Challenge
Los Alamos County needed to connect its downtown business district with nearby public parks through steep, wooded mountain terrain.
This project’s environment posed multiple challenges. It needed to weave between mature trees and preserve the surrounding ecosystem, while meeting ADA standards.
Protecting the environment was very important in this project, as the forest canopy is a defining feature of the area’s character. The steep terrain added complexity. Rocky soil conditions and dramatic elevation changes meant portions of the boardwalk would be significantly elevated, requiring a foundation system with strong lateral stability.
Because the boardwalk needed to curve to avoid tree removal, it created challenges for securely attaching the railing system.
The boardwalk also needed to withstand harsh winter conditions, support snow removal equipment, and remain durable with minimal upkeep.
Solution
PermaTrak joined forces with Wilson & Company and HASSE Contracting to create 350 linear feet of precast boardwalk that worked with the environment while meeting ADA standards.
Our modular precast concrete system allowed the boardwalk to follow the trail’s curved alignment while staying fully ADA-compliant through the steep, wooded terrain. Cast-in-place concrete piers provided stability for elevated sections on rocky slopes, handling dramatic elevation changes safely.
To minimize environmental impact, only 36 trees were removed along the trail alignment. For each tree removed, a new one was planted to preserve the forest canopy. The boardwalk was carefully positioned among the existing trees to blend seamlessly with the surroundings.
The designer and owner selected a custom railing that required plates be embedded into the PermaTrak treads, allowing the railing to follow the boardwalk’s curves easily.
The boardwalk was designed for year-round use, with a structure strong enough for snow, easy snow removal, and long-lasting performance with minimal upkeep.
The PermaTrak Los Alamos project is part of a much larger 0.46-mile multi-use trail project that now provides connectivity between downtown areas and public recreational spaces.
