Landscape Architecture Design L/KLA brings sensitivity to the design and interpretation of place, whether public or private. The firm’s body of work, developed over the last twenty plus years, incorporates projects of all scales and under many different forms of ownership and control. Public interest work is the firm's core, with the majority of projects completed for the public sector and for nonprofits. From public parks and natural areas to miles of trails, greenways and scenic byways, L/KLA is experienced in making the most of limited resources in a sustainable and economically responsible manner. Playground gate and climbable sculpture by artists May+Watkins Design at Simpson Park Playground, Alexandria, VA Simpson Park + Passive Lawn Renovation - Alexandria, VA Upperville Community Park Playground Intelligent Community Campus - Bethesda, MD Vienna Town Green - Vienna, VA OTHER PROJECTS Parks and Master Plans Sangamon County Route 66 Master Plan Town of Smyrna Master Parks Plan Simpson Playground + Passive Lawn Renovation (City of Alexandria Simpson Park Renovation Projects website) City of Alexandria Open Space Master Plan 2017 Updated Implementation Strategy Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Use Plan Watkins Regional Park Master Plan Sumner Campus Redevelopment Riverside Park Phase 1 Renovation Vienna Town Green - x Nottoway Park Master Plan Revision Lee High Park Master Plan Amendment Whitemarsh Park Master Plan, Bowie, MD Allen Pond Park Master Plan, Bowie, MD Sharon Green Preservation Strategies Sarah Walker Mercer Park Hanover Street Wayside and Exhibit Roanoke River Corridor Plan City as Park Parks Master Plan, Charlottesville, VA Crossing of the Dan Greenway Evans Parkway Neighborhood Park Facility Plan Laurel Hill Park Equestrian Area Development Plan, Fairfax Co., VA Trails/Greenways Mill Mountain Greenway Cherry Avenue-Sligo Creek Parkway Appomattox River Heritage Trail Pedestrian Trails and Sidewalks, Hindman/Knott County, KY Rugby Road Bicycle Lanes New River Gorge National River Staked Loop Mountain Bicycle Multi-use Trails Anacostia Riverwalk Trail - Kenilworth Section, Washington, D.C. Neabsco Boardwalk, Prince William County, VA Facility Plan for the Capital Crescent and Metropolitan Branch Trails Private Gardens and Areas Cromley Lofts Cromley Row Penderbrook Community Association Amberleigh Cardinal Forest Celanese Acetate/Celco Plant War Memorial Holmes Run Cell Tower Siting Fort Lee (DOD/BRAC) Community Development Initiative Master Plan and SiteDevelopment, City of Hindman/Knott County, KY Merrifield Streetscape Design Manual, Fairfax County, VA

City of Alexandria Open Space Master Plan 2017 Updated Implementation Strategy Lardner/Klein was selected as project director for the City of Alexandria’s Open Space Master Plan 2017 Updated Implementation Strategy. The plan addresses the ongoing pressure to provide protected open space in a growing community and recognizes the City’s successes to date and the challenges inherent in continuing such successes. Working from the 2002 Open Space Master Plan recommendations, this implementation strategy makes recommendations for the next ten years with actions in support of the City’s desire to maintain appropriate acres of protected open space for its residents. These actions include a focus on data collection and analysis, policy, and opportunities to form and support innovative partnerships between public and private sectors. The recommended strategies and actions in this Update support the fifteen goals established in the 2002 City of Alexandria Open Space Master Plan. Work to update the strategy plan in 2016 included verifying easement recordations, updating GIS mapping and acreage counts, defining active and passive open space uses, defining and mapping impervious surfaces found in the City’s protected open space, performing a Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat (SWOT) analysis, and combining these efforts into a set of recommendations for implementation over the next decade. The plan was adopted in February 2017. A copy of the plan can be viewed from the City of Alexandria's website by clicking here .

Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Pavilion Franklin Grove, Illinois The reintroduction of bison at The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands has resulted in an increase in visitation at the 3,400-acre preserve in Lee and Ogle Counties, Illinois. Much of the acreage is reclaimed from active farmland and is knitted together with remnant (original) prairie. The preserve is home to 700 native plant species and 180 bird species in north central Illinois. The introduction of wild bison in 2014 attracted new visitors, many unfamiliar with the ecological landscape and the role of bison as a land management tool. The Landscape Architect, as the lead project director on a multi-discipline team for the concept and design development phase and team member for the construction administration phase, was asked to provide a sustainable, low-carbon footprint, accessible visitor facility encouraging visitors to educate themselves through a non-staffed, self-guided tour of interpretive exhibits. Visitor accommodations include a large open shelter—powered by the sun, accessible paths and overlooks, a bus drop-off and parking, native granite boulders for sitting and climbing, compost toilets, and potable water via a hand pump for splash playing in the summer. The new facility showcases the site’s stewardship and ecological importance through public, accessible facilities that are environmentally respectful and sustainable. Recognized with a 2019 Merit Award for Design (built) from the Potomac Chapter ASLA Recognized with a 2019 Jens Jensen Award from the Illinois Chapter of the ASLA Featured in ASLA Magazine's November 2015 Issue page 164 The Bison Begin Again By Timothy A. Schuler Click here to read Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Pavilion Development article in the Friends of Nachusa Grasslands Newsletter (3/17/16)

All-ages Playground Pedestrian Circulation Historic & Vernacular Style Community Engagement Place- making & Master Plans Active Recreation Resiliance & Water Trails & Connections

Upperville Park Concept Plan + Playground Uppervillle, VA L/KLA updated a conceptual master plan for the Upperville Community Park. The concept plan addressed the following key program elements: Historical context of the Upperville battlefield is taken into consideration, as views from the park toward battlefield lands are preserved and existing battlefield interpretive panels and integrated with the design of a pergola to create more of a space for appreciating the battlefield views Materials and construction practices are proposed that are in keeping with the styles and vernacular of Upperville and applied for all park structures. An accessible pedestrian path links the existing interpretive signs and proposed shade pergola to the proposed parking area and restrooms. A parking area with permeable pavers or other porous pavement options is proposed to reduce runoff and address New features include architecturally appropriate structures for a picnic pavilion and to house portable restrooms A nature playground incorporating black locust (Robinia) play components include a swing set, slide,climbing structure, and Robinia log obstacle course. Nature playgrounds are intended to encourage imaginative play and blend with a natural setting, as is appropriate at this historical site. Shade from the existing trees and the pastoral view south makes for a pleasant playground and picnic setting. Driplines of trees were avoided, as this concept takes tree preservation into consideration, with the maximum quantity of existing trees to be preserved.

Intelligence Community Campus Bethesda, Maryland As a project subconsultant, L/KLA developed the integrated campus landscape architecture plan and a signature entry design for the multi-year redevelopment of the historic, 30-acre campus in Bethesda, MD. The team composed work from multiple, ongoing SATOCC Building Task Orders into a comprehensive long-term campus redevelopment plan that recognizes operational budget limitations and is considerate of the capital program. Planning efforts included the integration of historical building friezes removed during demolition, presentations to and interactions with the neighboring community and the successful incorporation of security and accessibility constraints. The multi-phase implementation strategy is integrated with the multi-year campus building program. Elisabeth Lardner was recognized as a key team leader and “go-to” consultant; entrusted with primary client liaison during regulatory reviews, community design development meetings and owner/client design reviews. The Potomac River palisade setting is reflected in the concept plan which integrates landscape amenities with stormwater management best practices, incorporating the working landscape with the aesthetic landscape. It presents a coherent, attractive, aesthetically pleasing and engaging campus environment respectful of operational needs and secure space requirements. Click link below to read about the campus Ribbon Cutting in 2015

Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Prince William County, Virginia L/KLA designed the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk with the help of a multi-disciplined team that included Wiley|Wilson (civil and structural), Environmental Systems Analysis, Inc. (environmental), The Robert B. Balter Company (geotechnical), John Milner Associates, now CHG, Inc. (cultural), Dawson Associates (interpretive signage), and Dominion Surveyors. L/KLA’s collaborative design approach helped to address the complex issues associated with flooding, storm surge, and related environmental permitting. The Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Crossing is a critical linkage of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail connecting Rippon Lodge and Rippon Landing Park with the Metz Wetlands. It provides opportunities to link nearby neighborhoods with Neabsco Creek and with each other. The boardwalk crossing is a regional destination for wildlife viewing, outdoor education and nature appreciation for all ages and abilities. It provides significant educational opportunities for students ranging from pre-K to graduate school, telling the story of the ebb and flow of Neabsco Creek and its inhabitants through the day, month, year, and over our lifetime and beyond. Landing areas at each end of the boardwalk are designed to include orientation space suitable for a classroom with staging areas near each landing to accommodate school field trips. A floating pier at the south landing allows students of all ages to get up close and personal with the aquatic life of Neabsco Creek. Permitting for the Boardwalk included a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (FEMA), NEPA, USACOE, and various state and local regulatory approvals. The 3,200-linear foot boardwalk is designed for all ages and abilities, and includes two long span crossings of Neabsco Creek, five additional short span crossings of tributaries, two landings, an observation deck and water level platforms for classroom use. Construction began in fall of 2017. A ribbon cutting event was held in early June 2019. In August 2020, the project was awarded a Gold Medal award from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Neasbsco Creek Boardwalk Receives State Environmental Award Virginia DEQ Gold Medal August 2020 Neasbsco Creek Boardwalk was the Recipient of a Virginia ASLA merit award in the General Design category in 2019 Click here for the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Prospectus (preliminary design 09/16/13) Click here to read Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Opening Draws Rave Reviews In Woodbridge article in the Patch (06/04/19) Click here to read Neabsco Creek Boardwalk brings new view to Woodbridge article in Inside Nova (06/01/19)

Infrastructure and Resiliency A site's ecosystem is our foundation for decision-making. Natural infrastructure provides the framework and structure for L/KLA's design and planning decisions. Resilient landscapes require consideration, understanding and incorporation of the natural infrastructure of a site —its soil, wetlands and forests—including restoration. Built infrastructure must respond to and enhance the underlying natural systems, recognizing the carrying capacity of a site. In our urbanizing world, pressure continues to grow on making more with less. Looking at ways to leverage assets and provide for multi-use on a site, understanding the tensions between the need to protect cultural and natural resources and provide for needed community built infrastructure such as active recreation facilities, transportation systems, trails and greenway networks are challenges in which L/KLA is well familiar. Changes to an existing landscape must be made with respect and a keen knowledge of the site and its history and existing conditions. Whether through public interest design or private design and planning efforts, investment in infrastructure must combine social, economic and green issues in a holistic manner. L/KLA has deep experience in built infrastructure having authored articles on Context Sensitive Design, served as a team member for the Route 50 Rural Traffic Calming Demonstration Project and developed construction documents for many trails, greenways, parks, and site plans. Port Deposit Working Waterfront Master Plan - Port Deposit, MD Tilghman Island Working Waterfront Master Plan Route 50 Traffic Calming Rock Hall Waterfront OTHER PROJECTS Context Sensitive Design, Transportation and Traffic Calming Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Use Plan Route 50 Traffic Calming, Town of Middleburg Route 50 Traffic Calming Measures Fauquier and Loudoun Counties, VA Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridge Project Appomattox Courthouse, VA , Route 24 Traffic Calming Plan Saint Mary's College Pedestrian Safety Plan Route 1 Lorton (VDOT) Reston Wiehle Avenue (VDOT) Transportation Guidelines and Manuals The King's Highway Historic Roadway Guidelines Maryland Historic National Road Model Development and Design Guidelines Maryland Historic National Road Historic Roadway Guidelines Brandywine Valley Landscape Guidelines Ecological Planning and Resource Management Plans Elklick Woodlands Natural Resource Management Plan Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, Kenilworth section, Washington, D.C. Shenandoah National Park Related Lands Study Martic Township Environmental Inventory and Assessment Greater Lewes Resource Inventory Old Colchester Park and Preserve NRMP, Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax, VA Resource Management Guidelines and Manuals New River Gorge National River Landscape Maintenance Plan New River Gorge National River Vista Management Plan You and Your Land - A Homeowner's Guide for the Potomac River Watershed Treeless Area Technical Manual, Fairfax County Park Authority, VA Context Sensitive Solutions for Maryland's Scenic Byways, MD SHA

Simpson Park Playground + Passive Lawn Renovation L/KLA redesigned the existing playground and passive lawn at Simpson Stadium Park in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria. The project entailed: reshaping of existing pedestrian circulation paths and street connections; opening up and re-grading the passive lawn for more usable space; incorporating natural play and updating play equipment; developing a planting plan including additional shade trees and a children's garden; and generating a design scheme that will allow for multiple-generation and inclusive passive and active recreation. Public art was integrated in the design with the inclusion of the artist team May+Watkins Design. This collaboration of design consultant and artist was an unprecedented approach by the City of Alexandria. Community meetings and and an online survey were part of the public engagement strategy. A ribbon cutting event was held in March 2019 to celebrate the re-opening of Simpson Park Playground.

Strategic Livability Plan for Utah's Scenic Byways and Backways Program Utah’s twenty-six scenic byways play an important role in the livability and quality of life in the many communities that are located along these well-traveled routes. The Strategic Livability Plan outlined strategies needed to preserve and protect the intrinsic qualities along the byways and to enhance economic development for byway communities through ongoing tourism and other community-based and state agency initiatives. The Utah Office of Tourism hired a multidisciplinary team led by Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects (L/KLA) to assist with this strategic planning effort. The plan outlined the best practices for livability and sustainability and identified new and creative approaches to funding enhancements that encourage the many visitors from around the world or around the state to stay longer and spend more time in Utah’s rural communities. L/KLA, working with the Utah Office of Tourism and local Scenic Byway partners, developed a detailed plan for welcoming and introducing visitors to the state and its scenic byways. The plan included short-term and long-term program goals, program funding models, operating and facility guidelines and strategic marketing initiatives. In collaboration with representatives from each of the state’s byways and cooperating agencies, L/KLA developed a new vision for Utah’s Scenic Byways to emphasize collaboration among agencies, byways as economic development tools and as opportunities to increase leverage for funding and financing of related preservation and enhancement efforts. Click here to read the Strategic Livability Plan for Utah's Scenic Byways and Backways Program (November 2015)

Ideas + Perspectives FHWA Releases 2021 National Scenic Byway and All-American Road Designation Booklet May 27, 2021 The Federal Highway Administration released its 2021 illustrative National Scenic Byway and All-American Road designation booklet just in time for the summer travel season. The booklet includes the newest designations, announced in February. (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/scenic_byways/designations/fhwadesignationsbooklet.pdf ) . L/KLA’s corridor management planning efforts supported five of these byway designations in six states including two All-American Roads, the highest designation where a byway is considered as a destination unto itself: California’s Historic Route 66 Scenic Byway from Needles to Barstow (NSB ) Maryland’s Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway (AAR ) New Jersey’s Bayshore Heritage Byway (NSB ) New York’s Palisades Scenic Byway (NSB ) Tennessee and North Carolina’s Newfound Gap Road Byway (AAR ) View of East Point Lighthouse from New Jersey's Bayshore Heritage Byway. View of Roy's Motel and Cafe from California's Historic Route 66 Scenic Byway from Needles to Barstow. SNEP Southern New England Program Network Climate Leadership Exchange December 10, 2020 Jim Klein was an invited participant for the Southern New England Program Network (SNEP) Climate Leadership Exchange webinar on “Revitalizing waterfront communities through comprehensive redevelopment” representing a waterfront case study for Tilghman Island with Talbot County planner Miguel Salinas. Jim and Miguel provided insights regarding Tilghman’s community revitalization efforts through balancing the preservation of working waterfront assets while seeking ways to diversify the small-town economy. Jim also provided additional insights on how to increase public understanding on the need to address climate resiliency, gleaned from his experience leading four additional master plans for working waterfronts in Maryland, including Rock Hall, Port Deposit, Oxford and Bellevue. The webinar was in support of the efforts between the Town of Wareham, Massachusetts and the SNEP Network centered on the Town’s goals for revitalization of the downtown waterfront area in Wareham Village. Invited guests help guide future redevelopment plans for Wareham Village by focusing on incorporating elements of climate resilience, stormwater management, and green infrastructure into design plans that are closely connected to economic development opportunities. Through the exchange, Wareham will also be able to explore innovative and sustainable environmental finance opportunities associated with their redevelopment plans. Link to the Podcast: S1 | E7: Waterfront Redevelopment - Part 3 (ft. Tilghman Island, MD and Working Waterfronts) NeabscoCreekBoardwalkAward Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Receives State Environmental Award August 28, 2020 Delighted that all the hard and rewarding work that went into designing the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk has been recognized with a Gold Medal from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) 2020 Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards. L/KLA served as the prime contractor leading a multidisciplined team that included many of our long-time colleagues including: ESA, Inc. (environmental); Wiley | Wilson (civil and structural engineering); The Robert B. Balter Company (Geotechnical and construction phase services); CHG, Inc. (cultural resources performed by the former John Milner Associates); and Dominion Surveyors. In addition to leading the design team, L/KLA was responsible for the design and detailing for the boardwalk, coordinating the permitting requirements, public outreach and construction phase services. The Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards recognize successful and innovative efforts that improve Virginia's environment. The awards program is run annually by the DEQ in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. You can learn more at: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/get-involved/pollution-prevention/governor-s-environmental-excellence-awards Link Inside Nova web article: https://www.insidenova.com/news/prince_william/neabsco-creek-boardwalk-receives-state-environmental-award/article_3609e3f4-e7e6-11ea-8939-7b156a12a584.html AnacostiaTrail Trail of the Month: Anacostia River Trail August 17, 2020 Check out the Anacostia River Trail recognized by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy as the Trail of the Month: August 2020 . L/KLA served as the project Landscape Architect for the Kenilworth section from Benning Road in the District of Columbia to just south of Bladensburg Park in Maryland. The article speaks to how the alignment of the trail provided access to the natural areas east of the River and north of RFK Stadium along the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, under AMTRAK and US Route 50 and into Maryland. L/KLA led the work on the field alignment to minimize impact to the mature tree canopy while providing visual and physical access to the Anacostia River and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for pedestrians and bicyclists as part of the missing link to the 20-mile trail. Link to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy web article: https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2020/august/13/washington-dc-and-maryland-s-anacostia-river-trail/?utm_source=newsletter Making the Grade Anchor Making the Grade: Increasing Access to Parks for All Ages and Abilities May 6, 2020 As we all adjust to the new reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of our parks and trails for health and wellbeing is abundantly clear. While many park amenities are shuttered, trails and open spaces allow for access to outdoor recreation while social distancing. However, not all trails and open spaces are readily accessible to all. Parking lots in many parks are blocked off, making it challenging for people with disabilities to access trails. For those who can access trails, it is likely that some will face challenges, as many trails do not meet current ADA regulations. It has been 30 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. While this 30th anniversary celebrates countless life-changing improvements toward equity and inclusion, the challenge to keep parks, trails, and open spaces in compliance is ongoing. Issues of cost, maintenance, or site constraints often hinder a good faith effort to furnish inclusive recreational facilities. As every design professional knows, site design must address trade-offs due to differing priorities. However, accessibility challenges can often be solved with creative, low-budget solutions. Here are three projects that identify accessibility issues and provide cost-effective solutions for all ages and abilities. Emiquon Preserve Visitor Use Site, IL As a first step, parks and public spaces need to find out whether a facility is accessible to all ages and abilities. In 2018, The Nature Conservancy in Illinois retained L/KLA to provide an accessibility assessment for existing and proposed infrastructure at the Emiquon Visitor Use Site on the shore of Thompson Lake. The Nature Conservancy’s primary mission is conservation and stewardship, but in recent years they have made efforts to increase public access to their natural areas in a way that is sensitive to their primary mission. After reviewing guidance from Illinois and Federal standards, as well as on-site assessments, L/KLA evaluated the Nature Conservancy’s ongoing maintenance practices and opportunities for small-scale new construction or renovation that could increase access for all ages and abilities. The final 2019 report is being used by TNC’s to guide their ongoig efforts and investments needed to meet their goal of increasing public access and outreach for visitors of all ages and abilities at Emiquon, helping to tell the story of their work and multi-faceted benefits of Emiquon’s restored wetlands. Abrupt transitions from adjoining surface conditions are common compliance challenges. An example provided in the Emiquon accessibility report: While a standard handrail is provided, the ramp at Neabsco Creek Boardwalk requires an additional handrail for ADA compliance. L/KLA designed this 3,000+ ft ADA accessible boardwalk in Prince William County, VA. Fort Ward Park, Alexandria, VA Like many jurisdictions, The City of Alexandria is striving to upgrade existing facilities to increase access and mobility for all. An historic city, Alexandria is also faced with infrastructure improvements and limitations arising from existing land use patterns and historic and archaeological resources. L/KLA was selected as the lead consultant for improvements to Fort Ward Park—the location of an historic Civil War Fort and contemporaneous African American neighborhood. Once the City’s arboretum, it is also home to treasured, mature trees, with wooded paths and trails throughout. Improvements include accessible parking and paths to the existing picnic shelter, and relocation/design of a more inclusive playground. Balancing the pros and cons between providing access and preserving mature trees and historic resources, L/KLA is working with the City to design and construct these improvements with minimal impact on resources and high impact on the City’s ability to provide access to residents of all ages and abilities. An accessible route will link new ADA parking spaces to the picnic shelter and sidewalk, as shown above. In addition to providing access, protection of existing archaeological resources and existing trees is paramount in this effort. View toward the picnic shelter from the parking lot, looking in the general location of the future accessible route. Prince William County, Woodbridge, VA After an accessibility compliance report was conducted, evaluating over 70 parks in Prince William County’s Parks and Recreation system, the department retained L/KLA through an open-end services contract to design accessibility improvements for several of their aging parks. John D. Jenkins Park, serving a neighborhood park in Woodbridge, includes wooded open space, a basketball court, and a playground. Immediately adjacent to the park are the offices of The ARC of Prince William County and a care center for children with developmental disabilities. Prince William County took the opportunity to replace a timber retaining wall to create an accessible pathway from the parking area to the basketball courts below. Before and after photos of ramp designed with pickets, connecting parking with the basketball courts below. A maximum of 20 percent of handrail length may be obstructed on the bottom (505.6 Gripping Surface. ADAAG.). The railings in this design meet this requirement. With site constraints such as steep slopes and shallow underground utilities, coupled with budget constraints, the final design needed to be low-impact and cost effective. L/KLA designed a series of concrete ramps with railing and a lower (<3’ tall) segmental retaining wall to provide a simple, direct route that provides ADA accessibility, aesthetic improvements, and limited site disturbance. The ramp has a standard rail with pickets and incorporates a retaining wall and surface drainage as part of the ramp system, addressing all site requirements in a cost effective, but attractive manner. As landscape architects, we approach ADA as a minimum standard, while striving to do more than “check off the boxes” to meet requirements. We seek a comprehensive solution to inclusivity, encompassing ease of access, aesthetics, and ecological stewardship. With ingenuity and rigorous site analysis, accessibility improvements for aging park facilities can be implemented as part of a holistic approach, often with minimal modifications, constructed as part of ongoing maintenance projects, using small-scale design interventions. At some point, the backlog of accessibility needs will disappear as all new park projects incorporate universal design as an integral design and budget component right from the start.

The Cameron County Dark Sky Park Master Site Plan represents the revitalization of a reclaimed landfill near Emporium, PA. A grant has been awarded to the Lumber Heritage Region and Cameron County for enhancing public access to the site. The master site planning process includes research, public input, and analysis that leads to a plan illustrating the size, type and location of physical improvements and management needs for Cameron County’s Dark Sky Park. Cameron County Dark Sky Park Master Site Plan PROJECT OVERVIEW The Cameron County Dark Sky Park Master Site Plan represents the revitalization of a reclaimed landfill not far from Emporium, Pennsylvania. A grant for developing planning strategies for county-owned land has been awarded to the Lumber Heritage Region and Cameron County for enhancing public access to the site. Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has granted permission for limited development of the property, with minor stipulations aimed to protect and maintain the integrity of the underlying landfill. This project is expected to serve Cameron County residents for nature-based recreation and education, and as a draw for eco-tourism, attracting night-sky and wildlife-viewing enthusiasts to the region. Consideration is being given to pursuing an International Dark Sky Place certification from the DarkSky International. Currently, the nearby Cherry Springs State Park holds the only Dark Sky Place certificate in Pennsylvania. This project is sponsored by the Lumber Heritage Region (LHR) and Cameron County, funded in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program and the Heritage Areas Program under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. MASTER SITE PLAN The master site planning process includes research, public input, and analysis that leads to a plan illustrating the size, type and location of physical improvements and management needs for Cameron County’s Dark Sky Park. As part of this process Cameron County has formed a Dark Sky Committee to help gather public input and establish priorities for specific improvements that are needed to support the use of site for dark sky viewing and education as well as compatible daytime uses. Three public meetings are anticipated. The tentative schedule is noted in the "file cabinet” where information will be added about each step in the planning process as they proceed. The purpose of this web page is to provide easy access to resources, presentations, meeting notes, draft and final reports utilized in the conduct of study. Do you have a suggestion or idea? Send an email to the planning team: (click here ) Meeting is now from 6:00 to 7:30 pm SCHEDULE AND FILE CABINET : (CLICK RED LINKS TO DOWNLOAD FILES BELOW) Initial Field Work/Site Research: April/May 2024 Dark Sky Committee Meeting #1 April 9 2024 Public Meeting #1 June 6, 2024 What are the overall goals for the Dark Sky Park? How should the Dark Sky Park be utilized? What are compatible daytime activities? What are the issues and concerns that need to be addressed? Public Meeting Information Cameron County Dark Sky Park Location Display Boards Handout Slide Presentation Dark Sky Committee Meeting #2 August 2024 Review options and alternatives Dark Sky Committee Meeting #3 September 2024 Discuss management and phasing considerations Public Meeting #2 November 14th 2024 6:00 - 7:30 pm Cameron County Camber of Commerce (NEW LOCATION) 24 W 4th St Emporium, PA 15834 Review draft master site plan and provide input on priorities for implementation Slide Presentation Display Boards Media Release Handout Dark Sky Committee Meeting #4 December 2024 Review plan and finalize phasing and implementation recommendations Public Meeting/Cameron County Commissioners/Lumber Heritage Region Board April 2025 Plan approval and all final revisions PRESENTATION , to be provided MASTER SITE PLAN , to be provided