Location: Cortland, NY | Client: City of Cortland | Project Date: July 2014 – September 2015
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Tioughnioga River Urban Headwaters Action Plan
Project Description
Situation
With funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Skeo provided technical assistance to the City of Cortland in developing the Tioughnioga River Urban Headwaters Action Plan to improve local stewardship, advance watershed restoration goals and leverage the river’s scenic and recreational assets.
Solution
The strategies included:
- On-Street Stormwater Flows: Natural drainage strategies integrated into streetscape and infrastructure design to improve walkability and stormwater management.
- Safe Crossings: Stormwater infiltration and traffic calming measures at strategic intersections, mid-block crossing points and greenway access points.
- Off-Street Stormwater Flows: Rain gardens or swales adjacent to parking lots, trails and other paved areas to capture unmanaged stormwater runoff.
- Trails and Greenways: Pedestrian and bicycle access to waterways and open space areas.
- Education and Stewardship: Opportunities integrated into environmental education signage, public art exhibits located at greenway access points.
Outcome
Building on larger transportation investments, the Action Plan spurred more regional transportation partnerships, more regional adoption of green infrastructure in transportation investments and used green infrastructure as a tool to connect downtown to the riverfront.