River Run Park at Northport Shore
TTL provided master planning services for a 300-acre sports and recreation complex. The envisioned amenities are comprehensive, catering to both tournaments and local usage for sports such as baseball, softball, volleyball, and basketball, along with facilities for pickleball and fishing. The development plans also feature tennis courts, nature and educational trails, a learning center, and an activity building designed to accommodate events for up to 2,500 seated guests.
CHALLENGE
Located on fill from a previously excavated river lock and dam site 25 years ago, the site presents unique historical and environmental challenges. Development requires careful planning to construct over this existing fill material, and the presence of wetlands and streams – as well as the area's classification within a floodplain and floodway – necessitates stringent compliance with the standards and guidelines set forth by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Friends of Historic Northport organization.
SOLUTION
The TTL team developed a site layout that aligned with the project's ambitious goals while adhering to the varied terrain and specific requirements and restrictions of the parcel itself. A key focus of the design was easy and safe access to all facilities, so our team led coordination efforts with all regulatory agencies, city planners, and governmental entities such as the USACE and ADECA.
Through strategic planning and effective agency collaboration, TTL's solution for this sports complex master plan addressed the multifaceted demands of the project. The result is a thoughtful design that respects the site's environmental sensitivities, meets regulatory standards, and provides the community with a diverse and accessible recreational attraction with dynamic views of the Black Warrior River.