LAUREL POND : THE ESCARPMENT (SOLUTIONS GROW FROM PLACE)

Should human access to the former pond be limited to allow refuge for wildlife and increased flood storage? The Escarpment takes inspiration from the cascading bedrock outcrop downstream of the parks, reconnecting aquatic habitat and concentrating human use outside vegetated buffers.

hydro-ecologIcal changes

• Bioengineering strategies are used above and below the escarpment to slow water, direct flow, and stabilize the stream bank.

• The dam is removed. Materials are reused to build cascading step pools resembling, in both function and form, the bedrock escarpment downstream.

• The pond is dredged; an emergent marsh is established for increased habitat for a diversity of wetland-dwelling wildlife species.

• A reinforced turf road creates access to the stream for maintenance, infiltrates runoff, and connects trails around the stream.

• A sediment forebay is constructed to capture excess sand and silt, minimizing deposition downstream.

The Human Element

• A mowed path connects the new parking lot with existing trails.

• An oak-savannah meadow replaces the turf and parking lot.

• Trails are moved away from the marsh and stream to reduce human impact on the ecosystem, but an all-persons trail meanders like moving water, passing framed views, and leads to an accessible overlook/ observation deck.

• A riparian tree/shrub buffer and a terraced slope increase flood capacity.

• The main parking is relocated to Laurel Street to reduce damage to trees and improve the visibility of the parking lot. ADA parking is moved closer to the woodland edge to be farther from the active river area.

Pros

• Increased aquatic habitat connectivity in the stream.

• Terraced marshes and riparian areas slow, capture, and infiltrate storm and flood water.

• An access road and sediment forebay expedites maintenance.

• Framed views enable enjoyment of the stream while limiting human disturbance.

cons

• Human access to the water is greatly reduced.

• Will require significant disturbance during construction.

• Limited all-persons access.

InstallatIon / maIntenance

• Installation will require vast clearing, though this provides ample opportunities to replant with native vegetation to increase ecosystem function.

• Native plant revegetation will require intensive maintenance for the first five years, but may reduce maintenance in the long-term.

• Sediment forebay captures excess silts and sands during large storm events, simplifying maintenance for stream health.

• Reinforced turf access road allows for easy access to the sediment forebay for dredging/excavating.

• Mowing time is reduced. Mowing regime is limited to meadow paths, maintenance access road, and the great oak overlook.

Conceptual Design Details 3

In the stream cross-section show, an observation deck and mowed paths frame views of the stream and marsh. The terraced slopes and riparian vegetation increase flood storage. The stream profile shows changes to stream gradient; the escarpment step pools may reduce stream velocity upon dam removal.