Design Detail: Entry and Arrival

Visitors enter the site and proceed along a single main drive towards the farmhouse. The area in front of the old ice cream stand is converted into a picnic area and gathering space where community members, students, Rotary Club members, etc. can pursue garden projects or host other educational activities. Oaks and flowering trees like alternate-leaved dogwood are added along the edge to provide shade to visitors, draw the eye towards the farmhouse, and discourage vehicles from parking along the road.

The former south exit and gravel area near the cemetery are reclaimed and planted with groundcovers such as Canada windflower and wildflowers such as large-leaved wood asters that bloom in late summer. Also, beardtongue foxglove would pair nicely with asters flowering in spring to maximize blooms throughout the season. Large shrubs planted by the former south exit like witch-hazel, that flower in fall, will help to eliminate vehicle traffic and protect the cemetery and mature trees as the bloom season ends for the wildflowers. This area can be used as an extension off the farmers’ market pad as an additional picnic space or as an educational point that explains the history of Round Top Farm.

Birch Copse Bioswale

Wet Meadow

A c c e s s i b l e P ath

Maintenance & Staff Pollinator-friendly landscaping Main Parking

(12 spots)

Old Ice cream Stand

Farmhouse

The area in front of the farmhouse by the patio is planted with meadow-like sweeps of grasses and flowering perennials. The Kousa dogwood is transplanted from the maintenance area to the front of the farmhouse opposite the beech, and additional trees and shrubs are added in the front pad area. These trees will help to screen views of the reoriented parking area and Main Street from the farmhouse windows.

The mown area around the student garden becomes an area that highlights CRCT's efforts in maintaining the good water quality of the Damariscotta River. It is another educational opportunity as the stormwater runoff from the street flows into a bioswale/wet meadow complex for treatment; flowering plants that enjoy moist conditions like blue vervain are added for pollinators and visual appeal. The existing shrub beds are integrated into the naturalistic vegetation. A spur trail to/from Round Top Ice Cream passes through this area to draw visitors through the garden. The swale passes under the gravel path and through a birch copse before discharging into the fields. The birches serve to block views of the maintenance area from southbound trail users and guests on the ice cream store deck. A footpath lined with blocky boulders winds over the swale and between the birches, providing a pleasant shady area that pays tribute to the importance of the river and birch trees in local indigenous culture.

Rocks create ponding allowing pollutants to settle and organic matter to accumulate Old Ice Cream Stand

Bioswale

Native plants absorb runoff and pollutants while attracting pollinators Roots aid in nutrient uptake, microbial activity, and infiltration Prepared Soil Mixture

A row of oaks, dogwoods, wildflowers, and perennial shrubs like witch-hazel greet visitors as they drive into the site. The plants create a sightline to the restored farmhouse and main parking area for clear wayfinding without the use of signs, discourage erratic parking, and shade the ice cream stand area.