Reimagining Winchester and River Street Parks, Ashburnham, MA by The Conway School

A Comprehensive Landscape Plan prepared for the Town of Ashburnham, Massachusetts

Caitlin Camilliere | Carly Roland The Conway School Spring 2022

Project Overview..................................................................1 Existing Conditions..............................................................2 History of the Sites as Public Spaces.....................................3 Drainage and Soils................................................................4 Regional Water Movement...................................................5 Vegetation & Shade: Winchester...........................................6 Vegetation: River Street........................................................7 Access & Circulation: Winchester.........................................8 Access & Circulation: River Street........................................9 Climate Change..................................................................10 Summary: River Street........................................................11

Spring 2022

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

S heets

Final Design: River Street...................................................12 Summary: Winchester.........................................................13 Final Design: Winchester.....................................................15 Design Details: ABA path and Meadow.............................................16 Natural Play Garden.................................................17 Stage and Library Patio.............................................18 Parking Surfaces and Areas.......................................19 North of the Library.................................................20 Outdoor Classroom..................................................21 Plant Palette: Winchester....................................................22 Plant Palette: River Street...................................................23 Cost Estimates....................................................................24 Works Cited and Resources................................................25

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Design Alternatives: Winchester..........................................14

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

Index of Sheets

I ndex

The first meeting was held on May 12 in the Public Safety building in Ashburnham. Attendees were asked to individually answer written questions about how they currently use the parks. They then worked in groups using maps to discuss and draw out their visions. These were then shared back with the whole group. The major themes included the desire for a new playground, a walking trail through Winchester Park, more shade and places to sit, and more parking. The information from this meeting was used to further define the project goals, which had originally been established by the Selectboard and Town Administrator.

At an in-person stakeholder meeting on May 12, community members worked in groups to discuss and draw visions for the parks.

Conversations with the library staff

were continuous throughout the project, as the design of Winchester Park directly affects their programming and planning. The library director, board of trustees, and staff all shared input about the library's needs and desires, which were incorporated into the goals and design.

R iver S treet P ark

Phillip's Brook flows along River St. Park.

Goals Winchester Park • Design a more functional outdoor gathering and concert area. • Site and make recommendations for new playground spaces, considering various ages and including active and passive play. • Assess the wooded parcels to the west of Winchester Park, and if appropriate, site a natural play area there. • Re-envision the path/trail system to improve the flow of pedestrian traffic and provide universal access where possible to park facilities. • Evaluate parking and traffic movement, and design improvements where needed.

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• Take into consideration a future library expansion, with a south-facing entrance.

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

The second meeting took place on June 9 via Zoom. Questions and feedback about a working design for Winchester Park were received and these informed the final design. Both the fire chief and head of the Department of Public Works (DPW) were present and raised helpful points about emergency vehicle access and plowing.

W inchester P ark

The overarching goal is to create more engaging and functional spaces within the parks for the community while supporting the ecology and wildlife of the area.

Project Overview

Winchester Park is currently used as a gathering space, but River Street Park is mostly unused (by humans). The town sees opportunity to make both parks more inviting, fostering community connections and enhancing the lives of human and non-human residents.

River Street Park

The town-owned parcels containing Winchester and River Street Parks, on Main Street in Ashburnham, MA. The library sits near the center of Winchester Park. The staff & board were included in conversations about the park's design.

• Design River Street Park with appropriate uses that fit site conditions. Explore options for parking; spaces for temporary structures such as art sheds; a public gathering area near the river; and passive recreation.

1/25

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

A Rapid Recovery Plan (RRP), completed in 2021 as a response to the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, also recommended that Winchester and River Street Parks be reinvigorated to bring more people downtown to boost the economy.

in spring 2022 to understand what the Ashburnham community would like to see in the designs. Both meetings were posted on the town's website and drew 20 to 30 people.

Spring 2022

Two stakeholder meetings were held

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

The Selectboard and Town Administrator in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, approached the Conway School in 2021 with the request to redesign Winchester and River Street Parks, located in the heart of downtown. The desire for improvement of these spaces had been long-voiced by community members. Many respondents from an open space survey in 2021 requested improvements to Winchester Park, and a volunteer group is organized to begin some work at River Street Park.

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

P roject O verview

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

1 North field Residences

A small opening in vegetation allows for viewing the shallow pond in the northern area of River Street Park. This currently is the only view of the pond or brook at the park.

Wetland

~7 acres Library Water Street

Norway maples line the north road to the library. People often park in the area between the road and maples.

Playground

Steep slope

Pond

Park Street

Residences

4 Gazebo

7 Gingerbread Lane

River Street Park

Town hall

Looking south, Phillip's Brook travels along the east side of River Street Park. Private residences are along the west, north, and east sides of this park.

Residences

9 9

A gazebo amid a ring of trees creates a semi-circle within the park. This area is used for summer concerts.

A large grist wheel memorial near a Norway spruce sits amidst an unused grassy expanse between the Town Hall and library.

The Town Hall faces south toward Main Street and is what visitors see first when they arrive to Winchester Park from the south.

River Street Park has a narrow, flat area to the west of Phillip's Brook. It is currently not used for any human activities but is mown.

Existing Conditions

Main Street

Winchester Park Section A-A'

Phillip's Brook

Piano Museum

Bank

The playground is in front of the library on the south side. This is the side of the library that is ADA accessible, and library staff hope to expand the library and have the new front entrance on this south side.

River Street

Residences

The north face of the library is currently used as the main entrance. It is not ADA accessible.

Beer & Ice cream

~1 acre

Residences

Market

Lawrence St.

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

Winchester Park

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

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Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

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Spring 2022

E xisting C onditions

W inchester P ark

River Street Park also invited people to gather, but for a different reason. It is the site of the former Bresnahan Pool, which was used as a public swimming spot. In 1911 a dam was built on Phillip’s Brook and a retaining wall erected to create a deep enough area in which to swim. A bathhouse sat adjacent to the pool. The pool closed in the 1990s and hasn’t been formally used since. Evidence of the pool includes the retaining walls and steps leading from the top of the wall down onto land which used to be the bottom of the pool. At the stakeholder meetings, community members shared sentiments about the history of this space and the desire for it to once again be an inviting town space.

T own P ool

W inchester P ark

W inchester P ark R iver S treet P ark

B aseball

Winchester Park was already a public space by the time what is now River St. Park became the town pool. These two spaces, just down the road from each other on Main St., were well-loved and well-used in the 1900s.

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fields

R iver S treet P ark

trail

Today's opportunity to benefit many Present day Ashburnham is a rural town with a population mainly clustered around downtown and the lakes to the north. Residents report that many who live in the north of town frequent New Hampshire for errands and activities and those to the south frequent Gardner and Fitchburg, but the library and small businesses do draw people to the center of town. In addition to serving residents living in and frequenting downtown, these parks could offer resting spaces for those visiting regional attractions. Mount Watatic sits in the northeast of Ashburnham and marks the intersection of the long-distance Midstate and Wapack hiking trails. It offers easy hikes and scenic views, and due to the layout of roads, many of those traveling from the rest of Massachusetts would go through downtown to get to and from the mountain. A community member also shared that national and international visitors come to town to visit Cushing Academy and the Frederick Collection of Historical Pianos. The design for Winchester Park from the early 1900s displayed more pedestrian connectivity and vegetation than what the park offers today. It was discussed in “The Town Beautiful” article, which used Ashburnham to promote the idea of attractive civic centers.

Present-day River Street Park encompasses what was the town pool including this seating area, the bathhouse, and land outside of the frame. The steps and retaining wall in this picture remain today.

Of the downtown spaces open to the public, Marden and Bickford baseball fields and a short rail trail are the only recreational spaces apart from the parks. Their purpose is also not identical in that they are tied to an activity (e.g. baseball and walking). For Ashburnham community members and those traveling through town who wish to simply relax and gather, Winchester Park could offer a unique space to do so. River Street Park also served this function when it was a pool, and its location gives it potential to do so again.

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

F itchburg

G ardner

Counter-clockwise from top left: Many of those traveling to and from Mount Watatic travel through downtown Ashburnham and may be looking to stop and rest. Apart from the baseball fields and a rail trail, Winchester and River Street Parks are the only spaces in downtown open to the public for residents and visitors to gather and enjoy the outdoors. Both parks, and especially Winchester Park, are situated close to most of the downtown businesses. It is convenient for people visiting the businesses to stop by the parks and vice versa.

History of the sites

The area that is now Winchester Park served as pasture in the early colonial settlement days of Ashburnham. In the 1800s, George Winchester, owner of the Boston Chair Company in town, owned the land and used it as a private park. He sometimes opened it for public events like in 1861 when seventy men marched from the park to join the Civil War. In 1900, Melvin Adams, who grew up in town, bought the land and opened it up to the public. Six years later, Adams funded the construction of the Dolly Whitney Schoolhouse, which is now the library. The Town Hall had been built the year before, and around this time an article called "The Town Beautiful" was written by a former editor of The Boston Daily Advertiser, the first daily newspaper in Boston. It admired Winchester Park as the epitome of an attractive civic center that engages citizens in “joyful and ennobling” gathering. The article describes the buildings and the fledgling park in between as having “unity and harmony, in which each separate building, and every tree and stone and gravel path, are all parts of a single whole.” A design for the park from this time was at least partially installed but has changed over time, and eet Str little is recognizable today. ain

D owntown A shburnham

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Winchester and River Street Parks have been community gathering spaces for over a century.

3/25

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

M ount W atatic

Spring 2022

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

H istory of the sites as public spaces

The topography of Winchester Park allows for the flow of water to move off-site. There is little pooling observed in the flatter, north field and grassy areas in the park, though there is possibility for drainage issues due to the flat terrain.

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Pooling does occur at the base of the two wooded parcels to the west of the library. These two wooded parcels currently have no impervious infrastructure. The pooling within these parcels is not a concern since they are currently left alone by humans and the pooling eventually drains. However, runoff from Memorial Drive and pollutants from cars and lawn mowers does enter into these wooded parcels.

Winchester Park

Library

Playground

ria

The topography of Winchester Park slopes down towards the east, and water runoff from the park, neighboring residences, and roads likely flows to River Street Park and into Phillip's Brook.

riv

River Street Park Town Hall

S oil

The soil at both Winchester and River Street Parks is a Peru-marlow fine sandy loam according to soil samples and the NRCS Web Soil Survey database. This soil type is common in areas that are at the base of slopes with rocky outcrops and often have glacial till present.

The north field area of Winchester Park appears to have been disturbed in the past, but specific land use history of this area is unclear. The mineral layer of soil was present, which indicates that the top soil was either removed or heavily disturbed. The groundcover vegetation in this area appeared to be dry and sparse.

This is a desirable soil for many plants, as its porosity supports easy movement of roots and water. The size of particle that creates a substrate determines its porosity. The sandier a soil is, the more porous it is. This increases its water draining capacity and allows for easy movement of roots.

River Street Park appears to have areas of sandy soil in historically disturbed areas, and more rich soil along the stream bank. The site of the old pool house and the area to the north of the old pool site were areas observed as having sandier soils. Perhaps when the pool area was dug out, the top layer of sandy soil was placed in the area to the north. This area now has many native species that tolerate sandy soil. The areas of richer soil are found along the streambank, and have vegetation that prefer less sandy and more nutrient-rich soils. These areas support a diversity of vegetation, many being non-native species.

Because this is a sandy-loam, it is well-draining but not excessively-draining, as some exclusively sandy soils might be. This is important for periods of high rainfall because it is able to absorb water, reducing flooding risk. However, in periods of drought this soil may become dry, which increases stress on plants that cannot tolerate drought conditions.

Figure 1: Sandy-loam soil is present at both parks

Figure 2: Peru-marlow fine sandy loam is often present at the base of slopes greater than 15% in stony, wooded areas (NRCS, 2022). Orange color indicates areas where this soil is present.

For over twenty years, the playground at Winchester Park has been layered with mulch and sand. This area likely has a deep layer of organic material beneath the layers of mulch, which could positively impact vegetation planted there in the future when the playground is relocated. The sand pit area of the playground may require organic material to be added in order to increase its fertility for plants.

4/25

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

Figure 3: Soil at the parks is a combination of sand and loam

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

200' River Buffer

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

Phillip's Brook

Drainage & Soils

The center of downtown Ashburnham sits at the base of higher elevation areas. In a storm or severe weather event, the downtown could experience flooding or stormwater runoff. Winchester and River Street Parks are within this lower elevation area of downtown, yet have no observed drainage issues. Water pooling has not been observed on site at Winchester Park, perhaps due to the site's soil permeability. A river runs through River Street Park, and might be susceptible to flooding, especially since the park is within the 200' river buffer zone.

The observed area of pooling to the north of Winchester Park occurs at a low point. There is a chance that this area could flood during a storm and overflow onto Chapel Street and into the northern field of Winchester Park.

North field

Spring 2022

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

D rainage

Ashburnham intersects three watershed sub-basins. Watershed divides occur at the highest points on a landscape, and divide one area or valley from another. This creates varying sizes of watersheds. Due to its topography, Ashburnham is within the Merrimack, Nashua, and Millers sub-basins. These sub-basins flow into the larger Connecticut and Merrimack watersheds, respectively. Downtown Ashburnham is within the Nashua sub-basin, which flows into the Merrimack watershed.

The ecological practices within the town of Ashburnham will influence the health of waterbodies and natural communities downstream.

Imperiled, rare, and endangered wildlife and natural communities are found in Ashburnham. The endangered subarctic darner and American bittern require specific habitat that is found in the bog near Lincoln Pond. Long-eared owls are becoming a species of concern in Massachusetts, as increasing human development creates forest fragmentation and reduces habitat for species. Long-eared owl, species of concern

American bittern, endangered

Subarctic darner, endangered

Spruce-tamarack bog, imperiled

Spring 2022

5/25

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

According to a water quality assessment conducted by the Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA), Phillip's Brook is classified as being a well-oxygenated, class B water body, meaning it is in good health and supports a diverse range of aquatic species (NRWA, 2007). Along this brook's journey, there are rare natural communities, wildlife, and possible pollutants. At its confluence with the North Nashua River, high levels of contaminants were measured (NRWA, 2007). Supporting the health of this brook after it has passed through the park will be important for the vernal pools, wetlands, and aquatic and terrestrial life downstream of River Street Park.

= downtown Ashburnham

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Phillip's Brook runs through River Street Park. It is eight miles in length and begins at Winnekeag Lake and Lincoln Pond to the north. These waterbodies are located at the top of the Nashua River sub-basin, one of three sub-basins in Ashburnham.

The Connecticut and Merrimack River watersheds are two major watersheds within New England. They each drain into the Atlantic Ocean.

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

Nashua

Merrimack

Regional Water Movement

Millers

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

R egional W ater M ovement

2 4

2. A row of deciduous trees separates 3

L ibrary

An eastern border of trees, shown on the left, creates privacy from abutting residences. Some invasives are present and should be managed.

P layground

1 G azebo

T own

the eastern side of the park from the abutting residences, creating privacy. The exception is at the northeast corner of the library parking lot, where a residence’s lawn opens up into the park’s northern open space. Alterations to this area may affect the neighbors' experience. Two large planted conifers sit just north of town hall, and a third sits behind the gifted grist mill wheel.

3. The town-owned wooded

The western forested parcels create privacy from abutting residences but ash and Norway maples pose some issues.

hall

Turf

Red maple

Deciduous trees

Crabapple

Coniferous trees

Sugar maple Norway maple

parcels to the west of the park create separation from abutting residences. Norway maples and ash dominate this area. Ash populations in the U.S. have severely declined due to the emerald ash borer, a non-native insect introduced to the U.S. in 2002 (USDA, 2022). If many ash were to quickly die, the slope in this area could erode and possibly affect the flat areas above and the lower slopes on the neighbor's parcel. An arborist could identify any issues and recommend actions to encourage a healthy wooded area.

4. Norway maples line northern Norway maples line the northern section of Memorial Drive. This species is invasive and removal of these individuals could be considered.

Memorial Drive and this species is scattered in the wooded areas. They are invasive and are discussed more on sheet 10.

Shade at 5:00 PM on the Summer Equinox

Hours of sun on the Summer Equinox

6/25

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

From left to right, a sugar maple, two crabapple trees and three red maples create a semicircle around the gazebo, leaving the viewing area very sunny.

the gazebo. All of the maples are native species that provide ecosystem services like food and habitat for wildlife. Red maples are predicted to be climate-change resilient because they are able grow in a wide range of conditions. Sugar maples, however, are sensitive to changes in temperature and soil conditions, and populations have declined in some areas of New England (Horsley et al. 2002). The sugar maple is the biggest of the six trees; however, none of the trees reach greater than about 30 feet in height. The shade that they provide does little for those attending the summer concert series, which happens in the early evening. Most of the audience is watching from the western side of the gazebo due to its orientation. The setting sun in the west creates eastern shadows on the semicircle of trees, so that most of the shadows fall behind the concert area. The client has reported that because of the lack of shade, many concert attendees watch from their cars on sunny days. Most of the rest of the park is equally as sunny, receiving up to fourteen hours of sun per day in the summer, with little options for shade.

Spring 2022

1. Two crabapples, three red maples, and one sugar maple create a northwest-facing semicircle around

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

The turfgrass that covers about two acres of open space in Winchester Park provides the benefit of ample space for activities, but comes with drawbacks. Mowing takes place once a week during the growing season; lawnmowers emit particularly harmful greenhouse gas emissions (EPA, 2011) and contribute to noise pollution. Turfgrass also contains little diversity of species and provides few benefits to wildlife. The town has the opportunity to lessen its climate impacts and benefit human and non-human community members by replacing a portion of this vegetation with a more diverse array of species that don’t require as much maintenance.

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

Turf and impervious surface cover most of the landscape in Winchester Park. Forested edges buffer the space from neighbors, but limited trees sit within the open spaces of the park. Of the planted trees, some are wildlife-benefiting natives and some are invasives.

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

S hade

and Winchester Park

Vegetation & Shade: Winchester

V egetation

Specific past land use of this area could not be accurately determined, but it is hypothesized that the site of the old pool (4) was initially dug out and the top soil was placed in the area to its north (5). This might explain why the soils in this area are especially sandy, and far less bittersweet is present. Native species that tolerate very sandy soils like white pine and silky willow grow in this area. Vegetation observed: Quaking aspen

Bittersweet (I)

Grey birch

Multiflora rose (I)

Silky willow Sandy area

White pine Various types of mosses

The two grassy spaces north and south of the sandy spot are covered with turf grass, plantain, dandelions, and other broad-leaved deciduous plants. Sensitive fern and violets grow in some areas that perhaps get more shade.

Violets, plantain, ranunculus

In the area at the southern end of the park near Phillip's Brook, richer soils are observed. This perhaps is due to the proximity of the brook to the area, as richer soils often are found near stream or river beds. Large white ash grow in this area, which also indicates richer soils. Some ash trees have evidence of EAB, and it is likely the other ash trees will be affected. Norway maples dominate the space and the majority of the groundcover is vinca vine, a non-native ornamental groundcover that spreads prolifically and reduces diversity. Vegetation observed:

White pine, grey birch, quaking aspen, and silkly willow mingle together and create an enticing and welcoming space to enjoy.

This space was the site of the old pool. Edges of this space are formed by the dam and retaining wall that were once used to fill the area with water. This space is almost exclusively covered with bittersweet, and is not possible to enter into this area, though it could be a nice space for sitting beside the stream if the bittersweet were cleared. Vegetation observed: Bittersweet (I)

The vegetation in this northern section is very dense and it was not possible to enter into this space and fully assess existing vegetation. Vegetation observed: Bittersweet (I) Multiflora rose (I)

White ash

Sumac

Norway maple (I)

Quaking aspen

Vinca vine

Goldenrod

Bittersweet (I)

Raspberry

Knotweed (I)

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Sensitive ferns

Morrow's honeysuckle (I) Burning bush (I) Vinca vine dominates as groundcover. *I = state-listed invasive plant

Bittersweet overwhelms the area.

Dense vegetation makes this area difficult to access.

7/25

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

2 Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

The vegetation at River Street Park is diverse. Many invasive species dominate some areas, yet native vegetation commonly found by rivers in New England is also present. Some areas are difficult to enter due to vegetation density. Encouraging the success of the native species not only is crucial to supporting biodiversity and an ecosystem's capability to adapt to climate change, but could also make River Street Park a special, natural place for humans and wildlife to enjoy.

A clear opening of sandy space is found between two areas of grass.

Spring 2022

This sandy space was the site of the old pool house building. It has since been bulldozed and little grows here.

Vegetation: River Street

River Street Park

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

V egetation

Memorial Drive lines the western side of Winchester Park and provides vehicular access to the Town Hall and library, and parking for the park. Vehicles enter and exit mainly from Main Street and Chapel Street and sometimes from Park Street. The entire drive is two-way traffic, and library staff regularly notice cars using the drive as a cut through between Main Street and Chapel Street. Two-way traffic continues around the library and the oval island in front of the main entrance. There are no signs or traffic calmers such as speed bumps along Memorial Drive and library staff also notice many cars driving quickly there.

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Paved parking spaces Unpaved parking spaces Accessible parking spaces Accessible entrance Potential conflict Sidewalk

From about 60% of the 63 parking spaces, pedestrians must cross potential two-way traffic to get to the Town Hall, library, or open spaces in the park. The lack of signals, like traffic calming and signs, to slow down vehicles puts pedestrians at risk anywhere they must cross Memorial Drive, but there are two areas of special concern. One is the informal unpaved parking area across from the concert space and playground. The proximity and direct sightline of the playground from the parking means children sometimes run across the road without supervision. While a crosswalk signals drivers to slow down, it is faded, and there are no other cues that this is a space where extra driving caution is required. Another area of concern is where the library’s accessible ramp comes down to the corner of the library. Pedestrians meet a curve in the drive with limited visibility for motorists at the bottom of the ramp. In addition, from the two accessible parking spaces in this location, pedestrians must cross an area with potential two-way traffic to get to the ramp. The library director and board of trustees request double the amount of its current parking to meet its popular programming and daily visitation, which is likely to increase with a planned expansion. Currently, A when parking fills up, cars park in unmarked spaces, potentially blocking the access of emergency vehicles. Community use of the park is condensed to less than half of the open area, and when the summer concert series is inactive, the playground is the only main area of use. The lack of paths, shade, and seating likely contribute to the low activity in much of the park. In addition, the lack of sidewalks leading from downtown and the presence of slopes greater than 5%, the threshold of a slope easily navigable by wheelchair, make it non-universally accessible and unpleasant even for those without physical limitations. These obstacles likely constrain those who would travel in a way other than a car from accessing this area and contributes to a reliance on driving.

M ain S treet

U npaved A ccessible

A ccessible

parking

spaces

ramp

P layground Pedestrians must cross potential two-way traffic to reach the library from the accessible spots. The bottom of the accessible ramp meets a curve in the drive with limited visibility around the corner.

Stakeholders have expressed concern about children crossing twoway traffic to get to the playground.

Spring 2022

W ater S treet

T own H all

8/25

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

2 P layground

M arketplace

D r iv e

The park's outdoor spaces used most often include the space northwest of the gazebo, where a summer concert series takes place, and the adjacent playground. The rest of the park gets less frequent use. The only sidewalk starts at Main Street and ends at Ashburnham Wine and Spirits and there are no paths in the park. Slopes greater than 5% lead from the Town Hall/Senior Center into the rest of the park.

L ibrary

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

By: Carly Roland & Access & Circulation: Winchester Designed Caitlin Camilliere

L ibrary

ia l

l pe

Memor

Three areas provide marked parking for people visiting the park. Eleven spaces, including one accessible space, wrap around the Town Hall. Fifteen diagonal spaces border the park on the eastern side of Memorial Drive near the town hall, and five parallel spots line the western side. Twelve spaces flank the east side of the library and two accessible spaces sit at the southeast corner near the accessible entrance on the south side of the building. Pedestrians must cross potential two-way traffic to get to the library from all parking spaces. Two unlined parking areas, on the opposite side of Memorial Drive from the playground, are frequently used. One paved area fits about six cars, and a dirt/grass area fits about fifteen. The latter borders the wooded parcel directly across the drive from the concert area and playground, and a crosswalk runs between these spaces and the parking lot.

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Winchester Park

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

A ccess & C irculation

G ingerbread L ane

M ain S t .

A view of the pond opens up at the northern end of River Street.

River Street runs along the western border of River Street Park, and pedestrians and cars can access River Street from Main Street, to the south, and Gingerbread Lane, to the north. River Street and Gingerbread Lane are narrow; however, twoway traffic is allowed. Steep slopes lead from River Street up Gingerbread Lane, and while sidewalks lead from Main Street to River Street, they do not continue on River Street or Gingerbread Lane. Pedestrians were observed walking in the grassy and sandy spots of the park, directly to the east of River Street. A large retaining wall limits access to the lower areas of the space. One way to get closer to the brook is using steps from the old Town Pool, which are in poor condition and partially obstructed by vegetation. Access is also possible north of these steps, where the wall ends and the ground is only slightly sloped. Pedestrians walking on the sidewalk on Main Street can peer into Phillip's Brook. However, once on River Street, large trees in the northern portion of the park and dense vegetation at the water's edge in the rest of the park limit views to the brook. Views of the pond open up off the northern end of River Street, but from within the park a slope up to the dam and dense vegetation block any views. Trampled grass at the opening to the pond suggests that people frequent this area.

Obstructed steps from the old Town Pool still lead into a more open area of the park.

The two-way traffic and lack of sidewalks or paths may lead to pedestrian-vehicle conflicts along the edge of the park on River Street. A particularly dangerous spot is at the bottom of Gingerbread Lane, where cars come down a hill and around the corner onto River Street. Cars moving quickly downhill would have poor sightlines of pedestrians walking around the corner of the street because of the lack of sidewalks. In addition to creating potential vehicle and pedestrian conflict, the lack of sidewalks combined with tall grass may make people feel unwelcome in the park. While people seem to visit the northern portion of the park to look at the pond, the inability to see the brook may deter people from visiting the rest of the park.

G ingerbread L ane

R iver S treet

Pedestrians were seen walking in this grassy and sandy area of the park to the east of River Street.

W ater S treet

R iver S treet

Trees block views to the water from River Street and a large retaining wall limits access to this area.

M ain S t .

100

200 ft

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

Access & Circulation: River St.

9/25

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

River Street Park

Spring 2022

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

A ccess & C irculation & V iews

Current range of Norway maples in the United States (nyis.org)

Norway maple, Acer platanoides, is a prolifically growing non-native species that has come to dominate some forests in New England and other parts of the United States. It was introduced in the 1700s as a shade tree, and since then has outcompeted native trees like sugar maples and threatens the biodiversity of native forest types by becoming the primary species. As climate change continues, some native species of plants cannot adapt as quickly to extreme conditions compared to invasive species like Norway maples. This species of tree will likely continue to spread in range in response to climate change (nyis.org). Norway maples are found throughout Ashburnham, and dominate the forests found near Winchester Park and in areas in River Street Park.

photo credit: nrcs.usda.gov

EAB and ALB evidence has been found at both parks.

Oriental bittersweet, Celastrus orbiculatus, is an invasive vine that was introduced to the United States in the mid1800s as a method for erosion control (Fryer, 2011). Its aggressive growing pattern has overwhelmed forests and residential areas, and harms other plants by strangling, smothering, and uprooting them. It is found in nearly all states east of the Mississippi River, and also Winchester and River Street Parks. uconn.edu

Bittersweet wraps around trees and can uproot them with its weight.

Bittersweet found at River Street Park strangles plants such as ash, willow, and maple.

Runkel, et al. 2022

Supporting biodiversity of plants and animals in a changing climate will benefit many living and nonliving things. Everything on earth is connected in some way. When an animal goes extinct, or an invasive plant outcompetes a native plant, the resilience and function of an ecosystem declines. Many native plants and animals cannot adapt quickly enough to the changing climate and some species are rapidly declining, reducing the biodiversity of an ecosystem and reducing the entire system's resilience.

Invasive species' growth and spread are predicted to increase with the changing climate. These species are able to quickly adapt to climate changes and have the potential to spread prolifically in an area. This will reduce habitat for native species to grow, in turn reducing an area's biodiversity and resilience to climate change. Supporting native species and managing invasive species will increase an area's biodiversity.

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

Norway maple leaves

Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, or ALB, is a foreign beetle that bores into northern hardwood trees such as maple, beech, birch, ash, willow, and others. It is currently found in Massachusetts, and the threat of ALB occurring in other New England states is likely. Cold temperatures and frosts effectively reduce populations of this pest. With fewer frost days forecasted, it is likely that ALB will be able to expand its range northward.

10/25

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

Emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis, or EAB, is a foreign beetle whose larvae eat through the cambium layer of ash trees. Once this pest infests a forest, ash trees typically die within 5 or 6 years, with a mortality rate of more than 97%.

By the year 2100, average annual precipitation is projected to increase by seven percent (low emissions scenario) to fourteen percent (high emissions scenario), with the greatest increase falling in the winter. More winter precipitation is likely to fall as rain rather than snow. The number of days with snow on the ground could be halved by the end of the century in some parts of New England (Hayhoe et al. 2007). This increase in rainfall will create high potential for flooding and stormwater runoff, especially in areas that have impervious surfaces that do not absorb water, like Winchester Park.

photo credit: modernfarmer.com

Climate Change

In 2016, 2017, and 2020, Massachusetts experienced drought conditions that reduced fresh water supply and harmed wildlife and natural communities. Drought conditions often warrant a water ban, during which time residents are not able to irrigate gardens or lawns. Drought conditions are projected to occur in New England in July, August, and September (Runkel et al. 2022).

photo credit: mass.gov

Spring 2022

Temperatures in Massachusetts have risen 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900 (Runkel et al. 2022). Rain and drought events are increasing, and are highly variable in their occurence. Massachusetts is projected to get warmer, and have more frost-free days, which will greatly affect the landscape (Rustad et al. 2012). In addition to warmer days, more frequent, extreme weather events such as flooding, tropical storms, drought, microbursts, and ice storms are likely to occur.

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Regional invasive pests & plants

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

C limate C hange

Despite being an easy place for people to walk to, River Street Park does not have a sidewalk or clear path through it. This limits the access of the park for all users, and can be unsafe if people are walking on the street. River Street is also currently two-way traffic, and may cause conflict between cars and people in certain areas. The lack of parking and grassy areas might make the park further feel inaccessible to many people, and they may opt to go elsewhere.

Dense vegetation fills the park to the east of the grassy stretch, and many common native species found in riverside areas are present. The density of the vegetation offers excellent wildlife habitat for birds, turtles, chipmunks, squirrels, amphibians, raccoons, and other small creatures. The lack of human access into these densely vegetated areas further creates safe and undisturbed habitat for animals.

The dense vegetation limits access to Phillip's Brook for humans, and the steeply sloped sections add to the difficult access. Phillip's Brook is also not visible from anywhere in the park except for Main Street and the view of the pond to the north. Residents have said they would like to see the brook from within the park.

Bittersweet

Phillip's Brook

Dense vegetation

Property boundary

Grassy space

Retaining wall

Property boundary

Residences

River Street

Summary: River Street

Concrete stairs lead visitors into the site of the old pool, but the area is so overwhelmed with bittersweet that entry is not possible currently. This area is encircled by the old dam, a retaining wall, and Phillip's Brook, and besides the bittersweet, has a welcoming feeling to it which could one day be an excellent place for people to gather.

Invasive species like bittersweet and knotweed overwhelm certain areas of the park. Removing and managing invasive species will help native species like grey birch, silky willow, and sensitive fern populate an area and increase the ecosystem's biodiversity, which creates a more resilient landscape amid climate change.

Residences

50 ft

11/25

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

River Street Park is a one-acre area within a larger town-owned parcel. It is accessible by foot or car from Main Street and downtown Ashburnham. A small pond in the northern part of the park has an open spot with a view of the pond, and visitors often walk to this area. A grassy stretch parallel to River Street offers an area to walk through the park without being in the road, where there otherwise is not a sidewalk.

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Constraints

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

Assets

River Street Park

Spring 2022

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

S ummary A nalysis

Eight parking spaces, including an accessible one, allow more people to make use of the park. Dense plants on the parking's edges help capture runoff and permeable material ensures that runoff isn't significaly increased. The pull-in spaces allow traffic to remain two-way on the road so that drivers are not required to use the steep and narrow Gingerbread Lane.

A universally accessible path built with crushed stone leads from the Main Street sidewalk into the park. The steps from the old town pool are renovated and an extra handrail down the middle makes them safer. Visitors can enter the lower space of the park using the steps or the path, which enters through a flatter area to the north of the steps.

The path and stairs lead to an accessible gathering space, also built with crushed stone, in the area which currently contains the least-dense vegetation. Benches against the retaining wall create shaded seating looking towards the brook. The space can be used for relaxing, gathering, and small events/performances. The removal of invasives along the water opens up pleasant views, and picnic tables are added in between newly planted vegetation like birch, aspens, willows, and ferns.

A boardwalk weaves along the brook to the north, bringing visitors into a shady grove with species similar to the other gathering space. A few benches provide opportunities to sit along the water and a small swing set and natural play area gives children a relaxing place to play. The path leads to another small open area at the base of the northern dam, providing a more private gathering space.

A mown path through a meadow intersects with the accessible path and leads to the pond at the northern end of the park. The accessible crushed stone path widens to create a small gathering area with a bench, allowing visitors to enjoy the view of the water and resident wildlife.

6 5 B oardwalk

P lay

area

S teps

4 2

100 ft

12/25

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

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Phase 2

A welcome kiosk near the road with historical photos of past use and other information invites visitors into the park. The area just to the north remains open for various purposes and reinforced turf or other material could be installed if something like food truck access is desired.

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

Phase 1

Final Design: River Street

Access to the northern portion of the park will require some clearing and management of the dense vegetation that is currently present. Phase One therefore focuses on additions to spaces that are already mostly open to welcome people into the park. Phase Two then brings people further into the space via a trail along the brook, a second gathering area, and another trail leading back up towards the road. Numbers 5 and 6 in the descriptions only apply to Phase Two.

With a phasing option

Spring 2022

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

F inal D esign : R iver S treet P ark

Concerts take place at the gazebo, which is flanked by six trees, including native red and sugar maples. The trees provide shelter and food for wildlife and some shade for humans. The trees along the eastern and western borders of the park also provide habitat for wildlife and create privacy from most abutting residents.

P layground

C o n c e rt seating

P ar k S t .

gazebo

R esidences

L ibrary

The land gently slopes away from the library, creating no drainage issues for the building and the well-draining soil on site creates minimal pooling even in the flat areas of the park. The location of the park on a south-facing hill creates sunny conditions that many would find enjoyable, especially during the spring and fall.

ADA entrance

R esidences

While the downtown location means the park is close to many residents, the lack of sidewalks and paths combined with slopes greater than 5% create a non-universally accessible and unwelcoming walking experience into the park. The lack of paths continues throughout the park, contributing to largely-unused areas like the lawn to the north of the library.

Planted trees Potential vehicle/pedestrian conflict

Lined Parking Unlined Parking T own H all

Sidewalk Direction of afternoon shade

B usinesses

The library currently has fourteen paved parking spaces and according to library staff requires at least double this amount. Its two accessible spaces sit across two-way traffic from the building's accessible ramp. The majority of parking areas in the park require crossing Memorial Drive, where cars are regularly seen driving too fast. An unpaved parking area directly across from the playground causes distress about childen running across the road.

Lots of sun Slopes > 5%

Wooded Parcels The slopes of the wooded parcel immediately to the west of the unpaved parking area create erosion-prone conditions. With a lot of human use, the slope could erode and become quickly unwalkable while also harming the plants and wildlife. The proximity and visibility of this area to the abutting residents may also lead to issues and the bottom of the slope is the only area on site where pooling has been observed. Therefore, while it could be a fun space for some adventuresome children to explore, it is recommended that direct human use is minimized. The flatter areas of this parcel on its eastern side and the other wooded parcel south of Park Street may be a better option for light use.

M ain S t .

Slopes > 33%

Tree cover

Observed pooling

Visible residences

13/25

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

Lawn covers two acres of the park and requires regular mowing, contributing to greenhouse gases and noise pollution while providing limited habitat value. While the trees around the gazebo provide some shade, they provide little for the early evening concerts due to their location relative to where the audience sits. Because of the lack of shade, many attendees watch from their car. Three benches provide the only seating in the park and are positioned next to the gazebo and in the sun. The proximity of the playground to the concert area is not appreciated by everyone; some feel it is distracting for the performers and audience to have it so close to the concert area. It also obstructs the attractive face of the library when approaching from Main Street.

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Winchester Park covers seven acres in the middle of downtown Ashburnham. It sits adjacent to and across the street from many of the town's small businesses, providing residents and visitors with a place to relax or gather while in town. The library draws people into the park, and the architecture of the library matches that of the Town Hall, both of which have a long history that is appreciated by many residents. A large playground in the center of the park receives frequent use by children of various ages and many people appreciate that it is visible from the concert area so that parents can watch their children during events.

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

e si

Constraints

Summary: Winchester

Assets

Winchester Park

Spring 2022

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

S ummary A nalysis

C ommunity

e tr

l pe

L ibrary

t ee

T own H all

• Library parking added by removing the island and paving or adding another surface to the currently unpaved spaces, which are close to the library's new front entrance. • Adding more trees to the current concert audience area adds more shade.

• Most parking spaces still require pedestrians to cross two-way traffic and the amount of impervious surface stays the same.

C ommunity

gardens

P ar k S tr ee t

Pros:

• This parking area is close and connected to the north side of the library, where the main playground now sits.

• A winding path connects to an observation deck in the wooded parcel, allowing people to enjoy the woods without creating disturbance to the soil and plants.

Cons: • While the number of library parking spaces doubles, the overall number of spaces for the park is the lowest compared to the other alternatives.

cl os ed

T own H all

M ain S treet

• The middle section of Memorial Drive is removed, eliminating two-way traffic. Library parking borders the building, eliminating the need to cross a parking lot.

• A path winds up from the Town Hall/Senior Center and connects to a loop.

L ibrary

P ar k S tr ee t

• A double-loaded parking area is created near the library's new front entrance, eliminating two-way traffic cutting through the space north of the library.

• The stage is moved to the northeast so it faces the entire heart of the park.

l pe

• Community gardens sit next to the main playground in the north field, connecting the different age groups frequenting each of these spaces. Cons: • The main vehicle entrance to the library is from Chapel Street, and the library becomes slightly disconnected from Main Street. • The main playground is far away from the concert area, which may limit its use during concerts.

orchard

T own H all

M ain S treet

Cons: • Keeping Memorial Drive as is allows motorists to continue using it as a cut-through.

T own H all

M ain S treet

• Least amount of change to existing layouts and surfaces.

t ee

L ibrary

P ar k S tr ee t

Pros:

l pe

L ibrary

P ar k S tr ee t

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Alternative D removes more of the middle section of Memorial Drive and turns Park Street into walking-only, further reducing the amount of impervious surface.

M ain S treet

Pros: • A double-loaded parking area replaces less efficient parking north of Town Hall, consolidating parking. • Park Street is turned into a walking-only road, connecting the heart of the park with both of the wooded parcels. • A direct and accessible path leads from the new library patio to the observation deck, allowing all to enjoy. • A small community orchard in the northern area complements the community gardens. Cons: • The main vehicle entrance to the library is from Chapel Street, and the library becomes slightly disconnected from Main Street. • Closing Park Street may be unwanted by those living nearby.

14/25

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

Alternative C removes a middle section of Memorial Drive, creating a parking area for the library and one for the rest of the park.

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

Alternative B removes the northern portion of Memorial Drive and turns that area into meadow connected to the new playground behind the library.

Alternative A keeps Memorial Drive in its current form, adding more parking, moving the playground, and adding trees for shade.

Design Alternatives: Winchester

Winchester Park

Spring 2022

The alternatives explore different locations for play spaces, paths, concert areas, and meadows. All alternatives increase the amount of parking, but the specific amount of spaces and configurations vary. Parts of Memorial Drive are removed in some to improve safety and park experience. The alternatives range from limited removal of Memorial Drive, on the left, to the greatest amount of change to the drive, on the right.

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

D esign A lternatives

The library parking area is removed north of the library, opening up the space for other uses. A ten-foot-wide path wraps around the library, doubling as a universally accessible path and emergency vehicle access lane. Expansion of the gardens between the library and the path creates a shaded area for relaxing near the playground. A grassy area surrounds the path and connects to a reading nook in the shady, northwest corner of the parcel. An observation deck connects to the path here, providing universal access to the wooded parcel.

Near the top of the small hill leading into the heart of the park, a small play area built with natural materials and surrounded by sensory gardens sits adjacent to the concert area. It provides a place for children to play that blends in with the tree-filled park space. While it is in sight of the concert audience area for parents, greater distance and a smaller area creates less distraction for the performers and audience.

A new stage sits to the southeast corner of the library. It faces the entire heart of the park, opening up the space in which people can watch concerts and other performances. Numerous climate-resilient trees like red maple and white pine are planted in the concert area, providing more shade and benefiting wildlife. Seating is placed beneath some of the trees. The library patio is a universally accessible area from which to enjoy concerts. The stage is larger than the current gazebo and can accommodate other types of events.

An active playground connects to the grassy area behind the library. It no longer blocks the face of the library but is still close to the heart of the park. The addition of thirteen parking spaces to the current northern section of Memorial Drive provides easy access to the playground and rest of the northern space. The playground is far away from all roads and dense vegetation surrounds the parking spaces, creating a safe area. New native trees like flowering dogwood and sweetbay magnolia shade the playground.

To the north of the playground, a grassy space remains open for a variety of possibilities. The library has expressed interest in starting educational/community gardens, which would work well in this sunny, open area. They could start small and grow into the space, or other desires for the space may emerge as the rest of the design begins to be implemented. The adjacency of the playground brings together many of the community's age groups.

An outdoor classroom for library and Senior Center programming invites people to gather and relax at the northern end of the accessible path. Meadow surrounds the space, creating an opportunity to watch pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, and existing trees provide shade. A new fence borders the northern area of the park, creating a feeling of restful seclusion within this space.

A double-loaded parking lot to the west of the library is created by removing a section of Memorial Drive. Formalized spaces are added where cars currently park and spaces are striped on the current pavement of Memorial Drive. Because the drive doesn't continue through the parking lot, cars move more slowly. The parking sits adjacent to a library addition where the new entrance will likely be located. The lot includes 28 spaces, including two accessible spaces, doubling the library parking capacity.

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

A universally accessible path winds north from the Town Hall/Senior Center through a newly planted meadow and along the eastern edge of the park. It also encircles the heart of the park, a shaded, grassy space sheltered from parking areas with a view of the library facade. Sidewalks lead from Main Street to the Town Hall and border the diagonal parking spaces near Town Hall. The meadow creates a relaxing and interesting walk and supports pollinators and other wildlife. Less mowing is needed, cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution.

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

Final Design: Winchester

15/25

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

The final design uses aspects of design alternative C, removing the northern portion of Memorial Drive to increase safety and improve the experience for pedestrians and drivers. The other park elements are arranged in the space and in relation to each other to create connectivity and provide safe and functional spaces for all ages. Increased plant diversity with climate-resililient plants creates an abundant space for humans and wildlife that will provide for the community far into the future.

Spring 2022

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

F inal D esign : W inchester P ark

ncbg.unc.edu

A crushed stone path creates access for all while also looking attractive and providing an enjoyable walking surface.

dreamstime.com

A meadow full of varying textures and colors provides interest for people traveling on the path. The diversity of species supports numerous pollinators and only requires mowing once or twice a year.

Crushed stone path

A crushed stone path winds up the southern portion of the park, leading visitors along the eastern edge, and a sidewalk lines the parking spaces, providing a more direct route to the library main entrance and creating a loop around the heart of the park.

Crushed stone path construction detail Slope to drain 2"

Crushed stone comes in a variety of colors. A path needs to be at least three feet wide, but giving a bit more space provides more abiliity for people to travel side by side and pass each other. A path needs a 2% side slope to avoid pooling. A layer of finer stone covers courser stone to create a firm and stable surface for accessibility.

1/4" crushed rock (top course), compacted

Seating placed directly along the path creates areas for rest and enjoyment.

5/8" crushed rock (base course), compacted

Compacted subgrade

16/25

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

wheelchairwandering.com

flickr.com

Precedents

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

Sidewalk

ABA Path & Meadow

Because creating an enjoyable walking experience is the main function of the southernmost area of the park, a diverse and beautiful meadow on both sides of the path replaces over a third of an acre of lawn. Pedestrians now travel through an area brimming with life, which provides pollen to pollinators and food and shelter to insects, birds, and small mammals. It only requires mowing once a year compared to the weekly mowing carried out for turf, preventing about 100 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere every year (Pennsylvania DCNR mowing calculator).

The Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Standards should be used as a best practice guideline for creating accessible paths in a built environment. The design follows the guidelines and creates an accessible route to travel all the way through Winchester Park starting from downtown. A sidewalk first connects Main Street to the Town Hall/Senior Center and continues up to the beginning of the 15 diagonal parking spaces. Sidewalk slopes greater than 8.3% define the section between Town Hall and the parking spaces, covering a length of just less than 30 feet. Because it is no longer than this, it falls under the ABA standards. A bench and accessible area at the top of this space could give pedestrians a place to rest. From here, a crushed stone path curves through the park in a way that avoids the need to travel over slopes greater than 5% (20 feet horizontal distance for every foot of elevation). Crushed stone creates a firm and stable surface that is safe and accessible along the entire path, which goes by the natural play garden, behind the stage, and to the northern area of the park. A sidewalk also creates a more direct route to the library by running along the 15 parking spaces and around the western perimeter of the park before leading to the library entrance and around the patio where it re-meets the stone path.

Spring 2022

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

ABA P ath & M eadow

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

D esign D etail :

A sandy area for digging and building Perspective of natural play garden, not to scale.

17/25

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

Natural play structure

Plan view of natural play garden

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

Willow arch and hop logs for a garden fairy

Natural Play Garden

The children's natural play garden is approximately a 30'x30' circular space just south of the gathering and stage area. The location of this play space allows parents to enjoy a concert or performance while having their children within view. The general design of the play garden is natural and visually pleasing. Children enter through an arched willow structure on the north or south, which signals to visitors that this space is different from the surrounding meadow and gathering area. The play structures are made of wood that resists rot such as black locust or cedar, and include structures such as a swing set, hopping logs, and balance logs. A large boulder is within the space for children who enjoy climbing or perching up high. An area for sand or mud is on the western edge of the play space, allowing ample opportunity to dig and sculpt. The natural play garden is embraced by plants and rocks that offer interesting sensory interaction for children, which creates the sense of a secret garden within an otherwise lively community gathering space.

Spring 2022

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

N atural P lay G arden

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

D esign D etail :

and

L ibrary P atio

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

S tage

A new stage built off the southeastern corner of the library offers an improved focal point for the concert and gathering area. Larger than the gazebo, the stage accommodates concerts as well as other programming like movie nights, plays, and yoga classes. The stage faces southwest, opening up to the whole heart of the park. A roof protects the performers from midday and early evening sun, and if any evening sun does reach the stage, it will slant in from the side, leaving the performers' views unaffected. The audience looks northeast towards the stage, eliminating any issues with the western evening sun. Newly planted trees also help block western sun, providing the option to sit under their canopy or in the partially shaded pocket of open space closer to the stage. Native trees often provide the most benefits to local wildlife, and climate-resilient trees tolerate a wide range of temperatures and soil moisture. Planting trees that are both native and resilient gives them the best chance to benefit the local community and wildlife far into the future.

Considerations for the stage structure include material, shape, the presence of a back wall, and size. Because the library wishes to begin movie nights, a back wall would likely be beneficial. When considering materials, timber framing provides a more sustainable building method that also produces beautiful structures. Whether building as a timber frame or with a more traditional method, sourcing local lumber could decrease the town's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions from large-scale production and transportation of lumber. An architect has provided the library with a proposed 30'x50' addition extending south from the west side of the library. The library would like the new main entrance to be on the west side of the addition, and the new entrance would include ADA accessibility. This design proposes that another ADA accessible entrance be added on the addition's east side to invite guests through to a new patio space in the area between the addition and existing building. The patio space is shaded during summer afternoons due to the orientation of the addition, and sun shades could be added off of this addition to increase comfort. Guests are able to enjoy a concert or performance from the seating offered on the patio. Garden beds hug the eastern, southern, and western sides of the addition, and continue throughout the patio space. A focal tree, either serviceberry, flowering dogwood, or redbud, is planted at the center of the patio with an understory of blue false indigo, coreopsis, and echinacea. A circular bench surrounds the focal tree and its garden, and the ADA ramp follows the curve of this area. The ADA ramp leads users to the elevator that is currently in the library, and becomes part of the structure of the space. Fragrant sumac is planted in a drift around the patio and creates a flowing pattern that guides visitors into and around the patio. An ADA path follows the curve of the patio and continues east to the parking area and northwest to the playground and flex space.

Stage

The new patio provides an accessible and shady space for watching performances and the natural play garden sits in the sightline of people looking towards the stage, allowing children to play during events while remaining visible to guardians. Its small size and attractive play structures make it less of a distraction to performers and the audience than the existing playground.

Patio

Spring 2022

D esign D etail :

Resilient tree species provide plentiful shade for concert attendees and a larger stage offers space for other programming. Vegetation surrounds the library's patio, where people also watch concerts.

Serviceberry, Amelanchier canadensis, is the focal tree in the patio, offering spring blooms, lush summer leaves, and autumn foliage.

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Stimsonstudio.com

The ADA ramp becomes part of the patio space and invites all users to use the ramp.

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

The circular space around the focal tree has bench seating, and the patio has moveable furniture so guests can freely create seating arrangements depending on personal comfort and preference.

18/25

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

Simple framing and roofing can create an attractive and easy-to-build stage, and nonrectilinear shapes add a unique quality.

Stage & Library Patio

Adding a back to the stage may be desired for movie night projections. Using a material like brick would complement the library.

chiefrivernursery.com

Natural play garden

designrulz.com

Nisswastamman.org

Stage precedents

•

Easily maintained in winter months.

Is a petroleum-based material

•

Is not a permeable surface and will not absorb water runoff.

•

Will contribute heat to an area.

Some products are made from recycled plastic.

This surface is recommended for parking at the wooded area west of the library (A) because it can be plowed and would help prevent runoff from entering the woods compared to non-reinforced gravel.

This surface is recommended for the emergency vehicle and ADA access lane north of the library (D) because it can easily be plowed and provides a stable surface for emergency vehicles.

Reinforced Turf

Conventional Gravel

Cons

Pros •

Recharges groundwater supply and reduces stormwater runoff.

•

Can be planted with low-mow grass to reduce mowing need.

•

Some products are made from recycled plastic.

•

• •

Not recommended for areas that must be plowed often, as incorrect plowing may cause product to shift and fail.

truegridpaver.com

•

Inexpensive surface material.

•

Relatively easy to install.

•

Is not a permeable surface due to the compaction required, and will not absorb water runoff.

•

Will contribute heat to an area.

•

Susceptible to shifting and potholes, and will need to be refilled and groomed annually.

Area may need to be watered in order to support grass growth during periods of drought. Conventional gravel could be used instead of reinforced gravel if cost is an issue.

Example of reinforced turf using a hexagonal plastic grid.

Porous Asphalt

Reinforced gravel parking area using a hexagonal plastic grid.

Cons

Pros •

Recharges groundwater supply and reduces stormwater runoff.

•

Offers a more porous surface compared to conventional asphalt, reducing the amount of impervious surface.

C prestogeosystems.com

Cons

Pros

Improper installation may cause product to fail.

This surface is recommended for parking at the north field area (B) and River Street Park (C), because these areas do not necessarily have to be plowed.

•

Offers better traction in icy conditions and might require less sand or salt.

•

Subsurface materials and installation may be more costly compared to traditional paving materials.

•

Maintainance sometimes requires vacuuming to support proper porosity.

•

Sand use must be limited as particles may clog the system.Salt use will not affect the system.

This would provide a more permeable surface than conventional asphalt, but may require more maintenance.

19/25

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

Holds gravel in place which reduces potholes and shifting of material.

Improper installation may cause product to fail. Must be installed correctly for plowing to work.

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

•

Relatively inexpensive material to install.

•

Recharges groundwater supply and reduces stormwater runoff.

•

Parking Surfaces & Areas

•

Cons

Pros

Cons

Spring 2022

Conventional Asphalt

Reinforced Gravel Pros

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

P arking S urfaces & A reas

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

D esign D etail :

L ibrary

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Playground Reading nook

A ten-foot-wide path creates an enjoyable and accessible place to walk while also providing emergency access.

A blend of fescue species provides lawn that stays short while requiring little or no mowing.

Interactive sculptures provide beauty, play, and an opportunity for local artists to contribute to the park.

A spiral structure creates a fun and unique place for people to read a borrowed library book.

iincludsiveplaygrounds.net

veniceclayartists.com

An observation deck can allow all users to experience the forest.

Playground equipment, like this swing, can accomodate wheelchairs.

A wooden observation deck creates another relaxing and shaded place to gather in the park.

prairienursery.com

forsythcounty.com

hikewnc.com

Observation deck

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

On the particularly shady western edge of the grassy space, a spiral structure offers a reading nook for all ages to relax with a borrowed library book. Just south of that and connected to the accessible path, a boardwalk leads into the wooded parcel, winding to the edge of the steep slope. An observation deck extends over the slope, providing the feeling of being in the trees while protecting soil and vegetation.

North of the Library

Extended gardens offer sitting spaces between the library and the path, and no-mow lawn provides grassy spaces for people to play and relax all around the path. The grassy area connects to an active, accessible playground that covers about 7,500 square feet, about the same area that the current playground covers. Guardians sitting in the library gardens, shaded by the library, can easily view the playground. Another parking area directly west of the playground offers 13 more spaces and dense vegetation buffers it from the playground. Because this parking area will mostly be used in the warmer seasons for easy access to the playground and north field and therefore won't need plowing, this parking area could be reinforced turf.

Due to the addition of the new parking area to the southwest of the library, the asphalt to the north of the library is no longer needed and can be removed. Removal of the planted island further opens up the space, and the two trees and memorials in the island can be moved to another location in the park. The addition of a ten-foot-wide asphalt or gravel path extending from the north end of the new parking lot behind and around to the east side of the library allows emergency vehicle access while offering daily use as an accessible path. A rounded curb assures that cars do not drive on the path.

20/25

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

of the

Spring 2022

N orth

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

D esign D etail :

"F lex " A rea

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

To the east, a casual outdoor classroom complements programing happening in the flex space. Removing the dying ash in the middle of the space opens it up for a circular assembly of seating created from logs, stones, or more formal benches and creates a space for all ages to come together to talk, learn, and relax. The accessible path loops around the circle, allowing people to continue their journey without coming to an abrubt stop at the classroom. The path also leads to the classroom, allowing many to access the space. Meadow surrounds the space, creating abundant habitat that offers further learning opportunities, and heath species like blueberry, bearberry, and pitch pine could also be added. Heath species do especially well in dry, sunny conditions and would add interesting plants (including some edible ones), shade, and wildlife habitat.

Large stones create attractive seating that kids will also love to play on when the space is not being used as a classroom.

The crushed stone path brings visitors through a meadow and heathland to a casual outdoor classroom/gathering area.

parkpride.org

Available wood could also be used to create a more intricate seating area.

Outdoor Classroom

Simonds Elementary and U-connect

Seating can be built at low or no cost using the trunks of recently cut down trees. The Norway maples that may be removed for parking could be utilized for this purpose.

Chickering School

New Durham Elementary School

Precedents

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

When engaged in community gardening, both children and adults can gain knowledge not just about how to grow food, but about their place in the food system and how food affects health. Gardens have also been described as means of creating social support, emphasizing informal networks, and building community empowerment (Armstrong, 2000). The adjacency of this area to the playground would help draw curious children to the gardens, and could naturally bring together varying age groups, creating further community connections. Moving the gazebo to this area is a possibility that would provide shade for sun-soaked gardeners and would keep it on-site, decreasing moving costs and honoring it as a gift to the town.

The area north of the playground remains open for various future uses. Community gardens are one possibility which the library director has expressed interest in. The high amount of sun exposure that this area receives creates a favorable growing condition, however the sandy soil may limit the ability to grow directly in the ground. Raised beds filled with soil from off-site would bypass this problem, or the soil on-site could slowly be amended over the years. Gardens could start out small and be used for library and Senior Center programming, and may then grow into a communityrun operation if the desire and leadership become present.

More formal benches may get used more by the general public when the space is not in use for programmed events.

21/25

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

and

Spring 2022

O utdoor C lassroom

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

D esign D etail :

Acer rubrum

Sun, part shade, shade

wet - moist

tree

sugar maple

Acer saccharum

Sun, part shade, shade

wet - moist

tree

white pine

Pinus strobus

Sun, part shade

dry - moist

tree

Common name

Botanical name

Sun

Soil

Form

yarrow

Achillea millefolium

sun

dry - moist

perennial herb

prairie blazing star

Liatris pycnostachya

sun - part sun

dry - moist

perennial herb

yellow coneflower

Ratibida pinnata

sun - part sun

dry - moist

perennial herb

mountain mint

Pycnanthemum virginianum

sun - part sun

dry - moist

perennial herb

wild bergamot

Monarda fisulosa

sun - part sun

dry - moist

perennial herb

blue false indigo

Baptisia australis

sun

dry - moist

perennial herb

rattlesnake master

Eryngium yuccifolium

sun

dry - moist

perennial herb

Common name

Botanical name

Sun

Soil

Form

fragrant sumac

Rhus aromatica

sun - part shade

dry - moist

shrub

low-grow sumac

Rhus aromatica "grow low"

sun - part shade

dry - moist

shrub

little bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

sun

dry - moist

grass

feather reed grass

Calamagrostis x acutiflora

sun - part shade

dry - moist

grass

blue false indigo

Baptisia australis

sun

dry - moist

shrub

lanceleaf coreopsis

Coreopsis lanceolata

sun - part shade

dry

perennial herb

purple coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

sun - part shade

dry

perennial herb

Common name

Botanical name

Sun

Soil

Form

wavy hairgrass

Deschampsia flexuosa var. flexuosa

sun - part shade

dry - moist

grass

red twig dogwood

Cornus sericea

sun - part shade

moist

shrub

false blue indigo

Baptisia australis

sun - part shade

moist

perennial herb

purple coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

sun - part shade

dry

perennial herb

lanceleaf coreopsis

Coreopsis lanceolata

sun - part shade

dry

perennial herb

Common name

Botanical name

Sun

Soil

Form

Canada serviceberry

Amelanchier canadensis

sun - part shade

dry - wet

tree

Eastern redbud

Cercis canadensis

part sun - shade

moist

tree

flowering dogwood

Benthamidia florida

part sun - shade

dry - moist

tree

sweetbay magnolia

Magnolia virginiana ssp. virginiana

part shade

moist

tree

downy serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea

sun - part shade

dry - moist

small tree

Common name

Botanical name

pitch pine

Pinus rigida

sun

dry - moist

tree

gray birch

Betula populifolia

sun

dry - wet

tree

bearberry

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

sun - part sun

dry

shrub

indigobush

Amorpha fruticosa

sun

dry

shrub

sweetfern

Comptonia peregrina

sun - part sun

dry

shrub

low sweet blueberry

Vaccinium angustifolium

sun

dry - moist

shrub

spiral nook

meadow and heathland

no-mow lawn

library gardens & patio

gathering space natural play garden

meadow

For the meadow, consider a meadow mix called Mixed Height Prairie seed mix from Prairie Moon Nursery. For the no-mow grassy areas, consider a fescue blend called Eco Grass from Prairie Moon Nursery. Follow the impementation directions provided by the nurseries or a consultant for both the meadow and lawn areas.

22/25

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

red maple

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Form

Spring 2022

Soil

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Sun

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

Botanical name

Common name

Plant Palette: Winchester

heathland

medium-height trees planted throughout

spiral nook

library gardens & patio

natural play garden

gathering space

P lant P alette : W inchester P ark

Betula nigra

sun - part sun

moist - wet

tree

sugar maple

Acer saccharum

sun - shade

moist

tree

red maple

Acer rubrum

sun - shade

dry - moist

tree

pin oak

Quercus palustris

sun - shade

dry - wet

tree

American hophornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana

part shade - shade

moist -wet

tree

American beech

Fagus grandifolia

sun - shade

moist

tree

speckled alder

Alnus incana subsp. rugosa

sun - shade

moist - wet

tree

Common name

Botanical name

Sun

Soil

Form

silky willow

Salix sericea

sun

moist - wet

shrub

hoary willow

Salix candida

sun

moist - wet

shrub

alternate-leaved dogwood

Cornus alternifolia

sun - shade

moist - dry

shrub

witch hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

part shade - shade

moist - dry

shrub

spicebush

Lindera benzoin

sun - shade

wet - dry

shrub

Common name

Botanical name

Sun

Soil

Form

bottlebrush grass

Elymus hystrix

part shade - shade

moist

grass

wild ginger

Asarum canadense

part sun - shade

moist

perennial herb

spotted joe-pye weed

Eupatorium maculatum

sun - part sun

moist - wet

perennial herb

crested iris

Iris cristata

part shade - shade

moist

perennial herb

barren strawberry

Waldsteinia fragarioides

sun - shade

moist - dry

perennial herb

bird's-foot violet

Viola pedata

sun - part sun

dry

perennial herb

Canada violet

Viola canadensis

part sun - shade

moist

perennial herb

meadow

no-mow lawn

clustered shrubs and understory plantings

Invasive Species Management River Street Park requires an ongoing invasive species management plan. Removing invasive species will help support native plant communities and wildlife. In bare areas where invasive species are removed, replanting the area as quickly as possible with appropriate native vegetation will help prevent the regrowth of invasive species. This list provides suggestions for appropriate native vegetation. Cutting, pulling, mowing, girdling, excavating, burning, and/or herbicide application. Applying herbicides like glyphosphate is not ideal as this chemical can harm water quality, wildlife, and human health. Resources for managing knotweed, bittersweet, and multiflora rose are included on sheet 25.

Set tree at original grade Mulch: Pine bark or wood chips Soil saucer (6" minimum)

Removing the bittersweet from the old pool site will be the first step in creating a gathering space for people to enjoy at the park. It is very likely that bittersweet will continue to grow in this area, which is why on-going maintenance and removal of this species should occur.

Remove top 1/3 of burlap. Nonbiodegradable material shall be totally removed. Trees need to be planted correctly to improve their chances of survival.

continued invasive management and incorporate native plantings

Knotweed removal is different from bittersweet or multiflora rose techniques, as its cut sprouts will sucker and create new growth. Repeated cutting of these stalks will need to be performed at least three times per year.

trees and understory species

23/25

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

river birch

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Form

Spring 2022

Soil

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Sun

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

Botanical name

Common name

Plant Palette: River Street

understory

shrubs

trees

P lant P alette : R iver S treet P ark

Description

Amount of space

Unit

Low cost

High cost

Total low

Total high

ABA path

Crushed stone

35,000

Sq. ft.

$70,000

$105,000

Grading for ABA path

Along edges

25,000

Sq. ft.

$0.2

$0.4

$2,500

$5,000

Patio

Crushed stone

2,000

Sq. ft.

$4,000

$6,000

Sidewalk

Concrete

2,000

Sq. ft.

$10

$14,000

$20,000

Parking: west of library

Reinforced gravel

3,500

Sq. ft.

$10

$12

$35,000

$42,000

Parking: north field

Reinforced turf

2,500

Sq. ft.

$10

$20,000

$25,000

Emergency vehicle access path

Asphalt

5,500

Sq. ft.

$22,000

$33,000

Stage

Local wood

600

Sq. ft.

$30,000

$50,000

$30,000

$50,000

Observation deck

Local wood

100

Sq. ft.

$15,000

$25,000

$15,000

$25,000

Outdoor classroom

Local wood

Lump sum

Free

Natural play features

Local wood

Lump sum

$5,000

$7,000

$5,000

$7,000

Patio seating/tables, park bench

Metal and wood

Each

$500

$1,000

$10,000

$20,000

Trees

2" caliper

Each

$500

$800

$14,000

$28,000

Shrubs & perennials

4" pot and/or 1 gallon container

400

Each

$15

$3,200

$6,000

Meadow seed

Mixed-height prairie seed mix

Acre

$1,500

$2,000

$1,875

$2,500

Bike rack

Standard metal design

Each

$2,000

$5,000

$2,000

$5,000

Total low: $248,575

Total high: $379,500

Parking: west of library

Porous asphalt

3,500

Sq. ft.

$12

$16

$42,000

$56,000

Parking: west of library

Gravel

3,500

Sq. ft.

$7,000

$10,500

Emergency vehicle access path

Porous asphalt

5,500

Sq. ft.

$10

$12

$55,000

$66,000

Trees

2" caliper

Each

$500

$800

$10,000

$22,400

Meadow seed

Mixed height prairie seed mix

0.125

Acre

$1,500

$2,000

$188

$250

Fescue seed

No Mow Lawn seed mix

0.25

Acre

$420

$600

$420

$600

Picnic tables

Wood

Each

$500

$1,200

$2,000

$4,800

Benches

Wood, attached to concrete retaining wall

135

Sq. ft.

$50

$75

$6,750

$10,125

Parking

Reinforced turf

1,600

Sq. ft.

$10

$12,800

$16,000

ABA trail Phase 1

Crushed stone

2,500

Sq. ft.

$2,500

$7,500

ABA trail Phase 2

Boardwalk

1,000

Sq. ft.

$75

$100

$75,000

$100,000

ABA trail Phase 2

Crushed stone

500

Sq. ft.

$500

$1,500

Gathering space

Crushed stone

2,000

Sq. ft.

$2,000

$6,000

Kiosk

Wood, 2-post

Each

$2,000

$3,500

$2,000

$3,500

Bike rack

Standard metal design

Each

$800

$1,500

$800

$1,500

Total low: 114,958

Total high: $174,175

River Street Park

Cost Estimates

Alternatives: substitute prices for alternative totals

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

Winchester Park

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Item

24/25

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

Cost estimates are preliminary and provisional and do not include permitting, taxes, or surveying. Costs include installation labor and could be reduced through volunteer labor and donated materials.

Spring 2022

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

P reliminary C ost E stimates

EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/. Hayhoe, K., Wake, C.P., Huntington, T.G. et al. Past and future changes in climate and hydrological indicators in the US Northeast. Clim Dyn 28, 381–407 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-006-0187-8 Horsley, Stephen B., et al. “Health of Eastern North American Sugar Maple Forests and Factors Affecting Decline.” Northern Journal of Applied Forestry. 19(2): 34-44., 1 Jan. 1970, https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/18927. Kunkel, K.E. “State Climate Summaries 2022.” Technical Details & Additional Information - State Climate Summaries 2022, 1 Jan. 1970, https://statesummaries.ncics.org/technicaldetails/. Nashua River Watershed Association - Home, https://www.nashuariverwatershed.org/5yr_plan/subbasins/phillips.htm.

Nrcs. “Web Site for Official Soil Series Descriptions and Series Classification.” USDA, https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/. “Pennsylvania's Mowing Calculator.” ConservationTools, https://conservationtools.org/library_items/1412-Pennsylvania-s-Mowing-Calculator.

RESOURCES Porous asphalt: http://www.dauphincd.org/swm/BMPfactsheets/Porous%20Asphalt%20fact%20sheet.pdf https://www.pvpc.org/sites/default/files/files/PVPC-Porous%20Asphalt.pdf GeoPave:

“New York Invasive Species (IS) Information.” New York Invasive Species Information, https://nyis.info/invasive_species/norway-maple/.

Spring 2022

88 Village Hill Rd.Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

WORKS CITED

Meadow Planting: https://www.prairiemoon.com/blog/site-prep Grass alternatives: https://www.prairiemoon.com/eco-grass https://www.prairienursery.com/media/pdf/no-mow-fact-sheet.pdf ABA standards for paths: https://www.access-board.gov/files/aba/guides/outdoor-guide.pdf Inclusive playgrounds: inclusiveplaygrounds.net Invasive species removal: https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Extension-Master-Gardener/How_to_Battle_Japanese_Knotweed_and_Win.pdf https://vtinvasives.org/news-events/news/a-new-way-to-treat-knotweed https://www.mass.gov/doc/american-bittersweet/download https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_018028.pdf

25/25

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

http://nebula.wsimg.com/a2e55d13e8fda042c126aa63287648a5?AccessKeyId=A146045A33CB9AB2E53F&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Town of Ashburnham, MA, 01430

Umass Tree Resiliency & Tree Care:

Reimagining Winchester & River Street Parks

https://2y2qpw2op3o93ygu164frm9z-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/GB-Geoblock-FAcase-summary-1.pdf (firetruck)

Works Cited & Resources

https://2y2qpw2op3o93ygu164frm9z-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Myth-Buster-Porous-Pavements-and-Snow-Removal.pdf (winter & snow plowing)