch, with a more diverse array of wildlife and plant communi-ties, and the potential for additional recreational opportunities which in turn could help our community care more about the condition of the River.” –Alice Waldhauer, Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed

Initial public outreach included the Market to Market bicycle ride, during which invitations to the first public meeting and a link to our web survey were distributed to 500 riders. Students were also on site with FLOW representatives to hear input from community members and publicize the project. Web presence for the project also included email distribution to commu-nity advocacy groups and Ohio State University student organizations, a Facebook page, and posts to Columbus Underground, a popular resource for citywide planning efforts and local events. Columbus Underground proved to be especially fruitful, yielding the greatest number of survey responses.

A total of 60 survey responses were received, from concerned citizens, members of neighbor-hood, environmental, and student groups, and public servants. The results of the survey pro-vided excellent guidance and specific suggestions from the general public in setting both overarching project priorities and details such as desired amenities. Public input was an inte-gral part in making this report credible and successful.

14

Project Priorities

The most highly sought feature that emerged through our input process was ecological resto-ration, with habitat and biodiversity and improved water quality designated as a “high priority” in 81% and 89% of survey responses, respectively. This shaped our most detailed focus area, Habitat and Water Quality. The number of questions and comments related to ecology in the first public meeting, as well as positive responses to this prioritization and specific res-toration proposals in the second public meeting affirmed the need for proactive environ-mental protections within the corridor.

Enhanced recreational features and improved connections to city parks and neighborhoods emerged as secondary priorities. Input from additional survey questions (below), along with comments from the first public meeting, further refined the views of community members and stakeholders in setting areas for further exploration. Educational Programming, Connections and Trail Amenities, and Water Access were set as additional focus areas. Economic devel-opment opportunities received little support from the public, so this priority was abandoned.

Recreational Features

Water access for kayaks and canoes, nature observation, trail use for walking, running, and cycling, and outdoor education were also quite popular among respondents. These features were incorporated into specific proposals related to each focus area. Activities related to wa-ter quality, such as fishing and swimming, were rated of lowest interest. This may be be-cause of the way people perceive current water quality conditions. By utilizing the proposed ecological restoration strategies in this report, this perception will improve with time.

15

Desired Amenities

Improved trail amenities and neighborhood connections proved to be high priorities. In par-ticular, water fountains, restrooms, and bicycle facilities such as tire pumps and bike racks were the most often requested items in survey responses and comments from the first public meeting. Improved signage, both on the trail and leading to the trail emerged as a means of enhancing the user experience and promoting trail use. Additional east-west connections to neighborhoods along the corridor, a frequent request, will enhance this effort. Each of these features was incorporated into the appropriate focus area.

3 THE FIVE DAMS

AND THE ISSUES WE FACE

EXISTING CONDITIONS

The D ams And The Is sues W e Fa ce

Floodplains

Sewer Infrastructure

Connections

Amenities

17

Ex is ting Conditions

While the Main Street dam is slated for demolition in 2014, the 5th Avenue dam has been successfully removed. As construction crews continue to slowly carve out a new stream channel and adjacent wetland areas, the impacts of the dam’s removal are obvious. Water volume has not been affected but the channel width has shrunk dramatically, revealing the large amounts of land gained through the structure’s removal. Stantec’s design for a narrow, slightly meandering stream channel accompanied by wetland areas begins to shed light how a new river corridor can be established. With five dams upstream of 5th Avenue, the order of restoring the entire corridor is tall. However, if 5th Avenue is any indication, the opportunities that manifest from removing the dams make the task worthy of pursuing.

The five remaining dams are congregated in a stretch of the Olentangy River from Dodridge Street to Antrim Lake, about 5.5 miles of river. The stretch cuts through land that houses a variety of stakeholders, from the City of Columbus to Ohio State University to private land owners. Identifying these stakeholders along with current land uses within the river corridor was a crucial component of our investigation. Being sensitive to certain conditions while also acknowledging where conditions played to our favor provided a solid foundation for the development of designs and tactics as we moved forward.

THE OLENTANGY RIVER GREENWAY

EXI ST ING CO ND IT IO NS:

18

Floodplains!

A common misperception of waterway structures such as low head dams is that they provide flood control. This is simply not true. The removal of these five dams will have no effect on the current flood levels. In fact, flood control may actually improve as the river’s channel will shrink away from the banks. Yet it is important to recognize that the land gained from dam removal still falls within the floodplain. Any sort of development within these areas will have to recognize the possibility of flood water and be designed accordingly.

19

Sewer Infrastructure

One of the biggest obstacles presented by the river’s current conditions is the presence of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) and Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO). Columbus is one of 772 American cities that are built upon these systems. Combined sewer systems are sewers that are designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe. Most of the time, combined sewer systems transport all of their wastewater to a sewage treatment plant, where it is treated and then discharged to a water body. During heavy rain events, however, the wastewater volume in a combined sewer system can exceed the capacity of the sewer system or treatment plant. For this reason, combined sewer systems are designed to overflow occasionally and discharge excess wastewater directly to nearby streams, rivers, or other water bodies. This means raw sewage is occasionally discharged into the Olentangy River.

While this is a much larger infrastructure issue, these overflows have a direct impact on the river and how we begin to think about an integrated design scheme The city of Columbus is legally obligated under a consent decree from the U.S. EPA to fix the overflows. As the infrastructure is addressed, the dams should also be removed. The dams and overflows go hand-in-hand as both adversely impact river health and access. Stantec’s 5th Avenue design attempts to tackle the issues of these outfalls by constructing wetlands that detain discharge rather than allowing it to directly enter the river. Implementing similar interventions throughout the corridor is a crucial first step to alleviating the health hazards of sewer overflow outfalls. CSO on Olentangy River

20

Connections

Currently, the only public draw to the riverfront is the Olentangy Trail. The trail is often ma-ligned for being too narrow for heavy traffic, poor connectivity, and a lack of amenities. With the removal of the low head dams we aim to capitalize on a reshaped river that unveils new green space. Bringing the public to the river is our ultimate goal and revamping the trail is the key to doing this successfully.

Connections to the trail occur at most major perpendicular roadways and through the parks along the river. However, several issues remain. East to west bicycle connectivity in Colum-bus has been noted as generally poor, making it difficult to get to the Olentangy Trail from surrounding areas. The Columbus Bikeways Plan addresses this lack of connectivity through the implementation of new bike and pedestrian ways on major roadways such as Kenny

Road, Bethel Road, Hayden Run Road and Henderson Road. Despite the high amount of residential communities in close proximity to the river, easy connections between the two are lacking.

Amenities

The Olentangy Trail is also void of basic amenities. Restrooms and drinking fountains are absent, making a long ride or run on the trail difficult. Currently, there is a missed opportunity to provide the public with other incentives for coming to the riverfront. Bird blinds, play-grounds, picnic shelters all create destinations along the river. Providing these basic ameni-ties creates attractions and gives people reasons and incentive to use the river front.

4 Ideas for an improved

Olentangy River Greenway

VISIONS

Ideas F or An Improved O lentangy R iver G reenway

Focus Areas

Habitat and Water Quality

4.1 Aquatic

4.2 Erosion

4.3 Sediment Deposition

Educational Programming

4.4 Whetstone Site

4.5 Worthington Site

Connections and Trail Amenities

Water Access

4.6 Olentangy Park

4.7 Delawanda Park

4.8 Northmoor Park

22

Focus Areas

Public feedback served as the foundation for the project's direction as we moved into ideas of design and program implementation along the Olentangy River Corridor. Sorting through the feedback, four areas of focus stood out as the most important to the public: habitat and water quality; education; connections and amenities; and kayak/canoe access. Taking into account existing conditions and new conditions created by removing the low head dams, we took a look at each focus area individually. Smart practices and designed components were generated and strategically implemented throughout the corridor. As a whole, our proposals start a dialogue of how to reclaim an urban waterway through ecology, education, connections, and recreation.

H ab itat and W ater Q uality

The health of any river starts with its tributaries. The Olentangy River's urban stretch (Worthington to downtown Columbus) is fed by a series of seven ravines that link into surrounding communities. Most of these serve as culverts for runoff from the surrounding development and possess little ecological stability. Polluted runoff and sediment is flushed out of the ravines into the larger Olentangy River. Before we can address the health of the Olentangy River, stabilizing the ravines is crucial.

Glen Echo Ravine served as our model for intervention and restoration. Each of the seven ravines needs help but Glen Echo serves as a case study. The southernmost ravine within the Olentangy's urban stretch, Glen Echo cuts east into Clintonville, north of Dodridge Street and west of I 71, a total length of just over one mile. We began by identifying current issues that are affecting the ravine and its stream's health. Streambank erosion, hillside erosion, stormwater runoff, and poor habitat were the most prevalent issues. To demonstrate remediation tactics, an abbreviated restoration toolkit was compiled using practices and methods recommended by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. These tools address the identified issues through minimal disturbance.

THE OLENTANGY RIVER GREENWAY

VISIO NS

23

Aquatic

The rock cross vane and step pools were suggested for aquatic habitat as well as improved water quality. The rock cross vane also provides grade control and reduces bank erosion. Sediment is accumulated behind the vane arms while water flow is directed over the cross vane. The water flows into a scour pool which provides energy dissipation and fish habitat.

Step pools work similarly but act as a series of smaller cross vanes. These grade control structures are constructed in the stream channel to recreate natural step pool morphology. Built in a series, step pools allow for "stepping down" the channel, slowing down water and allowing energy to dissipate.

23

Olentangy River Ravines

24

Eros ion

To mitigate stream bank and hillside erosion, implementing natural fiber rolls and natural fiber matting are suggested. The fiber rolls are made from coconut fiber and netting that provide toe and lower bank protection. The roll stabilizes the bank in areas of low stress while trapping sediment and providing a medium for the establishment of vegetation.

Natural fiber matting is more commonly used for upper slopes, also making it a beneficial tool for ravine hillside erosion. This practice consists of placing and securing the matting on a prepared slope. Typically a topsoil course is applied and the slope is seeded prior to placing the matting. Shrubs and trees can also be planted through the material. This allows for vegetation to root and stabilize the slope with the protection of the matting.

Live fascines and brush mattresses are additional options for slope erosion. Live fascines are bundles of dormant live branches bound together and placed in covered trenches running parallel to the stream channel. These branches will eventually root and significantly improve vegetative stability. This practice is best for stream banks.

A brush mattress is also formed from dormant live branches that are bound together to create a mat rather than a bundle. The mat is secured to the bank by stakes and partially covered with topsoil. Again, the branches will eventually root and provide improved vegetative stability.

24

25

Sediment depos ition

To help address sediment deposition implementing cutoff sills and establishing a riparian corridor are viable options. Cutoff sills are installed in the stream base to provide a narrower base flow channel and accumulate sediment behind the sills. The design deflects water away from the bank while allowing sediment to deposit and create more natural bar forms over time.

A riparian buffer serves multiple purposes. A linear band of vegetation that runs parallel to the stream channel, riparian buffers provide habitat and a corridor for wildlife movement. The vegetation also provides bank and upper slope stability. Additionally, studies have shown that riparian buffers are extremely efficient in catching and removing sediment and pollutants from runoff.

This toolkit serves as a beginners guide to understanding the methods available for stream and ecological restoration. It's important to note that these ideas can be implemented now. They aren't dependent on changing conditions of a post-dam Olentangy River. They can also be implemented within the river itself. The points of convergence between ravine streams and the larger river are serve as wonderful opportunities to strategically intervene in the ecological health of the corridor. Such interventions can allow the corridor to become a model to other cities of how to apply available resources towards strengthening their waterfronts.

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Before Condition

After Condition

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Educational Programming

Improvements to the ecological functioning of the river also enable educational opportunities. The continued improvement and strengthening of the river’s ecological stability is reliant upon public education. The Nine Mile Run project exemplifies how community knowledge of a project leads to support and involvement. The public nature of the Olentangy River corridor provides a platform for environmental education and remediation. Neighboring schools also create opportunities for collaboration and implementing environmental education into current curriculums.

Public education installations that would be appropriate for the Olentangy corridor can be separated into three categories that display some of the main, overarching improvements to be made within the river’s watershed: Stormwater, Tributaries, and Floodplain/Wetlands. These installations are typically more architectural than what the restoration toolkit suggests, allowing for more observational learning and visual demonstrations. Two ideal sites were identified based on their proximity to schools and connectivity to the Olentangy Trail, tributaries, and floodplains. Each site can become a series of restoration projects that also serve as demonstration projects. Students and community members are thus allowed to observe and learn from the restored connections between hydrology, wildlife, plant communities, and aquatic habitat.

Before

After

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W orthin gton

The Worthington site is focused on stormwater and runoff education. Centralized around a “stormwater walkthrough”, the site makes stormwater visible to visitors. A long swale uses runoff from surrounding impermeable surfaces to demonstrate how water moves over or through different materials, channel widths, and slopes. The installation utilizes its connection to the river edge for watershed education by making a visual connection between runoff entering the river. Signage will promote different activities and an observation space near the river edge allows for a larger visual experience.

W h etstone

The Whetstone site incorporates a wildlife and habitat focused design. Native plant communities and wetland areas encourage the return to a more naturalized waterfront. Utilizing observation towers and a plant identification area, this installation is built upon passive recreation and observation. Signage provides identification keys for both plants and wildlife. There will also be signage to stimulate activities promoting conservation.

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Connections and Path Amenities

One of the most important elements missing from the Olentangy Trail are basic amenities like restrooms and drinking fountains. Survey takers noted a desire for these pieces as well as nature education and observation opportunities. Using a two mile spacing method, restrooms and drinking fountains are placed along the trail in a fashion that provides sensible stopping points for visitors. Rather than having to leave the trail to seek these facilities, trail users will be able to find them as they make their way through the corridor. Additionally, bike stations that provide air pumps and tire patching kits will be placed along the trail, alleviating the fear of getting a flat tire miles from home.

As a way to display the changed ecological conditions of the corridor, observation points such as bird blinds will be built at various points along the river. These will be established in key areas near the river to observe waterfowl and migrating warblers during the spring and fall seasons. These areas also establish additional educational opportunities. !Observation points provide more passive use of the river corridor other than walking, jogging, and biking.

We suggest that public properties and City infrastructure can be used to support new public amenities.! For instance, where there are public schools along the trail that already have plumbing, we suggest that those resources be used to support public water fountains and restrooms for Olentangy River Trail users.!

Bicycling has been growing in Columbus as a popular mode for recreation and commuting.! One of the ways that the City has acknowledged the large number of cyclists is by installing public bicycle Fix-it Stations around town.! A Fix-it Station is a sidewalk amenity that has all the tools necessary to perform basic repairs and maintenance, from changing a flat to adjusting brakes and derailleurs.! We have identified that there is an accumulation of cyclists along the Olentangy River Trail, therefore we recommend to install Fix-it Stations along the trail.!

Finally, our survey and public meeting results revealed that there is an interest in making the ecology and environmental features of the Olentangy River Greenway more accessible.! There are two locations where a nature observation shelter would be well-suited for those who are interested in quietly enjoying the flora and fauna of the river corridor.

stations that provide air pumps and tire patching kits will be placed along the trail, alleviating

As a way to display the changed ecological conditions of the corridor, observation points such as bird blinds will be built at various points along the river. These will be established in key areas near the river to observe waterfowl and migrating warblers during the spring and fall seasons. These areas also establish additional educational opportunities. Observation points provide more passive use of the river corridor other

We suggest that public properties and City infrastructure can be used to For instance, where there are public

schools along the trail that already have plumbing, we suggest that those resources be used to support public water fountains and restrooms for

Bicycling has been growing in Columbus as a popular mode for recreation One of the ways that the City has acknowledged the

large number of cyclists is by installing public bicycle Fix-it Stations A Fix-it Station is a sidewalk amenity that has all the tools

necessary to perform basic repairs and maintenance, from changing a flat We have identified that there is an

accumulation of cyclists along the Olentangy River Trail, therefore we recommend to install Fix-it Stations along the trail.

Finally, our survey and public meeting results revealed that there is an interest in making the ecology and environmental features of the Olentangy

There are two locations where a nature observation shelter would be well-suited for those who are interested in quietly enjoying the flora and fauna of the river corridor.

Bike Station

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To make the trail and river more accessible to the surrounding urban context, connectivity must be improved. This starts with the available bicycle routes that run east and west through the city. Currently, cyclists and cars must compete and try to coexist within standard traffic lanes. To combat this issue and improve cyclist access to the river, we developed a pathway toolkit that demonstrates various path typologies, suggestions for both the Olentangy Trail setting and car/cyclist situations.

The shared use path is the most common type of trail, accommodating walkers, joggers, and cyclists. The split pedestrian path addresses the issue of cyclists and pedestrians using the same path. By providing two separate paths, one for cyclists and one for pedestrians, safety issues and traffic congestion are alleviated. The walk, run, bike path works in a similar way but instead is comprised on one wide lane with designated lanes for each type of movement.

Bike boulevards are shared roadways between cars and cyclists but are designed mostly for cyclists. Very low speed limits discourage cars and provide safe riding conditions for bikes. A shared road condition is a typical traffic lane where precedence is given to the car but signage informs drivers that they must share the road with cyclists. A paved shoulder provides a separate bike lane within a traffic lane.

Bike Trail Map

Shared Path

Walk, Run, Bike Path

Split Shared Path

Bike Boulevard

Single Lane Bike Road

Olentangy TrailShared RoadShared Path

Bike Trail Map

Path Conditions

Before

After

The existing condition of the North Broadway and Olentangy River Path intersection forces bicyclists to exit the bike path at Dehli Avenue, cross North Broadway at Milton and merge with the trail once more at Northmoor Park, more than doubling the distance one would normally travel. With the removal of the low head dams and the subsequent reduction in the overall width of the river, if would be possible to allow through traffic to continue at this location. In fact, it will be further possible to add a split path allowing people who would prefer to stroll at an easy pace to do so by the rivers’ edge while allowing people who wish to jog, rollerblade and cycle to do so at a higher elevation.

This integration of the path at North Broadway will add cohesion to the Olentangy River Corridor as well as improve safety by reducing the need to cross busy intersections. Separation of the path into two distinct elevations also increases the many ways the river and the trail system can be enjoyed. Furthermore, if North Broadway had its own dedicated bike path, East to West connectivity would be greatly increased at a point along the corridor where many people use the trail. This would also allow people on the West side of the river to access its Eastern counterpoint while introducing a commercial shopping experience to the path via High Street to the East and Kohl’s Shopping Center on the West side.

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W ater Access

Low head dams create an obstacle as well as serious drowning hazards to paddlers and swimmers. With the removal of the five remaining dams, the Olentangy River opens its wa-ters to more recreational use and the potential for establishing a kayak trail. For canoe users and kayakers, launch sites must be established in order to provide proper access as well as desired amenities. The Department of Interior has provided a list of recommendations for launch sites according to existing conditions. Using this information we propose four sites that are evenly spaced through the corridor, providing a variety of opportunities and dis-tances for paddlers to use. The launches are roughly 2.5 miles apart, distributing them equally through the corridor. All four sites are on public park land, avoiding potential confron-tations with private land owners. The sites were also chosen because of their ease of acces-sibility and the presence of existing parking.

Map of Portages

Olentangy Park

Delawanda Park

Northmoor Park

The Ohio State University

R ecommendations fo r La unch Sites

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Olentangy Park

The northernmost site has convenient access to SR 315, I-270, and other major thorough-fares. It also has direct connections to the Olentangy Trail and existing parking. A dramatic slope separates the parking lot and the river so this site requires more intervention than oth-ers to allow users access to the water. To account for fluctuating river levels, a floating launch or a gangway would be sensible options. Because of its upstream location, this site would also house kayak and canoe rentals meaning the need for a built structure.

Delawanda Park

Located directly behind Graceland Shopping Center, this site is easily accessible from High Street and SR 315. There is also a gentle slope from the parking area to the water allowing for easy access to the river. However, this slope is currently wooded so minimal clearing would be required to allow for a pathway. This site presents a perfect opportunity for a more naturalized launch site. An access road with parking would need to be added, making sure that parking was far enough from the river to avoid flood conditions.

Before

After

Before

After

Delawanda Park

Olentangy Park

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Northmoor Park

South of Whetstone Park, this site is easily accessed from High Street and SR 315. A park-ing lot is already on the site and there is no need for clearing of vegetation. A pathway, natu-ral or hardscape, is needed between parking and the water. The slope to the river is too steep to traverse without the addition of a ramp or stairs which could lead onto a floating launch.

Ohio State University

The southernmost of the four sites, existing parking and proximity to the university makes this location work well as a take-out point. It is also an ideal launch point as downtown is only a short paddle downstream. For both reasons, a canoe and kayak rental/return structure would be ideal. Because of the large existing parking lot, this would not require further land acquisition. However, there is a significant elevation change between the parking lot and the river. A ramp or stair system would be required as well as a dock to reach into the narrower river channel.

Ohio State University

Before

After

Before

After

Northmoor Park

5 Our Recommended

Improvements

NEXT STEPS

O ur R ecommended Improvements

Introduction

Ecology

Education

Amenities

Connectivity + Recreation

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Introduction

The overall vision of this project is a transformed Olentangy River corridor - an ecologically healthy, recreational green space that connects citizens to the water and the Greater Colum-bus area. Through extensive research, proactive methods, ideas, and designs have been recommended as means to addressing the most pertinent issues. By acknowledging how existing conditions will change and how we can change them in a positive manner, these rec-ommendations form a collection of tools for transforming the river corridor. Actually imple-menting these recommendations is the next step to begin the process of reaching this ulti-mate vision.

Ecology

- Cleaning up the tributaries that lead to the river is a key factor in improving the ecological health of the river.

- Restoration and stabilization of the river corridor ecology can be attained through specific improvements and interventions by using the provided toolkit.

- There are seven ravine mouths to river areas along the corridor and these important zones should be prioritized for ecological restoration interventions.

- Removal of the remaining low head dams should be considered as future infrastructure improvements are considered as part of the City’s Wet Weather Management Plan that re-moves CSO and SSO overflows from the river. This would both improve water quality and flow and lead to a more naturalized edge condition along the river corridor.

- Decrease the amount of hard edges along the river while increasing the vegetative soft edges to improve the water quality and provide much needed habitat for local wildlife.

- Rain barrel and rain garden workshops in and around the corridor would provide many small scale solutions to storm water reaching the river too quickly.

- It is recommended that ODOT review and remediate runoff discharge from major roads throughout the region while prioritizing the I-71 Highway.

- Community groups as well as governmental organizations, such as: Friends of the Ra-vines, Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed, Columbus Parks and Metro Parks will play pivotal roles in maintaining a stable and functioning river corridor.

THE OLENTANGY RIVER GREENWAY

Next Steps

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Education

- Education projects can be coupled with ecology in 3 categories: storm water projects, tributary projects and river floodplain projects.

- Ideal sites which are near schools, waterways and trail and neighborhood connections can take advantage of high profile locations to become sites of restoration projects which are also demonstration projects, allowing students and the community to observe and learn from the restored connections of ecological features; hydrology, wildlife habitat corridors, na-tive plant communities, aquatic habitat etc.

- These education projects have the potential to be incorporated into local school curricu-lum by providing on site activities such as water sampling, plant/wildlife identification and habitat feature identification.

Worthington Concept Site

- Design focus is storm water education.

- Creates a ‘storm water walkthrough’ with a long swale that uses runoff from surrounding area to demonstrate how water moves over/through different materials, channel widths and slopes.

- Uses connection between storm water management and river edge for watershed educa-tion. Make visual connection between water running off the sidewalk or down the gutter to the water flowing in the river.

- Includes educational signage, footpath along swale and observation space near river edge as well as plant identification signs.

- Possible partnerships: K-12 schools, FLOW as well as OSU.

Whetstone Site Concept

- Design focus is habitat/plant community education.

- Creates a natural area for passive recreation and observation – multi-level observation tower allows various views of arboretum and river edge.

- Encourages visitors to become familiar with local flora and fauna with signage to help iden-tify native species throughout the arboretum and river edge.

- Promotes conservation practices through signage and classroom programs.

Amenities

- Restrooms and drinking fountains: Ideally located no less than two miles apart, restrooms and drinking fountains should be placed along the river corridor.

- Observation towers located near scenic overlooks will attract more people to use the river corridor and provide educational spaces for small groups.

- Bird blinds in key areas near the river to watch waterfowl and migrating warblers in the spring and fall will also serve as impromptu outdoor classrooms.

- Fishing piers: with a cleaner and more ecologically stable river, low cost floodable piers for fisherman would bring more people down to the water level.

- Connectivity through more intelligent and comprehensive trail heads and signage through-out the corridor and surrounding community will provide users with a more enjoyable experi-ence. Specifically the North Broadway path bypass can be circumvented through design with the new river morphology.

- Kayak access points spaced evenly (about every two miles) throughout the corridor with potential rental opportunities to the North and South could bring people from outside the re-gion and potentially generate economic benefits. Kayak access points will be placed on pub-lic park land to ensure maximum accessibility. Where possible the least invasive techniques for launches and landings will be utilized.

Olentangy Park – As the northernmost point of kayak launches, a rental sight will be positioned here for accessibility to canoeing and kayaking.

Delawanda Park – This park is an ideal location due to its proximity to existing parks: 3.5 miles from Olentangy Park and 2.5 miles from Northmoor Park. Northmoor Park – Close to the bike path, High Street and 315 this site is ideally located due to its ex-isting parking lot.

Ohio State University – As one of the southernmost points along the corridor this site will also be a prominent rental and return site for canoes and kayaks and in-cludes ample parking, further increasing accessibility to the river.

*Maintenance is the critical limiting factor with any amenities installment, as stated by Larry Peck, deputy director of the MetroParks, “If we can’t take care of it, we don’t build it.”

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Connectivity and Recreation

- Each unique site will provide the context for which, if any, recreational activities can go where.

- Sensitive ecological areas will be preserved with limited access.

- Most of the recreational activities people want to do require little or no infrastructural in-put; a maintained path and ample outdoor space will provide the needed areas for much of the recreation within the corridor.

- Community supported outdoor events for large and small scale active recreation stimu-lates health, vitality and togetherness.

- Increased East to West connectivity will be achieved through strategically placed path-ways which connect the river corridor with surrounding neighborhoods and commercial points of interest. For example, an improved trail way at North Broadway, which allows for westward connectivity, will provide access to the Kohl’s shopping center as well as the River-side Medical center and surrounding neighborhoods. Providing a more contiguous pathway along the river at this point will also remove the need to leave the trail when traveling North to South.

- Through continued improvements in the ecological health of the tributaries, paths will be introduced to each of the ravines in order to increase the East to West accessibility from neighborhoods to the river corridor.

- The system of trails will also connect a significant number of parks, schools and libraries in the surrounding region.

- The Columbus Bikeways Plan will continue to be implemented.

- Other significant East to West bike and pedestrian ways will include Kenny Road, Bethel Road, Hayden Run Road and Henderson Road.

Implementation

Project Area Concept Description Partner Potential TimingDegree of Difficulty

Whetstone ParkEducation opportunities based on wildlife and

habitat, utilizing observation tower and identification signs.

Whetstone Highschool Short - Medium Term Low

Worthington Site Education opportunities based on stormwater and runoff education. Worthington Highschool Short Term Low

Glen Echo Ravine Ecological Remediation with the potential for Education and path through ways. Friends of the Ravine Long Term High

Olentangy Park

Northern most park along the corridor utilizes location to provide a point of

departure and rental opportunities for canoe and kayak users.

Columbus Parks and Recreation Long Term High

Delawanda Park Minimal intervention kayak and canoe launch and landing site.

Graceland Shopping Center, Columbus Parks and Recreation

Short - Medium Term Medium

Northmoor Park Minimal intervention kayak and canoe launch and landing site.

Columbus Parks and Recreation, MetroParks

Short - Medium Term Low - Medium

Ohio State University at Lane Avenue

Southern most point before Downtown allows for ample parking and rentals. Ohio State University Medium - Long

Term High

Whetstone Park Birding blind placed near waters' edge to watch migrating warblers and waterfowl.

Whetstone Park, Columbus Parks and Recreation

Short - Medium Term Medium

Olentangy River Corridor Restroom and drinking fountain amenities every ~2.5 miles along the river.

Ohio State University, Columbus Parks and Recreation, Metro Parks

Medium - Long Term High

Antrim Park Scenic viewing tower to be placed in Antrim Park for birding and education. Columbus Parks and Recreation Medium - Long

Term Medium - High

Kenny, Bethel, Hayden Run, Henderson and North Broadway at Olentangy River Corridor

East to West access to bridge the river using existing road conditions, developed paths and

new infrastructure.

Columbus Parks and Recreation, City of Columbus, Metro Parks Long Term High

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Continued and Fu ture D evelopment

This report is a compilation of all the research, public input, conceptual designs, and overall knowledge/information gathered by the students participating in the autumn semester Scioto-Olentangy River Greenway Seminar. All of this information is being collected into one document to help further the design development of the greenway corridors in Franklin County.

There were many sources of input that led to new ideas for how to develop this project further.

FLOW is working with the Columbus Planning Division to negotiate and develop a canoe/kayak put-in just south of the Olentangy Park launch site that we proposed. This is a project that is already in process and very likely moving forward to implementation.

The City of Columbus is also planning to release a “blue trail” map next year, which will show put-in spots along the Olentangy River. The map will also feature portage points around the dams. At this point, the City is working on getting easements to accomplish the water trail map.

The Olentangy West Area Plan, a document that the City of Columbus produced, outlines many improvements along the Olentangy River Corridor to be made. This plan specifies a new pedestrian and bike bridge crossing for the Olentangy River Trail South of the North Broadway intersection. The crossing would continue the greenway trail experience adjacent to the Olentangy River, rather than have the trail divergence onto the city streets while also providing access across to the west side of the river.

The 5th avenue low head dam began the process of removal over the summer. Students at KSA have had the opportunity to watch as the dam was removed and the banks stabilized. The removal of this dam proves that it is possible to remove these antiquated pieces of infrastructure and repair decades of damages reaped by these structures.

There is also a Facebook page dedicated to the project. The page is called Scioto-Olentangy River Greenways. This page has built some connections with local advocacy groups, non-profits, and interested/concerned citizens. It is still a fairly young page, but it has caught the attention of many people. As the progress of this process continually moves forward, interested parties can check this page for updates and post their thoughts.

Lo oking F orward

Moving forward we will see a more concentrated design focus on critical areas within the realms of recreation and amenities, educational opportunities and ecological health and stabilization. The Graduate students at KSA will use the progress obtained in this seminar course to further the discussion concerning access to and the health of our river corridor during a spring studio course. Students will produce a more concentrated effort at key locations along the corridor while extending the research efforts of overall topics covered in this course. Elaborating on the progress made thus far will only encourage more people to think about this important landscape feature that connects every community in Columbus. Through continued cross disciplinary conversations and public as well as private sector input, it may be possible to utilize the river corridor not merely as a means of health and wellness but also as a way to unite the community around a central galvanizing link.

THE OLENTANGY RIVER GREENWAY

Conclusion