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The
Red Lake River Corridor
Enhancement Project
produced culturally
and environmentally
sensitive design that
protect and restore
the Red Lake River's
natural corridor while
providing recreational
and economic opportunities
for the region's citizens.
The designs cross all
scales and connect
communities to the river
and each other in a
more powerful and meaningful
way.
Work
emphasized the creation
of a regional partnership
among the communities
to facilitate the pursuit
of state funding to
build the trail, create
efforts to improve environmentally
degraded sites on the
river and promote understanding
of watershed ecology.
The
design strategy focused
on integrating all six
communities into a recreational
amenity approach to
natural resources management
along the river corridor.
The designs celebrate
the river corridor's
unique identity across
multiple scales.
On
the regional scale,
a geographic information
system analysis explored
the river's profile
and hydrological features
since this region is
particularly vulnerable
to flooding. Attention
was also paid to exploring
landscape types as the
river flows through
the three major biomes
of North America . Identifying
cultural landscape features
and analysis of the
river's character led
to a cognitive map of
the river corridor that
helped promote an understanding
of the landscape to
the region's citizens.
Corridor
segments were identified
on the entire length
of the 175-mile river.
The study area was conducted
at the major watershed
scale and included all
communities as well
as critical relationships
needed for the planning
and design of the river
corridor. River segments
were based on the river
character, community
location, and the length
of canoe trips. Sites
of existing access points,
camping sites, and other
amenities are identified
for each segment, and
potential sites for
additional amenities
are suggested.
Signature
elements were designed
to create a common aesthetic,
and to promote user
recognition and a regional
sensibility among the
length of the corridor.
They include a logo,
a design vocabulary,
and signage designs.
Through
community scale analysis
existing amenities were
identified and potential
sites for new amenities
and trailheads were
proposed. Community-scale
designs focused on making
a connection to the
river through improved
access both visually
and physically.
Site
designs include parks,
trailheads, memorials,
fishing piers, promontories
and amphitheatres. These
gathering spaces also
promoted access to the
river and provide memorable
places for the local
community and its visitors.
Each design responds
to the individual community
and is sensitive to
the site and its ecological
implications. Storm
water management was
especially considered
and integrated into
these designs.
The
design details also
respond to the needs
of the individual site.
The materials chosen
express the linear forms
seen in the river's
flood processes and
reflect the dominant
horizontal landscape
while ensuring longevity
in a frequently flooded
area.
The
design package created
for the regional corridor
creates a vision for
the region and provides
a marketing tool to
energize communities
to seek funding to construct
the designs for the
corridor.
The
final report, The Red
Lake River Corridor
Enhancement Project,
has in fact been an
important tool for community
and agency decision
making and seeking state
support. All cities
and counties along the
river corridor provided
some base funding support
for these activities.
Red Lake Watershed District
Board of Directors,
the Northwest Regional
Sustainable Development
Partnership, and the
Northwest Minnesota
Foundation have provided
additional grant funds.
An all-corridor meeting
was held in October
2005 to kick off the
request for funding
the project through
the state bonding bill.
State legislators are
supporting the request
and it is part of the
preliminary bill that
is to be heard and funded
in 2006.
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