This section of the Briarcliff Greenway is very wooded meaning a conservation-forward approach was needed to successfully maintain existing natural features. What was initially envisioned as a traditional trail project transitioned to a series of paths and boardwalks that substantially reduced the impact on plants and animals. The MegaKC team was selected mostly on their technical approach to meet the City’s high programmatic needs. Disturbance along the trail corridor was restricted to a 15’ wide swath of land. By maintaining narrow construction limits, adjacent native plantings, trees, and wildflowers were preserved. As a major consideration during the design process, a vegetation survey determined which plants and areas needed to be preserved and allowed for community relocation of a percentage of native wildflowers. With only two points of access for construction, all construction materials had to be brought in from either end of the project including all of the concrete for the trail and lumber for the boardwalks. 

With steep downhill slopes, the concrete trail navigates along the hillside overlooking a streamway. Across the four major waterway crossings, elevated boardwalks were constructed. This is a unique strategy within the parks system which helped to preserve the surrounding greenspace. The wood boardwalks with composite decking were excellently crafted by MegaKC allowing neighborhood residents and visitors to experience the greenway through the canopy of adjacent trees. The finished product beautifully represents how parkland can be made accessible to all users,

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MegaKC teamed with CFS Engineers for the Briarcliff Greenway Trail design-build project.  CFS was responsible for design of the trail, boardwalks, piers, and ADA trail crossing and provided construction inspection.