CAROL WAAG MLA
Landscape Architecture
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Carol Waag, Landscape Architect, MLA 2013 Skills Excellent digital and hand graphic skills. Detail oriented, construction familiarity and strong architectural background. Proven ability to render complex ideas into concise, accessible language for the general public. Design experience Landscape designer: master plans, perennial borders and vegetable gardens, hardscaping, stormwater mitigation, wildlife habitat enhancement. 2008-15 Current projects include a landscape for a new seaside home in Cornwall, UK, and a redesigned home entry including steps, path and plantings in NY. Fluent in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, QuarkXPress, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Word, PowerPoint, familiar with SketchUp, GIS, Excel. Artist: sculpture, installations, set design, watercolors. Pursued career in NYC as a professional artist while supporting myself as a graphic designer. Exhibited in NYC, Chicago and Japan (resume available). 1982-2009 Independent graphic designer with extensive experience in all phases of directing and creating art and design for print media, from concept to print supervision. Products include books, logos, brochures, newsletters, reviews, posters, book jackets, stationery and calendars. 1984-2009 Clients include: Yale University, The Yale-China Association; The Asia Society; China Institute; Country Living Magazine, InnerAsia Trading Company, Blue Chip Farms, Campo de Fiori, Wildlife Conservation International, and Book-of-the-Month Club. Designer, Art Director: Sports Illustrated Responsibilities included design, directing illustrators, photographers and designers, working closely with writers. Produced covers, charts and diagrams, final art checks and color proofing. 1994-96
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Related employment highlights Teaching Assistant, Sophomore Studios, University of Massachusetts Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning: Design and Plants and Design with Landform. 2011 Intern Teaching Assistant, Five College Mellon Grant, Lessons from the Past: Interpreting Water Use and Conservation at Three Significant Historic Landscapes: Naumkeag, Hancock Shaker Village and Sturbridge Village. 2012 Floral Designer Assistant, Crocus Hale. 2007-2009 Seasonal Transplanter, Left Field Farm, Middlefield MA. 2006-2009 Archivist, PADD Archive, Museum of Modern Art Library. 1982-91 Curator, director, Terminal New York, Brooklyn Army Terminal Responsible for selection, siting and supervising installation of art exhibition presenting the work of over 400 artists, in 125,000 sq. ft. of an historic industrial building. 1983 Architectural and graphics assistant, draftsperson: New York City Public Development Corporation; Yagi Landscape Architects, Tokyo, Japan; David A. Crane & Partners, Boston Massachusetts; Community Design Center, San Francisco, California. Freelance writer: published articles in The Japan Times and Watashi no heya; co-founded and edited Tokyo Journal, an English language monthly published in Tokyo. 1979-81 Awards LeNoir Scholarship Award UMass Amherst 2012 Sigma Lambda Alpha Honor Society, from 2011 Education UMass Amherst: MLA, May 2013, cumulative GPA: 3.9 Yale University: BA cum laude, in architecture and literature. 1978 Yale University: modern written Japanese. 1981-82 Other studies include Japanese calligraphy with Maruyama Tankei in Tokyo, printmaking with Rena Tzolakis in Paris, book design at Parsons School of Design, NYC
Publications Hancock Shaker Village, Cultural Landscapes Studio Report, UMass LARP, 2011 Creating Livable Neighborhoods in Old Hill and Six Corners, Urban Design Studio Report, 2010 West Woburn Gateway Study, Urban Greenways Studio report, UMass LARP, 2010 MLA Thesis The Lovely and the Wild: A Consideration of Naumkeag, 2013 Selected bibliography Arts Magazine, Not Walls..., Faye Hirsch, March 1992 The New York Times, The Ancient Relationship of Goddesses and the Dance, Anna Kisselgoff, December 14, 1986 The Village Voice, Heros and Villains in the Arts, Guy Trebay, January 3, 1984 The Village Voice, Terminal Real, Guy Trebay, October 11, 1983 The New York Times, Grace Glueck, September 30 and October 20, 1983 New York Magazine, Terminal Art, Kay Larson, October, 1983
Table of Contents Greenway Planning........................................4 Sustainable Community Design................5. Urban Design....................................................6 Sensory Garden................................................7 Multifamily Housing.......................................8 Urban Park Design..........................................8 Conservation Design......................................9 Campus Quadrangle................................... 10
Contact info: cwaag@verizon.net 413 329-8988 PO Box 384 67 Alderman Road Middlefield, MA 01243-0384 References available upon request
Residential Design....................................... 11 Drawings and Sculpture............................ 12 Graphic Design.............................................. 13
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Greenway Planning Mill River Watershed, MA
Section/elevations BB above: assessment of existing flood zone conditions above proposed enhancements to wetlands and riparian buffer.
The Mill River watershed connects sparsely populated northern agricultural hilltowns to the diverse cultural amentities of Northampton in the flood plain of the Connecticutt River. Cultural, historic and scenic aspects were assessed by my team. Compatibility of these findings with ecological and recreational resources in the area yielded optimal networks for creating a greenway system, and suggested strategies for conserving priority green space.
Proposed ecological actions • Remove pond berm and locust grove to increase wetland area and species • Increase riparian buffer in protected land to 100 feet and move path • Encourage replacement of lawns with wetland shrub species • Remove and manage invasives • Stabilize banks where there’s sufficient sunlight • Remove remains of dam upstream • Assess extent and location of point source pollution
I conducted an ecological assessment of the Bay State neighborhood in Northampton (black circle on plan), where intensive mill history, invasive species, wetlands reduction, recreational overuse, water contamination, and storm damage threaten an ecologically rich area.
proposed actions
ecological privately owned parcel
proposed riparian buffer
stabilization techniques
proposed wetlland enlargement proposed bank stabilization
live bundles of branch cuttings (fascines)
assess dam removal live rootable cuttings
biologs: wrapped organic material allows plants to root
recreational
B B
phase 1 discontinue network of trails close to river stepping stones connect trails across river proposed trails make full use protected land
A city-owned parcel
B
phase 2 bridge and trail crosses to school property on Riverside (requires easement through privatelyowned parcel) proposed trails provide residents access to area south of river and highlight historic features
city-owned parcel
existing trails
B
APR
APR
A
phase 3
summary of phasingBridge to school property on Riverside Drive Stepping stones connect trails across river Extend trail through mature forest
The proposed trail system avoided sensitive slopes and endangered species, highlighted historic features, and established connections with the local school and the greenway upstream and down.
Phase 1 connect across river to east and fully utilize protected and and controlled land upriver Phase 2 obtain easement through northern parcel and across bridge to school property Phase 3 extend greenway west upstream on south bank with easements
Proposed actions included: increasing wetlands and riparian buffers; stabilizing banks; removing and managing invasive species; consolidating and creating a phased network of trails including river crossings; assessment of removal of dam and pollution sources; creation of greenway connections for people and wildlife.
Proposed actions over time 1. Increase wetland area and species 2. Increase riparian buffer 3. Stabilize banks 4. Remove and manage invasives 5. Consolidate trails, add trails to highlight historic assets and beauty of protected land 6. Assess potential dam removal and point source contamination 7. Create greenway connections
Ecological Assessment and Rehabilitation Plan for the Mill River in the Bay State Neighborhood, Northampton Carol Waag Greenway Planning for the Mill River Watershed Fall 2012 Balancing ecological and recreational priorities
Instructor: Sarah la Cour
Department of Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning University of Massachusetts Amherst
One of two presentation boards presented proposed actions for improving the ecological health and usefulness of Bay State
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This assessment plan alone is a team effort : Carol Waag, Jinglin Wang and Yan Yan .
Easement to continue greenway
proposed trail makes connection upstream and utilizes city-owned parcel (requires easement)
Objectives Improving the health, resiliency and usefulness of the Bay State lands • Enhance the land’s ability to absorb high water events • Increase biodiversity and native plant distribution • Improve water quality • Provide connectivity up and down stream • Reveal historic narrative
Historical factors led to the Mill River and Route 9 becoming the prime cultural spine, with scenic farms scattered throughout the headwaters. Flooding issues have limited settlement at the river’s southern end in the flood plains, contributing to the area’s scenic value.
With the objective of improving the health, resiliency and usefulness of the Bay State lands, I sought to: enhance the land’s ability to absorb high water events; increase biodiversity and native plant distribution; improve water quality; provide connectivity up and down stream; reveal the historic narrative.
A stepping stone crossing created in shallow water with on-site cut granite blocks provides greenway connections.
Section/elevation AA below: topographic, vegetation and structures assessment of Bay State peninsula.
Sustainable Community Design Integrated Design Building, UMass Amherst B
The challenge of this project was to apply principles of sustainable design to the siting and designing of a new building to combine the University of Massachusetts’ departments of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, Architecture, and Building Construction Technology in order to foster collaboration and interdisciplinary learning and research. With architects David Harrington and Erin Riley, I integrated site infrastructure requirements with existing natural systems to create a cohesive design that strongly linked building and site. As the building’s more slender wings reach out towards significant views of the campus, the landscape enters the building--rising up a grass covered slope over the auditorium to a terrace off the second floor. The landscape penetrates crevices at the building’s edges, creating protected microclimates. The building embraces distinctive, functional places on three sides: a botanic garden to the west; an orchard stepping down from Stockbridge Road to the northeast, as water cascades down to a pool; southeast terraces create a sunny protected outdoor classroom and trial gardens.
B A A
A major pedestrian crossing of two axes is marked by intersecting pergolas with tall sloping lattice rooves. The pergolas create a gateway to a plaza framed by storm and rainwater basins. A series of five of these basins, linked by runnels, ring the building, concentrating and infiltrating stormwater, replenished by irrigation cisterns fed by roof drains.
Clockwise from top: Master Site Plan for the Integrated Design Building on UMass Campus; model of same (building model only by Harrington and Riley); Section Elevation from east to west through pergolas, trial garden, outdoor classroom, indoor classrooms, and street; Section Elevation showing northeast to southwest axis showing orchard, underground auditorium, building with entrance atrium and bridges, botanical garden and street (building sections only by Harrington and Riley); SketchUp models of pergola structures and plaza.
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Urban Design Watershops District, Springfield, MA
A
This underutilized neighborhood centers on the handsome 19th century Watershops Armory. With my team I envisioned: restoring historically and culturally significant structures; improving access to the water and protecting and improving its quality; increasing pedestrian and vehicular safety; enhancing an active commercial and recreational crossroads for diverse communities; encouraging sustainable jobs and revenue; providing affordable student housing and neighborhood agriculture. My own design served to : B
A nightly installation for the facade of the Armory projects a real-time video of the waterfall, which lies just behind the building.
B
A
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Reinforce the district’s identity through streetscape improvements to increase safety for pedestrians, bikers and drivers, enhance infiltration and provide hydrological effects to protect and improve water quality and minimize stormwater loads. Encourage cohesiveness with the creation of a 2/3 acre garden, including an orchard, rainwater collection for gravity-fed irrigation, composting, and a vegetated swale to capture run-off.
This plan illustrates the street-edge defining dormitories, lot-long vegetated swale, community gardens and improved intersection. Watershops Pond flanked by industrial buildings would make an ideal ice skating rink in winter.
Create connections to Springfield College with the proposed construction of dormitories to accomodate 450 students on their 3/4 acre vacant site.
This public triangle framing entrance to the dorms, cleanses street run-off in a vegetated swale.
The section/elevations below depict the street-edge defining dormitories, collegiate quad lawn, ornamental groves, parking, and vegetated swale to cleanse run-off and minimize CSO’s.
Sensory Garden Winston Prouty Center for Child Development Brattleboro, VT Engaging children with unique learning abilities or physical challenges in an inclusive environment is the core of this design. It celebrates diversity with a broad range of topographic and horticultural complexity, providing physical challenge as well as supportive shelter, and stimulating children in all their five senses. The garden also provides a direct experience of nature, both wild and cultivated.
Hand-activated pumps send water through pipes and concrete channels, activating noisemakers and water wheels. A bridge crosses a runnel and a broad sand box. A hedge enclosure provides sheltering for the youngest children. A series of sloped ramps retained by fieldstone walls climb to high points for slides and water sources, and create a vantage point for a roofed stage/sandbox. Edible fruits and berries abound, and the flower selection maximizes fragrance. The master plan at left increases pedestrian safety at drop-off time while relocating spill-over parking and fencing the active play-yard. A pergola provides shade for the offices.
Sheltered enclosures offer quiet resting places far above the rushing river.
Woodland Species Groundcovers for shade
Understory Trees
Amelanchier canadensis ‘Autumn Brilliance’ Shadblow serviceberry ^ Cornus alternifolia Pagoda dogwood ^
Hamamelis spp. Witch hazel
Hosta spp Arctostaphylos uva ursi Bearberry Gaultheria procumbens Tea berry
Acer japonicum Full moon maple
Mitchella repens Partridgeberry
Potentilla tridentata Three toothed cinquefoil Phlox stolonifera Creeping phlox
Tiarella cordifolia Foamflower
Waldsteinia fragarioides Uvularia sessilifolia Barren strawberry Bellwort
Terraces off classrooms with birdfeeders and wind chimes provide observation points and transitional inside/outside space. Higher velocity play, such as a cycling track, occurs farthest from the structures.
Shrubs
Kalmia latifolia Mountain laurel ^ Fothergilla gardenii Fothergilla^
Ribes aureum Golden currant ^
Ilex glabra Inkberry ^
Sambucus racemosa Red berried elder ^
Vaccinium angustifolium Lowbush blueberry ^
Viburnum opulus Vaccinium corymbosum Highbush blueberry ^ var. americanum (trilobum) American cranberry bush ^
Viburnum acerifolia Mapleleaf viburnum ^
Herbacious perennials
Anemone Canadensis Canada anemone
Arisaeme triphyllum Jack-in-the-pulpit Aquilegia Canadensis Columbine
Asarum european European ginger
Water areas
Carex morowii ‘Ice dancer’Sedge
Cypripedium calceolus pubescens Dodecatheon meadis Yellow lady’s slipper Shooting star Dicentra cucullaria Dutchman’s breeches
Helleborus foetidus Erythronium americanum Lilium superbum Trout lily Turk’s cap lily Helleborus orientalis Lenten rose
Hakonechloa macra Aureola Iris sibirica Japanese Forest Grass Siberian iris
Liriope muscari Lilyturf
Salix spp. Willows
Clematis virginiana Virgin’s bower
Oxalis acetosella Wood shamrock
Rogersia sambucifolia Trillium grandiflorum Polygonatum commutatum Rogersia Solomon’s seal Podophyllum peltatum Smilacina racemosa Trillium May apple False Solomon’s seal
Berries
Vines
Hydrangea anomala petiolaris Climbing hydrangea Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia creeper Vitus labrusca
Apple Orchard
raspberries strawberries
blackberries
Grape ivy
Meadow
Quercus alba white oak
Flower garden
Materials
Winter
Ratibida pinnata Miscanthus sinensis‘Silberfeder’ Calamagrostis x acutiflora yellow coneflower Japanese silver grass 'Karl Foerster' Schizachyrium scoparium Chasmanthium latifolium Little Bluestem Northern sea oats
Achillea filipendula Coronation Gold Asclepias tuberosa Echinacea purpurea Yarrow ^ purple coneflower ^ Butterfly weed ^ ^ indicates attractive to butterflies and bees or forage for birds
Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ coneflower
Monarda didyma bergamot Perovskia Atriplicifolia Russian Sage
Yucca filamentosa Adam’s needle
Eryngium yuccifolium Rattlesnake Master
Filipendula rubra queen of the prairie
Ilex verticillata winterberry
Juniperus virginiana Hamamelis mollis witchhazel
Water play
Stachys byzantina lamb’s ears
Platycodon grandiflorus balloon flower Eryngium planum sea holly
Alchemilla mollis lady’s mantle
Dianthus Caryophyllus clove pink
Finding Balance Carol Waag
Winston Prouty Center for Child Development
Brattleboro Vermont
University of Massachusetts|Amherst Landscape Architecture 6O3|Fall 2O1O Professor Annaliese Bischoff
An orchard of child-scaled, climbable apple trees occupy the center of the garden (above). At left, the planting palette presentation board.
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Multifamily Housing Lookaway, North Amherst
Urban Park Emerson Wight Park, Springfield, MA
This multi-famiy housing project required a density of 10 units per acre on a sloping site with distant views. The pedestrian and bicycle-friendly design provided several community gathering places, creative water management, buffered parking and optimal views.
A new design for this 8.5 acre park in Springfield’s South End was sought to address security issues, increase visibility and access from bordering streets, correct poor drainage at the base of a steep and heavily wooded bluff, and enhance limited and ageing recreational facilities. I sought to foster social trust and interaction through encouraging active engagement with the site and its considerable natural features. I created multiple entrances, removed fencing where possible, emphasized a hierarchy of paths, trails and intersections, established safe sitting areas with views to encourage engagement with other people, the natural elements, and the impressive view of downtown.
A
B
A
A naturalized swale marked by large and climbable boulders tumbles down the slope, spilling into a shallow pond and then a series of wetland features. A community garden with rainwater collection occupies the sunniest portion of the site. Multiple play areas serve various age groups, and a basketball court and bocce court address the diverse needs of the Latino and Italian-American residents. A central elliptical lawn provides baseball and soccer, and a picnic shed is situated close by.
B
A central gathering space between rows of townhouses collects people and water (AA).
The cardboard contour model (above) reveals the steep escarpment at the edge of the flood plain.
This section/elevation (BB) illustrates the dynamic landforms of the entrance green. A permeable edge to invite residents and filter street noise is created by a series of raised beds and seating made of steel and surrounds a basketball court (detail, above). The construction drawing (right) details the planting and seating structure.
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A boulder-strewn swale in the model (above) tumbles into a shallow pool for cooling off in the summer and skating i n the winter.
trails poster:Layout 1 3/22/10 9:09 AM Page 1
Conservation Design Woburn, MA
trails
The City of Woburn was interested in buying the 75 forested acres of the Whispering Hill property in Woburn, in response to development pressure, and to provide much needed green space in this formerly industrial town with a history of aquifer pollution. A portion of the site is listed as priority habitat, but has no protection. Motor bikes currently present a challenge for hikers, birders, and the ecological health of the site.
design
Consider safety: keep walking trails and vehicle routes separate and design for visibility and crime prevention. Design for maximum connectivity with other The maximum sustainable grade, the steepest grade the trail will trails and surrounding bicycle and pedestrian networks. attain, should be determined early on in the planning and design process. Typically this should fall between 15% and 25%, but will depend on your site’s soils, rainfall, the half rule, frequency of grade reversals, user type and volume and desired challenge. Identify the type of trail intended, potential uses and the volume of expected use. Multiple-use trails should be designed to the most limiting standard.
recommended grades
Hiking/interpretive: 0-12% High challenge hiking: 15%, with short steeper segments. The American Disabilities Act (ADA) reMountain biking: 4% sustained, average of 3%. pitched grades of 8%, 5% for long runs, grades of 12% quires that newly constructed “places of public accommodaCross country skiing: maximum 10% (sustained), 15-25% (50 yds), 25-40% (experts) tion” be readily accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities. This Equestrian: 8% sustained, 15% for a maximum of 200 feet with a 4% easing-off section of at least 500 feet; avoid steeper than 15% does not require unreasonable efforts to provide an accessible route on hiking trails in Snowmobiling: avoid grades of greater than 25% ATV/ Motorcycle: avoid grades of greater than 30% steep terrain without added surface. Where terrain allows accessible slopes, a range of surfacing choices Bicycling: 0-3%, 5% as needed, 8% max. Exercise/fitness on resilient track: 0-1% from pavement to fine stone dust to engineered wood fiber can create levels of accessibility that consider the Accessible trails: 5% for any distance, 8.33% (max. 50’); 10% (max. 30’); 12.5% (max. 10’). Max. cross slope: 5%. Accessible trails are closed to dogs and bicycles. character of the site. Other potential uses: overnight backpacking; competitive trail events; in-line skating; Accessible trail grades: 5% for any distance, 8.33% (max. of 50’); 10% (max. 30’); 12.5% (max. 10’). Maximum cross slope: 5%. snowshoeing; jogging or running; 4WD vehicles
I proposed a conservation cemetery for 10 level acres-- for cremated remains–with the only obvious change to the forest a network of trails and benches. Woburn is in need of cemetery space, and yet has indicated a commitment to preserving the existing woodlands. A plan for complementary uses would serve both purposes, raise funds for upkeep and insure that the land, and water, continues to be protected. I designed a series of trails throughout the site, skirting wetlands and other sensitive areas. Some trails were suitable for contemplative strolling. Others took advantage of varied topography to provide challenging trail-running. Overlooks highlighted views of Boston.
Stacked loops provide options for diverse users. The majority of a looped system can be shared use, with a few areas designed for a single use. Keep core loops near trailheads open and flowing to accommodate the widest variety of users. Outer loops can become progressively more technical and strenuous for people who want a challenge.
The ideal trail takes advantage of natural features, meets diverse users needs and expec- Use vegetation to control erosion wherever possible, such as tations, requires minimal maintenance, and seeding or planting small trees or other minimizes environmental impact to soils, wetlands, and ground cover. other sensitive areas. Preventing erosion caused by water is key: keep water off the trail, follow existing contours and use grade reversals to naturally shed water. When planning and designing trails, consult soil survey maps (NRCS), hydrologic data, and topographic maps (USGS). Be familiar with the character of the land and its vegetative cover. Identify all prime wetlands and avoid them. Be sure to survey your potential trail site during the wettest months. Design to keep trail users on the trail to minimize potential damage. Users will leave the trail when it is wet, eroded, or does not meet their needs and expectations.
surfaces
Minimum clear tread width: 36”
the half rule:
The trail’s grade should be no greater than half the grade of the hillside that it contours along. For example: trail grade should not exceed 8% , if traversing a hill with 16% slope. This allows water to flow across the trail and not down it.
earth, stone, wood, asphalt, concrete, gravel, crusher fines, porous asphalt, pervious concrete and permeable pavers, agricultural by-products such as filbert shells, organic surfaces such as bark mulch or wood planer shavings, limestone treated surfaces, recycled plastic porous asphalt, if properly mainlumber boardwalk, engineered wood fiber, tained, minimizes puddles and potential rubberized surfaces and geosynthetics hydroplaning and infiltrates stormwater. Porous asphalt results in a rougher surface (not preferred by rollerbladers or skateboarders). Not recommended for sites that flood or are likely to receive large amounts of seed.
signage: The cemetary occupies the level and dry portion of the site, distinguished by mature oaks which could be enhanced by judicious planting of a woody understory.
Design trail grade as low as is reasonable while fulfilling your objectives. To increase interest on the trail, the grade should vary as much as possible, with an average grade of 4%-6%. This will make your trail twice as long as a conventional 10% average grade. An optimal average grade will allow higher speeds going uphill for those who want a challenge, while rewarding the user with a longer downslope, slowly releasing the elevation earned. On steep terrain, if the grade is 10%, a cyclist will use her brakes, which is not enjoyable, and hard on the trail. At 4% a cyclist can pedal or coast and a hiker or runner has minimal pounding. To serve the physically challenged, keep maximum tread grade to 8% on short sections for the first mile from the trail head. For those who prefer a greater challenge, one leg of a loop can be a gradual climb, one leg can be steeper. For extreme equestrian and mountain biking varying the grade will serve better than a consistent grade. Offer more difficult optional trail segments for these users.
construction
erosion and sedimentation control Before beginning any trail construction, sediment barriers: hay, straw bales or geotextile materials for silt fencing installed take appropriate measures to minimize and preacross the toe of a slope vent erosion. Stabilizing slopes, creating natural retaining walls/cribbing: structures made of logs or rocks which provide stability and strength vegetation buffers, diverting runoff from exposed areas to the edge of the trail and construction areas, controlling the volume and filter strip: an area of undisturbed soil, vegetation, and leaf litter between a trail and a body of water or wetland velocity of runoff, all serve to reduce erosion. stabilization: establishing vegetation on disturbed or erodible areas by sowing seed, planting, and/or mulching Appropriate temporary spring seeding species mixtures for Massachusetts: Creeping Red Fescue, Annual Ryegrass, Winter Rye
drainage
Wildlife, habitat, botanical, or geological interpretive signs and displays on trails provide an opportunity to teach the public about the environment, natural and cultural history, help build support for preserving open space, and teach about critical habitat and biodiversity issues.
outsloping: trail surface is sloped in same direction as hill slope insloping: trail surface sloped into the direction of the rise swales/dips/berms: depressions constructed across a slope with earthen berms water bars: rock, earthen or log barrier or excavated channel angled across a trail to divert runoff. Some consider water bars to be unsustainable and recommend grade reversals and grade dips instead grade reversals (or rolling grade): reverse grade often (every 20-50 feet) to reduce the watershed, and prevent water from collecting and flowing down the trail deflectors: rubber belting fastened to treated timbers which are placed in the ground to deflect water off a trail (suitable for heavily traveled trails with motorized use or roadways or trail corridors where water runoff could cause serious erosion ) culverts: metal, plastic, cement or wood pipe placed under a trail to permit crossing a stream. (conventional, open top culverts, box culverts)
water crossings
stepping stones: in low wet these minimize destruction by users attempting to avoid them; for crossing shallow streams with light to moderate flow fords: low water stream crossing on stream bed at same grade as trail. Designed to allow normal flow, and to be covered by seasonal floods. Should be employed where streambed is hard, unless constructed of concrete bars, or as last resort due to water quality impact.
adjacent landowners: Homeowners can benefit from proximity to trails or they can be distressed by them. The narrower the trail corridor, the closer the trail to the residence and the likelihood that fencing will be required.
Sources: www.americantrails.org www.appalachiantrail.org www.nhtrails.org www.PortlandParks.org www.outdoors.org
bridges wet soil crossings: avoid whenever possible! stepping stones: any material laid on a trail which minimizes compaction of soil, prevents erosion, and provides a dry surface for users corduroy: logs or other material placed perpendicular to trail to provide dry crossing puncheon: walkway constructed of logs to provide dry crossing on fragile, wet terrain boardwalks: a fixed planked structure usually built on pilings, piers or footings. Often used for interpretive facilities in habitat areas such wetlands. Can widen for seating and observation areas crowns and ditches: raised section of trail with side trenches to improve drainage in wet areas paved surfaces may require infiltration trenches or bioswales to the side removeable bollards prevent unauthorized vehicular access to off-street trails, warn trail users of vehicle crossings and slow them down, and identify the trail or cross-streets. Placed in the center of the trail and locked in place.
Landscape Sustainable Studio LA 554 Spring 2010 Professor Jack Ahern Woburn Western Greenway Study Carol Waag
This poster educated Woburn residents about the various types of trails and their construction.
A GIS slope analysis was essential for siting the cemetery and trails.
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Campus Quadrangle University of Massachusetts, Amherst The future construction of a new classroom building southeast of the Campus Center at UMass provides the opportunity to create a vibrant quadrangle that focuses the disparate building types and pond that surround it. At present a sunken and underutilized lawn is bordered by the most heavily traveled paths on campus. My proposal calls for a series of elliptical terraces providing a vantage point towards the pond, and also stepping down to the water’s edge. The former Tan Brook, currently underground, would spill from the pond over falls, run between terraces irrigating wetland plants, and provide lively water interest for outdoor dining areas.
The study model (right) explores the tilting nature of the concentric elliptical terraces.
Spiraling plantings of trees reinforce the centripetal attraction of the terraces and lend shade to an outdoor classroom (above). This drawing of an amphitheatre on the UMass campus analyzes scale.
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The section/elevations (left) reveal shaded seating walls flanking the stream, viewing platforms, sheltered depressions for sunning, access to the pond for wading, and shaded dining areas off the Student Union.
Site Planning & Garden Design Rock, Cornwall, UK
Master Plan and Garden Middlefield, MA
A London family has commissioned a 1/3 acre garden design for a vacation house being constructed in Rock, Cornwall. The property is on an exposed slope with water views. I was retained as architectural design consultant during the design phase, advising client on layout and materials, working with the architect to site the house and facilitate views while retaining existing mature trees. The client has requested a landscape that will complement the style of the house and allow for a diversity of uses. My goal is to find the most sustainable means to achieving the client’s goals.
This master plan for a new second home on 9 wooded acres called for: relocating the driveway, parking and propane tank; distributing boulders left over from construction; creating berms to screen cars and to provide a bed for blueberry plants over the former driveway; solving a severe drainage problem. A contemplative garden surrounding the house is currently underway.
The program included a sunny dining area and a long lawn for ball games (above). Designed by Stuart Martin (left), the residence is a 3300 sq. ft. concrete block structure clad in traditional Cornish materials. A 14 foot elevation drop on the southwest corner had no water views and was considered a liability (left). I created a sunken garden accessed by traditional Cornish cantilevered steps, providing sunny protection for tender plants , a sound-masking waterfall, and a fire pit. A sloping orchard underplanted with spring bulbs is an alternative path to the sunken garden for those who cannot manage steps.
Clockwise from top: this working planting plan demonstrates a palette of natives at home in wet, acidic forest, as well as Asian ornamentals in keeping with the style of the architecture and the clients’ origin; a 60 foot stone swale wrapping the garden, edged with ornamentals, eliminated drainage problems; the clients requested a design for a free-standing screened porch in the style of a Japanese tea house; an elliptical lawn creates a sunny glade in the forest .
Enhanced Entrance Nassau, NY At a lakeside log home, the existing two small entrances competed for attention, but were both upstaged by an oversized parking area. I enlarged the front entrance porch, creating a welcoming landing and terracing steps, in keeping with the house’s style . A flagged path and appropriately sized shrubs minimized the slope, buffered the parking area, contained a side yard and enabled a staged revealing of the lake view. My garden.
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Selected Drawings, Installations, Sculpture and Set Design
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Selected Graphic Design
Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School
class
2009
of
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Carol Waag 413-329-8988
cwaag@verizon.net
Landscape Architecture