Project Description
The Parklands of Floyds Fork
Jefferson County, Kentucky
The Louisville legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of New York City’s Central Park and Louisville’s own 19th century parks, provided inspiration for The Parklands of Floyds Fork.
One of the world’s most ambitious urban parks projects, its 3,800 acres now provide a rich variety of experiences for visitors. Miles of paved trails traverse streams snake through thick forests and glide under an active train trestle. Busloads of schoolchildren explore a Disney-esque manmade wetland where they can see, listen, smell, and discover with their own hands. The Great Wall of Distillery Bend eases pedestrians, wheelchairs and bikes up a 33% grade via a meandering trail that preserved a treasured forest and archaeological site. The 41-foot wall is the tallest built of pre-fabricated stone reminiscent of Kentucky’s limestone bedrock. The Parklands of Floyds Fork does what Olmsted’s parks did for Louisville a hundred years ago—improves lives and attracts business by bringing nature to neighborhoods while rising to his legacy.
Qk4 served as lead engineer for the most recently designed sections of the Parklands of Floyd’s Fork, which include the now constructed phase three, and phase four, currently under construction. Qk4 provided civil and structural engineering design, survey, and construction inspection services for the park’s gorgeous network of trails, roadways and bridges, and fulfilled the KYTC pre-qualification requirements of the design team.
PHASE 2A | CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND INSPECTION
Qk4 provided construction engineering and inspection for the Phase 2A of Parklands of Floyds Fork for 21st Century Parks. The project includes the construction of two signature bridges over Floyd’s Fork, installation of a 3-sided concrete culvert, over a mile of new asphalt roadway, and 6,000 feet of concrete and asphalt multi-use pathway.
Our team provided the full range of construction engineering and inspection services, including review of contractor’s performance to ensure work is in conformance with project plans and specifications, review and acceptance of in-progress contractor pay estimates, materials sampling and testing, and assistance with resolution of field issues encountered during construction. Our team also provided the design for repair of a slide area encountered along the new multi-use path as well as reconfiguration of the roadway template to eliminate the need for the installation of guardrail.
PHASE 3 | DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING INSPECTION
Qk4 provided surveying and civil and structural engineering services for the Phase 3 design of the Parklands of Floyds Fork for 21st Century Parks. Our team prepared all construction documents to meet KYTC Office of Local Programs Grant requirements; and provided design for the following major park amenities:
- Park Road (asphalt): 2.9 miles
- Louisville Loop Trail (asphalt and concrete): 5.2 miles
- Excursion Trail (stone): 5.2 miles
- Signature Loop Trail: 0.5 miles
- Floyds Fork Bridges : 2 – 200’span bridges
PHASE 4
Phase 4 of the Parklands is currently under construction, with completion anticipated mid-2015. Similar to the Phase 3 Scope of work, Qk4 provided surveying and civil and structural engineering services for:
- an additional 6 miles of asphalt Park Road
- 11 miles of concrete and asphalt Louisville Loop Trail
- 2 miles of stone Excursion Trail
- the structural engineering for 10 separate bridge structures, including six bridges spanning over Floyds Fork and five additional bridges crossing lesser tributaries and roadways.
In addition to the continued in-house engineering services, and the oversight of geotechnical and bioengineering consultants, Qk4 also provided team management for specialty structural engineering consultants focused on the design of an iconic 400 foot span catenary bridge structure.
Trestle Point
One Olmsted design principle was to preserve the “genius of a place.” At Trestle Point, a scenic bike trail meanders through a forest and under an active train bridge. Engineers re-imagined the visitor experience and moved the trail to allow views of a gorgeous valley. Their clever engineering also made the trail less noticeable. Engineering excellence preserves Trestle Point’s genius of a place.
“The designers did a beautiful job in laying the route out for walkers, runners and bikers to experience a richness of landscapes and wilderness.” – Scott Martin, Parklands of Floyds Fork, Park Director
Humana Grand Allee Wetlands
The Humana Grand Allee is the “best walk in Louisville.” A unique feature is its man-made, wetland, engineered by Qk4. Its boardwalk lets you see what swims in the wetlands, while keeping an eye out for the myriad birds and insects living there. Engineered to remain wet during drought, visitors can enjoy uninterrupted beauty.
“Every class has an outdoor element. It’s experiential education, letting the kids see, touch, smell and explore with their own hands.” – Kim Allgeier, Parklands of Floyds Fork, Education Manager, Parklands of Floyds Fork Facebook Friend
The Great Wall of Distillery Bend
Another Olmsted principle was “orchestration of movement.” One engineering feat reflects this principle well—The Great Wall of Distillery Bend.
The 41-foot high wall eases pedestrians and bikers up a severe hill, with a separate road for vehicles. Engineering excellence preserved treasured trees, habitats and archaeological sites.
2014 ACEC-KY Grand Conceptor Award
2013 APWA Outstanding Achievement Award
Chairman & CEO
21st Century Parks, Inc.
Louisville, Kentucky