Fairview Heights Walkable Watershed Concept Plan

Location: Lynchburg, VA  |  Client: James River Association  |  Project Date: January 2015 – August 2016

Project Images

Links and Resources

Fairview Heights Walkable Watershed Concept Plan Report

Project Description

Situation

The Fairview Heights Neighborhood in Lynchburg, Virginia is a part of the Fishing Creek Watershed. A major thoroughfare, Campbell Avenue divides the neighborhood and presents pedestrian safety challenges. Circulation is also compromised by two rail lines that travel through the area. Residents and city officials were interested in understanding how to connect residents to local waterways, improve pedestrian amenities and build on recent planning initiatives, including a master plan for Campbell Avenue.

Solution

Skeo partnered with the James River Association, City of Lynchburg, the Center for Watershed Protection and EcoSystem Services Inc. to conduct an existing conditions analysis, facilitate a series of community meetings to learn community needs and priorities and develop a Walkable Watershed Concept Plan.

Outcome

The Concept Plan identifies opportunities for green street improvements, pedestrian and bicycle amenities and trail route for a greenway along the Fishing Creek tributary. The Plan identifies locations for rain gardens or planted swales at neighborhood parks and the elementary school and identifies opportunities for watershed awareness and stewardship by connecting to local organizations and schools. Additionally, the Plan focuses on four key areas and gives detailed recommendations for implementation.

Building on the Campbell Avenue Master Plan, the Concept Plan identifies strategies and locations for natural drainage systems, providing vegetative buffers between vehicular and pedestrian travel lanes and opportunities for off-street stormwater drainage.