PARKING
1. The parking “loop” at the lodge has integrity and should be retained. If additional parking is required two alternatives are suggested:
a. Construct a second (lower) loop, south of the existing lodge parking area as illustrated in the historic master plans, or;
b. If Rim Village Road is removed, site a new lot in the disturbed area west of the lodge (where the existing Rim Village Road begins to drop in grade).
In both cases the goal is to select a solution that minimizes the potential impacts to the natural landscape, and is visually compatible in design and orientation to the lodge, access and viewshed to the lake, and from the promenade. Taking these issues into consideration, alternative “a” is the preferred option.
2. The parking revetment along both sides of Rim Village Road has integrity and should be retained. If removal of this parking area is required, the disturbed area should be revegetated (see RECOMMENDATIONS: Vegetation).
3. Although the parking plaza in front of the Cafeteria has historically been used for parking, it has been altered over several years and does not retain design integrity. if the redevelopment program calls for the removal of parking in this area, efforts should be made to retain key historic design associations including preserving a strong visual connection from the building to the lake and designing the area to function as a staging area for rim activities.
4. All parking areas should be surfaced with asphalt or a material treatment that will yield a similar visual character. Stone curbing should be used to define edges and transitions in surface materials.
PROMENADE
1. The promenade, from west of the Cafeteria to the Garfield Peak trail, has integrity and should be retained. Pedestrian access along the full length of the promenade, including the area on the north side of the lodge, should be maintained to provide a continuous walk along the edge of the caldera as originally designed.
2. Portions of the promenade that are in poor condition or have deteriorated and are unsafe, should be rehabilitated according to the historic design, including historic grades, materials, width and configuration.
3. Historically, the area of the promenade where the former Crater Wall Trail began, was a focal point and an important visitor staging area. Although the trail is closed, this area remains a key pedestrian gathering area with much of the original landscape design intact. The function and spatial quality of this area should be retained. Because this area has been dramatically impacted by snow loading and intense visitor use, a rehabilitation plan should be prepared which specifically addresses paths and the flow of pedestrians through the space, reestablishment of planting beds and materials, and rehabilitation of the parapet wall.
