Top 5 Finalists Announced for Safe Trestles Competition

Each year over 100,000 people tromp through a sensitive environmental wetlands and cross a dangerous active train track to access the world famous Trestles beach in Southern California. Fortunately, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/05/05/sweeping-eco-bridge-provides-access-to-world-class-surf-spot/" target="_blank">Safe Trestles Competition</a> recently unveiled <a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/competitions/trestles" target="_blank">five stunning solutions</a> that pave a safe path to the beach while preserving this fragile ecosystem. The finalists showcase tangible low-impact solutions that could actually be built, are sensitive to the area, and reduce the danger of crossing the train tracks -- read on for a look at each one!

<h3><a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/trestles_thelongtrail">The Long Trail by KSLA</a></h3> KSLA has proposed a slightly elevated pathway that cuts down the side of the bluff in a fairly direct path to the train tracks, where a safe track crossing awaits. Lights, bells, and a gate alert visitors to oncoming trains to keep them safe, and a series of signs educate about the environment. The walkway is constructed from FSC-certified redwood and is inspired by the form of a wave.

<h3><a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/trestles_template-25009">The Wave by Joshua Beck andTom Reiner</a></h3> The Wave proposes an elevated walkway and bridge on the lower portion of the trail and a widened dirt path on the upper section, starting at the parking lot. The new walkway, constructed from steel tubes and an undulating sustainably-harvested wood decking, is elevated about the wetland area, allowing visitors to view nature from above without disturbing it. A gate and signal crossing would keep visitors back while a train is rushing by.

<h3><a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/trestles_template-25482">Natural Scheme by Murphy Burnham &amp; Buttrick Architects</a></h3> Constructed with reclaimed, recycled, local and otherwise sustainable materials, the Natural Scheme proposal is an elevated walkway that follows the topography of the area down and across a bridge to the beach. A new parking area will be constructed completely shaded by large canopy trees. Bathrooms and a viewing deck will be built at the parking area.

<h3><a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/trestles_template-24669">Unveiling The Natural by E. Tsirintani, G. García, J. Gamboa and M.P. Seixas</a></h3> This group's proposal attempts to let the pathway naturally adapt to the topography along the path. The project is composed of a locally-sourced wooden walkway and a series of wood wall sheets that are set at different angles according to the need at that spot. The wood wall sheets are set straight up and down to act as railings, flat to act as benches and angled to provide information. The path meanders a bit to follow the topography and stops along the way to provide views and then goes underneath the train tracks.

<h3><a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/trestles_template-24868">Easy*Safe*Dry by kola+kle</a></h3> Kola+Kle propose a super-simple wooden path straight from the parking area to the beach. This no nonsense path doesn't meander, doesn't have any fancy bridges or underpaths, and takes a straight line approach to provide the most direct access. Along the way, the wooden walkway and rails are painted with information about the surrounding ecosystem and an easily visible rail crossing has visual and auditory signals to alert beach goers. Bathrooms, a water fountain and a changing rooms are located near the beach.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/05/05/sweeping-eco-bridge-provides-access-to-world-class-surf-spot/" target="_blank">Safe Trestles Competition</a> kicked off in February, challenging architects and designers to come up with a way to safely access the famous Trestles beach in Southern California. Currently, over 100,000 people visit the famous surf break and beach each year. To get there, beach goers and surfers park off of the Old Pacific Highway 101, then walk through the wetland area, cross the tracks and then down to the beach. Over the years numerous paths have been cut through the area, disturbing the ecosystem, and it's incredibly dangerous to cross active train tracks. Trestles beach has been threatened by development over the years and now that it's finally safe from change, it's time to make the beach safe to access. <br> <big><a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/competitions/trestles" target="_blank"><big>+ Open Architecture Network Safe Trestles Competition</big></a></big>