River Valley Park - Project Report

R I V E R VA L L E Y PA R K B O O N E , I O WA / / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

T E A M T H E M E E T

ALEXIS BANKS

IOWA STATE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, 2024

DELANEY GILES

IOWA STATE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, 2024

LINUS LARSON

IOWA STATE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, 2024

2. PROCESS

3. VISION 3.1 Master Plan 3.2 The Boone Bluffs Center 3.3 Detail Site: Woodland Slopes 3.4 Detail Site: Sandbar Park 3.5 Detail Site: Floodplain 3.6 Land Acknowledgement

C O N T E N T S

2.1 Site Model 2.2 Precedent Studies 2.3 Conceptual Development 2.4 Schematic Design 2.5 Phytoremediation Strategies

O F

3

1.1 Introduction 1.2 Site Context 1.3 Background Research 1.4 GIS Mapping 1.5 Community Engagement

TA B L E

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1. INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS

1.

ANALYSIS

Analysis serves as the foundation for the design process.

Through mapping, statistics, diagramming, and community engagement, the needs of the community can be fully understood and implemented.

River Valley Park is centered around a corridor of properties in a warehouse/industrial sector on the north side of Boone, Iowa, along the Boone Scenic Valley Railway line.

This project is the brainchild of Tina McDonald, a woman who sees the possibilities in an old warehouse as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization. Through partnerships with the Scenic Valley Railway, the City of Boone, and local neighbors, the project has quickly expanded beyond the warehouse site and into surrounding blocks, creating potential for a multi-block pedestrian corridor.

By working directly with stakeholders and obtaining input from community members through public engagement events, we have developed a solution for the site rooted in the opinions of Boone residents.

The design is founded on analysis and research, as well as the goals, needs, and desires of stakeholders and community members.

PROJECT GOALS • • • • • •

Provide space to foster organic interpersonal relationships Maintain Boone’s identity as a small town Expand tourism and commercial opportunities in local area Improve the site’s ecological value Designate a platform for artistic and personal expression Educate residents on local ecology and history

INVENTORY & ANALYSIS // Introduction

1.1

THE DES MOINES RIVER The Des Moines River Valley, weaving through Iowa and Missouri, unveils a captivating landscape of rolling hills and verdant farmlands. Its picturesque beauty, accentuated by the river’s serpentine course and occasional bluffs, creates a mesmerizing tapestry that changes with the seasons.

Nature enthusiasts are drawn to this idyllic setting, where hiking trails offer panoramic views and the diverse flora and fauna add to the valley’s timeless charm.

BOONE

The Des Moines River is nourished by a network of tributaries that contribute to its vitality and flow. These tributaries, such as the Raccoon River and the Boone River, weave through the landscape, adding to the river’s character and sustaining the diverse ecosystems along its course.

INVENTORY & ANALYSIS // Site Context

1.2

Boone, IA Existing Conditions

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INVENTORY & ANALYSIS // Site Context

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750’

1500’

1.2

Scenic Valley Railroad holds significance in Boone as a tourist attraction and circulation element in the town. Existing train tracks cross the site from west to east, providing unique trolley access to programming within River Valley Park.

Site Aerial

Ledges State Park

Boone’s Surrounding Park Systems N

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.5 mi

1 mi

2 mi

INVENTORY & ANALYSIS // Background Research

Ledges State Park serves as a main recreational and cultural point for residents of Boone. It marks one of the most notable points in the Des Moines River Valley with its unique ecology, geology, and opportunity for recreation.

1.3

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A Sunlight Analysis aids in deciding the types of programming that fit into a space.

• The shady western edge of the site is best suited for heavy pedestrian use, such as seating.

• The bright eastern edge of the site is exposed to full sunlight, creating the ideal environment for community gardens and greenhouses.

A Drainage Analysis uses topography to determine where stormwater flow will become a significant part of the site during periods of rainfall.

Key locations include: • The southeast corner of the warehouse • The southern portion of the entire site • The northeast corner of the site

A Pedestrian Access Analysis helps determine areas that would work well as site entrances, and as areas that could use intervention for easier access.

• Easy access points will likely fall along the flatter northern edge.

• The railroad marks a strong barrier against pedestrian access from the southern side.

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INVENTORY & ANALYSIS // Mapping

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500’

1000’

1.4

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENT

Interacting with the residents of Boone was vital throughout the design process and was a driving force in decisionmaking.

In this event, four stations were set up with the goal of all ages and comfort levels having an opportunity to participate. This provided a platform for conversation that later became foundational in the design.

“[Minnesota] and Colorado for natural landscaping”

WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO GO? “McHose, Ledges”

“Many of the parks w/ the kids”

“Events on the green”

“The park”

“Ledges” “Not a lot of places targeted towards young adults/high school kids”

WHAT SHOULD WE KNOW ABOUT YOUR TOWN?

“We love the Des Moines river valley” “Small town feel must stay!”

“We like that it has a "community" feeling, not super commercial” “More Restaurants, more for kids to do, a community center, start-ups for small businesses” “More space & [money] for community gardens & green space”

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO IMPROVE YOUR TOWN?

“More places targeted high school + young adults... more modern places”

INVENTORY & ANALYSIS // Community Engagement

1.5

Collage Station

Conversation Station

Participants were given prompts and instructed to use photos, markers, stickers, and other materials to create collages.

Participants were asked questions and instructed to write their responses on small sheets of paper, and then paste them into a collection on a larger board.

INVENTORY & ANALYSIS // Community Engagement

“Place-It!” Station

Drawing Station

Participants were given various Participants were supplied objects and asked to place them on with a short prompt and asked a large map of the site. This helped to respond. A student began establish connections between a drawing and later asked the physical places and emotional participant to finish the drawing by impressions. themselves.

1.5

2.

PROCESS

The design process is a sequence of creative output. Sketching, collaging ideas, and drawings flow until the ideal solution for a site is discovered and refined.

Site Model Constructed at 1” = 20’

PROCESS // Site Model

2.1

Forest Park St. Louis, MO

Forest Park includes many landscapes from highly wooded areas to open prairie. These spaces allow experiences of being in different landscapes while all being connected through activities and circulation.

Federal Courthouse Plaza Minneapolis, MN

The Minneapolis Federal Courthouse Plaza showcases how an urban area can be blended with natural forms in a striking and seamless way, a concept that is vital to River Valley Park’s function.

PROCESS // Precedent Studies

2.2

“Down the Des Moines Valley”

Sketch of Ledges State Park

PROCESS // Conceptual Development

Rock Outcropping at Ledges State Park

2.3

PROCESS // Conceptual Development

2.3

N Primary Vehicle Circulation Secondary Pedestrian Circulation Primary Pedestrian Circulation Areas with Tree Canopy Areas with Prairie Groundcover Emphasized Site Connection

PROCESS // Schematic Design

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Central Site Focus: Tina’s Building “In/Out” Relationships Nodes of Activity “Pools”, derived from Nodes of Activity

2.4

The descriptions, strategies, and diagram in this section on phytotechnology are from the book “Phyto: Principles and Resources for Site Remediation and Landscape Design,” by Kate Kennen and Niall Kirkwood.

During the research conducted for this project, a history of pollution was discovered. In the process of constructing the site as detailed in this report, various steps will need to be taken in order to provide a safe and healthy environment.

Among these steps, this project prescribes the implementation of phytotechnology, which refers to “the use of vegetation to remediate, contain or prevent contaminants in soils, sediments and groundwater, and/or add nutrients, porosity, and organic matter.”

The major potential contaminant sources were identified as snow dumping from roads and railroad corridor contaminants, and light-industrial contaminants.

Among these different contaminant sources, the primary contaminant groups that will need to be tackled with a phytotechnology regimen: • Petroleum contaminants • Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) • Nutrients (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) • Metals • Chlorinated solvents • Salts

SOIL QUALITY Site Scale

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PROCESS // Phytotechnologies & Phytoremediation Strategies

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125’

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2.5

The primary strategic frameworks that should be utilized both prior to and during construction of River Valley Park to address the identified pollutants are as follows: Degradation - Plants which degrade organic contaminants (Petroleum, Chlorinated solvents, Pesticides, and Nutrients) without additional harvesting.

Extraction - Plants which extract and hold onto some inorganic contaminants (Arsenic, Selenium, Nickel in the short term, Cadmium and Zinc in the long term). Plants need to be harvested regularly and properly disposed of to remove pollutants.

Not currently applicable for many other metal contaminants, radionuclides, or salts.

Stabilization – Plants which hold many types of contaminants in place to limit exposure to humans or animals, and to limit migration of contaminants.

Does not extract or degrade any contaminants, so best used in conjunction with other two strategic frameworks.

Raised Planting Beds – While not dealing with pollutants directly, raised planting beds with imported soil prevent plants, especially produce, from encountering pollutants that can’t be easily removed from the soil.

Kennan, Kate, and Niall Kirkwood. 2015. Phyto: Principles and Resources for Site Remediation and Landscape Design. New York City, NY: Routledge.

PROCESS // Phytotechnologies & Phytoremediation Strategies

2.5

3.

VISION

The vision illustrates the final design of the site as informed by analysis and the process.

It is the culmination of all of the decisons made and clearly defines what will be installed.

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E

B A

G I

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Master Plan

VISION // Master Plan

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100’

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A Depot Courtyard

E River Valley Dining Plaza

I

Wetland Boardwalk

B Entrance Corridor

F The Sandbar Playground

J Lowlands Event Area

C Bluff Canopy Plaza

G Sculpture Park

D Boone Bluffs Center Patio

K Community Gardens

H Grain Elevator Greenhouses

3.1

The Boone Bluffs Center will serve as a blend bewteen indoors and outdoors, mimicing landscapes seen in the geography surrounding Boone in the Des Moines River Valley with rock walls, plants, and even a “river” running through the middle.

Vignette of The Boone Bluffs Center

In the center of the building, patrons can enter a “dreamlike” space. This area explores what lies beyond the cliff face, and enters an area where patrons can engage in creative activities, connect with each other, and even see constellations formed by lights.

VISION // The Boone Bluffs Center

3.2

A Bermed Green Space B Scenic Valley Railroad: Trolley Track C Bluffs Garage Seating

A

D Boone Bluffs Center E Boone Bluffs Center Patio Boone Bluffs Center Patio is an outdoor extension of the themes inside the building.

It provides space for an outdoor lunch or quiet place to relax outside on a sunny day. With it’s close proximity to the seasonal vendor, there’s always opportunity for a drink or snack just footsteps away.

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D Boone Bluffs Center Patio

VISION // The Boone Bluffs Center

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Vignette of The Boone Bluffs Center Patio

3.2

Woodland Slopes

A Proposed Restaurant B Dining Plaza

A

C Seasonal Vendor D Boone Bluffs Center E Boone Bluffs Center Patio

B

The western edge of the site focuses on the heavily wooded rocky slopes of Ledges State Park.

It’s natural shade provides the perfect environment for communal gathering space, such as outdoor resturaunt seating.

A dining plaza supplies Boone with additional dining options, all while facillitating organic connections.

E C BOONE BLUFFS CENTER PATIO TO TROLLEY

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Woodland Slopes Detail Plan

VISION // Detail Plan: Woodland Slopes

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40 DINING PLAZA THROUGH MOUND

3.3

Vignette of Dining Plaza

VISION // Detail Plan: Woodland Slopes

3.3

Vignette facing West

VISION // Detail Plan: Woodland Slopes

3.3

Vignette of Boone Bluffs Center Patio

VISION // Detail Plan: Woodland Slopes

3.3

VISION // Woodland Slopes Planting Pallete

3.3

VISION // Woodland Slopes Planting Palette

3.3

THE SANDBAR Whether coming from school or simply on a walk, the Sandbar invites you to a space to interact with natural elements that closely relate to Ledges State Park.

SECTION OF STREET TO NATURE PLAY RELATIONSHIP

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8’

16’

SECTION OF SAND PLAY TO STREET RELATIONSHIP

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Sandbar Playground Detail Plan

A Railroad Storage Building C Sand Play B Nature Play

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32’

E Trolley Platform

D EMS Access

SECTION OF TROLLEY PLATFORM

VISION // Detail Plan: Sandbar Playground

3.4

Vignette of Nature Play

VISION // Detail Plan: Sandbar Playground

3.4

Vignette of Sandbar Playground Entrance

VISION // Detail Plan: Sandbar Playground

3.4

Vignette of Trolley Stop

VISION // Detail Plan: Sandbar Playground

3.4

Plan of “Leaf Litter” Sculpture

“Leaf Litter” Sculpture The “Leaf Litter” sculpture is located adjacent to the Sandbar in the sculpture garden.

This copper sculpture draws on ecological aspects from each site, creating a view of one single ecosystem. The fallen leaves imprinted into the pavement reflect the type of trees that the sculpture portrays. It is encouraged to touch and interact with the sculpture - over time, the patina of the copper it reveals additional beauty with reflections and color.

Leaf patterns litter the ground around the base of each copper tree, emulating the pattern in which they would fall with the seasons. These imprints into the concrete can be seen on sidewalks all across River Valley Park.

VISION // Detail Plan: Sandbar Playground

3.4

Vignette of Leaf Litter Sculpture

VISION // Detail Plan: Sandbar Playground

3.4

VISION // Sandbar Playground Planting Pallete

3.4

VISION // Sandbar Playground Planting Palette

3.4

THE LOWLANDS The Lowlands, located on the eastern portion of the site, aim to embody the lowest part of the transect: the floodplain.

Here, residents can explore a boardwalk, community gardens, and a stage with seating, made from a recycled flat car salvaged from the existing site.

SECTION THROUGH EVENT AREA, FLAT CAR STAGE, & TRAIL LOOP

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SECTION THROUGH BOARDWALK & DETENTION BASIN

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Lowlands Detail Plan A Parking

C Rain Garden Boardwalk

E Back Loop Trail

B Greenhouses

D Theatre Stage/Seating

F Open Lawn

VISION // Detail Plan: Lowlands

SECTION THROUGH TRAIL LOOP & TERRACES

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16’

3.5

32’

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2’

4’

Community Gardens The Community Gardens provide rentable plots for residents to grow plants for eating or decoration. Prior to construction, however, the area will undergo a phytoremediation regimen to extract pollutants from the soil that exist from the railroad or snow piles from winter plowing.

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4’

8’

Community Gardens Detail Plan VISION // Detail Plan: Lowlands

3.5

Vignette of Entry Signage

VISION // Detail Plan: Lowlands

3.5

Vignette of Stage and Seating

VISION // Detail Plan: Lowlands

3.5

VISION // Lowlands Planting Palette

3.5

VISION // Lowlands Planting Palette

3.5

VISION // Land Acknowledgement

3.6

INDEX 1.1

Roan, Thaddeus. Photo of Scenic Valley Railroad Car. Flickr. Accessed December 1, 2023. https://www.flickr.com/photos/80651083@N00/1804870761.

Ledges State Park Entry Signage. Iowa State Parks. Accessed December 1, 2023. https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/ledges-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=IA&parkId=610148.

2.2

“Visit.” Forest Park Forever. Accessed December 1, 2023. https://www.forestparkforever.org/visit.

“Twin Cities’ Landscape Legacy.” TCLF. Accessed December 1, 2023. https://www.tclf.org/federal-courthouse-plaza.

2.3 “Down the Des Moines Valley Iowa.” Looking at the Des Moines River Valley. Detroit, MI: Detroit Photographic Co., 1901. Digital Grinell. Detroit, MI.

2.5 Kennan, Kate, and Niall Kirkwood. 2015. Phyto: Principles and Resources for Site Remediation and Landscape Design. New York City, NY: Routledge.

C O N TA C T U S Alexis Banks: ajbanks@iastate.edu Delaney Giles: dgiles@iastate.edu Linus Larson: lplarson@iastate.edu

3.6