grad project

Texas Target Cities Program

Master Plan

For Greenway & Regional Park:

LORENA, TX

Prepared by Diane Owen-Johnson

Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning

Texas A&M University

May 2002

Prepared by Diane Owen-Johnson

Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning


Lorena, Texas is a peaceful and quaint town. Located approximately 13 miles south of Waco, Texas, this bedroom community is working enthusiastically

towards maintaining its heritage and natural environment by adopting a comprehensive master plan for the City of Lorena. Originally settled in 1881 as a

station on the Missouri-Kansas Texas Railroad, Lorena has managed to maintain its charm and simplicity for over a century.

The City of Lorena has adopted a comprehensive master plan that will assure consistency in economic and population growth. The plan will also maintain

the historical sites, cultural heritage, and preserve natural and undeveloped land within the city. Another exciting aspect of the master plan is an alternate

transportation route in the form of a Greenway System (pedestrian / bikeway). The Greenway System will provide multiple benefits to the community such

as recreation, education, and connectivity throughout the city. Another aspect of the comprehensive plan is to create a 187 acre regional park for the local

and surrounding communities.

The purpose of this project is to develop a schematic design for the Greenway System, a concept design for the Lorena Regional Park, and a Gateway

design for both the north and south Interstate 35 exits. This project is part of the Texas Target Cities Program, a program that has been in effect since

1993.

The Texas Target Cities Program

is set up as a coordinated effort

between a city, with a population

of less than 10,000 and A&M’s

second year graduate

planning students.

AbstractAbstract

AcknowledgementAcknowledgement

Lorena, TXLorena, TX

I would like to express my appreciation to all of the people who have offered their expertise, time, talent and encouragement throughout this project.

I would like to especially thank Dr. Chang-Shan Huang for having faith in me and in being an inspiration to me through his exceptional artistic vision

and talents. I would also like to thank Dr. David Pugh and Dr. Scot Shafer for their expertise, direction and time. And, I would like to thank

the City of Lorena, Texas for allowing A&M to participate in the planning of their future.

11

Lorena, TXLorena, TX 22

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsAbstract 1

Acknowledgement 1

Table of Contents 2

List of Figures 3

I. Introduction 4

1.1 Project Background and Procedure 4

1.2 Design Approach 5

1.3 Design Process 5

II. Literature Review 6

2.1 Greenway 6

2.2 Parks 7

III. Site Analysis 8

3.1 Region Context 8

3.2 Demography 8

3.3 Land Use 8

3.4 Typography 9

3.5 Flood Plain 9

3.6 Soil Analysis 10

IV. Design Program 17

4.1 Design Goals and Objectives 17

4.2 Regional Park 18

V. Design Concept 19

5.1 Gateway System 19

5.2 Regional Park 22

5.3 Gateway Improvement 31

VI. Discussion 34

VII. Bibliography 35


List of FiguresList of Figures

Plate #1 Lorena, Texas Regional Map 11

Plate #2 Project Site 12

Plate #3 Local Context 13

Plate #4 Typography 14

Plate #5 FEMA Map 15

Plate #6 Soil Map 16

Plate #7 Greenway System 20

Plate #8 Greenway System Perspectives 21

Plate #9 Lorena Regional Park Topography 24

Plate #10 Lorena Regional Park Zones 25

Plate #11 Lorena Regional Park Illustrative Plan 26

Plate #12 Lorena Regional Park Perspectives 27

Plate #13 Lorena Regional Park Sections 28

Plate #14 Lorena Regional Park Phasing Plan 30

Plate #15 Gateway Zone 32

Plate #16 Gateway Perspectives 33

1. 1 Project Background and Procedure

The City of Lorena, Texas, located in McLennan County, was settled as a station on the

Missouri-Kansas and Texas Railroad in 1881. Over the past one hundred years, Lorena’s

population has grown to approximately 1244 residents and eighty-two businesses. The city

limits is split by the north-south 1-35 corridor and the Union Pacific rail line. Located thirteen

miles south of Waco, Texas and 21 miles north of Temple, Texas, Lorena is considered to be

a bedroom community with 82% of Lorena’s residents working outside the city limits.

The proposed Lorena Greenway System, Regional Park, and Gateway are essential in

providing the recreation space and identity for Lorena,Texas and is a major part of the overall

comprehensive master plan for the city.

Lorena would like to protect the quality of life that now exists within its community by taking

ownership of specific valuable natural environments and developing the areas into

recreational and educational outdoor spaces for both the local and adjacent communities.

The area chosen for the Greenway System is a mature riparian zone along Cow Bayou. The

property that has been selected for the Lorena Regional Park is a 187 acre contiguous parcel

of land located adjacent to the Lorena I.S.D. school complex, west of Ten Oaks Plantation,

south of Williams and north of Hatch Road.

I. IntroductionI. Introduction


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1. 2 Design Approach

Economic viability is key to Lorena’s growth and sustainability. It is Lorena’s hope, through the

development of the comprehensive master plan, to mitigate “sprawl,” preserve the quality of

life, and to save open space and natural riparian zones, to be utilized as future outdoor

recreational amenities for the entire community.

In keeping with the desires of the City of Lorena and the community at-large, the design approach

taken for the new Greenway System and Lorena Regional Park is one of stewardship, economic

stimulation, and connectivity. The focus of the new City Regional Park is to facilitate and stimulate

community association through enjoyable passive and active outdoor recreation, education, cultural

events and festivals.

There is a direct correlation between preserving and maintaining natural environments and creating

economic stimulation through community development where natural environments are kept as

outdoor recreational space for the community. The new Regional Park will be large enough and

diverse enough to facilitate the projected population and housing growth.

The new park promises to become a focal point in the city and an economic based attraction to the

surrounding areas through tournament sponsorships. In conjunction with the park, the expansive

Greenway System will be an added attraction for the involvement of the

surrounding communities in “connecting up”

to the Greenway System and “buying into”

the local commerce while actively

participating in recreation and choosing an alternate

means of transportation, thereby saving fuel

and building good health in the individual

and further providing a visible stewardship

approach to the environment.

There is a system to the design process. In this

system, a number of steps are taken. These steps are

necessary to gain as much insight as possible of a

project to realize the inherent constraints and

possible solutions.

a. Literature Review

The first step in the process is a literature review. In this information gathering step, past and

current publications are read and analyzed for the specific purposes of ascertaining possible

solutions and/or potential problems relevant to the the project that is to be designed.

b. Data Collection

Pertinent data was collected through personal interviews with residents, historians and

governing entities within Lorena as was questionnaires, site analysis and photographs.

c. Site Inventory and Analysis

Specific physical information was gathered and examined to facilitate and develop a concept

plan. The site inventory included circulation patterns, regional and local maps, zoning maps,

soil maps, drainage maps, floodplain maps, transportation maps, existing land use maps,

annexation maps, and land ownership maps. Historical sites were also noted.

The purpose for selecting this parcel of land for Lorena’s Regional Park is because of its proximity

to the I.S.D. complex. Within the I.S.D. complex are Lorena’s Elementary, Middle and High

Schools. Further, the comprehensive master plan calls for single-family development immediately

north and a mixed use Creekside District to the south and west.

The new Lorena Regional Park will be a major node within the Greenway System being proposed

and its connectivity to Lorena’s downtown area and other significant historical and entertainment

sites within the community will enhance the community’s outdoor recreational experiences and

provide a place to host major regional events lending to the economic growth of the city.


1. 3 Design ProcessLa

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2.1 GREENWAYS - Why a Greenway System and Regional Park? The earth is important because it supports life. Throughout history, man has relied on the natural environment for food, shelter, water and the

air we breathe. Over many decades degradation occurred to vast expanses of the natural environment through man’s progress and activities. Since the beginning of the 20th

century, the Bureau of Mines, under

the department of Interior, created an Office of Air Pollution to control smog emissions. In 1955, the government decided that smog was a big enough problem to establish the Air pollution Control Act of 1955,

which was the first in a series of clean air quality control acts, which are still in effect and continue to be revised and amended (Flemming, James R. and Knorr, Bethany R. 1993).

In April, 1970, “Earth Day” was observed internationally to emphasize the necessity for the conservation of the worlds natural resources. The emphasis is on solutions that will slow and possibly reverse the

negative effects of human activities. In 1972, Congress enacted the first comprehensive national clean water legislation in response to growing public concerns for serious and widespread water pollution. The

Clean Water Act is the primary federal law that protects our nation’s waters, including lakes, rivers, aquifers and coastal areas. The Clean Water Act’s primary objective is to restore and maintain the integrity of

the nation’s waters. The act translates into two fundamental national goods: eliminate the discharge of pollutants into the nation’s waters and achieve water quality levels that are fishable and swimmable (EPA

2001). All that is needed to provide a healthy, prosperous future for our planet and it’s people, is for all to act as Trustees of Earth, to do those things that will nurture and improve Earth’s migrating wildlife in

their seasonal travels: from revitalized urban waterfronts to tree shaded footpaths along a stream, far from the city.

Greenways provide a means to save precious ecosystems and provide outdoor recreation. Because the

realm of possibility seems endless, to define the word greenway would indeed limit the

vision. Greenways then become only what we have said they can be, and then

the flexibility that ensures us political and public acceptance for each unique project is

gone. On the contrary, the greenway idea is, and should remain elastic (Scharz, Loring

LaB 1993).

Charles Little in his classic work “Greenways for America” has defined the greenway concept as follows: A greenway is a

linear open space established along either a natural corridor such as a riverfront, stream valley, or ridgeline, or overland along a railroad right-of-way converted to recreational use, a landscaped course for

pedestrian or bicycle passage. An open-space connector linking parks, natural reserves, cultural features, or historic sites with each other and with populated areas. Locally, certain strip or linear parks

designated as parkway or greenbelt (Schwarz, Loring LaB 1993).

d. Program Design

It is at this step that a synthesis begins to take place of all of the previous steps in developing an

initial schematic design for the project. This process allows opportunity to see circulation, and

relationships within a design project and how the natural environment will be preserved or

enhanced in the development of the design.

e. Concept Design

After the initial Program Design step, a Concept Design is developed which is a culmination of

the information ascertained in the previous step. This step begins the final design development.

f. Preliminary Master Plan

After a concept design has been approved, a Preliminary

Master Plan is developed showing the relationships and

circulation of the design elements and features within

the project site.

g. Plan Refinement

This step completes the design process development. Last minute changes are made at this

step before detailed drawings are produced.

h. Detailed Drawings

Areas of interest will be delineated in perspective drawings and cross-section drawings.

I. Final Design and Report

All products of the project will be in CD-ROM

format as well as a written report.


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II. Literature ReviewII. Literature Review

Unusual partnerships are forged for their protection. Synergism among groups that have traditionally competed with one another for use of the land may be a greenway’s most lauded characteristic. Most

greenways support several uses and joint venture. A greenway project can preserve critical resources while encouraging dialogue among partners, setting common ground on which to focus further

cooperation and coordination. Design trends and ecological research support the wisdom of open-space planning that compliments the shape and flow of the land. Landscape features, such as streams,

rivers, ridge-tops and beaches are often linear. These natural features often provide the backbone for a greenway project or network (Schwarz, Loring LaB 1993).

2.2 PARKS - American parks or open-space developed as unconscious design expressions and were an outgrowth of utilitarian food production needs. Cemeteries represented early attempts at laying out

functional and attractive outdoor spaces on a somewhat more grandiose scale. Early in the 19th

century the proliferation of country estates provided new opportunities for landscape designers. Sparking

America’s urban park movement, Frederick Law Olmsted, known as the Father of Landscape Architecture, designed the first public green expanse of pasture we know today as the Boston Common. His

contribution to the profession of Landscape Architecture and to the conservation and preservation of our nation’s beautiful outdoor recreational space is beyond words. Just a few of his most notable

projects are: Parks - Central Park in New York, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, The Chicago South Park, Mount Royal in Montreal / Residential - Riverside in Illinois, Druid Hills in Atlanta / Academic Campuses

– Stanford University, The College of California, Berkeley / Multiple memorials / U.S. Capital Grounds / Scenic Preservation – Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Big Tree Grove and Niagara Reservation /

Biltmore Estate.

The profession of Landscape Architecture came into its own in 1899 upon the founding of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Through the efforts of Frederick Law Olmsted’s son, FLO Junior

formal instruction in landscape architecture began at Harvard the following year. After the Depression landscape architects found their way into leadership roles in public works, utilizing their array of skills

in planning, site development, construction implementation and resource management. Their leadership and skill were demonstrated clearly in the development of a vast system of national forests as well

as state and national parks that remain unparalleled anywhere in the world. Particularly important to our preservation and restoration of our open-space land came from Frederick Law Olmsted Sr. and his

son in the roles they played in shaping America’s national park policy. It was Frederick Law Olmsted, with his typical futuristic outlook, planted the seeds for a visionary system of national parks in his work

for the Commission on the Yosemite Valley in the 1860s. His son developed lifelong interest in conservation that resulted in a remarkable series of achievements advocating state and national park

planning. It is Frederick Junior who is credited with the emphasis on a system of regional parks extending into the surrounding suburbs but, it was Frederick Law Olmsted Senior, who was concerned with

how landscape could provide recreational and health benefits for the entire population. It was the step-brother of Frederick Law Olmsted Junior, John Charles Olmsted who began to change the emphasis

from the pastoral to the more architectural and recreational. He urged controls over haphazard building to protect important vistas and areas of outstanding scenic beauty.


The concept of historic preservation has grown beyond the confines of architecture to include the

landscape itself. Now the preservation of comprehensive districts, neighborhoods, communities

and entire rural landscapes has captured the attention of landscape architects, and our heritage

is richer because of it. Similar in spirit and ethic to conserving historic landscapes has been the

recent interest in restoring disturbed sites to their earlier natural character.

Ugly quarries, strip-mined areas and other disfigured landscapes are being made productive and

enjoyable again thanks to new revegetation concepts and other resource management

techniques.

One of the most noteworthy advancements of landscape architecture in recent times has

occurred in large-scale landscape planning. Thanks to an infusion of ecological values and new

technology, members of the profession assumed important roles in this vital land stewardship

activity. A significant contribution to managing wild and rural landscapes has been the

development of techniques for assessing and protecting scenic quality (American Landscape

Architecture 1899).

It is with this stewardship message in mind, that provokes my interest in Lorena’s conservation

and preservation efforts. Without a system in place to recognize the aesthetic and economic

value in the inherent beauty of a region, the beauty becomes lost in the development with grave

consequences in the quality of life for the community.

I am a proponent of the “Olmstedian” concept in having a “reverential” attitude toward nature. In

my attempt to follow in the footsteps of FLO, I too, seek to create mystery, bounteousness and

peacefulness as evoked by meadows with scattered shade trees or bodies of water that reflect

the trees and sky.

Once Olmsted became a landscape architect, he had to formulate a new conception of his role; in the process he created a comprehensive body of theory about landscape design that was so original that

few of his contemporaries grasped its full meaning. His emphasis on the psychological effects of scenery gave his design principles a firm base independent of the “battle of the styles.” Not aesthetic theory

but the very health of the human organism became the touchstone of his art.

The experience of scenery was visual, and as he developed his own concepts Olmsted wrote of the relations of sight to the wellbeing of the whole person. In one of his most concise statements he

asserted that “A man’s eyes cannot be as much occupied as they are in large cities by artificial things…without a harmful effect, first on his mental and nervous system and ultimately on his entire

constitutional organization.” Landscape provided a relief from the “rigidity and confinement and protrusion of art of the ordinary conditions of the city.” It was able “to refresh and delight the eye and through

the eye, the mind and the spirit.”

In describing the effects of scenery Olmsted used such terms as “sanative” and “restoring” and spoke of his parks as “sanitary institutions.” He insisted that in doing so he was not speaking metaphorically.

He was sure that “the charm of natural scenery is an influence of the highest curative value; highest, if for no other reason, because it acts directly upon the highest functions of the system, and through

them upon all below, tending, more than any single form of medication we can use, to establish sound minds in sound bodies.”

Olmsted laid great stress on the restorative psychological effect of scenery. By the early 1850s he was describing it as something that occurred by an unconscious process. In Walks and Talks of an

American Farmer in England he wrote, “Gradually and silently the charm comes over us, the beauty has entered our souls; we know not exactly when or how.” One could not directly pursue this feeling, he

cautioned: “Dame Nature is a gentlewoman. No guide’s fee will obtain you her favor, no abrupt demand; hardly will she bear questioning, or direct, curious gazing at her beauty.” What Olmsted sought to

promote, especially in his design of parks and other urban places, was what he called “unconscious or indirect recreation.” “Objects before which people are called to a halt, and to utter mental exclamation

of surprise and admiration,: he taught, “are often adapted to interrupt and prevent, or interfere with the processes of indirect or unconscious recreation.” A corollary of this truth was that “the highest value of

a park must be expected to lie in elements and qualities of scenery to which the mind of those benefiting by them is liable, at the time the benefit is received, to give little conscious cognition, and which,

though not at all beyond study, are of too complex, subtle and spiritual a nature to be readily checked off, item by item, like a jeweler's or a florist’s wares.” In search of a fit analogy, he noted that

“Landscape moves us in a manner more nearly analogous to the action of music than anything else.” At another time, in a similar vein, he wrote that “the chief end of a large park is an effect on the human

organism by an action of what it presents to view, which action, like that of music, is of a kind that goes back of thought, and cannot be fully given the forms of words” (Beveridge and Rocheleau 1995).

A great deal of criteria must be analyzed before a design project is successfully implemented. Site

analysis is a method of examination that allows the designer to realize the buildout potential of a

site and uncovers the problem areas or constraints on a particular site. Following are the typical

criterion associated with developing a regional park such as the Lorena Regional Park and

Greenway System.

3.1 Region Context

The City of Lorena, Texas is located 13 miles south of Waco, Texas and 21 miles north of Temple,

Texas. The city limits encompass 2.13 square miles and is to be substantially increased with the

inception of the proposed comprehensive master plan.

3.2 Demography

Demographically, Lorena is well-educated, young and Caucasian. The average age of Lorena

residents is 30 years with approximately 36% of the population being 20 years of age.

3.3 Land Use

The City of Lorena is in the process of adopting a comprehensive master plan to try and mitigate

“suburban sprawl.” The proposed park and greenway system land is under public and private

ownership. A 187 acre track of land adjacent to the Lorena I.S.D. and Ten Oaks Plantation is the

proposed site for the new Lorena Regional Park. The Greenway System is land within the 100/500

year flood plain along Cow Bayou and is privately owned.

The historical use of this land was crop land and open grass prairie. Currently the land is being

utilized in the same way, although future development is, and will continue destroy this land if not

protected through the conservation and preservation efforts outlined in the Comprehensive Master

Plan being developed.

III. Site AnalysisIII. Site Analysis


3. 1 Regional Context

3. 2 Demography

3. 3 Land Use

The topography within the project site area has a slope of generally less than 5% except certain

areas of the drainage channels where the percentage of slope increases to 7-10 percent. The

natural drainage pattern is from the north to south and ultimately drains into Cow Bayou which is

located south of the proposed Regional Park and Greenway System.

The overall gentle slope within the project site lends itself to the specific component facilities

proposed for the Park and Greenway System. The gentle slopes allow for active recreational court

games to be easily constructed without too much cut and fill which saves time and money. Other

component facilities or features within the Park such as the Amphitheater and Retention Pond are

also sited to conform to the natural landform. Again, by positioning facilities to cause the least

amount of disruption to the natural environment is of utmost importance. By doing so, the

indigenous land characteristic is maintained and the existing eco-system has a better chance of

survival.


3.4 Topography

The project site area is within an 850 acre watershed. The primary tributary within the project site is

Cow Bayou. Cow Bayou is a significant drainage channel and is within the 100 and 500 year flood

plain. (The 500 year floodplain means there is a .2 percent chance of inundation in any given year.

The 100 year floodplain means there is a .1 percent chance of inundation in any given year.)

The flood plain area is prime land for animal migration and habitat and serves as a natural

repository for surface water runoff allowing potential toxins within the water to percolate into the

ground and not flow freely in our water system. The flood plain is an area that is generally not

developed with permanent structures due to potential flooding. However, a flood plain can be

utilized as recreational space and contribute immensely to the overall aesthetic characteristics

within a community.

3. 5 Flood Plain

Dissolved substances, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and toxins, entering a vegetated stream

corridor are primarily controlled from entering the channel and reducing water quality by friction,

root absorption, clay and soil organic matter; these in turn are most effectively provided by wide

corridor of dense natural vegetation.

Contact with plant stems and litter slows water movement

Plant roots absorb dissolved substances prior to reaching the stream

Clay particles hold dissolved substances

Soil organic matter absorbs dissolved substances

To maintain natural processes a stream corridor must maintain an interior upland habitat on both

sides, which is wide enough to control dissolved-substance inputs from the matrix; provides a

conduit for upland interior species; and offers suitable habitat for floodplain species; displaced by

beaver flooding or lateral channel migration.

To maintain natural processes a stream corridor must maintain an interior upland habitat on both

sides, as a conduit for upland interior species and species displaced by lateral channel migration.

In addition, maintaining at least a “ladder-pattern” of large patches crossing the floodplain provides

a hydrologic sponge, traps sediment during floods, and provides soil organic matter for the aquatic

food chain, logs for fish habitat, and habitats for rare floodplain species.

(Landscape Ecology Principles-Dramstad, Olson, and Forman. 1996)


There are fourteen soil series (Stephen, Austin, Houston Black, Eddy, Sunev, Fairlie Lewisvile,

Branyon, Frio, Dams, Mclennan, Ovan, Lott and Tinn) within the Lorena City Limits. The residential and

commercial districts are located predominantly in the Stephen and partially in the Fairlie and Austin

series.

The native soils are primarily clay base. Clay base soils are conducive to extreme and immediate

surface water runoff leading to flashfloods. Beyond the danger of being trapped within a flashflood,

erosion of the vital topsoil occurs leading to a ground surface unsuitable for vegetation growth, habitat

or mitigation of the deleterious effects of forceful and often toxic surface water runoff.

Soil is one component which supports life on our planet. It holds the nutrients and water that nourish

microscopic organisms within the soil structure which produce the base elements essential to plant and

animal production and regeneration. Soil organisms are crucial to the chemical conversion and physical

transfer of essential nutrients to higher plants. Fertile soil is a result of hundreds, if not thousands of

processes working in a symbiotic relationship, I.e. the vertebrate animals foraging and leaving organic

matter to be digested by the microscopic organisms within the soil which ultimately produces the

nutrients absorbed through the root system for healthy plant growth. The nutrient cycle has to work in

both directions for a healthy and sustainable environment to exist. Any change to an existing healthy

eco-system by the infiltration of toxins, soil erosion or a change in the water cycle will disrupt and

perhaps totally destroy a pristine and lush landscape that has reached equilibrium.

At present, the land proposed for the recreational Greenway System is a mature riparian zone (Cow

Bayou) including a 300 foot buffer zone on each side of the center line stream channel. Just outside

this fertile zone are numerous agriculture crops and open

3. 6 Soil Analysis land with minimal vegetation. The existing land proposed for the Regional park is generally open land with minimal vegetation and a secondary riparian zone which feeds into Cow Bayou to the south and a

few agriculture crops.

Typical vegetation within the overall project site are indigenous to the Blackland Prairies: Pecan, Black hickory, Black Walnut, Sycamore, Burr oak, Eastern cottonwood, Post oak, Persimmon, Wax myrtle,

Buckeye, Mexican plum, Sugarberry, Green ash, Flameleaf sumac, Green hawthorne, Black cherry, American elderberry, Bald cypress and Buttonbush.

In summary, the proposed sites selected for the Greenway System and Regional Park have been specifically chosen in a effort to conserve as much of the natural environment as possible for preservation,

recreation and aesthetic purposes. The location of the Greenway System and Regional Park have also been selected based on the Comprehensive Master Plan and the projected growth patterns and

needs of the community. The Greenway System and Regional Park are centrally located to provide the connectivity and alternative transportation needs to the community’s many different points of

interests.

By acquiring and maintaining these natural environments as well as, reestablishing native vegetation to particular crop land, Lorena will have comfort in knowing that their community will be contributing to

and protecting its natural heritage for future generations, while providing a means for outdoor recreation, education, health, and community association.

Natural Prairie As HabitatView of A Typical Agriculture Fields


College of Architecture

Department of Landscape Architecture

and Urban Planning

College Station, Texas

Target Cities Program

Lorena, Texas

Designed/Drawn by:

Diane Johnson

PlateLorena, Texas

Regional Map

Lorena is located:

13 miles south of Waco

107 miles south of Dallas

220 miles northwest of Houston

McLennan County

Waco

Lorena

El Paso

Houston

Dallas

San Antonio

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and Urban Planning



Lorena, Texas

Designed/Drawn by:

Diane Johnson

PlateProject Site

City of LorenaLorena Regional

Park

Greenway System

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and Urban Planning



Lorena, Texas

Designed/Drawn by:

Diane Johnson

PlateLocal Context

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Lorena

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Gateway

Trails

Nature Study Areas

Entrances

Historical Sites

Greenway Boundary

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and Urban Planning



Lorena, Texas

Designed/Drawn by:

Diane Johnson

Plate

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and Urban Planning



Lorena, Texas

Designed/Drawn by:

Diane Johnson

Plate

0-1 % Slope 1-4 % Slope 4-8 % Slope 4-10 % Slope 4-15 % Slope Broken Land

(Bl) Catalpa Soil Material-Recent Alluvium

(Ea) Eddy Gravelly Clay Loam

(Ha) Hortman-Axtell Fine Sandy Loams

(Hh) Houston Clay/(Ah) Austin Silty Clay

(Af)&(Ag) Austin Silty Clay/(Ae) Austin-Eddy Gravelly Clay Loams

(Be) Bell Clay/(Cc)Catalpa Clay Loam

Soil Map6

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4.1 Design Goals and Objectives

The overall view of the Greenway System, Lorena Regional Park and Gateway is an effort to preserve, maintain and promote the natural environment

and heritage of the local community. In recognizing the value of the natural environment, Lorena, in adopting a Comprehensive Community Master

Plan, is making great strides in creating a “sense of place” for generations to come. Following is a list of goals and objectives to help clarify the intent

of the proposed Greenway System, Lorena Regional Park, and Gateway.

Greenway / Goal:

Preserve and maintain the natural environment for the local community.

Objective:

Annex a significant portion of the healthy natural environment, specifically along the riparian zones to preserve and maintain habitat for the

natural beauty, education opportunity and recreational activities. By preserving this sensitive eco- system, Lorena will be actively promoting an

overall healthy and aesthetically pleasing community which will reflect the community’s sensitivity in preserving their local heritage.

Goal:

Establish connectivity for animal migration, habitat, and community mobility.

Objective:

Habitat connectivity is paramount in sustaining a healthy eco-system. Animal migration is necessary to sustain the natural processes

within the plant and animal community. Connectivity provides a safe conduit through diverse natural environments and encourages diversity of plant

and animal species. Connectivity via a greenway system also allows the local and surrounding communities to enjoy their natural environment up

close…as a pedestrian within…and serves as a recreational space promoting social interaction, appreciation of nature, pedestrian connectivity to local

historical and cultural sites, and serves as an alternate transportation route for local commerce exchange.

IV. Design ProgramIV. Design Program


Regional Park / Goal:

Create a significant aesthetically pleasing revenue generating indoor and outdoor recreational facility that will encourage local and regional

use throughout the year, as well as provide a stimulus for local economic growth.

Objective:

Locate the regional park in a area that Is adjacent to the Lorena I.S.D. to promote a symbiotic relationship in funding and use. Current and

future single family housing developments are also adjacent to the propose park site as is the proposed “Creekside” District that will serve as

a mixed-use community. The park is to become a major node within the extensive Greenway System and through the utilization of the alternate

transportation route, the park will provide easy access to the Lorena Downtown District.

The park will feature multiple activities and cultural venues such as an active sports recreational complex to include softball, soccer, football,

tennis, basketball, pitch and putt golf, badminton, and a skate park. A passive recreational space is provided for strolling, bicycling, jogging, free-

play sporting events and festivals. The cultural venues will include a library, museum, amphitheater and butterfly sculpture garden. These

venues will encourage the community’s interest in their local history and provide a respectable place for the preservation of the local artifacts.

Too, local and regional artists will have an opportunity to display their work within the park.

Gateway / Goal:

Community identification is the goal of the gateway.

Objective:

The City of Lorena is split in two by a major north-south corridor, Interstate 35. The City’s location is easily accessible but poorly identified

from Interstate 35, which causes thousands of people to drive right past the city without notice.The purpose of the proposed Gateway on both the

north and south Interstate 35 exits is to create a landmark for the City of Lorena in hopes of capturing the public’s attention and to allow for

advanced notification of the impending exit.

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a. Cultural Recreation

The Amphitheater, Butterfly/Sculpture Garden Museum and Library are amenities that will enrich the community and be an attraction for the

surrounding communities as well as tourists. The Amphitheater will provide a forum for plays and different music events. The Library will serve the

local community and adjacent communities. The Museum will serve the local community and tourists and preserve historical records and display

cultural heritage items. The Butterfly/Sculpture Garden will provide a place for the community to stroll, enjoy a multitude of colorful plants, butterflies

and view local artist’s sculptures.

b. Active Recreation

The Active Recreation Complex will provide a variety of sporting activities such as: baseball/softball/Soccer, basketball, tennis, badminton, pitch

and putt golf, and skate park. The Complex is large enough to accommodate state sporting events and tournaments play which will provide an

economic boost to the local community.

c. Trails

The entire perimeter of the park has a pedestrian trial which links-up with the overall Greenway System. In conjunction to the nature trail within the

park, the soft surface natural trail adjoins the Greenway System extending the “nature experience” throughout the City of Lorena.

d. Greenway System

The Greenway System is an effort to preserve the natural environment for the enjoyment and appreciation of the local community as well as

tourists. The Greenway System connects the Regional Park, Downtown Lorena, the Creekside District and surrounding neighborhoods and plays a

vital role in providing habitat for many local and migrating animals. It provides aesthetic

beauty for the community at-large and increases the economic value of the City and adjacent land. The

Greenway System also promotes cleaner water and air because of the appropriate sized “buffer zone”

which provides an opportunity for pollutants in the air and surface water runoff to be drawn into the plants

and soil allowing for a natural “clean-up” conditioning. The Greenway System also cause the surface temperature along the trails to

stay at a tolerable level due to the shade and inherent moisture within the canopy. The stable and moderate surface temperature

also provides the correct water temperature in the natural drainage systems to promote a healthy eco-system allowing flora and

fauna to flourish keeping our “nature experience” alive healthy, and diverse.

Within the Greenway System, a Nature Study Area will be provided allowing the community an

opportunity to learn about their local environmental eco-systems and their responsibilities in

keeping the systems healthy.

The Nature Study Area will have a informational sign system to read and learn about the different

conditions along the Greenway System. Different plant species, habitats and natural conditions and eco-

systems will be specified within the signage.

e. Passive Recreation

It is within this area of the park that one can “get away” and quietly stroll among the native vegetation. Within the Passive

Recreation area is an 8 Station Exercise Trail. The Exercise Trail has a half-mile loop and a quarter-mile loop designated for jogging

or walking; although, the entire trail system may be utilized for longer routes.

f. Festival Area

A significant portion of the Passive Recreation area is left as

“open-space to allow for a variety of festival activities and informal

sporting activities.

g. Nature Study

The trail system winds along Cow Bayou. Cow Bayou has been

altered to provide a retention pond for surface water runoff. The

retention pond serves as a significant and aesthetically pleasing

natural water feature in the park and provides habitat for local

migrating animals.


a.Cultural Recreation

b. Active Recreation

c. Trails

d. Greenway System

e. Passive Recreation

f. Festival Area

g. Nature Study

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s4. 2 Regional Park

The design concept for the Lorena Greenway System, Regional Park and Gateway is based on stewardship, conservation, preservation and

heritage. Agriculture is Lorena’s economic heritage and is reflected in each of the three component designs through the planting design, I.e. hedge

row / orchard planting and native grass / hay crop production and harvest.

The Greenway System is an alternate transportation route expanding throughout the city to provide a conduit for animal migration and habitation,

provide positive stormwater management, and encourage outdoor environmental exploration and education. The Greenway System is centered

within the 100 and 500 year floodplain, with a proposed expanded “buffer zone” of 300 feet on either side of the center line stream channel. This

precious and valuable natural riparian zone serves too many natural processes to list them all. But, be assured, if the water becomes contaminated

through commercial development or individual carelessness, the “aftershock” would be very apparent…the microscopic life would cease to exist,

leading to the ultimate demise of natural ecosystem that provides and sustains the bountiful beauty that we all long to be close to and view.

Ultimately, when the animal life dies off or moves out of the area due to encroachment or contamination, plant diversity also withers leaving barren,

unsightly and highly susceptible valuable land to erode…to wash down stream…which, continues the destruction of healthy eco-systems and

habitat. I am of the opinion that the riparian zones are our barometer of a healthy environment and need to be protected first in any comprehensive

master plan.

The value of the Greenway System to the City of Lorena is significant. The Greenway System allows Lorena to preserve its heritage, create outdoor

recreational space (natural and man-made), and provide connectivity between major nodes within the city, I.e. Downtown District, Historical Sites,

Regional Park, Creekside District and neighborhoods. The Greenway System is to become an alternate transportation route throughout the city and

ultimately “link-up” with adjacent communities extending the preserved land, recreational space, natural beauty and habitat.

V. Design ConceptV. Design Concept


5.1 Greenway System

Gateway

Gateway

Interstate 35

Trails

Nature Study Areas

Entrances

Greenway Boundary

RegionalParkSite

Lorena I.S.D.

DowntownLorena




and Urban Planning



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Designed/Drawn by:

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Plate

Trails

Nature Study Areas

Entrances

Greenway Boundary

Gateway

Gateway

Greenway System

Interstate 35

7

RegionalParkSite

Lorena I.S.D.

DowntownLorena

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Plate8

Greenway SystemPerspectives

View of nature study area

2121

The purpose of the Regional Park is to provide a functional, aesthetic, and revenue generating outdoor recreational space reflecting the heritage of

the region, for the local and regional community to enjoy. The park has been designed around three use areas; Active Recreation, Passive

Recreation and Cultural Recreation. The different areas furnish a variety of outdoor experiences, but consolidate like activities establishing a

harmonious experience for the patrons.

The cultural center is a hub for the park administration, city’s library, museum, amphitheater and butterfly / sculpture garden and is the anchor of the

Regional Park. The cultural recreational area consists of the park administration and maintenance, museum, library, amphitheater, butterfly /

sculpture garden, open space, picnic pavilions and parking areas. This area will allow the City of Lorena to preserve its artifacts and present a

venue for local and regional artist to show their work within the library, museum and sculpture garden. As in all of the use areas, the layout of the

component features was based on the natural topography and how the natural landscape accommodates and/or enhances each design feature.

The amphitheater has been situated to take advantage of the natural slope of the existing environment eliminating excess cut and fill and utilizes the

butterfly / sculpture garden and mature riparian zone as a backdrop. The butterfly / sculpture garden has been placed in close proximity to the

natural riparian zone to create a conducive environment for butterfly habitat and to take advantage of the backdrop of the mature trees. The

relationship of the butterfly / sculpture garden and the amphitheater is symbiotic, each supports the other without duplication through parking,

restroom facilities and public gathering space. The administration and maintenance facility has been sited on a high point within the park just off the

main street loop and across the street from the amphitheater. This position allows for overflow parking to be supplied by the amphitheater for special

events within the administration facility.

The passive recreational area is the portion of the park that is best suited for the nature lover. It is the area that has extensive sinuous and looping

paths for those who wish to walk, ride bikes or jog in nature. Other amenities within this area are the festival grounds-rich with native grasses, a

major portion of the retention pond-which provides habitat for indigenous creatures in the park and provides storage area for surface water runoff, an

overflow soft-surface parking area and an eight station exercise course.


5.2 Regional Park

In allowing the natural terrain to dictate how this area could best be preserved and utilized, I chose to preserve the natural environment and alleviate

undue disturbance to the existing healthy ecosystem providing an opportunity to view and enjoy the native landscape and habitat. This area also

provides multiple picnic pavilions.

The active recreational area has multiple fields and court sporting activities such as: 4-soccer/football fields, 2-softball, 5-tennis courts, 5-basketball

courts, and 8-badminton courts, one skate park with multiple runs and shoots, and a par 3 pitch and putt golf course. Parking is also provided.

This area is the most formal of the three. The decision to develop the active recreational area in this location was based on the existing topography.

The overall slope in this area is minimal making it a perfect fit for the active recreational sport facilities…ultimately cutting construction costs through

minimal cut and fill demands. The active recreation area also has open-space and picnic pavilions. Two pathways are within this area. First is a

hard-surface pathway provided for direct access to each of the sports facilities. Second, is a continuation of the soft-surface trail that meanders

throughout the entire park and circles the perimeter boundary in this particular area.

The vehicular circulation within the park is primarily a loop. The main entrance is located on the west side of the park, flows through the cultural

recreation area and exits at the secondary entrance located at the south side of the park. The loop accommodates pedestrian circulation via a bike

lane. This bike lane connects to the extensive pedestrian trail system within the park which ultimately connects to the City’s Greenway System.

The pedestrian circulation is extensive within the park in the form of soft surface trails which circle the entire perimeter of the park to provide a

continuous pathway for walking, biking or jogging. Within the more formal area of the park, the active recreation area, and portions of the cultural

recreation area, a hard surface pathway is provided to ease the mobility from parking area to various venues,I.e. sporting, picnic pavilions,

amphitheater, museum, library and administration areas.

Seven-hundred parking spaces are conveniently located throughout the park. An overflow soft-surface lot accommodating 200 spaces is located

adjacent to the festival area. The remaining parking areas are hard-surface and are located adjacent to the administration/library/museum building,

amphitheater complex and within the active recreation area.

The planting design concept for the regional park is based on Lorena’s agriculture heritage and is reflected in the “crop row,” “hedge row,” and “orchard” style planting of the trees within the

cultural and active recreational areas, creating a formal and organized appearance to the surroundings. The passive recreational area has a more organic planting design and relies on the

open-space native grass fields to reflect the agricultural heritage of the city. Both agricultural planting concept allows the local residents and visitors to be reminded of where Lorena’s roots

are based.

The intent of the regional park is to create a “sense of place” for the residents of Lorena. The regional park will encourage ownership and pride in the local community. It will provide a forum

for education and stimulate regional interest in Lorena’s heritage and it will provide an avenue for conservation and preservation of Lorena’s past. The park will be utilized and appreciated by

all generations and will serve as habitat and teacher.

The overall experience one might have within the park is varied. Opportunity exists for a quiet walk along the bayou, an early morning jog along a meandering path as the sun rises and filters

through the tree canopies, a picnic in a pastoral setting, or perhaps being a participant or

spectator at a tournament sporting event, or perhaps, just sitting back with family and friends listening to your favorite music

and watching the stars emerge as the sun sets and the stage lights come up within the amphitheater. A plethora of experiences

are available to be enjoyed within the regional park, creating happy memories that will last a lifetime.





and Urban Planning



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PlateLorena Regional ParkTopography

North

9

LorenaRegional

ParkSite

LorenaI.S.D.

DowntownLorena

LorenaRegional

ParkSite

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DowntownLorena

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and Urban Planning



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Designed/Drawn by:

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PlateLorena Regional Park Zones

Passive Recreation

Active Recreation

Cultural Recreation

North

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LorenaRegional

ParkSite

LorenaI.S.D.

DowntownLorena

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Lorena, Texas

Designed/Drawn by:

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PlateLorena Regional ParkIllustrative Plan

North

11

Festival Open Space

Section BB

Section AA

Maintenance

Administration BuildingLibrary

Museum

Amphitheater

Butterfly/Sculpture Garden

Open Space

Pitch & Putt CoursePar 3

Skate Park

Picnic & Tot Lot Area

Parking

LorenaRegional

ParkSite

LorenaI.S.D.

DowntownLorena

2626




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Lorena, Texas

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PlateLorena Regional ParkPerspectives 12

View of open space and retention pond

View of active recreation area

2727




and Urban Planning



Lorena, Texas

Designed/Drawn by:

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PlateLorena Regional ParkSections 13

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WoodlandFieldWoodlandRetention PondWoodlandPathLawnPathOpen FieldPathEx. St.

Field

Open FieldService RoadAmphitheaterStreetWalkway

Section BB

Section AA

Parking

The park will be developed in several phases. The proposed phase plan is developed with consideration of the immediate priorities of the

community needs, feasibility of construction sequence and the relationship of the park development and economic growth.

The Regional Park will be implemented in four phases over a ten year period. The first phase of development will be the Cultural Recreational area.

This phase serves as an anchor for the future park development by providing the infrastructure that will support the future phases. It is my belief,

that by having this component constructed first, Lorena will be able to provide multiple venues for economic growth ventures by hosting a diversity of

events within the amphitheater, library, museum and picnic and open space areas. This phase should be completed within 1-3 years.

Phase two will expand the nature experience within the park through a pedestrian trail system. Within this phase is the Passive Recreational area

and has within it the Festival area. This phase is important to be second in the overall implementation because of the economic growth brought forth

by having the ground area and parking for large scale regional festival activities. This phase provides an extensive soft surface trail system for

walking, bicycling or jogging. Also within this phase is an 8 station exercise jogging path. Implementation will be between 3-5 years.

Phase three will provide multiple multi-field sports venues. This phase will again contribute to the overall economic growth in Lorena by allowing

regional and state tournament sporting events to be hosted in the City of Lorena. Two softball fields and four football/soccer fields are featured

within this phase. This phase will be implemented over a 5-7 year period.

The fourth and final phase will complete the Active Recreational area and will provide traditional multiple court sporting venues as well as a skate

park and pitch and putt golf course. Because this phase will be coming at the end of the park development, I felt the recreational activities within this

area could perhaps be altered if the trends in outdoor recreational sports changes over


Phasing

the approximate 10 year park development. Allowing this phase to be changed based on current trends would accommodate the true needs and

desires of the region at the time. Although the traditional sports venues have been proven to be effective in active recreational outdoor activities,

times change and so do peoples attitudes as well as the demographics. This last phase, based on the current components is estimated to be

completed within a 7-10 year time frame.

Phase OnePhase Two

Phase Three

Phase Four




and Urban Planning



Lorena, Texas

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Plate

North

Lorena Regional ParkPhasing Plan

Phase One

Phase Two

Phase Three

Phase Four

14

LorenaRegional

ParkSite

LorenaI.S.D.

DowntownLorena

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Designed/Drawn by:

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PlateGateway Zone

LorenaRegional

ParkSite

LorenaI.S.D.

LorenaDowntown

Interstate35

Gateway

Gateway

3232

15


The Gateway has been designed with a particular crop in mind, cotton. Lorena’s past economic sustainability is portrayed through the use of the

cotton ball motif which has been incorporated in the I-35 overpass / bridge lamp posts and lighted sculpture positioned at each exist designating the

entrance into the City of Lorena. The lamp posts and sculptures vertical structures are reminiscent of the cotton plant support structure and is to be

constructed from a “rusty” colored cortin steel product, reiterating the natural color of the crop.

The purpose of the Gateway is to create an and identity for the City of Lorena and an immediate impact upon vehicular traffic traveling north and

south on Interstate 35. The intent of the new Gateway design is to allow passersby to establish an immediate association with the City of Lorena as

a progressive small town that respects its heritage, which is delineated within the Gateway by the materials used and the “cotton ball” motif in the

lamps and sculpture. The Gateway becomes a landmark and a “sign post” designating Lorena’s edge.

The new Gateway is not only a beacon for travelers, but also, an invitation to everyone to come “into” Lorena and enjoy the ambience of their small

town.

5.3 Gateway Improvement

Existing Gateway




and Urban Planning



Lorena, Texas

Designed/Drawn by:

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PlateGateway Perspectives16

View of gateway

View of bridge from Interstate 35

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DiscussionDiscussion

Because of the nature of this project, specifically that it is a final project in an academic endeavor with time constraints, there are limitations in the

research and peripheral data collected. This project began as a process to create an identity for the City of Lorena and to enrich the quality of life for

its residents. The data collected was based only on the needs of the City of Lorena. Before implementation of this project takes place, other data

would need to collected by way of questionnaires, public meetings and communications with adjacent public and private organizations who would

be involved in the decision making process for a regional project.

I am confident that the overall Comprehensive Master Plan, including the Downtown Redevelopment and the Greenway and Park System, is the

most appropriate solution for the needs of Lorena at this time to produce the quality of life for which it is seeking to establish and maintain for

generations to come. It is my opinion, that if Lorena implements the Greenway System and Regional Park, their quality of life and economic pursuits

will be immensely enriched.

The beauty of small town America is the inherent sense of “neighborhood” and ownership. As the economic structure of our world broadens, the

impact to the American small towns or “neighborhoods” has been devastating. Under the guise of convenience, America has watch its small towns

decline and become social icons of a disposable society where new is always better, no matter what the consequences are to the land or social

fabric of a community.

Lorena is taking a major step in stopping this negative impact from devouring its “sense of place” by seeking out conscientious professionals who

understand how important the natural environment is to a local community’s quality of life and as a resource to attract new business. The value of

this Comprehensive Master Plan is immeasurable. This Plan reflects the value that Lorena places on its land and all inhabitants. Lorena will

establish itself as a leader by adopting the Comprehensive Master Plan and set an example for neighboring communities to follow.

The lessons learned in the development of this project, is the value of land…not only to the individual, but also to a community and ultimately to the

world. We live on a finite planet, with finite resources which are to be treasured and valued beyond monetary gain. I have learned to appreciate the

economics of our land value through planning and what impact this has on a community’s economic sustainability and growth. I have been made

aware of the differing points of view people have as to what establishes “quality of life” for them. To me, it begins with the clean air we breath, the

fresh water we drink and food that we cultivate from our ever shrinking healthy land mass we call home…given to us to respect and to protect, to be

a steward of, in perpetuity.


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Internet Sites

http://www.ametsoc.org/AMS/sloan/cleanair/cleanair_rightframe.html

http://www.epa.gov/owow/cwa/history.htm

http://www.wacocvb.com/waco-gacts.html.

http://www.wacocvb.com/waco-sports-hall.html

http://www.wacocvb.com/waco-attraction.html

http://www.wacocvb.com/waco-recreation.html

http://www.waco-texas.com/city_depts/municipal_information/citylimits2.htm

http://www.waco-texas.com/city_depts/parks/parksdiv.htm

http://www.ametsoc.org/AMS/sloan/cleanair/cleanairlegisl.html

http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/earthday/earthday.html

http://spausa.org/skateparks.html

http://www.warren.k12.in.us/Lowell/outdoorlab/trail/trail.htm

grad project

Documents

ten oaks plantation

preliminary

alternate

comprehensive

mature riparian

cotton ball

frederick

upland interior