Building a Resilient Kearny

Building a Resilient Kearny United States of America

Arizona PHOENIX

Gila River

GILA RIVER KEARNY

ARIZONA

Kearny

Located near the Gila River in the Copper Basin area, “Building a resilient Kearny” worked hand-in-hand with the Town of Kearny, Arizona and key stake holders to develop a sustainable restoration and community development plan.

A thorough investigation of dynamic interactions of social and ecological structure and functions of the Gila River and the Town of Kearny, aided the design in an attempt to mitgigate extreme fire and flood hazards. With an emphasis on community workshops and site analysis, the project was broken down into four systems; Hydrology, Habitat, Recreation, and Trails. Combined, these four systems created a natural balance between social, environmental, and economic outlooks, geared towards a resilient and sustainable design.

Located near the Gila River in the Copper Basin area, “Building a resilient Kearny” worked hand-in-hand with the Town of Kearny, Arizona and key stake holders to develop a sustainable restoration and community development plan.

A thorough investigation of dynamic interactions of social and ecological structure and functions of the Gila River and the Town of Kearny, aided the design in an attempt to mitgigate extreme fire and flood hazards. With an emphasis on community workshops and site analysis, the project was broken down into four systems; Hydrology, Habitat, Recreation, and Trails. Combined, these four systems created a natural balance between social, environmental, and economic outlooks, geared towards a resilient and sustainable design.

Hydrology

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E

V

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A

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Flood Mitigation & Improving Water Quality

Habitat

Re-Linking Potential Wildlife Corridors

G

Recreational Providing Passive and Active Recreational Space

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1 4 6 3 2 5

7

Trails Fire Breaks and Trails

AA

B

D

Kearny Masterplan All 4 Systems Incorporated into Building a Resilient Kearny

Highway 177 Highway 177

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I

L

A R

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SYSTEMS

Hydrology Waste Water Treatment Plant Constructed / Stormwater Wetlands

Constructed Wetland Depth 12 in

12 in

Emergent Wetland

18 in

18 in

Sediment Basin

24 in

24 in

Macrophyte Zone

36 in

36 in

Outlet Pond

36 in+

Sponge Park + Retention Pond + Retention Golf Course

25 Year Flood

G

Sand Dune Beach

I L

50 Year Flood

A

R I V E

Constructed Wetlands

R

Constructed Wetlands 100 Year Flood

N

N 25 yr

50 yr

D

J

Waste Water Treatment Plant

F

O

M

S

A

Pipe to Wetlands

100 yr G I L A

R

A

Current Floodplain

Amended Topography Floodplain

J

J

M

Monsoon Season

I V E R

Stormwater Runoff

Effluent Water Flow

Current Floodplain

Amended Topography Floodplain

Monsoon Season

Stormwater Runoff

Effluent Water Flow

Scene A: Constructed Wetlands / Stormwater Wetlands The series of wetlands serves as a secondary treatment for effluent water. The wetlands are operated by gravity, and allows water to percolate through purification stages and storm events.

POST TREATMENT Water can be stored and used for irrigation or released back into the natural system.

OUTLET POND A deep open-water area of the wetland that allows water to sit before exiting the system.

Here exposure to the sun’s UV helps destroy harmful pathogens.

MACROPHYTE ZONE This is the area where most of the water treatment occurs. bands of mixed vegetation slow and filters water while creating habitat for biofiltration microbes.

SEDIMENT BASIN Particles are allowed to settle here reducing silt build up in the wetland system.

The topography allows the wetland to be operated by gravity flow.

Due to heavy mining, wetland plants aggresively remove metals from wastewater streams through deep roots and percolation.

EMERGANT WETLAND

Due to heavy mining, wetland plants aggresively remove metals from wastewater streams through deep roots and percolation.

Habitat URBAN ECOLOGY

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il

a Ri

CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT

ve

r

HABITAT CATEGORIES Riparian Wetland Conservation Development Missing Linkages

POTENTIAL LINKAGES

*areas of high ecological importance

Open Space

*undeveloped natural habitat

RIPARIAN RESTORATION

WETLAND Riv e

r

Gila

N

HUMAN USE:

CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT

WETLAND

RIPARIAN

HUMAN USE:

LOW INTENSITY

LOW INTENSITY

HUMAN USE:

HIGH INTENSITY

POTENTIAL LINKAGE AREAS HUMAN USE:

ZERO - LOW INTENSITY

WILDLIFE USE: HIGH INTENSITY

WILDLIFE USE: HIGH INTENSITY

WILDLIFE USE: MEDIUM INTENSITY

WILDLIFE USE: MAXIMUM INTENSITY

1. Trap Sediment + Reduce water flow before reaching the water course.

Wetlands are riparian areas work together to increase biodiversity,

2. Filters pollution-causing nutrients from run-off 3. Maintains local water tables through groundwater recharge 4. Sustains biological diversity

create habitat and support wildlife; this habitat category also contributes to local water table levels and water quality makes

Conservation development areas are those which house a variety of recreational amenities to the community. These

Areas of most importance lie within the potential linkages within and outside Kearny. These areas should have little to no human interference in order to preserve

Mineral Creek-Gila River Watershed

Mineral Creek-Gila River Watershed

Tiger Mountain

DRIPPING SPRINGS MOUNTAINS

these habitats high in ecological importance.

Mineral Creek-Gila River Watershed

Tiger Mountain

DRIPPING SPRINGS MOUNTAINS

areas fall outside of the missing linkage zones and wildlife “hot spots” and are most suitable for development with environmental sensitivity.

Mineral Creek-Gila River Watershed

Tiger Mountain

DRIPPING SPRINGS MOUNTAINS

Mineral Creek-Gila River Watershed

Tiger Mountain

DRIPPING SPRINGS MOUNTAINS

biodiversity.

Mineral Creek-Gila River Watershed

Tiger Mountain

DRIPPING SPRINGS MOUNTAINS

Tiger Mountain

DRIPPING SPRINGS MOUNTAINS

1. Trap Sediment + Reduce water flow before reaching the water course.

2. Filters pollution-causing nutrients from run-off 3. Maintains local water tables through groundwater recharge 4. Sustains biological diversity

Mineral Creek-Gila River Watershed

Mineral Creek-Gila River Watershed

Tiger Mountain

Wetlands are riparian areas work together to increase biodiversity, create habitat and support wildlife; this habitat category also contributes to local water table levels and water quality makes

Conservation development areas are those which house a variety of recreational amenities to the community. These areas fall outside of the missing linkage zones and wildlife “hot

these habitats high in ecological importance.

spots” and are most suitable for development with environmental sensitivity.

Mineral Creek-Gila River Watershed

Tiger Mountain

DRIPPING SPRINGS MOUNTAINS

DRIPPING SPRINGS MOUNTAINS

Tam O’Shanter Peak

Rive

8

ACCESS ROAD

Gi

Ripsey Hill

r

la

Rive

Tornado Peak

4

6

CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT

la

Rive

r

TORTILLA MOUNTAINS Crozier Peak

2

Gi

Ripsey Hill

r

TORTILLA MOUNTAINS

0 MILES 1

r

6

ve

4

Ri

la

Crozier Peak

2

a

Crozier Peak

RIPARIAN

Gi

Ripsey Hill

r

Copper Canyon

Tornado Peak

TORTILLA MOUNTAINS

0 MILES 1

r

Rive

Gil

ve

la

Copper Canyon

Tornado Peak

TORTILLA MOUNTAINS

8

WETLANDS

Ri

GILA RIVER

6

a

4

Gi

Ripsey Hill

r

Tam O’Shanter Peak

Gil

Rive

Copper Canyon

r

la

Crozier Peak

2

ve

r

Crozier Peak

RIPARIAN

Gi

Ripsey Hill

r

TORTILLA MOUNTAINS

0 MILES 1

Ri

ve

r

r

Rive

a

Ri

ve

ve

la

TORTILLA MOUNTAINS

DRIPPING SPRINGS MOUNTAINS

Tam O’Shanter Peak

Gil

a

Ri

Ri

Gi

Copper Canyon

Tornado Peak

Tiger Mountain

DRIPPING SPRINGS MOUNTAINS

Tam O’Shanter Peak

Gil

a

a

Copper Canyon

Tornado Peak

Mineral Creek-Gila River Watershed

Tiger Mountain

DRIPPING SPRINGS MOUNTAINS

Tam O’Shanter Peak

Gil

Gil

Copper Canyon

Mineral Creek-Gila River Watershed

Tiger Mountain

DRIPPING SPRINGS MOUNTAINS

Tam O’Shanter Peak

Tornado Peak

Ripsey Hill

Mineral Creek-Gila River Watershed

Tiger Mountain

Areas of most importance lie within the potential linkages within and outside Kearny. These areas should have little to no human interference in order to preserve biodiversity.

8

Crozier Peak

0 MILES 1

KEARNY LAKE

2

4

6

TRAIL

8

0 MILES 1

2

MISSING LINKAGES

4

6

8

Recreational

Outdoor Gathering Space

Bird Watching Platform Landscape Buffer Bike / ATV Trail Pedestrain / Educational Trail

Sensory Garden

Gila River

Tilbury Park

Golf Hills

Level Three: 100 Yr Flood Terrace Park

Level Two: 50 Yr Flood

N

Shake Dr.

r. yD r bu Til Ha r tf o

Level One: 25 Yr Flood

Inspired by the motion of the Gila River, Tilbury Park is a unique space that cultivates the needs of the community of Kearny with a touch of the natural world. This 11.5 acre park is not only a space for social comfort but also an asset for storm water management. Designed to store water from a 25, 50, and 100 year flood, Tilbury Park turns the process of hydrology into an interactive experience through a series of accessible canals and retention basins, storing water from storm water runoff from the city’s downtown core green streets. The park is split into three main areas; ecological recreation, community square, & active recreation. With an emphasis on community engagement, the park provides its users an array of amenities including a large event space, a playground, junior size

Level Two: 50 Yr Flood

N

Level One: 25 Yr Flood

Rd .

Up ton

r. yD ur b Til Ha r tf or d

Dr.

Shake Dr.

Inspired by the motion of the Gila River, Tilbury Park is a unique space that cultivates the needs of the community of Kearny with a touch of the natural world. This 11.5 acre park is not only a space for social comfort but also an asset for storm water management. Designed to store water from a 25, 50, and 100 year flood, Tilbury Park turns the process of hydrology into an interactive experience through a series of accessible canals and retention basins, storing water from storm water runoff from the city’s downtown core green streets. The park is split into three main areas; ecological recreation, community square, & active recreation. With an emphasis on community engagement, the park provides its users an array of amenities including a large event space, a playground, junior size basketball courts, an educational/passive trail that leads into the one of a kind botanical desert garden, and plenty of pockets for private and group settings. Along with those amenities, the park is designed with intentions to strengthen the bond of its community as well as anyone new to Kearny, with a culture/visitor center.

GILA RIVER

Art Sculpture / Follies

Passive Trails

INTERESTS POINTS

Interative Desert Garden / Retention Basins

Education Nodes

A

Saguaro (1), Mesquite (2), Palo Verde (3), Lavender (4), Brittle Bush (5), Agave Parryi (6), Prickly Pear Cactus (7), Queen of the Night Cactus (8), Gopher Plant (9), Agave Variegata Americana (10), Fairy Duster (11), Soaptree Yucca (12)

(25 YEAR FLOOD)

CIRCULATION

Flood Canal / Ecological Compass

Native Vegetation Grove

Basketball Courts

Cultural Center

B

(50 YEAR FLOOD)

CONNECTIVE PULSE

Outdoor Seating

Playgrounds

Event Space Lawn

Kearny Library

C

(100 YEAR FLOOD)

Tilbury Park in essence, is a water plaza. This solution contributes to the quality of public space and uses technical systems to manage storm-water. The water plaza is divided into different areas for playing, set at different levels. For 90% of the year, the space is dry and used for passive/recreation activities. The space changes its function only during heavy rain: then water flows visibly into the designated flood areas- starting in the canals near the event space area (A), filling into the carefully arranged hollows in the ground, gradually filling in the retention basins on site (B). If the rain last long enough, the whole park fills up (C), allowing time to discharge storm water. Not only does Tilbury Park aim to innovate water solutions but also enhance the urban quality of the city of Kearny.

(4), Brittle Bush (5), Agave Parryi (6), Prickly Pear Cactus (7), Queen of the Night Cactus (8), Gopher Plant (9), Agave Variegata Americana (10), Fairy Duster (11), Soaptree Yucca (12)

(25 YEAR FLOOD)

(50 YEAR FLOOD)

(100 YEAR FLOOD)

park fills up (C), allowing time to discharge storm water. Not only does Tilbury Park aim to innovate water solutions but also enhance the urban quality of the city of Kearny.

Trails SYSTEMS Trailhead

Fire Break

Floodable Aggregate Trail A

Paved Trail Labyrinth Trail Existing Trails Combined Trail & Fire Break

B

Fire Break Vegetated Fire Break

Floodable Trails

D

3’ Labyrinth Aggregate Trail 4’ Wooden Deck Trail

2’ Green Strip

3’ Bike Lane

2’ Green Strip

Points of Interest

4’ Aggregate Trail

There are floodable trails that are useable during different flooding events. The design of the trail system is also to create a seasonal and transitional recreation.

Many of the trails act as fire breaks due to the amount of wild fires Kearny has experienced throughout history.

Natural Landscape Gila River

4’ Equestrian Trail

25 Year Flood

OD)

(100 YEAR FLOOD)

park fills up (C), allowing time to discharge storm Vegetated water. Not only doesFire Tilbury BreakPark aim to innovate water solutions but also enhance the urban quality of the city of Kearny.

Floodable Trails

Fire Break

Trail

D A

Trail

ails

Trail k

B

3’ Labyrinth Aggregate Trail 4’ Wooden Deck Trail

2’ Green Strip Floodable Trails

3’ Bike Lane

2’ Green Fire StripBreak

D

There are floodable trails that are useable during different flooding events. The design of the trail system is also to create a seasonal and transitional recreation.

Many of the trails act as fire breaks due to the amount of wild fires Kearny has experienced throughout history.

Natural Landscape Gila River

4’ Equestrian Trail

3’ Labyrinth Aggregate Trail

Points of Interest

4’ Aggregate Trail

4’ Wooden Deck Trail

2’ Green Strip Floodable Trails

3’ Bike Lane

2’ Green Strip

Points of Interest

4’ Aggregate Trail

There are floodable trails that are useable during different flooding events. The design of the trail system is also to create a seasonal and transitional recreation.

Many of the trails act as fire breaks due to the amount of wild fires Kearny has experienced throughout history.

25 Year Flood

Natural Landscape Gila River

strian l

Points of Interest

ate Trail

There are floodable trails that are useable during different flooding events. The design of the trail system is also to create a seasonal and transitional recreation.

Many of the trails act as fire breaks due to the amount of wild fires Kearny has experienced throughout history.

25 Year Flood

25 Year Flood

50 Year Flood

50 Year Flood

100 Year Flood