From design to construction, the Origin Design team considered all the details to make a 2.6-mile stretch of trail from the City of Fayette into the Volga River State Recreational Area not only ADA accessible, but also a visually appealing asset for the community and nearby university.
Origin Design partnered with both the City of Fayette and Upper Iowa University on the trail. As part of the project development, Origin Design conducted meetings with various stakeholders to hear ideas, suggestions and concerns.
Origin Design worked with the Iowa Department of Transportation to gain the approval needed for State Recreational Trail funding for the preliminary design, plans and bid documents. The trail maintains ADA-accessible grades of less than 5 percent in most areas. But for areas where that grade was not possible, the trail was widened to accommodate.
The trail design infused a variety of special features to improve its visual appeal, including a 420-foot stretch of boardwalk through a suspected native prairie.
project overview
By including a boardwalk, rather than pavement, Origin Design minimized disturbance to the existing habitat and give the trail a more authentic feel. The design also included a trail spur leading to a future gazebo and lookout area at the highpoint, offering a 360-degree view.
The trail design considered the existing site drainage where ravines were filled in by the trail crossing, looking at the velocities and methods to reduce point source discharge, in order to minimize erosion.
Following the design, Origin Design provided construction administration service. Origin Design's certified technicians conducted the necessary testing and inspections and prepared all pay requests and work orders.
