Rio Caguitas Greenway

Municipality of Caguas, Puerto Rico

WMA identified specific projects, costs and timelines for restoring and enhancing several miles of the Rio Caguitas river while also creating a continuous greenway trail along it. Components of the study included:

• Planning for the application of a multi-objective floodplain restoration approach;
• Determining the realignment of the Rio Caguitas to restore a natural floodplain and to reduce flooding;
• Defining the limits of the greenway along the river;
• Identifying a suitable demonstration project; and
• Developing a preliminary program for a regional Botanical Garden along the river.

After the initial study, WMA continued to work on Design Guidelines and Phase 1 implementation for the Greenway. The Design Guidelines developed by WMA identify distinct trail segments along several miles of the river greenway, providing detailed design and construction recommendations, including layout, materials and site furnishings. The Guidelines allow character and treatment of the trail to vary in response to context, which includes urban plazas, suburban neighborhoods and native riparian corridor. The Phase 1 project included an urban plaza/trailhead that serves as a gateway to the greenway, over 2 miles of multi-use trails along the river, three neighborhood gathering areas, and new plantings along the riparian corridor.  WMA completed full construction drawings and oversaw construction of this $1.4 million project.