My early childhood memories are of riding on the back of my dad’s bicycle and of walking around my neighborhood with my family. I discovered “secret” paths to my friends’ houses and could ride my bike or walk over when they were dependant on their parents for a ride. Now I design those “secret” paths for other communities. I work with great people and enjoy my job. What could be better?
Robin Wilcox joined Alta Planning + Design in June 2007 and has over five years of landscape architectural design experience. She has a wide range of experience with public and private projects from throughout the western United States. Robin’s skills include hand drawn and computer generated graphics, sustainable design, design development and construction documentation and administration. She volunteers with several organizations to promote alternative transportation choices and is an Oregon Chapter ASLA Executive Committee Member.
Recent Projects
- Seattle Streetcar, WA
Alta Planning + Design worked with URS on reviewing the bicycle integration of the proposed First Hill streetcar alignments. Alta reviewed existing conditions and analyzed the benefits and constraints of streetcar tracks along various routes. As streetcar alignments were refined, Alta developed conceptual bicycle treatments and mitigation strategies for each corridor and organized a project peer review with cycle track experts from Vancouver, Toronto, and Portland. Robin developed 3D corridor simulations; intersection, driveway, loading, and drop-off zone design recommendations; and developed a summary of project peer reviewer design guidelines for the Seattle City Council. - Portland Bikeway Project Development, OR
Following the adoption of Portland’s Bicycle Plan for 2030, the Portland Bureau of Transportation launched an effort to upgrade and enhance five of the City’s most challenging and politically-sensitive bikeway corridors. Alta is leading the effort to take these projects to the next level while attaining broad support from corridor users and affected stakeholders. The Bicycle Plan for 2030 is considered one of the most innovative in the nation, and presents a blueprint for transforming Portland into a world-class cycling community serving a diversity of bicycle users. Robin led the design recommendations for the Lloyd District and North Williams corridor projects and served as Task Manager for the development of downtown access across I-405, an evaluation for extending the SE Broadway cycle track, and the NE Glisan improvements. - Katy Trail Art Loop, Dallas, TX
Friends of the Katy Trail contracted Alta to provide planning services for developing a study to arrive at a preferred route for a pedestrian and bicycle trail loop that links the existing Katy Trail at the American Airlines Center to the future Woodall Rodgers Park, the Arts District, and the Harwood redevelopment district. The study included a thorough background review, site reconnaissance, development and evaluation of pathway alignments, recommendation of a preferred alignment, development of conceptual plan drawings of the preferred alignment for cost estimating, and presentations to the Friends of the Katy Trail and key stakeholders. Robin served as project manager and lead designer. - Herman Leirer Road Trail Project, Seward, AK
Glacier National Park outside Seard, Alaska is nationally famous for its rugged terrain and namesake glaciers. The National Park Service wished to increase the accessibility of the park to bicyclists and pedestrians by installing a paved trail alongside the existing vehicle access road, but challenging topography, river banks, and private land ownership significantly complicated the design. Alta was retained by the prime consultant to provide technical expertise regarding the feasibility and desirability of developing a multi-use path through an active glacier valley. Alta was also involved in developing approaches to working constructively with private land owners to help secure approval of the project. - Portsmouth Safe Routes to School, NH
For the City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Alta developed an innovative city-wide Safe Routes to School Plan. The effort involved creating recommendations based on thefive 'E's' (Engineering, Encouragement, Education, Enforcement, and Evaluation) to increase the number of children walking and biking to Portsmouth's five elementary, private, and middle schools. All of the schools are located in different contexts and required unique solutions to overcome infrastructure-related barriers and to promote interest in walking and biking by students and parents alike. - Waterbury Naugatuck River Greenway, CT
Alta was the prime consultant for the 7-mile urban greenway feasibility study along the Naugatuck River in Waterbury. The project established a route for bicycle, pedestrian, and trail access through the city, including shared-use path and on-street sections, along with access points to the river at strategic locations. Key challenges included integrating trail-oriented development strategies, coordination with redevelopment of former industrial and commercial properties, and creating opportunities with limited available public lands along the river. The feasibility study was funded with a grant from the local United Way chapter, and greenway development funding was secured through federal funding. - North Clackamas Park North Side Plan, Clackamas, OR
North Clackamas Park represents the largest community park in North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District’s jurisdiction. Alta worked with the community to build consensus around a common vision for the park. Robin’s responsibilities included preparation of site inventory and analysis documentation, cost estimates, implementation plan development, and natural resource management and restoration strategies. - Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study, Los Altos, CA
The Stevens Creek Trail Feasibility Study in Los Altos focuses on a link from the Stevens Creek Trail in Mountain View to a future connection in Cupertino. The existing Stevens Creek Trail is an established trail and provides connections to many local and regional destinations. Continuity of the trail through Los Altos makes benefits of the trail available to residents of Los Altos. Robin prepared a series of intersection design treatments, maps, and diagrams to illustrate design concept alternatives.
Professional Organizations
- American Society of Landscape Architects
- Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals
