waterfront access
DESCRIPTION
What makes an effective path? The best urban waterfront paths are both a means to an end and an end in of themselves. They are used to get from one place to the next, but are also destinations for recreational walking, running, and biking as well as casual enjoyment of water views. Along the Harlem River waterfront in the Bronx, pedestrian and bike routes are limited, disconnected and in poor repair. Precedents show that through relatively simple improvements in fencing, lighting, and signage, pedestrian paths can become safe, attractive, enjoyable spaces.TRANSCRIPT
Path-Making: iMProving ConneCtions through struCture, Lighting, and signage
Structure Lighting Signage
Effective urban paths are both a means to an end and an end in of themselves. They are used to get from one place to the next, but are also destina-tions for recreational walking, running, and biking. Along the Harlem River in the Bronx, pedestrian routes include both on-street and off-street paths.Phasing for connection improvements should be as follows: Develop reasons to cross; Improve basic maintenance of pathways and street network; Create new pathways that are visually interesting and provide direct and legible connections to destinations. Well-designed pathways are universal-ly accessible and enjoyable to use; employ lighting to encourage night time use and address safety and security concerns; and are clearly marked with effective and engaging signage to address wayfinding needs.
Race Street Connector (Philadelphia, PA)Signs can be extremely literal. Here a highway underpass is trans-formed into a sign pointing towards the forgotten waterfront.
Freedom Trail (Boston, MA)Signs can also be more emblamatic. Boston’s Freedom Trail is a simple painted strip of pavement that directs people towards points of interest.
Buffalo Bayou (Houston, TX) Vancouver Convention Center (Vancouver, BC)
Lighting can highlight the beauty of existing infrastructure, turn-ing an unpleasant environment into a space of vibrancy. Lighting can also improve the safety of pedestrian paths by increasing visibility and providing protective barriers.
SiteS of PotentiaL intervention
125th Street Bridge (New York, NY)
Demakersvan Lace Fence
Tejo Remy Playground Fence (New York, NY)Flex Fence (Lincoln, MA)
Fencing doesn’t need to be ugly or merely a barrier. Fences can be dynamic spaces that provide landowners with security, while cre-ating a visual impact from the waterfront that announces this as a gateway to the bronx. They can also provide places to rest/lean/sit/talk as people move through along the waterfront.
Waterfront ConneCtions Design interventions for the Bronx harlem river
Northern Connection 161st Street Bridge to H
igh BridgeM
iddle Connection161st Street Bridge to M
acombs D
am
Bridge/Mill Pond Park
Southern ConnecttionM
ill Pond Park to MetroN
orth Station
Roberto Clemente State Park
High Bridge Park (Bronx Side)
High Bridge Park (Manhattan Side)
Yankee Stadium
Gateway CenterMill Pond Park
155 StHarlem
145 StHarlem
125 StHarlem
The Hub
162 St Tunnel
161 St Ped. Bridge
E 150-151 Sts
E 149 St
3 Av
161 StMacombs Dam Bridge
High Bridge
Har
lem
Riv
er G
reen
way
Har
lem
Riv
er G
reen
way
Restored High Bridge
Improved Depot Place crossing with wider, greener sidewalks and narrowed car lanes
Conversion of Depot Place ramp to mixed-traffic bike and pedestrian ramp
Creation of a direct connection between southern and northern greenway segments through the use of grading or ramping
Construction of an air-rights park over the Deegan and Metro North tracks to create a destination on the Bronx end of the High Bridge and reclaim the space for neighborhood residents
Harlem River Greenway to Yankee Stadium
Harlem River Greenway to Roberto Clemente State Park
Evolution of a community connectionPhase I Phase II Phase III