The project features consistent materials and colors that integrate the various design elements and amenities. Each constructed viewpoint is also a small plaza. The warm tone gray concrete pavers and brown tones were chosen to contrast and complement the cooler tones of the regionally produced Camas basalt stone seat walls.

The restoration plantings, installed in the fall and winter of 2005, now have been through one growing season. Out of the roughly 2,000 balled-and-burlap trees planted, approximately 250 were lost. Bad nursery stock, contractor neglect and inclement weather damage caused 60 to 70 percent of the total tree mortality. The team also discovered that some species are simply more adaptable to the unique conditions of the greenway than others. For example, the survival rate of salix, triocarpa, and native fraxinus species were consistently high in most areas. Other species like Alnus rubra (red alder) and Rhus purshina (cascara) struggle to establish in most areas.

All shrubs restoration plantings need aggressive maintenance and weeding to allow them to compete against the non-native invasive species. This ongoing effort has proven successful in the greenway if initiated quickly after plant installation. In general, larger container shrubs have also competed more successfully than smaller container and bare root shrubs.

Thirty-eight acres of hydro-seed were installed. The pond, wetland, transitional and upland planting areas each used four different seed mixes. The seed was slow to establish but has since performed reasonably well in most areas. Installed seed inundated with water through irrigation, rain or creek flow did not establish. Some of these areas were re-seeded by hand. Sedge and bulrush planting around the water quality pond perimeters has been very successful.

Steel posts with galvanized steel cables provide safety railings to protect users from hazards where there were steep slopes or direct drop offs adjacent to the trails. For additional continuity, all of the site furniture, sign supports and railings were powder coated in a rich brown tone.

Animal Damage Control

Like other restoration projects, animal destruction to plants and habitat was a problem. Invasive nutrias from South America were a particular threat to the greenway. To alleviate the problem, a U.S. Department of Agriculture Biologist and Damage Control Specialist live-trapped the rodents within the Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway and removed them within 24 hours of capture. This helped neutralize plant and habitat damage.

Native basalt stone work was selected as a unifying design element throughout the project. The retaining walls, bridges and even the trailhead restroom all incorporate natural stone masonry. These features help blend the structured improvements into the natural greenway setting.

New Recreational Trail Connects the City

Three-and-a-half miles of new trail were constructed to connect existing paths and to complete an eight-mile trail from West Vancouver to the east side of the community. Trail planners are hopeful that the trail will extend further east in the future.

The stone masonry caps serve as a safety barrier and a casual seating node and also contain interpretive signs. Five-inch square steel tubing was used throughout the project for bollards, railing and sign supports.

The trail provides a new outdoor fitness outlet for Vancouver, which received the Walkable Community Award from Walking Magazine in 1999. In April 2006, more than 1,000 walkers from around the world enjoyed the new trail during the annual Vancouver International Discovery Walk Festival. The walkers will be on the trail en masse again this April 27-29, 2007.

The greenway now serves commuting bicyclists, fitness walkers, parents pushing strollers, nature lovers and Rollerbladers. More than 10,000 residents, who live within one-half mile of the project, as well as the growing population of the metropolitan area, have direct access to the greenway and trail.

Interpretive Signage and Mile Markers

In past projects, interpretive sign panels have been provided to educate the public about the surrounding ecosystem. Typical sign panels are often large, complicated and wordy. In urban areas where people frequently use trails, these interpretive signs are often ignored and become a visual eyesore. To address the challenge, a unique sign system was designed.

Verbal information provide on each sign attempts to engage the reader in a simple, direct manner. Some signs are a part of a series describing the history of Burnt Bridge Creek or the water treatment process. Other signs, such as the wildlife images, work as stand alones. Since five-inch square steel posts were already being used for railings and bollards throughout the project, the same square tubing as frames and supports was used.

The mile markers are another unique aspect of the sign system. Four-inch bronze survey markers are embedded flush into the trail surface every one-quarter mile. Each marker has specific GPS coordinates to help emergency response teams serve the public and protect the greenway. The project?EUR??,,????'?????<

Establishment Services

Restoration projects often fail due to lack of attention after the construction is completed and another party assumes responsibility. Through extended discussions with the city staff, a program was developed for providing establishment services. This critical component to the project?EUR??,,????'?????<

After plant materials were installed, a sister corporation of J.D. Walsh assumed maintenance responsibilities. Since the fall of 2005, maintenance services have been provided and monitoring for the project have been done to manage the area.

Establishment services also included developing a training manual, which provides a detailed background of the project goals and design intent. The manual also outlines specific maintenance work tasks, frequencies and long-term management for the greenway. The city is establishing a new staff division dedicated solely to the management and maintenance of the greenway. The consultant team will provide training to hand over the project to city staff by this summer.

An Attractive Public Amenity

This project highlights the importance of farsighted public clients who are willing to explore options and mature designs. These clients look at the ?EUR??,,????'?????<