During my childhood in the Midwest, walking and bicycling were a part of life. Students walked or biked to school, seniors transported groceries home on their three-wheeled bicycles, and I walked or biked to the park almost every day during the summer. Meanwhile, this small town located in the foothills of Appalachia instilled in me a profound connection to nature. Although I no longer live in the small town, the memories remain. Today I see that so many people have no choice but to use an automobile to go to work, to school, or to run errands. But if good bicycle/pedestrian facilities existed, might we use them for these purposes? And what of the numerous benefits (physical, emotional, environmental) that result from engaging in this sort of activity? Helping to give more people another choice…this is the goal of my work.
Maya is a Registered Landscape Architect (South Carolina #1135), and her work spans four years in landscape architecture and greenway planning. She has experience working with stakeholder groups to ensure that greenways are included in plans, and educating the local community about greenways and their benefits. Maya has also secured funding for greenway projects, and educated the public about greenways through presentations to neighborhood organizations and schools.
Relevant Experience
- Spalding County Rail-With-Trail Study (GA)
The purpose of this study is to examine the former Southern Railway (Roosevelt Railroad) corridor to identify corridor segments that are potentially suitable for a shared use; off-road rail-with-trail facility. This study will also evaluate the mixed use development potential along the corridor and determine interconnectivity of this potential rail-trail corridor with existing and proposed local, regional, and statewide economic development corridors, redevelopment areas, trail systems, greenways, and bicycle/pedestrian networks. The study will result in the development of a detailed Master Plan for the rail corridor complete with conceptual elements, cost estimates, and potential funding sources. - Northwest Arkansas Regional Trails (AR)
Alta led a team of national leaders to develop a regional greenways plan for northwest Arkansas. The project involved prioritizing regional opportunities for creating trails that connect the communities of northwest Arkansas. The regional network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities is designed to connect citizens and visitors to their heritage, recreational and cultural assets, and healthier lifestyle, and to each other. - Carolina Thread Trail Master Plan for Stanly County (NC)
The Master Plan put in place clear, logical, and precise guidelines that can be used for future development of greenways and trails throughout the county. The plan effort solicited input from all municipalities within the county, as well as from citizens and organizations within rural areas and unincorporated communities. Citizen participation was fundamental in formulating the plan, utilizing public meetings, written and online surveys, interviews, advisory boards, and focus groups. - Charlotte Northeast Light Rail Extension Bicycle Facilities Study (NC)
Alta is working with the City of Charlotte on a bicycle infrastructure study along with City's Northeast Corridor, which will review existing bicycle infrastructure, consider potential routes for future bicycle facilities, and generate a vision for corridor-length infrastructure. As the Designer, Maya will generate options for constructing corridor-length bicycle facilities. - West Branch Rocky River Greenway, Davidson (NC)
This 1.1-mile Mecklenburg County greenway received funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to begin construction in 2010. The greenway will provide a viable alternative transportation opportunity for residents to access parks, athletic fields, and schools. The trail, which runs along West Branch Rocky River, will connect to existing overland connectors of Southeast Greenway, and on to existing paved trail portions of Southeast Greenway. West Branch Rocky River Greenway is a designated leg of the Carolina Thread Trail, a regional network of greenways and trails linking 15 counties and 2.3 million citizens in North and South Carolina. - McDowell Creek Greenway (NC)
McDowell Creek Greenway is the first Mecklenburg County greenway to connect two towns: Huntersville and Cornelius. It also connects a large variety of development types: parkland, single-family homes, apartments, retail, and entertainment. The 1.1-mile greenway extends along fields, wet meadows, woodlands and floodplain. McDowell Creek Greenway is a designated leg of the Carolina Thread Trail, and a section of the Lake Norman Bicycle Route. - Little Sugar Creek Greenway, Charlotte (NC)
A short but critical section of Little Sugar Creek Greenway now links Alexander Street Park and existing sections of Little Sugar Creek Greenway. This section of greenway features floodplain habitat, a railroad underpass, and fantastic views of the Charlotte skyline. When complete, Little Sugar Creek Greenway will feature over 15 miles of trail, habitats and open space from uptown Charlotte to the South Carolina line, conveniently linking residents to the numerous schools, parks and commercial areas located along the corridor. Little Sugar Creek Greenway is also a designated leg of the Carolina Thread Trail.
Professional Associations
- North Carolina Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Charlotte Section
