AMHERST BEAVER CREEK RESERVATION & TRAIL

AMHERST, OHIO

This new 65-acre passive park in Amherst, Ohio features wetlands and mature woods, but presented many design challenges, including steep slopes, shallow depth to bedrock, and a stream that floods regularly.

Working with a team of bridge engineers, geotechnical engineers, and biologists, Behnke threaded a one-mile, accessible trail through the park site.  Two trail bridges span the stream's floodway to cross Beaver Creek, creating a loop trail that begins and ends at a new Park Center.  Two overlooks provide panoramic views to the stream.

In addition to the trail, a regulation-size soccer field, picnic pavilion, handicapped-accessible playground, and parking lot create a community park.

In the future, the trail will be extended south along Beaver Creek to the City of Amherst to create a 2.6-mile long trail system.

Construction Cost:  $2 Million