Essential Considerations for Planning Public Boardwalks

Public boardwalks offer unique opportunities to enhance public spaces, connect communities safely with natural environments, and drive economic growth.

Fleetwood Urban has been working with architects, landscape architects, property developers and councils for more than 50 years, to plan, design and engineer large scale public boardwalks and other access structures that ensure their success and longevity.

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Site Analysis and Environmental Impact

Our expert proprietary methodology at Fleetwood Urban is called VISIONMAKERS™, developed and refined over 50 years of experience delivering award-winning outdoor projects across Australia.

By engaging us early in your project, our VISIONMAKERS™ methodology enables us to collaborate with your project designers to bring their concepts and visions to life, whilst mitigating the risk of costly variations and missed deadlines.

Our VISIONMAKERS™ process includes site analysis and environmental impact as standard.

The first step in planning a boardwalk is a comprehensive site analysis. This involves assessing the physical characteristics of the proposed location, including topography, soil conditions and existing ecosystems. For coastal or wetland boardwalks, understanding tidal patterns, storm surge potential and seasonal water level fluctuations is crucial.

Environmental impact assessments should be conducted to evaluate how the boardwalk might affect local flora and fauna, particularly in sensitive ecosystems, together with any Indigenous or other cultural preservation considerations.

Minimising environmental disruption is our priority. Each environment and project is unique, requiring a custom approach that may, for example, incorporate designs that allow for natural light penetration to support underwater vegetation and incorporate gaps in the decking to facilitate wildlife and water movement.

In some cases, elevated designs may be necessary to protect delicate ground cover or to allow for tidal flows. The goal is to create a structure that allows people to experience the wonders of the natural environment, without damaging it.

Our builders think like designers, and our designers think like builders. Our VISIONMAKERS™ approach means you’re co-designing with the same team who also build your structures. This means less waste and inefficiency, more accurate costings and a superior end result.

Public Boardwalk Regulatory Compliance and Permitting

Navigating the regulatory landscape is often one of the most challenging aspects of boardwalk planning.

Local, state and federal regulations may include environmental protection laws, coastal zone management regulations, building codes and accessibility standards.

Early engagement with relevant authorities is crucial. This includes organising pre-application meetings with planning departments, environmental agencies and other stakeholders in order to understand the full scope of regulatory requirements from the outset of your project.

This proactive approach identifies potential obstacles early in the planning process and informs design and construction strategies.

Design Considerations for Public Boardwalks

The design of a boardwalk should balance functionality, durability and aesthetic appeal.

Considering the primary purpose of the boardwalk – whether for recreation, transportation, environmental education, or a combination – will inform decisions about width, load-bearing capacity and the inclusion of features such as seating areas, viewing platforms or educational displays.

Accessibility should be another key consideration in the design phase, including ensuring gradients are gentle enough for wheelchair users, incorporate regular resting areas and provide adequate width for passing. Non-slip surfaces are essential for safety, particularly in areas prone to wet conditions.

Aesthetically, the boardwalk should enhance or complement its surroundings. In natural settings, we opt for materials and designs that blend with the local environment.

In urban areas, we always consider how the boardwalk can enhance the existing architectural landscape. The goal is to create a structure that feels like a natural extension of its environment while still offering a unique and engaging experience for users.

Boardwalk Material Selection and Structural Design

The choice of materials for your boardwalk will have significant implications for its durability, maintenance requirements and overall lifecycle costs.

Fleetwood Urban most commonly utilises steel posts and sustainably-sourced Australian hardwood timber in its public boardwalk design, as well as composite materials for greater longevity and reduced maintenance needs. Coastal environments require boardwalk materials that minimise saltwater corrosion.

The structural design must account for expected loads, environmental conditions and potential natural disasters. In areas prone to flooding or storm surges, careful consideration is given to elevated designs or floating sections. The foundation design is also crucial, especially in soft soils or water-based locations where pile foundations may be necessary. Modular construction techniques can offer benefits in terms of easier maintenance and the ability to replace sections as needed.

Stakeholder Engagement and Community Input

Successful public boardwalk projects often hinge on effective stakeholder engagement.

It’s imperative to identify all relevant stakeholders early in the planning process, which may include local residents, businesses, environmental groups, accessibility advocates and tourism boards.

Developing a comprehensive engagement strategy that provides multiple opportunities for input and feedback will maximise your likelihood for success, with minimal costs and time delays.

Community consultations can provide valuable insights into local needs and preferences. They can also help build support for the project and address concerns before they become obstacles.

Consider using digital platforms alongside traditional engagement methods to reach a broader audience and facilitate ongoing communication throughout the project lifecycle.

Economic Viability and Funding Strategies

The economic aspects of boardwalk planning extend beyond initial construction costs.

It can be highly beneficial to develop a comprehensive business case that considers lifecycle costs, potential revenue streams and the broader economic benefits to the community for the entire lifespan of your boardwalk. This might include increased tourism, improved property values or new business opportunities along the boardwalk.

Depending on the client, you may wish to explore diverse funding strategies, including public-private partnerships, government grants and community fundraising initiatives. For larger projects, a phased approach may assist to spread costs over time and allow for adjustments based on usage patterns and community feedback.

Future-Proofing and Adaptability

In an era of rapid environmental and technological change, it's crucial to design boardwalks with future adaptability in mind.

Consider how climate change might affect the location over the coming decades – rising sea levels, increased storm intensity and changes in local ecosystems can all impact a boardwalk's long-term viability.

Fleetwood Urban is adept at incorporating flexibility into the design to allow for future modifications or expansions. This might include planning for potential technology integrations, such as smart lighting systems or environmental monitoring sensors.

Boardwalk Maintenance and Operations Planning

Long-term boardwalk maintenance planning is essential for the sustainability of your project. Fleetwood Urban is a leader in urban design, supported by world-class warranties.

Your ongoing peace of mind means everything to us. Which is why we stand behind every structure we design, manufacture, supply and install with industry-leading Warranty and Care Plus™ Plans.

In the rare event there’s an issue with your Fleetwood Urban structure, for a small fee, you can be protected by our comprehensive structural warranties covering all materials and parts for the duration of its Design Life.

Unlike many suppliers who on-sell products that have been produced elsewhere, the majority of our parts are manufactured right here in Australia.

Innovative Boardwalks that become the Talking Point of Town

With over 50 years of award-winning expertise across Australia, Fleetwood Urban has built an extensive portfolio of public boardwalks and other access structures that are renowned for both aesthetics and function.

A well-planned boardwalk has the potential to enhance public spaces, promote environmental awareness and contribute to the ongoing economic and social vitality of the surrounding area. Through careful consideration of environmental impacts, regulatory requirements, design aesthetics and community needs, it's possible to develop boardwalk projects that stand the test of time and provide lasting benefits to both residents and visitors alike.

If you’re an architect, landscape architect, council or property developer, reach out and let’s talk about how to bring your boardwalk vision to life, brilliantly, so it becomes a valued community asset for years to come.

See our portfolio of Boardwalk projects

Take the Next Step

We invite you to explore how our structures have transformed public spaces, enhanced community engagement and set new standards in development design. Contact us today to discuss how we can collaborate on your next project.

Whether you're a developer looking to enhance community spaces, or a visionary planner of environmentally-sustainable urban developments, together we can create environments that inspire, engage and endure.