Capital Cascades Trail debuts Leon County's first public green roof building

The Capital Cascades Trail, a Tallahassee Blueprint project, is a state-of-the-art stormwater project cleverly disguised as an award-winning world-class park and trail system. The project provides multi-faceted, multi-use stormwater and recreation facilities separated into physically distinct segments stretching across 4.25 miles of Tallahassee - from downtown into the southside.

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The trail has become a recreational staple in the Tallahassee-Leon County area and has been recognized with 13 awards and recognitions from significant organizations and publications.

Each segment of the trail was envisioned to support the community’s commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and safe commuting.

A few of the latest projects that have been implemented include an eco-friendly restroom that has a vegetated green roof, Skateable Art Park, Coal Chute Pond Park, St. Marks Trailhead, the 3DB Stormwater Facility and several more coming with the final Segment 4 phase of the project.

Eco-friendly restroom

The Capital Cascades Trail eco-friendly restroom is Tallahassee-Leon County's first public green-roof building and includes a stormwater system that captures and reuses rainwater for irrigation. Runoff from the green roof is collected in the 500-gallon cistern that filters dirt, debris, and organic matter from the rainwater.

The harvested rainwater is pumped up and used to irrigate the green roof. Excess water is discharged into the 3DB Stormwater Facility located along the corridor where it is treated before being discharged to the Central Drainage Ditch.

The Central Drainage Ditch is a stormwater conveyance system that carries site water runoff south from a large part of central Tallahassee including downtown, Frenchtown, and the main FSU campus. The system transitions into the Munson Slough and ultimately to Lake Munson, an impaired waterbody directly connected to the Floridian aquifer and several springs, including Wakulla Springs.

Blueprint was committed to using low-impact development strategies to design and construct the green roof restroom. Project staff used a green checklist to ensure that the structure and its operations were sustainable, and that eco-friendly material were used to help reduce the project's carbon footprint.

Holistic approach

In recognition, Blueprint received a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for going above and beyond the commitment to sustainability and low-impact development. In addition, Blueprint received an award of recognition from the American Planning Association for the restroom.

The holistic approach of the restroom infrastructure included ADA accessibility for two family-style restrooms equipped with adult and child changing tables that can handle up to 400 pounds. Incorporating an adult changing station provides a safe, sanitary space for all people.

Adjacent to the restroom is the FAMU Way Playground, funded and constructed by Blueprint in 2016. The Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency identified and met a community need to have a public restroom near the playground.

The restroom infrastructure was a complicated but intriguing process due to the complexity of the pre-developed land surrounding the location. Blueprint was dedicated to contracting skilled labor to execute the construction of the restroom while maintaining the overall existing development of the area, including the above and below-ground utilities.

Skateable Art Park

Just along the way from the restroom, is the new Skateable Art Park and Coal Chute Pond. The Skateable Art Park embraces artistic elements to provide an optimal riding experience for skaters of all skill levels. Inspired by the Florida A&M mascot, the skate park has the longest snake run in Florida. The evocative snake sculpture at the entrance has become a popular photo spot for students.

Coal Chute Pond, located adjacent to the Skateable Art Park, is a stormwater facility that provides a recreational space for all citizens to enjoy. It offers a paved walking trail around the pond, lighting, shaded seating, water fountains, interactive musical instruments, and cell phone charging stations.

The Capital Cascades Trail is a great example of Blueprint’s commitment to sustainability. The multiuse trail provides a safe transportation alternative to cars, and the many recreational amenities create fun ways to exercise. The storm water treatment, from green roofs to stormwater ponds, removes pollutants before entering our natural waterbodies.

In both 2000 and 2014, local voters approved a penny sales tax to fund infrastructure. Under the direction of the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency (IA) Board, comprised of the city and county Commissions, Blueprint implements projects designed to improve roads, reduce traffic congestion, protect lakes and water quality, reduce flooding, and invest in economic development.

Autumn Calder is the Director of Blueprint and can be reached at: autumn.calder@blueprintIA.org. This is a “Greening Our Community” article, an initiative of Sustainable Tallahassee.  Learn more at www.SustainableTallahassee.org.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Capital Cascades Trail debuts public green roof building