Interpretive Facility Planning and Design Archives - Auerbach Engineering Corp.

Services: Interpretive Facility Planning and Design

Auerbach was involved in this project since its inception, providing civil engineering and regulatory processing support to the design team of landscape architects. Commons Beach is a public park in the center of Tahoe city owned by the people of Tahoe City and held in trust by Placer County. Aging facilities and needs for environmental restoration triggered a public participation and consensus process for improvements to the park. Alternative design concepts were considered and resulted in the development of a strategic plan for the refurbishment of Commons Beach.

The project included a complete refurbishment of the park area. This involved upgrading the playground to meet current safety standards; relocation of the restroom building to a more accessible location; reconstructing the sewer pump station and force main; highway streetscape improvements including removal of existing boardwalk and railing, installation of a depressed walkway surfaced with concrete pavers and cable railing. Beach improvements included placement of 12,000 cubic feet of imported sand in former grassed areas. Shoreline stabilization was necessary to protect the beach, and a dynamic rock revetment was designed to mimic natural conditions. Other work included restoration and stabilization of the steep slopes and existing foot trail, providing ADA access to restrooms, interpretive displays of Tahoe history, a picnic terrace area and overlook areas, and a reconstructed parking area with advanced stormwater BMP’s due to proximity to Lake Tahoe.

Date of completion: 2003

The project included a complete refurbishment of the park area. This involved upgrading the playground to meet current safety standards; relocation of the restroom building to a more accessible location; reconstructing the sewer pump station and force main; highway streetscape improvements including removal of existing boardwalk and railing, installation of a depressed walkway surfaced with concrete pavers and cable railing. Beach improvements included placement of 12,000 cubic feet of imported sand in former grassed areas. Shoreline stabilization was necessary to protect the beach, and a dynamic rock revetment was designed to mimic natural conditions. Other work included restoration and stabilization of the steep slopes and existing foot trail, providing ADA access to restrooms, interpretive displays of Tahoe history, a picnic terrace area and overlook areas, and a reconstructed parking area with advanced stormwater BMP’s due to proximity to Lake Tahoe.

Date of completion: 2012

The Lakeside Trail is a one-mile segment in the largest paved trail system at Lake Tahoe, connecting the North Shore, West Shore, and the Truckee River and Squaw Valley. This segment courses through the core of Tahoe City in close proximity to the Truckee River and Lake Tahoe and was developed in seven phases due to its complexities. Water quality and coverage mitigation strategies were successfully implemented throughout the trail and allowed for enhanced restoration of areas that had been previously disturbed. Managed public access and friendly barrier features have kept users on the trail and away from sensitive areas. Major utility upgrades and relocations as well as storm water treatment facilities and source control measures on and off site were key benefits of the trail.

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