Ecological Landscape Plan for Bunker Hill Community College

ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE PLAN Prepared by Lucy Conley, Kelly Corbin, and Armi Macaballug | The Conway School | Spring 2016

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

CONTENTS Project Overview Introduction Client Requests Community Needs

Focus Area Designs 4 5 6

Context Campus Demographics Neighborhood Watershed A Changing Coastline Nearby Green Spaces

7 8 9 10 11 12

Site Analysis

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to express our gratitude to many people for their support, interest, and enthusiasm for this project: Gary Bigelow of BHCC, Kate Cholakis, Tom Benjamin, Rachel Loeffler, Glenn Motzkin, Bill Lattrell, Alan Rice and our classmates at the Easthampton Mill campus.

Character Zones Circulation Sun/Shade Vegetation Impervious Surfaces Soils Surface Drainage Drainage System Maintenance Lighting Summary Analyses

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Introduction Focus Area 1: Nature Study Area Focus Area 2: C Building Courtyard Focus Area 3: Rose Garden Focus Area 4: Rutherford Avenue Entrance Focus Area 5: Student Parking Entrance Focus Area 6: The Quad Recommendations Stormwater Strategies Low Mow Lawns Meadow Establishment and Care Maintenance Glossary and Calendar Athletic Fields Cost Benefits Analysis Benefits to Students Lighting ADA Compliance Sustainability Initiatives at Other Campuses

References

24 25 26

Typologies Introduction Stormwater Retrofits Edge Enhancements

27 28 30

Front cover image credits (clockwise from top left): USFWS , D. Coetzee, Sten Porse, Linda N., peganum

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

49 50 51 52 54 56 57 58 60 61

References

Design Direction Ecological Values and Design Program Reference Plant Communities

32 33 36 38 40 43 46

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

62

Project Overview: INTRODUCTION “Bunker Hill Community College empowers and inspires students, faculty, and staff diverse in identities, experiences, and ideas to make meaningful contributions to our local and global communities. The College embodies a spirit of inquiry, critical thought, inclusive excellence, and lifelong learning.”

Once these designs are installed and ecological management techniques are used, water running off the BHCC campus and ultimately into Boston Harbor will be significantly cleaner.

Improved soil health and increased amounts of vegetation on campus sequester more carbon and reduce the urban heat island effect.

BHCC’s adoption of an ecological landscape plan is a meaningful contribution not only to the college’s students, but also to the local and global communities referenced in the vision statement. These contributions can inspire students to reduce their ecological footprints and find their own ways to serve the greater community.

—Bunker Hill Community College Vision Statement

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Bunker Hill Community College’s (BHCC) vision statement demonstrates the institution’s dedication to inspiring its students to become vital members of their communities. Every day, students arrive on the BHCC campus to gain the skills needed to create a better future for themselves and their communities. The landscape that greets them, however, does not reflect the inspiration that BHCC seeks to provide.

A new landscape plan, grounded in ecological principles, can further BHCC’s vision. Outdoor learning spaces, a nature study area, increased stormwater treatment, and more appealing entrances make the campus an inviting and interesting place to be outside. Designs support student learning by providing places to study, conduct classes outdoors, and explore diverse landscapes.

Ecological principles underlie all designs included in this report. The results lower maintenance costs compared to the current landscaping maintenance methods. Ecologically sensitive landscapes eliminate the use of harmful pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. They incorporate green stormwater infrastructure such as bioretention areas to clean water running off impervious surfaces.

4

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Project Overview: CLIENT REQUESTS Bunker Hill Community College’s representative for this project, Gary Bigelow (Director of Facilities), requested The Conway School team focus the project scope on the following components: STORMWATER SOLUTIONS Stormwater runoff from the campus is mostly uncontrolled, resulting in erosion and poor stormwater quality. In addition to the sediment load, runoff from impervious surfaces carries various pollutants. Design solutions that address poor drainage and runoff water quality will reduce pollutants entering Boston Harbor.

ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT PLAN The current management of the landscape involves conventional maintenance of trees, manicured shrubs, and annuals with the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation.

Turf is consistently mowed, irrigated and, treated with non-organic inputs. These methods are not sustainable, both in cost and environmental impact. An ecological landscape plan will build resilient plant communities, reduce or eliminate fertilizers and pesticides, minimize irrigation, provide sustainable management practices that support ecological resources, and reduce annual maintenance costs. This plan also increases soil health and vegetation on campus, which leads to greater carbon sequestration.

SCHEMATIC LIGHTING PLAN Most of the lighting on campus consists of antiquated, unshielded structures with incandescent bulbs that provide excessive light pollution. General recommendations that reduce light pollution through the implementation of energy-efficient lighting solutions will improve public safety, visibility, and cost effectiveness.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

STORMWATER SOLUTIONS • Analyze current flow patterns • Address areas of poor drainage and wet spots • Mitigate erosion and reduce runoff • Draft design concepts for problem areas

ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT • Identify highvisibility planting areas • Recommend drought-tolerant, low maintenance plants • Provide best management practices to reduce maintenance, irrigation, use of fertilizers and pesticides, and costs

SCHEMATIC LIGHTING PLAN • Increase student safety through the location and type of lighting • Provide general recommendations to improve lighting on campus • Improve energy efficiency of outdoor lighting

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

5

Project Overview: COMMUNITY NEEDS A survey about the campus landscape was conducted online and distributed to BHCC students, faculty, and staff. The survey asked questions about the current landscape, potential outdoor spaces, and general community needs and feedback.

Satisfied

new 75% with G Building

landscaping

A majority of the 115 responses collected by June 2016 expressed the community’s desire to spend more time outdoors. Many participants requested shaded areas to sit and gather and more pathways across the quad. Suggestions to beautify the campus included planting more perennials and trees.

An opt-in section in the survey allowed specific feedback. Several landscaping issues arose, such as erosion and poor drainage in some parking areas, lack of aesthetically pleasing spaces, and inadequate lighting.

With the majority of the BHCC community expressing the need for a landscape that provides reasons to go outside, BHCC has the opportunity to create outdoor spaces that significantly improve the experiences of students, faculty, and staff.

Dissatisfied

Dissatisfied

D 57% with Building

Dissatisfied

main 70% with plaza

entrance landscaping

56% with Student

landscaping

Parking Entrance

M D

C

A

B

E

G

“WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ON THE BHCC CHARLESTOWN CAMPUS?”

59% more trees

72%

88%

outdoor seating areas

59% flower beds

pathways across the quad 0

200

400

Feet

I

I would like more academic activities outside

I wish there were more outdoor spaces to study, relax, or gather with peers

When I have time between classes or meetings, I spend time outdoors

It is easy for me to get from one building to another by going outside

There is adequate outdoor lighting on campus to make me feel safe at night

83 Agreed

101 Agreed

62 Agreed

77 Disagreed

67 Disagreed

*Survey answers based on 115 individual respondents

6

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Context: CAMPUS The Commonwealth of Massachusetts owns Bunker Hill Community College property. The central campus (shown at right) is approximately 33 acres with buildings clustered within the southern part of the property and athletic fields to the north. Interstate 93, an elevated highway, runs along the west side of the campus.

Rutherford Avenue and Austin Street create the east and south borders of campus, respectively.

Some classes and programs are offered online or at one of the other campuses in Chelsea, Malden, East Boston, or the South End.

Austin Street M

Athletic Fields

E

D

C

B

A

T Station G

Quad

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An interconnected series of buildings labeled A, B, C, D, E, G, and M forms the campus core. Most campus buildings date from the early 1970s, reflected in the Brutalist-style architecture.

These imposing buildings are beyond human scale; a landscape design has potential to scale down and soften these buildings. G Building, the Health and Wellness Center constructed in 2009, is a LEED Gold building. The campus includes a library, computer labs, science labs, student lounges, and cafes. Despite the open quad and crowded hallways, students primarily traverse the campus through the buildings rather than going outside to move from one building to another.

Rutherford Avenue

0

75

150

300 Feet

Office of Geographic Information (Mass GIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information Technology Division, April-June 2016

The main campus of Bunker Hill Community College consists of connected academic buildings. The grounds include athletic fields, a two-acre central quad, and several formal landscaped areas.

CONTEXT

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

7

Context: DEMOGRAPHICS Founded in 1973, Bunker Hill Community College is the largest community college in Massachusetts. With an enrollment of 14,000 students per semester, the multi-campus urban institution offers a wide variety of Associate and certificate programs that provide successful employment and transfer to four-year colleges and universities. A leader in individualized and alternative methods of education, BHCC supports its students through a range of educational opportunities such as distance learning programs; day, evening and weekend classes; and web-based flexible programs for self-directed learning.

programs. As an urban community, it reflects the changing needs and values of the larger global community. Through the formation of the President’s Climate Committee and the Sustainability Committee in 2007, BHCC strives to incorporate ecological values into their long range goals. BHCC is positioned to take responsibility in promoting strategies that enhance the students’ ecological perspectives in their learning environments.

With its mission rooted in integrating “the strengths of many cultures, age groups, lifestyles and learning styles into the life of the institution,” BHCC reflects its urban community and incorporates this rich diversity within its educational environment. Drawing students from 100 countries with students of color comprising approximately 64% of the population, BHCC is one of the most diverse colleges in Massachusetts. Students speak more than 75 languages and more than 50% are women.

Bunker Hill Community College

Bunker Hill Community College

With two main campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea and several satellite campuses, BHCC enrolls students from in and around the City of Boston. Thirty-five percent of students reside in the city while 84% live within 10 miles of the college campuses. The average student is 27 years old and a majority of those enrolled work part-time or full time while attending BHCC. Fifty-nine percent of students receive some form of financial aid.

BHCC is a public institution committed to a diverse student population and educational 8

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Bunker Hill Community College

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Context: NEIGHBORHOOD LEXINGTON

ARLINGTON

MEDFORDEVERETT MEDFORD MEDFORD MEDFORD EVERETT

REVERE CHELSEA

BELMONT SOMERVILLE

WALTHAM

WINTHROP

CAMBRIDGE

BOSTON

WATERTOWN

WINTHROP WINTHROP

BOSTON

BOSTON

BOSTON BOSTON BOSTON

BOSTON

BROOKLINE

BOSTON BOSTON BOSTON

BOSTON

f her

BOSTON

BOSTON BOSTON

Rut

NEWTON

BOSTON

BOSTON

HULL

WEYMOUTH HINGHAM

QUINCY

WEYMOUTH WEYMOUTH

QUINCY DEDHAM

MILTON

QUINCY QUINCY

WESTWOOD

nue Ave

NEEDHAM

CANTON

WEYMOUTH

Charlestown Community Center

ord

HULL HULL

HINGHAM HINGHAM

HINGHAM

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, BRAINTREE USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community

Bunker Hill Monument

Bunker Hill Community College is located in Charlestown, a neighborhood in the northern part of Boston, Massachusetts.

Boston National Historical Park T Station

BHCC occupies 33 acres in the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.

Historically an Irish working class neighborhood, Charlestown is experiencing significant population growth and development. The neighborhood T station is located on the BHCC campus, which creates one of the few situations in which Charlestown residents interact with the BHCC landscape.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

I-93

Digital Globe, MassGIS

[

0

.25

.5

.75 Miles

Office of Geographic Information (Mass GIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information Technology Division, April-June 2016

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

9

Context: WATERSHED The majority of Bunker Hill Community College is located within the Charles River watershed. A small portion of the campus (northwest corner) appears to be within the Mystic River watershed.

Both the Mystic and Charles River watersheds drain to nearby Boston Harbor.

Since BHCC is only one half mile from the Charles River and four miles from Boston Harbor, runoff leaving BHCC property through the storm drain system quickly ends up in the Harbor. This includes sediment from sanding the roads, fertilizers from the turf on campus, and improperly disposed-of trash. Although the Harbor has undergone a massive clean-up in recent years, which resulted in significant water quality improvements, it is critical that the stormwater entering the Harbor is as clean as possible to maintain this progress.

Mystic River

Boston Harbor

Neponset River

Changes to the campus landscaping including the addition of green infrastructure should result in an increase in stormwater quality.

Charles River

[

0 2.5 5

10 Miles

LEGEND CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED

10

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Office of Geographic Information (Mass GIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information Technology Division, April-June 2016

LEGEND BHCC

BOSTON HARBOR WATERSHED

BOSTON HARBOR WATERSHED

BHCC CAMPUS

CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED

BHCC campus is only four miles from where the Charles River watershed ends at Boston Harbor. Water leaving the campus, along with sediment and pollutants picked up from campus grounds, enters both the river and Harbor.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Context: A CHANGING COASTLINE

1776

1881

1908

1968

Charlestown, like the rest of Boston, has filled in much of its coastline since the area was originally settled. A mill pond directly west of the campus was filled between 1881 and 1908 to make room for additional development and railroads. Although major alterations to Boston’s coastline stopped in the early 20th century, this landscape will continue to change as sea levels rise and flooding events become more frequent and severe.

According to projections from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), most of BHCC sits above even a six-foot sea level rise. Parts of campus, however, will become more prone to flooding and access to the campus will be severely altered. Impacts to the surrounding neighborhood and the rest of Boston are expected to be dramatic and would affect every member of the BHCC community.

BHCC has the opportunity and responsibility to help students learn about future changes to their landscapes and enable them to build resilient communities. A campus landscape that effectively manages stormwater and reduces the college’s carbon footprint would serve as a key teaching tool in this effort.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

LEGEND

LOW-LYING AREAS

FLOODED AREAS

Charlestown, Massachusetts with a projected 6-foot sea level rise.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

NOAA

11

Context: NEARBY GREEN SPACES

Ave .

3 I-9 tin

Aus

St.

Student Parking

Galvin Green

Pedestrian and bicycle pathways

Paul Revere Park

North Point Park

0

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

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1,000 Feet

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Bunker Hill Monument

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Bunker Hill Community College

The 15 minutes in between classes does not grant enough time to visit these nearby parks.

Many students have responsibilities outside of school, such as work or children, that prevent them from spending much time at school outside of their classes. Staff and faculty also have tight schedules limiting them from spending 20 minutes walking to one of these parks and returning. A typical class is 75 minutes long; taking 40 minutes to get back and forth from one of these areas may not be the best use of class time.

Because the BHCC community cannot often use these green spaces as educational or recreational resources, it is critical that the landscape just outside their campus buildings meets those needs.

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Rut

Several public green spaces, including the Bunker Hill Monument (0.6 miles), Paul Revere Park (0.5 miles), and North Point Park (0.7 miles) are within less than one mile of the college but there are challenges for the BHCC community in using these resources. Paul Revere Park and North Point Park can be reached by a protected pedestrian and bike pathway accessible from the student parking lots south of Austin Street.

Despite the proximity of these green spaces, BHCC students, staff, and faculty seldom use them.

Office of Geographic Information (Mass GIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information Technology Division, April-June 2016

BHCC is close to several public green spaces but each require around a 20 minute walk.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

20 Le 13 Na ge tio nd na lG eo BH gr ap C hi c Ur C So ba ci e ty, Ud n i-c lan o

Site Analysis: CHARACTER ZONES

BHCC campus can be divided into several zones, each of which is defined by its primary uses and characteristics.

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- busy - unsafe

- unused - expansive - open

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75

150

RECOGNIZED OUTDOOR SPACE

cross in front of moving vehicles to reach their parked cars.

The “Recognized Outdoor Space” zone includes outdoor areas proximate to the buildings.

Students, staff, and faculty see these areas daily, either by walking through them, driving past, or most likely, by viewing them through a window.

overall use is infrequent. The college occasionally rents the athletic fields to outside groups to generate income. Many people at BHCC may not see this zone regularly if their travels do not take them to the G building.

The “Unrecognized Outdoor Space” zone encompasses the area of campus that is inaccessible by car and seldom used. Some community members use the athletic fields but

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

13

SITE ANALYSIS

The “Vehicle Dominated” zone includes most of the perimeter of campus. This zone is continually busy, as cars, shuttle buses, and delivery trucks move around the site. Pedestrians often move through this zone as well, leading to potentially unsafe interactions with vehicles. People are often forced to walk through parking lots or

UNRECOGNIZED OUTDOOR SPACE

Office of Geographic Information (Mass GIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information Technology Division, April-June 2016

300 Feet

For design purposes, it is useful to think of the BHCC campus in terms of character zones. These zones each have different functions, which influence the design of the spaces within those zones.

VEHICLE DOMINATED

Site Analysis: CIRCULATION Circulation patterns on campus show many overlaps between pedestrians and vehicles.

Rutherford Avenue

To H Building

!

Student Parking

Perimeter Road

!

M C

D

E !

Parking Lot 5

A

B !

T Station

G

Parking Lot 4

LEGEND

VEHICULAR CIRCULATION

!

Perimeter Road

PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION

PEDESTRIAN PATH—NO SIDEWALK

BUILDING ENTRANCE

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!

0

62.5

125

Pedestrian routes around campus often follow vehicular routes. The overlap between pedestrian and vehicle routes leads to dangerous interactions between the two. In 14

Office of Geographic Information (Mass GIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information Technology Division, April-June 2016

250 Feet

Vehicles entering campus via Rutherford Avenue can either turn in to Parking Lot 5 or continue around campus on the one-way Perimeter Road.

This circulation pattern often causes confusion as drivers are uncertain how to enter Lot 5 and how to return to Rutherford Avenue. On the southwest side of B Building, vehicles can either turn south toward the student parking lots or continue on Perimeter Road toward G Building.

POTENTIAL CONFLICT AREA

Parking Lot 5, students walk through the lot to get to and from the H building, located half a mile north on Rutherford Avenue. Pedestrians also cross the road to reach their cars parked along Perimeter Road on the western side of the quad.

The buildings typically can only be entered on the west side; all doors on the east side are considered emergency exits only. This pattern forces people who park on the east side to walk around the buildings, keeping them in close proximity to moving vehicles.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

No paths exist through the quad, which is often wet and covered with goose droppings from a resident flock. People choose to walk inside the buildings instead of going outside. Adding paths, fixing the drainage issues, and discouraging geese on the quad will help draw people outside, for circulation among buildings, studying, and relaxing.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

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September or May - 8 AM

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September or May - 4 PM

Sun is the dominant condition on campus, with the buildings providing most of the available shade. The few trees on campus do provide shade but many are in proximity to the buildings, making that shade redundant. Little is done to take advantage of shady areas like the grove of trees near Parking Lot 5. The BHCC community expressed interest in shady seating areas where learning and socializing can happen outdoors.

The area on campus receiving heaviest shade is the C Building Courtyard, which is shaded by the B Building and the mature maple and oak trees there. The Rose Garden is also in morning shade,

created by the buildings. The tall basswood trees that surround it block afternoon sun. The quad only receives morning shade close to the buildings and is exposed for the rest of the day.

Sun and shade patterns on the BHCC campus in both spring and fall are relatively similar. B and C Buildings cast shade on the Rose Garden in the mornings. Afternoon shade dominates the Rutherford Avenue side of the campus.

BHCC can take advantage of existing shaded areas for new seating, and add trees and shade structures in overly exposed sunny places.

Shaded seating is a key feature in encouraging the BHCC community to use outdoor space.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

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Site Analysis: SUN/SHADE

15

Site Analysis: VEGETATION LEGEND E

D

C

B

A

BHCC LANDSCAPING MOWED LAWN TREES BIORETENTION AREAS

G

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The vegetation at BHCC falls into three main categories: trees, lawn, and landscaped areas consisting primarily of evergreen shrubs and mulch.

0

75

150

The grounds at BHCC consist of large expanses of lawn, the occasional line of trees, and heavilymulched landscaped areas dotted with highly maintained evergreen shrubs. In the spring, annuals are planted in select areas of campus prior to graduation. Planters filled with annuals are placed on the plaza connecting B Building to the T stop. Two bioretention areas, installed during the construction of G Building, handle the stormwater coming from the building and the adjacent areas. These areas were originally planted with a variety of native herbaceous and woody plants but few seem to have survived the regular mowing.

16

Office of Geographic Information (Mass GIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information Technology Division, April-June 2016

300 Feet

CURRENT MAINTENANCE Conventional landscape management techniques at BHCC include application of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides; weekly mowing; trimming the shrubs; and frequent irrigation. Mowing steep slopes near A Building presents an unsafe situation for the grounds crew.

Areas in turf, such as the quad and the athletic fields, have been compacted due to years of regular mowing and foot traffic. These areas are regularly irrigated, which weakens the root systems and can lead to unhealthy fungal

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

growth. Frequent irrigation also results in significant costs to the college.

VEGETATION IMPROVEMENTS Landscapes at BHCC are being maintained even though they receive little use. Creating areas of interest with perennial plantings can improve stormwater infiltration, reduce the amount of maintenance needed, and draw more of the BHCC community out into the landscape to learn, relax, and interact.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

20 Le 13 Na ge tio nd na l BH Ur CC b Ud an lan or th d, en we ts, t we s ts ub s

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Site Analysis: IMPERVIOUS SURFACES

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B

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Impervious surfaces such as buildings, roads, and sidewalks cover 40% of the campus. Only 5% of the water coming from these surfaces is treated before entering the storm drain system.

In built environments, such as the BHCC campus, impervious surfaces in the form of buildings, roads, parking areas, terraces, and walkways interrupt the natural hydrologic cycle by preventing the infiltration of rainwater into the soil and by reducing the vegetation available for interception and uptake. Rain flows quickly off impervious surfaces as runoff, causing erosion, siltation, and pollution as soil particles and chemicals on the surfaces are suspended and conveyed to receiving waters. Flooding can also occur in low areas if the storm drain system capacity is exceeded.

At BHCC, impervious surfaces cover 40% of the site, a total of 13 acres. There are over four acres of rooftops and terraces and over five acres of roads and parking lots. The remaining surfaces

IMPERVIOUS SURFACE TYPE

AREA (ACRES)

BUILDINGS A, B, C, D, E, M, PLAZA, AND TERRACES

4.1

86% UNTREATED

BUILDING G (TREATED)

0.7

14% TREATED

BUS LOOP ROAD

2.3

PARKING AND MAINTENANCE

2.4

95% UNTREATED

BUS LOOP ROAD (TREATED)

0.3

5% TREATED

GRAVEL AND DIRT OVERFLOW LOT

2.1

ASPHALT PATHS

0.5

TENNIS & BASKETBALL COURTS

0.8

TOTAL

13.2

40% OF SITE IMPERVIOUS

TREATED AREAS

1.0

5% OF IMPERVIOUS AREA

% RUNOFF TREATED

100% UNTREATED

include asphalt paths, recreational facilities and a gravel overflow parking lot.

Of the 13 acres, only one acre is treated. Runoff from the G Building rooftop and the bus loop road is directed to two green infrastructure facilities which provide water quality treatment prior to discharge into the storm drain system.

Runoff from the remaining 12 acres enters the storm drain untreated, including the most contaminated runoff from the roads and parking lots.

Only 5% of roads and parking areas are treated.

Designs for the campus should prioritize additional stormwater treatment of the runoff from roads and parking lots at BHCC.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Runoff from Parking Lot 4 erodes the soil and kills lawn on its way to the storm drain.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

17

Site Analysis: SOILS

Existing bioretention area Permeability test #1: 2.9 inch/hour Building G

Existing recharge and detention area Permeability test #2: 0.09 inch/hour

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Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed

0 200 400

800 Feet

Legend BHCC

0

Urban land, wet substratum Udorthents, wet substratum

a careful analysis of soils and design of underdrains as necessary.

Permeability tests done in conjunction with the study are summarized above and confirm the variability of the on site soils. In one of the tests, the soils had the characteristics of loamy sand and in the other, less than 200 feet away, the soil type was a clay loam. These soil types vary significantly in permeability (see chart at right).

Sand

8.27 inch/hour

rapid

Sandy loam

1.02 inch/hour

moderate

Silt loam

0.27 inch/hour

moderately slow

0.02 inch/hour

very slow

Clay

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Fee

The design of additional green infrastructure for stormwater quality treatment must include

TYPICAL PERMEABILITY

400

This report summarizes the soils as: “...fill varying in thickness and consistency over natural marine clay deposits. The fill is generally of mixed soil materials, but also contains rubble, buried structures, and other fill material. The fill soils are generally poorly suited for infiltration BMPs that are to infiltrate large quantities of stormwater. And seasonal groundwater

elevations are relatively shallow, generally encountered between 3 and 5 feet below the surface.”

200

The National Resources Conservation Service classifies soils at BHCC as urban fill. Studies done in conjunction with the G Building construction included a Soil Suitability Assessment for Stormwater Purposes in 2008.

18

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Site Analysis: SURFACE DRAINAGE low point

0.7% high point

M

0.6% D

low point

B

C E

1.6%

A

low point 40% 2%

low point G G

27%

low point

0.7% low point

6%

low point

low point

0.9%

LEGEND BHCC BOUNDARY

low point

DRAINAGE DIVIDE DIRECTION OF FLOW

[

FLOOD ZONE 0

75

150

Office of Geographic Information (Mass GIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information Technology Division, April-June 2016

300 Feet

The 33-acre site has many high and low points creating several small drainage catchments. The highest point on campus is 23 feet above sea level at the north corner. The lowest elevation on campus is 9 feet above sea level and several of the low points around the building complex are at a similar elevation.

SLOPES AND FLOODING Slopes vary from very flat (less than one percent) to very steep (40 percent). A portion of the site, the northeast corner, is in a FEMA special hazard flood zone, an area subject to flooding in the event of a 100-year storm.

SITING STORMWATER FEATURES These surface drainage patterns will drive stormwater and landscape designs. Stormwater facilities will necessarily be located at or near low points and plant materials will vary depending on the current or proposed grading.

Furthermore, the lack of elevation change and green space downstream of roads and parking limits possibilities for the installation of green infrastructure.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Sediment accumulates in parking areas and is washed into the storm drain system.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

19

Site Analysis: DRAINAGE SYSTEM dra

ins

D

dra

ins

E

ce

nt

ra

lt

G

de

rp

laz

a

A

B

C

un

un

de

rp

laz

a

ru

nk

lin

e

LEGEND DRAINAGE MANHOLE

0

200

400

0 Feet

200

400

STORM DRAIN PIPE Feet

Stormwater runoff from the vast majority of the campus is not managed by facilities that reduce the rate or volume of runoff. Most campus buildings have roof downspouts directly connected to the stormwater system via underground pipes.

storm event, when rainfall washes deposited pollutants from the land surface and carries them downstream. The first flush represents the runoff with the highest pollutant concentration, notably from automobile fluid residues such as motor oil.

Impervious surfaces drain to storm inlets located on campus property that are directly connected to the public storm drain system.

FOLLOW THE WATER The 34 catch basins and numerous smaller drains throughout the campus drain to a central trunk line which runs between D and E Buildings, through the center of the quad towards the MBTA property, and then into Boston Harbor.

FIRST FLUSH The management of the first inch of stormwater runoff also captures the first flush of every 20

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

PIPE FLOW DIRECTION

Proposed designs will consider opportunities for cleaning the stormwater before it enters the system. Green infrastructure and deep sump catch basins can prevent sediment and pollutants from entering the storm drain system.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Site Analysis: MAINTENANCE

D

C

A

B

E

G

BHCC LANDSCAPE GROUNDS ANNUAL BUDGET TruGreen Lawn Maintenance

$13,500

Plant Supply (includes annuals)

$11,000

Cambridge Bark and Mulch LEGEND IRRIGATED REGULARLY MOWED REGULARLY TRIMMED, WEEDED AND MULCHED ANNUAL PLANTINGS

0

The landscape management approach employed

by BHCC requires a yearly expenditure of about $82,500 (this figure does not include labor or equipment). Both lawn and formal planted areas require significant amounts of irrigation, energy, and chemical inputs.

The irrigation schedule currently results in the use of 1.5 million gallons of water per year. The water and the maintenance of the irrigation system consumes almost half of the grounds annual budget.

200

400

Feet

$3,000

Future Supply (vendor for fertilizer, weed control, pest control, soil moisturizer and lime)

$15,000

Irrigation Winterization and Spring Opening

$15,000

Irrigation Water

$25,000

TOTAL

$82,500

Conversion of some of the landscaped areas from lawn to native low maintenance and drought tolerant plants would lower irrigation costs and reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers. Including colorful perennial plantings would reduce the need for the costly purchase and installation of annuals each spring.

Annuals ready for planting.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

21

Site Analysis: LIGHTING

D

1

Shielded light fixtures cover perimeter of the campus but are not energy efficient.

2

Unsafe glare results from unshielded four-pronged light fixtures and reduces visibility.

A

B

2

E

G

C

1

3

4 3

Energy-efficient bollards along G Building

LEGEND LIGHT FIXTURE 0

The majority of lighting on campus is old, energy-inefficient, and in need of replacement.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) emphasizes that lighting systems should “...minimize glare, shadow, light pollution, and light trespass...” to improve visibility and safety.

The four-pronged lights outside of E Building and in the Rose Garden are not shielded and much of their light shines upward, causing glare and reduced visibility at night (1). The shielded shoebox-style lights found in the parking lots 22

200

400

Feet

and along the quad are too tall, allowing light to move sideways instead of to the ground (2).

Bollard lighting between G Building and the quad is energy-efficient but some the lights are now tilting (3). Lights in front of G Building exemplify “Dark Sky friendly” lighting; proper shielding ensures that the majority of the light they cast reaches the ground (4).

4

LED fixtures with canopy shields the light source to aim light toward the ground.

spaces they are in and energy-efficient. A new lighting plan should make lighting levels more even across campus, eliminating dark areas and overly bright ones.

While campus police often request more lights on campus for safety purposes, it is critical that any new lights installed are appropriate for the

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Summary: ASSETS AND CONSTRAINTS High capacity storm drain system

ASSETS

Lots of green spaces Engaged faculty Available views are a mix of near and far

Evidence of care Many ways and modes to access campus

Lighting in appropriate places

Courtyard spaces are dark, uninviting

Entry views unappealing

CONSTRAINTS

Many BHCC community members never see or interact with a large portion of the campus

Quad is uncomfortable: wet, exposed, and full of goose poop

Smokers crowd doorways

Lighting is not Dark Sky friendly

Noise from I-93 and the T

Flood zone area

0

ASSETS The BHCC campus has many assets, including the amount of green space available in an urban setting. Views of the green spaces offer a mix of close and distant perspectives. The landscape is clearly cared for by the grounds staff, who take the time to mow, trim, and plant annuals. The large storm drain system can handle the current amounts of runoff from campus. There are many ways in which the BHCC community can access the campus, including walking, driving, biking, and taking the T. A key feature of BHCC is the engaged faculty.

Many faculty members at BHCC are interested in taking their students outside for learning opportunities, provided there are quiet,

200

400

0

Feet

shady places to go. An ecological landscape can augment educational programs at BHCC by providing living classrooms and enjoyable outdoor spaces.

CONSTRAINTS Several constraints on the BHCC campus explain why the community does not spend much time outside there. The quad presents challenges related to drainage, landscaping, and programming. The geese that occupy the quad deter people from walking across it. Client requests included addressing areas of poor drainage on campus, which include the quad.

Outdoor courtyard spaces currently receive little use because they are dark and uninviting. Most of the exterior lighting on campus is neither

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

200

400

Feet

energy efficient nor “Dark Sky friendly�, and the client requested lighting improvements to address both of these issues.

Lack of community exposure to and interaction with a significant portion of campus poses a major constraint. Designs need to include features that will draw people out into the landscape, such as seating areas and plantings.

Areas farther from the buildings need to be incorporated into curricula to increase student exposure to these spaces.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

23

ECOLOGICAL VALUES and DESIGN AN ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE APPROACH TO LANDSCAPE PLANNING AND DESIGN A design process driven by site analysis and careful consideration of human and ecological needs provides a path for BHCC to increase the sustainability and resiliency of the campus landscape.

GUIDING PRINCIPLE: Landscaped areas are inviting, resilient, educational, and integrated into the larger social and ecological context

DESIGN DIRECTION

Using the client’s requests and analysis of the physical campus to understand the ecological vulnerabilities of the landscape leads to a framework for implementing a holistic and responsive approach through design. With natural resources such as water, land, and energy becoming depleted, improving water quality, restoring soil health, and increasing energy efficiency are ecological values that sustain the relationship between the environment and human needs.

Recognizing the importance of these values reveals the guiding principle in creating programming for the site’s conditions: responding to the landscape’s integrity and human needs while also anticipating global challenges like climate change supports site design that is sustainable and resilient.

Strategies employed in the following designs apply the guiding principle to specific design problems to address client requests and community needs.

With programming that understands the historical significance of the site, details such as plant communities become an integral component of the design process. Using reference plant communities (page 26) native to the area that thrive in conditions similar to those observed on the campus contributes to 24

STRATEGIES • Decrease amount of water used in irrigation • Slow, soak, and spread stormwater • Make stormwater visible • Improve water quality

• Reduce mowing • Decrease or eliminate lawn inputs such as fertilizer and pest controls • Improve soil health • Provide pollinator habitat

a diverse ecosystem and potentially reduces landscape inputs and overall costs.

The design strategies will be applied to the different typologies (page 27) of landscapes on campus such as edge enhancements and stormwater retrofits. Focusing on specific areas, schematic alternatives for focus areas (page 32) will apply the ecological values of good water quality, sustainable landscape design, and energy efficiency to sites with unique characteristics. This design process envisions an ecologically functional site that enhances the

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

• Lower energy use associated with outdoor lighting

landscape and the BHCC community.

The programming on the following page consists of three components: improved outdoor spaces, green infrastructure, and sustainable management practices for planted areas and other outdoors spaces. Design solutions of programming aim to restore ecological resources on campus through stormwater treatment, resilient landscapes, and soil restoration. The solutions will be applied in the designs for typologies and major focus areas.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

PROGRAM IMPROVED OUTDOOR SPACES •

Provide outdoor seating areas and learning spaces in sun and shade

•

Construct accessible paths through landscaped areas

•

Install adequate and efficient lighting

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE •

Use of bioretention areas (right) to slow and clean stormwater runoff before it enters storm drain

•

Replace existing drains with deep sump basins to improve water quality (far right)

Removable Grate Oil & Grease Float on Surface Outlet Curb cutouts

Settled Solids

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR PLANTED AREAS AND OTHER OUTDOOR SPACES Existing • Reduce amount of frequently mowed areas

turf/lawn grass

• Decrease fertilizers and pesticides • Reduce irrigation • Establish plantings with extensive root systems that restore soil health Root structures of proposed plantings

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

25

REFERENCE PLANT COMMUNITIES In order to choose plants that will perform well on a site, it is useful to look at the natural communities that would exist there if there were no development on that site. For coastal Massachusetts, two of these communities include the maritime shrubland community and the sandplain heathlands community. Using plants from these communities will bring native plants to the BHCC campus that can easily adjust to the site’s conditions. Plants growing in both communities are adapted to survive and thrive in harsh conditions, many of which are similar to conditions at BHCC. The structure of the maritime shrubland community includes patches of dense shrubs with scattered, open areas of low growth like grasses, or sedges. These communities tolerate salt, pollution, and drought, a result of exposure to stressful conditions such as snow, salt spray, and wind.

The sandplain heathlands community is an open and nearly treeless community dominated by low-growing members of the Heath family. Often dominated by dwarf shrubs, the heathlands community is characterized by few clusters of plants with bare soil separating plants. They can be found frequently in areas with low water availability.

SANDPLAIN HEATHLANDS COMMUNITY

Myrica pensylvanica bayberry

Aronia melanocarpa black chokeberry

Edward Price

MARITIME SHRUBLAND COMMUNITY

Carex pensylvanica Pennsylvania sedge

Linda N.

Aster linariifolius stiff aster

Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi bearberry

USFWS

Sten Porse

Gaylusaccia baccata black huckleberry

Quercus ilicifolia scrubilicifolia oak Quercus

scrub oak

Susan Harris

Sally & Andy Wasowski

Fritz Flohr Reynolds

Richtid

The reference communities include shrubs of varying heights from groundcovers to larger shrubs reaching ten feet or more interspersed with sedges, perennials, and grasses creating an interesting and durable structure within the landscape.

Adding groundcover between the two communities would weave the two structures into a naturalized space and prevent the growth of weeds. Planting members of these communities on the campus can also provide educational opportunities about native plant communities in Massachusetts.

Low shrub

26

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Perennial

Medium Sedge Tall shrub shrub

Small tree

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

TYPOLOGIES

LEGEND EDGE ENHANCEMENTS

[

STORMWATER RETROFITS 0

75

150

Office of Geographic Information (Mass GIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information Technology Division, April-June 2016

300 Feet

The edge of campus separates the school from Rutherford Avenue and the rest of Charlestown.

A design for this area needs to create a visual buffer between the two while also highlighting access points.

Several areas on campus are appropriate for stormwater management techniques, such as bioretention areas. The typology offers recommendations for building these features and planting them in order to slow down stormwater and clean it before it enters the storm drain system.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

TYPOLOGIES

Design typologies apply to areas on the BHCC campus requiring similar design treatment.

These typologies are general enough to be applied to various parts of campus that fit into the categories of either “edge” or “stormwater.”

27

Typology: STORMWATER RETROFITS Typical Planting for Bioretention Areas

Typical Bioretention Area Design

A Small to medium height grasses

Medium height shrub

20’

flo ve r

Curb cut Overflow catch basin

Bioretention area

Riprap erosion protection

3:1 slope (typ.)

Medium height shrubs

As shown in the plan view diagram above, stormwater is diverted off a parking area or road into a planted bioretention area. Overflow stormwater is piped back into the storm drain system.

The location and grading of impervious surfaces at Bunker Hill Community College guides stormwater planning recommendations.

Solutions include structural pre-treatment Best Management Practices (BMPs) and landscapebased strategies which can be added to the campus infrastructure through retrofits.

Proposed pre-treatment BMPs include deep sump catch basins and hydrodynamic separators installed as part of the storm drain system.

Bioretention areas are proposed throughout the campus within the existing landscaped areas at low points near roads and parking areas.

To retrofit existing low areas for treatment, stormwater is diverted through one or multiple curb cuts into a bioretention area. Each bioretention area design should be based on 28

Flowering perennials

Small shrubs

w

Low point

O

Curb

Road or parking lot

Existing storm drain

8’ curb cut

A’ Planting a diverse community of native plants minimizes susceptibility to insect and disease infestation and reduces long term maintenance. A mixture of groundcover, grasses, shrubs, and trees creates a microclimate that can ameliorate urban stresses and discourage weed growth.

Plants of different sizes, form, textures, colors, and seasonal effects will create a stormwater facility that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing to the Bunker Hill community.

soil testing at the location. This establishes the size of the facility as well as the need for an underdrain. Overflow is accomplished with a catch basin set 12 inches above the floor of the bioretention area and connected back into the storm drain system.

The soil and plantings of bioretention areas are effective at removing pollutants from runoff through filtration, increasing microbe activity to break down pollutants, and increasing plant uptake. Total suspended solids (TSS), phosphorus, nitrogen, metals, organics, and bacteria are all removed in varying degrees through this biological process.

Cost of bioretention areas vary widely ($10-$40/ sq. ft.) based on the suitability of on-site soils

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Medium to tall height grasses

30’

and the piping required. The cost estimate (on right) assumes the worst case scenario of imported soils, underdrain and piping to storm drain, resulting in a higher cost. Lower cost facilities can also be constructed “in-house”.

Road or parking lot

Bioretention soil Underdrain within stone layer

To storm drain

Bioretention Area Section A-A’

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

BIORETENTION PLANTINGS and COST ESTIMATE

Magnolia virginiana, sweet bay magnolia Rhus aromatica ‘gro low’, fragrant sumac

Daderot

USFWS

Aaron Carlson

Aronia melanocarpa, black chokeberry

Perennials

Kalmia latifolia, mountain laurel

lf

130

$4

$520

sf

600

$0.25

$150

Tree/shrub removal

ls

1

$500

$500

Existing soil removal

cy

80

$30

$2,400

Remove/replace curb

lf

8

$35

$280

Underdrain piping

lf

55

$15

$825

Storm drain piping

lf

50

$30

$1,500

Gravel layer

cy

10

$30

$300

Outlet structure with beehive catch basin

ls

1

$3,000

$3,000

Geotextile fabric

sy

40

$10

$400

Bioretention soil

cy

40

$45

$1,800

Topsoil

cy

12

$60

$720

Mulch layer

cy

6

$50

$300

River rock riprap protection

cf

15

$40

$600

Small tree

ea

1

$250

$250

Agastache foeniculum, lavender hyssop

Shrub planting

ea

4

$80

$320

Woody groundcover

ea

8

$35

$280

Perennials

ea

36

$3

$108

Rudbeckia fulgida, black-eyed susan

Perennial grasses

sy

50

$3.50

$175

Temporary irrigation

ls

1

$500

$500

Weeding

ls

1

$500

Sporobolis heterolepis, prairie dropseed Schizachyrium scoparium, little bluestem

Proposed improvements

Linda N.

Physocarpus opulifolius, ninebark USFWS

Asclepias tuberosa, butterfly weed

Drew Avery

Anna

Establishment

Hedwig Storch

Fritz Flohr Reynolds

Zizia aurea, golden alexanders

SUBTOTAL

$500 $15,428

15% contingency TOTAL

This plant list presents examples of vegetation used in bioretention areas. Plants should be placed in the bottom or edge of the bioretention area depending on the species’ tolerance for wet or dry conditions. Note that a bioretention area does not hold water for long periods of time. Wet conditions may only last a day or two. Plant selection should favor drought-tolerant species.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

subtotal

Turf removal

Liatris spicata, blazing star

Steve Law

unit cost

Temporary fencing

Danielle Langlois

Fothergilla gardenii, dwarf fothergilla

qty

Site Preparation

Iris versicolor, blue flag iris

Itea virginica, virginia sweetspire

Shrubs

unit

Daryl Mitchell

Julie Weisenhorn

Renee Brecht

Festuca ovina glauca, blue fescue Grasses

Trees

Amelanchier canadensis, serviceberry

$2,314 $17,742

Cost per Square Foot

$30

This cost estimate is based on the 600 square foot “typical bioretention area” (see previous page). The impervious treatment area provided is about 6,500 square feet. Bioretention areas can be built by BHCC staff to reduce costs. Larger facilities are also more cost effective.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

29

20 Le 13 Na ge tio nd na lG eo BH gr ap C hi c Ur C So ba cie ty, Ud n i-c l an or ub th d, ed en we ts, ts we u t s b s tr ub a s tr tu m at um

Typology: EDGE ENHANCEMENTS Rutherford Avenue Mow strip with sinuous edge

80 0 Fe et

Co

py

r ig

ht

:©

Medium height grasses (e.g. little bluestem)

Athletic fields

Perennials

See stormwater typology for details Flagpoles framed by perennials Perimeter Road

B Building

New path

Low mow lawn

04 20

0’

50’

Edge planting design is based on BHCC’s request for lower-maintenance plantings that will also enhance the school’s appearance to both BHCC community members and passersby.

Drifts of grasses in alternating heights are planted between the athletic fields and the Rutherford Avenue entrance, framing a new path that allows students moving back and forth to the H Building to avoid cutting through Parking Lot 5. Strips of grass mowed at a lower height (46”) between the taller grasslands and sidewalks are incorporated for ease of maintenance and to present a neat appearance. These areas of lower vegetation also allow for better visibility. The decorative grasses proposed are salt-tolerant, making them ideal choices for busy urban areas.

Their extensive root systems will result in greater stormwater infiltration than the current turf can offer.

30

Low height grasses (e.g. blue fescue)

0

[

Tall height grasses (e.g. switchgrass)

00

Perennials

Parking Lot 5

The edge immediately adjacent to Rutherford Avenue follows the pattern set along the athletic fields, with a sinuous mow strip and hardy grasses at a medium height of 2-3 feet tall.

A large drift of perennials and taller grasses highlights the entrance. More perennials frame the flagpoles.

Moving south from the Rutherford Avenue entrance, Perimeter Road is planted with an edge of hardy low grasses (~6” tall), backed with taller perennials to 3 feet high. As the road turns the corner around B Building, there is a larger drift of perennials and a few small flowering trees. A low-mow lawn runs behind all plantings. Bioretention areas can frame the exit onto Rutherford Avenue. Existing trees remain in place to the extent possible but the highlymanicured shrubs adjacent to the buildings are recommended for removal. These shrubs

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

See “C Building Courtyard”, pg. 36

The edge of campus running alongside Rutherford Avenue is planted with hardy species of grasses in large drifts, reducing maintenance while increasing aesthetic appeal. These grasses are not mowed regularly but cut back once or twice a year.

have exceeded their useful lifespan and require extensive maintenance.

Maintenance for these areas is significantly reduced from the current regime. Mowing of the medium and high grass areas is only recommended once a year, before new growth appears in the spring. Lower grasses can be mowed on a monthly basis.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

EDGE PLANTINGS and COST ESTIMATE COST ESTIMATE FOR 2.4 ACRE EDGE AREA Panicum virgatum, switchgrass

Grasses

Esther Westerveld

Schizachyrium scoparium, little bluestem Chhe

Festuca glauca, blue fescue

qty

Turf removal

acre

2.4

Shrub removal along buildings

ls

1

Temporary fencing

lf

3,000

Existing tree pruning

ls

1

sf

Nepeta spp., catmint

Plug (tall grasses)

cbgrfx123

Salvia spp., Russian sage Rachel James

Amsonia hubrichtii, bluestar KM

Plant palettes for the edge of campus emphasize hardy grasses and long-blooming perennials.

unit cost

subtotal

Site Preparation $3,000

$7,200

$500

$500

$4

$12,000

$500

$500

1,000

$10

$10,000

ea

7,000

$2.50

$17,500

Plug (small to medium grasses)

ea

12,000

$2.50

$30,000

Plug (perennials)

ea

4,000

$3

$12,000

Plug (Indian grass)

ea

4,000

$3.50

$14,000

Seed (supplement plugged areas)

acre

0.6

$5,000

$3,000

Seed (low mow)

acre

0.57

$4,000

$2,280

Proposed Improvements Hardscape Asphalt path (including grading)

Daryl Miller

Perennials

unit

Landscape (including soil amendments)

Seed (road side mix)

acre

0.25

$3,000

$750

Compost mulch

cy

300

$30

$9,000

Establishment Temporary irrigation

ls

1

$5,000

$5,000

Weeding

ls

1

$5,000

$5,000

SUBTOTAL

$128,730

15% contingency TOTAL

$19,310 $148,040

This cost estimate assumes seeding for low mow areas and sidewalk edges; plugs for grasses supplemented with seed. A 200 foot path is also included.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

31

FOCUS AREAS FOCUS AREAS: 2. Outdoor Learning Space: C Building Courtyard

4. Rutherford Avenue Entrance

3. Outdoor Learning Space: Rose Garden

1. Nature Study Area 2. Outdoor Learning Space: C Building Courtyard 3. Outdoor Learning Space: Rose Garden 4. Rutherford Avenue Entrance

1. Nature Study Area 5. Student Parking Entrance

5. Student Parking Entrance 6. Quad

FOCUS AREA DESIGNS

[

6. Quad

0

75

150

300 Feet

Office of Geographic Information (Mass GIS), Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information Technology Division, April-June 2016

This map shows the six different areas of focus on BHCC campus that have specific designs, grading plans, and plant palettes.

Six focus areas on campus were selected for more specific designs. The Nature Study Area and Outdoor Learning Spaces present opportunities to turn underused spaces into places that will enhance student learning.

The Rutherford Avenue and Student Parking Entrances are highly visible spaces. The Quad is also highly visible but seldom used due to drainage issues and the presence of goose droppings.

32

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Focus Area 1: NATURE STUDY AREA Parking Lot 5

G Building

Picnic tables

Athletic fields

ADA parking Information and trail map

New sidewalk

th pa

Meadow

A’

ht

:©

A

20 Le 13 Na ge tio nd na lG eo BH gr ap hi c Ur CC So ba cie ty, Ud n i-c l a or ub n

Bioretention area

Co

py

r ig

Low-mow lawn Shrubland habitat 80 0 Fe et

Information signs Permeable asphalt

20

04

00

100 year floodplain

0

PROPOSED DESIGN DETAILS The design for the Nature Study Area attempts to address many of the BHCC community’s needs and desires for outdoor spaces. It features places to walk and places to sit, both in sun and shade. It offers opportunities for formal education as well as informal observation and recreation. Several types of landscape features are included in the design, creating contrasts for study and enjoyment.

New UA path

[

EXISTING CONDITIONS The area referred to as the Nature Study Area is northwest of the G Building. Currently, this area is entirely in lawn with an area of trees near Parking Lot 5 and others scattered throughout.

At the western edge, materials such as soil and mulch are stored. A dirt road leads along this side as well. Although this area represents a significant amount of open space on campus (around two acres), it is rarely used.

ha

Bus Loop Road

tin Exis

The existing conditions in the Nature Study Area include primarily lawn with some trees. This area lacks paths or seating areas.

sp ga

Redirected ADA access to Parking Lot 5

Low-mow lawn

lt

Fescue mow strip

Regraded for ADA access

0’

50’

100’

The Nature Study Area, once completed, creates a number of learning opportunities for BHCC students, as well as ways for the community to enjoy a more naturalized environment.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

33

SHRUBLAND PLANTINGS Trees

34

Vojtěch Zavadil

Dale Calder

Grasses

USFWS

Viburnum dentatum, arrow wood viburnum Vaccinium angustifolium, low-bush blueberry

Jennifer Anderson

Matt Lavin

Perennials

Achillea millefolium, common yarrow

Perennials

User:BotBln

Rudbeckia spp., black-eyed Susan Dcoetzee

Asclepias syriaca, common milkweed Stefan Lefnaer

TeunSpaans

Baptisia tinctoria, yellow wild indigo Fritz Flohr Reynolds

Solidago canadensis, Canada goldenrod Monarda fistulosa, wild bergamot

Georg Slickers

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii, New York aster

Eragrostis spectabilis, purple lovegrass

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, New England aster

USFWS

Linda N.

Schizachyrium scoparium, little bluestem

Marc Ryckaert

Schizachyrium scoparium, little bluestem Eragrostis spectabilis, purple lovegrass

Sorghastrum nutans, Indian grass

Eupatorium maculatum, Joe Pye weed

Tom Potterfeld

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

USFWS

Linda N.

Sorghastrum nutans, Indian grass

The area between the existing asphalt path and the meadow, as well as the area between the road and the UA path, will be planted with native grasses up to three feet high in order to discourage pedestrians from crossing through instead of using the paths.

The southwestern edge of this area is recommended to be paved with permeable asphalt so as to better define where vehicles can and cannot go. Trees are added in this area to help create a buffer between the Nature Study Area and vehicle-dominated areas. Part of this space lies within the 100-year floodplain; any additional development in this area is not advised.

Tom Potterfeld Tom Potterfeld

Prunus maritima, beach plum

Shrubs

To the west of the parking lot, a Universal Access (UA) path winds around a native wildflower meadow. Benches occur at moments of interest and several informative signs along the path explain topics such as pollinators, soil health, and native plants. The trail splits at the southwest corner, with one path leading back to the beginning and the other leading through a landscape created to reflect the maritime shrubland communities that were once found there. The path leads toward the existing bioretention area, where a sign explains the importance of cleaning stormwater. This path then joins a new sidewalk that winds around the bus loop near G Building. A sidewalk will keep pedestrians safer as they move along the loop road between their cars and the buildings.

Prunus serotina, black cherry Rasbak

Grasses

A primary feature of this design is the redirected ADA access path to Parking Lot 5. This path continues on and joins with the existing asphalt path around the athletic fields. Picnic tables along this path offer accessible outdoor spaces to study or enjoy a meal. Existing trees remain but the lawn below is converted into a low-mow lawn of fine fescues to decrease maintenance.

MEADOW PLANTINGS

Aaron Carlson

Asclepias tuberosa, butterfly weed

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

COST ESTIMATE (1.8 acre Nature Study Area) unit

quantity unit cost subtotal

Site Preparation Turf removal and disposal

acre

1.8

$3,000

$5,400

Rough grading

sf

1,000

$0.10

$100

Fine grading

sf

1,000

$0.15

$150

Temporary fencing

lf

1,400

$4

$5,600

Existing tree pruning

ea

10

$50

$500

Proposed improvements Hardscape Asphalt path

sf

3,850

$6

$23,100

Decomposed granite path

sf

6,055

$10

$60,550

Benches

ea

4

$500

$2,000

Picnic tables

ea

3

$700

$2,100

Informational sign

ea

3

$500

$1,500

Trash and recycling

ea

2

$800

$1,600

Cost estimate assumes that the meadow area is seeded and plugged for quick establishment. The low-mow lawn is seeded. The shrubland is established with woody groundcovers and perennials and mulched during establishment phase.

unit

quantity unit cost subtotal

ea

9,200

Landscape (including soil amendments) Plug (meadow)

$2.50

$23,000

Seed (meadow)

acre

0.85

$5,000

$4,250

Seed (fescue mix)

acre

0.52

$4,000

$2,080

Tree

ea

5

$500

$2,500

Shrub planting

sf

3,600

$4

$14,400

Plug (perennials)

ea

900

$3

$2,700

Woody groundcover

ea

450

$16

$11,000

Mulch (shrubland)

cy

200

$55

$11,000

Erosion control blanket

sy

300

$6

$1,800

Temporary irrigation

ls

1

$5,000

$5,000

Weeding

ls

1

$5,000

Establishment $5,000

SUBTOTAL

$183,480

15% contingency

$27,522

TOTAL

$211,002

A

A’

Path to athletic fields

Low mow lawn

Grasses, perennials to 5’

Low mow strip

Bench and UA path

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Meadow

Low mow strip

Sidewalk Shrubs and perennials

Bus loop road

UA path

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

35

Focus Area 2: C BUILDING COURTYARD

Perimeter Road

Flowering trees

Edge typology

Edge typology

Low-mow lawn

D Building

B Building

EXISTING CONDITIONS BHCC faculty expressed a desire for outdoor learning spaces away from I-93. The C Building Courtyard is currently not used. People who park along the Perimeter Road cannot enter the building through the doors in the courtyard and Norway maple trees keep the area dark and uninviting.

An outdoor classroom occupies the middle of the courtyard, and its position directly adjacent to C Building makes it easily accessible for classes. This classroom includes a plaza made of permeable pavers with benches arranged in a semi-circle. Facing the benches away from 36

:©

Outdoor classroom area with seating and dry-erase boards

Co

py

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Bollard lighting

Permeable pavers

80 0 Fe et

Dry erase boards C Building

0

20

04

00

New paths

[

PROPOSED DESIGN DETAILS Transforming the C Building Courtyard into an outdoor learning space honors faculty requests while decreasing the amount of maintenance the space currently requires. Norway maples on the south side of the courtyard are removed to allow more light into the space. Doors now permit both entrance and exit for most of the day and lead to ADA-compatible paths through the space.

Existing red oaks

20 Le 13 Na ge tio nd na lG eo BH gr ap C hi c Ur C So ba ci e ty, Ud n i-c lan or ub th d, ed en we ts, ts we u t s b s tr ub a s tr tu m at um

Outdoor seating area

0’

20’

40’

Rutherford Avenue decreases distraction. A kiosk housing dry erase boards is installed along the C Building wall for teacher use. The existing red oak trees remain to provide shade. Two picnic tables at the rear of the classroom provide space for people to eat lunch or hold meetings when

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

the classroom is not in use. Vegetation to five feet high limits distraction and scales down the space, providing a sense of enclosure.

A circular seating area in the north corner of the courtyard can serve as a less formal Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

classroom or simply additional outdoor space for studying, meeting with students, or relaxing.

The existing evergreen shrubs are replaced with dwarf flowering trees, increasing visual interest, softening the building corners, and decreasing maintenance. The current lawn is replaced with a low-mow lawn (see pg. 50), with the areas between D and C Buildings and B and C Buildings now hosting low shrubs or ferns.

Bollard lighting along paths is “Dark Sky friendly” and energy-efficient.

C COURTYARD PLANTINGS Trees

Amelanchier spp., serviceberry

Adam Fagen

An outdoor classroom at Swarthmore College includes a chalkboard and stonework.

Julie Eishenhorn

Aronia melanocarpa, black chokeberry Shrubs

Linda N.

Vojtěch Zavadil

Viburnum dentatum, arrow wood viburnum Ilex verticillata, winterberry Lauriealosh

R. A. Nonenmacher

Ferns

Dennstaedtia punctilobula, hay-scented fern

An outdoor classroom should be accessible to all students and offer shaded seating.

Jaknouse

Atherium angustum, lady fern Jesmond Dene

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

37

Focus Area 3: ROSE GARDEN C Building

Existing shade trees

PROPOSED DESIGN DETAILS Removing a majority of the basswood trees on the perimeter will transform the area into a sunny and welcoming outdoor place for academic activities or for people to gather. Naturalized plants replace the mulch, brightening the space with color. Once established these plants will require little maintenance. Café tables and chairs allow people to customize seating options as desired.

20

04

00

Native and naturalized plantings

B Building

0

Moveable café tables and chairs

[

EXISTING CONDITIONS The Rose Garden, another outdoor learning space option, is on the opposite side of the C Building from the Courtyard and faces the Quad.

Surrounded by 12 mature basswood trees and sunken three feet below the Quad, the little-used space is dark, shady, and uninviting. A concrete wall encloses the space but an ADA accessible pathway is available. Mulch covers the vegetated landscaped beds throughout the space.

80 0 Fe et

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Existing hardscape maintainted

20 Le 13 Na ge tio nd na lG eo BH gr ap C hi c Ur C So ba ci e ty, Ud n i-c lan or ub th d, ed en we ts, ts we u t s b s tr ub a s tr tu m at um

VERSION 1

0’

20’

40’

Top: Rose Garden Version 1 replaces mulched areas with naturalized landscape plantings while maintaining existing hardscape.

Bottom: Rendering of Rose Garden Version 1 where naturalized plants become the highlight of the space.

38

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

ROSE GARDEN C Building access

Pergola

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, red bearberry Sten Porse

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

20 Le 13 Na ge tio nd na lG eo BH gr ap C hi c Ur C So ba ci e ty, Ud n i-c l a or ub n th d, ed en we ts, ts w u

Boulders for seating area

ADA access path

20

04

Planter boxes

0

Stairs leading to Quad

Ferns

[

Tables and chairs

Jaknouse

Dennstaedtia punctilobula, hay-scented fern Atherium angustum, lady fern

Linda N.

0’

10’

20’

Heuchera americana alumroot JJ Neilson

Jesmond Dene

USFWS

ADA wheelchair access

00

80 0 Fe et

Co

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Existing trees in mulched area

Grasses

Shrubs

Vojtěch Zavadil

Low mow lawn

Curved benches

The design opens up into the quad with an extended concrete landing with stairs leading into the quad. Planters and tables and chairs are placed on the concrete landing to create an urban seating area that looks onto the quad. The space becomes an open and bright, welcoming area with multiple seating experiences that allow people to appreciate the quad from afar.

Viburnum dentatum, arrow wood viburnum

Existing pavers

VERSION 2

The garden becomes an integrated space where nature lives within the urban experience. It will be a gathering oasis composed of low mow lawn, shrubs, and ornamental grasses. The three cherry trees remain in the mulched planting bed on the southeast side of the C Building. A pergola structure in the center creates a shaded area with benches for seating. The structure can function as a shelter from the sun or to hold outdoor classes. Four rounded boulders are situated between the trees and naturalized plantings for seating areas. Two curved benches on the west side provide additional seating.

Existing pavers surround the garden to improve circulation. Two ADA entrances are available from the west and north.

ROSE GARDEN PLANTINGS

C Building structural columns

Schizachryium scoparium, little bluestem Eragrostis spectabilis, purple lovegrass

Perennials

Version 2 of the Rose Garden removes the deteriorating walls and applies fill to the site so it is level with surrounding areas.

Pulmonaria officinalis, lungwort Pharaoh H. Hound Zell

Tradescantia virginiana, spiderwort Susan Harris Susan Harris

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

39

Focus Area 4: RUTHERFORD AVENUE ENTRANCE

Property line

unk

to tr Pa

rk

EXISTING CONDITIONS The Rutherford Avenue entrance to BHCC is comprised of an angled entry off of Rutherford Avenue which splits into two one-way lanes at a large traffic island. The right-hand lane directs traffic to Parking Lot 5 and the loading docks of E Building. The left-hand lane directs traffic along the building complex parallel to Rutherford Avenue. The traffic island includes 8,800 square feet of lawn and mulched landscaped areas which frame a large electronic sign.

40

in

Traffic island

g

Lo

t5 Storage area

Current traffic pattern and drainage at the Rutherford Avenue entrance.

Catch basins within the parking lot and the roads carry runoff south to the stormwater trunk line running through the center of the campus.

PROPOSED DESIGN DETAILS The island presents an opportunity to improve stormwater through conversion of its current convex shape and lawn cover to a concave shape that captures runoff from the adjacent pavement through large curb cuts. Lining the curb cuts with rock prevents erosion as the runoff travels into the planted area. The design specifics, including bioretention soil depth and underdrain system, should be based on soil testing of the area and depth to the water table. An overflow

line

0

0

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

50

50

Building E

100 Feet

100 Feet

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

RUTHERFORD AVENUE ENTRANCE Native and naturalized plantings

ht r ig Co

py

’

In Version 2 of the Rutherford entrance to BHCC, shown on page 42, the traffic pattern is modified to accommodate a larger stormwater facility and reduce confusion for drivers entering from Rutherford Avenue. The proposed bioretention area could provide water quality treatment for 80 percent of Parking Lot 5. The remaining area is sent to a hydrodynamic separator for pretreatment prior to entering the storm drain.

Le ge nd

20

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20

13

Na

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al

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VERSION 1

og ra BH ph ic So Ur CC ci e ba ty, nl Ud i-c ub an or ed d, th e w n ts et ,w su b et su stra tu m bs tra tu m

catch basin will capture excess stormwater and direct it back to the storm drain system. The design includes a maximum two-foot depth. This ensures that the facility does not appear like a commercial stormwater facility but rather a low area landscaped with native grasses, shrubs and colorful perennials (see plant palette under Stormwater Bioretention Area Typology - page 29).

20’

Curb cut with erosion protection

0

’

20

20

04

00

80 0 Fe et

20

’

BHCC sign

Beehive catch basin

Runoff from the northeast end of the parking lot sheet flows into the bioretention area, while runoff from the center portion is piped into the facility. One of the ‘one-way’ entrances is eliminated and replaced with a two-way entrance with a large radius to accommodate tractor trailer deliveries to the E Building loading docks (see page 42).

20’

40’

[

0

The bioretention area is designed with a shallow depth of two feet deep keeping the plants visible and maintaining the appearance of an entrance garden.

James Steakley

Bioretention plantings can include colorful perennials that can be cut back once a year.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Aaron Volkening

Runoff enters bioretention area through curb cut off the roadway. Leaving a mow strip in place creates a neater appearance.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

41

RUTHERFORD AVENUE ENTRANCE

Rutherford Avenue

VERSION 2

Outlet overflow structure tied back into storm drain

pa

Pretreatment area for pipe flow

Sheet flow to bioretention area

100 Feet

Version 2 traffic pattern

Proposed pipe to bioretention area (reinforced concrete)

Proposed shallow catch basin with low level outlet to bioretention area and larger outlet back to manhole

ht r ig py Co

80 0 Fe et

Proposed hydrodynamic separator

Pipe flow to bioretention area

Le ge nd

:©

20

13

Na

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al

Ge

og ra BH ph ic So Ur CC cie ba ty, nl Ud i-c ub an or ed d, th e w n ts et ,w su b et su stra tu m bs tra tu m

50

p

0

100 Feet

sheet flow

tri

50

rs lte

ed

ov

s fi

m re

as Gr

t en

m ve

Remove curb to allow sheet flow to basin

curb lowered to allow sheet flow 0

Bioretention area

Approximate path of WB-62 tractor trailer

42

[

0

20

04

00

Runoff drains to catch basin and is treated downstream with hydrodynamic separator.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

0

30’

60’

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Focus Area 5: STUDENT PARKING ENTRANCE VERSION 1 Pedestrian path from parking lot

A

Plaza

Small trees are placed lower on the hill

Mulched areas are planted with grasses and groundcovers parking

ad

ro

sidewalk

A’

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

n

ad

ro

PROPOSED DESIGN DETAILS In Version 1, the evergreen trees and shrubs around the stairway and on the top of the hill are removed to promote visibility and to allow regrading of the steep hillside. The regrading lowers the elevation at the top of the hill exposing a few feet of the wall and reducing the overall slope of the hill making it easier to access for maintenance and potential pathways.

0

50’

100’

Existing grade Plaza

Road

A

Mixed landscaping of shrubs, grasses, perennials and groundcovers

Sidewalk

Proposed grade Wall

The design converts the landscaping in this area from lawn and mulched areas to native grasses and groundcovers, similar to those used in the Edge Enhancement. Smaller deciduous trees are placed on the hillside and their canopies provide shelter to plaza occupants, while two large trees are placed to shade the road and hide the extensive wall to the south.

tio

ta

Larger shade tree

TS

EXISTING CONDITIONS To access BHCC from Parking Lots 1 and 2, students walk under Austin Street and up a stairway to the plaza entrance to A and B Buildings. Instead of using the stairway, students can also continue on the sidewalk, under the bridge to the T station and towards the lower level of B Building. These areas are unappealing and require mowing steep slopes.

A’

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

43

STUDENT PARKING ENTRANCE VERSION 2 Shrubs to 5-6’ in height

Bridge to T

LEGEND

GP

LS Existing wall LS

LS

Low shrubs

GP

Grasses and perennials

T Turf Existing trees

GP LS GP

In Version 2 of the Student Parking Entrance, the grading and trees are left in place. A section of the wall along the plaza is removed and now opens onto a small patio, with seating and fencing added. This patio provides a more private and sheltered place for students to sit and moves them out of the flow of foot traffic.

Since existing trees are maintained, it is critical that the patio is designed to minimize impact on their root systems. Stairs are redirected so that they are directly in front of students coming from the parking lots, creating a smoother transition from the parking area to the buildings.

Plantings on the hillside include waves of low shrubs and mixed grasses and perennials. All plantings have fall interest and are lower in maintenance than the current landscaping requires. Initial irrigation and weeding will be key to establishing this area and pruning will be a regular part of maintenance. Mowing is not needed and once established, additional irrigation is rarely required. Low-growing shrubs or groundcovers are planted near the stairs to stabilize the soil and eliminate the need for mowing.

44

Seating area and decking under existing mature pines Redirected stairs

T LS

Existing trees

GP

GP LS GP LS LS

LS

GP GP T

LS 0’

10’ 20’

40’

LS

Existing sidewalk to student parking

This version of the Student Parking Entrance hillside does not require regrading or tree removal but does rely on extensive plantings to stabilize the slopes and add interest. The wall between the top of the slope and the plaza is opened up to a patio-like area under the existing trees, which is fenced for safety. New stairs complete the design.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

STUDENT PARKING ENTRANCE Details ENTRANCE PLANTINGS

Baptisia tinctoria, wild indigo Festuca ovina glauca, blue fescue

Bmerva Daryl Miller

Grasses

Trees

Cercis canadensis, red bud Dcrjsr

Dcrjsr

Sten Porse

Juniperus virginiana, Eastern red cedar

Sporobolis heterolepis, prairie dropseed

Cilla

Coreopsis verticillata, threadleaf coreopsis Achillea spp. yarrow cultivar

Timmeh 87

Daderot

USFWS

Fritz Flohr Reynolds

Perennials-

Acer rubrum, red maple

Schizachyrium scoparium, little bluestem

Solidago rigida, stiff goldenrod James Steakley

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi bearberry

Shrubs

Rhus aromatica ‘gro low’, fragrant sumac

KM

Jeff Dumais

Myrica pensylvanica, bayberry Vaccinium angustifolium, low bush blueberry

The current landscaping on the hill below the plaza modified with native groundcovers and deciduous trees presents a very different entrance to the college.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

45

Focus Area 6: THE QUAD D

C

VERSION 1 E B

Plaza

46

og

ra

Paths

20 Co

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©

Le ge nd

LED lighting

20

04

00

80 0 Fe

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Re-graded lawn with underdrain system

13

Na

tio n

al

Ge

Additional raised beds and proposed tool shed

Tree allée

0

PROPOSED DESIGN DETAILS The Version 1 design for the Quad assumes a total regrading of the area at a two percent slope away from the buildings and an underdrain system as needed to facilitate drainage. A proposed plaza extends out from the buildings for ease of movement between them. Outdoor seating can be located there. Paths lined with river stone (which prevents salt from accumulating on plants) extend from the east side of the plaza to G Building. Mid-height grasses run behind the stone liner, creating an obstacle to geese. The V-shaped lawn in between the paths becomes a pleasant place to sit and the grasses offer a sense of enclosure. Additional raised beds and a tool shed are added along G Building. A tree allée lines the quad, creating a visual buffer to Perimeter Road. Lights between the trees are LED and at a height appropriate for their location. Sufficient space remains in the lower quad area for the graduation tent.

G

[

EXISTING CONDITIONS The Quad covers two acres and is relatively unused due to poor drainage and the presence of goose droppings. The space is used for graduation in the spring, when a large tent is erected for the ceremony.

River stone edge

ph ic S BH oc CC i et y, i Ur -c u ba be d n lan Ud ort d, we he n ts ts ub ,w s tr et a tu su bs m tra tu m

Grasses ~ 3ft.

0’

200’

The redesigned quad offers improved circulation patterns that will draw people outside. New places to sit outside on the extended plaza offer both sun and shade. The line of trees along Perimeter Road provide a separation between vehicle and pedestrian spaces, and shade the cars parked along the road.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

THE QUAD Version 2 creates three different spaces combining an upper and lower quad with a bioretention area. Additional pathways which reflect the geometry of the adjacent buildings provide increased circulation and accessibility.

Deciduous trees planted within a woody groundcover border the main pathway.

VERSION 2

e

ac

rr

Te

The Quad is regraded to provide positive drainage in all areas. The upper quad slopes to new drains at the center at a two percent slope.

A 10 percent slope in the tree allée transitions to a two percent slope in the lower quad which drains this area to the bioretention area.

Stormwater runoff can flow into the bioretention area from the road, Parking Lot 4 (after pretreatment) and the lower quad. The bioretention area is a shallow, one foot deep garden of small native trees, shrubs, colorful grasses, and perennials (see page 29 for plant list). The graduation tent can be located in the lower quad area.

Building B

A

Building E

Rose garden

B

H

C

Upper quad

C s

in

a dr

Parking lot 4

Building G Lower quad Parking lot 4 pretreatment

ea

ar

en

or

A’

Bi

Woody groundcovers below trees

n tio

Additional car or food truck parking

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Lower Quad

A’

Bioretention area

Sidewalk

A

Sloped tree allée with woody ground covers

Walkway

Drain

50’

100’

2%

Walkway

A

2%

Walkway

BHCC logo

Terrace

2%

0’

Road

A’

Horizontal : vertical exaggeration on terrain line is 5:1

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

47

THE QUAD Details

Andre Carrothouse

Many colleges, such as Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, include multiple paths an their quads to encourage circulation.

Additional paths and shade trees within the quad at BHCC would encourage circulation and use of this green space.

QUAD PLANTINGS

Trees

Acer rubrum red maple Bmerva

Bill Price III

Quercus bicolor, swamp white oak

A spring day finds the Cornell University community out and enjoying the Arts Quad.

Shrubs

Rhus aromatica ‘Gro low’, fragrant sumac Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, red bearberry

Grasses

Robert H Mohlenbrock

Sten Porse

48

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Panicum virgatum, switchgrass Matt Lavin

peganum

Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’, Shenandoah switchgrass Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

STORMWATER STRATEGIES Developing a stormwater plan for Bunker Hill Community College requires consideration of its location, topography, existing drainage system, and context within the larger watershed.

These parameters were explored earlier in the site analysis of impervious areas, soils, surface drainage, and storm drain piping. This process revealed that stormwater runoff from the vast majority of the campus is untreated and directed off campus in a 54” storm drain that discharges to Boston’s inner harbor (2008 Stormwater Report). Because of the capacity of the trunk line and its proximity to the outfall, flooding due to stormwater does not appear to be a problem at BHCC. Stormwater quality, however, should be addressed and most techniques which improve water quality will also result in reduced runoff.

MINIMIZE IMPERVIOUSNESS Since impervious surfaces convert rainfall directly into runoff and the runoff generally contains sediments and pollutants, reducing imperviousness is a primary approach in managing stormwater runoff quantity and quality. New development should strive to minimize impervious areas by narrowing roadways and walkways and considering stacked parking and green roofs. Modifications to the existing campus infrastructure can also reduce imperviousness. For example, at the Rutherford Avenue Entrance one of the two entrance roads

IMPLEMENT LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT TECHNIQUES Low Impact Development (LID) techniques are innovative stormwater management strategies modeled after nature to manage runoff close to the source. LID design techniques include swales, bioretention areas, grass filters, and porous pavement. These techniques can infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate, and detain runoff. Existing grading and soils limit implementation of these techniques at BHCC. However, several locations were identified where bioretention areas could be installed. Where road or parking lot drainage cannot be captured into swales or bioretention areas, installing deep sump catch basins or hydrodynamic separators can remove trash, debris, and coarse sediments from the runoff. Techniques such as porous pavement may not be applicable to portions of the campus where the urban fill soils are found to be unsuitable for infiltration.

INTEGRATE STORMWATER WITHIN LANDSCAPE AND BUILDING SYSTEMS Integrating LID techniques into the landscape and other strategies, such as rainwater harvesting, into building systems can reduce concentrated runoff and “end of pipe” stormwater solutions. Proposed bioretention areas intercept stormwater from adjacent parking areas or roads and will be visible to BHCC’s community. Rainwater harvesting for raised bed gardening or other purposes would be dependent on the existing piping within the

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Канопус Киля

Urban runoff can contribute to the poor water quality of the receiving waters.

buildings and may be more feasible for future construction.

IMPLEMENT LANDSCAPE BEST PRACTICES BHCC should minimize the installation of turf and non-native vegetation that requires maintenance and irrigation. Landscape best practices should be implemented to use natural fertilizers and eliminate the use of environmentally-harmful fertilizers and herbicides. Many of the schematic solutions propose converting turf to native groundcovers which do not require irrigation or chemical inputs. The native groundcovers will also promote infiltration of runoff which is limited by the large expanses of turf on campus.

PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUTDOOR LEARNING LABORATORIES Sustainable and innovative site and stormwater management should be considered to provide a hands-on learning experience for BHCC’s students, faculty and staff. These opportunities may be technical or scientific in nature (such as water quality monitoring) or demonstrative in nature (such as a demonstration project with educational signs).

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

49

RECOMMENDATIONS

To meet stormwater quality goals, facilities should be designed to capture and treat at least the one inch storm event (90th percentile storm). Facilities should also capture 80 percents of total suspended solids. Current stormwater retrofits and future projects should consider the following principles and strategies to achieve those targets.

could be eliminated. At the Student Parking Entrance, a redundant sidewalk on the north side of the loop road can be removed. Green roofs could also potentially be retrofitted onto existing buildings and stacked parking may address the intense parking demand.

LOW MOW LAWNS ESTABLISHING A LOW-MOW LAWN An increasingly popular choice for low-mow lawns, fine fescues and other cool-season grasses can offer the feel and appearance of traditional Kentucky bluegrass-dominated lawns but with a fraction of the mowing and irrigation.

SITE PREPARATION Site preparation is key to establishing a fine fescue lawn. Because of the significant area of lawn that needs to be replaced at BHCC, three different techniques are recommended. For the Nature Study Area, existing grass should be killed using a glyphosate herbicide. Killing the grass, waiting for weeds to sprout, then applying a second round of herbicide ensures the best possible start for the fine fescues. This method can be done over the summer, during stretches of dry weather to minimize runoff of chemicals.

In smaller areas, such as the C Building Courtyard, smothering the lawn with layers of cardboard and newspapers is an effective strategy that could be executed by an interested class or group of volunteers. If smothered in the fall, the area will be ready for planting the following year. A third option is to mechanically strip off and dispose of the existing turf layer and decompact the topsoil below.

SEEDING A NEW LAWN Once the lawn is dead, fine fescue seed can be spread directly into the dead sod after the area has been decompacted to maximize seed-soil bonding. Seeding should take place between April and May or late August to late September for best results. If seeding on a steep slope, such as between the Perimeter Road and A, B, and D Buildings, the area should be covered with light straw or a biodegradable erosion control blanket. Alternatively, seed may be applied through conventional hydroseeding or within 50

a compost-mulch slurry. Newly seeded areas should be watered daily for 15-20 minutes in the early morning until germination, then twice a week until grasses reach one inch high. After that time, little to no additional irrigation is needed unless the weather is extremely hot and dry. In that situation, the occasional deep watering is sufficient to restore the fescues. During the first growing season, mow the fescues to a height of at least four inches.

MAINTENANCE Routine maintenance of a fine fescue lawn requires far less work and inputs than typical lawns. A fine fescue lawn may only require mowing twice a year, after seedheads have appeared in June and possibly again in late fall.

For a more manicured look, these lawns can be mowed monthly. Fescues must be kept taller than Kentucky bluegrasses in order to stay healthy; never mow below 4 inches. Thatch can build up in fine fescue lawns and de-thatching in the spring promotes lawn health. De-thatching requires a mechanical de-thatcher or a power rake. Thatch that is raked out of the lawn makes excellent mulch for perennial beds or can be composted. Overseed bare spots after dethatching. In the fall, leaves should be raked off fine fescue lawns regularly for best results.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Harvard University transitioned Harvard Yard to a fescue mix and organic lawn care techniques with great success.

Wildlife in a Dorset Garden

Fescue-based lawns should be mowed when seedheads appear in June.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

MEADOW ESTABLISHMENT AND CARE SITE PREPARATION Preparing the site properly is a critical first step in establishing a successful meadow environment. A soil test can identify composition of existing soil and determine any necessary amendments. Existing lawn should be killed with a glyphosate-based herbicide. Wait for weeds to sprout, then apply a second round of herbicide.

Sod must be tilled and raked in order to break up the root system, decompact the soil, and make space for new plantings.

INSTALLATION Once the soil is ready, seeding and planting can take place in mid-April through June. Meadow species prefer warmer weather to germinate if applying seed. Meadow plants can also be delivered as bare root “plugs� or in small containers. Begin by planting plugs two feet apart on center. Dig a hole for the plug, then add a handful of compost and 5:3:4 slow-release fertilizer to the hole. Dip the roots of the plug into mycorrhizal inoculant to maximize nutrient uptake, then plant the plug.

After plugs have been planted, seed the area with an annual wildflower seed mix.

These flowers will establish faster than the plugs, providing more immediate results and preventing weeds from taking hold. The annual plants will die off within three to five years, leaving the long-term perennial plants behind.

Seed mixes should have 10-20 different species to promote biodiversity and deter pests. Seed can be hydroseeded, eliminating the need to hand rake seeds into the soil. Install temporary fencing around the area to keep people out while the plants are establishing.

a water truck if an irrigation system cannot be programmed for weekly deep watering. During the second season, water only during longer stretches of hot, dry weather. Irrigation should not be necessary beyond the second growing season and is discouraged as it can weaken plant roots.

WEEDING Regular weeding of the meadow is a major part of maintenance for the first two years. It is vital that maintenance staff be trained in weed identification and removal and plant life cycles.

Tony Hisget

Seeding with a wildflower mix provides more immediate results and allows the plugs more time to establish without competition from weeds.

IRRIGATION Water weekly for the first growing season, using Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

51

MAINTENANCE GLOSSARY AND CALENDAR Ecological landscapes, while lower in maintenance requirements than traditional landscapes, still requires regular attention in order to thrive. This glossary explains maintenance terms and the calendar of maintenance tasks is organized by type of planting and frequency of maintenance.

saves money by reducing the need to purchase additional plants. Spring and summer blooming perennials should be divided in the fall, while fall blooming plants should be divided in spring.

Never divide plants on very hot, sunny days.

Most perennials can be divided every three to five years. The plants that are to be divided should be watered well the day or two prior to division. Prune the stems and foliage to six inches from the ground. Dig about four to six

Compost-mulch: Apply compost as a mulch layer around perennials, two to four inches thick.

Using compost as mulch has many benefits, including improving soil structure and retaining and making existing nutrients more available to plants.

Compost tea: Compost tea is made by steeping compost in water, which extracts the beneficial microorganisms and compounds. It provides nutrients to the soil and acts as an inoculant to build healthy populations of soil microbes.

Studies have shown that spraying turf with compost tea reduces compaction and improves overall lawn health.

Deadhead: Deadheading refers to the removal of faded or dead flowers from plants. This process maintains the plant’s appearance and leads to extended bloom times. As flowers fade, pinch or cut off the flower right at the base, just above the first set of healthy leaves. Leave faded flowers alone in the Nature Study Area--these plants will offer seeds to many bird species.

Divide/transplant: Dividing and transplanting perennials can help control the size of plants and Late MARCH

PLANTING TYPE

MAY

JUNE

JULY

TASK

TASK

TASK

TASK

FREQUENCY

TASK

1-2 Years Annually, As Directed 2-3 Years, As Directed

Cut

Cut

Divide / Transplant

Divide / Transplant

Divide / Transplant

Shrubs / Trees

1-2 Years, As Directed

Hand Prune

Hand Prune

Hand Prune

Planting Beds

2-3 Years 2-3 Years Annually

Compost-Mulch Compost Tea

Compost-Mulch Compost Tea Weed

Grasses / Perennials

As Directed

52

APRIL

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Deadhead

Deadhead

Weed Water

Water

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

inches away from the base of the plant and lift the whole clump to be divided. It may need to be cut into several pieces in order to be lifted. Not all perennials should be divided, it is necessary to research species before proceeding.

Water: Daily watering is only needed when installing new plantings. After the first month, watering is only needed in extended dry periods or if plants are looking wilted. If irrigation systems are used, turn them on in the morning so water goes into the soil instead of evaporating. Water on the leaves will dry more quickly, reducing the chance of fungal growth.

Shrubs require more water than herbaceous plants and may need more frequent waterings during summer.

Hand prune: Shrubs should be pruned to reduce height and retain natural form. Prune 1/4 inch above the bud, sloping down and away from it. When thinning a shrub, prune just above parent or side branches and roughly parallel to them. If pruning dead or diseased branches, disinfect tools between cuts.

Weed: New plantings will need to be weeded aggressively for their first and second growing seasons. Training staff on which species to eliminate is key to the success of these plantings.

45 degree angle

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

FREQUENCY

TASK

TASK

TASK

Grasses / Perennials

1-2 Years Annually, As Directed 2-3 Years, As Directed

Deadhead Divide / Transplant

Shrubs / Trees

1-2 Years, As Directed

Planting Beds

2-3 Years 2-3 Years Annually As Directed

PLANTING TYPE

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

NOVEMBER

TASK

Deadhead Divide / Transplant

Compost-Mulch

Compost-Mulch

Compost -Mulch

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

53

ATHLETIC FIELDS 11

16

12

22

High point

23

35

34

23

10

14

22

20

9

2%

24 25

27 14

11 21

14

20

20

[

50 100

path

14

19

16

21

13

halt

19

11

0

200 Feet

Field Type

Installation Cost

Native soil field

$2.50-$5.25

Sand based field

$6.50-$7.95

Fiber reinforced turf field

NA

Synthetic turf

$7.80-$10.75

MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL Maintaining a synthetic field requires an arsenal of new equipment including a sprayer for water application, sweeper, mechanical broom, line painter, groomer, field magnet, roller, and top dresser. The field requires periodic treatment

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Asp

16

18

11

13

11

10

17

18

15

13

11

10

12

19

Low point 10

54

15

25

Although the most expensive to build, synthetic fields are generally thought to have less maintenance costs over their lifespan. There are, however, many other issues to consider before deciding on the type of field to build.

17

11

26

It appears that the fields were built on the soils existing on site. This type of field is known as a “native soil field”. Native soil fields can be effective if the soils are sandy and drain well.

Because the soils at BHCC are urban fill, they are highly variable and not necessarily well draining.

ATHLETIC FIELD OPTIONS A different field design may better suit BHCC’s needs. Three main options include sandbased fields, fiber reinforced turf systems, and synthetic fields. Sand-based fields are the performance standard for athletic fields. The sand base provides excellent drainage and resistance to compaction. Adding polypropylene fibers to the top four inches of sand creates a fiber-reinforced turf system which increases infiltration and provides additional stability to increase playing time. Finally, synthetic fields are composed of a stone subbase for drainage topped with a ground rubber material.

18 19

21

12

EXISTING CONDITIONS The sports fields at BHCC currently encompass an irregular area of about seven acres encircled by an asphalt path on the north side of campus.

Elevation drops nine feet from the high point on the north end to the parking lot at the south.

There is a low point within the field which is probably the result of settling and compaction of the field. There are also remnants of a physical fitness circuit along a portion of the asphalt path.

BHCC’s own athletic teams occasionally use the fields but more often the fields are rented out to other teams to generate income for the college.

with disinfection chemicals to prevent bacteria and mold contamination. Personnel must become proficient with maintenance and cleaning equipment in order to maintain the field and ensure that the warranty is not voided.

Issues with non-professional fields that are not properly cleaned or disinfected have occurred. and are documented in various news articles (www.TurfResourcesCenter.org).

TREATMENT OF RUNOFF A new field design should include a stormwater facility to treat the runoff for water quality.

Runoff quality differs substantially between a natural field and a synthetic field. Runoff from a natural field might include fertilizer and pesticide residues whereas runoff from a synthetic field includes rubber particles from the infill and Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

chemical residue from the disinfection cleaners.

Synthetic field runoff has also been found to include higher than average concentrations of zinc. The different runoff components must be considered when deciding on stormwater treatment.

EMBODIED ENERGY AND WASTE Looking at the triple bottom line can reveal the real cost of a project which includes social, environmental, and financial considerations.

The environmental cost of artificial turf can be much higher than other types of turf. At the end of the field’s lifespan (eight to 10 years), the field requires resurfacing, which includes major disposal costs. There are also environmental costs to altering the soil with polypropylene fibers for a fiber-reinforced field. Consideration should be given to the long term disposal of this altered material.

Josh Corbin

Current fitness equipment could be upgraded to encourage a variety of students, staff and faculty to use the athletic field area.

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES OF TURF Natural turf grasses provide some ecosystem services, such as generating oxygen and absorbing pollutants from the air. They also provide a cooling effect in an urban environment. These services are lost when a synthetic field is installed.

New fitness equipment, such as the “log roll” above in Portland, Maine increases use of green spaces.

Josh Corbin

Wall climb feature in Portland’s Back Cove.

FITNESS CIRCUIT Reviving the fitness circuit along the asphalt path which circles the athletic fields would provide another outdoor attraction for the BHCC community. The City of Portland, Maine has installed popular new equipment around the Back Cove trail (see photos). This equipment is used by both athletes and recreational fitness enthusiasts. A fitness circuit at BHCC will expand the use of the athletic fields beyond team sports.

Josh Corbin

Cargo net in Portland’s Back Cove.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

55

COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS Many of the landscape schematics proposed in this plan include the conversion of the existing turf to various groundcovers which require less maintenance, irrigation, and chemical inputs.

ANNUAL MAINTENANCE EXPENSE FOR TURF Lawn maintenance at BHCC is a significant yearly cost estimated at $6,000 to $7,000 per acre or about $122,000 per year (see table). About half the yearly cost is associated with mowing and the other half with chemical and water inputs.

TURF TO ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE CONVERSION After installation and establishment, the cost of native grass or meadow landscaping maintenance is substantially lower due to the reduced frequency of mowing and the absence of fertilizer, chemical, and water inputs.

Maintenance costs calculated based on reduced mowing and equipment costs result in a cost of $200 to $800 per acre depending on the landscape. This is a cost savings of about $6,000 per acre per year compared to turf management.

Conversion of all areas proposed in this report, a total of about five acres of turf, results in cost savings of $30,000 per year.

LONG TERM IMPLICATIONS Although the nature study area is a $211,000 initial investment of landscape and hardscape, the conversion of this area would result in savings of approximately $11,000 per year in maintenance. Converting the edge area along Rutherford Avenue and Perimeter Road (estimated at $147,000) results in a savings of $14,000 per year. All of these conversions also provide benefits including the creation of new teaching landscapes, improved stormwater quality, and increased biodiversity.

56

ANNUAL EXPENSES FOR LAWN MAINTENANCE AT BHCC

PROPOSED LAWN CONVERSION AREAS Location

Area (acres)

Labor (40%* of $102,000)

$40,800

Equipment maintenance

$15,000

Rutherford Avenue Edge

2.4

Tru Green

$11,327

Nature Study Area

1.8

Future Supply (vendor for fertilizer, weed control, pest control, soil moisturizer and lime)

$15,000

South Entrance Hill

0.2

Stormwater Areas

0.6

Irrigation Winterization and Spring Opening

$15,000

Irrigation Water

$25,000

Total

Total

5 acres

$122,127

Total per acre (based on 18 acres)

$6,785

*40% is based on 2 days a week

LAWN VERSUS NATIVE GRASS MAINTENANCE Maintenance category Labor Equipment

One One acre acre of native of turf grasses or meadow

One acre of low mow grass

$3,100

$200

$800

$3,685

$0

$0

$6,785

$200

$800

Tru Green Future Supply Irrigation

ANNUAL COST SAVINGS $6,000 X 5 ACRES =$30,000

Irrigation Water ANNUAL TOTAL

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

BENEFITS TO STUDENTS The benefits of this ecological landscape plan extend beyond the financial. Outdoor classrooms and learning spaces have potential to impact each student at BHCC, regardless of their chosen programs of study. These spaces also offer opportunities for extracurricular recreation, health and wellness activities, and relaxation. The chart (at right) connects some of the programs at BHCC with different ways the landscape could be used to augment those programs.

BUSINESS

Food truck operations and management

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Science experiments

ENGLISH

Nature as inspiration

HOSPITALITY

Health and wellness activities

NURSE EDUCATION

Outdoor classroom

PERFORMING ARTS

Organic vegetable and herb gardening

SCIENCE and ENGINEERING

Festivals, school-wide celebrations

VISUAL and MEDIA ARTS

Sustainability education Concerts and performances

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

57

LIGHTING General recommendations regarding lighting are provided below to begin the process of developing an acceptable lighting plan that can be delivered to a chosen manufacturer.

LIGHTING IDENTIFICATION ON CAMPUS Identifying where and when light is needed is a necessary first step in improving lighting conditions. While more light does not necessarily mean safer conditions, identifying location and timing of use defines areas where illumination is needed for safe pedestrian passage. Considering where proper illumination is necessary on all exterior areas in a facility, including pedestrian and vehicular entrances, pedestrian walkways, structures within the perimeter, and parking areas, will specify which structures are needed or where lighting can be improved. Itemizing areas of use (parking lots, doorways, walkways etc.) along with anticipated hours of use can provide a lighting plan that puts the community’s safety first, lowers costs and saves energy.

PROPER LIGHT FIXTURES In order to reduce light pollution, the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) created the BUG system which classifies light from lighting structures into three categories: backlight, uplight, and glare. Backlight is light directed from the back of the lamp and creates light trespass that is not needed; uplight is light that shines above the light structure and causes sky glow; and glare is light that shines out at different angles that is irritating or visually distracting. Choosing “Zero Uplight” or “fully shielded” fixtures would ensure no light is emitted above the lowest light emitting part of the lighting structure. Most of the lighting on the BHCC campus include unshielded fixtures which can waste up to 30 percent of the energy used, 58

emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and cost thousands of dollars in energy consumed.

Categorizing the different light structures with the BUG system can identify opportunities to reduce light pollution by directing light downward with the correct type of light fixtures.

SELECTION OF CORRECT LIGHT SOURCE LEDs (light emitting diodes) have a lifespan average between 20,000 to 50,000 hours, use less power per unit of light generated, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. LEDs are also very durable and do not contain mercury. While initial installation may have high costs, LEDs have the most savings when it comes to annual operating costs ($32.85/year compared to incandescent light bulbs at $328.59 and compact fluorescents [CFLs] at $76.65).

With the exception of the New Health and Wellness Building, BHCC uses mostly incandescent light bulbs or CFLs in its exterior lighting. While the college began exchanging expired light bulbs with LEDs, BHCC would gain significant strides in energy efficiency, environmental protection, and reduced costs if all exterior lighting was converted. In addition, using LEDs that produce warm white lighting instead of a blue short wavelength light reduces light pollution and increases visibility.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Credit: International DarkSky Association

The BUG system classifies the different types of stray light emitting from exterior lighting structures.

Credit: Illuminating Engineering Society

Three angles of BUG system

BUG’s Forward angles

BUG’s Backlight angles

BUG’s Uplight angles

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

USE OF SENSORS, TIMERS, AND MOTION DETECTORS Using automatic controls to turn off lights or sections of lights saves costs and energy when lights are not needed. Lights should be extinguished no later than a half hour after the campus closes. Unused lighting wastes limited natural resources and contributes to light pollution and clutter.

APPROPRIATE HEIGHT OF LIGHT FIXTURES Using appropriate height for light fixtures provides controlled ground lighting and reduces light clutter. Fixtures should be no closer to the property line than four times the mounting height of the fixture and not to exceed the height of adjacent structures with exceptions made for larger parking areas and commercial zones.

INTERIOR LIGHTING THAT PREVENTS GLARE Some of BHCC’s interior lighting illuminate or project glare to the outdoors which wastes energy. Interior lighting can be switched to shut off timers to save energy. With BHCC planning to develop more new buildings, designing interior lighting that falls within the building and not through the windows would save energy and costs.

LEED CREDITS FOR LIGHTING The US Green Building Council regulates the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system.

This organization encourages LEED in the construction of public and private buildings.

Since lighting has a critical role to play in sustainable buildings, LEED has incorporated all of the ratings systems into three new systems: Green Building Design & Construction, Green Interior Design & Construction, and Green Building Operations & Maintenance. It provides Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

region-specific credits and gives new weight to points to reflect the impact on the environment and human health. Lighting holds 23 points in the Green Building & Design Construction system that are mostly related to energy savings.

Credit is available for reducing light pollution by meeting uplight and light trespass requirements for all exterior lighting structures located inside the project boundary through different methods that include the BUG rating system.

Light fixtures with misdirected illumination

Parking lot with glare and light clutter

University of Florida

Dark Sky friendly street lights direct light to the ground

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

59

ADA COMPLIANCE

D

4

B C

5 A

1

Sidewalks are in poor condition, making travel difficult for those with mobility limitations.

E

3 G

2 Bunker Hill Community College is a challenging place for those with mobility limitations. A walk around the campus revealed many issues that require immediate attention in order to best serve the entire population at BHCC. The sidewalk that follows Perimeter Road around the main campus is in poor condition (1), with many cracks and steep cross-slopes. All sidewalks are recommended to be resurfaced and regraded at no more than a 2% cross-slope.

ADA access to various campus buildings from parking areas is difficult. The warning pad leading to the parking area on the west side of G Building was installed improperly and is not flush with the sidewalk (2). This pad should be reinstalled and the sidewalk regraded to ensure a smooth transition between the two. On the north side of E Building, a dumpster sits on the ADA crosswalk connecting the building to Parking Lot 5, leaving little room for people in 60

2

1

wheelchairs to pass by (3). This dumpster needs to be relocated to a place that does not hinder access to buildings or parking lots.

3

The ADA parking spaces in Parking Lot 5 are not proximate to the buildings or to the existing 0 200 crosswalk (4). As described in the 400 Nature Study Feet Area design, it is recommended that these spaces are relocated at the west end of the parking lot. A crosswalk should lead directly out from the north side door on G Building to an ADA path leading to those spaces.

The emergency exit doors from B, C, and D Buildings currently open to either a path that is too steep to be accessible or to lawn (5). There is also a significant step down to reach ground level. Paths need to be added or regraded so as to be flush with the exit door and then slope down at no more than a 5% grade to the sidewalk.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

A dumpster has been placed on the ADA crosswalk to Parking Lot 5, hindering access.

4

5

A warning pad in front of G Building is not flush with the sidewalk due to improper installation.

ADA parking spaces in Parking Lot 5 are not proximate to the buildings.

Emergency exit doors are not ADA-compatible.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES AT OTHER CAMPUSES Sustainability initiatives explored by other campuses within the Massachusetts College system can serve as examples for similar efforts at BHCC. Site visits to these campuses and others would provide valuable information to BHCC faculty and staff regarding required maintenance and care of these landscapes, additional sustainability practices, and potential sources of financing for these projects.

MASSASOIT COMMUNITY COLLEGE Massasoit Community College, located in Brockton, MA, is home to native New England plant gardens, ‘no-mow’ areas, rain gardens and an edible food garden. The effort has been spearheaded by biology professor Melanie Trecek-King.

school’s sustainable architecture program. The green roof showcases native plants and provides educational opportunities to study plant health in extreme heat, cold, and wind. The green roof also provides benefits in stormwater runoff reduction and building heating and cooling energy savings.

CAPE COD COMMUNITY COLLEGE In 2006, Cape Cod Community College (CCCC) pledged to lower emissions and create a more environmentally friendly campus.

Invasive plants such as burning bush have been replaced with native plants on the Massasoit campus. “Bio soils” have been created to increase infiltration and decrease runoff. Since 2008, mowing on campus has been reduced by 12 percent.

As part of the initiative, the College adopted a low-mow/no mow policy of minimum impact landscape design and maintenance. The policy has kept thousands of pounds of fertilizer out of the Cape’s aquifer, saved thousands of gallons of irrigation water, and prevented significant fossil fuel use and air pollution by eliminating 80% of all lawn mowing. The highly-manicured lawn has been returned to a natural meadow environment which encourages native plants, wildlife, and beneficial insects.

The landscape changes have provided many opportunities for student involvement through participation on the Sustainable Landscape Committee and curricular activities and assignments.

Solar carports at CCCC make use of campus parking lots for energy production using solar arrays. The college community benefits from the shaded parking, cleaner stormwater runoff, and energy production.

MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN This college, located in Boston, has focused its sustainability efforts around natural resource conservation and implementation of new energy saving ideas and designs. In 2006, the college installed a green roof on the Tower Building.

The roof was designed as a model which could be easily duplicated elsewhere in the state. It was designed and constructed by students in the Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Sustainablemassasoit.org

Wildflower meadow at Massasoit Community in Brockton, MA

Mass.gov

A green roof on the Tower Building at Massachusetts College of Art and Design provides natural energy free cooling.

Capecod.edu

A solar carport at Cape Cod Community College consists of 264 solar panels and produces shaded parking for 24 vehicles.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

61

REFERENCES 2010-2011 Fact Book. <http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/media/03-documents/Fact1011.pdf> Bunker Hill Community College’s GreenPACT Climate Action Plan. <http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/ media/03-documents/GreenpactClimateActionPlan.pdf> Celik, F. (2013). Ecological Landscape Design. Advances in Landscape Architecture.

Chapter 4 - Stormwater Management Practice Guidance. <http://www.pwdplanreview.org/manual/ chapter-4/4.1-bioinfiltration-bioretention> “Community College Campus Goes Native.” Just Food Now News and Views. 10 Oct. 2015. Web. <https://justfoodnowwma.com/2015/10/10/campus_ecology/>.

Cutoff and BUG Ratings. <http://shop.innovativelight.com/catalog/outdoor__roadway/ performance_data/cutoff-and-bug-ratings/> Daniels, Stevie. “Low & Slow Fescues.” Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 31 Dec. 2001. Web. < http://www.bbg.org/gardening/article/low_slow_fescues> Electrical Contractor. <http://www.ecmag.com/section/lighting/leed-view-sustainable-lighting> French, Susan C. “A Guide to Successful Pruning, Pruning Shrubs.” Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Web. <https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-459/430-459.html>.

“Harvard Energy & Facilities.” Organic Maintenance Program. Web. 20 <http:// www.energyandfacilities.harvard.edu/facilities-services/landscape-maintenance/ organic-maintenance-program>.

REFERENCES

How Does Outdoor Lighting Cause Light Pollution? <http://www.delmarfans.com/educate/basics/ lighting-pollution/> “Indiana Wildlife Federation.” Landscaping the Sustainable Campus. Web. <http://www. indianawildlife.org/habitat-programs/landscaping-sustainable-campus/>.

International Dark-Sky Association <http://darksky.org> “Keep Geese Away by Changing the Habitat.” The Humane Society of the United States. Web. <http:// www.humanesociety.org/animals/geese/tips/canada_geese_habitat.html?credit=web_id266485793>

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Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Light Bulb Showdown: LED vs. CFL vs. Incandescent - The Simple Dollar. (2015). < http://www. thesimpledollar.com/the-light-bulb-showdown-leds-vs-cfls-vs-incandescent-bulbs-whats-the-bestdeal-now-and-in-the-future/> Light pollution reduction | U.S. Green Building Council. <http://www.usgbc.org/ node/2600382?view=language> Maritime Shrubland Community. <http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dfg/nhesp/natural-communitiesfacts/maritime-shrubland.pdf> Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook | MassDEP. <http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/ water/regulations/massachusetts-stormwater-handbook.html> Natural Community Fact Sheet Coastal Forests, Maritime Forests, and Maritime Shrublands. <http:// www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dfg/nhesp/natural-communities-facts/coastalforests2006.pdf> “Natural Grass and Artificial Turf: Separating Myths and Facts.” Turfgrass Resource Center, . Web. Nitsch Engineering, Inc. “Quinsigamond Community College Master Plan Update: Green Infrastructure Planning Services”, March 11, 2015 “No Mow Lawn Fact Sheet.” Prairie Nursery. Web.<http://www.prairienursery.com/resources-andguides/no-mow-resources/documents/no-mow-fact-sheet.pdf> Project Development & Design Guide. <http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/ DoingBusinessWithUs/ManualsPublicationsForms/ProjectDevelopmentDesignGuide.aspx> Sandplain Heathland. <http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dfg/nhesp/natural-communities-facts/ sandplain-heathland.pdf> Schofield Brothers of New England, Inc. “Stormwater Management Report for Bunker Hill Community College Health and Wellness Center,” May 22, 2008 (revised February 20, 2009) A Stormwater Master Plan For The University of Pennsylvania: Finding Opportunities for Sustainable Stormwater Management. <http://www.facilities.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/Stormwater Master Plan for the University of Pennsylvania_March 2013_web.pdf> Tiller, Elizabeth Rogers, Ph.D. “Native Plants vs. Turf Lawn: Sustainability Made Profitable.” American Public Works Association Reporter (2013): 30-31. American Public Works Association. Web. Ward, S. (2014, January 30). A Bright Look at LEED SSc8: 8 Ways to Reduce Light Pollution. <https:// www.poplarnetwork.com/news/bright-look-leed-ssc8-8-ways-reduce-light-pollution> Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Bunker Hill Community College Ecological Landscape Plan

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