Pedestrian Walkway Elevates Penfield With Award Win

The Town of Penfield’s Channing H. Philbrick Park Elevated Walkway has been recognized with the APWA New York Chapter – Genesee Valley Branch Project of the Year Award in the Structures category, honoring excellence in public infrastructure planning, design, and construction.

This award celebrates projects that demonstrate innovation, collaboration, and a lasting benefit to the community—qualities that were central to the design and construction of this elevated pedestrian structure.

Investing in Safety, Access, and Community Connection

Channing H. Philbrick Park is one of Penfield’s most treasured natural assets, following the scenic Irondequoit Creek and connecting to regional trail systems, including Perinton’s Spring Lake Trail. Over time, the park’s existing walkway structures—many elevated above steep terrain—had deteriorated significantly, creating safety concerns and limiting accessibility for visitors.

Recognizing both the park’s popularity and its importance to the community, the Town of Penfield made the proactive decision to replace multiple failing structures with a single, continuous elevated walkway approximately 500 feet long. This new elevated walkway improves safety, enhances accessibility, and preserves uninterrupted pedestrian access through challenging topography.

Thoughtful Design in a Sensitive Environment

Designing and constructing the elevated walkway required careful consideration of steep slopes, loose soils, wetlands, floodplain constraints, and limited construction access. The final design balances environmental stewardship with long-term durability and performance.

The elevated walkway includes:

• Galvanized steel helical piles that minimize ground disturbance

• Aluminum framing and composite decking for a durable, low-maintenance elevated structure

• A 6-foot-wide, code-compliant pedestrian walkway that improves accessibility

• Integrated aluminum guardrails for safety and longevity

Construction disturbance was limited to just 0.15 acres, allowing the elevated walkway to be installed while protecting wetlands, streams, and surrounding natural resources.

Collaboration That Delivered More

The success of the elevated walkway was driven by strong collaboration between the Town of Penfield, MRB Group, and CMI Structural Solutions Inc., whose experience with elevated structures and helical pile systems proved invaluable in navigating the site’s constrained conditions.

Through thoughtful planning and cost control, the elevated walkway project was completed on time and under budget. Project savings were reinvested to enhance the elevated walkway with a scenic lookout overlooking Irondequoit Creek, providing visitors with a unique vantage point along the trail.

The elevated walkway was completed in September 2025 at a total cost of $750,000, partially funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and officially opened to the public shortly thereafter.

A Project Worth Celebrating

The APWA Project of the Year Award recognizes projects that set a high standard for public infrastructure. The Channing H. Philbrick Park Elevated Walkway reflects the Town of Penfield’s commitment to safety, accessibility, environmental responsibility, and high-quality public spaces.

Today, the elevated walkway allows residents and visitors to safely experience one of Penfield’s most scenic and historically significant natural areas—ensuring Channing H. Philbrick Park remains a destination the community can enjoy for generations to come.

View photos and learn more about the elevated walkway project here: https://mrbgroup.com/projects/penfield-channing-h-philbrick-park-walkway/