KEY PROJECT COMPONENTS:

Structural and Civil Engineering:

• Cast-in-place Foundations

• Helical Pier Foundations

• Pressure-Treated Timber Structures

• Composite Plastic Decking

• ADA Compliant Walkways

Construction Inspection:

• 750 LF of Stone Path

• Observation Platform

• Bird-Watching Blind

• Approach Boardwalks

• Parking Area

• Informational Kiosks

Times Beach Nature Preserve, which contains 230 species of identi?ed birds, is a 53-acre undeveloped wooded and marsh site located along Buffalo’s waterfront.  The public access project involved construction of a series of stone trails through the nature preserve and construction of an observation platform and bird-watching blind overlooking the emergent marsh and birding and nesting areas.  A parking area, informational kiosks, and bicycle racks were installed as part of the project.  The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning administered the project and retained Peter J. Smith & Company as the landscape architect.  TVGA was retained by Peter J. Smith & Company to perform structural and civil design tasks and provide construction inspection.

TVGA designed the structural components for the observation platform and bird-watching blind.  The structures consisted of cast-in-place concrete foundations and pressure-treated timber framing.  A composite plastic decking was used to provide a long-lasting, durable and maintenance-free structure.  The stone path consisted of crushed stone topped with a polymeric soil binding compound to provide an aesthetically pleasing and natural-looking walking path. 

TVGA also provided construction inspection during all aspects of the project. Cooperation between the contractor, the client, local naturalists, and the resident inspector ensured the project was completed in a successful manner.  A second phase is scheduled for future construction.