Ludlam Trail Eco-Connected
Miami, FL
Grad 3 | Fall-15
Ludlam Trail Eco-Connected is a proposal aimed to rebuild and expanse a natural eco-corridor along Ludlam Trail, reclaim adjacent lake quarries, while providing public waterfront access.
Ludlam Trail is for the local community to enjoy as a green exercise trail, a water activity destination, lush green retreat, or as a transportation corridor.
Accessibility and connectivity to the surrounding area is a key factor for success.
 Ludlam TrailPublic Waterfront access and protective wetlands to promote healthy water quality are central themes in the design proposal |  MasterplanLudlam Trail is a 6.2 mile long abandoned railway corridor in Miami. Residential housing, commercial areas, educational institutions, crossing canals as well as several heavy traffic roads are crossing its path. |  North LakesThe trail meets the North Quarry Lakes. |
|---|---|---|
 North LakesCommunity hub with water activities and play ground. Planned building by Perkins & Will |  North Lakes ModelLaser cut |  Quarry RetreatWater access along residential area adjacent to South Quarry Lake |
 Quarry retreat |  Quarry Retreat treatmentFrom a vertical sterile edge to a sloping vegetated edge along the quarry edge |  Littoral shelf conditionIdeal conditions with sloping edge and Florida Friendly vegetation for filtration of pollutants |
 Cross Section Ludlam TrailPorous limestone thin soil layer and little topographic variations characteristic of South Florida and Ludlum Trail |  Ecological DegradationQuarries are dug with little consideration of the ecological conditions. Ideally a Mesotrophic state with nutrition levels that support aquatic life should be reached. |  AnalysisTopography, soil types and drainage patterns across the trail |
 Typical rain garden along trail |  Green infrastructureResidential Flooding areas along will have green infrastructure solutions to prevent runoff into water bodies |  Ludlam Loop ExtensionA extended bike trail loop around the south quarry to enrich the recreational (or transportation) experience. |
 Floating BridgeFoam infused concrete as part for the extension loop, will allow aquatic plants to adhere to it. Wetland between bridge and Palmetto express ramp will help filter the runoff from the ramp. |  Miller drivePublic garden on empty lot adjacent to south quarry along loop extension. Floating bridge and Palmetto Expressway in the background |
Narrative
Ludlam Trail is a 6.3 mile abandoned corridor owned by Florida East Coast railroad that stretches from Dadeland Mall in the South to Miami International Airport in the North. Along the linear trail there are residential housing, commercial areas, educational institutions, crossing canals as well as quarry lakes. There are several heavily trafficked roads crossing its path.
My proposal is to convert this corridor into a safe, connected, multiuse trail that honors the natural ecology and provides public waterfront access. By treating storm water in-situ in heavily flooded areas along the trail and by using permeable material on the trail, polluted run-off is prevented from reaching the water bodies.
The quarry reclamation process starts with land forming that entails creating a curvilinear lake and canal front and where possible, where a 35’ minimum littoral shelf that will further protect and the lakes and canals from harmful runoff as well as provide an animal habitat and promote animal movement.
A loop extension of the trail will enhance the experience by providing an additional 2 miles of trail along the lakes, over a floating trail bridge and through the commercial and art district.
Active and passive water recreation programming, as well as art events will create meeting hubs along the trail to enrich the nature experience. Access points throughout the trail with handicap ramps makes it easy to access for people of all ages and backgrounds as well as to serve as an efficient transportation corridor.