Tail Race
The Kearney canal’s Tail Race section splits the campus in two, but it is also the fulcrum upon which each half balances. The goal is to celebrate the waterway as a unique amenity while taking full advantage of the uniquely picturesque view of the spillway and its historic brick turret. Physical access to the canal is also critical to its integration into the UNK experience. This is provided by a new ramping pathway on the west side of the canal that leads from the ‘Main Street” bridge, passing under the University Drive bridge, to the spillway bridge at the base of the water feature. Additional access is provided by a set of ‘sitting stairs’ that lead down into the ravine from a proposed new academic building to the west. The ‘Main Street’ bridge is enhanced as a destination in itself by widening and adding a curving edge that alters the user’s orientation encouraging stopping to enjoy this unique environment by moving out of primary path of travel. Moveable tables and chairs also add life to the bridge and provide a place for people watching, enjoying a snack, or having a quiet conversation. The re-alignment of University Drive straightens the road at the bridge location and a new roadway bridge is flanked on its south side by a versatile pedestrian bridge that sports a curving shape to flow into the walkways and crossings at each end while providing a safe and dramatic way to cross this landscape feature. A new and larger circular plaza is planned for the west end of the Main Street bridge and the current multi-use trail on the west side of the canal is widened to easily accommodate pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Ac- cessibility improvements are also vital to the success of the tailrace crossing. Adding brick paving in Fifteenth Avenue to des- ignate cross walks, using contrasting colors for truncated dome warning strips, and adding pedestrian crossing signs will make a significant improvement. A bus pullout area has also been added to the east side of 15th Avenue for much needed visiting team bus parking.
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Tail Race Spillway
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Tail Race Visualization
Existing - Tail Race
Proposed - Tail Race
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Chroma Design Inc.
University of Nebraska - Kearney Campus Landscape Master Plan
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