Hooke House Farm River Access
Enhancing recreation while preserving natural integrity at JMU's Hooke House property
Colman Engineering provided civil engineering services for the maintenance and repair of JMU’s canoe launch at the Hooke House Property.
The project included a site survey to map existing conditions and utilities, the development of a conceptual site plan, and the preparation of final construction documents, including grading, erosion and sediment control, and canoe launch specifications. To address the environmentally sensitive nature of the site, Colman Engineering designed the ramp with a focus on minimizing environmental impact and preserving the natural integrity of the riverbank. The team carefully avoided the river itself to steer clear of triggering Corps of Engineers regulatory requirements.
In an innovative approach, Colman created a custom ramp design tailored specifically to the unique challenges of the site, ensuring functionality while adhering to the project’s sustainability and regulatory goals. This thoughtful design enabled JMU to enhance this recreational amenity efficiently and sustainably.
Location
Harrisonburg, VA
Client
James Madison University
Founded in 1908, James Madison University is a public university located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. JMU is fast becoming one of the nation’s leading lights in higher education because students enjoy unusually engaged relationships with world-class faculty who are here because they want to pursue knowledge and make teaching their No. 1 priority.
