emily a. davis design portfolio

EMILY A. DAVISdesign portfolio

personal & design ethics

Our world is facing an unprecedented future. And so now, more than ever, it needs individuals who can work towards resiliency and adaptation. Ecologically intelligent design offers methods to solve problems, and empower people in their environment through enhancing ecological processes. I can work with both individuals and communities to help create a culture of resiliency.

Providing meaningful design solutions means understanding the root of the problem. A comprehensive site analysis is crucial in determining an informed solution, and is a key element in my design process. This context is essential, as understanding an element’s place within a system will help identify its functions and the factors that influence it. This whole-system’s perspective is represented in my work, and embodied in ecological design principles.

Finally, beauty is a key element in developing successful design solutions. My goal is to create places that inspire and motivate people. I believe that good design can provide a vision where people can be their best selves. This is an idea called the “blue sky design,” where our lives change for the better when our environments are designed to suite our needs, and we are inspired by the spaces around us.

E M I LY A . D A V I [email protected] (203)-470-3205 801 N. Poland Rd, Conway MA

EDUCATION & TRAINING

MS Ecological Design The Conway School Graduate Program of Sustainable Landscape Planning & DesignConway, MA June 2014

BS Environmental GeoChemistryMagna Cum LaudeState University of New York at New PaltzNew Paltz, NY May 2011

Certificate, Ecological Design in the Built EnvironmentCertificate, Permaculture DesignYestermorrow Design/Build SchoolWarren, VT Jan 2012 - July 2013

WORK HISTORY

Landscaping & Gardening | Broadleaf Landscape ArchitectureImplemented and maintained residential landscape designs.Warren, VTApr 2012 - Nov 2012

Editor’s Assistant | Capitalism Nature Socialism JournalRevised and applied style corrections to academic manuscripts.Promoted journal to eco-socialist groups and organizations.New Paltz, NYNov 2010 - Jan 2012

Field Research & GIS Intern | NYC Department of Environmental ProtectionConducted field research and collected data on stream features.Applied GIS mapping and analyzed stream characteristics and bank erosion.Kingston, NYJune 2010 - Dec 2010

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Aug 2010 - May 2011 Teacher’s Assistant | SUNY New Paltz Hydrogeology LabStudent assistant to Dr. Shafiul Chowdhury during the Hydrogeology courseHydogeology Lab monitoring and project assistance

Jan 2009 - July 2009 Hydrogeology & Water Quality Study | CloudBridge Nature ReserveSan Gerardo de Rivas, Costa RicaCompleted a study of water systems in an upper montane tropical forest.

July 2009 - Sept 2009 BMI Assesment for Water Quality | SUNY New Paltz CRREO ProgramStudied benthic macroinvertebrate populations on the Plattekill BrookProvided municipalities with resource management recommendations.

INTERESTS Graphic designWild foods & foragingCookingRock climbing

PhotographyDrawing & sketchingCreative writing

Commissioner | Village of New Paltz Environmental Conservation CommissionCoordinated interns on environmental projects and research.Conducted community outreach and facilitated public meetings.

SKILLS Adobe Creative Suite Microsoft OfficeGraphic Design

Botanical Illustration ESRI ArcGIS Spanish Language Architectural Drafting AutoCAD

SketchUpSurveying

Nov 2008 - June 2011

collection of work

PRIVATE RESIDENCE URBAN PLANNING MASTER PLANNING ART WORK OTHER WORKWoodland Garden

Upper Terrace Garden

Guest-Writer’s CabinEarly Successional Management Plan

Shaded Deck Plantings

Productive MeadowVinca is removed, and existing stumps are used in retaining terraces to create a terraced meadow. Productive food-bearing plants are interplanted with low maintenance native perennials and grasses, bio-accumulators, beneficial insectaries, and plants that provide habitat for songbirds and small mammals. Plants are selected to increase native biodiversity, ecological habitat, human food production, slope stability, and aesthetic views from the home.

This area of early successional forest is managed to remove invasive exotic plant species, and substitute native species that will help maintain this area as ecologically beneficial and significant. Fruiting shrubs and young trees provide important forage and habitat for many woodland species and birds.

A guest or writer’s cabin is an appropriate way to share the natural charm and beauty of the site with those who would benefit from the landscape around it. This rustic cabin would have a low-impact on the sensitive aquatic buffer habitat around it, and sit conveniently into a natural amphitheater.

The forest edge is allowed to enter the area that was once mowed, thereby reducing the overall area that needs to be mowed. Productive, shade tolerant woodland plants are encouraged to grow along beneficial tree species and important wildlife forage. A sitting area in the hemlock forest provides a way to enjoy the forest landscape and the sound of the streams.

Productive vines grow on an existing pergola on the deck to create a shady microclimate during the hot summer months.

The forest edge undulates in this area to reduce the amount of mowed lawn space, and the arrival experience is improved. Composting bins are built around a fertility bank and bio-accumulating plants to help provide needed nutrients to the soils.

Studio ApartmentThe single story garage gains a second floor, and this studio apartment can be rented long- or short-term for those seeking a peaceful living space. Utilities are easily connected from the main house.

0 10 20 40

Conservation EasementThis four-acre forest and upland aquatic habitat, including ecologically significant perennial streams, is of high value to the Franklin County Land Trust. A conservation easement on this property ensures that it is protected from human impact or development in the future.

Gathering AreaA once open lawn area becomes a sitting or gathering space that enjoys the sounds of the stream and the stunning views into the forest. Meadow plantings surround the space to make it more intimate and inviting.

The client stays on the property into her retirement, and the site becomes an inviting ecologically sound oasis.

FEET

The six placemaking strategies in this document are organized by these themes: art and creative expression, spontaneous interactions, pedestrian environments, connection to waterways, urban agriculture, and ecological repair.

Each of these themes shows a possible succession of individual placemaking ideas and represents one thread of the overall proposed innovation ecosystem. Each theme highlights initiatives already underway in Holyoke, and offers projects that build on existing efforts. Following the ecological metaphor, the themes identify existing pioneer species, explore intermediate strategies, and lead to a more stable, but still dynamic, future.

Community initiatives spawn new projects in unpredictable ways. The paths represented here are just one way that ideas could evolve from the people of Holyoke and the distinct assets of the city.

PLACEMAKING IDEAS

3130 A PLACEMAKING IDEABOOK FOR HOLYOKE’S INNOVATION DISTRICT

2 - 7 8 - 1 3 1 4 - 1 9 2 0 - 2 3 2 8 - 2 9

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EWFigure 13.2: Section A-A’Existing & Proposed Homestead Area

Figure 13.1: Aerial perspective of the proposed homestead area, featuring the community food forest and pavilion.

NEW REGRADED STAGING AREA, WITH REINFORCED TURF

BOARDWALK OVER WET MEADOW

MEADOW PLANTINGS TO REPLACE LAWN

WET LAWN & GROUNDWATER SEEP

EXISTING BLACK WALNUT AND SPRUCE TREES

EXISTING CONDITIONS:

PROPOSED DESIGN:

FOREST EDGE

REINFORCED TURF

EXISTING OLD APPLE GROVE

MEADOW

FOOT TRAIL TO WILDLIFE VIEWING BLIND


RENOVATED BARN

COMMUNITY PAVILION

EXISTING FOOT TRAIL TO NATIVE MEADOW

0 25 50 Feet

FOOD FOREST PLANTINGS ON CONTOUR

A

A’

WESTERN AVENUE

STEVENS LANE

MEADOW PARKING

EXISTING 4.3’ BLACK WALNUT

Phase 1: Late summer• Allexcavationandbermingshouldbedoneinlatesummer

whenthewatertableislowandenoughgrowingseasonremainstoestablishacovercropforthefallandwinter.Acovercropwillstabilizethenewlydisturbedsoilandlimitweedgrowth.

• Fillandgradingforthestagingareaandextendtheparkinglotcanalsobedoneatthistimewhilemachineryisalreadyonsite.Reinforcedturf shouldbedugintoplaceandlightlymulchedtopreventerosion.

• Buildingthetrailheadlean-toduringthisinitialphasemaygivecommunitymembersasenseof progresswhileconstructioncontinuesintothenextseason.

Phase 2: Spring• Walkingpathsshouldbestakedoutearlyinthespringand

observedthroughoutthewettestseasonsoadjustmentsinthedesigncanbemadebeforethepathsaremadepermanent.

• Bare-roottreesandshrubsthatwereorderedduringthewintershouldbeplantedafterhavingtheirrootssoakedinanall-naturalmycrorhizaldipthathelpstheplantrootsquicklyestablishwiththefungipresentinthesoil.Heavymulchingisrecommendedtoholdinmoistureandsuppressweedgrowth.

• Alighttillingof thesoilshouldbedoneafterseasonaldelugesbutbeforethelastspringrains,followedbytheseedingand

mattingof nativemeadowplantspecies.Apolyculturemixof nitrogen-fixinganddynamic-accumulatingplantspeciesshouldbesownthroughouttheforestgarden(seeAppendixIforafoodforestplantpalette).

Phase 3: Early summer• Walkingpathsshouldbebuiltinearlysummeroncethemeadow

hasbeguntoestablish.If themeadowhasgrowntoohigh,thepathsshouldbemowedbeforethetreadisdug,lined,andlightlyfilledwithcrushedgravelorheavilytoppedwithwoodchipsfromtreeschippedonsite.

Phase 4: Mid-summer to mid-fall• Newlyplantedtreesandshrubsshouldbewateredif rainfall

isscarcethroughoutthesummer.End-of-the-seasondonatedplantsshouldbeplantedinearlyfall,heavilywatered,andthicklymulchedtoprotectagainstthewinterfreeze-and-thawcycle.

WESTERN AVENUE

EXTENDED PARKING CONFIGURATION

PARKING LOT

WESTERN AVENUE

FOOD FOREST PLANTINGS ON CONTOUR, WITH SWALES AND BERMS (PERMITTING REQUIRED)

EXISTING 4.3’ DIAMETER BLACK WALNUT

(Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project, and not based on a legal survey.)

2 4 - 2 7

1

private residenceCHARLEMONT, MA

SEPT - DEC 2013

The site for this design project was steep and ecologically sensitive. The client, a single woman approaching her retirement, wanted to explore ideas for how she can age in place on this rural property, while also making it productive and maintaining it as a serene landscape. The proposed design includes permaculture gardens, a plan for a composting program and plantings for increased soil fertility, low-maintenance woodland gardens, path grading for accessibility, and a management plan for invasive species, while respecting the sensitive nature of the site’s ecology.

The plan exceeded my expectations—it is thoroughly researched and executed.-project client“ ”2

Woodland Garden

Upper Terrace Garden

Guest-Writer’s CabinEarly Successional Management Plan

Shaded Deck Plantings

Productive MeadowVinca is removed, and existing stumps are used in retaining terraces to create a terraced meadow. Productive food-bearing plants are interplanted with low maintenance native perennials and grasses, bio-accumulators, beneficial insectaries, and plants that provide habitat for songbirds and small mammals. Plants are selected to increase native biodiversity, ecological habitat, human food production, slope stability, and aesthetic views from the home.

This area of early successional forest is managed to remove invasive exotic plant species, and substitute native species that will help maintain this area as ecologically beneficial and significant. Fruiting shrubs and young trees provide important forage and habitat for many woodland species and birds.

A guest or writer’s cabin is an appropriate way to share the natural charm and beauty of the site with those who would benefit from the landscape around it. This rustic cabin would have a low-impact on the sensitive aquatic buffer habitat around it, and sit conveniently into a natural amphitheater.

The forest edge is allowed to enter the area that was once mowed, thereby reducing the overall area that needs to be mowed. Productive, shade tolerant woodland plants are encouraged to grow along beneficial tree species and important wildlife forage. A sitting area in the hemlock forest provides a way to enjoy the forest landscape and the sound of the streams.

Productive vines grow on an existing pergola on the deck to create a shady microclimate during the hot summer months.

The forest edge undulates in this area to reduce the amount of mowed lawn space, and the arrival experience is improved. Composting bins are built around a fertility bank and bio-accumulating plants to help provide needed nutrients to the soils.

Studio ApartmentThe single story garage gains a second floor, and this studio apartment can be rented long- or short-term for those seeking a peaceful living space. Utilities are easily connected from the main house.

0 10 20 40

Conservation EasementThis four-acre forest and upland aquatic habitat, including ecologically significant perennial streams, is of high value to the Franklin County Land Trust. A conservation easement on this property ensures that it is protected from human impact or development in the future.

Gathering AreaA once open lawn area becomes a sitting or gathering space that enjoys the sounds of the stream and the stunning views into the forest. Meadow plantings surround the space to make it more intimate and inviting.

The client stays on the property into her retirement, and the site becomes an inviting ecologically sound oasis.

FEET

finalproposeddesign

3

site analysis & assessment slopes, drainage, circulation

The Conway SchoolFall 2013

Emily A. Davis

Landscape plan for the

Raviele Residence552 Mountain Road

Charlemont, MA 01339

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19

Slopes

• Apotentiallyerosivebandof>30%gradewrapsaroundthehouse,dividingthepropertyintoanupperandlowerterrace.

• Muchofthetopographiccomplexityisanthropogenic—oldstonefoundationsandstoneretainingwallsoccurthroughouttheproperty.

• Manyofthesestonewallsarecrumbling,indicatingunstableslopes.

Access and Circulation

• Afootpathsouthwestofthehousecutsthroughamowedlawnat>30%grade.

• Becauseoftheconfiningslopes,caraccessontotositeislimited,exceptfortruckaccesstothewestofthehouse.

Drainage

• Therateatwhichwaterdrainsonthepropertyisafunctionoftopographyandvegetation—watermovesquicklyoverthe>30%lawnthantheforest.

• Thesoilsarewelldrained—aWoodbridgeverystonyloam.• ThesitedrainsdirectlyintoHartwellandWillisBrooks,whichthenflowinto

theDeerfieldRiver.

OBSERVATIONS

DESIGN DIRECTIONS

Summary AnalysisSlopes, Access and Drainage

g Incorporateslopestabilizingstrategies.g Utilizeandmimictheterracingpatternaddressingthesteeplawn.g Improveaccessbyreducingpercentgradeonpaths,wherepossible.g Considerimpactonstreams,andincorporatewaterinfiltrationmethods

forrunoff.

>30%25-29%20-24%

Fast water

Foot path

Car access

Truck access

15-19%10-14%5-9%0-5%

Slow water

Steep slopes dominate the site; creating dramatic character, reducing mobility & threatening erosion.

A

A'

SECTION A-A'

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site analysis & assessment site intimacy, views, and sound; portraying the meaningful relationship between the client and the place


Emily A. Davis




4

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Slopes

• Apotentiallyerosivebandof>30%gradewrapsaroundthehouse,dividingthepropertyintoanupperandlowerterrace.

• Muchofthetopographiccomplexityisanthropogenic—oldstonefoundationsandstoneretainingwallsoccurthroughouttheproperty.

• Manyofthesestonewallsarecrumbling,indicatingunstableslopes.

Access and Circulation

• Afootpathsouthwestofthehousecutsthroughamowedlawnat>30%grade.

• Becauseoftheconfiningslopes,caraccessontotositeislimited,exceptfortruckaccesstothewestofthehouse.

Drainage

• Therateatwhichwaterdrainsonthepropertyisafunctionoftopographyandvegetation—watermovesquicklyoverthe>30%lawnthantheforest.

• Thesoilsarewelldrained—aWoodbridgeverystonyloam.• ThesitedrainsdirectlyintoHartwellandWillisBrooks,whichthenflowinto

theDeerfieldRiver.

OBSERVATIONS

DESIGN DIRECTIONS

Summary AnalysisSlopes, Access and Drainage

g Incorporateslopestabilizingstrategies.g Utilizeandmimictheterracingpatternaddressingthesteeplawn.g Improveaccessbyreducingpercentgradeonpaths,wherepossible.g Considerimpactonstreams,andincorporatewaterinfiltrationmethods

forrunoff.

>30%25-29%20-24%

Fast water

Foot path

Car access

Truck access

15-19%10-14%5-9%0-5%

Slow water

Steep slopes dominate the site; creating dramatic character, reducing mobility & threatening erosion.

A

A'

SECTION A-A'

0 10 20 40 FEET


Emily A. Davis




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19

Summary AnalysisSound & Views

Sounds Inherent to the Site:

• Cascadingwaterinthestream,windblowingthroughthetrees,andsingingbirds.

• Dynamicsoundsfromthestreamstravelasafunctionofvegetationandtopography—soundiscarriedeasilyoverthebarewestlawnandtothedeck.

Desired & Undesired Views:

• Existfromthehouse,butarealsolayeredwithundesiredviews.• Someofthedesiredviews(intheforesttothenorthofthehouse,inthelower

lawn,etc.)arenotbeingutilizedwell.• Theoneunpleasantviewcorrespondswithotherproblematicsiteconditions

(averysteepslope,earlysuccessionalinvasiveoraggressiveplantspecies).

Loved & Valued Spaces:

• Thedeckthatoverlooksthegardens,theoldmillfoundation,andtheareaofforesttothenorthofthehousearehighlyvaluedfortheirnaturalbeautyorpeacefulqualities.

• Thestonystreamsandforestarevalued,butnotvisitedveryfrequently.

OBSERVATIONS

DESIGN DIRECTIONSg Capitalizeonstrategicareasclosetothestreamthatcouldbe

usedassittingorgatheringareas.g Improveviewsontothestumpylawnfromthedeck.g Preserveandhighlightvaluedandlovedareas.

Loud television (>60 Db)

Normal conversation (50-59 Db)

Rainfall (40-49 Db)

Quiet conversation (30-39 Db)

Rustling leaves (20-29 Db)Loved/valued space

Desired/positive view

Undesired/negative view

SECTION A-A'

A

A'

The landscape is like artwork; the views are a painting, and the sounds a symphony.

0 10 20 40

Relative Decibel Levels

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5

proposed design a low-maintenance woodland garden and native plant palette that uses productive eco-types


Emily A. Davis




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Design DetailWoodland Garden

Extended forest edge

Exte

nded

fore

st ed

ge

Existing vinca groundcover

Trail to hemlock stand, with view to streams

0 2010

Transplanted Native & Localized Plant SpeciesMany of the plants used in this area could be sources and transplanted from forested areas of the property. This would make garden installation less expensive, and would ensure that introduced plants are hardy and naturalized to the site conditions.

Gardens Mimic Forest StructureLooking to the forest for inspiration, plants could be placed so that all structural niches are filled. Understory, herbaceous, shrub, and canopy plants should be represented in planting schemes.Introducing larger shrub and tree species would compliment a dense vinca patch to the north of the home, which is currently an establish understory.

Bringing Wild Foods Closer to HomeAlthough many of the selected plants are naturalized woodland species, native edible plants can still be introduced into the plant palette, creating a “forage garden.” The client would then be able to browse the garden for wild food sources in her bunny slippers.

PLANT LIST

A shady woodland garden seeks inspiration from the abundant forests that surround it.

Existing sugar maple provides canopy for understory species

The forest edge is encouraged to grow into the woodland garden, providing native plants and blurring the boundary between managed and unmanaged spaces.

Understory Species & Groundcovers:

*Wild violet (Viola sororia)

*Running sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis)

*Wild ginger (Asarum canadense)

Herbaceous Perennials:

Small Trees & Shrubs:

Wild anemone (Anemone canadensis)

Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium reptans

Lady’s slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum)

† *Ostrich fern (Matteuccia pensylvanica)

Maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum)

Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)

Coral bells (Heuchera americana)

Spruce (Picea pungens)

Red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea)

† Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia)

Paper birch (Betula papyrifera)

* Edible or medicinal plants† Plants that may be harvested from the property or surrounding forest

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Emily A. Davis




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Design DetailYoung Forest Management Plan

Young forests provide valuable habitat for many species, especially those that generally do not occur in mature forests.Shrublands and young forest communities provide a unique vegetative structure and diversity that provides nesting, brood rearing, feeding, and escape habitats for early successional wildlife. They are forest gaps, with woody plants typically less than 15-ft tall and scattered grasses and wildflowers that provide floristic diversity.

Shrubland-preferring pollinators, insects, and birds may find welcome refuge in young forest patches such as this one, as it stands amidst a much broader forest system. Management plans for these areas generally encourage a mixture of early successional grasses, herbs, shrubs, and saplings, since these combinations are the most valuable for wildlife.

This management plan recommends preserving the existing young forest as an ecologically significant area, while improving its aesthetic appearance. Invasive plants are removed and replaced with beneficial and productive native species, and periodic removal of woody tree saplings create a stable shrubland habitat.

Currently, Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) grows in the shrubland and within view from the home. This plant provides an important food source for birds in winter and early spring. When allowed to mature, its fall red canopy is beautiful and dramatic. This management plan leaves the sumac in place, and includes planted shrubs to soften the visual affects of the sumac.

RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT STEPS:

The first step to managing this area is to identify and remove exotic invasive or other undesired species. These may include: -Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) -Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

Once these species are removed, they should be burnt on site to prevent spreading. It is not recommended that all these plants be removed at once. It is better to stage their removal in small, periodic steps so as to minimize site disturbance.

A native substitute should be available for transplanting during the removal of an undesired species, so a niche is filled before another aggressive plant moves in. Refer to Appendix II for a full list of productive and native shrubs that could replace the removed plants.

Once native shrubs are planted, monitor for the establishment of tree species such as maples, red oaks, and pines. Over time, larger woody species with trunk diameters of three inches or greater could be removed mechanically. This will keep the system at an early-successional phase.

Many tree species will re-sprout from the roots of a cut trunk. Care should be taken to prevent the tree from sprouting in undesired places, such as new garden beds.

These three steps could be repeated through time until the desired plant community has been achieved. Once a mixed herbaceous and shrubland habitat has been created, selective cutting of mid-suc-cessional hardwood tree saplings will be needed every 3-5 years.

1.

2.

3.

4.

0 2010

Before:

After:

Old foundation

Oak sapling

Goldenrod & multiflora rose

Mowed area

Forest edge

Staghorn sumac

Smaller mowed area

Meadow plantsForest edge

Staghorn sumac

Raised beds

Planted shrubs

0 5 10

0 105

Before management, invasive species and young trees grow amongst sumac and other shrubs.

After management, beneficial shrubs are planted, young trees are pruned, and the sumac is allowed to grow. Meadow plant-ings border the early forest area, increasing its appeal to wildlife.

Mature forest, with higher

canopy

Extended meadow, with grasses and

wildflowers

Young forest habitat

New productive shrubs

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proposed design a management plan for invasive species in a young succession habitat, with improved aesthetics

7

urban planningHOLYOKE, MA

JAN - APR 2014

As part of a three-person team, this project aimed at providing Holyoke’s Office of Planning and Economic Development with a Placemaking Ideabook for their new Innovation District. As part of their efforts to foster innovation-based economy, this project provided a vision for what innovation could look like in this economically-depressed and ethnically-diverse city. Ultimately, the IdeaBook provided a framework for understanding the succession of placemaking efforts in Holyoke using an ecological metaphor, and proposed community-based placemaking strategies to promote the city’s new creative economy. This project was an exercise in whole-systems thinking, and communicating complex concepts in simple ways. Primary duties included collaborative authoring and editing, graphic design, GIS mapping, and design renderings.

8

finaldeliverable IdeaBook cover and Table of Contents

A P L A C E M A K I N G IDEABOOK FOR H O L Y O K E ’ S I N N O VAT I O N D I S T R I C TPrepared for the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and the City of Holyoke’s Office of Planning and Economic Development

Emily Davis, Jeffrey Dawson & Elizabeth Kelly

Conway School of Landscape DesignWinter 2014

The City of Holyoke would like to promote an expansion of its innovation-based economy. By focusing placemaking efforts on existing cultural and physical resources and the talents and initiative of its residents, Holyoke could support a culture of home-grown creativity, resilience, and innovation, create a strong sense of place, improve quality of life, and create conditions attractive to visitors and entrepreneurs. Building on successful examples from other cities and on already-existing projects in Holyoke, this Idea Book suggests various strategies, at multiple scales and time-frames, to help create public spaces that foster the social interaction that is critical to innovation. These strategies involve promoting art and creative expression; temporary “pop-ups”; pedestrian- and bike-friendly environments; connections to canals and the Connecticut River; urban agriculture; and urban ecological repair.

The Conway School is the only institution of its kind in North America. Its focus is sustainable landscape planning and design, and its graduates are awarded a Master of Science in Ecological Design degree. Each year, through its accredited, ten-month graduate program, students from diverse backgrounds are immersed in a range of real-world design projects, ranging in scale from residents to regions. Graduates go on to play a significant professional roles in various aspects of landscape planning and design.

A PLA

CEM

AK

ING

IDEA

BOO

K

Em

ily Davis, Jeffrey D

awson, Elizabeth Kelly

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1CONTEXT: THE BASICS Envisioning the innovation economy 4 Defininginnovation in Holyoke 6 Innovation ecosystems 8 Holyoke’s distinctive qualities 10 Placemaking 101 24 The city as a forest 28

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PLACEMAKING IDEAS 30 Arts & creative expression 32 Pop-ups to permanent 50 Mobility & connections 68 Urban agriculture 84 Connection to waterways 96 Ecological repair 114

MOVING FORWARD 132

GLOSSARY 136

REFERENCES 138

9

proposed principles and stratgeies of placemaking creatingandprovidingsite-specificprinciplesandbestpracticeswithinHolyoke

PLACEMAKING 101

This document suggests that bottom-up, grass-roots placemaking can contribute significantly to creating an innovation ecosystem.

Placemaking is a process that turns physical spaces into meaningful places. The difference between the two is that places are created and shaped by people, and therefore embody their values and talents. Spaces are generic or commonplace locations that don’t necessarily promote expression or inspire those within it.

Placemaking is especially relevant for Holyoke right now, since there are many spaces in the city that merit transformation, and available talent that can transform them into places. The conditions for placemaking—the space, the talent, and the need—are all present in Holyoke.

Innovative and sustainable urban development can occur by tapping the residents as the source of its innovation.

Innovative ideas for Holyoke can capitalize on the existing assets of the city, are inclusive of the existing community, and explore new and creative solutions to problems.

The placemaking principles opposite are based on successful efforts elsewhere, and respond to the cultural and physical contexts of Holyoke. The principles can guide placemaking actions, and result in places that are designed for people.

These principles can also serve as inspiration in the formation of new ideas that may improve the quality of city life, stimulate the economy, and improve the sustainability of the city.

PRINCIPLES FOR CREATING AN INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM


CONTEXT: THE BASICS | PRINCIPLES OF PLACEMAKING 25

The six placemaking strategies in this document are organized by these themes: art and creative expression, spontaneous interactions, pedestrian environments, connection to waterways, urban agriculture, and ecological repair.

Each of these themes shows a possible succession of individual placemaking ideas and represents one thread of the overall proposed innovation ecosystem. Each theme highlights initiatives already underway in Holyoke, and offers projects that build on existing efforts. Following the ecological metaphor, the themes identify existing pioneer species, explore intermediate strategies, and lead to a more stable, but still dynamic, future.

Community initiatives spawn new projects in unpredictable ways. The paths represented here are just one way that ideas could evolve from the people of Holyoke and the distinct assets of the city.

PLACEMAKING IDEAS

3130 A PLACEMAKING IDEABOOK FOR HOLYOKE’S INNOVATION DISTRICT10

THE CITY AS A FOREST AN ECOLOGICAL METAPHOR FOR HOLYOKE’S PLACEMAKING

When planning for innovation in Holyoke, it can help to think of the city as a forest ecosystem, and to see the ways its urban land uses change over time, as similar to the way forest vegetation changes.

For example, after a fire burns down trees in a forested area, a different group of plants may grow that are adapted to the newly created open conditions—including more sunshine and exposure to wind. As

these pioneer species grow, they change the area, making conditions hospitable for other plants that couldn’t get established right after the fire. Successive plant communities can be eventually replaced by other groups of plants, and typically through this process increased biological diversity and stability may result.

The process of ecological succession has similarities with successful placemaking.


THE CITY AS A FOREST AN ECOLOGICAL METAPHOR FOR HOLYOKE’S PLACEMAKING

HEALTHY

NATURAL

ECOSYSTEMS

SUCCESSFUL &

INNOVATIVE

PLACEMAKING

DIVERSE IN FORM AND FUNCTION

BUILT FROM EXISTING RESOURCES

DYNAMIC THROUGH TIME

START SMALL, GROW SLOW

THE CITY IS A FOREST | AN ECOLOGICAL METAPHOR

Ecosystems develop from the existing resources in their environment (for example, soils, available nutrients, and the amount of sunshine help determine which plant species will grow). Similarly, successful placemaking is an organic process that develops from the existing conditions of the urban environment.

As systems develop, their success is often dependent on their resilience. Responding to disturbance or change, successful ecosystems and placemaking processes are diverse and adaptable over time.

Being dynamic and allowing for a succession of projects and uses can lead to long-term, successful urban places.

Finally, placemaking processes and ecosystems both can start small and slow. Starting small means not investing large amounts of energy or resources too early in the process. For example, a forest disturbance may be followed by the establishment of grasses and wildflowers; along a city street, small, temporary sales carts may be transformed into permanent businesses.

27

Transposing ecological terms into the context of Holyoke’s innovation ecosystem can help guide interventions in the complex social and economic systems of the city.

Natural disturbances are isolated events or long-term patterns that change or alter the conditions of an ecosystem (such as a forest fire).

In Holyoke, a disturbance was created when the paper manufacturing industry left the city. A near monocul-ture of paper factories didn’t make the city resilient enough to withstand the economic implications of this exodus. This was one catalyst for a period of urban blight in the city.

With further development an ecosystem can reach

a dynamic equilibrium, where biodiversity is maintained and materials for growth are recycled, even with changes in species. A more diverse ecosystem tends to be resilient in the face of some disturbances.

As a diverse innovation ecosystem, Holyoke could reach a kind of dynamic equilibrium, where its economic and cultural activities create a robust city that supports a wide range of vibrant places, which in turn help make the city resilient as economic and cultural activities come and go over time.

Intermediate species build off of the work done by the pioneers. They may require more space and resources, and therefore may be slower to appear and grow, but are generally more ecologically produc-tive.

In Holyoke, intermediate placemaking strategies can build from a primed innovation ecosystem started by pioneers. These intermediates are larger projects and land uses that may need more resources and time to develop, and can lead to a more robust and self-sus-taining system.

Pioneer species take advantage of the condi-tions left after a disturbance. They are opportunists, and are able to thrive with few resources. Often, pioneer species have numerous individuals, but are relatively short-lived.

In Holyoke, social pioneers have been filling some of the vacancies left by economic disruption. These are small, grass-roots organizations and projects that make innovative use of the available resources.

THE CITY IS A FOREST | SUCCESSIONAL PLACEMAKING28 A PLACEMAKING IDEABOOK FOR HOLYOKE’S INNOVATION DISTRICT 29

providing a metaphor of ecological succession developing a whole-systems framework for understanding the city’s social and physical complexities

proposed placemaking strategies using graphics to portray innovative placemaking concepts

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Merging functional wayfinding tactics with creativity and visual innovation could enhance pedestrian circulation throughout the district. Integrating art into the design of a wayfinding system could bring color and life to the sidewalks and streets. One of Holyoke’s most distinctive qualities is its high concentration of industrial buildings with large brick facades. The city’s large, monolithic building surfaces could be utilized by the artist community as a medium for creative wayfinding projects, creating urban landmarks for local residents and visitors alike. Kevin Lynch, in The Image of the City, identified which features of the built city environment were important to its residents. He identified landmarks as being one of those elements. They are often physical structures such as a building or a sign and are somehow a prominent feature in the landscape. One example of a Holyoke landmark is City Hall, with its distinctive architecture and appearance. The presence of landmarks enables people to better navigate and understand where they are in the urban environment. Visual art displayed on infrastructural facades could become landmarks and create an innovative and artistic wayfinding system for people moving through Holyoke.

Collaborative efforts between public and private property owners, artists, businesses, and community groups for an artistic wayfinding system throughout the Innovation District could highlight art and cultural groups and buildings (such as Gateway City Arts, Open Square, and the like). Many artists in other cities have expanded their canvases to include public infrastructure, including the artists of the Philadelphia mural program described earlier. Creating large-scale works of art through the built environment could open up an opportunity for an “Innovation Walk” that brings residents and visitors around the city, telling them about the art work and the artists, organizations, and businesses that participated in them.

3. ART LANDMARKS AND WAYFINDING


This shows one example of what an artistic wayfinding system could look like in Holyoke. This example doesn’t necessarily propose painting the privately-owned buildings downtown. Rather, it conceptually represents how visuals could guide people through a city.

In this example, strips of bright colors line building facades, and color-code different clusters in a “subway map” fashion. Pedestrians could link the specific color to what that building is, helping them know where they are as they navigate through the city.

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Bioremediation of contaminated sites in Holyoke could potentially lead to the creation of new environmental industries in the city. Once specific plants and other organisms are identified as being effective in removing Holyoke-specific industrial contaminants, these species could be propagated at bioremediation centers in downtown. Innovative entrepreneurs or non-profits (such as Nuestras Raices, Cover Technologies Inc., or UMass Extension) may be valuable partners, and could help spread ecological awareness throughout communities while greening the city.

Such a phyto-remediation industry could lead to propagation centers such as plant nurseries or greenhouses that grow and distribute remediating plants. Residents could have access to these plants, either through a CSA model, grant funding, or private dollars. They could then grow them in their own neighborhoods or backyard gardens, creating a city-wide network of small bioremediation projects. This could empower the community by allowing them to participate in improving the environmental conditions and economic value of their neighborhoods. It could also improve the aesthetics and ecological functioning of Holyoke’s properties. These former industrial sites, with their large building footprints and industrial architecture, could provide ideal spaces for plant propagation or incubator spaces for new bioremediating businesses.

Downtown Holyoke would benefit from a new environmental industry that could bring much-needed innovative green jobs. The unemployment rate in the downtown neighborhoods hovers around 35 percent (9 percent citywide) and approximately 28.6 percent of households earn less than $15,000 annually (2010 US Census Bureau).

But remediation efforts could do more than just create those new jobs. They could stimulate the city’s economy as a whole, through providing educational and job training opportunities. There are currently many youth education programs downtown, including YouthBuild Holyoke, the Care Center in Holyoke, Nueva Esperanza, and Girls Inc. Another example is Nuestras Raices’ “Roots Up” Green Job Training Program, which provides training to young people in downtown Holyoke for positions in fields such as solar hot water system installation, energy audits and weatherization, and sustainable agriculture. New industries in environmental remediation could work with programs like these to provide the necessary training for brownfield redevelopment practices, as well as actively improve the ecological conditions and functioning within these environmental justice neighborhoods. Thus, Holyoke could become a leader in bioremediation strategies for industrial contaminants for the region.

4. NEW ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRIESThe proposed new environmental industry could in addition be a powerful placemaking mechanism for Holyoke. A repaired urban environment around the Innovation District would become a healthier, more beautiful, and more ecologically productive downtown area, as properties are transformed from vacant industrial building lots to bioremediating urban greenspaces built through ecological citizenship and a newly skilled workforce.

Data displays could be made visible to the public, and communicate the environmental or restorative processes that occur within the new environmental industries, fostering civic engagement and stewardship.

127126 A PLACEMAKING IDEABOOK FOR HOLYOKE’S INNOVATION DISTRICT12

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A dominant feature of downtown Holyoke is the high concentration of impervious surfaces, a byproduct of urbanization and industrialization. Though these sur-faces don’t necessarily degrade the pedestrian expe-rience, the area around the Innovation District could benefit from more open space or green infrastructure so that the built environment is more connected with the natural environment.

The Green Streets Guidebook notes that in downtown Holyoke “impervious surface covers 63 percent of the landscape and open space covers only 5 percent” (Carlson, Caughey and Ward 2014). This has strong implications for Holyoke’s impact on the Connecti-cut River, since “water quality becomes degraded when total impervious surface exceeds 10 percent.” Finally, Holyoke is required by the EPA to reduce its combined sewer runoff (CSOs) and treat its polluted stormwater.

City officials have an opportunity to incorporate community placemaking in projects that reduce the amount of impervious surface in Holyoke. Commu-nity involvement in environmental activism has eco-logical, economic, and social benefits, and connecting open spaces and installing green infrastructure on

the streets could be a powerful way to create posi-tive community places in downtown Holyoke. For example, engaging the community in the creation of infiltrating rain gardens (either in the design or con-struction phases) along the streets downtown would provide the city with infrastructure that addresses the CSO problem, as well as beautifies the neighborhoods and creates a sense of ownership.

In addition, street signs could explain how green infrastructure improves ecosystem functioning (see pg. 122), and inform residents and visitors about the city’s ecological connections to regional systems (such as the Connecticut River watershed), promoting landscape literacy.

IMPERVIOUS SURFACESSOURCE: Office of Geographic Information (MassGIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information Technology Division, February 2014

IMPERVIOUS SURFACE COVERAGEIN DOWNTOWN HOLYOKE

PERMEABLE SURFACE

IMPERVIOUS SURFACE


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The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) acknowledges that urban planning strategies and designated places that support temporary activation tends to lead to more permanent commercial areas. HUD’s publication on temporary urbanism points out that: “evidence suggests that the temporary reactivation of underutilized land leads to eventual permanent use, another potential benefit of this planning strategy. Temporary uses, particularly when clustered in a specific locality, can alter existing identities for neighborhoods—or even create entirely new ones—that are attractive to investors” (HUD 2014). A culture supportive of temporary and pop-up businesses could attract those investors, and contribute to the creation of a vibrant commercial center downtown. Social media networks in particular could be a powerful tool in marketing temporary uses or pop-ups in an area. “Social networking applications such as Facebook and Twitter are being used to rapidly propagate an otherwise ‘exclusive’ pop-up project to a broad or niche audience. In instances where the temporary use activities aim to ameliorate social and cultural inequality, media coverage is also essential for generating wider awareness and garnering political support” (HUD 2014). Social networking applications can also be tracked to reflect the popularity (and possibly even success) of commercial or cultural activity in an area. A map of

Facebook “likes” of the various cultural resources (see pg. 41) in downtown Holyoke (opposite) shows a clustering of Facebook “likes” in the area around Dwight Street in downtown Holyoke and around Veteran’s Park. Of note is Fernandez Family Restaurant with 3,914 “likes,” Paper City Brewery with 2,454, the Holyoke YMCA with 1,449, the Holyoke Public Library with 1,221, and Nuestras Raices with 1,034. The distribution of Facebook “likes” indicates that certain Holyoke businesses have become cultural institutions, such as in the case of Fernandez Family Restaurant, and that groups with a high social networking presence are geographically clustered near each other.

This kind of clustering could indicate the start of a small-business center, where Holyoke’s cultural institutions and businesses collaborate, with the common goal to reactivate Holyoke’s derelict spaces and create a vibrant commercial center downtown. HUD sees the importance of this kind of collaboration, suggesting that “capitalizing on social relationships between different groups and individuals—in particular, the sharing of knowledge, strategies, and experience—can be an important tool for fostering clusters of temporary use projects in a certain area. In addition, networking can engender new forms of cooperation; an area might develop a communal sense of identity, or members can benefit from economies of scale when negotiating permits” (HUD 2014).

3. A VIBRANT COMMERCIAL DOWNTOWN


proposed placemaking strategies providing an informed vision, supporting ideas with meaningful and creative site analyses

Smaller pop-ups and temporary uses in Holyoke could lead to this kind of urban center, where clusters of commercial activity foster a sense of cooperation through local small-business development. Accepting pop-ups as a valid and powerful method of economic development lead to a city where experimentation and innovation is embraced in economic development, leading to a city that is dynamic and resilient to future economic challenges.

Fernandez Family Restaurant The Cake Lady

Enchanted Circle Theatre

Holyoke Children’s Museum

Capri Pizza

Nuestras RaicesNueva Esperanza

Paper City Brewery

Holyoke Public Library

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13

land management planning

SHERBORN, MA

APR - JUNE 2014

As part of a two-person team, this project aimed to provide a vision and strategies for ecologically-sound land management for a 200-acre town-owned forest in Sherborn, MA. Just 20 miles from downtown Boston, this large open space is surrounding by urban development, and has the potential to serve many people in environmental justice communities. This parcel is used for passive recreation on the reservation’s trails by the local residents, especially equestrians and dog-walkers.

But more notably, the reservation is also heavily used and impacted by utility companies. Natural gas pipelines, an industrial railroad, and electricity transmission lines all dissect and fragment this landscape. But within these linear and man-made features are dynamic and sensitive natural habitats. A beaver pond in the center of the property is expanding as the beavers continue to pool water, roughly 13-acres of hayfields remain in reminder of the reservation’s historic homestead, and areas of upland forest contain vernal pools and other valuable habitats. This project aimed to address and mitigate the impact of the utility corridors and integrate public access and recreation onto the site, while still maintaining ecological integrity.

This management plan provided the Sherborn Conservation Commission with vision alternatives for the Barber Reservation, and identified a plan that would integrate utility corridor maintenance with the needs of the residents and wildlife that use the site. Design features and management recommendations included details for a native meadow establishment, a parking area schematic design, invasive species management, rotational grazing plan and strategies, forestry recommendation, and trail re-design.

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Proposed PlanPromoting restoration & integrity

Figure 11.1: The Barber Reservation Proposed Plan

Re-Routed Bay Circuit TrailThe Bay Circuit Trail is reconnected to the Barber Reservation via a route around the northern edge

of the beaver pond through the Humphrey’s Conservation Area. This trail alignment has to

remain flexible as it is within a potentially dynamic landscape. Rerouting to the north may be necessary

in response to changes in the beaver pond.

Beaver Pond Viewing BoardwalkVisitors also have the option to view wildlife from a boardwalk. The boardwalk allows people to step away from the woods-edge and out into the edge of the active beaver pond. The boardwalk can be

reached from two directions by a footpath that meanders around the interior edge of the pond.

Because the boardwalk lies inside of the dynamic landscape buffer, it is movable.

Expanded Native MeadowThe hayfields are connected by removing the hedgerows and removing the stone walls between them. They are then re-seeded as a native meadow, thereby increasing the site’s biodiversity and providing habitat for field-nesting birds. The meadow is expanded to include road frontage, allowing views into the reservation and across the fields.

New Park-like EntranceThe entrance experience is improved by creating a more engaging environment that also improves ecological functioning and presents cultural values. The old homestead lawn is replanted as a community food forest.

The parking area is improved to accommodate more visitors, as well as potential staging operations for timber, biochar, and food production (see Sheets 12-14).

A community pavilion sits on the impacted site of the former tennis court. As this is the area with the most invasive plant species, impact is concentrated here to reduce their population and help control their spread.

Integrating Utility Maintenance with Meadow The meadow is connected to the transmission line corridor to enhance the potential for wild-life migration in and out of the interior of the reservation. This connection could increase the reservation’s wildlife value and biodiversity.

This proposed design accommodates the need for public access and recreation and creates more cultural value for residents by providing facilities, trails, and structures across the landscape, including access to unique landscape features.

The beaver pond and the hayfields are allowed to expand, therefore increasing their habitat function, value, and ecosystem services, such as water retention.

Finally, utility corridors are used as points of access onto the reservation and their maintenance is integrated into the overall management plan.

Bridge to Rail-to-TrailA bridge is constructed across the northern branch of the beaver pond to connect to the regional rail-

to-trail path extending from the south, providing another entrance into the Barber Reservation.

Using this route, visitors have easy access to the beaver habitat and the chance to view wildlife. This

bridge would help establish permanent regional trail connections to the Barber Reservation via the rail-trail and the Bay Circuit Trail by crossing over

the beaver pond instead of traversing the wetlands around it.

THE HUMPHREY’S CONSERVATION AREA

PROPOSED RAIL-TO-TRAIL

CONNECTED MEADOW

BEAVER POND

Designated Horse PathsThe trails on the Barber Reservation are designated for different uses, separating mixed-use and hiking-only trails and minimizing site disturbance by following gentle slopes across contours. Areas of pooling water are avoided and the wildlife blind is buffered, reducing conflict between user groups. Turning radii are kept obtuse to reduce erosion from high-impact use (such as with horses) and to eliminate the occurrence of cut-throughs across steeper slopes.PIPELINES

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site analysis providingsite-specificandmeaningfulsiteanalysesthatalsoworktoeducatetheclient’sandplan-setaudience

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Figure 6.1:Beaver Habitat Cycle

Woodland StreamChannelized woodland streams are good beaver habitat, especially when the forest contains vegetation that beavers like to eat, like red maple.

WETLAND SYSTEM

RAILROAD TRACKS

BEAVER POND

DYNAMIC LANDSCAPE BUFFER

A Beaver PondOnce beavers enter a location they begin digging channels, building dams and lodges, and pooling water so they have access to

A Beaver Meadow Eventually, the old pond drains and plant succession takes over, using the rich soil that was created by the beaver pond. This community of herbaceous plants in a wet meadow is very valuable habitat for birds and woodland species. With time, woodier plants take hold and revert these areas back to woodlands.

food. But when their ponds no longer provide enough food, or when their dams fail, they leave the site.

HUMPHREY’S CONSERVATION AREA

The Barber Reservation has abundant beaver habitat, and beaver activity should be accepted and planned for.

The Barber Reservation is part of a larger beaver habitat area within a regional wetland complex. This larger wetland complex has active beaver populations, and it is possible that beavers present on the Barber Reservation now have migrated from one of these populations. BeaverremovalintheCommonwealthisoftendifficulttoexecute,asaresultof extensivepermittingprocesses and legal restrictions. Additionally, any beaver removal practices on the site would likely be ineffective, since many more beavers live off site in the rest of the wetland complex, and can readily move back into the Barber Reservation. A more productive approach to beaver management on the site would be to allow the beavers space to complete their life cycle, celebrate the diverse ecosystems they create, and enjoythemanyecologicalfunctionstheyprovide(seeFigure6.1),whichcouldultimatelybenefitthehumancommunities in the area. Because of the topography of the site and its neighboring parcels, it is unlikely that beaver ponds wouldfloodthehomesonhighergroundjusttothesouthof Barber.Therefore,propertydamageshouldnotbe a strong concern for these residents. However, beaver pond migration may happen in some low-lying areas just to the north of the Barber Reservation, in an area known as the Humphrey’s Conservation Area. Although no property damage is anticipated if such a expansion occurred, there may be implications for land management in the lowland area. Figure 6.2 shows the extent of a “dynamic landscape buffer,” delineated by outlining the topographic low-lying area. This is the area that can collect water, has small channelizedwoodlandstreams,andcontainsbeaverhabitatandthereforemaybepronetofloodingorchanging hydrological conditions. In regards to a management plan, it would be best to minimize any possible impact, disturbance, or infrastructure in this area, so as to prevent property damage. This buffer also takes into account that beaver habitat is dynamic in nature, as shown in Figure 6.1. Currently, the central area of Barber is a beaver pond. But with time, if and when beavers leave the area, a beaver meadow will form here, changing the landscape and creating new ecological conditions.

Beaver activity in Barber

FIGURE 6.2: The blue dashed line shows the dynamic landscape buffer for the Barber Reservation, which includes much of the low-lying area of the property, as well as the area which has been separated from the larger wetland system to the west.

Wetland systems are dynamic and changing For the railroad to run across the Barber Reservation, an embankment was built to lift the tracks above the wetland. The embankment essentially became a dam in the wetland. In the Barber Reservation, the railroad dike did not just stop water from draining to the west, it also likely raised the already high water table toabove-groundexposure.Itispossiblethatwhatisnowabeaverpondfirstbeganasaseepinawoodedareaas the water table rose to new heights. With a railroad embankment already serving as a successful dam across the wetland, beavers had todorelativelylittletodamwaterflowingthroughtheembankmentculverts,andthendamtheresultingperipheralflows.Theresulthasbeenanexpandingpondbehindarisingwatertable. An active wetland landscape is dynamic and ever changing. All low-lying areas in and around the Barber Reservation are susceptible to beaver activity and, subsequently, inundation. However, the dynamic landscape buffer does not solely correlate to beaver activity. Large or prolonged storms can raise the water table, as can a dramatic landscape disturbance (such as clear-cutting or poor agricultural practices) above these low areas. Therefore, low areas may change as a result of several different factors or variables, and it is best to designatethemasno-buildorlow-impactsitestoalleviateanymoreconflictbetweenman-madeandnaturallandscape features and thus prioritizing habitat health and ecosystem functioning.

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schematic patch design a proposed plan for the historic homestead, which is converted to a productive and community-based landscape

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EXISTING LARGE WHITE PINE HEDGE-ROW

EXISTING TRUCK ACCESS TO REMAIN


WESTERN

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EXISTING OLD APPLE GROVE TO REMAIN

EXISTING DECIDUOUS FOREST TO REMAIN

MEADOW PLANTINGS

MEADOW PLANTINGS

NEW NATURAL PLAYGROUND AREA AMONG LARGE BOULDERS

EXISTING MULTI-USE TRAIL TO NATIVE MEADOW

EXISTING MULTI-USE TRAIL ALONG WESTERN AVENUE TO NATIVE MEADOW

EXISTING FOOT TRAIL TO NEW WILDLIFE VIEWING BLIND


MEADOW PLANTINGS

FIGURE 12.1: Proposed Homestead Area

NEW PATH ALONG STREAM

Feet

*Contour lines represent one-foot contour intervals, and are created from a survey of existing conditions. The proposed plan may require grading changes that are not shown in this plan.

NEW FOREST GARDEN

Homestead Plan

Improved Gravel Parking LotThe parking lot largely retains its existing footprint, but incorporates an informal truck access path just to the north. A new stone wall separates the edge of the parking lot and Western Avenue. The large 4.3’ black walnut tree remains, shading part of the parking area.

Community Food Forest on ContourA productive food forest is planted for community use and education. Swales and berms on contour store and infiltrate runoff down the slope, as fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, and productive ground covers are planted together to mimic natural plant communities. Permitting would be required to build the swales and berms. A forest garden can be established on contour without swales and berms, but plantings would be limited to moisture-loving species primarily. The existing old apple orchard is revived by understory thinning and pruning and incorporated in this forest garden.

Meadow in Original LawnMeadow plants and wildflowers are seeded in this exist-ing homestead lawn, creating an inviting entrance that reflects the large native meadow in the interior of the reservation.

Series of Short Loop TrailsThis one-tenth-mile outer trail allows visitors to walk a short loop in the homestead area that takes them past the pond, the food forest, and the woodland stream, and along the historic renovated barn. A series of inner loops allow for shorter walks.

Staging Area and Renovated BarnThe area between the parking lot and the renovated barn is planted with reinforced turf, thereby allowing staging to occur near parked utility vehicles and the barn. This historic barn can be used by community members or coordinators working in the food forest.

Trailhead Lean-toThe original stone foundation is rehabilitated, and

covered with an open-air lean-to. This allows visitors a shaded place for gathering, picnicking, or resting before

or after a walk.

Barrier-free PathMost of the paths circulating around the homestead

area are placed so they require minimal grading to achieve a 5% slope. The looped trail system in the

homestead area is now accessible to many user groups.

Wet Meadow BoardwalkA boardwalk is built over the wet area of this lawn,

around a groundwater seep. The boardwalk provides water and wetland education opportunities while traversing saturated soils to complete a loop trail.

Being inside of the resource area, boardwalk and trail construction will require permitting.

The old homestead, which is the main access point onto the site and the center of human activity in Barber, becomes a day-park. The proposed design builds on existing use patterns to create more recreation, educational, and productive spaces in the homestead, as well as increase the reservation’s curb appeal. Visitors now have the option to interact with the landscape immediately upon arrival. Walking paths lead visitors around the homestead to the renovated barn, a lean-to, a forest garden, a wet meadow, a stream, and a staging area for on-site processing of forest products such as timber, biochar, and food.

The old homestead becomes a park

Community PavilionThis structure is built in the footprint of the former

tennis court (in the last construction phases of the homestead area), and provides a space for staging or gathering for public or educational events in Barber

while offering the area as a focus for intensive invasive plant species removal.


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land management details providingspecificstrategiesforsustainablepubliclandsmaintenanceandmanagement

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Homestead Phasing

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EWFigure 13.2: Section A-A’Existing & Proposed Homestead Area

Figure 13.1: Aerial perspective of the proposed homestead area, featuring the community food forest and pavilion.

NEW REGRADED STAGING AREA, WITH REINFORCED TURF


MEADOW PLANTINGS TO REPLACE LAWN

WET LAWN & GROUNDWATER SEEP

EXISTING BLACK WALNUT AND SPRUCE TREES

EXISTING CONDITIONS:

PROPOSED DESIGN:

FOREST EDGE

REINFORCED TURF

EXISTING OLD APPLE GROVE

MEADOW

FOOT TRAIL TO WILDLIFE VIEWING BLIND


RENOVATED BARN

COMMUNITY PAVILION

EXISTING FOOT TRAIL TO NATIVE MEADOW

0 25 50 Feet

FOOD FOREST PLANTINGS ON CONTOUR

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MEADOW PARKING


Phase 1: Late summer• Allexcavationandbermingshouldbedoneinlatesummer

whenthewatertableislowandenoughgrowingseasonremainstoestablishacovercropforthefallandwinter.Acovercropwillstabilizethenewlydisturbedsoilandlimitweedgrowth.

• Fillandgradingforthestagingareaandextendtheparkinglotcanalsobedoneatthistimewhilemachineryisalreadyonsite.Reinforcedturf shouldbedugintoplaceandlightlymulchedtopreventerosion.

• Buildingthetrailheadlean-toduringthisinitialphasemaygivecommunitymembersasenseof progresswhileconstructioncontinuesintothenextseason.

Phase 2: Spring• Walkingpathsshouldbestakedoutearlyinthespringand

observedthroughoutthewettestseasonsoadjustmentsinthedesigncanbemadebeforethepathsaremadepermanent.

• Bare-roottreesandshrubsthatwereorderedduringthewintershouldbeplantedafterhavingtheirrootssoakedinanall-naturalmycrorhizaldipthathelpstheplantrootsquicklyestablishwiththefungipresentinthesoil.Heavymulchingisrecommendedtoholdinmoistureandsuppressweedgrowth.

• Alighttillingof thesoilshouldbedoneafterseasonaldelugesbutbeforethelastspringrains,followedbytheseedingand

mattingof nativemeadowplantspecies.Apolyculturemixof nitrogen-fixinganddynamic-accumulatingplantspeciesshouldbesownthroughouttheforestgarden(seeAppendixIforafoodforestplantpalette).

Phase 3: Early summer• Walkingpathsshouldbebuiltinearlysummeroncethemeadow

hasbeguntoestablish.If themeadowhasgrowntoohigh,thepathsshouldbemowedbeforethetreadisdug,lined,andlightlyfilledwithcrushedgravelorheavilytoppedwithwoodchipsfromtreeschippedonsite.

Phase 4: Mid-summer to mid-fall• Newlyplantedtreesandshrubsshouldbewateredif rainfall

isscarcethroughoutthesummer.End-of-the-seasondonatedplantsshouldbeplantedinearlyfall,heavilywatered,andthicklymulchedtoprotectagainstthewinterfreeze-and-thawcycle.

WESTERN AVENUE

EXTENDED PARKING CONFIGURATION

PARKING LOT

WESTERN AVENUE

FOOD FOREST PLANTINGS ON CONTOUR, WITH SWALES AND BERMS (PERMITTING REQUIRED)

EXISTING 4.3’ DIAMETER BLACK WALNUT


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land management techniques acknowledging the presence of invasive species, but recommending realitic strategies for management to clients

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Figure 21.1: Proposed priority management areas for invasive plant species

The proposed invasive management plan is integrated with other proposed management solutions, such as a developed and concentrated homestead redesign, the meadow establishment, and rotational livestock grazing. These activities will concentrate human energy in a given area, and therefore make land management more efficient and effective. Management strategies in the homestead area (see Sheet 14) and native meadow (see Sheet 16) are proposed so that they can be integrated with a holistic invasive species management program, and reduce the growing capacity of the identified invasive plant species of concern within them.

The invasive plants that require focused attention are:• Buckthorn in the small old field and beneath the transmission lines.• Asiatic bittersweet in the old hedgerow in the center of the proposed native meadow.• Asiatic bittersweet and multi-flora rose in the homestead area, and especially around the proposed

community pavilion area.• Japanese knotweed adjacent to the beaver pond, which should be monitored closely if beaver pond

water levels change.

These plants in the proposed priority areas are chosen for focused attention because of their proximity to sensitive or vulnerable habitats, their aggressive spreading mechanisms, and the feasibility of effective management on Barber.

Mechanical (hand) removal is recommended in the first phase, since it would be more effective in removing the large woody masses of the plants (especially large bittersweet vines), and would properly remove any fruit or seeds on the plants. When these larger plants are removed, their biomass can be used in the creation of biochar on site. This is an effective method for recycling the plant’s nutrients and reducing the costs of compost or fertilizer (see Sheet 14 for more details).

Phase 1: Focusing efforts

Phase 2: Following through

Phase 3: Monitoring & continued management

After large-scale removal in the first phase, annual cutting or removal will be required for long-term management. This would remove the species that are migrating into areas of forest, wetland, or meadow, thereby concentrating their populations in the highly impacted or managed areas (such as the homestead area).

This phase can be done with targeted rotational grazing and/or mechanical removal. Goat browsing can target undesired plant species while improving soil fertility. Once the large woody plants are removed with their attached seeds, livestock grazing or browsing in managed areas will continue to keep the young plants cut, therefore reducing their growing capacity. Letting the animals browse in the late spring (or during the flowering phase, before the plants fruit) will ensure that they do not consume (and therefore spread) the plant’s seeds. Additionally, this stage of the plant’s lifecycle is when energy in the form of plant carbohydrates is sent from the roots and into the new growth. A plant is greatly weakened when it is cut or eaten at this time.

Finally, a continued monitoring program is recommended for invasive species management. The Land Management Task Force should decide on the extent of invasive species management for the Barber Reservation (i.e., a monitoring program or attempted small-scale eradication). But with any management plan, care should be taken to ensure that base-line species data is created, a more detailed and specific management plan is developed, and a monitoring program is established. More information and study would be needed to develop a detailed and comprehensive invasive species management plan.

Japanese knotweed grows along the edge of the beaver pond, which is a naturally dynamic landscape that will likely change in the future. If the beaver pond drains, and the land transitions to a beaver meadow, it may be vulnerable to invasive species migration.

Asiatic bittersweet and multiflora rose in this central hedgerow may potentially expand into the fields without proper management.

Shade-tolerant buckthorn in this early succession old field may spread into the surrounding forest.

Multi-flora rose, Asiatic bittersweet, and black locust dominate the historically disturbed homestead area.

Buckthorns beneath the transmission lines provide an abundant seed source on the property, and may spread into the beaver pond area and/or the native meadow.

FIGURE 21.2: (A) Sumac seeds grow in conical clusters and are favored by birds and insects. (B) Sumac hedges grow and spread readily by lateral root systems which can be established to compete with aggressive invasive vegetation such as glossy buckthorn.

INVASIVE “HOT SPOTS”

AREAS OF POTENTIAL SPREAD

TRANSMISSION LINE

HOMESTEAD AREA

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RAILROAD

BEAVER POND

HAYFIELDS

SMALL SATELLITE FIELD

Invasive Plant Management

Because of the persistent nature of many invasive plant species, it is often impractical to expend energy in efforts to fully eradicate them. Instead, it may be more effective to identify areas where focused attention should be directed, and where management is likely to be successful.

To begin to identify focus areas, ecologically sensitive, vulnerable, or valuable areas are identified. In this case, the wetlands, beaver pond, and meadows have the most ecological integrity on the site, due to their size and habitat value. Therefore, it would be appropriate to focus efforts on maintaining these habitats. Next, invasive area “hot spots,” or disturbed areas with high invasive plant concentrations, should be located. The hot spots are mapped in relationship to the ecologically sensitive areas, to determine if the invasive plants threaten to migrate into those places. It would be best if efforts were focused on invasive plant management in these areas.

Buckthorns beneath the transmission line corridor, Asiatic bittersweet in the meadow, and Japanese knotweed along the railroad adjacent to the beaver pond all threaten to migrate into ecologically valuable areas. By examining those plant species’ ecologies, prevalence on the Barber Reservation, and proximity to vulnerable areas on the property, priority management has been identified for Barber (Figure 21.1). See Appendix III for a table of more information on invasive plant species’ ecologies, and their priority ranking on the Barber Reservation.

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master planningFLETCHER, VT

JAN - SEPT 2013

As part of a two-person team, this master plan project hoped to stream-line the efforts of Camp DREAM, a non-profit organization that provides a free summer camp experience for under-privileged youths in the northeast. The organization lacked a long-term vision for the site, and needed to organize their improvement efforts so that the limited funding and volunteer resources that they periodically receive could be used efficiently and work towards their long-term goal. This comprehensive plan categorized the individually projects as tweaks, quick fixes, or larger construction projects, and proposed a sequence of improvements that made sense for the camp’s growth. The master plan project’s key themes were designing for outdoor experiences and education, improving the “curb appeal” and entrance experience, working within a densely forested and ecologically sensitive environment, and designing for site sustainability.

With limited funds and limited resources, projects at Camp DREAM often happen in phases as materials and volunteer time are made available. Taking this and other factors into consideration, including local community involvement, ecological landscape, and areas of highest use, Emily and Shane approached the task with fresh eyes and a genuine interest in the future of Camp DREAM. We are so grateful for their beautifully crafted and committed work.-Camp DREAM, project client

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finalproposeddesign

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site assessment and analysis: providingmeaningfulsiteanalysestomeetclient’sspecificneedsandthecamp’sprogramming

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COMPOSTING TOILET

SOLAR SHOWER & GREY WATER

GARDENS

TREEHOUSE

CAMP DREAMPROPOSED SITE PLAN DETAIL: LEAN-TO AREA

SWIMMING DOCK

BOAT RACK & LAUNCH

CAMP DREAMPROPOSED SITE PLAN DETAIL: CAMP ENTRANCE

TAYLOR ROAD

PARKING TURNAROUND

IMPROVED ENTRANCE SIGNAGE

STAGING TOOLSHED

“FERN GULLY”WETLAND BOARDWALK

proposed patch design: proposinglow-costdesignideasandarrgangingspacesforimprovedefficiencyofcampstaff

(other work)

sketches, drawings, and photography

Field studies, botanical drawing, and free-hand sketching are all important aspects of my practice. Recreating the physical landscape (either small-scale botanical studies to large-scale landscapes) helps me to communicate ideas through drawing and graphics, and improves the visual quality of the final deliverables. I continue to practice botanical illustrations, architectural freehand drawing, and figure study to refine this skill, as well as creating compostions through photography, especially outdoor and nature photography.

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(other work)

a creative eco-business

Ugly Old Sweater is a business concept that re-purposes old sweaters into creative uses and fashions. It started as a hobby, and turned into a small business through small-scale retail online. As the sole proprietor, I work with recycled materials and my own eye for aesthetics and textural qualities to create eco-friendly products for this niche market.

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E M I LY A . D A V I S

[email protected] (203)-470-3205

801 N. Poland Rd, Conway MA

emily a. davis design portfolio

Documents

intelligent design

design process

good design

ecological design principles

meaningful design solutions

successful design solutions

new paltznew paltz

blue sky design