Summit is deeply committed to the growth of our communities. A positive community relationship with the parks and recreation experience we provide is one which we value tremendously. This dedication is evident in the numerous projects we have already undertaken in service to our communities. Building foundational relationships with local municipalities is integral to our firm’s success and giving back to our communities remains one of our core company values.Â
Providing support to critical community improvement projects is one of our many focuses, and we have been honored by our role in delivering solutions to these community needs in the past few years. Our highly experienced team is always ready to provide the necessary services your parks and recreation projects may need, such as environmental assessments, geotechnical and civil engineering, and landscape architecture. Â
Our extensive portfolio of work throughout the Southeast has taught us that it is essential to approach each project individually so that we may cater to its unique needs. We have previously worked with rural and urban municipalities to deliver projects tailored to their individual community needs. Our goal is to deliver a product that exceeds expectations while servicing the community directly. Â
Do You Have a Project in Mind?Â
If you have a park, pier, boardwalk, bike path, or other recreational facility need, Summit is here to help! Please look at our previous projects or call our representative today to discuss your recreational project goals. Whatever your community needs, we have the tools and experience to provide.Â
Our Town of Hillsborough Riverwalk project, which was the ACEC NC Engineering Excellence Award Winner for 2015, is one of our great accomplishments in recreational experiences. This project is a collection of greenways along the historic Eno river, the total length of which is 1.8 miles. Â
As an example of our client-centered approach to projects, we utilized a top-down construction method in this project. This clever construction method not only preserved the native trees but also shortened the construction time by three months and saved the town over $30,000 in construction costs. Â
Another aspect of this project was our coordination with historical and archaeological sub-consultants. Because of the unique project location of Historic Downtown Hillsborough, we needed to maintain these relationships so that our work would work holistically with the area and wildlife while providing for the needs of the community.Â
Recent Parks and Recreation Clients
We oversaw this project's architecture, surveying, structural engineering, CMT/SI work, and construction administration. Our team's tasks involved the creation of new shelters for park events and gatherings, as well as the addition of a floating dock and fishing station for water activities. We also utilized the natural amphitheater formed by an existing water treatment facility in our designs.
Our focus on creating a sustainable, environmentally friendly park allowed us to seamlessly integrate several of the site's natural features, capitalizing on the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Through careful planning and meticulous attention to detail, we transformed this site into a vibrant outdoor activity and leisure hub for the entire community to enjoy.
We were involved from the beginning till the end of Riverwalk’s construction. To develop the initial greenway routing and bridge crossing locations, our team performed site assessments, detailed surveys, flood plain analysis, and agency coordination. We also coordinated sub-consultants for historical and archaeological assessments. As the project progressed with supplemental contracts, we provided detailed engineering design including greenway trail design, hydraulic design, CLOMR/LOMR, and structure design to develop full construction plans, prepare bid packages, and administer the public bid processes for the resulting two construction projects.
During construction, we also provided daily inspection and testing services and construction management through project completion. Our ingenuity to utilize a top-down construction method saved the town $30,000, shortened construction time by three months, and preserved mature native trees. Riverwalk is now open and draws newcomers and residents alike to downtown Hillsborough.
Through community engagement and collaboration with local stakeholders, our Planning department determined that residents desired numerous park amenities, such as exercise stations, a playground, a dog park, a bocce court, a basketball court, and a pickleball court. The project will involve a variety of improvements, including updated landscaping, new walking trails, playgrounds, and sports facilities. Additionally, the plan will focus on creating green spaces and sustainability features to enhance the park's natural beauty and promote environmental stewardship. There is strong support for keeping the mature trees, walking trails, and shady forest of McLean-Spell Park intact.
Through community engagement and collaboration with local stakeholders, the McLean-Spell Park Master Plan will ensure that the park meets the needs and desires of the surrounding neighborhoods. The project aims to promote health and wellness while fostering a sense of community pride by creating a welcoming and inclusive space for outdoor activities.
Parks and Recreation Project Experience
Contact Us for More Information
Eric Keravuori, PE
Program Manager