Cramer Hill Nature Preserve Reinvisioning the Cooper River and the Harrison Avenue Landfill
Brad DiPadova LARC 9995 Capstone Restoration Design Project Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
I DREAM’D in a dream, I saw a city invincible to the attacks of the whole of the rest of the earth; I dream’d that was the new City of Friends; Nothing was greater there than the quality of robust love—it led the rest; It was seen every hour in the actions of the men of that city, And in all their looks and words.
-Walt Whitman
Cramer Hill Nature Preserve Table of Contents
Introduction
Page 3
Goals
Page 4
Analysis History Timeline People and Place Camden County, NJ Cooper River Harrison Ave. Landfill Greenspace Connections Land use Topography Hydrology Existing Conditions
Page 5
Case Studies Woodbridge Waterfront Park Fresh Kills Park Riverbend Commerce Park
Page 23
Design Concepts Restoration Community Ecological
Page 27
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
Design Master Plan Gateway Visitor’s Center Stormwater Management System Wetland Wetland Overlook Boardwalk Treehouse
Page 35
Restoration Woodland Meadow Wetland
Page 45
Monitoring Monitoring Plan Data Sheets
Page 53
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Cramer Hill Nature Preserve Introduction Over the past century we have watched as our country has grown wealthier, more powerful and more populous. This century of growth has also been one of change as our national livelihood has shifted from production to consumption. Industrial centers have become relics, and have fallen into disrepair. This trend is very evident on the shores of the Delaware River in Camden, New Jersey. The Camden waterfront was once a bustling port and manufacturing district. As plants and factories closed and port facilities became out of date the city became well-known for unchecked violence and corruption. The clock tower of Camden City Hall rises well above the surroundings and is emblazoned with the words “In a dream I saw a city invincible” written by Walt Whitman. These words have become the motto of the city and a rallying cry to reimagine the city. New bright spots are emerging like the new Ray and Joan Kroc Salvation Army Center which provides a vast array of health and wellness services to the community and is adjacent to the site of this project. Ecological education is an important piece of the project, but the site is not envisioned as a run of the mill nature center. The project will seek to include new media and social networking in a unique educational experience. There will be a visitor’s center to provide wayfinding, classroom space, and restrooms as well as a café space to make longer visits and repeat visits more likely. This project will propose improved connections to green spaces along the Cooper River. The project will also include the creation of the Cramer Hill Nature Preserve on the former Harrison Avenue Landfill site. The plan will include wetland restoration, streambank restoration and other ecological improvements. The design will seek to provide visitors with a place to experience a rich natural ecosystem and to provide ecological uplift to the area. The project site is located in the city of Camden, NJ, and sits at the confluence of the Cooper River and Delaware River. This location is significant for both restoration and social opportunities. The site has a history of disturbance and was home to the Harrison Avenue landfill which occupied 85 acres and operated from 1952 to 1971. The area is part of the Cramer Hill Brownfield Development Area (BDA), which consists of eight parcels of land covering over 200 acres of land and 2 miles of shoreline. The site is directly connected to the new Ray and Joan Kroc Center and also next to the new State Street Bridge which is a key passage for the Camden Greenway.
Images showing the existing parks along the Cooper River and the amenities there. Above a bald eagle perched across the back channel from the site on the future Petty Island wildlife reserve
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Cramer Hill Nature Preserve Goals and Objectives The mission of this project is to connect green spaces in Camden to a larger greenspace network along the Cooper River, bringing the benefits of open-space, recreation and the preservation of natural lands to the residents of the City of Camden. The plan also aims to restore a portion of the former Harrison Avenue Landfill to a functional ecosystem and preserve greenspace connected to the Cooper River Park system and the future Petty Island Nature Preserve.
Connect
Create a vibrant greenway along the Cooper River to connect existing parks along the river with the Delaware River Waterfront and to create better access to the Cooper River for Camden residents by proposing better pedestrian routes.
Restore
Restore ecosystem function to the Harrison Ave. Landfill site by ecological restoration of the existing woodland on the site and the planting of a successional cover crop in areas cleared during EPA remediation activities.
Educate
Provide education and access to a healthy native dominated woodland for residents. The proximity to local school and the new KROC Community Center will make this site an excellent location for community ecological education and volunteer opportunities.
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Analysis
Urban sites are complex places that must serve not only a variety of functions, but also a variety of users. Understanding a site’s history and location as well as its role in the community requires a careful inventory and analysis. This section investigates the environmental, historical and social context of the Harrison Avenue Landfill site that is the future home of the Cramer Hill Nature Preserve. Consideration of all of these factors is essential in shaping the design and programming of the site.
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Analysis
History
The City of Camden dates back to the early 1800’s and for much of its early history was a prosperous shipping and manufacturing city. It’s proximity to Philadelphia and the numerous ferry services allowed workers from across the Delaware to live in Camden. During the 1920’s and 1930’s the city was home to the Victor Talking Machine Company, later dubbed RCA Victor. The city’s shipyards turned out 500 naval vessels for the military during the mid 1900’s including the supercarrier USS Kitty Hawk. After the war ended the fortunes of Camden changed. Shipyards and factories shut down and the businesses that supported the workforce began failing amidst rising unemployment. The recent history of Camden is darker. 1971 saw fierce race riots after the shooting of a Puerto Rican man by police. Three Camden mayors have been sent to jail for corruption and the beleaguered police force was fired en masse and replaced by a new county run force. The Harrison Avenue Landfill in the Cramer Hill section of North Camden is a microcosm for the decline of the city. The section of a once vibrant waterfront that gave birth to great navel ships like the USS Indianapolis and was home to the Victor Talking Machine company, later known as RCA. In the period from just after WWII into the early 70’s the population decreased by a third as industries left one after another. The city was left to wallow, just as the Harrison Ave. Landfill was. Out of funding and hope the city left the dump to wallow in 1971, not properly closing the site until the EPA intervened in 2007. Camden still persists, despite grim statistics on education, violence and drug use. In recent years the city has been fighting to reestablish itself. In 1992 the new Adventure Aquarium was constructed at the waterfront, followed by the arrival of the USS New Jersey in 2000 and the Riversharks Stadium in 2001. Currently there are plans to build a new 700 Million dollar urban development for the Camden waterfront and the city has been designated a “Promise Zone” by the Federal Government, making Camden a primary recipient of Federal funds.
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
NY
CT
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NJ Philadelphia
City of Camden
MD Camden County
DE
Delaware River
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Analysis Timeline
1734
The Benjamin Cooper House is one of only two structures remaining from the Pre-Revolutionary War era
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1830
The Camden and Amboy Railroad was chartered to create a connection between the Delaware and Rariton Rivers and is one of the first Railroads in the country
1926
The Delaware River Bridge, later named the Ben Franklin Bridge is completed linking Camden with downtown Philadelphia
1935
The Campbell’s Soup Company was receiving 300,000 bushels a day from NJ farmers at its Camden Plant
Analysis
Timeline
1960
The 61,00 ton supercarrier USS Kitty Hawk was built at NY Shipbuilding Corp. in Camden, NJ
1971
Racial tensions erupt after a man was killed by Police, the city was devastated by fires and looting
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
2012
Rowan University opens the 140 million dollar Cooper Medical school in downtown Camden
2015
Rowan University opens the 140 million dollar Cooper Medical school in downtown Camden
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Analysis
Cramer Hill Neighborhood: People and Place
Cramer Hill is a neighborhood in North Camden defined by the Delaware and Cooper Rivers to the west and north, and the Conrail rail yard and 36th street. re
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Cramer Hill was the site of Camden’s first airport in the 1920’s near Ablett Village, which was built on the site during the mid 1900’s.
The makeup of the neighborhood shifted away from its German roots over the years and during the 1960’s and 1970’s saw an influx of African American and Hispanic residents. In the wake of the race riots of 1971 the city of Camden saw its population plummet. Cramer Hill has been one of the most stable neighborhoods in the last twenty years and has become a popular target for redevelopment efforts.
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The community grew as more jobs were created by the Petty Island refinery and the construction of the Delaware River Bridge, later named the Ben Franklin Bridge. The construction of the bridge created tons of debris and the Harrison Avenue Landfill was created to handle the material and by the 1950’s was used as a municipal dump.
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The area got its name from Alfred Cramer, a developer who purchased much of the land in the late 1800’s. The area benefited from industry along the rivers and the rail yard. Many of the early residents were German immigrants drawn to Germanowned shipyards.
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Cramer Hill Nature Preserve (CHNP) site boundary
Analysis
Cramer Hill Neighborhood: People and Place
Cramer Hill Population 10,035 240 Acres of underused riverfront
Income
North Camden Camden Average Cramer Hill Camden County State of New Jersey
$16,000 $23,400 $25,900 $48,000 $55,000
38% of residents are under the age of 18
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
35% of land in Cramer Hill is VACANT
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Analysis Regional Context Camden County, NJ The city of Camden is located in Camden County, just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. Camden is located within the inner coastal plain region of New Jersey, an area characterized by low-lying lands and fertile well-drained soils. During the remediation of the site a large amount of waste and contaminated soils were removed from the site and replaced with dredge fill from the Delaware river, significantly altering the soil matrix on the site. Geologic bedrock in the area is made up of sediments of unconsolidated sand, silt and clay. The topography of the region is generally flat with some rolling hills comprised of more erosion-resistant sediments. The wooded areas of southern NJ are largely comprised of mixed oak forest shifting towards more pine dominated forests as one approaches the Pine lands. Key species in the mixed oak forest in this area are Quercus rubra. red oak, Quercus alba, white oak and Quercus velutina, black oak are common oaks in this habitat. Other trees include Carya spp., hickory, Acer rubrum, red maple, Acer saccharum, sugar maple, Fraxinus americana, white ash, Liriodendron tulipifera,tulip poplar, Fagus grandifolia, American beech, Prunus serotina, black cherry, Betula lenta black birch, Nyssa sylvatica, black tupelo and Ulmus americana, American elm. Freshwater tidal marshes line the Delaware River in southern NJ. Petty Island acts as a breakwater for the shoreline of the site and protects a large tidal mudflat along the back channel. This unique feature of the site will provide habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna from mussels to turtles and all the animals that feed on them.
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Analysis
Cooper River, Camden
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The Cooper River runs through numerous southern New Jersey towns on its way to the Delaware river.
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Petty Island
North Camden
Cramer Hill
Recreational spaces line the river in Cherry Hill and Pennsauken including the Cooper River Park which hosts large regattas from spring to fall. The park system extends into Collingswood, Haddonfield and Haddon Township and serves a large area of southern New Jersey. The river provides fishing, boating and other active pursuits as well as beautiful views of the Philadelphia Skyline.
Pennsauken
The location of the Cramer Hill Nature Preserve makes the case for improving connections along the Cooper River in Camden and creating a unified system of parks stretching from Cherry Hill to the Delaware River
Cherry Hill
Cooper River Looking down the Cooper River towards Camden with the Philadelphia skyline in the distance
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Analysis
Harrison Avenue Landfill
Located at the confluence of the Cooper River and Delaware River The Harrison avenue landfill operated from 1952 to 1971 taking municipal waste from the City of Camden, but in preparation for the construction of the Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center the site was remediated by the EPA and private contractors.
Petty Island
The site is directly connected to the new Ray and Joan Kroc community center (pictured below) and the State Street Bridge which links the Camden Greenway with the waterfront and its attractions.
Delaware River Back Channel
There are also several schools in the area including a charter school who could be great partners for the project and could use the site to teach middle and high school students about nature and ecological processes. Cramer Hill
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Harrison Ave. Landfill site
Wetland Brownfield Site
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Schools
Analysis
Green Space
The City of Camden is a typical industrial city that grew along the banks of the river. The shipping and ship building industries took up most of the available waterfront. That legacy is still clear in the abandoned terminals and factories that live the waterfront.
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Petty Island
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Even as the population has declined over the years derelict homes remain standing and little space has been converted to green space. Existing parks are mostly in poor condition, some not much greener than a parking lot.
North Camden
As shown in the map there is little preserved green space in North Camden. The opportunity to create a natural space that s connected to the Cooper River is an undeniable one.
Pyne Poynte Pennsauken
Cherry Hill
Collingswood
Cooper River
DVRPC Greenway Greenspace
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Analysis Connections
Camden is served by light rail and buses. The bus system is very highly utilized and reaches throughout the community. The New Kroc Center is a destination for several routes, which is a great advantage in getting people to the site. Many Camden residents outside of walking distance do not have cars and rely on the buses. Connecting to the bus routes is essential to making the site a resource for the whole city. The connections for pedestrians and cyclists are a focus of this project. Incorporating the Camden Greenway into the design for the preserve provides a new destination on the greenway. Encouraging use of the trail by visitors and local residents will also help to strengthen the case for further funding to complete other sections of the trail
Petty Island
Pyne Poynte
Cramer Hill
Pennsauken
Building on existing greenways and trails and further supporting proposed trails will help to make the Cooper River trail system even more successful than it is today. Using the DVRPC’s “Circuit” plan as a base for improved trail connections makes this effort very attainable.
Cherry Hill
Collingswood
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NJ Transit Bus Stop
Regional Rail Stop
NJ Transit Bus Route
Regional Rail Line
DVRPC Greenway
Analysis
Land Use
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Agriculture Bog Commercial Community Service Manufacturing: Heavy Manufacturing: Light Military Mining Parking Recreation Residential: Single Family Residential: Multifamily Residential: Motor Home Residential: Rowhome Transportation Utility Vacant Water Wooded
The and use in Camden still reflects the industrial nature of the city in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The lack of green space within the neighborhoods of the city highlights the importance of creating Green corridors and improving access to the limited natural areas. The new proposals for development will shift the waterfront make-up more towards commercial and therefor it is vital to preserve Greenspace where possible.
Image from 1965 showing the Harrison Ave. Landfill at the top of the frame, note the large amounts of undeveloped land no longer present.
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Analysis Topography
The region surrounding the site is typical of the outer coastal plain, with large areas of relatively low elevation. This map shows the low lying condition of the area and the areas that drain to the Cooper and Delaware Rivers. The location of the site at the confluence of the two waterways Being located at the confluence of the Cooper River and the Delaware River creates a low condition at the bottom of the watershed, which is the cause for some of the storm flooding that occurs in neighborhoods to the north of the site. The tidal nature of the Delaware creates unique freshwater-tidal wetlands along the shores of the river. The tide cycle offers an interesting opportunity to create a part of the site where visitors can see the motion of the tide first hand.
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North Camden
Cramer Hill Pyne Poynte
Pennsauken
Cherry Hill
Cooper River Collingswood Aerial image showing the extent of the mudflat at low tide, during the growing season the mudflat is dominated by spatterdock
Elevation High Point 86.6’ Low Point 0’
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Analysis
Topography
The topography of the area is generally low-lying land that drains either into the Cooper River or the Delaware River. The fill and cap on the landfill have created a slightly elevated platform that is highest near the northern edge of the site. The whole Cramer Hill section of North Camden is prone to flooding during heavy storms, largely due to high levels of impervious cover. Stormwater flows down Harrison from northeast to southwest creating an opportunity to take stormwater from the streets into a treatment system on the site.
Delaware River Back Channel
North Camden N.
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Pyne Poynte
The elevated center of the site provides the potential for views of the skyline of Philadelphia and the wooded end of Petty Island and the variety of birds that use the site regularly.
E. S tate Stre e
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Image from north 17th street looking north into the site, the general topography of the site is clear when looking across the area.
Elevation High Point 86.6’
Wetland
Low Point 0’
Brownfield Site
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Analysis Hydrology
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The hydrology of the site is significant because of the site location at the confluence of the Cooper River and Delaware River. The Cooper River is prone to occasional flooding under storm events, and the Northern section of Cramer Hill has a history of floods.
North Camden
Cramer Hill Pyne Poynte
The City of Camden, like many older cities still has a combined sewage overflow system, causing sewage to reach the river during storm event. There are several outlets to the east of the site which receive stormwater from the streets and buildings around the area. Reducing the amount of water entering the sewer system on the site and from the area will directly reduce the overflow potential of the system.
Elevation
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High Point 86.6’
Wetland
Low Point 0’
Brownfield Site
CSO Outlet
Analysis
Existing Conditions
The current condition of the site is highly disturbed. The EPA has removed the debris and contaminated soil, the removal and the placement of fill and cap material has left a significant portion of the site bare. The woodlands are heavily invaded by numerous species and still have old tires and other trash laying about. There are a number of mature native trees in this section including maples, sycamores and cottonwood. The mud flat at the mouth of the Cooper River is seasonally dominated by spatterdock, while the remaining shore is a tangle of invasive vines and shrubs.
View from the southeastern edge of the Kroc Center site looking into the woodland area at the south of the site, in the foreground is a retention basin for the Kroc Center parking lot’s runoff
Image from Harrison Avenue looking to the north at the area for the proposed bioswale, a portion of the Kroc Center is visible in the background
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
Image from the sidewalk on the south side of Harrison Avenue looking at the fencing along the edge of the site
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Analysis Existing Conditions
Non-Native Invasive Species Ailanthus altissima (Tree of heaven) Acer platanoides (Norway maple) Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort) Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) Fallopia japonica (Japanese knotweed) Phragmites australis (Common reed) Pyrus calleryana (Callery pear) Rosa multiflora (Multiflora rose) Microstegium vimineum (Japanese stilt grass) Alliaria petiolata (Garlic mustard) Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) Albizia julibrissin (Mimosa tree) Berberis thunbergi (Japanese barberry) Celastrus obiculatus (Oriental bittersweet) Lythrum salicaria (Purple loosestrife)
The edges of the site are heavily invaded, there is a dense growth of mugwort and multiflora rose along the fence line and various vines are laddering into the canopy and damaging trees
The center of the site has been cleared of all vegetation and there is debris and gravel covering much of the site, the conditions are poor enough to limit even the hardiest non-native species
The center of the site is covered with gravel, likely a remnant of the construction at the KROC Center. In the low lying areas where water stands there are thickets of phragmites.
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Analysis
Existing Conditions
Delaware River Back Channel
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Acer rubrum (Red Maple) Acer saccharinum (Silver Maple) Betula nigra (River birch) Betula populifolia (Gray birch) Juniperus virginiana (Eastern red cedar) Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet gum) Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip poplar) Platanus occidentalis (Sycamore) Populus deltoides (Eastern cottonwood) Populus alba (White poplar) Prunus serotina (Wild black cherry) Quercus falcata (Southern red oak) Quercus palustrus (Pin oak) Rhus typhina (Staghorn sumac) Cornus sericea (Red twig dogwood) Toxicodendron radicans (Poison ivy) Viburnum dentatum (Arrow-wood viburnum)
The red area on the map is the section of the site where the remediation took place and as a result there is no vegetative cover on the soil. This area is at immediate risk of invasive species pressure. The orange section of the map is the existing woodland, which is currently a mix of native and nonnative species. There is significant vine growth and it has already pulled down several trees. The green area is the riparan area of the site. The Delaware is tidal in this area so there is fluctuation in water height. The shore is peppered with litter and debris and the banks are degraded in spots. There is a large tidal mudflat that runs along a large portion of the site.
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Case Studies
Understanding a site can be greatly aided by reviewing the work done on similar sites. In this vein case studies are invaluable to designers. These projects stood out as instructive because they share many of the limitations that the Harrison Avenue Landfill site faces. Each of these shows a unique way to deal with on site issues and are examples of the power of transformation in the landscape. Reclaiming brownfield sites and returning ecological function to them provides myriad benefits to the area by preserving space from development, creating a vibrant educational space outside the classroom and creating a unique space to bring residents and nature back together.
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Case Studies
Woodbridge Waterfront Park
Principal Consultant: Great Ecology Location: Woodbridge, New Jersey Size: 185 acres Client: EPEC Polymers Inc. Currently under construction The Woodbridge Waterfront project is the largest restoration project to date along the Rariton River. The site was unused for 25 years until being designated a Brownfield Development Area in 2009.
Aerial image showing the site under construction, the wetland areas are complete
The park has already completed 10 acres of created freshwater wetlands, 30 acres of restored wetlands, and 12 acres of tidal wetland. To date over 500,00 herbaceous plants and over 12,000 trees and shrubs have been installed. The project uses over 7000 feet of new trails to connect the public to the Raritan River for the first time in a century. 800 feet of boardwalk allow users to experience nature up close and walk out over the wetlands. Images courtesy of Great Ecology
Aerial image showing the site before the restoration and after the restoration (right)
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
Rendered plan for the site from Great Ecology
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Case Studies Fresh Kills Park
Principal Consultant: Field Operations Location: Staten Island Size: 2200 acres Client: NYC Department of Parks and Rec Construction Start Date: 2011 (the park is slated for completion in 2036) The scale of Freshkills is otherworldly, the 1000 plus acres of new green space built above a massive landfill look out onto the Manhattan skyline. The nearly 500 acres of wetlands are the one largest in the region. Located in Staten Island, Fresh Kills was the primary dump site for NYC for over 50 years. At its peak the landfill received 14,000 tons of trash per day. The site is also home to debris from the World Trade Center.
Aerial view of Fresh Kills Landfill, at the time the largest in the world
The site has been covered with an impermeable cap as well as a drainage system to control leachate and a methane recapture system and water treatment facilities. Embracing the history and the structure of the site were key to Jim Corner’s vision of the site, and informed his decision to maintain the open vistas atop the 220 foot mound. Images courtesy of Field Operations and New York Magazine Illustrative aerial view of Fresh Kills Park from Field Operations
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Aerial view of the site before work commenced
Case Studies
Riverbend Commerce Park
Primary Consultant: Sasaki Associates Ecological Consultant: Biohabitats Location: Buffalo, New York Size: 260 acres Client: Buffalo Urban Development Corporation Plan completed: 2011 The former steel mill that occupied the banks of this section of the Buffalo river shut its doors, but left a degraded site behind. This plan from Sasaki Associates with the assistance of Biohabitats integrates commercial master planing with restoration.
Plans showing how the ideal restoration strategies for the site guided the planning for the site
The industrial use of the site has left some PCB contamination that is leaching into the Buffalo River. Wetland areas along the river were filled to create level spaces for factories. Restoring and remediating the site will help relieve some of the stress on the River and the area. The project blends the many different needs of recreation space, commercial space, and ecological restoration to provide a rich and engaging space that brings residents back in touch with the river
Aerial view of steel mills along the Buffalo River before the companies abandoned the sites
Images courtesy of Biohabitats Site images showing the history of industry at the site
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Design: Concepts
Approaching a complex site like the Harrison Avenue Landfill site can be a daunting task, and incorporating form and function that support the goals of the project is an iterative process. In that vein concept plans are crucial exercises to work out these issues. Site scale as well as thumbnail sketches of key details of the plan were an vital step in the process of creating the final design and supporting images.
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Cramer Hill Nature Preserve Program Preserved Land Native Woodland Community Native Grassland and Wildflowers Freshwater Tidal Marsh Riparian Community Birding Opportunities and Lookouts Fishing Access Wetland Boardwalk Philadelphia Skyline Viewing Platform Trail System Access to the River Nature Center with Educational Space Earthship Partnership with Local Schools Ecological Education Programs Field Trip Support Outdoor Classroom Nature Walks for Students Citizen Science Programs Community Outreach Events Volunteer Supported Work Days
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Design: Concept Recreation
This concept plan focuses on bringing people to the site to spend time with neighbors or to utilize the site for their personal health benefit. The key features to this site are 400 meter track, similar to one constructed in the Cooper River Park in Cherry Hill. The track would also include a workout area with special outdoor fitness equipment. The circulation system of the site is designed as a loop that winds throughout the different zones of the park. Sports facilities are included near the parking area of the site. The basketball courts include a large shade structure to facilitate families and other spectators. The area in the center of the track can also be lined for use as a soccer or football field. There is also a large amount open lawn area to allow users to relax, play other sports, or let children run around. The upper lawn area is a rolling hill that can be used to fly kites during breezy spring days and also as a sledding hill during the winter.
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Design: Concept
Recreation
Connection to Camden Greenway
Recreational Jogging Loop
Kroc Center
Restored Woodlands
Basketball Courts Great Lawn
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Visitor’s Center
Wetland
400 Meter Track E. S tate Stre et
Wildflower Meadow
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
Fitness Equipment
Drafted at 100 scale
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Design: Concept Community The community concept plan includes features that are intended to bring local residents to the site and allow them to interact in various ways. This site will also allow users to experience a variety of landscape forms and explore a large meadow and lawn area at their own leisure. The main feature of this site is the community garden space where residents can have their own plot of land. Gardening in this communal area also offers the opportunity to meet and interact with neighbors. The concept also includes formal features like pollinator gardens and a wildflower meadow. These are clustered around the visitor’s center in a more traditional garden manner. This is intended to provide visitors the opportunity to stroll the gardens and see formal gardens right in their own neighborhood.
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Design: Concept
Community
Connection to Camden Greenway
Kroc Center
Kite/Sledding Hill Community Gardens and compost area
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Great Lawn
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Wildflower Meadow
Visitor’s Center/ Community Center
Formal Gardens Wetland
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Pollinator Garden Drafted at 100 scale
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Design: Concept Ecological The ecological concept is dedicated to creating functional ecosystems that will provide habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna. The site will also be designed as an outdoor classroom for children and other visitors with a number of spaces designed to allow the observation of different areas of the site. The wetland overlook and boardwalk areas will allow people to get close to the wetland and see the unique plants and animals up close. The overlooks are built to be large enough for groups of students to gather together without blocking the trail for other users. The birdhouse is an elevated structure that brings visitors into the canopy above the Delaware River. This provides a new perspective on birds and their habitat, as well as offering views of Petty Island and the City of Philadelphia.
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Design: Concept Ecological Connection to the Camden Greenway
Treehouse Overlook
Kroc Center Restored Woodland
Viewing Platform High Meadow and Wildflower Meadow
Visitor’s Center
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Wetland Overlook and Boardwalk
Restored Wetland
E. S tate Stre et
Stormwater Management System Drafted at 100 scale
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Design
The design for Cramer Hill Nature has developed over the course of the project and has continually tried to reflect the unique site, and the needs of those that it will serve. The goals of connection, education and restoration are key factors in all the features of the site and have guided the process from analysis through concept and design. The design for the site is envisioned as a model for the greening of brownfield sites in other cities and towns and emphasizes the importance of taking advantage of less desirable sites to create and preserve greenspace.
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Design
Master Plan
Delaware River Back Channel
Camden Greenway Viewing Platform
Mudflat
KROC Center Av en ue
Woodland Restoration Ha rri so
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Treehouse
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Wildflower Meadow Visitor’s Center
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LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Gateway and Visitor’s Center
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Entrance detail showing the gateway experience and the location of the visitor’s center and surrounding gardens. The parking lot is integrated into the landscape and all runoff from the lot and the visitor’s center in directed into the stormwater management system
Visitor’s Center and park entrance section, looking south west towards State Street
Design
Visitor’s Center
Visitor’s Center
Perspective of the visitor’s center looking south east from the park. The new building is constructed to take advantage of passive solar heating and lighting. Inside is space for exhibits and educational displays as well as classroom space and restrooms for visitors to the preserve. The gardens around the visitor’s center are designed as an example of how to use native plantings to increase curb appeal.
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Design
Stormwater Management System
Entrance Bridge and control Structure
Notched Weir
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The Entry drive crosses over the first section of the stormwater management and treatment system and has an integrated control structure below to help slow velocity of water during storm events
The stormwater system uses several notched weirs to control the water moving through the system, during storm events volume exceeds the capacity of the notch and backs up in the bioswale, but during normal conditions the notch allows the system to drain completely and eliminate standing water
Design
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Detail plan of the stormwater management system, the system collects water from the building and parking area and during storm events notched weirs slow the flow of water through the system allowing plants to trap sediments and pollutants and also take up some of the water. Any water that does not infiltrate is slowed and cleaned before exiting the system into the wetland
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Design Wetland
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The boardwalk winds its way out over the wetland allowing visitors to see the wetlands up close without disturbing the vegetation or any wildlife in the area, visitors can see the influence of the tides on the wetland as the water rises and falls in the area during the day.
Design
Wetland Overlook
wetland overlook is positioned to look over the stormwater management system and is large enough for a View of Wetland Overlook The class to all gather and view the area
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Section view of the platform looking over the bioswale
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Design
Wetland Boardwalk
View of Boardwalk
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Perspective looking east across the wetland to the boardwalk
Section view of boardwalk looking north along the waterfront
Design
Treehouse Overlook
View of Treehouse
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Perspective of the treehouse looking to the north and showing Petty Island in the background
Section view of boardwalk looking north along the waterfront, also showing the upper and lower trails that wrap around the shoreline
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Restoration
In this project the goals went far beyond creating a park that catered to human needs and took on the challenge of creating a space that served the needs of humans as well as the ecological needs of the area. The restoration of the site is broken down into major areas according to ecosystem types that are proposed. The improvement of the areas of the site that are barren and covered with gravel and debris will be challenging to prepare for seeding, but the relatively low amount of undesirable vegetation in the area will offer little competition to the meadow grasses. The woodland restoration will require a more intensive intervention, but the existing canopy will be a great asset in limiting the available light for invasives on the forest floor.
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Restoration The restoration of the site is a key to the project as a whole. In each area that is addressed in the design of the site there is consideration given to creating a functional landscape that provides habitat, forage and breeding opportunities for a variety of fauna. It is also important that the restoration addresses the presence of non-native invasive species on the site so that the newly planted native plant species can get established. The restoration of this unique site will be guided by the ecology of an upland meadow and a mixed oak floodplain forest, but the nature of the site will likely limit the success of these ecosystems without regular intervention. This novel ecosystem will not reach the state of a true restoration that is self-sustaining, but it will provide a significant ecological uplift to the site. The key to long term success at this site will involve monitoring and likely an adaptive management plan that responds to the evolution of the project.
Photo looking south across the center of the site, despite the remediation areas of the north side are covered in trash and debris LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
Photo from the northern edge of the site showing the thicket and tangles of vines
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Restoration Woodland
Restoration Goals 85% Survival of new plantings Less than 10% invasive species* canopy cover *Invasive species in this plan refers to non-native species as listed on the NJ Invasive Species Strike Team website www.njiist.org/fact-sheets.htm
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Restoration Woodland
Plant List The goal of the planting in the woodland is to re-establish an understory and fill any gaps in the canopy left after the removal of invasive species. The woodland will also be expanded in some areas of the site. Planting will focus on the edges of the woodland to expand the size of the woodland in specified areas. Understory and shrub plantings will go into the woodland after invasive species are removed or treated. New plantings will be protected with tree tubes or shrub cages to minimize damage from herbivory while the plants are getting established.
Trees
Shrubs
Acer saccharum (Sugar maple) Acer nigrum (Black maple) Tilia americana (Basswood) Fraxinus americana (White ash) Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Green ash, red ash) Carya cordiformis (Bitternut hickory) Fagus grandifolia (American beech) Platanus occidentalis (Eastern sycamore) Acer saccharinum (Silver maple) Carpinus caroliniana (Hornbeam) Betula nigra (River birch) Salix nigra (Black willow)
Lindera benzoin (Spicebush) Viburnum dentatum (Arrow-wood viburnum) Sambucus nigra (Elderberry)
Understory Trees Cornus florida (Flowering dogwood) Cercis canadensis (Redbud) Sassafras albidum (Sassafras)
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
Herbaceous Pilea pumila (Clearweed) Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive fern) Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich fern) Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern) Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower) Geranium maculatum (Wood geranium) Viola striata (Cream violet) Ageratina altissima (White Snakeroot) Trillium erectum (Wakerobin) Trillium sessile (Toadshade) Collinsia verna (Blue eyed Mary) Persicaria virginiana (Jumpseed) Caulophyllum thalictroides (Blue cohash) Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich fern) Asarum canadense (Wild-ginger)
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Restoration Meadow
Restoration Goals 85% Cover in the meadow Less than 10% invasive species* coverage Presence of Spizella pusilla (Field sparrow) during breeding season Manage succession to maintain meadow conditions *Invasive species in this plan refers to non-native species as listed on the NJ Invasive Species Strike Team website www.njiist.org/fact-sheets.htm
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Restoration Meadow
Seed Mixes The Meadow areas will be seeded with two different seed mixes, both supplied by the Ernst Seed company. The two mixes contain a number of warm season grasses and wildflowers. The native wildflower mix will be used in the lower meadow and the upland meadow mix will be used on the upper meadow. Due to the highly disturbed condition of the site the meadow areas will be treated with herbicide and then tilled every other week for a six week period to minimize the presence of invasive species in the soil. Seed will be installed with a drill seeder at the rates specified by the supplier. During the first season special attention will be given to the meadow to ensure the highest possible success rate.
Showy Northeast Native Wildflower Mix (ERNMX-153-1)
Piedmont Province UPL Meadow Mix (ERNMX-260-1)
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem, Fort Indiantown Gap-PA Ecotype) Bouteloua curtipendula (Sideoats Grama, ‘Butte’) Elymus virginicus (Virginia Wildrye, PA Ecotype) Penstemon digitalis (Tall White Beardtongue, PA Ecotype) Chamaecrista fasciculata (Partridge Pea, PA Ecotype) Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) Liatris spicata (Marsh (Dense) Blazing Star (Spiked Gayfeather) Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed) Coreopsis lanceolata (Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Coastal Plain NC Ecotype) Heliopsis helianthoides (Oxeye Sunflower, PA Ecotype) Rudbeckia hirta (Blackeyed Susan, Coastal Plain NC Ecotype) Aster novae-angliae, Symphyotrichum n. (New England Aster) Aster laevis, Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth Blue Aster, NY Ecotype) Tradescantia ohiensis (Ohio Spiderwort, PA Ecotype) Agrostis perennans (Autumn Bentgrass, Albany Pine Bush-NY Ecotype) Rudbeckia triloba (Browneyed Susan, WV Ecotype) Senna hebecarpa, Cassia h. (Wild Senna, VA & WV Ecotype) Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot, Fort Indiantown Gap-PA Ecotype) Senna marilandica, Cassia m. (Maryland Senna) Baptisia australis (Blue False Indigo, Southern WV Ecotype) Solidago juncea (Early Goldenrod, VA Ecotype) Pycnanthemum incanum (Hoary Mountainmint, MD Ecotype)
Elymus virginicus (Virginia Wildrye, PA Ecotype) Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass, PA Ecotype) Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem, Fort Indiantown Gap-PA Ecotype) Tridens flavus (Purpletop, Southeastern VA Ecotype) Andropogon gerardii, 'Niagara' (Big Bluestem, ‘Niagara’) Chamaecrista fasciculata, Cassia f. (Partridge Pea, PA Ecotype) Penstemon digitalis(Tall White Beardtongue, PA Ecotype ) Eupatorium coelestinum, Conoclinium c. (Mistflower, VA Ecotype) Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot, PA Ecotype) Senna hebecarpa, Cassia h. (Wild Senna, VA & WV Ecotype) Aster novae-angliae Symphyotrichum n. (New England Aster) Aster laevis, Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth Blue Aster, NY Ecotype) Lespedeza virginica (Slender Bushclover, VA Ecotype) Liatris spicata (Marsh (Dense) Blazing Star (Spiked Gayfeather), PA Ecotype) Heliopsis helianthoides (Oxeye Sunflower, PA Ecotype) Eragrostis hirsuta (Bigtop Lovegrass, VA Ecotype) Verbesina alternifolia, Actinomeris a. (Wingstem, PA Ecotype) Solidago juncea (Early Goldenrod, PA Ecotype) Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed, PA Ecotype) Geum canadense (White Avens, PA Ecotype)
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Restoration Wetland
Restoration Goals 85% coverage in wetland, wet meadow, and bioswale Less than 10% invasive species* coverage Presence of Cistothorus palustrus (Marsh wren) during breeding season *Invasive species in this plan refers to non-native species as listed on the NJ Invasive Species Strike Team website www.njiist.org/fact-sheets.htm
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Restoration Wetland
Seed Mixes, Shrub and Herbaceous Plantings The wetland and stormwater management system will be overseeded with Ernst Seed Company’s FACW seed mix. The edges of the areas will also be planted with shrubs and herbaceous plants in addition to the seeding. Preparation of the area will include manual removal of invasive species in the wetland and thinning of trees in the area. Seeding will be done by broadcast spreader, or hydroseeding if the area is too wet to work in. The seeded areas in the bottom of the bioswale will be covered with erosion control blankets to minimize soil migration before seed germination.
FACW Mix (ERNMX-261) Panicum rigidulum, P. stipitatum (Redtop Panicgrass, Coastal Plain NC Ecotype) Elymus virginicus (Virginia Wildrye, PA Ecotype) Carex lurida (Lurid (Shallow) Sedge, PA Ecotype) Carex scoparia (Blunt Broom Sedge, PA Ecotype) Verbena hastata (Blue Vervain, PA Ecotype) Carex lupulina (Hop Sedge, PA Ecotype) Heliopsis helianthoides (Oxeye Sunflower, PA Ecotype) Scirpus atrovirens (Green Bulrush, PA Ecotype) Juncus effusus (Soft Rush) Aster novae-angliae, Symphyotrichum n. (New England Aster) Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed, PA Ecotype) Aster umbellatus, Doellingeria umbellata (Flat Topped White Aster, PA Ecotype) Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern) Eupatorium fistulosum (Joe Pye Weed, PA Ecotype ) Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Slender Mountainmint) Polygonum pensylvanicum (Pennsylvania Smartweed, OH Ecotype) Eupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset, PA Ecotype) Scirpus pendulus (Brown Bulrush, PA Ecotype) Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Narrowleaf Blue Eyed Grass) Vernonia gigantea, V. altissima (Giant Ironweed, PA Ecotype) Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia, PA Ecotype) Scirpus polyphyllus (Many Leaved Bulrush, PA Ecotype) Lilium superbum (Turk’s Cap Lily, PA Ecotype) Glyceria canadensis (Rattlesnake Grass, PA Ecotype) Carex intumescens (Bladder (Star) Sedge, PA Ecotype) Mimulus ringens (Square Stemmed Monkeyflower, PA Ecotype)
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
Shrubs Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush) Alnus serulata (Smooth alder) Clethra alnifolia (Sweet pepper bush) Cornus amomum (Silky dogwood) Cornus sericia (Red twig dogwood) Hamamelis virginiana (Witch-hazel) Rhus glabra (Smooth sumac)
Herbaceous Pontederia cordata (Pickeralweed) Iris versicolor (Blue flag) Acorus calamus (Sweet flag) Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive fern) Osmunda cinnamomea (Cinnamon fern)
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Monitoring
The long-term success of the project will require management over years. The only way to quantify this is by having a monitoring plan that lays out the goals of the project and the targets for a number of different features. The monitoring process will also help the managers see what areas of the site are in need of further attention and guide in the creation of an adaptive management to deal with unforeseen issues on the site.
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Monitoring Monitoring Plan
Abstract
The Cramer Hill Nature Preserve will transform a derelict brownfield to a functional natural landscape that provides education and recreation to the local residents and provides ecological services to the region. The site sits at the confluence of the Cooper and Delaware Rivers and will contain woodlands, meadow, stormwater treatment bioswale, wetlands and tidal mudflats. The restoration of the site will include the removal of non-native invasive species and the planting of native vegetation to create healthy woodland, meadow and wetland ecosystems. The monitoring plan will be a vital resource in evaluating the success of the project over the long term. Vegetative studies will reflect the condition of the different ecosystem zones, while the monitoring of fauna will show the site’s ability to provide shelter and forage for these species and others that are attracted to similar habitats. Finally the results of each monitoring event will help determine the need for an adaptive management plan and the actions that it should include.
Contents Abstract
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Introduction
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Site Context
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Methods and Materials
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Monitoring Checklist
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Equipment List
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Opportunities and Constraints Map
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Topography Map
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Site Map
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Data Sheets
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1 LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Monitoring Monitoring Plan
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currently a large area of woodland on the site which is heavily invaded my non-native plant species. A significant portion of the land is bare and at present even hardy weeds are struggling to establish in this section. The goal of this project is to create a nature preserve that provides educational assets to the community, protects a unique parcel from development and to give the residents of the area a place to enjoy nature and learn about ecological concerns.
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Site Context
The site is located in Camden County, New Jersey, directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, City of Camden Pennsylvania. Camden County
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Introduction The Cramer Hill Nature Preserve will be located on the former site of the Harrison Avenue Landfill in the Cramer Hill section of Camden, New Jersey. The site is located at the confluence of the Cooper and Delaware Rivers and Petty Island lies just off shore. To the north of the proposed preserve is the newly constructed Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center which provides many services to the community and is a significant asset to the neighborhood. The site offers a unique opportunity for this type of project because of its brownfield history, the two rivers directly adjacent to the site, and the presence of Petty Island which is slated to become preserved land in 2020. There is
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The site lies in the inner coastal plain region of New Jersey, but the soils of the site are not representative of this ecological region because of the history of disturbance on the site. During the remediation of the site prior to the construction of the Kroc center the EPA removed municipal waste from the site and cleaned up several chemical hotspots. The resulting void was then filled with dredge material that was being stored just to the north in Palmyra Cove. The fill is described as sandy and well drained with very little organic content. The bare sections of the site are covered in many places with crushed stone, a remnant of the construction of the Kroc Center.
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The Cramer Hill Neighborhood is a part of North Camden, and home to the former Harrison Avenue Landfill and the newly constructed Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center.
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The land that will be home to the Cramer Hill Nature Preserve has gone through many stages of disturbance over the years. The entire site has been cleared several times. The site was last cleared sometime in the 1970’s. Before becoming the Harrison Avenue Landfill the site was considered for an array of uses including a golf course and an airport. The landfill was closed in 1971, but never properly capped due to lack of funds. The site is relatively low lying, with heights ranging from 45 feet down to the tidal Delaware. There is a rise that runs along the northwest edge of the site which is thickly wooded at present. The ground then falls off sharply to the river where it meets a large swath of mudflat along the Delaware.
Non-native invasive species are a significant issue at the site. The roadside is overrun with Ailanthus altissima (Tree of heaven), Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort), Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle), Pyrus calleryana (Callery pear). In some of the lower areas of the site and also in areas upland where water can collect there are thick stands of Phragmites australis (Common reed). The understory in the woodland is largely absent likely due to the heavy pressure from invasive species. The forest floor is composed of Celastrus obiculatus (Oriental bittersweet), Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle), Microstegium vimineum (Japanese stilt grass), Rosa multiflora (Multiflora rose). Many sections of the woodland are nearly impenetrable because of the vines. The area is also littered with debris and trash. There is clear evidence that the woods are used by homeless and others for shelter and as a dumping ground. Technical Approach The restoration goals of the project are to create a woodland, meadow and wetland areas that provide ecological services that are absent from the site at present. The goals are broken down by the ecological zones proposed on the design plan. Within each section of the site the goals are the removal and control of invasive species, the installation of native plant material and the creation of habitat for birds, pollinators and other fauna. 1.
Restore woodland on the north and west edge of the site a. Remove non-native invasive species b. Plant native canopy trees as needed to fill canopy gaps and extend the woodland c. Plant native understory trees, shrub and groundcover
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Monitoring Monitoring Plan
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Install deer protection on all new plant material
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Create and maintain a meadow on the upland area of the site a. Regrade and remove crushed stone from upland area b. Amend soil with locally source leaf compost c. Install meadow seed using drill seeder d. Manage meadow to arrest succession
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Restore the wetland and create a stormwater treatment system on the site a. Grade areas to the south of the site to create bioswale b. Install notched weirs to slow the movement of stormwater c. Remove non-native invasive species d. Plant wetland shrubs and trees e. Install seed in using broadcast spreader
4. Provide educational access for local children and engage the neighborhood a. Create educational signage for the site b. Work with the Kroc Center to hold volunteer days to clean the site and foster a sense of ownership in the community c. Create citizen science program with local schools to monitor for wildlife This restoration plan lays out the general goals and methods for the restoration of the site. The design plan further lays out the locations and size of different ecological zones in the preserve. The monitoring plan with refer to the as-built plan to be created post-construction for all fixed objects and for the specific monitoring points on the site.
Methods and Materials Boundaries of Restoration Area The boundaries of the site will also be considered to be the boundaries of the restoration area. Final markings of the site will be included in the as-built plan
Monitoring Points The monitoring points are marked on the field maps for the reference of those conducting monitoring events. The points will also be marked on the ground with 6’ tall 2” x 2” hardwood stakes driven into the ground at least 18” and marked with fluorescent flagging. The flagging should be replaced at least every year, or any time that it becomes difficult to see. These points will be surveyed and marked on the as-built plan as well.
Monitoring Schedule
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LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
All vegetative monitoring will be conducted on two occasions every year for the first five years of the project. The first event will be in the early growing season, generally in May. The second event will be at the end of the growing season, generally in October. This will gather information about how both the warm season and cool season grasses are doing in the meadow, and give a picture over the growing season of the condition of the whole site. Monitoring of the Spizella pusilla (field sparrow) will occur during the breeding time from May 25 to July 15 and consist of three events. The Haliaeetus leucocephalus (bald eagle) will occur during the peak breeding time of December 1 to March 31 and also consist of 3 separate events. Water quality will be tested during all 5 year or larger storms during the growing season.
Monitoring Proceedures Plant Health: One of the simplest ways to monitor green infrastructure projects is by assessing the health of the plants. This will be a useful tool for this site because of the complex nature of the stormwater management system that is proposed. The plants selected for the wetlands, bioswales, and surrounding areas will all be species that need a certain degree of moisture in the soils and will tolerate periodic inundation. Monitoring the plant health is an opportunity to utilize citizen science as well as school children. Evaluating the general health of plants requires a small amount of instruction by the site manager or other trained persons. This would be an excellent opportunity to integrate education with monitoring of the site. Groups involved in the monitoring program will go the preselected monitoring points within the stormwater management system and lay down the quadrat frame on the ground. The site manager or person in charge will assist groups in taking note of all species contained in the plot and their height and general health based on visual inspection. The percent cover of the plot will also be calculated and noted on the data sheets along with all other observational data collected for each of the monitoring points. Observations about any trees or large shrubs and their condition should be documented as notes on the data sheets. Water Quality: Monitoring the quality of the water in the system will done by remote sampling. This is the most cost effective and reliable method for determining the presence and quantity of suspended solids and phosphorous in water as it enters the site and as it leaves the site. To accomplish this it is recommended that Teledyne ISCO portable samplers be installed at the inlet for the stormwater system and at the discharge site for the system. These automatic samplers can take up to 24 samples before they must be collected and all sampling is done automatically, reducing the need for as many monitoring team visits to the site. This method will generate a large amount of data about the function of the site that can then be used to justify similar systems in other parts of the city or help to make future designs even more effective.
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Monitoring Monitoring Plan
The 4” x 4” posts should be set into the ground at the location specified and cable threaded through the post to secure the monitoring equipment. The smaller stakes should be installed in the channel of the inlet and outlet. The sampling tube should then be secured to the stake with zip ties ensuring that the tube is slightly above the bottom of the channel. Samples should be collected once the sample rack is full. All water samples must be tested by qualified persons in a controlled environment. The data collected should be entered into data sheets by the site manager and total phosphorous removed from water then be calculated. Bird Monitoring: The monitoring plan will collect data to assess the variety of birds that are visiting and using the site. The data will also show the abundance of the species that are present which will be significant is determining if the project is successfully bringing in more birds to the area. The monitoring will utilize a point count method of assessing the presence of birds on the site. This method will be simple to carry out with minimally trained personnel, and also lends itself to the inclusion of citizen science. Making the data collection a public project will help promote the site and create interest for local birders. Official monitoring activities will be carried out the set monitoring points which will be clearly marked on the maps and staked on site. The observer will get set at the monitoring point and observe the area for birds. Each time a bird is seen it should be noted what species it is, the behavior of the bird, the direction and height (if flying), and the distance from the observer. The point count will continue at each point until no new birds are observed for a period of 3 minutes and the maximum time for each point will be 30 minutes. The observer will use binoculars to identify birds within the site boundaries and also take note of the behavior, height, and direction of the bird. The observer may also include species that are identified by their calls (zeros will be entered in all locational cells on the data sheets). Species and other data will be noted on the data sheets along with any other relevant note that the observer deems useful. The data collected will be logged by the site manager, who will also enter the data into the E-Bird site run by Cornell Ornithology Department. The data will also be used to determine the value of the site on a national scale and assess its possible designation as an IBA by the Audubon Society and Birdlife International.
Monitoring Checklist Manage Invasive Species and reduce to less than 10% of total plant cover by year 5 of the project 85% Survival of new plantings at year 5 of the project 85% Cover in the meadow at year 5 of the project
Equipment List Vegetative Survey Equipment List: Site Maps with Monitoring points noted Quadrat Frame Tape Measure Yard Stick Plant ID books Clipboard Data Sheets Field Notebook Sample Bags Calculator Camera Smartphone (GPS Enabled) Water Quality Survey Equipment List: Site Maps with locations of Samplers noted 2 Portable Automatic Samplers (ISCO 3700C w/ 24 bottle sample rack) Fully charged 12V DC lead acid battery 4 Nylon Ratcheting Straps to secure samplers 4 Oak or cedar 2” x 2” posts (2’ length) Zip ties Duct Tape or Similar 2 x 4” x 4” pressure treated post w/ 2” hole at top for lock/chain (4’ length) Post hole digger Sledge hammer 2 x Chain or heavy cable and lock to prevent theft Clipboard Data sheets for site observational data Camera Smart Phone (GPS Enabled)
Presence and abundance during breeding of Spizella pusilla (field sparrow) in the meadow Bird Monitoring Equipment List: Water quality entering the treatment system and leaving the system Site maps with location of monitoring points noted Bird ID books
Evidence of human use and impact
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Monitoring Monitoring Plan
Clipboard Data Sheets Binoculars Camera Sketch Book Smart Phone (GPS Enabled) Audio recorder
Petty Island
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Monitoring Points Vegetation Monitoring VT1 Meadow VT2 Meadow VT3 Woodland VT4 Wetland
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Bird Monitoring SP1 Meadow SP2 Meadow SP3 Meadow
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Water Quality Wetland
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Brownfield Site
This map shows some of the major opportunities and constraints of the site. The most significant limiting factor is the history of the site as evidenced by its designation as a brownfield. The site is also surrounded by the urban fabric which puts pressure on the site by increasing runoff in the area, adding pollution to the surrounding areas, and allowing the presence of non-native invasives in gardens and other landscapes. The opportunities at the site include the presence of wetlands on the site as well as the proximity of a number of schools in the area that could be used as partners. The Kroc Center is a major community resource and brings people to the area. the biggest opportunity is the size of the parcel and its location on the river and across from Petty Island which will become preserved land in the near future.
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LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Monitoring Monitoring Plan
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Site Map
The topography of the area around the site is typical of the inner coastal plain. Most surrounding areas are flat with slight rolling hills. The Island to the north is Petty Island, which is currently owned by the Citgo corporation. It is deeded to become a preserved greenspace in 2020 when ownership is transferred to New Jersey.
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Monitoring points marked with posts and flagging
High Point 86.6’
Cramer Hill Nature Preserve
Elevation
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Monitoring Data Sheets
Cramer Hill Nature Preserve Vegetative Survey Sheet
Sample Collector: Date: Weather: Transect Number: Plot Number Species Name
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LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Monitoring Data Sheets
Cramer Hill Nature Preserve Water Quality Data Sheet
Sample Collector: Date: Weather: Monitoring Station #1 Number of Samples Collected: Condition of Test Equipment: TP: Reduction in TP: TSS: Reduction in TSS: Notes: Monitoring Station #2 Number of Samples Collected: Condition of Test Equipment: TP: Reduction in TP TSS: Reduction in TSS: Notes: Monitoring Station #3 Number of Samples Collected: Condition of Test Equipment: TP: Reduction in TP: TSS: Reduction in TSS: Notes:
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Recent Storm Event: Amount of Precip.:
Monitoring Data Sheets
Cramer Hill Nature Preserve Bird Point Count Data Sheet
Observer: Date: Start Time: Stop Time: Weather: Monitoring Point ID: Wind Speed: Cloud Cover: Dir. Species Behav. (feet)
Sheet Number: Habitat Type: Precipitation:
Dist. Ht. 0-3 (feet) (feet) Min
3-5 Min
5-10 Min
10-15 15+ Min Min
Notes:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Cramer Hill Nature Preserve Summary and Conclusions The area of North Camden that the Harrison Avenue Landfill was located in is a troubled section of town to be sure. The addition of the new Kroc Center right on Harrison Avenue is clearly meant to be a catalyst for change. In recent months the City of Camden has been named a “Promise Zone� by the Federal Government, ensuring more grant money in the future for redevelopment and public welfare. The new Camden County Police force has taken huge strides in restoring order to the City. In addition the Philadelphia 76er’s are building a new practice facility and Subaru is planning a new corporate headquarters and training facility. The waterfront,which has struggled along for years, is poised to see a 700 million dollar project come to town. These are all signs that Camden is not a lost cause. North Camden is home to several civic groups tying to push forward may different economic and social improvements. All the stars seem to align for a greenway and nature preserve project in the Cramer Hill Section. The remediation of the former landfill site has been completed and the land is just waiting for a new purpose. Given the density of the urban fabric in Camden and the low level of population in the city it seems to be a perfect time to preserve open space and create a place where nature can thrive within the city, while also connecting to surrounding communities.
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Cramer Hill Nature Preserve Acknowledgements
I would like to sincerely thank my professors, Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers and Stephen Souza. Their steadfast confidence and guidance during this project cannot be overstated. Thank you to Kate Axelson Benisek and Pauline Hurley Kurtz for making time in their busy schedules to advise and support me throughout this project. Thank you to my family and friends for their caring and understanding during my entire tenure at Temple, I will always remember the help and reassurance they were there to provide. Of course I would like to thank all of my classmates for their unending patience, advice and support through many long nights and weary days.
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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Lady, Jason. “Camden to get ‘leg up’ in competing for federal grants.” NewJersey.com. April 2015. Web. Nov. 2015. http:// www.nj.com/Camden/index.ssf/2015/04/camden_to_get_leg_up_in_competing_for_federal_gran.html. Sullivan, Robert. “Wall-E Park” New York Magazine. Dec. 2008. Web. Nov 2015. http://nymag.com/news/features/52452/ index6.html. Steckel, David & Harper, Holly. “Land for Life”. Natural Lands Trust. Oct. 2008. Web. Nov. 2015. https://natlands.org/services/for-land-owners/stewardship-handbook/. Taibbi, Matt. “Apocalypse, New Jersey: A Dispatch From America’s Most Desperate Town”. Rolling Stone. Dec. 2013. Web. Nov. 2015. http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/apocalypse-new-jersey-a-dispatch-from-americas-most-desperatetown-20131211. Trethan, Phaedra, “$700M Development coming to Camden”. Courier Post. Sept. 2015. Web. Nov. 2015. < http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/2015/09/24/major-development-coming-camden-waterfront/72731058/>. “Woodbridge Waterfront Park Restoration: Innovative ecological restoration design of a large industrial site.” Great Ecology. Nov. 2015. Web. Nov. 2015. <http://greatecology.com/projects/woodbridge-brownfield-redevelopment/>.
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Answer That you are here - -that life exists and identity, That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse -Walt Whitman
LARC 9995 Capstone Project, MLArch Program, Temple University Professors Mark Gallagher, Mary Myers, Stephen Souza
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