The engineering teams at Manhard Consulting have planned recreational and sports facilities for communities nationwide. Our team works hand in hand with municipalities and developers, addressing the needs of the community while creating viable, functional recreational assets that entice people to leave the comfort of their home to enjoy. Whether you are designing a new facility, re-purposing a current facility or working with an existing footprint, every detail of your project can be addressed by our engineering teams.
Assisting your teams in the development of safe, functional, and enjoyable spaces that bring people together for recreation and leisure.
The Autobahn Country Club is the Midwest’s Premier Motorsports Club featuring road racing, karting, driver training and an events venue.
Over the past several years, Manhard has provided planning, engineering, surveying, construction and landscape architectural services to the Autobahn Country Club including:
Recently, Manhard provided engineering, surveying, landscape architecture and inspection services for Autobahn’s Kart Track improvements, utility extensions and a drone based ALTA/ACSM Survey of the entire Autobahn Country Club property.
The Kart Track Improvements included an expansion and upgrade of the existing Kart Track Facility. Working with the client, Manhard used Civil 3D software to help create an exciting half mile kart track with major elevation changes and a bank turn providing a unique racing experience for members and the general public.
These projects involved the design of the bike path within Carson City’s Linear Park extending from Roop Street east to the proposed Carson City Freeway Corridor. Instigated by the Carson City Parks and Recreation Department, the Linear Bike Path was completed in 2001 and provides a more scenic and secure alternative for bicyclists and pedestrians in South Carson City. Manhard staff members (formerly Capital Engineering) provided the Parks and Recreation Department with alternative options investigation, preliminary and final designs and construction management services for all three (3) phases culminating in approximately 1-mile of multi-use pathway over a 4-year period. Additional tasks included concrete channel modifications, connection/crossing at existing streets, cost estimating, specifications preparation, boundary determination and topographic survey, construction staking, preparation of documentation to support a Special Use Permit, bridge hydraulic analysis, bid assistance, construction reviews and on-call engineering services as well as coordination with the Utilities Department to design a Reclaimed Water Line. The project involved several unique design components including the Saliman Road pathway bridge, a “refuge island” for the mid-block crossing on Saliman, retrofitting private subdivision drainage and decorative wall improvements, drainage improvements, cattle fencing and subgrade stabilization.
Manhard Consulting performed the surveying and civil engineering design for the Town of Parker’s Discovery Park, located in the heart of downtown Parker. Manhard supported the Town of Parker with services that included survey, roadway alignment, profile, and sections, extensive dry utility coordination, wet utility design, and design of wet utility stubs to the future sites. The work involved extensive coordination with the existing electric transmission lines and design of a large box culvert to address the underground conveyance of major drainage way.
Discovery Park offers a unique experience in both summer and winter. Summer amenities include a band shell for performances and concerts, a park and plaza for picnics, and interactive splash pad fountains. In winter, the meandering park sidewalk is transformed into one of the few ice skating trails in the Country, complete with three fire pits. Discovery Park helps anchor the east end of Main Street, complimenting Town Hall, the Parker Arts, Culture, and Event Center, and the Douglas County Public Library. These enhancements to the Town of Parker have created a vibrant community gathering place all four seasons.
Manhard Consulting, Ltd. was retained by the Glenview Park District to provide civil engineering services for the development plan for a new 2,600 square foot clubhouse, four new paddle tennis courts, a rerouted pathway, and a new drop-off area at the Glenview Prairie Club.
The project enhanced the Park District’s ability to provide year-round recreational opportunities for Village residents. Manhard prepared CAD-generated civil engineering drawings and specifications for the project, provided earthwork analysis, engineer’s opinions of probable costs, assisted in obtaining permits required for the site improvements and surveying.
The new clubhouse opened in May 2013, and includes outdoor patio seating and a glassed-in viewing area overlooking the new paddle tennis courts and the golf course.
The project was awarded the Outstanding Facility and Parks Award for 2013 from the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association and Illinois Association of Park Districts.
The renovation of the Highland Park High School track and field facilities and football field included multiple components. Manhard Consulting provided design services for the widening and extension of the existing track in accordance with IHSA standards, regrading and resodding of the football field, the installation of an improved drainage system between the track and football field, and the extension of a water service to the existing concession stand. Assistance was also provided in the evaluation of contractor bids and the administration of the site construction.
Manhard provided the horizontal and vertical design, grading, and erosion control for this residential multi-use trail and pedestrian bridge. The 1,300-foot long trail traversed through open space, linking several neighborhoods to the Town of Parker Trail System.
The Reata trail was designed to work with the existing contours of the open space as much as possible, to minimize disturbance and earthwork, and keep the trail’s feel natural. The design team walked the site with the Town of Parker to identify which trees and natural features they wanted to highlight, and designed the trail to protect and put emphasis on those features.
The Ruth Lake Country Club project included several projects that required design and permitting to be phased to meet opening schedules and timed to minimize disruption to the ongoing operations of the club.
The initial phase included the construction of a four court paddle facility and clubhouse at the SE corner of the property. An aggregate infiltration system was installed beneath the courts to provide site drainage and to meet DuPage County’s Best Management Practice requirements. This initial phase approach allowed the paddle courts to be constructed over the summer and open for use in late Fall/Winter.
The second phase of the Club improvements involved several concurrent projects including:
• New practice green, 1st Hole Tee and fairway improvements
• Naturalized vegetation and retaining wall along Ruth Lake shoreline.
• Demolition of Cart Building and construction of new Cart Storage structure under surface parking facility.
• Remodel of Clubhouse, patio, pavers and pathway system
• Pool House and Pump House improvements
• Multi-use Event Lawn & Cart Staging Area
These several projects were designed and permitted as one master land development project to expedite the permit approval process and to allow for construction to begin on all aspects at the end of the golf season, thereby minimizing impacts to the golf operations.
Tucked into a private area of the grounds, the Sensory Garden at the Denver Botanic Gardens aims to facilitate an understanding of the importance of plants in the community. Currently serving those of all ages with mental and physical disabilities, this garden creates a space where groups can experience the garden’s therapeutic horticulture programs.
The new garden was designed to tie into the existing surrounding gardens, while minimizing impacts to existing water features and other prominent design elements. With careful design and coordination, areas of shade and easy accessibility were created to accommodate everyone.
This site, in addition to engagement with other discipline teams, required working with the City and County of Denver to meet their stringent municipality requirements, while still fulfilling the aesthetic needs of the client. Manhard Consulting provided demolition plans, grading plans, and utility plans for the improvements, as well as providing construction support.
The site plan for this 18-hole golf course on 225 acres, designed by renowned architect Arthur Hills, uses existing ponds and wetlands–nature’s own water hazards–to challenge golfers while preserving the area’s natural features. Specific grading requirements in the course architecture required constant collaboration with the architect during initial site design.
A complex stormwater management design was created to accommodate the site’s sensitive wetland hydrology. Floodplain boundaries were reconfigured to allow construction of greens and tees on the edge of existing natural ponds and wetlands.
Additional services included the site design for both a temporary and a permanent clubhouse, parking lot and maintenance facility. Roadway improvements included the design of a one mile entrance to the course and highway access.
In the fall of 2008, Vernon Hills High School renovated the infield of their varsity baseball field. Prior to the renovation, games and practices had been continually cancelled following inclement weather due to the field’s poor drainage conditions. To correct these issues, a synthetic turf surface and underdrain system were installed. This new surface and drainage system removes moisture more quickly from the infield and provides a more consistently playable surface, minimizing the loss of game and practice time on the field.
Services provided by Manhard Consulting included final engineering of the various site improvements, investigation into synthetic turf products, preparation of project specifications, and preparation of bid documents. Manhard also assisted with obtaining permit approval from the Village of Vernon Hills and the Lake County Regional Office of Education.
