As designers, we are tasked into awareness and consideration of many environments and cultures at once in order to respond to creating a variety of possible solutions. We enjoy challenges that ultimately seek to identify a balance between habitat and humanity. It is an art and a science, but also a type of ‘fitness’ shored up through the built environment generating opportunities from interrelationships that develop throughout the creative process. During my experience in designing and planning for trails, open space, and greenways I've come to terms with what I consider to be the essence of my work: connections. Whether it's an urban hike in a new city, a trail run through a forest, cycling through neighborhood streets, or just coffee with a friend, I feel the most alive exploring connections. Promoting active living and connectivity is what we do. It's go time!
Brittain has expertise in project management, design development, plan writing, and site design. She is versatile in all levels of design and master planning, from concept development to construction documentation & administration, as well as the complexities associated with permitting and regulatory compliance. Brittain brings a vast range of professional skills to Alta, enabling her to contribute to a diversity of planning and design projects at various scales.
Recent Projects
NWA Regional Razorback Greenway (Northwest AR)
In November 2010, the Razorback Regional Greenway was awarded a $15 million TIGER II (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Grant to fund design, acquisition of right-of-way, and construction for a designated portion of the Razorback Regional Greenway. The Razorback Regional Greenway is envisioned as a 36-mile, primarily off-road, shared use trail that extends from the Bella Vista Trail in north Bentonville south to the Frisco Trail in south Fayetteville. The trail, once all 36 miles are constructed, will link together dozens of popular community destinations including: six downtown areas, three major hospitals, 23 schools, the University of Arkansas campus, corporate headquarters of Walmart, JB Hunt and Tyson Foods, arts and entertainment venues, shopping areas, historic sites, parks, playgrounds, and residential communities. The federally funded portion of the trail extends approximately 16 miles from the north end of Lake Fayetteville to the Horsebarn Road Trailhead in Rogers, AR. Alta Planning + Design is leading a team of engineers to produce construction documents for the federally funded project. Britt worked closely with her team throughout project design to review drawings and provide planting design, trail construction details and specifications, as well as the final fit and finish amenities package. The project is expected to break ground in summer of 2012.
Ecusta Rail-Trail Planning Study and Economic Impact Analysis (Hendersonville, NC)
Alta/Greenways is working with the City of Hendersonville, NC and other project stakeholders to prepare a two-part study to include a rail to trail planning study and an economic impact analysis for the conversion of the Norfolk Southern Ecusta rail line to a multi-purpose trail. The area of study is an 18+ mile inactive rail line connecting Hendersonville, NC to Brevard, NC. Conversion of the rail line to a multi-purpose trail will provide an additional transportation route for commuter and point to point trips along with a safe alternative for pedestrians, bicyclists, and others seeking travel and recreation options from on-road routes. The purpose of the project is to identify the existing and future resources, opportunities and obstacles involved in the rail to trail conversion. Britt is managing the project’s planning study, which includes an existing conditions evaluation, inventory and assessment of RR right-of-way, site plan, conceptual engineered trail design and cost estimates for implementation. Budget estimates are also being prepared that include construction costs, trail operation, maintenance, and security. The economic impact analysis is evaluating the potential demand and use of the multi-purpose trail along with the short and long term economic benefits of converting the Norfolk Southern line to a multi-purpose trail. The economic impact analysis will compare the costs of converting the Norfolk Southern line to the benefits to both the local and regional economy.
Research Triangle Park MTB Trails, Phase 1 and 2 (RTP, NC)
Working closely with Native Trails and volunteers from Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC), a division of the Southern Off-Road Bicycling Association (SORBA), Britt led the design and construction administration for Phase 1 of the Research Triangle Park’s inaugural off-road biking trails network. The project involved extensive work in the field with trail builders and the use of GPS Trimble units to ground-truth the design. Project challenges such as utility encroachment, environmental sensitivity, and ATV trespassing were mitigated with the installation of the bike trails. Britt also helped facilitate a partnership between the landowner and TORC for the management and maintenance of the trails. Design efforts for Phase 2 are underway.
Research Triangle Park Pedestrian Trails, (RTP, NC)
The Research Triangle Park has worked with Greenways Inc. (now Alta-Greenways) since 1986 to implement a network of asphalt trails throughout the Triangle’s one and only research district. These recreational trails connect RTP businesses, and are used by employees and the general public. The trail network totals 16 miles. Britt recently completed the alignment design, encroachment agreements with NCDOT, permitting, and construction administration for Phases 14-16, which included the installation of a 80-foot pedestrian bridge over Kit Creek. The project also involved assisting the client with the selection of a contractor through the bidding process. Britt is currently designing Phase 17 and 18 of the park’s trails.
Chapel Hill Greenway Update (Chapel Hill, NC)
Britt managed efforts as a subconsultant to Site Solutions P.A. to prepare a planning update to the Town of Chapel Hill’s Greenway Master Plan. The update will extend the town’s greenway master plan shelf life for another 5 years. Working closely with Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation staff, updates were made to the existing and proposed trail network. A broader planning context was also established for the new plan framework, and considered multiple modes of alternative transportation such as bicycling, walking, and future mixed-use developments such as Carolina North. Funding strategies and an updated phasing plan were also developed that provide a more action-oriented, user-friendly planning document.
Catawba River Greenway (Mt. Holly, NC)
Greenways Incorporated (now Alta/Greenways) has been working with the Mount Hol¬ly Community Development Foundation since 2007 to design a 10-mile greenway parallel to the Catawba River. The greenway will link residents and visitors to downtown Mt. Holly, the US Whitewater Center in Mecklenburg Coun¬ty to the south and the North Carolina State Educational Forest to the north. This greenway project is also part of the proposed 500 mile regional Carolina Thread Trail. Britt helped to prepare the master plan and did the design for the linear park downtown at the new Citizen’s Center. She has worked with the City of Mt. Holly and the Mt. Holly Community Development Foundation since 2008 to develop con¬struction documents for the southern leg of the trail. Britt is currently managing design efforts for the south leg of the trail.
