Holbrook Outdoor Recreation Center: 

Improving the quality of life for the soldiers, DOD civilians and dependents of  

Fort Stewart, Georgia 

 

by 

 

Cassandra Ellen Phillips 

 

 

 

 

   

   

A Senior Design Project Presented to the College of Environment and Design 

University of Georgia Under the Direction of: 

Donnie Longenecker, MLA, RLA, C.E.D. Instructor  In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of  

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture  

Athens, Georgia Spring, 2011 

Special thanks to Olivia Mickalonis, Resident Landscape Architect, Dept. of Public Works, Fort Stewart, GA.

HOLBROOK OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTER FORT STEWART, GA

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SITE ANALYSIS

CONCEPT DESIGNS

MASTER PLAN

FOCUS AREA

GRADING PLAN

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

PLANTING PLAN

CONCLUSION

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THE PROBLEMFort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield are the home of the 3rd Infantry Division, and combine to be the Army’s Premier Power Projection Platform on the Atlantic Coast. It is the largest, most effective and efficient armor training base east of the Mississippi, covering 280,000 acres including parts of Liberty, Long, Tattnall, Evans and Bryan counties in southeast Georgia (stewart). Fort Stewart’s population is increasing because new units have been assigned to the base. New construction in preparation for the influx is nearly complete but the base lacks a consolidated recreation area to support soldiers, dependents and DOD civilians.

MWROutdoor recreational activities are operated and maintained by the Morale Welfare and Rec-reation (MWR) program. MWR is not limited to outdoor activities. They sponsor many other special events and programs including but not limited to entertainment, travel, youth outreach, suicide prevention, sports, dining and many others. The Family and Morale, Welfare and Rec-reation Command was established by the Department of the Army 24 October 2006.

MWR PHILOSOPHYSoldiers are entitled to the same quality of life as is afforded the society they are pledged to de-fend. Keeping an Army ready to fight and win takes more than hard work and training. Soldiers need a balance of work and play. The FMWRC mission is to create and maintain “First Choice” MWR products and services for America’s Army, essential to a ready, self-reliant force. (army)

FORT STEWART DESCRIPTIONThe cantonment (secured) area is located near Hinesville, GA, approximately forty miles southwest of Savannah and approximately 115 miles north of Jacksonville, FL, encompassing roughly 3,600 acres. The cantonment area comprises the majority of development on Ft. Stewart while the remaining acreage is reserved for ranges and training areas. The terrain is relatively level and the native vegetation ranges from sedges in the wetlands to palmetto, pine and oak woodlands in higher elevations.

SITE DESCRIPTIONLocated four miles east of the cantonment area off of GA 144 is a 280-acre parcel of land that includes Holbrook Pond. Wedged between training areas, the site currently supports skeet and trap shooting, unit gatherings and cookouts, a dog boarding facility, RV/boat storage and rental, and camping. Construction of a paintball course and dog park is currently in progress.

HOLBROOK OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTER FORT STEWART, GA

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Aerial photo of Holbrook Outdoor Recreation Area. NTS

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HYDROLOGY:

The relatively level terrain of this site sheds water to the east, or to the closest wetland. Light blue represents streams and open water. The dark blue arrows indicate the direction of water runoff according to the topography and characteristics of the site.

OPEN SPACE:

This contrast model illustrates the canopy cover compared to the cleared or previously devel-oped spaces. The analysis helps to identify what areas are most suitable for first consideration of developement and/or preservation.

BUFFER ZONE:

Wetlands and streams are protected by a 50 foot buffer. Within this distance, development is not allowed. Red represents the protected area.

COMPOSITE:

The composite analysis is a result of combining the hydrology, open space and buffer zone analysi to reveal areas most suitable for development. The previously cleared spaces along exisitng roads are the most suitable spaces for development, followed by the undisturbed areas shown in grey. Red areas are not suitable for development.

SITE ANALYSIS

Photos taken and provided by; Robert Lloyd

Wetlands Program ManagerFort Stewart/HAAF DPW Environmental

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SITE PHOTOS

HYDROLOGY NTS

Water/stream

Run off direction

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OPEN SPACE NTS

Closed canopy

Open or cleared

Water

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BUFFER NTS

Buffer area

Water

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COMPOSITE NTS

Suitable areas

Clear areas

Water

Buffer area

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CONCEPTUAL DESIGNS

CONCEPT APROS CONSSeparates pedestrian and vehicular traffic Requires paving of roadsPreserves existing uses and improvements Divides existing wooded areaLimits vehicular traffic into the site Limits vehicular traffic around pondProvides development area for unit functions Increases privately owned vehicles on a tank trail

CONCEPT BPROS CONSDoes not modify existing road system Pedestrian and vehicular paths sharedPreserves existing wooded area Development area not centralizedMaintains vehicular access to the pond Doesn’t explore other traffic flow Provides development area for unit functions possibilities

CONCEPT CPROS CONSSeparates pedestrian and vehicular traffic Requires paving of roadsReserves the most space for range programs Divides existing wooded areaLimits vehicular traffic into the site Limits vehicular traffic around pondProvides development area for unit functions Increases privately owned vehicles Preserves existing uses and improvements on Tank TrailBuffers MWR live fire ranges by preserving wooded area around the pond

KEYVehicular traffic

Pedestrian traffic

Picnic area

Offices

Ranges

Preserve

Camping

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CONCEPT A NTS

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CONCEPT B NTS

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KEY

CONCEPT C NTS

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KEY

Vehicular traffic

Pedestrian traffic

Picnic area

Offices

Ranges

Preserve

Camping

The proposed master plan was developed from concept C because of its distinct spacial uses, separation of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and lengthy fitness trails. Active recreation uses were grouped together at the north end of the site with an additional separation between ranges and all other activities, programs and administrative offices. Passive recreation for camping and picnicking already exists on the south end of the site, but have been redesigned and cabins have been proposed. Overflow parking is suggested near the north picnic area to accommodate unit gatherings and encourage usage of the site. Other than the buffer areas, the site is suitable for further development, but by taking an environmental approach when designing, new construction is limited to the exterior of the woodland, and existing infrastructures have either been repurposed or improved.

Federal guidelines impose an interesting set of opportunities and constraints on this project. The Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 4-010-01, 8 October 2003, DoD Minimum Antiterror-ism Standards for Buildings provides planning, design, construction, sustainment, restoration, and modernization criteria, and applies to the Military Departments, the Defense Agencies, and the DoD Field Activities. The intent of these standards is to minimize the possibility of mass casualties in all inhabited DoD buildings caused by terrorist activity (UFC).

Inhabited buildings must have a minimum unobstructed distance of 33 feet surrounding the perimeter of the building to allow the observation of a explosive devise six inches or greater in height. It is also recommended that buildings are not located at the terminus of roadways and that roads employ speed-slowing tactics like curves and blockades. In this proposal, roadways and parking lots are set back to a minimum of 33 feet from inhabited buildings and 82 feet from primary gathering spaces, which are the minimum setback requirements for structures inside a controlled perimeter. The design assumes that a controlled perimeter may be installed in the future.

The master plan proposes the enhancement and addition of :Rod and Gun Club Fitness Trail300 parking spaces Indoor Firing RangePaint ball Cabin RentalsHigh Ropes Course Camp Services Building RV/Boat Storage Outdoor range space for trap and skeetDog Park RV campingPet Boarding Primitive Camping

MASTER PLAN

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BOARDING

DOG PARK

RV/BOAT STORAGE

HIGH ROPES COURSE

PAINTBALL

INDOOR RANGE

ROD & GUN CLUB

OVERFLOW PARKING

HOLBROOKPOND

RANGES

CAMPING

PRESERVE

PRESERVE

FITNESSTRAIL

CABINS

CAMP SERVICES

AA

NTS

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BB

CABINS

EXISTING PICNIC AND REC AREA

CC

CAMP SERVICES

ENLARGEMENT: AA NTS

The proposed 24 RV sites are arranged along a one-way winding road. The 56’x 20’ concrete pads are angled 60 degrees from the center line of road and spaced generously apart to allow for greater privacy from neighboring sites. Cabin traffic bypasses the RV park to reduce thru-traffic frequency. Guest services is the administrative building for the campground and general store.

FOCUS AREA

PRIMITIVE CAMPING

PRIMITIVE CAMPINGPARKING

FITNESS TRAIL

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ENLARGEMENT: BB NTS

GRADING PLAN

The proposed grading plan was calculated using a 0.5% minimum slope because of the relatively level grade of the site.

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ENLARGEMENT: CC NTS

PLANTING PLAN

Plants were chosen from a list of pre-a proved plants for the mili-tary base. The selected plants were identified for their natural appearance in keeping with the character of the campground. Evergreens are proposed to screen the view of the dump station and the Camp Services building from the surrounding camp sites.

Cercis canadensis

Myrica cerifera

Osmanthus fragrans

Clerthra alnifolia

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SHADE TREES

Betula nigra River BirchLiriodendron tulipifera Tulip PoplarQuercus phellos Willow Oak

UNDERSTORY TREES

Cornus florida Flowering DogwoodCercis canadensis Redbud

SHRUBS

Myrica cerifera Southern Wax MyrtleClethra alnifolia Summersweet ClethraSpiraea thunbergii Thunbergii SpireaIlex opaca ‘Savannah’ Savannah HollyOsmanthus fragrans Fragrant Tea OliveRhododendron obtusum Kurume Azalea

GROUND COVER(less than 6”)

Ajuga reptans Carpet BuglePhlox v. ‘Purple Beauty’ PhloxLiriope spicata LiriopeCynodon dactylon Common Bermuda

Betula nigra

Quercus phellosCornus florida

liriodendron tulipfera

Cynodon dactylon

Ilex opaca

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Deciduous Tree Planting NTS

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

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Fitness Path Section NTS

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RV Pad Section NTS

RV Pad Plan View NTS

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Fort Stewart is in need of a consolidated outdoor recreational area to support the growing population of soldiers, dependents and DOD civilians. Over time, MWR has developed pro-grams around Holbrook Pond, located roughly four miles outside of the cantonment area with-out a comprehensive plan of the site. Site analysis illustrates heavy vegetation and significant environmental importance because of existing wetlands. The master plan was derived from concepts that focused on separating vehicular and pedestrian traffic, increasing the walk ability of the site and limiting further degradation of the existing woodland while also planning for the development of programs that MWR would like to provide in the future.

CONCLUSION

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(army) www.armymwr.com/commander/mission.aspx

(stewart) www.stewart.army.mil/about/facts.asp

(UFC) Unified Facilities Criteria 4-010-01, DOD Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for buildings

SOURCES