Redwood Hill ADA Trail, IRLC

Building an accessible trail has long been a dream project for the Indian River Lakes Conservancy (IRLC). In 2018 they received a $134,000 grant from the federally funded Recreational Trails Program, administered by OPRHP to help build a 1,533 L.F. accessible trail on the Redwood Hill Preserve in the hamlet of Redwood, NY overlooking the beautiful Butterfield Lake.

Aubertine and Currier (A&C) was contracted by the IRLC to provide Professional Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, and Land Surveying services, as well as assistance with Wetlands Permitting, Public Bidding, and Construction Administration for the project.

The new accessible trail project consisted of stone trail surface construction, regrading, and widening the 1,533-foot section of the existing trail to meet ADA accessibility requirements and allow access to scenic views of Butterfield Lake. Off of the main trail a 106 LF “Classroom Trail” was designed and constructed. A portion of this trail consists of a wooden walkway, sitting patio, and ADA-accessible ramp up to an existing outdoor classroom. The walkway and patio design is a smooth platform built over the  top of solid bedrock outcroppings.

The project also included the design and construction of a 23’ x 20’ observation deck on a rock ledge, providing a panoramic view of Butterfield Lake. This section of the trail also features a raised wooden walkway and natural rock retaining wall to overcome additional challenges with solid bedrock outcroppings and steep slopes.

Another section of the trail features a wetland crossing. A&C acquired proper permitting and approval to install a 12” culvert in that section of the trail to allow for positive drainage of an isolated wetland.

Lastly, A&C developed design features for the installation of a Clivus Multrum Composting Toilet Building.  It is a self-contained, waterless, and odorless toilet treatment system that uses no chemicals, heat, or water and has no polluting discharge. It can save up to 15,000 gallons of water per year and costs much less compared to regular treatment systems.  Included in the design were solar panels that power the batteries to run the fan and the foam in the toilet.

The trail, which takes people through the beautiful mixed pine and hardwood forest, provides the  local community and the region with a universally accessible venue for outdoor recreation, environmental education, and guided trail walks for adults and children. The project includes an ADA-compliant parking area, access to the trailside classroom, and loop trail to the observation deck and views of Butterfield Lake.