510-590
FSH 2309.23 - PUBLICLY MANAGED RECREATION HANDBOOK
6/86 R-10 AMEND 1
CHAPTER 500 - SITE PLANNING AND DESIGN
The following process shall be followed when preparing recreation site plans. The
detail of each step will depend upon the scale of the project and the scope of the
work. An environmental assessment (EA) shall be required for all site development
plans.
510 - Site Survey. A site survey by Engineering staff shall provide the site base
map, detailing all site information essential to site planning, as advised by the
landscape architect. A plane table survey by the landscape architect is permissible
for less critical projects. The site survey shall include, but not be limited to, the
following information:
1. Baseline and Elevation Control. A permanent baseline, incorporated
within a closed traverse and which consists of at least 2 monumented reference
points, with bearing and distances between, shall be established on the ground, and
shown accurately on the map. The correct elevation shall be used when known.
Otherwise, an assumed elevation shall be assigned to a reference point or
discernible benchmark. A traverse, to cover the entire site, that will relate points
on the ground to points on the map, is desirable, but not a requirement. Bearings
and distances between turning points shall be included on the site map. This
information is for use in relating the basic design to the site.
2. Boundaries. Landlines to include all property boundaries that occur on or
near the site shall be shown. Property ownership, adjacent land uses and rights-ofway involved, as well as bearings and distances of landlines and to known section
corners, shall be included.
3. Map Size and Scale. Site surveys shall be drafted on a standard size sheet
(22 x 34 inches). The scale is normally not smaller than 1 inch equals 40 feet.
4. Elevation Contours. Contours must relate to the benchmarks. The basic
contour interval shall be either 1, 2, or 5 feet, depending on irregularity of the
ground and design requirements. All sharp pitches, undulations, and sink holes
within the mapped area shall be shown. Undevelopable areas need not be
contoured, with the exception of locating the top or toe of the unusable slope or area
within the direction and percentage of slope, and the reasons indicated as to why it
is unusable.
510-590
5. Features. Natural and artificial features shall be located on the base map,
including water features, significant rock outcropping, location of existing
structures, below- and above ground utilities, and existing vegetation. Show trees
over 5 inches d.b.h., where trees are widely spaced, and otherwise indicate tree and
shrubbery groupings. Indicate boundary of heavily wooded areas and size classes,
with description of cover.
6. "As-built" information, when applicable, shall be used as a supplement to
the Site Survey Plan.
520 - Design Narrative
1. Objectives. State the management objectives of the proposed
development. Management objectives for proposed use are obtained from National
and Regional policy, Forest Land Management Plans, and program planning.
Describe how the project fits these objectives. For example, how the project fits the
National and Regional policy of complementing private land and other agency
development, and how it emphasizes dispersed recreation. Specific design
objectives and criteria shall be stated to provide essential guidance for the site
designer in solution of the problem. Design objectives are simply what must be
accomplished by the design.
2. Design Criteria. The statement and discussion relating to the above
objectives shall include the anticipated visitor use, such as day, weekend, group
reservation, vacation, transient, and/or destination. Discuss the overall mix of
users, anticipated age groups, length of stay, size of groups, and facilities needed
(space for pickup campers, trailers, tents, boats, fishermen, hikers, sportsmen), as
appropriate. The ROS class shall be indicated along with the safe carrying capacity
of the site, and any other unique requirements to satisfy the recreation user.
3. Administrative Considerations. Proposed operation and maintenance
factors of the site shall be identified. Include a discussion of who will construct,
operate, and administer the development--Forest Service, permittee, or other
agency. Prepare an estimation of cost versus benefits in terms of operation and
maintenance costs, as defined in MIH codes (divide by expected recreation visits
and RVD's to obtain cost per visit and RVD). Also estimate project staging costs by
year, and total cost of the project for use in budget requests. Describe the charge
system, entrance or use fee, to be used both now and in the future. Include estimate
of what charge fee shall be needed to recover: (1) amortized cost over life of the
project, including current Federal interest rate; and (2) total annual cost of
administration, operation, and maintenance. Requirements for administrative
developments such as entrance stations, storage or service areas, and waste
disposal facilities, shall be discussed for their relation to the overall site design.
510-590
4. Potential Visual Impact of the Development. Discuss landscape
management considerations which will help blend the development into the
landscape. Of major importance are access roads, interior roads, vegetative cover,
earth, and other natural features within and adjacent to the site.
530 - Site Analysis. Before initiating site designs, an analysis of the following
physical factors shall be included and shown graphically on an overlay of the site
survey map: general soil characteristics; surface drainage patterns, including flood
potential; sun diagram; prevailing winds; frost levels; wildlife habitat; special focal
points (rock outcrops, water features); good and poor views; vegetation to be
retained; historic/archeological features; and wetlands.
540 - Conceptual Development Plans
1. The landscape architect shall develop alternative Conceptual Development
Plans, presenting different design alternatives to meet the objectives, as presented
in the Design Narrative. These designs shall include input from other design
disciplines. In the case of extremely complex recreation site planning projects, an
interdisciplinary team approach is applicable. The District Ranger shall review the
plans to assure local public issues have been considered in the design. If the
District Ranger sights potential conflicts between Conceptual Development Plans
and key issues, they shall be resolved at this time.
2. Conceptual Development Plans shall be placed on a sepia or other
reproducible print of the site analysis map. Freehand drawing is acceptable. It
shall show by schematic "bubble" diagram relationships between various land uses
and forms of circulation within the site. It is permissible to delineate site
improvements by area only.
3. The site plan concepts shall include, as a minimum, proposed vehicular and
pedestrian circulation patterns and location of parking areas, service area, building
locations, planting masses, general location of utility areas, and other
appurtenances considered in the overall design. Site development capacity (such as,
PAOT, number of cars) shall be included, and freehand cross-sections through
specific areas are desirable in illustrating intent of the site design.
4. A plans-in-hand check on the ground shall be performed to evaluate the
Preliminary Conceptual Development Plans. Major corrections, additions, or
deletions shall be made at this point. The Preliminary Conceptual Plans shall be
presented to the Forest Supervisor for selection of the plan offering the best solution
to the design objectives.
510-590
550 - Preliminary Site Development Plans. The landscape architect shall prepare
accurately drafted or freehanded to scale drawings, showing all proposed facilities.
They shall be placed directly on a standard sheet, original tracing, sepia, or other
reproducible print of the detailed site survey map with all required information, if
the results are neat and legible. If the Preliminary Site Development Plans are not
superimposed on the site analysis map, all topographic information, vegetative
cover, and prominent features on the latter must be included. The Preliminary Site
Development Plans shall consist of the following:
1. Site Plan. The preliminary site plan shall illustrate the type and
placement of all facilities, including preliminary layout details. All facilities shall
be labeled or keyed with plate numbers and quantities summarized in a facility
summary legend. If special designs are created for specific facilities, sketches,
details, or word descriptions shall be used to clarify the proposal and must
accompany the plans. Design capacity (persons at one time) shall be indicated and
related to the criteria established in the narrative.
2. Layout Plan. A plan shall be prepared illustrating the road layout and
major proposed facilities and structures. Include typical cross-sections and/or
desired profiles, if necessary to illustrate how the road, major facilities, and
structures fit the site. The plan shall be used to lay out the proposed development
on the site for review and evaluation of the Preliminary Site Development Plans.
3. Grading Plan. Suggested surface drainage shall be shown by the use of a
grading plan. When contours are too far apart to accurately indicate desired
drainage, or if further clarification is needed, spot elevations and arrows showing
direction of flow shall be used, coordinated with Engineering staff.
4. Planting Plan. A preliminary plan, showing the location and grouping of
plant materials, shall suggest initial plant selection by height and width. Specific
plant materials need not be indicated at this stage.
5. Sign Plan. Sign plans shall show all regulatory and directional
information and informative signs to be used in the development.
6. Engineering Plan. Engineering reports shall be included for the
preliminary design of, and methods to be used for water, sanitation, and electrical
systems. A cost analysis shall be prepared and included with the preliminary site
plans to ensure economic feasibility of the design.
7. Architectural Plans. Building plans for shelters, sanitation facilities, and
other structures, shall be included.
8. On-the-Ground Review. Following completion of the Preliminary Site
Development Plans, the proposed road and major facilities and structures shall be
laid out by Engineering, using the layout plan, by staking or flagging the centerline
of the road and structure location.
510-590
9. Inspection. A plans-in-hand inspection of the site shall be made,
involving the line officer, responsible staff, landscape architect, engineers, and other
specialists as needed. Adjustments shall be made at this time, if necessary, to fit
the major structures, facilities, and road to the ground.
560 - Final Site Development Plans. The Final Site Development Plans by the
landscape architect shall be accurately drafted to scale drawings, illustrating all
proposed facilities and incorporating all review comments from staff and/or onsite
evaluation of the Preliminary Site Development Plans. These shall include all
plans specified for the Preliminary Site Development Plans--grading, site plan,
layout plan, planting plan, sign plan, and building plan. The plans shall be
prepared indicating either complete or phased construction (coordinated with
Engineering staff). All facilities shall be labeled or keyed with plate numbers and
quantities summarized in a facility summary legend. Final approval shall be given
to the project at this time, allowing the landscape architect or engineer to proceed to
construction drawings.
570 - Construction Drawings. Construction drawings by Engineering staff with
assistance from the project landscape architect shall include, but not necessarily be
limited to, the following:
1. Road Design. Complete engineering road plans must show plan, profile,
and cross-section of all roads, spurs, parking areas, and trails on the site.
2. Water and Sewage System Design. Water and sewage system design must
show plan and profile of the lines, along with the location of valves, hydrants, to
clearly indicate the complete facility. (See FSH 7409.11 - Water and Sanitation
Handbook, for additional information.)
3. Grading Plan. Proposed grading plans shall include all contour changes
necessary for regrading of the site. Include spot elevations in instances where
contour changes would not be clear. Also include typical sections in intensively
developed areas.
4. Landscape Planting Plan. Planting plans and plant lists, when applicable,
shall show type, number, and placement of all plant materials. Typical installation
details or supplemental specifications shall include prescriptions for soil
amendments, fertilizer, watering, soil preparation, and mulching, as necessary.
5. Construction Layout Plan. The layout plan shall provide exact placement
information for all facilities, traffic control structures, and information for locating
any other improvements or facilities on the site
6. Building/Structure Construction Drawings and Details. Construction
drawings or standard plates detailing all proposed facilities, structures, and other
improvements that are to be built shall be shown.
510-590
7. Sign Plan. A sign plan shall show all proposed signs with wording and
direction, and construction details for the mounts.
8. Specifications. Specifications to complement the plans and to cover all of
the detailed information above shall be prepared for construction of the project in
accordance with FSM 7310. Specifications included on the drawings are acceptable
for small scale projects.
It is essential that the final package of construction drawings include all
information necessary to lay out and construct the entire development, whether it is
accomplished by force account crews or contract. The complete set of final
construction drawings must ensure proper development of the site, even when the
designer is not available. Final approval of the total design package shall be done
at this time, allowing construction to proceed.
580 - Designer/Construction Coordination. The Contracting Officer's
Representative, or equivalent, shall involve the landscape architect in a
preconstruction review after staking of facilities according to approved construction
plans, and also during construction of the project, if change orders are needed. This
ensures fidelity to plan intent and agreement on change orders needed to reflect
unanticipated on-the-ground problems.
590 - "As-Built" Plans.
1. Unforeseen difficulties encountered during construction that modify
approved plans shall require changing the drawings to reflect the "as-built" status
of the development. After the recreation site has been constructed, a reproducible
(either mylar or sepia) drawing, including changes reflecting the "as-built" plans,
shall be sent to the Regional Office.
2. Additions, deletions, and rehabilitation of existing facilities requiring a
site plan in accordance with these instructions shall follow the same procedure in
preparation and maintaining up-to-date "as-built" plans.
595 - Recreation Site Design "User's Guide".
1. Items 510-590 above speak to the step-by-step process for preparing a
recreation site plan. Refer to publication R10-MB-29 Recreation Site Design User's
Guide for standards and guidelines on how to design the specific aspects of a
recreation plan in Region 10.