Engineering and Landscape Architectural Design Services for Skatepark

Grindline Skateparks, Inc. & Reading Area Skatepark Association

Reading, Pennsylvania

SSM worked with Grindline Skateparks, Inc. of Seattle Washington and the Reading Area Skatepark Association for the planning and design including landscape architectural and engineering services, of a new 22,000-square-foot concrete skatepark to be constructed on a 1.8-acre vacant lot located on Canal Street in the City of Reading.  The property once contained residential homes prior to hurricane Agnes flooding the area in the summer of 1972.  The project involved preliminary and final land development plans showing a parking area located off of Canal Street, a variety of bowls, ramps and multiple skating surfaces to be constructed of concrete.  The project also included engineering services for stormwater management design, NPDES permitting and erosion control plans, electrical lighting design, and geotechnical engineering to accurately determine the contents of the existing fill material on site.  Development and permit approvals were required from The City of Reading, PADEP and the Berks County Conservation District. 

Multi-Disciplined, Indefinite Delivery Contract

WASHINGTON CROSSING | PA HISTORICAL MUSEUM COMMISSION

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum CommissionWashington Crossing Historic Park

Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Pidcock Creek Stone Bridge | prepared design plans and technical specifications for the construction requirements, including site excavation and backfill, grading, gabion installation, bridge deck repairs and paving, stormwater conveyance, and significant amount of masonry repairs.  

Repairs to Dam #1 | Prepared drawings and specifications. Repairs included the rebuilding of sections of the stone and concrete dam crest, the replacement of the valve on the outlet pipe, the removal of sediment deposited in the vicinity of the inlet gate; and stream bank stabilization.

Repairs to Canal Bridge | Prepared and submitted a Pa DEP General Permit #11, including the permit application and meetings with Pa DEP. Prepared design plans for the re-construction of the roadway and bridge including plan and profile designs and grading.

Heritage Trail | Coordinated with the Delaware and Lehigh Heritage Corridor and the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve to replace a stone trail to connect the Delaware Canal to the Thomson Neely Grist Mill. Conducted a topographical survey of the area and designed a conceptual alignment of the redesigned trail to meet ADA/ABA accessibility standards. The alignment of the revised design, situation behind the mill, also provided a lower impact on the historic significance on the site.

Wastewater Treatment, Collection and Management | Obtained the PA DEP NPDES permit renewal and provided recommendations for equipment/process rehabilitation and/or replacement required to resume operations and discharge at the Lower Park Wastewater Treatment Plant. Provided recommendations and cost estimates for repairs, replacement, and improvements.

Lumber Museum, Galeton PA | Sewage System Evaluation and Design | Evaluated alternative methods of wastewater disposal. The methods were (1) to collect the wastewater and treat on-site by equalization storage, septic tanks with effluent filter, followed by a drip irrigation method of soil absorption, including further filtration and distribution to woodland soils, and (2) collect the wastewater, and pump it to the Denton Hill facility located across U.S. Route 6, and Nine-Mile Run stream. SSM subsequently designed a drip irrigation wastewater system as an alternative to the inadequate system. The process involved land surveying, preparing drawings and specifications for the preliminary and final designs, securing permits, providing bidding assistance, and overseeing construction services.

Valley of Concentration | Well Replacement | SSM located well site located, coordinated well drilling activities with Upper Makefield Township Department of Code Enforcement and the well driller, collected hydrogeologic data during drilling, and collection and reporting of water level data collection for PA DEP permit application.