Sustainable Timber Bridges Enhance Ohio Infrastructure at Southside Park
Nestled in the rolling hills of Tuscarawas County, Southside Community Park in New Philadelphia, Ohio, is a beloved public destination for residents and visitors alike. Featuring baseball and softball diamonds, multi-use recreation fields, and natural greenspace, the park is a hub for outdoor activity and community connection. To improve access throughout the park and create a seamless experience across its varied terrain, York Bridge Concepts was entrusted with designing and building both vehicular and pedestrian bridges--blending form, function, and sustainability into the heart of the park.
Elevating Access with Sustainable Construction
At York Bridge Concepts (YBC), sustainability is not just a buzzword--it's a core principle embedded in every phase of our Design-Engineer-Build methodology. The Southside Park project is a shining example of how timber bridge construction can provide durable infrastructure solutions while respecting the local environment and aesthetic.
Rather than relying on invasive construction practices that can scar natural landscapes, YBC employed its Deck-Level Construction method. This approach minimizes environmental disturbance by building from the top-down without the need for heavy machinery to enter sensitive areas. This methodology is ideal for park and recreation projects where ecological integrity and public safety are paramount.
Specifications
- Construction:
- Ground Up
- Material:
- CCA/CA-C Treated Southern Yellow Pine
- Foundation:
- Timber Piles & Abutments (Acrylic/Polymer Coated where exposed)
- Guard Rail:
- Decero™ Classic Design Series
- Handrail:
- Decero™ Wire Rope Design Series
- Crossing:
- Stream
Vehicular Bridge
- Vehicular Width:
- 24' (22' 4" clear)
- Pedestrian Width:
- 9'10" (8'7" clear)
- Length:
- 49'
- Height:
- 12' above grade
- Capacity:
- HS20-44 & 90 PSF
- Span Type:
- Free Span
- Stringers:
- SYP Rough Sawn Timber (Translucent Oil Coated where exposed)
- Vehicular Deck System:
- 6" Timber Deck
- Pedestrian Deck System:
- 1.5" Timber Deck
Pedestrian Bridges
- Width:
- 9'10" (9'8" clear)
- Length:
- 53'9" & 59'
- Height:
- 11' & 12' above grade
- Capacity:
- 90 PSF
- Span Type:
- Multiple Span
- Stringers:
- SYP S4S & Rough Sawn Timber (Translucent Oil Coated where exposed)
- Deck System:
- 1.5" Timber Deck
Strength Meets Beauty: Materials That Matter
The Southside Park bridges were thoughtfully crafted using Southern Yellow Pine, known for its strength, longevity, and sustainability. Each timber component was oil-stained and color-matched to blend harmoniously with the natural palette of the park. The rich, warm tones of the wood provide a visual continuity with the surrounding trees and terrain, enhancing the overall park experience.
Vehicular Bridge Features:
Legacy Series Design
The vehicular bridge is part of YBC's premium Legacy Series, known for refined detailing and structural resilience.
Color-Coated Steel C-Style Pile Caps
These custom-fabricated steel supports offer superior durability while adding an architectural edge to the bridge profile.
Tropical Hardwood Decking
Selected for its resistance to weather and wear, this decking not only ensures lasting performance but also adds a smooth, polished finish under tires and footsteps alike.
Pedestrian Bridge Features:
Composite Decking
Engineered for slip resistance and low maintenance, composite planks offer a reliable walking surface for pedestrians, families with strollers, and visitors with mobility aids.
Decero™ Wire Rope Handrails
YBC's signature stainless steel wire rope handrail system provides security while maintaining open views of the scenic surroundings.
Together, these materials deliver a balance of elegance and strength--essential for community infrastructure that serves thousands of annual visitors.
Tailored for Recreation & Community Use
With Southside Park's emphasis on recreation, it was essential that the infrastructure serve both form and function. The vehicular bridge ensures service and emergency vehicle access to various sections of the park, improving response times and safety for large-scale events or day-to-day operations. Simultaneously, the pedestrian bridges make it easier for families, athletes, and park-goers to traverse the grounds, linking ballfields and gathering areas with natural walking paths.
The pedestrian bridges offer peaceful crossings that double as scenic overlooks, inviting moments of pause as visitors take in the Ohio landscape. Whether it's a child's first game of T-ball or a family enjoying a weekend picnic, these bridges help to connect experiences across the park.
Designing with the Future In Mind
Ohio park infrastructure must meet a unique set of demands. In addition to serving the public today, it must be resilient enough to support future growth and development. York Bridge Concepts approaches every project with a commitment to long-term value.
In the case of Southside Park, every component--from the coated steel pile caps to the oil-stained timber and composite decking--was selected for its longevity and minimal maintenance requirements. The use of sustainably sourced timber and low-VOC coatings ensures an eco-conscious design that aligns with community goals and municipal sustainability standards.
YBC's Decero™ Design Studio also played a pivotal role, tailoring the design of each bridge to the park's terrain, architectural language, and intended use. This bespoke process ensured that no detail was left to chance and that each bridge would feel like a natural extension of its environment.
A Seamless Integration Into the Community Fabric
More than just physical connectors, the Southside Park bridges serve as a symbolic links between the city of New Philadelphia's commitment to recreation and its investment in sustainable development. The bridges have already proven to be catalysts for increased engagement within the park, drawing more visitors and enhancing the usability of the full site.
They also elevate the city's profile in terms of infrastructure excellence. In an age where communities are judged not just on the quantity of their amenities but on the quality and intentionality behind them, projects like this demonstrate how Ohio park infrastructure can be both forward-thinking and grounded in natural beauty.
Why Timber for Public Park Infrastructure?
York Bridge Concepts specializes in timber bridge construction for a reason. Compared to traditional concrete or steel structures, timber bridges offer a unique blend of:
Sustainability
Responsibly harvested timber sequesters carbon and has a significantly lower embodied energy footprint than concrete or steel.
Aesthetic Appeal
Timber bridges warmth and character to outdoor spaces, complementing the organic textures of parks and greenways.
Cost-Effectiveness
Lower lifecycle costs and faster construction timelines make timber an ideal choice for municipal budgets.
Adaptability
Timber bridges can be designed for pedestrian, golf cart, or full vehicular loads, making them versatile across many use cases.
For Southside Park, timber was not only the right environmental choice--it was the right community choice.
The York Bridge Concepts Advantage
York Bridge Concepts is the nation's leading timber bridge builder, specializing in custom-designed pedestrian, vehicular, and golf cart bridges that blend performance with beauty. With over three decades of experience and a portfolio spanning parks, communities, resorts, and natural preserves, YBC brings unmatched craftsmanship and sustainable construction practices to every project.
Every bridge is built on-site by our expert crews using our proprietary Deck-Level Construction method--avoiding disruption to sensitive landscapes and delivering precision-crafted infrastructure that lasts.
Whether in Ohio or across the country, YBC continues to redefine what infrastructure looks like in natural and public environments.
Building the Future of Ohio Park Infrastructure
Southside Park's timber bridges stand as a proud example of what's possible when sustainability, design, and community values converge. These structures are more than just crossings--they're pathways to better recreation, stronger community connections, and a greener future.
For cities and park planners exploring their options for enhancing green spaces, York Bridge Concepts offers a turnkey solution that delivers unmatched value, quality, and environmental stewardship.
From the Legacy Series vehicular bridge with its color-coated steel pile caps to the Decero Wire Rope pedestrian bridges, Southside Park now features timeless infrastructure that truly reflects the spirit of Ohio.
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