Creating Pollinator Habitat at the Ashokan Reservoir - Spring 2017 by The Conway School

C R E AT I N G P O L L I NAT O R HA B I TAT at the Ashokan Reservoir

Prepared for the NYC DEP

Ulster County, New York

Samantha Battaglia | Coleen Curley

The Conway School | Spring 2017

INDEX Project Overview Regional Context & History Land Use & Supporting Pollinators Existing Conditions Geology & Soil Vegetation & Wildlife Frying Pan Summary Analysis Frying Pan Design Waldo Monument Summary Analysis Waldo Monument Design Waldo Phasing & Planting Description Plant Palette I Plant Palette II Plant Palette III Plant Palette IV Plant Palette V Plant Palette VI Fountain Area Summary Analysis Promenade Connection Fountain Area Design Fountain Detail Fountain Planting Plan Fountain Meadow Planting Details Fountain Meadow Planting Details Appendix : Meadow Installation Appendix : Meadow Management Appendix : ADA Guidelines & Citations

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PROJECT OVERVIEW Overview

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Recently, trees at the Waldo Monument Area needed to be removed because they posed a hazard to visitors. The blow downs and pro-active removal of trees created an opportunity to address the public”s request for protection of pollinator habitat. In the Spring of 2017, the NYC DEP hired a team from the Conway School to create a master plan including three Day Use Area sites. The goals focus on creating pollinator habitat in the areas that have been disturbed. The DEP wants to create a better ecology at the Ashokan Reservoir and a better relationship with the local community by supporting pollinators and making the Day Use Areas more pleasing and welcoming environments for the public.

The Promenade paved path

The Promenade paved path Five Pines Day Use

Fountain Waldo Day Use Area Memorial Day Use Area

Frying Pan Day Use Are

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Visitors on the promenade

In a region that is heavily forested, the Day Use Areas at the Ashokan Reservoir are beloved by local residents for their open majestic views and their varied recreational opportunities.

A paved path alongside the reservoir called the “Promenade” offers spectacular views of the reservoir and the Catskill mountain range. The public accesses the promenade by parking in either the Frying Pan or Five Pines parking areas.

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

Fountain Day Use Area after Hurricane Sandy

Fountain Day Use Area before Hurricane Sandy

Spring 2017

Currently, the NYC DEP is in the process of creating a new vision for the vegetation around the Ashokan Reservoir not only because it is necessary as the old pine stands blow down but because in recent years the local community in the towns surrounding the reservoir have expressed concerns about the DEP’s vegetation management strategies that may be having a negative effect on the environment, especially on native pollinators. The public held town meetings in recent years which have been attended by representatives of the DEP. In response to the public requests, the DEP announced it would no longer use herbicides and would experiment with non-toxic alternatives. They expressed to local residents they will mow less frequently and allow caterpillars and other beneficial insects to complete their life cycles.

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

The 8,315-acre Ashokan Reservoir is a major component of the Catskill System of the New York City water supply. Public access to the Day Use Areas along the reservoir is provided for free by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP). In 2013, Hurricane Sandy blew down about 15 acres of trees around the reservoir and about 3 acres were blown down near the Fountain Day Use Area creating a large area of debris. The mostly even-aged, man-made forest around the Ashokan reservoir was planted over 100 years ago. The dense pine stands sprouted tall and straight as they competed with each other for the sun. Now, the top heavy pine stands are prone to blow downs. Unfortunately, once this process has begun, it will be an ongoing condition since many of the remaining, exposed trees that developed in dense stands are not wind sturdy.

REGIONAL CONTEXT & HISTORY Location and Landform SECTION A -A’

The Ashokan Reservoir is located in southeast New York state in Ulster County, situated in the mid-Hudson River Valley. The reservoir sits east of the Catskill Mountains, 14 miles west of Kingston, and 73 miles north of New York City. The reservoir crosses three towns including Olive, Marbletown, and Hurley. The landform of the region exhibits drastic topographic changes, with the elevation changing from 200 feet at the base of the Hudson River to 3,000 feet west of the reservoir. These large changes in elevation are part of the reason the area was considered an appealing location for the development of water resources for New York City in the early 19th century, as the topographic change allows for water to flow by gravity to the city (Ashokan Reservoir).

Marbletown

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A’ Hurley Olive

Recreation and Regulation Aside from being a valuable freshwater resource, the Ashokan Reservoir is also an enjoyable recreational site seeing about 75, 000 local visitors and tourists annually. The day use areas on the south side of the reservoir feature spectacular views, natural beauty, and the opportunity for outdoor activities like boating, fishing, cycling, hiking, and walking. Swimming is not allowed as a precaution to ensure the protection of water quality. Extensive measures are taken to protect and keep water clean at the source, including conservation easements, land acquisition, aquatic buffers, stream stabilizing programs, enforced stormwater management, and regulated land. These land use restrictions, although essential to protecting water quality, are the root of tension between the NYC DEP and local residents who shoulder many of the restrictions of water quality protection while being disconnected from the benefits of the freshwater resource. Enhancing the day use areas at the Ashokan Reservoir is an opportunity to serve the local community by enhancing ecological integrity of the area, providing education, offering ADA access, and providing gathering space. Use and management of these recreation areas also needs to align with the need to protect the water quality of the region, placing consideration on stormwater management and restricting use of toxic materials (Ashokan Watershed Protection).

Dam construction

Ashokan Reservoir

Kingston Hudson River Valley

2 /27 Today the Asokan Reservoir is a valued recreational site, beloved for its scenic beauty.

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

Catskills Park

Spring 2017

Development and purchase of land in the lower Catskill region was permitted in 1905 when the New York City Board of Water Supply was formed and legislation was enacted. Construction of the Ashokan Reservoir took place between 1907 and 1915, creating 9.5 miles of dams and dikes within the Esopus Creek region, which displaced 2,000 people from small rural settlements using eminent domain and relocated entire towns. Residual tension is still present among surrounding residents regarding this history (Foderaro). Today the reservoir is one of two reservoirs in the Catskill water supply system and it is the deepest and second largest in New York City’s drinking water supply system, providing for 40% of its drinking water on a daily basis (History of the New York City Water Supply).

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

History

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

Ulster County

L A N D U SE & SU PP ORT I NG P OL L I NATOR S Decline of the Herbaceous Layer

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This ArcGIS land cover map shows mostly forested land around the Ashokan reservoir. The open herbaceous layer shown in purple is almost non-existent.

Brown-belted bumble bee

Thistle long-horned bee

Argos skipper

King & Scholossberg in their article, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Synthesis of the conservation value of early-succession stage in forests of eastern North America,â&#x20AC;? point out that open early-succession habitats across eastern North America are near historic lows, and continue to decline. This then leads to the decline of many species which depend on early succession landscapes. Natural disturbances such as wind, fire, flooding, and beaver activity which used to create early-succession landscapes have been suppressed. Farm fields in the past used to create early-succession habitat but today, farms in the northeast have been in decline and many of the ones that exist use pesticides and herbicides which kill beneficial insects such as pollinators. Much of the early-succession habitat in the northeast is found under power lines and these areas are frequently sprayed with chemicals. These chemicals continue to have enormous negative impacts on pollinators and other beneficial insects. All stages of succession have value and contribute to the health of the Eco-system. If land use is disrupting natural cycles, then land managers need to play an active role in creating and maintaining land in a way that increases biodiversity.

Monarch butterfly

Eastern tiger swallowtail

Bobwhite quail

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

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Spring 2017

3 sites

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Meadows have additional benefits; they provide habitat for a wide range of insects and animals and can reduce maintenance costs, since once established, they only require mowing or burning once per year. Additionally, meadows have an aesthetic value. These expansive spaces with moving grasses, sweet smells, colorful plants, unobstructed views, and the lively sounds of birds and insects can be pleasing to many people. This master plan will give special consideration to native pollinators and their habitat needs. Some of these native species include:

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

One of the main goals of the Ashokan Master Plan is to create habitat for native pollinators. Many native pollinators are supported by native plant communities. These pollinators need a diverse range of plants that bloom throughout the entire growing season. Not all pollinators need meadows, but meadows do support a wide range of plant communities and pollinator species. Meadows can be matched to almost any micro-climate. They have countless expressions since the plants they contain have evolved in response to climate, soils, hydrology, and disturbance.

EXISTING CONDITIONS Fountain Area

Site and Goals

A recently disturbed and logged site, adjacent to a formal lawn and fountain recreation area and accessible by vehicle off of the promenade. Goals for this site include:

A concrete weir divides the reservoir into two basins close to its midpoint, separating the reservoir into the upper west basin and lower east basin. The weir serves as a causeway for Reservoir Road and two basins give the option for suspended red clay sediments to settle after storm events. This is a process that helps to keep fresh water clean at its source and prevent the need for an expensive filtration system. The Ashokan Reservoir is the largest unfiltered water supply in the United States, making it a rare and valuable resource (Ashokan Watershed Protection).

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Waldo Monument A historic site that has recently been cleared of many trees, located off the promenade and accessible only by walking or cycling. Goals for this site include: • • •

Spring 2017

A pedestrian-only promenade along the dams overlooks beautiful views of the reservoir and connects three recreational sites including the Waldo Monument, the Fountain and the Frying Pan. Goals for this site include: • •

Replacing turf with a pollinator-friendly groundcover buffer, consistent with dam safety regulations, adjacent to the pedestrian pathway that runs along the water’s edge. Creating an accessible pedestrian connection from the promenade to the Fountain Area.

Disturbed site by the Fountain Day use area.

Frying Pan

Create habitat for native pollinators. Site paths through the landscape that engage the public and offer information on native plants and pollinators. Recommend an ADA path to connect the current access road to the monument.

Located at a main entrance to the promenade, a flat circular lawn with scattered picnic tables is surrounded by parking. Goals for this site include:

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Recommend an ADA accessible gathering area Create an inviting entrance

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View of the monument and recently cut surrounding area. "

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Information kiosk at the Frying Pan day use area.

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

The Reservoir divided into two basins by Reservoir Rd.

Promenade

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Upper West Basin

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

Lower East Basin

Create habitat for native pollinators. Site path through the landscape that educates and engages the public by presenting information about native plants and pollinators. Improve accessibility and connectivity between the Fountain Day Use Area and the promenade for pedestrians.

GEOLOGY & SOIL Geology The bedrock under the Ashokan Reservoir formed under the ocean around 400 million years ago. It is a sedimentary, compressed, blue sandstone that was highly quarried before the Ashokan Reservoir was built. The bedrock under the reservoir forms a natural bowl shape. The hardness of the bedrock and its density prevents leakage of water and made this a good location to build a reservoir. In areas where the soil is shallow to bedrock, pooling could occur on the surface.

Sandstone bedrock

Spring 2017

3 Day Use Areas

Soils

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Water pooling in the spring at the Waldo site

5 /27 Exposed lead soil at the Fountain site

Bedrock/boulder outcrop at the Waldo site

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

Blue sandstone under and around the Ashokan reservoir

The LOC soils are found at the Fountain site and are shallow to moderately deep and well-drained to excessively well-drained. High levels of lead were found at the Fountain site which makes this site unsuitable for tillage or food crops that would be exposed to soil dust. A dense vegetative cap on this area with no areas of bare soil is recommended to limit human exposure to soil dust. The surface layer is a silt loam about 4 inches thick and the yellowish brown subsoil extends to a depth of about 17-32 inches. After rainy periods, water can pool above the bedrock for brief periods. The water holding capacity is low to moderate. In areas that contain Arnot soils and in drought conditions, the soils could have a tendency to dry out causing plants to wilt. Soil tests show high organic matter which increases the soilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capacity to store water. The nutrient availability and moisture holding capacity should be good at both the Fountain and Frying pan sites. In addition, both these sites have gentle slopes which helps to accumulate nutrients and hold moisture in the soil. The WLB soils are found at the Waldo and Frying Pan sites. These soils are moderately well-drained. The WLB is described as a bouldery soil with a surface layer of 9 inch thick silt. The subsoil layer extends about 50 inches to bedrock. The upper levels of the subsoil consist of a friable silt loam that progressively becomes more gravelly and firm the deeper it gets to bedrock. The lower end of the subsoil could prevent roots from penetrating, leaving them confined to 15-28 inch root zone. From the fall to early spring, a temporary and seasonally high water table is perched above the lower parts of the subsoil. The hardness of the subsoil has low permeability which may cause water to pool in flat areas. The water-holding-capacity of the soil is low to moderate but the high levels of organic matter found in soil tests will act like a sponge and help hold moisture during periods of drought making these areas more suitable to a wider range of plants.

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Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Soil tests showed nutrient-poor soils at all four Day Use Areas and high levels of organic matter of around 9.7%. Organic matter in soil is a nutrient reservoir. Each percent of organic matter in the soil releases 20 to 30 pounds of nitrogen, 4.5 to 6.6 pounds of P2O5, and 2 to 3 pounds of sulfur per year. The nutrient release occurs predominantly in the spring and summer when the rate of decomposition of the organic matter is high benefiting summer vegetation. The soils at the four sites are classified as Lordstown-Arnot-Rock outcrop complex (LOC) or as Wellsboro and Wurtsboro (WLB).

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

Quarry site at what is now the Ashokan Reservoir

Vegetation History

Existing Vegetation

Wildlife

A century ago, white pines and spruce trees were planted in large quantities, close together. The dense plantings of single species resulted in stands of trees with lean trunks and a top-heavy composition. These traits, along with the lack of diversity in tree age and species, have created a fragile landscape susceptible to wind blow downs. In 2012 Hurricane Sandy damaged areas of forest at both the Fountain and Waldo Monument recreation sites. In response, salvage and selective logging have been applied to the sites to assist in cleaning up these areas and to mitigate further damage to the landscape and ensure visitor safety. Proposed designs should seek to address how ecological resiliency of these existing monocultures may be increased.

Wind disturbance and sequential logging at the Fountain and Waldo recreation sites have resulted in the landscape returning to a secondary succession state of herbaceous perennial groundcover and woody shrubs. Dominant species in these areas include Queen Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lace, mullein and thorny shrubs from the rubus family like wild rose and raspberry. The disturbance has opened up the canopy, creating an opportunity to diversify the landscape with early successional species but it has also created opportunities for invasive shrubs and groundcovers. The most problematic invasive species include barberry, oriental bittersweet, mugwort, multiflora rose, Japanese stilt grass, common buckthorn, Chinese wisteria, and garlic mustard.

Broadly speaking, the woodlands on site provide breeding ground for an abundance of at-risk forest interior birds. Currently the landscape supports a high density of deer that is evidenced by browse-lines and a sparse forest understory with limited species diversity from the over-browsing of tree seedlings and woody and herbaceous plants. Additional pollinator habitat at the reservoir could help expand habitat for bird species by creating landscapes that support early successional bird species. The high abundance of deer indicates that strategies for minimizing deer damage to new and established plants in the landscape need to be implemented.

Spring 2017

The surrounding forest canopy includes predominately patches of white pine and Scots pine, with a mix of various deciduous and evergreen species. Overall the understory is sparse, partially due to over-browsing by deer. Precautions need to be taken to protect newly planted areas from invasive species throughout plant community establishment and management. Japanese barberry poses a particular threat in colonizing new plant communities and to visitor experience because it is a deer-resistant woody shrub that provides an appealing humid environment for ticks. Gathering spaces and foot paths for visitors need to limit exposure to tall grass in order to be low-risk tick environments.

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

V E G E TAT I O N & W I L D L I F E

Edge Habitat

Logging at the Waldo Monument.

Top-heavy pines dominate the canopy.

Barberry

Mugwort

Over-browsed understory.

Garlic Mustard

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

Wind disturbance and logging at the Fountain Area.

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Common Invasive Species

F RY I N G PA N Summary Analysis

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Observations

Mowed lawn with newly planted red maple trees Promenade

Full Sun

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Vehicular Access

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Forest

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Road Kiosk

Recreation Area

Road

Section D-D’ Kiosk, drainage ditch and old pines occupy the circular lawn.

View of reservoir and promenade.

Flat lawn and few pine trees are surrounded by a paved road.

Mixed Deciduous-Evergreen Forest

Reservoir

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

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Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

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Pine grove with lawn and picnic tables underneath

The lack of visual buffer between the Frying Pan picnic area and the parking and traffic that encircles the space creates an absence of enclosure, privacy and comfort. The flat grassy lawn is easily maintained but lacks vegetation diversity which in turn limits the sense of enclosure, pollinator habitat, and aesthetic interest within the gathering space. The scattered arrangement of picnic benches lacks cohesive order and minimal shade compromises comfort during the hot months of summer. The pleasing sightline to the promenade should not be disrupted as it presents the opportunity to enhance a gathering space by showcasing a view. One-way vehicular access and a lack of pedestrian-only paths surrounding and leading to the Frying Pan area from parking creates a potentially dangerous scenario for pedestrians, especially if visitor use were to increase in the future. Safety of pedestrian routes to the promenade and the Frying Pan could be improved. The surrounding drainage ditch and surface materials will have to be altered to provide ADA access to kiosk and ADA accessible gathering area. Overall the appeal of this resting location before and after promenade use could be enhanced with increased privacy, shade, aesthetic beauty, and direct, safe pedestrian access.

Spring 2017

Desirable View

Implications •

Parking

Drainage Ditch

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

The Frying Pan area forms the eastern entrance and exit point to the reservoir’s pedestrian-only promenade. The site is defined by a flat, circular lawn with a central cluster of tall, old pines surrounded by a drainage ditch and road. Visitors primarily use this space to rest and picnic before and/or after biking, walking, or jogging on the promenade. It sees use by visitors in all seasons. The circular lawn features an information kiosk that is connected to the road by a flat path and a scattered arrangement of picnic benches that are placed or removed seasonally. This gathering space provides visitors with a pleasing view to the west that captures the vastness of the promenade and reservoir. Limited vegetation provides minimal dappled shade and leaves most of the site exposed to the sun. Seven newly planted red maple trees have been placed periodically along the perimeter of the circular lawn in a formal, symmetrical pattern, providing shade along the edge of the gathering areas but no consistent privacy screen from the parking lot. Within the Frying Pan visitors are also exposed to and surrounded by a high traffic area, a one-way vehicular road shared by pedestrians, vehicles, and cyclists. Parking for vehicles is concentrated along the outer perimeter of the road, in parallel fashion.

F RY I N G PA N D E S I G N Design Details and Planting Plan F

The surface texture of the road is scored with a saw-cut in a 40 x 70’ rectangle in between the Frying Pan and the promenade and before entry points to new paths. This change in texture alerts drivers to crossing pedestrians and slows vehicles, increasing safety as pedestrians access the promenade and reinforcing the gateway to the promenade.

Additional small trees, shrubs, and herbs create an inviting entrance for paths closest to the promenade to reinforce the main entrance, provide pollinator habitat and visual interest in all seasons of use.

All paths and a gathering space with benches just east of the informational kiosk are ADA compliant.

Patches of meadow plants match microclimates of full sun and partial shade along the northeast and southeast edges of the site, enhancing biodiversity, creating pollinator habitat, decreasing mowing, and creating a sense of enclosure that increases privacy from the parking lot and comfort for visitors in this recreational area.

The canopy diameters of recently planted maple trees have been drawn at their mature sizes and designed plant communities are aligned with the eventual mature state of these trees.

Six paths incrementally branch off from the parking lot, providing a safe, scenic, pedestrian connection to the promenade and inviting visitors to use the Frying Pan area for recreation or to access the information kiosk. Five-foot-wide paths allow space for passing or walking side by side and protect visitors from exposure to ticks.

A large patch of lawn is preserved for picnicking, playing, and resting at benches or picnic tables. Benches are centrally located and oriented west to showcase a view of the promenade. Small shrubs partially enclose these gathering areas and provide privacy from adjacent paths. The next generation of deciduous and evergreen canopy trees are planted as eventual replacements of current trees, ensuring a pleasant gathering area with protection from the sun.

Meadow

Mowed Lawn

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Meadow

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Scored Road A network of paths, shrubs and meadow habitat create a pleasant resting area at the entrance to the promenade.

Lawn

ADA Gathering Space

Lawn Picnic Area

Meadow and Paths

Road and Parking

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

Spring 2017

Bike rack and three handicapped parking spots are located close to the entrance to the promenade for ease of access.

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

Meadow

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

WA L D O M O N U M E N T Summary Analysis Observations "

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Pedestrian Access "

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Steep slope

A 660-foot buffer surrounds a nesting site for two eagles northwest of the Waldo Monument. The buffer restricts alterations or disturbance to the landscape during nesting season from January to September. Mixed deciduous and evergreen vegetation partially surrounds the monument and the surrounding landscape slopes down on all sides, allowing water to drain away from the monument and providing glimpses of views of the reservoir through the trees to the northeast and southwest. Between the monument and the access road the surrounding slope creates a 6-foot change in elevation. A treed edge of mixed deciduous and evergreen trees semi-encloses the site. This surrounding forest lacks species and age diversity and it creates a shady woodland edge micro-climate. The southern portion of the site is steep; the recent tree cut has left a scattered assortment of canopy trees, changing a once shaded environment to dappled shade and providing opportunity for invasive species like barberry to colonize the understory. Adjacent and surrounding the monument and the access road, recently cleared trees provide habitat for shrubs and groundcovers, creating an area that receives full sun. Throughout the site, the soil has high organic matter content.

Desirable Views Water Flow

Dappled Shade

Existing Treeline

Implications • • • •

The surrounding slope poses an obstacle to creating an ADA accessible path to the monument while also providing good prospect and opportunity for gathering space that showcases views of the reservoir in a sunny, open and protected area. Any vegetation added within the eagle buffer must survive without management or maintenance during eagle nesting season. Selected vegetation in the open areas on site needs to tolerate full sun and well drained soil high in organic matter. The convergence of differing landscape typologies (where the forest meets recently cut trees) creates the opportunity for a shady woodland edge habitat that can support pollinators and wildlife.

Perched atop a slope, the Waldo Monument has desirable views and good drainage. The site also has to abide by restrictions within the eagle buffer, northwest winds, paths have to navigate the steep slope.

Forest

Thinned Forest

SECTION B-B’ A sloping landscape and vegetation surround the Waldo Monument.

Road

Existing Tree Cut Area

Monument

Forest Edge

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

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Eagle Buffer

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

The Waldo Monument recreation area is located at the top of a slope, about a mile east of the Five Pines Parking Area. This area is home to a memorial tower that was dedicated in 1937 to J. Waldo Smith, the chief engineer of the Catskill reservoir system. Originally the monument functioned as a triangulation tower, built atop a slope to provide elevated views and assist surveyors in taking measurements. In the recent past this recreational site was dominated by tall, diseased and top-heavy scots and white pines and was not frequently visited because the monument was hidden and nearby signs did not clearly indicate that it was an open recreational area. Recently these hazardous trees have been cleared and the site is being visited more often. However, the site lacks gathering space and the clear-cut areas from the recent timber harvest lack aesthetic or inviting quality.

WA L D O M O N U M E N T D E S I G N Design Overview: Phase One

A circular path provides ADA access to the monument, gathering areas and educational signs at the top of the slope. The path follows the contour where possible to limit disturbance of the landscape and soil erosion. An additional, non-ADA accessible path includes reset blue stone stairs and a path at 10% grade to provide an option for a more direct route to the monument.

Meadow

Selected edges that don’t disrupt the viewshed are planted with native trees and shrubs that provide nectar and shelter for a variety of pollinators. This convergence of landscape typologies increases wildlife habitat and creates microclimates that offer opportunity for micro-habitats that support the nesting, larva and growth stages of an assortment of pollinators.

Mowed Turf

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Meadow

Forest

Meadow Meadow

Mowed grass surrounds the monument, emphasizing it as a focal point while also delineating gathering and picnicking space.

Short deciduous trees provide shade, protecting visitors in gathering areas from harsh western sun during the summer afternoons. Gathering spaces are concentrated at the top of the slope adjacent to the monument, featuring benches backed by vegetation to provide privacy from paths. Different clusters offer the option to look out over the reservoir to the southwest and northeast or admire the monument.

A tree cut in the north and southwest opens up the viewshed to the reservoir, creating a more desirable destination for visitors. These cut areas are seeded with flowering, native, pollinator-supporting meadow species to create aesthetically appealing drifts of color, preserve views and diversify habitat with minimal installation and maintenance needs.

Meadow plant communities are aligned with site microclimates and planted with pollinator supporting species.

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SECTION F - F’

Existing Forest

Cascading Vegetation

Meadow and Paths

Monument Gathering Area

Cascading Vegetation

Forest Path 0

SECTION H - H’

Proposed meadow patches, paths and gathering space

Access Road

Meadow and Paths

Monument Gathering Area

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Meadow and Open Viewshed

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

Educational signs commemorating those involved in the construction of the reservoir and explaining the history of the Waldo Monument and how edge habitat supports pollinators are sited along pathways. These signs are intentionally distanced from gathering areas to give visitors the option to engage in leisure and education separately.

Spring 2017

Forest

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

A low-grow meadow mix is recommended within the eagle buffer so that this area does not have to be mowed during eagle nesting season.

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

PHASING & PLANTING DESCRIPTION Waldo Monument Phase Two: Forest trails and a forest restoration project in the southern half of the site have been included as a second phase for future development of this area. These trails would provide opportunity to educate the public on forest restoration and native woodland habitat and provide space for retreat. This phase may require addressing dominating invasive species (particularly barberry) in the understory.

Benches face southwest and showcase a pleasing view of the reservoir.

Planting Description Plants are chosen to match site conditions. Broadly speaking the selected species are native to New York and are capable of thriving in hardiness zones 5-6. A variety of trees and shrubs that tolerate partial shade and thrive along woodland edges are selected for the microclimate of partial shade where forest meets grassland. Enhancing this transitional area between different landscape typologies provides habitat for multiple phases of the pollinator life cycle, including nesting, larva, and growth stages. The woody debris and leaf litter from trees also provides shelter for insects.

40 FEET

Native flowering trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses are selected to provide an essential layer within a plant community or pollinator habitat and forage. Many of these species support native pollinators and wildlife by providing: • • • • •

Nesting habitat for birds. Larval food for moth or butterfly caterpillars. Fruit for songbirds. Flowers that are frequented by beetles, flies, butterflies, hummingbirds, wasps and moths. An abiotic host, nectar, or pollen for a broad variety of native bee species (Holm, 101-199).

American Elderberry

Meadow mixes are selected to thrive in two distinct microclimates: dry soil and full sun or mesic soil and partial shade. Flowering species have a wide range of blooming times in order to provide forage for pollinators and aesthetic beauty throughout the year. Late blooming species, evergreens and shrubs with colorful bark are selected for seasonal interest.

11/27 Partridge Pea

Tulip Poplar

Common Blue Violet

Wild Lupine

Little Bluestem

Black Cherry

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

A single educational sign is placed at the trailhead, provides subtle direction for learning about native forest vegetation while preserving the retreat-like quality of a forested walk.

Spring 2017

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

Multiple linked trails encircle different types of planted native, low-maintenance vegetation (fern and herbaceous drifts, a forest restoration site, and native shrubs), providing visitors with visual interest, distinct learning opportunities, and options for walking routes.

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

P L A N T PA L E T T E I

rge Trees

80 - 120' 15 - 30'

Wet/Dry Sun (FS, PS, S) Bloom

Mesic Mesic

broadleaf evergreen, winter interest

May - mid June

larval host plant (moth or butterfly caterpillars feed on foliage), plants used as nesting site by birds, songbirds consume fruit, flowers visited by: bees, beetles, wasps, moths and flies, attracts bumble bees (bombus), small sweat bees (lasioglossum), mining bees (andrena), sweat bees (halictus), cuckoo bees (normada) and small carpenter bees (ceratina)

late March - mid May

needled evergreen, winter interest needled evergreen, winter interest larval host plant (moth caterpillars feed on foliage), plants used as nesting site by birds, songbirds consume fruit, flowers visited by: bees, flies and wasps, attracts mining bees (andrena), small sweat bees (lasioglossum), mason bees (osmia) and cellophane bees (colletes)

early April - June

larval host plant (moth or butterfly caterpillars feed on foliage), flowers visited by: bees, hummingbirds, beetles and flies, nectar attracts bumble bees (bombus)

30 - 60'

50 -80'

Mesic - Dry

Part Sun - Full Shade

tern Red Cedar lemann Spruce

8 -25' 10 -15'

30 - 65' 70 -100'

Dry -Mesic Mesic

Full Sun Full Sun

d Maple

Acer rubrum

30 - 50'

50 - 68'

Full Sun - Partial Mesic - Wet Shade

p Poplar

Liriodendron tulipIfera

mall Trees and Shrubs Botanical name mmon Name

ernate-Leaved Dogwood

erican or Wild Plum

Cornus alternifolia

Prunus americana

Full Sun - Partial Shade

30 - 50'

80 - 120'

Mesic

Width (ft.)

Height (ft)

Wet/Dry Sun (FS, PS, S) Bloom

20 - 32'

15 - 25'

20 - 25'

12 - 20'

Mesic

larval host plant (moth caterpillars feed on foliage), plants used as nesting site by birds, flowers visited by: bees, beetles, wasps, moths and flies, attracts bumble bees (bombus) and small sweat bees (lasioglossum)

Full Sun - Partial Shade mid June - August Full Sun - Part Shade

Prunus serotina Juniperus virginiana Picea engelmannii

k Cherry

Notes

Part Shade - Full Shade

late May - early July

Mesic - Dry Part Shade - Full Sun mid April - mid-June

Notes larval host plant (moth caterpillars feed on foliage), plants used as nesting site by birds, songbirds consume fruit, flowers visited by: bees, beetles, wasps and flies, attracts small sweat bees (lasioglossum), mining bees (andrena) and metallic green sweat bees (agapostemon) larval host plant (moth and butterfly caterpillars feed on foliage), plants used as nesting site by birds, flowers visited by: bees, wasps, butterflies and flies, attracts bumble bees (bombus), small sweat bees (lasioglossum), mining bees (andrena), cellophane bees (colletes), mason bees (osmia), cuckoo bees (normada)

12/27

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

30 - 50' 10 - 20'

Height (ft)

Spring 2017

Tilia americana Ilex Opaca

Width (ft.)

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

erican Basswood erican Holly

Botanical name

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

mmon Name

P L A N T PA L E T T E I I

Downy Serviceberry

Round-Leaved Dogwood

Smooth Sumac

Staghorn Sumac

Wafer Ash or Hoptree

Zanthoxylum americanum

Amelanchier arborea

Cornus rugosa

Rhus glabra

Rhus hirta (Rhus typhina)

Ptelea trifoliata

15 - 20’

10 - 15’

15 - 25’

9 - 15’

20 - 30’

15 - 20’

Height (ft)

10 - 25’

10 - 20’

10 - 25’

5 - 18’

6 - 20’

15 -35’

15 - 20’

Wet/Dry

Mesic - Dry

Wet - Mesic -Dry

Mesic - Dry

Sun (FS, PS, S)

Part Shade

Full Sun - Part Shade

Part Shade

Full Sun

Bloom

Notes

late April - mid-June

larval host plant (moth and butterfly caterpillars feed on foliage), plants used as nesting site by birds, songbirds consume fruit, flowers visited by: bees, and beetles, attracts mining bees (andrena)

late March - late May

larval host plant (butterfly caterpillars feed on foliage), plants used as nesting site by birds, flowers visited by: beetles, wasps, moths and flies, attracts small sweat bees (lasioglossum) and mining bees (andrena)

April - late May

larval host plant (moth caterpillars feed on foliage), songbirds consume fruit, flowers visited by: bees, beetles and flies, attracts small sweat bees (lasioglossum) and mining bees (andrena)

early June - late July

larval host plant (moth caterpillars feed on foliage), plants used as nesting site by birds, songbirds consume fruit, flowers visited by: bees, beetles, and flies, attracts small sweat bees (lasioglossum), mining bees (andrena), small carpenter bees (ceratina), yellow-faced bees (hylaeus) and metallic green sweat bees (augochlorella)

late June - late July

larval host plant (moth caterpillars feed on foliage), plants used as nesting site by birds, songbirds consume fruit, flowers visited by: bees, beetles, wasps, butterflies, moths and flies, attracts bumble bees (bombus), small sweat bees (lasioglossum), mining bees (andrena) and metallic green sweat bees (agapostemon)

Full Sun - Part Shade

Part Shade

larval host plant (moth and butterfly caterpillars feed on foliage), flowers visited by: bees, beetles, wasps, and flies, attracts small sweat bees (lasioglossum), mining bees (andrena) and cuckoo bees (nomada and sphecodes)

early May - late June

13/27

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

Common Pricklyash

Prunus virginiana

Width (ft.)

Spring 2017

Chokecherry

Botanical name

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Common Name

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

Small Trees and Shrubs Continued

Downy Arrowwood

Gray Dogwood

New Jersey Tea

Ninebark

Red Elderberry

Diervilla lonicera

Viburnum rafinesquianum

Cornus racemosa

Ceanothus americanus

Physocarpus opulifolius

Sambucus racemosa

5 - 12’

2 - 4’

6 - 8’

10 - 15’

3 - 5’

4 - 6’

8 -10’

Height (ft)

7 - 14’

2 - 4’

6 - 10’

10 -18’

3 - 6’

7 - 12’

5 - 12’

Wet/Dry

Wet - Mesic

Mesic - Dry

Sun (FS, PS, S)

Full Sun

Bloom

Notes

late June - mid August

larval host plant (moth caterpillars feed on foliage), plants used as nesting site by birds, songbirds consume fruit, flowers visited by: beetles and flies, attracts small sweat bees (lasioglossum), mining bees (andrena) and small carpenter bees (ceratina)

Part Shade - Full Shade late May - early September

larval host plant (moth caterpillars feed on foliage), flowers visited by: moths and butterflies, attracts bumble bees (bombus), small sweat bees (lasioglossum) and metallic green sweat bees (agapostemon)

Part Shade

early May - early July

early June - early July

larval host plant (moth caterpillars feed on foliage), plants used as nesting site by birds, songbirds consume fruit, flowers visited by: beetles, wasps, butterflies and flies, attracts small sweat bees (lasioglossum), mining bees (andrena), cuckoo bees (normada) and metallic green sweat bees (augochlorella)

early July - early August

larval host plant (moth and butterfly caterpillars feed on foliage), flowers visited by: hummingbirds, beetles, wasps, butterflies and flies, attracts bumble bees (bombus), small resin bees (heriades), small sweat bees (lasioglossum), mining bees (andrena), sweat bees (halictus) and metallic green sweet bees (agapostemon and augochlorella)

May - early August

larval host plant (moth caterpillars feed on foliage), plants used as nesting site by birds, flowers visited by: beetles, wasps, butterflies and flies, attracts mining bees (andrena)

Full Sun - Part Shade

Part Shade - Full Shade early April - early June

larval host plant (moth caterpillars feed on foliage), plants used as nesting site by birds, songbirds consume fruit, flowers visited by: beetles and flies, attracts mining bees (andrena)

14/27

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

Bush Honeysuckle

Sambucus canadensis

Width (ft.)

Spring 2017

American Elderberry

Botanical name

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Small Shrubs Common Name

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

P L A N T PA L E T T E I I I

Rosa blanda

Pollinator Plants to seed into Meadow as Drifts Common Name Botanical name

Common Blue Violet

Downy Yellow Violet

Field Pussytoes

Harebell

Viola sororia

Viola pubescens

Antennaria neglecta

Campanula rotundifolia

8 - 12’

Height (ft)

6 - 12’

Wet/Dry

Wet - Mesic

Sun (FS, PS, S)

Full Sun - Part Shade

Bloom

Notes

early May - early July

larval host plant (moth caterpillars feed on foliage), plants used as nesting site by birds, songbirds consume fruit, flowers visited by: beetles, wasps and flies, attracts small sweat bees (lasioglossum), mining bees (andrena), small carpenter bees (ceratina) and metallic green sweat bees (agapostemon)

2 - 5’

4 - 8’

Mesic - Dry

Full Sun - Part Shade

late May - July

larval host plant (moth caterpillars feed on foliage), plants used as nesting site by birds, songbirds consume fruit, flowers visited by: beetles and flies, attracts bumble bees (bombus), small sweat bees (lasioglossum), mining bees (andrena) and metallic green sweat bees (augochloropsis and agapostemon)

Width (ft.)

Height (ft)

Wet/Dry

Sun (FS, PS, S)

Bloom

Notes

April - mid May

larval host plant (moth and butterfly caterpillars feed on foliage), songbirds consume fruit, flowers visited by: flies and butterflies, attracts small carpenter bees (ceratina), small sweat bees (lasioglossum) and mining bees (andrena), viola specialist: Andrena violae

mid April - June

larval host plant (moth and butterfly caterpillars feed on foliage), songbirds consume fruit, flowers visited by: flies and butterflies, attracts small carpenter bees (ceratina), small sweat bees (lasioglossum), metallic green sweat bees (augochlorella), cuckoo bees (nomada), viola specialist: Andrena violae

mid April - late May

larval host plant (moth and butterfly caterpillars feed on foliage), songbirds consume fruit, flowers visited by: beetles, wasps, butterflies and flies, attracts small sweat bees (lasioglossum), mining bees (andrena), sweat bees (halictus) and cuckoo bees (normada)

mid May - early September

flowers visited by: flies, moths and butterflies, attracts small sweat bees (lasioglossum), sweat bees (halictus), mason bees (hoplitis), leafcutter (megachile) and metallic green sweat bees (agapostemon and augochlorella), campanula specialist: Colletes brevicornis

0.5 - 0.75’

0.5 - 1’

4 - 8”

6 -12”

6 - 12”

4 - 20”

Mesic - Dry

Mesic

Dry

Mesic - Dry

Part Shade

Full Sun - Part Shade

15/27

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

Smooth Wild Rose

Cornus sericea

Width (ft.)

Spring 2017

Red Osier Dogwood

Botanical name

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Small Shrubs Common Name

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

P L A N T PA L E T T E I V

P L A N T PA L E T T E V

15 - 18’

6 - 12”

12 - 24”

Meadow Partial Shade Seed Mix (Sourced from New England Wetland Plants) Common Name Botanical name Width (ft.) Height (ft)

Wet/Dry

Sun (FS, PS, S)

Bloom

Notes

Part Shade - Full Shade mid April - June

larval host plant (moth caterpillars feed on foliage), flowers visited by: beetles and flies, attracts bumble bees (bombus), small carpenter bees (ceratina), mason bees (osmia), small sweat bees (lasioglossum), mining bees (andrena), sweat bees (halictus) and metallic green sweat bees (augochlorella), hydrophyllum specialist: Andrena geranii

Dry

Full Sun

mid April - June

larval host plant (moth and butterfly caterpillars feed on foliage), flowers visited by: flies, attracts mason bees (osmia), bumble bees (bombus), small sweat bees (lasioglossum) and small carpenter bees (ceratina)

Wet/Dry

Sun (FS, PS, S)

Bloom

Notes

Wet - Dry

Beard Tongue

Penstemon digitalis

1.5 - 2’

3 - 5’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

April - June

attracts birds and butterflies, deer and drought tolerant

Blue Stem Goldenrod

Solidago caesia

1.5 - 3’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun - Part Shade

August - September

attracts butterflies, deer and drought tolerant

Blue Wood Aster

Aster cordifolius

2 - 3’

Mesic - Dry

Part Shade - Full Shade September - November

attracts butterflies and pollinators, drought tolerant

Canada Wild Rye

Elymus canadensis

2 - 3’

2 - 5’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

July - September

clump-forming grass, attracts birds, tolerates drought

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

0.75 - 1’

2 - 3’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

June - August

attracts butterflies, deer and drought tolerant, can thrive in shallow-rocky soil

Creeping Red Fescue

Festuca rubra

0.25 - 0.25’

Mesic

Part Shade

non-flowering

useful ground cover, drought tolerant

Deer Tongue

Panicum clandestinum

3 - 6’

Wet

Full Sun

May - September

self-pollinated

Eastern Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

1 - 1.5’

2 - 3’

Mesic

Full Sun - Part Shade

April - May

attracts hummingbirds, deer and drought tolerant

Golden Alexanders

Zizia aurea

1.5 - 2’

1.5 - 3’

Mesic

Full Sun - Part Shade

May - June

attracts butterfiles

Grass-leaved Goldenrod

Euthamia graminifolia

Ox Eye Sunflower

Heliopsis helianthoides

2 - 4’

3 - 6’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

June - August

attratcs butterflies, drought tolerant, can thrive in shallow-rocky soil

Partridge Pea

Chamaecrista fasciculata

1 - 3’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

June - September

attracts birds and butterflies, drought tolerant

Showy Ticktrefoil

Desmodium canadense

5‘

Dry - Wet

Full Sun - Part Shade

July - September

fixes nitrogen in soil

Spotted Joy Pye Weed

Eupatorium maculatum

4 - 6’

Mesic - Wet

Full Sun

August - September

Upland Bentgrass

Agrostis perennans

1 - 3’

Dry - Wet

Full Sun - Full Shade

June - October

Virginia Wildrye

Elymus virginicus

2 - 4’

Mesic

Full Sun - Part Shade

June - October

White Avens

Geum canadense

1 - 3’

Dry - Mesic

Part Shade - Full Shade April - June

nectar source, attracts butterflies, semi-evergreen

Height (ft)

Wet/Dry

Sun (FS, PS, S)

Bloom

Notes

3 - 5’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

April - June

attracts birds and butterflies, deer and drought tolerant

1 - 2’

Meadow Full Sun and Dry Soil Seed Mix (Sourced from Prairie Nursery) Common Name Botanical name Width (ft.) Beard Tongue

Penstemon digitalis

1.5 - 2’

perennial bunch grass, attracts butterflies, deer tolerant

16/27

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

Lupinus perennis

1 - 2’

Height (ft)

Spring 2017

Wild Lupine

Hydrophyllum virginianum

Width (ft.)

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

Virginia Waterleaf

Botanical name

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Common Name

Height (ft)

Wet/Dry

Sun (FS, PS, S)

Bloom

Notes

Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

2 - 3’

2 - 4’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun - Part Shade

July - September

attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, tolerates deer, drought and shallow-rocky soil

Black Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

1 - 2’

2 - 3’

Mesic

Full Sun

June - September

attracts butterflies, deer and drought tolerant

Butterflyweed

Asclepias tuberosa

1 - 1.5’

1 - 2.5’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

June - August

attracts butterflies, deer and drought tolerant, can thrive in shallow-rocky soil

Canada Wild Rye

Elymus canadensis

2 - 3’

2 - 5’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

July - September

clump-forming grass, attracts birds, tolerates drought

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

0.75 - 1’

2 - 3’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

June - August

attracts butterflies, deer and drought tolerant, can thrive in shallow-rocky soil

1 - 2’

Dry

Full Sun

July - September

attracts butterflies and pollinators, deer tolerant

Dotted Mint Hoary Vervian

Verbena stricta

1.5 - 2’

2 - 4’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

May - September

attratcs butterflies, drought tolerant, can thrive in shallow-rocky soil

Junegrass

Koeleria macrantha

0.75 - 1.5’

1 - 2’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

May - June

tolerates drought

Lance-leaved Coreopsis

Coreopsis lanceolata

1 - 2’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

May - July

attracts butterflies, deer and drought tolerant, can thrive in shallow-rocky soil

Leadplant

Amorpha canescens

2 - 2.5’

2 - 3’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

July - September

attracts butterflies, drought tolerant

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

1.5 - 2’

2 -4’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

August - February

winter interest, tolerates deer, drought and shallow-rocky soil

Lupine

Lupinis hybrida

1 - 1.5’

3 - 4’

Mesic

Full Sun

May - July

attracts butterfiles

Ohio Spiderwort

Tradescantia ohiensis

1.5 - 2.5’

2 - 3’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun - Part Shade

May - July

tolerates drought, can thrive in shallow-rocky soil

Pale Purple Coneflower

Echinacea pallida

1 - 1.5’

2 - 3’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun - Part Shade

June - July

attracts butterflies, deer and drought tolerant, can thrive in shallow-rocky soil

Partridge Pea

Chamaecrista fasciculata

1 - 3’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

June - September

attracts birds and butterflies, drought tolerant

Prairie Dropseed

Sporobolus heterolepis

2 - 3’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

August - October

winter interest, attracts birds, tolerates deer, drought and shallow-rocky soil

Purple Prairie Clover

Dalea purpurea

1 - 1.5’

1 - 3’

Mesic

Full Sun

June - August

attracts butterflies, drought tolerant

Rough Blazingstar

Liatris aspera

1 - 1.5’

2 - 3’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

August - October

attracts birds, butterflies and hummingbirds, tolerates drought and shallow-rocky soil

Showy Goldenrod

Solidago speciosa

2 - 3’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

July - September

attracts butterflies, drought and deer tolerant

Sideoats Grama

Bouteloua curtipendula

1.5 - 2’

1.5 - 2.5’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

July - August

useful ground cover, attracts birds, tolerates drought and shallow-rocky soil

Sky Blue Aster

Symphyotrichum oolentangiense

1.5 - 2’

2 - 3’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

September - October

attracts butterflies, drought tolerant, can thrive in shallow-rocky soils

Smooth Aster

Symphyotrichum laeve

1 - 2’

2 - 4’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

September - October

attracts butterflies, drought tolerant, can thrive in shallow-rocky soils

Stiff Goldenrod

Solidago rigida

1.5 - 2.5’

3 - 5’

Mesic

Full Sun

August - September

attracts butterflies, deer tolerant

White Aster

Aster ptarmicoides

1 - 2’

Dry

Full Sun

August - September

deer tolerant

White Prairie Clover

Dalea candida

0.75 - 1.5’

1 - 2’

Mesic

Full Sun

May - July

attracts butterflies, drought tolerant

Wild Petunia

Ruellia humilis

1.5 - 2’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun - Part Shade

May - October

attracts butterflies, drought tolerant, can thrive in shallow-rocky soils

June - August

tolerates deer and drought, can thrive in shallow-rocky soil

Yellow Coneflower

Echinacea paradoxa

1 - 1.5’

2 - 3’

Dry - Mesic

Full Sun

17/27

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

Width (ft.)

Spring 2017

Botanical name

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Common Name

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

P L A N T PA L E T T E V I

F O U N TA I N A R E A Summary Analysis

Pedestrian Paths

• Create a habitat for native pollinators with paths through the landscape that educate visitors on native plants and pollinators. • Improve connectivity between the Fountain Day Use Area and the Promenade.

A’

Observations: The trees that surround the site provide a sense of privacy and enclosure. A large contiguous area in the center receives full sun exposure while the woodland edge creates a shady micro-climate. Implications: The large meadow area receives full sun and will likely support a wide range of early-successional vegetation, especially pollinator-friendly species. The shady woodland edge will be considered in plant selection to create more diversity of trees and shrubs with increased habitat value. The variety of landscape conditions could provide increased educational opportunities for the public. Observations: Most trees in the fountain area lack diversity both in species and in age. The recent blow-downs have made existing trees more prone to future wind disturbance as they are top heavy and not wind sturdy. Implications: This design tries to plan for disturbance from continued tree blow downs or tree removals. The plant selection will include shrub and tree species that are more diverse and will keep a healthy woodland edge to contribute to increased wildlife habitat and seasonal interest for visitors.

Promenade Path on top of the Reservoir wall. Elevation around 600 feet

Promenade Path on top of the Reservoir wall Vehicular road (BWS) Shady Edge

Fountain

Potential pooling

Soils

Parking area

Vehicular road (BWS)

125

250

Sources: Esri, DeLorme, USGS, NPS, Esri, HERE, DeLorme, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, Feet and the GIS user community

Water flow

Observations: The soil is nutrient poor but tests show that it contains high levels of organic matter of 9.7%. Organic matter in soil acts like a sponge and holds water for plants during periods of drought. Organic matter also allows nutrients to be available to plants during the summer months and contributes to a higher water holding capacity. Implications: This could expand the plant selection list to include plants that aren’t drought tolerant and grow well in richer soils. Observations: Lead levels were elevated at 67 ppm and the UMass soil testing lab recommends more tests for “Total Sorbed Lead” and other metals. Implications: The lead in the soil will need to be considered when preparing the site and installing vegetation to prevent exposure to soil dust. Once a meadow is estab-

Section A-A’

Potential pooling Steep slope Vehicular access Full sun Part shade

Road

Site of blow down

Reservoir wall

60 feet

18/27

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

Observations: Most slopes in the blow down area are under 5%. The reservoir wall to the north and the vehicular road to the east direct water into the site. Implications: The meadow site acts like a catch basin with soil conditions that could become moist to wet on occasion. Even though there are two swales running through the meadow site, there is a possibility for water to pool after heavy rains in low lying areas and plants chosen for those areas will need to be able to handle wet conditions.

Water flows Into site

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Slopes

Sunny center Fountain Elevation=524 feet

Vegetation Spring 2017

Client Goals

Observations: Between the top of the reservoir wall and the fountain there is an elevation difference of about 76 feet. The steep slope of the reservoir wall is greater than 50% and there is no designated path between the promenade and the Fountain Area. In addition, there is no shoulder for safe pedestrian access beside the vehicular road. Implications: The steep slope up to the promenade limits accessibility and the siting of a path. Because of dam safety regulations, paths can not be cut into the sides of the dam wall. The only option is to create a pedestrian path along the road leading up to the promenade. Some grading will need to be done to create a path of less than 10% that is not prone to erosion. Observations: The large meadow area is relatively flat with slopes of less than 5%. Implications: Flatter slopes in the meadow should not pose any problems for siting universally accessible paths. The areas with slightly high elevations could serve as gathering areas which provide views of the fountain over the meadow.

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

The Fountain Day Use Area is located south of the reservoir wall and midway along the promenade. The overlapping assets and constraints of the topography, sun, shade, water flow, and soil strongly direct the placement of access trails and the selection of vegetation to match the different site conditions.

PROMENADE CONNECTION Path Recommendation between Fountain and Promenade

Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Promenade Vehicular Road (

The Path runs alongside the road and then, alongside the promenade. It opens out to the promenade pass the vehicular road to provide a safer entrance and exit for pedestrians.

A trailhead marks the entrance/exit of the connecting trail and provides information about the Fountain Area including the pollinator friendly meadows.

D B

Fountain

Meadow & trails

Parking

180

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, Feet IGN, and the GIS User Community

Section A to Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

B D

Promenade

Road Road

Paved Paved trail trail

Bumble Meadow

Skipper Meadow

Thistle longhorn meadow

Trail up to Road Promenade Trail marker at DEP driveway

19/27

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

DEP Driveway

Spring 2017

The Path connects to meadow trails in the north, crosses the DEP dirt driveway, and continues up a graded slope to the side of BWS road.

Proposed trail

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

The proposed path improves connectivity and safety between the Promenade and Fountain Area.

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

F O U N TA I N A R E A

Design Overview

Woodland Edge Flowering native shrubs and trees along the outer edges of the meadow diversify the landscape and wildlife habitat.

The meadows area offers diverse habitat for wildlife that supports many native plants and pollinators. There are many spaces for people to relax and enjoy the landscape as well as opportunities to learn about native species and ecology.

Flowering Woodland Edge

Monarch Drifts Meadow

Thistle Longhorn meadow

Woodland Edge

Bob White Meadow

Mowed paths meander through the meadow. The paths are planted with a low-mow mix that tolerates foot traffic and is lower maintenance. The mix includes pollinator friendly and fragrant plants.

F Skipper Meadow

Gathering areas along both the mowed and paved trails give people places to relax and view the landscape from many angles. These gathering spaces are placed to offer views over the expanse and most have sight lines to the fountain through the trees.

5 & 10-footwide mowed

Spring 2017

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

Main mowed path

F B

Swallowtail Meadow

Education & expansive views. Two educational nodes are placed with central views of the different meadows alongside insect hotels and bird and bat houses. All man-made habitat structures are placed along the outer edges of the path to keep the larger meadows unobstructed and provide natural views.

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Paved ADA paths

Educational node & Viewing area (30 by 20 feet)

20/27

Viewing Areas (10 by 20 feet)

Main Entrance

10-foot-wide paved trail ADA 5% or less)

C C

Bumble Meadow

A raised speed hump cuts through the parking island and leads to the main entrance of the meadow where there is information about pollinators, and the start of both paved and mowed grass trails.

Raised speed hump

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

Paved paths in the south follow ADA guidelines for universal accessibility with slopes less than 5%. The paved paths swirl in and out of shade and around different meadows. The trail loops to gathering areas and an educational node that provides information on the various plants in the meadow and the species they support.

F O U N TA I N A R E A

A’

Illustration & Section

Thistle Longhorn meadow

Woodland Edge

Unobstructed views from the gathering spaces and educational nodes look out onto drifts of color and to the fountain beyond.

Monarch Drifts Meadow

A variety of pollinator habitat of different heights and colors supports a wide range of pollinators and birds, including the brown-belted bumble bee, thistle longhorn bee, argo’s skipper, monarch butterfly, eastern meadowlark, bobwhite, and the grasshopper sparrow.

Bob White Meadow

Swallowtail Meadow

Bumble Meadow

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

A View of fountain from the paved eductional node shown below in section

Section A - A’

Speed hump cuts through parking island and leads to main meadow entrance.

Skipper meadow

Paved education node with view of the fountain shown above.

Paved trail

Mowed trail

Road

21/27

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

Spring 2017

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

Skipper Meadow

F O U N TA I N A R E A Planting Details

Meadows in the fountain area will enhance the Day Use Area both on a visual and ecological level. The array of habitat and food sources will increase biodiversity. The colorful wildflowers and soft grasses will contribute to a more natural, healthy, and eye catching landscape around the Ashokan Reservoir. This design is made up of various meadow mixes that contain different flowers and grass species. The different heights and colors will support increased biodiversity, seasonal interest, and educational opportunities. Each meadow is named after a specific insect bird with plants chosen that include their habitat and/or food sources.

Woodland Edge 5

Monarch Drifts

Skipper Meadow: Central meadow with highest ratio of grass to flowers for a soft effect. Low growing side oats grama dominates the grass mix. Drifts of color of mostly yellow, white, and purple blooms that change with the season. This is a short meadow with plant species of only 1-3 feet with a few 4-foot flowers to catch the eye but not block the view.

Woodland mix

Low Mow groundcover

Bobwhite meadow

Skipper meadow

Bobwhite Meadow: Grassy woodland edge. This meadow will include taller grasses and flowering shrubs to provide cover for birds. This meadow will showcase various birdhouses and tree snags. It will provide information that will talk about food sources and habitat needs of pollinators. This area has a slight increase in elevation compared to the rest of the area. Species chosen should tolerate occasional dry conditions. This area is also located along woodland edge and will need to tolerate part shade.

Swallowtail meadow

Thistle Long-horn Meadow: Sunny northeast meadow. 4-foot tall grasses and yellow flowers including different varieties of sunflowers dominate this meadow. Species chosen will support the native thistle long-horned bee. 6

Monarch Drift Meadow: Dryer northwest meadow. Milkweed plant species and other flowers that support butterflies will dominate this meadow. Most grasses and plants will be less than 3 feet in height with the 4 foot tall milkweed plants catching the eye. Information will be provided on native and migratory butterflies. 7

Woodland Mix: Along all edges of meadow as well as underneath taller trees. Plant selection will match specific location with the consideration of how many hours of full sun or shade it will receive. These areas will include low growing shady ground covers to full sun flowering shrubs and trees along the edges. 8

Low-Grow or No-Mow groundcovers: Herbaceous, hardy groundcovers mixed with low-grow grasses are planted along all paths, gathering spaces and alongside the promenade. Many of these plants provide pollinator food sources, are tolerant of foot traffic, and provide sweet smells for an enhanced sensory experience.

Bumble meadow

22/27

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

Swallowtail Meadow: Woodland edge. This is a relatively short meadow. Most species are under 3 feet in height. It will include species that blend into the shady woodland edge. This meadow will showcase insect hotels for the public to learn about beneficial insects and pollinators including the eastern swallowtail butterfly.

Spring 2017

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

Bumble Meadow: Southern moist meadow. Taller flowers and grasses dominate this meadow of up to 5 feet in height including patches of milkweed and goldenrod to create blocks of color. Water on the site flows south to this flat area where water could pool on occasion. Species selected should tolerate moist conditions.

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Thistle Long-horn meadow

F O U N TA I N A R E A

Planting Details

These are recommendations for seed mixes for the different meadows. Each meadow should be seeded with 1 seed mix then over-seeded with plant species that support specific pollinators and other wildlife.

Purple coneflower & black-eyed Susan

Spring 2017

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

Information on meadows was found in Claudia West’s book “ Planting in a post wild world”, interviews with Larry Weaner as well as on his website and information provided by Vermont wildfarm.com and prairie nursery.com. It is recommended that you contact a meadow specialist and a nursery that specializes in native plants for the northeast to discuss plant selection ,installation, establishment, and management.

Process for Plant Selection For a meadow to survive in the long term, it needs to be set up as a functional plant community. Meadows that develop in the wild are diverse and the plants that they contain serve many different niches show below.

Blazing star, bluestem grass

Species for each layer, lower/ground cover (birdfoot violet, clover) middle (black-eyed Susan’s, showy goldenrod), and upper levels (beebalm, coneflowers). Species that fix nitrogen (wild indigo, lupine). Temporary annuals and fast-growing species will stabilize the area quickly (wild cosmos, black-eyed Susan’s). Permanent flowers and grasses that will establish over the first 3 years (bee balm, butterfly weed). A range of flower blooms to provide continuous food throughout the growing season.

Goldenrod, bluestem grass

Diversity of species with at least 40-60 different species per meadow.

23/27

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

Native clumping grasses are a major component of a meadow system. They stabilize a meadow functional and provide visual continuity. Both native warm and cool season grasses were included though the ratio of grass to flowers can vary from meadow to meadow.

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Plant selection for all the meadows includes:

Butterfly Weed

Tickseed

Creeping Wintergreen

24/27

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

Bluestar Creeper

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Spring 2017

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

F O U N TA I N A R E A

Planting Details

APPENDIX Meadow Installation

Grubbing, Cultivation, and Cover-cropping Grubbing involves removing large stumps and debris from a site. Once areas are grubbed, repetitious cultivation paired with cover-cropping (seeding with a quickly spreading crop) can be used to deplete the seed banks of existing unwanted vegetation.

Herbicide is often used to prep sites for the installation of meadow habitat. Although effective at removing undesirable vegetation, herbicides contain toxic chemical contaminants that are damaging to human health and the environment in which they are used. Given the site’s location within the watershed of a major drinking water source, herbicide used is not recommended. This page presents multiple options for site prep and installation that do not damage or pollute the landscape as herbicide use would. Installation techniques for meadow vary according to the existing vegetation, the size of the area being planted, and the age/amount of invasive species present on site.

Pros •

• •

Cover-cropping and Seeding into Existing Vegetation Seeding a mix of ground-covering species into existing vegetation, disturbed sites, or cultivated land. Pros • • • Cover-cropping

• •

Applicable for container planting, small sites, or areas where existing vegetation like woody shrubs and trees need to be navigated around. Kills bacterial and fungal pathogens in soil. (solarization only) Limited disturbance of soil horizon and weed seeds within the soil.

Cons • • •

Not applicable for direct seeding. Time intensive process– especially when ensuring die off of deep rooting species. Process is aesthetically unappealing.

Time intensive process If existing vegetation is not removed it will compete with the cover crop and seeded species

Lead Contaminants The high lead content found in soil at the Fountain Area needs to be taken into consideration throughout site prep and installation. Methods like burning or cultivation can disrupt the soil, creating airborne dust of contaminated soil particles which poses a hazard to humans, wildlife, and potentially the water quality of the reservoir.

Pros •

Cons • •

Smothering & Solarization Smothering involves cutting back existing vegetation and then covering with newspaper or cardboard, a layer of mulch, and weighted objects. This blocks covered vegetation from photosynthesizing, smothers it, and creates a layer of organic matter that can be more easily planted into. Solarization involves layering a clear plastic tarp instead of paper after cutting back vegetation, this covering traps heat which overtime kills weeds, weed seeds and many bacterial and fungal pathogens within 12 - 18 inches of the soil surface. This process takes about 4 - 6 weeks if done during the hottest period of the growing season.

Sets a foundation of groundcovers for future plant communities. Can improve/enrich soil (eg. leguminous cover groups fix nitrogen in soil). Fills gaps between site preparation and planting installation, limiting exposed soil which helps to prevent erosion and the spread of weeds.

Smothering

Seeding Tips for Meadow Seed Mixes • • • • •

keep in mind that meadow species may establish themselves slowly and require more care during establishment than they do long-term management seed can be spread with a slit seeder or broadcast spreader plant meadow mixes with an annual rye species that has a fast germination rate and will cover ground quickly to protect planted areas from weeds or other undesirable vegetation as they establish water seeded areas every other day for the first 4 - 6 weeks for 15-30 minutes (especially important for dryer sites) landscape plugs should be planted after seedlings have established themselves

25/27

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

•

Disrupts soil structure/biology, Transports dormant seeds of invasive vegetation to soil surface. Weed seeds will continue to arrive from surrounding areas regardless of precautions taken.

Spring 2017

Use plants to build soil. Plant densely and use a variety of root morphologies as seasonal root die off produces organic matter. Limit disturbance during site preparation to reduce management and conserve resources. Stabilize and protect existing soils and vegetation by fencing off or covering with a protective layer of material. Disturbed soil should be seeded as soon as possible after construction to avert weed outbreaks. As part of site preparation, remove invasive and undesirable vegetation. Adult species of undesirable or invasive vegetation on site are indicators that the seed bank for these species is well-established in the soil and extra effort (removal strategies and labor) will be required to ensure their eradication over time. Quickly follow site preparation with initial installation planting. The project’s installation schedule needs to match the optimal rooting times of plants. Aligning with the innate rhythm of a plants growing cycle creates a better chance for survival (Rainer, West 194-197).

•

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Cultivation

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

Cons

General Tips •

Depletes seed bank and loosens soil. Cover-crops can be used to replenish stores of nutrients like nitrogen.

APPENDIX Meadow Establishment & Management A complex meadow habitat can take a few years to establish. It will need a more intense maintenance regime in the first couple of years to deplete the existing weed seed bank and allow desired plants to take hold. Once established, it will require low management to discourage invasives and woody plants. A management plan should be put in place before any work is done on site. Mowing and controlled burning are management strategies that arrest succession and prevent woody plants and invasives from taking hold. Soil tests show high levels of lead in soil in the Fountain Area and therefore burning is not recommended for this location. Maintaining a vegetative cap on the area will prevent exposure to airborne lead dust.

Third year: The native meadow plants will dominate the area and will be better able to resist invasives. Mow no more than once per year, preferably at the end of the growing season. Each year, choose some section to leave un-mown to provide overwintering habitat. Mowing should be time to support native plant species, prevent the establishment of woody plants, and provide habitat for pollinators and wildlife.

Cover crop of annual rye used to secure the site and prevent weeds.

Established meadow with mowed paths

Annual mowing can be used to maintain meadow habitat and benefit native species.

26/27

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

Spring 2017

Solarization kills existing vegetation and weed seeds.

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

Second year: Meadow perennials will grow taller the second year so the weeds should be kept at a height of 12 inches. Prairenursery.com suggests mowing mid-June while biennial weeds are in full flower but before they seed. Since native plants are more established, young perennial weeds can often be carefully pulled. Never spray with herbicide. Drifts from the spray will kill patches of vegetation leaving gaps open to invasives.

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

First year: Larry Weaner, a native meadow specialist, suggests a meadow should be mowed in the first year every six weeks to a height of 4 inches. Mowing will help keep annual weeds from growing and allow the slow growing perennial plants to receive enough sunlight. Perennial plugs could also be used in the first year to lessen maintenance and quicken meadow establishment.

APPENDIX ADA Guidelines for Trails

Citations

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Ashokan Watershed Protection. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

Created in 1968 and applies to private sector.

“Ashokan Reservoir.” Ashokan Reservoir - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

Some trails may not be fully accessible in that they cannot meet all of the guidelines along the entire length of the trail. However, improvements could be made to any trail to expand the range of visitor use it can accommodate. The degree of accessibility is usually dependent on available resources, topographic or other constraints. Some of the guidelines to consider:

Foderaro, Lisa W. “’Watery Graves’ Was No Figure Of Speech; A Receding City Reservoir Reveals a Turbulent Past.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 13 May 2002. Web. 01 May 2017. “Glenn Motzkin.” Personal communication, Ecologist, March-June 2017. “HISTORY OF THE NYC WATER SUPPLY.” Catskill Watershed Corporation. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2017.

Slope:

Holm, Heather. Bees: An Identification and Native Plant Forage Guide. Minnetonka, MN: Pollination Press, 2017. Print.

• • • •

King, David I.; Schlossberg, Scott. 2014. Synthesis of the conservation value of the early-successional stage in forests of eastern North America. Forest Ecology and Management. 324: 186-195.

5% or less any distance 8.3% maximum up to 200 feet 10% maximum up to 30 feet 12% maximum up to 10 feet

Leopold, Donald Joseph. Native plants of the Northeast: a guide for gardening & conservation. Portland, Or.: Timber Press, 2005. Print

Cross slope:

“Prairie Nursery.” Prairienursery.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 June 2017 Cross slope on asphalt maximum 2%

Surface needs to be firm and stable

Rainer, Thomas, and Claudia West. Planting in a post-wild world: designing plant communities for resilient landscapes. Portland, OR: Timber Press, 2016. Print

Must be firm and stable

Width: •

“Vermont Wildflower Farm.” Vermontwildflowerfarm.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2017

Must be a minimum of 36 inches

Resting Intervals: •

“Peter Jensen.” Lecture on universally accessible trails, March 2017.

Nursery References

Must be minimum of 60 inches (5 ft) in length

North Creek Nursery http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/ Prairie Nursery http://www.prairienursery.com/

Width minimum of 36 inches

Resting interval of at least 5 feet

New England Wetland Plants http://newp.com/

27/27

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

Surface: •

“Our natural landscapes.” Larry Weaner Landscape Associates. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2017

5% maximum on dirt/gravel trails 2% maximum on asphalt/boardwalk/concrete

Recreation Area Master Plan at the Ashokan Reservoir for the NYC DEP

• •

Spring 2017

Created in 1968 and applies to federal agencies and federally funded projects. New trail accessibility standards live in the ABA. Enforced by the US Access Board.

Samantha Battaglia Coleen Curley

Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)