Hildreth Hills Landscape Master Plan

HILDR E T H H I L L S A LANDSCAPE MASTER PLAN judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey the conway school spring 2013

REDUCE COSTS by suggesting more cost-effective and energy-efficient landscape design and maintenance best practices that would require less use of chemical applications, fuel-powered maintenance, and irrigation.

IMPROVE CURB APPEAL by recommending plants that will thrive in the existing environments and a planting palette that will create a more cohesive look across individual units.

INCREASE SAFETY by addressing existing uneven walkways and insufficient lighting and suggesting safer site-appropriate materials.

INCREASE SUSTAINABILITY by reducing maintenance energy use, increasing native plant diversity, and suggesting alternative maintenance practices and materials that will be more beneficial to the managed landscape and protect its surroundings from harmful chemical runoff.

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

The Hildreth Hills Landscape Master Plan aims to provide guidance that will :

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

The Hildreth Hills Long Range Landscape Committee, a group of residents concerned with the current and future landscape of the Hildreth Hills townhouse community, hired a student team from the Conway School of Landscape Design to develop a master plan for the site. The Committee is interested in sustainable alternatives to the existing landscape design, materials, and management. The existing landscape, especially in the residential areas, does not adequately reflect the residents’ financial, aesthetic, or environmental goals.

In addition to comprehensive site analyses, this master plan offers guidance to the Landscape Committee, homeowners, and maintenance crews on landscape design, plant materials, management best practices, and ecological health. Designs and recommendations will focus on areas directly around the townhouses as well as communal areas throughout the site.

INTRODUCTION + GOALS

INTRODUCTION + GOALS

HILDRETH HILLS

INDEX 1 introduction and goals 2 geographical context 3 existing conditions 4 access and circulation 5 existing vegetation 6 soils 7 slopes and drainage 8 natural communities 9 current management practices 10 summary analysis 11 residential design 12 residential design: parkhurst 13 residential design: monadnock 14 residential design: jimney 15 lighting design 16 walkway design 17 design direction: wooded parks 18 design direction: four corners 19 design direction: main drive 20 design direction: the club 21 best management practices 22 water management 23 lawn alternatives 24 planting considerations 25 planting plans 26 plant palette 27 comprehensive plant list I 28 comprehensive plant list II 29 comprehensive plant list III 30 comprehensive plant list IV 31 cost analysis 32 phasing and implementation

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judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

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THE CONWAY SCHOOL

❹

HILDRETH HEIGHTS

PARKHURST

❶

❷

WESTFORD WESTFORD TOWN CTR.

JIMNEY

HILDRETH HILLS

❸

MONADNOCK

GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT

HILDRETH HILLS

site parcel line

Town of Westford conservation land

95

I-4

❺

conservation restriction

❶ a Conservation Overlay District protects the land 250 feet from buildings to the parcel line ❷ town-owned conservation land borders the site to the southeast ❸ conservation restriction land borders the site to the southwest ❹ residential single-unit parcels border the northern half of the site ❺ a commercial highway district spans the land just south of the site along Interstate 495

Hildreth Hills is located in the town of Westford, Massachusetts, 35 miles northwest of Boston. The 180+ acre site, formerly a farmstead, was developed in the 1980s and comprises three groups of townhouses: Parkhurst, Monadnock, and Jimney. A fourth group, Hildreth Heights, shares the same parcel and water management facilities but is not part of the Hildreth Hills Condominium Trust or this landscape master plan. The townhouses were sited for maximum views and privacy on the ridge top of Sparks Hill and are surrounded by woodlands and wetlands. Approximately 80 acres of the site are part of a Conservation Overlay District established with the Town of Westford to "preserve a balance between developed areas of the town and areas set aside from development, for protection of water resources, for the benefits of wildlife, for passive recreational uses, for agriculture and for the preservation of scenic beauty."

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

conservation overlay district

HILDRETH HILLS

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT

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WATER PLANT

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E EASEM

LIN POWER

BEAVER POND

The community of Hildreth Hills shares the large lawn area, referred to as the “meadow” at Four Corners, and the Hildreth Hills Club in the center of the Monadnock loop. The clubhouse area includes two tennis courts, a pool, and a large deck around the building.

In immediate residential areas, units are surrounded by a mix of mown lawn and traditional foundation plantings of shrubs and flowering annuals and perennials. Mature oak, pine, and maple trees are interspersed throughout the area. Small courtyard stands of mature trees separate the units from the road in Monadnock and Parkhurst while Jimney has an open cul-de-sac arrangement.

HILDRETH HEIGHTS

PARKHURST

The original landscape design was by Sasaki Associates Inc, in the early 1980s and has not been updated since that time. Many shrubs have grown leggy and outgrown their spaces, blocking windows and walkways.

“MEADOW”

JIMNEY

Hildreth Hills is situated on the top of Sparks Hill with rural residential neighbors to the west and north and town-owned conservation land to the east. Between the Parkhurst neighborhood and the water treatment plant, a power easement runs through the northern portion in an east/west direction. Hildreth Heights is an inholding on the site, and not a part of Hildreth Hills.

W. TANK

HH CLUB

mixed trees evergreen trees mowed lawn

hildreth hills club and pool area

overgrown shrub

leggy shrubs

shrubs obstructing a path

MONADNOCK

wild meadow impermeable

unique woodland setting

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

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westford, massachusetts spring 2013

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THE CONWAY SCHOOL

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

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EXISTING CONDITIONS

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HILDRETH HILLS

EXISTING CONDITIONS

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SECONDARY ENTRANCE parkhurst drive

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WATER PLANT

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E EASEM

LIN POWER

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jimney

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ve

THE “MEADOW” UTILITIES BLDG.

“FOUR CORNERS”

WATER TANK WILD MEADOW

HH CLUB

main thruway

maintenance areas

residential access

communal areas

driveways + sidewalks

wild meadow

nature trail

mowed lawn

COMMUNAL/MUNICIPAL • The “meadow” at Four Corners acts as an unused common lawn.

• The Clubhouse is used for indoor events and meetings; the tennis courts and pool are sometimes used during warmer months.

• A nature trail looping around Monadnock is generally unused due to ticks in warmer months but is used in winter by snowshoers and cross country skiers.

• The town-owned water tank is maintained by town workers.

• Utilities buildings, water treatment plant, and leach field are accessed by on-site maintenance workers.

• The powerline easement area is maintained by the power company.

While the communal spaces are appreciated by residents for their

resale value, they all remain relatively unused.

Four Corners intersection

brick sidewalks

main entrance

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

mon adno

HILDRETH HEIGHTS

ACCESS + CIRCULATION

MAIN ENTRANCE

WALKWAYS • Sidewalks in all neighborhoods connect the unit fronts of each multi-unit building set back from the road • Monadnock sidewalks are connected by crossing sections of driveway.

• Sidewalks are generally unused, in favor of walking along the road.

• Sidewalks in areas have buckled or heaved.

Because of the discontinuity and unfavorable conditions of walkways,

roads are being used by pedestrians with the potential for conflict

with vehicles.

HILDRETH HILLS

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st re et

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judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

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ROADS • A main entrance and secondary entrance are both accessed from Hildreth Street, the secondary entrance tends to be used more often by commuting residents due to its proximity to the town center.

• Roads are two lanes with traffic moving in both directions with no sidewalks.

• The roads do not create a through-way; only residents of Hildreth Hills, Hildreth Heights, and management crews use these roads • Driveways branch off the main roads to access the garages and house units.

• Driveways continue down to the back of the units in Parkhurst and Jimney to access basement-level garages, which limits the usable backyard space.

The loop of roads create a secluded community with limited

vehicular movement throughout the site.

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

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Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

ACCESS + CIRCULATION

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milkweed

mixed meadow species

mown leach field

wild meadow milkweeds, poison ivy, cow vetch, aster species, etc edge species: paper birch, bracken fern, maple-leaf viburnum, etc. invasive species: Asian bittersweet mown leach field non-native grass species UNDEVELOPED AREAS (areas of little or no management)

cattail

skunk cabbage

paper birch

mixed fern species

pine-oak forest species

mapleleaf viburnum

lowbush blueberry

mixed groundcover species

KEY PLAN N.T.S.

wetlands cattails, skunk cabbage, fern species, etc. pine-oak forest white pine, red oak, maple understory level: white pine, red oak, and maple saplings, viburnum species, low-bush blueberry, etc. herbaceous perennials: fern species, wild geranium, Virginia creeper, Solomon’s seal, etc. groundcovers: partridgeberry, barren strawberry, mayflower, etc

Surrounding native plant communities differ significantly from the chosen, and often struggling, species in managed areas. When choosing more suitable species, it will be beneficial to consider the native species already flourishing on site. wild geranium photos taken on site

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

INTERMEDIATE AREAS (areas of light management)

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

mature forest trees

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

mixed landscape species

EXISTING VEGETATION

mown lawn

HILDRETH HILLS

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

EXISTING VEGETATION

RESIDENTIAL AREAS mown lawn non-native grass species managed landscape species shrubs: rhododendron, arborvitae, mountain laurel, yew, euonymus, etc. trees: white oak, maple, cherry flowering annuals and perennials woodland courtyards rhododendron, red oaks, white pines, maples, Canada mayflower, etc

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judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

SOILS The soils of the residential areas are Paxton fine sandy loam which is found on glacial till uplands or drumlins like Sparks Hill. A variation of this soil type, Paxton urban land complex, is found only in the Monadnock neighborhood and is the result of the compaction and disturbance of development. Disturbed soils may be more compacted and lower in nutrients, requiring additional amendments to support proper plant growth and drainage.

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

SOILS

❻ ❺ ❼

NATURE TRAIL

Paxton fine sandy loam is typically acidic to highly acidic. Soil tests on the site reveal that the soils are moderately acidic with a pH of 4.6 - 6.8. Most lawn grasses grow best in soils with a pH of 6.5 - 7.0 and therefore are not suited to the average soils on site. The lawn areas are currently treated with lime to reduce the pH as well as other chemical additives to improve the appearance of the lawn.

SOILS

The soil layers are sandy, rocky, and well-draining in the surface soil and subsoil, but have slow permeability in the substratum. The National Resources Conservation Service defines Paxton fine sandy loam as being suited to trees, woodland wildlife habitats, and unforested wildlife habitat.

❶ Canada mayflower

❸

❹

❻ fern

paxton fine sandy loam paxton urban land complex nature trail

❺ haircap moss ❷ paper birch

❹ partridgeberry ❸ mapleleaf viburnum

WOODLAND VEGETATION The vegetation growing in the woodlands along the nature trail on site are indications of what plants grow well naturally in the existing soils and will inform the plant palette. At left are photos of native plant species found growing along the nature trail (in areas with Paxton soils.) These plants do well here in the sandy, acidic soils, and if planted in the residential areas should require less water and fertilizer than plants less suited to the existing conditions like the European pasture grasses that

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

❼ geranium

HILDRETH HILLS

❶ ❷

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❶ parkhurst townhouses and garages

❸

50’ wetland buffer open water

❷

wooded slope

monadnock ❷ wooded slope

townhouses and garages

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

wetland

wooded slope

wooded swamp deciduous shallow marsh meadow or fen

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

❶

HILDRETH HILLS

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NHESP CORE HABITAT

SLOPES + DRAINAGE

The townhouses are sited on the ridge top of Sparks Hill. Rainwater runoff containing particulates from eroded soil, by-products from cars and roads, and hazardous chemicals from landscape practices in the residential areas will affect areas downslope. Impervious surfaces—such as paving and roofs—increase the rate of overland and storm drain runoff which will eventually settle in lower areas and be incorporated into the nearby waterways and wetlands. Many of the lower-lying areas within and adjacent to the site contain wetlands and other sensitive natural habitats that need to be protected from runoff containing fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, chemicals leached from asphalt, and other toxins.

L GE RID

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

SLOPES + DRAINAGE

shrub swamp Bio Map2 core habitat and NHESP habitats of rare wildlife

jimney ❸ townhouses and garages

wooded slope

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(TYPICAL)

SHRUB SWAMP NHESP CORE HABITAT

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

OLD FIELD PINE-OAK FOREST

This variety of habitat types supports many different species of wildlife, including many ecologically sensitive species found in wetland habitats.

WOODED SWAMP

WOODED SWAMP

beaver pond

SHRUB SWAMP

WOODED SWAMP

wild meadow

WILD MEADOW OLD FIELD PINE-OAK FOREST

green frog

barred owl

eastern phoebe

eastern cottontail

pine-oak forest

garter snake

(TYPICAL)

SHALLOW MARSH

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

TOWN OF WESTFORD CONSERVATION LAND

HILDRETH HILLS

(BEAVER

wildlife

WILDLIFE Wildlife species noted on site include: deer, eastern cottontail, turkey, garter snake, red tail hawk, barred owl, Canada geese, frogs, beaver, warblers, and other forest birds.

photos by Emily Durost

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

OPEN WATER

HABITATS Old-field pine-oak forest surrounds the neighborhoods, making up a large portion of the site.

A variety of wetlands, mainly to the northeast, include open water, wooded swamp, shrub swamp, and marsh meadow.

Near the main entrance, a small portion of core habitat, as identified by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, extends onto the site from a large core area across from Hildreth Street.

Eighty acres of land on site are part of a conservation overlay district, and the site abuts town-owned conservation land to the east.

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

WILDLIFE

WOODED SWAMP

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sprinkler on a lawn

Current lawn maintenance practices constitute approximately 70% of the yearly landscape budget ($60,220 out of the $87,610 total for 2013). The single most significant way to reduce the current cost of landscape maintenance is to reconsider lawn materials and maintenance practices.

Insecticide

Herbicides

• Chemical insecticide for controlling grubs, beetles, and other insect species.

• Toxic to invertebrates, fish, birds, and other wildlife species.

• Irritant to eyes, skin, and respiratory system.

• Special product warning: “Do not apply in areas of high water table or where runoff is likely to occur.”

• Nonselective weed control derived from citrus oils.

• Toxic to aquatic organisms.

• Irritant to eyes and skin, toxic if inhaled

• Chemical pre-emergent selective weed control.

• Toxic to aquatic invertebrates and aquatic plant species.

• Irritant to eyes, skin, and respiratory system.

• Can be absorbed through the skin.

• Chemical non-selective weed control.

• Toxic to fish, aquatic invertebrates, birds, and plant species.

• Absorbed by the soil, water soluble.

• Irritant to eyes and skin, toxic if inhaled.

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

pesticide warning sign on the “meadow”

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

Lawn Maintenance • Mowing occurs once a week, with the blade set to two inches: $42,900 per year.

• Some areas are watered either by residents or by the landscape crew to maintain lawn health: $3,300 per year for maintenance of irrigation system.

• Failing or disturbed areas are re-seeded and thatched: $2,470 per year.

• Professionally applied chemical applications are used for PH, fertilization, and insect and weed control (see below for specifics): $11,550 per year.

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

CURRENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

These products specifically warn about their toxicity to aquatic organisms. Due to the location of the site upslope of wetlands, these toxic compounds are likely reaching the sensitive habitat areas via rainwater runoff.

flat-top pruning pattern

wooded courtyard with removed leaf-litter

salt buildup on walkway

Winter Maintenance Walkways and roads are salted and plowed to mitigate snow and ice.

Due to heavy de-icing applications, soil tests show an accumulation of salts, which negatively affects the health of nearby plant life.

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

Tree, Shrub, and Planting Bed Maintenance Pruning of shrubs and small trees varies in style throughout the site: $10,300 per year Fall leaf removal: $9,550 per year Planting beds are hand-weeded biweekly: $415 per year

Soils have become depleted of organic matter because of the removal of leaves, lawn cuttings, and other plant material on site resulting in the added cost of chemical fertilization.

HILDRETH HILLS

Chemical application information from material safety data sheets.

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RESIDENTIAL AREAS The three distinct neighborhoods have similar four-unit structures, but differ in community lay-out, access and circulation, topography, and proximity to wooded areas. Units within each neighborhood also experience different solar aspects, micro-topography, drainage and existing vegetation.

WATER PLANT

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SEMEN

NE EA WERLI

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There is a need for site-specific landscape designs for the areas directly around the townhouses to be implemented by homeowners. A single plant palette will ensure a cohesive look amongst the units and neighborhoods while offering a variety of species and cultivars that will be appropriate for more individual site considerations of sun/shade tolerance, mircrotopography, and drainage as well as homeowners’ individual preferences.

HILDRETH HEIGHTS

COMMUNAL AREAS The Hildreth Hills Club area and the mowed turf “meadow” are largely unused by residents. They are closest to Monadnock residents, but are not connected by walking paths to any of the three neighborhoods.

PARKHURST THE “MEADOW”

JIMNEY

The Hildreth Hills Club occupies a central community area and is an valuable amenity and selling feature. A landscape plan that offers more physical connectivity between the pool, clubhouse, and tennis courts and provides a more inviting setting could increase use of this communal space.

W. TANK

HH CLUB

wooded areas

ecological concern

wild meadow

residential areas

mowed lawn

communal areas

non-applicable

MONADNOCK

EXISTING WOODED LAND The existing wooded areas surrounding the site and within the residential areas provide shade, beauty, and a privacy barrier for residents while also serving as natural habitat for plant and animal species. The woods add to the value and sense of place of Hildreth Hills.

AREAS OF ECOLOGICAL CONCERN In addition to the wooded areas, wetlands and meadows provide natural habitats and perform critical ecological functions. The site contains a variety of wetlands and includes land that is NHESP core habitat near the main entrance. Residential areas sit upslope of these areas and pose environmental health risks because runoff and leaching of landscape chemicals and other toxins could enter these areas and the larger water systems.

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

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westford, massachusetts spring 2013

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THE CONWAY SCHOOL

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SUMMARY ANALYSIS

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HILDRETH HILLS

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

SUMMARY ANALYSIS

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The following design plans for the three neighborhoods reflect their individual settings and character, but many design suggestions can be used in residential and public spaces throughout the site depending on site conditions.

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

While Parkhurst, Monadnock, and Jimney share the same architecture and similar site conditions (i.e., soil type, drainage) each neighborhood varies in building layout, access and circulation, and proximity to wooded areas.

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

THE "MEADOW"

❸ ❷

All designs were created with the clients’ goals in mind: Reduced Costs The new landscape should, over time, require less maintenance than the existing one. Decreased pruning, less lawn, energy-efficient lighting, and site-tolerant native plants with reduced need for irrigation, fertilizer, and other landscape treatments means lower landscape maintenance bills.

Improved Curb Appeal The new designs are inspired by the woodland setting that makes Hildreth Hills such a beautiful site. The plant palette, which recommends native species that should grow well and stay healthy, helps to create a cohesive look across the individually owned units.

❶ PARKHURST

shady, wooded, secluded, perched upslope of a beaver pond

❷ MONADNOCK

centrally located, shared back lawns, wooded “courtyards” between garages

❸ JIMNEY

cul-de-sacs, sunny, open front lawns stretch to road front

Increased Safety New energy-efficient lighting fixtures will improve visibility by focusing light where it is needed, and only when it is needed. New walkway materials will provide a level, stable surface for increased mobility. Improved lighting and walkways can also increase curb appeal by using cohesive, attractive fixtures and materials.

Increased Sustainability Reduced maintenance, less lawn, use of native plants, energy-efficient lighting, reduced need for irrigation, and no chemical applications will create a more sustainable human and wildlife-friendly landscape.

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

The planting plans (within design plans and on sheet 24) provide layout direction and suggest plants from the palette while considering physical characteristics (i.e., plant type, shape, height, texture, color.)

HILDRETH HILLS

❶

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

The plant palette is a guide for choosing vegetation that will grow well in sitespecific conditions (i.e., sun exposure, drainage, soil type).

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4-UNIT TOWNHOUSE

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LK WA

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DESIGN: “INTO THE WOODS” This design embraces the woodland setting by bringing the wooded edge closer to the townhouses. The wooded park is planted with understory trees near the townhouses, and woodland shrubs, ferns, and groundcovers planted in the shady expanse beneath the canopy. Low walls and casual groupings of rocks are placed throughout the landscape, adding structure and visual interest with available, on-site materials.

GARAGE

UNDERSTORY TREE

FERNS

ROCKS

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

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HILDRETH HILLS

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Low mow Pennsylvania sedge fills the lawn space between the sidewalk and the homes. Ferns, groundcovers, and broad-leaf evergreens frame the foundation and echo the vegetation in the wooded park and the forest beyond.

PARKHURST

MOSSY WOODLAND FLOOR

THE SETTING Currently, in the Parkhurst neighborhood, townhouses are separated from the road and detached garages by a shady, wooded park with sparse under-plantings and some patchy lawn areas closer to the townhouses.

Nearer to the housefronts, and framed by the sidewalk, there is more lawn space followed by foundation plantings. The road continues behind the homes, for attached garage access; a wooded slope borders the road to the east.

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

BASEMENT-LEVEL GARAGES

R PA

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

PARKHURST

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

BROADLEAF EVERGREEN SHRUB

SEDGE OR LOW MOW LAWN SHRUB AND GROUNDCOVER

SKETCH PERSPECTIVE

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K

DESIGN: “PRIVATE SPACES” This design creates a separation between the front yards and the walkway with low mounds of herbaceous perennials inter-planted with open-form, dwarf trees. Placing low vegetation along the walkways to provide a sense of separation from private front yards and public walkways without blocking views from the home into the courtyard. The front lawn is replaced with a low-mow lawn mix and no mow groundcovers.

AY W E

GARAGE IV

4-UNIT TOWNHOUSE

DR

GARAGE

UNDERSTORY OR DWARF TREE

FERNS

BROADLEAF EVERGREEN SHRUB ROCKS

The wooded courtyards, like the wooded parks in Monadnock, are planted with drifts of ferns, woodland groundcover and understory shrubs set amongst low rock walls—of which some have already been constructed by homeowners. Choose plants from the palette that tolerate dry, shady conditions (see planting plan for "Wooded Parks," sheet#) so that the plants will need less care and can spread out, filling in the shaded ground beneath the existing red oaks and white pines.

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

GARAGE

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

THE SETTING The townhouses are connected via paved walking paths and share grassy backyards. Detached garages frame wooded “courtyards” that separate the townhouses from the road. Much of the existing lawn is patchy; foundation plantings are overgrown or unhealthy; many wooded courtyards are devoid of understory plantings

N D AD RI N VE O C

MONADNOCK

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THE CONWAY SCHOOL

M

GARAGE

HILDRETH HILLS

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

MONADNOCK

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

GARAGE

EVERGREEN NO MOW GROUNDCOVER LOW SHRUBS

SEDGE OR LOW-MOW LAWN FORBS SKETCH PERSPECTIVE

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GARAGE

4-UNIT TOWNHOUSE

Medium-height trees planted inside of the berm or along the road will soon provide shade and increase the woodland feeling that Hildreth Hills residents enjoy.

BASEMENT-LEVEL GARAGES

UNDERSTORY OR MEDIUM TREE LOW SHRUBS

FERNS SALT-TOLERANT MEDIUM SHRUB

The yard space adjacent to the unit entrances, between the houses and the sidewalk, are planted with groundcovers or other native lawn alternatives, and foundation plantings feature low shrubs and clumping (non-spreading) ferns.

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

GARAGE

JIMNEY

DESIGN: “A ROOM AND A VIEW” This design creates a private front “room” by enclosing the front yard along the road with a planted berm. In addition to a visual barrier, the berm acts as a physical barrier between the front yard and the road salt that currently encroaches on the lawn when roads are plowed. On top of the berm, a salttolerant, informal hedge, under-planted with groundcover, replaces some of the large expanse of lawn.

HILDRETH HILLS

JIMNEY DRIVE

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

THE SETTING The townhouses in Jimney are laid out in a cul-de-sac arrangement with larger front yards that stretch to the road front. There is a lot of highmaintenance lawn space, fewer trees, and less shade than the other two neighborhoods. There are no wooded park-like areas in Jimney, but there are shared backyards that abut surrounding woodlands.

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

JIMNEY

GARAGE

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

EVERGREEN GROUNDCOVER

FORBS AND GROUNDCOVER LOW-MOUND SHRUB SEDGE OR LOW-MOW LAWN

SKETCH PERSPECTIVE

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clockwise from left: bollard pathway light (www.hadco. com), Wall Forms® wall mount light and RDI Radius wall mount light (www.hubbelloutdoor.com)

RECOMMENDATIONS More energy efficient and architecturally appropriate lighting options are available and can provide a more cost-effective and visually appealing lighting system. Below are some important features to consider when choosing a new lighting system and fixtures: LED (light-emitting diode) fixtures Low-voltage, energy-efficient LEDs are more expensive than fluorescent or incandescent bulbs, but have a longer life, reducing both energy use and replacement costs. These lights should be spaced to provide adequate and consistent light on the ground.

LIGHTING PATHWAYS

The proposed design (right) utilizes shorter, bollard-style lights to illuminate pathways. By directing light toward walking surfaces with cut-off shades, this lighting scheme increases safety and decreases light pollution near the townhouses.

existing lighting

new led fixtures can provide energy-efficient lighting with a more modern look

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

LIGHTING DESIGNS

existing “colonial” style conventional lighting fixtures are dated and don't meet current energysaving standards.

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

EXISTING LIGHTING Lighting is a safety concern for all residential, communal, and maintenance areas on site. The current colonial-style "lantern" lighting fixtures are dated and do not reflect the modern style of the townhouse architecture.

Pole-mounted light fixtures line walking paths; they do not direct the light where it is needed (pathways) and many fixtures are worn and in disrepair. Differing wall-mounted fixtures are found on homes and garages throughout the site and vary in style and effectiveness.

timers and motion sensors Lighting controlled by timers reduces energy consumption by limiting the amount of time lights are turned on. Motion sensors only turn lights on when an intruder or visitor are detected.

proposed lighting

dark sky compliant “The mission of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting.” (www.darksky.org) Guidelines include: • permit reasonable uses of outdoor lighting for nighttime safety,

utility and recreation, while preserving the ambiance of the night • minimize glare and mis-directed light • conserve energy and resources to the greatest extent possible • help protect the natural environment from the damaging effects of night lighting

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

cut-off lighting + louvered lamps Directing light only where it is needed avoids energy waste and light pollution.

Cut-off lighting that concentrates and directs light towards an intended area.

Louvered lighting has layered cutoffs that further direct and concentrate light.

HILDRETH HILLS

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

LIGHTING DESIGN

15

brick pavers

Asphalt is an aggregate of crushed rock and crude oil that creates an impervious, monolithic surface that is smooth until it cracks and heaves from freezing and thawing. Asphalt is used on the site for roads, driveways, and [in Monadnock] some walking paths. It is a cheap material, but requires significant repair and replacement over time and is not an environmentally sustainable product.

Colonial-style red brick pavers were the original pavement material when Hildreth Hills’ sidewalks were first laid out, and many of them remain today.

Clay bricks are slippery when wet and icy and require re-setting as they shift over time, but they are a reusable, permeable (at the un-mortared joints), nontoxic material. New pavers would benefit from a more stable base course than the existing sand as well as sturdier edging material.

proposed walkways

RECOMMENDATIONS Safe, level walking surfaces are the first concern when considering new walkways. Alternative materials that are sustainably sourced, allow for more permeability, and complement the desired aesthetics of the site are worth consideration when selecting pathway materials. Below are some options that reflect these considerations: unit pavers Frost heave is an issue in colder climates; monolithic surfaces like poured asphalt and concrete will eventually heave and crack, but pavers set in a permeable base course have more flexibility and can be re-set when necessary. By replacing the current colonial-style, red brick pavers with a more visually appealing and appropriate material with sturdier edging and substratum materials, a more resilient and cost-effective walkway system can be established—one that stays in place longer, requiring less repair and maintenance over time. urbanite Made of recycled concrete pieces, urbanite has low production energy and is a lowcost material to source. It has a look similar to flagstone and can be stained for a desired color effect.

recycled pavers Pavers made from recycled materials (seen here on Harvard campus) are set on a grid of stone dust, which provides more stability and durability than the existing brick pathways set in sand. This unit paving allows for water infiltration at joints and the light color reduces heat absorption in the summer. www.uos.harvard.edu

pervious pavement Pervious asphalt and concrete are porous hard surfaces that allow water to permeate through the surface which reduces the overland runoff during a storm and allows any toxic runoff to be filtered by the soil. However, pervious asphalt and concrete, like their impervious counterparts, are energy-intensive to produce and will eventually heave and crack, requiring patching or replacement. Still, these surfacing materials are less-expensive alternatives to unit paving and can be an improvement over the conventional, impervious options. Pervious pavement is worth considering when replacing driveways and parking lots on site.

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

asphalt

EXISTING WALKWAYS Walkways connect units to garages, and streets. Most of the existing walkways are made of brick pavers set in sand and held in place at the edges with “soldier” bricks layed on their sides. These pathways have a tendency to become unsettled (and unsafe for pedestrians) and require frequent maintenance and re-setting. In Monadnock, some of the walking paths are made of asphalt, which is less permeable than brick and creates a visual disruption between the alternating surface materials. Bricks are especially slippery when wet or icy, and all walkways are currently plowed and salted in the winter, requiring a durable and salt-tolerant surface material (or an alternative de-icing solution, see "Best Management Practices," sheet 21.)

WALKWAY DESIGNS

existing walkways halt

HILDRETH HILLS

WALKWAY DESIGN

16

The suggested plants should do well without additional watering or fertilization once established. Broadleaf evergreens such as rhododendrons, mountain laurel, and azaleas will grow in shaded areas with acidic soil and require only minimal pruning. Taking design cues and plant materials from the woods of New England, these park areas will become an ode to the surrounding woodlands.

proposed

rhododendron

wood fern

Canada mayflower

wild geranium

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

WOODED PARKS

Canada anemone

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

existing

The design (below left) shows native plants that are suited to the sandy, acidic soil and shady conditions filling the understory of the existing red oaks and white pines. Struggling lawn patches are removed and replaced with mulch or groundcover plants. Stone walls may be constructed from on-site materials to add structure and visual interest that echoes the site’s agricultural past.

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

foam flower

Wooded, park-like areas are a unique character of Hildreth Hills, providing shade and a woodland setting around the townhouses. These wooded parks are heavily maintained with brush and leaf-litter removed, and in some areas grass is planted, but struggling. These practices increase the cost of maintenance and deplete the soil of nutrients.

DESIGN DIRECTION

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

WOODED PARKS

HILDRETH HILLS

DESIGN DIRECTION

17

existing

inkberry holly

The proposed design (below) increases the size of the beds and uses larger shrubs such as northern bayberry that are more in scale with the open surroundings. Boulders—sourced from on site— repeat the theme of stone walls seen throughout the site. Perennial groundcovers and ferns fill in areas around shrubs and boulders.

White birches are planted in the “Meadow”—an existing mowed field—that sits just beyond the Parkhurst Road bed (at left in images) to create a more wooded feel in the unused expanse of lawn. As the trees grow and shade out the lawn, more woodland perennials like Allegheny foam flower and Canada anemone, ferns, and shadetolerant shrubs can be grown in the understory. (See detailed planting plans on sheet 25.)

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

paper birch

FOUR CORNERS

northern bayberry

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

Four Corners—the intersection of Monadnock and Parkhurst Drives— is a highly visible central node in Hildreth Hills. The existing corner beds are planted with a few shrubs and covered in a layer of mulch.

A utility box in the bed nearest the Monadnock loop (at right in the image below left) is camouflaged with a mottled green finish.

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

HILDRETH HILLS

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

FOUR CORNERS

DESIGN DIRECTION

DESIGN DIRECTION

proposed

18

proposed

mountain laurel

highbush blueberry

bracken fern

fothergilla major

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

MAIN DRIVE

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

This design replaces the maintenance-heavy lawn with a more varied palette of ferns and shrubs that decrease in height as they near the road to keep an open feeling and preserve sight lines. Masses of ferns are planted in the area nearest the road and gradually replace the existing lawn. Ferns provide a low, green border along the road and can be mowed annually to prevent woody growth. Replacing the unused lawn border with a diversified mix of native species creates a more interesting main drive, provides more habitat for local wildlife, and decreases costly maintenance.

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

existing

The main drive (along Monadnock Drive) begins at Hildreth Hill’s main entrance and runs for about 1,900 feet until arriving at the junction at Four Corners. This main drive is bordered on both sides by wide swaths of lawn that stretch to the wooded edge. On average, the mowed border is about 20 feet wide—a significant area of lawn to be mowed, fertilized, and irrigated (approximately 1.8 acres). As the lawn approaches the wooded edge, grass is shaded out and replaced by understory shrubs and aggressive species like Asian bittersweet and poison ivy.

DESIGN DIRECTION

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

MAIN DRIVE

HILDRETH HILLS

DESIGN DIRECTION

19

❹

❹ ❶

❾

❻

❶ ❸ ❶

❷ ❹

❺

The new design features a series of pathways that link all of the amenities on the club house site—including the new "bowling green" that replaces the unused lower tennis court and provides a flat surface for lawn sports and other outdoor activities. As lawn space is reduced elsewhere on site, the "bowling green" can become a central gathering place when an open, turf surface is needed. Trees are planted along the east driveway to frame part of the bowling green and shade the parking lot. White birch trees extend the wooded edge to the bowling green forming a birch grove under-planted with ferns and sedges.

The deck is connected to the pool entrance by a curving path edged with low shrubs and perennials—maintaining visibility between the clubhouse deck and the pool. Taller shrubs border the west end of the pool path where it meets the driveway, enclosing the pool area and obscuring an electrical utility box. The path also connects the deck with tennis court and loops around the bowling green, and along the birch grove, providing a walkable circuit around the club site. Park benches line the path, allowing residents to take a break from their activities or to watch a game of tennis or bocce.

1 medium-height deciduous tree:

showy mountain ash, hop hornbeam 2 tall, open-form shrubs:

azalea, lowbush blueberry, 3 lawn alternative:

low-mow mix 4 prostrate or mounding woodland shrubs:

azalea, lowbush blueberry 5 successional forest edge trees:

white or gray birch

6 shade-tolerant lawn alternative:

Pennsylvania sedge 7 medium-height shrubs:

maple-leaf viburnum, Virginia sweetspire 8 spreading ferns:

hay scented fern, bracken fern 9 tall, evergreen shrubs:

mountain laurel, rhododendron sensitive fern

azalea

showy mountain ash

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

THE HH CLUB

❹

Some residents feel that the club amenities are not well connected to one another, that space is uninviting, and that the current landscape is unappealing. Improved connectivity between the pool, clubhouse, and tennis courts, an up-dated planting palette, and a re-purposing of one of the under-used tennis courts (which is need of costly repair) could improve the function and feel of this space.

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

❼

❹

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

The Hildreth Hills Club is the central communal gathering space for residents. It includes a swimming pool and two tennis courts in addition to the clubhouse building which is used as an event space and meeting hall.

These amenities may be attractive to potential buyers, but are not often used by residents.

DESIGN DIRECTION

THE HILDRETH HILLS CLUB

❽

HILDRETH HILLS

DESIGN DIRECTION

20

• Mulch can be sourced on site by chipping the leaves raked up in fall, mower clippings, and brush trimmings or it can be purchased commercially. Commercial mulch materials range from tree chips, shredded bark, pine needles or leaves to straw, nutshells, and compost. Inorganic mulches, such as gravel, ground rubber, and tumbled glass, do not improve soil qualities and may even damage or pollute soils.

• As mulch breaks down into the soil, improving the nutrient levels, the mulch layer becomes less effective at inhibiting weeds. Mulch should be re-applied every year or so to maintain an ideal thickness of approximately three inches.

When applying mulch, it is important to keep the mulch away from the base of trees and shrubs to avoid rot damage to the bark. vegetation control A variety of non-traditional weed control methods are available. Non-toxic horticultural vinegar applications may be used in place of a non-selective herbicide and corn gluten meal can replace a pre-emergent herbicide to reduce weed seedlings.

For larger scaled vegetation removal, herded animals such as goats, sheep, and geese can be hired. Grazers such as sheep and geese will tend to eat vegetation on the ground, while browsers such as goats will be less selective, often eliminating all vegetation, including shrubs and young trees. As a result, grazers may be seen as an alternative to mowing whereas browsers may help with land clearing of woody species.

FORM PRUNING

de-icing alternatives According to on-site soil tests, the current salt products have been accumulating in the surrounding soils. The increased salinity has been negatively affecting lawn and other plantings. For winter-safe walkways that are not ecologically harmful, a host of biodegradable molasses based de-icing products are available for residential and municipal use. Molasses based de-icers are effective on surfaces down to -38˚ F, and unlike salt and potassium based de-icers, they do not corrode or cause build-up on surfaces and they safely degrade with no noticeable effects on soils or waterways. water conservation While native plant species suited to the site’s sandy hilltop conditions will require less water than traditional landscape species, rainwater catchment can reduce costs associated with landscape watering. Small scale rain barrels connected with building gutters can capture water for use in the landscape. Catchment systems are commercially available in a number of attractive styles for residential use. During drier summer months, when water becomes less available to plants, a supply of collected rainwater will keep plants healthy and attractive without increasing municipal water use.

RAIN BARREL

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

• Mulching is an easy, affordable solution to degraded soil. In addition to improving the appearance of planting beds, mulch serves a number of functions such as increasing water retention, insulating root systems from temperature fluctuations, impeding weeds, and reducing soil erosion. Unlike soil amendments that need to be mixed into soils, mulch is applied to the surface and requires no digging or tilling.

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

soil building • Healthy soil hosts a variety of beneficial fungal, microbial, and invertebrate species. When soils lose these organisms, nutrient levels become depleted, organic matter disappears, and water retention suffers. As a result, plants in these soils tend to struggle and experience higher instance of pest and disease problems.

pruning practices Opening a clear line of communication with the landscaping crew can help prevent dissatisfaction with inconsistent styles and the over-pruning of shrubs. Choosing shrubs and trees with a determinate height will reduce the frequency of necessary pruning.

For a more natural but maintained look, a rounded shape with plenty of open space in the interior is recommended. This shape will promote air circulation within the interior of the plant, preventing damp related health problems such as blight, fungal infections, and rot.

BEST MGMT. PRACTICES

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

HILDRETH HILLS

Native plants chosen for the site’s specific conditions, low-growing lawn alternative grasses, and determinate height tree and shrub species (which will naturally stop growing at a certain height), will all require less attention than their traditional counterparts. To achieve good landscape health and a managed appearance, some maintenance practices will still be necessary. Considering cost, appearance, and ecological sustainability, the following management practices are recommended.

21

1 Shared driveways, providing access to four garages, form extensive patches of impermeable surface that direct fast-moving paths of water downslope toward the townhouses and eventually to the wetlands further below 2 Storm drains simply pipe runoff (often contaminated with lawn chemicals, road salt, and other toxins) further downslope and directly into waterways without treatment.

3 Some attempts have been made to intercept and slow driveway runoff with a planted bed; a drain in the front yard receives some of the runoff; the soil is being eroded, and the lawn is struggling.

③

④

A REDUCE IMPERVIOUS SURFACES ON DRIVEWAY

4 Adjacent to the stairway, a gravel-lined and mulched bed attempts to slow the driveway run-off; road salt deposits are evident on the asphalt. Rocks line the top of the planted bed seen in photo 3.

B OVERLAND SWALES ARE ROCKY AND PLANTED TO

RAIN GARDENS

INFILTRATE WATER

C CREATE RAIN GARDENS AROUND STORM WATER DRAINS TO INFILTRATE AND TREAT RUNOFF

D CREATE RAIN GARDENS FURTHER DOWN SLOPE TO CLEAN AND INFILTRATE ABOVE AND BELOW GROUND RUNOFF

A

B

C D

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

existing below ground storm drains

Rain gardens detain water, allowing it to slowly permeate through the ground, reducing overland runoff and allowing contaminated water to be filtered by the soil. Overland runoff is directed toward a depression in the ground planted with water-loving plants. Rain gardens fill up during heavy storms and dry out as water is infiltrated. These may be especially useful above wooded slopes to protect run-off from entering directly into wetlands; at the bottom of driveways that slope towards houses (as shown in diagram at left) and in areas where there is visible damage from water runoff erosion.

The diagram, at left, demonstrates ways of directing, retaining, and infiltrating runoff with increased permeable surface area, rocky swales, and rain gardens. These water management systems utilize plants, rocks, and other natural materials to help prevent erosion and filter contaminated runoff.

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

The images at left show areas in the Monadnock neighborhood that experience adverse effects from rainwater runoff:

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

Impermeable surfaces such as asphalt road, driveway, and walkway paving increase the rate of overland and storm drain runoff. This can create paths of erosion, and the excess flow that is not infiltrate by the soil will eventually settle in lower areas and be incorporated into the surrounding watershed.

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

OVERLAND RUNOFF

WATER MANAGEMENT

WASTES"

②

①

WATER MANAGEMENT

M

HILDRETH HILLS

DU

AINS TO WA R T "D

"NO

NG PI

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

E

YS" A RW

22

Most American lawns consist of cool-season European pasture grasses that require constant care and watering to endure in the foreign soils of New England, especially during the hot summer season when they are supposed to go dormant. There are a number of attractive, costeffective, and more sustainable alternatives to the traditional lawn:

perennial groundcover

ferns

Native groundcovers such as partridgeberry, bearberry (above) and Canada mayflower can be a visually interesting alternative to monotonous lawns. These plants are shade-tolerant and form dense coverings that suppress weeds and require very little

Some ferns, such as bracken and hay-scented (above), spread to form large patches that can replace a lawn in areas where this is desired.

These ferns tolerate a variety of soil conditions and can be mowed once a year in the fall to prevent woody growth.

moss + rocks

wood mulch

Moss is a beautiful and subtle groundcover that thrives in damp or shady locations in acidic soil. Using the rocks on site and encouraging moss growth in wooded areas will add to the woodland look.

Well-aged, untreated, and un-dyed wood mulch suppresses weeds, retains moisture, regulates soil temperatures and builds soil health as it further decomposes. It can also provide an intermediate ground covering while establishing groundcover plants.

reduce the lawn Bring the wooded edge closer to the townhouses to decrease the need for lawn care in unused yard spaces—the edge can be planted with understory shrubs or a wild flower mix to keep an open feel and not be closed in by tall trees. Increase mulched areas and groundcover in shady areas under trees where grass has difficulty growing. change approach Mow less frequently to reduce mowing costs by half, and keep grass clippings on the lawn as a free source of natural fertilizer that builds soil health. These suggestions might require a shift in the perception of what a lawn is supposed to look like, and be different from a maintenance contractor's routine practice, but ultimately residents should be able to appreciate the value of a lower cost and healthy looking landscape with a lower impact on the environment. change the lawn Another approach is changing the existing European grass lawn to a lawn planted with native grasses or sedges. The examples at left include native species that should grow well in conditions found on the site and require infrequent or no mowing. It is possible to overseed no/low mow grass seed over an existing lawn in the fall, and it should establish itself over the next few years.

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

This native sedge spreads via stolons (aboveground runners) and is a shade-tolerant groundcover that forms soft “grassy” mounds.

It can be mowed two to three times a year for lawn-like effect, is drought-tolerant in shade, and will grow in sandy, slightly acidic soils.

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

A mix of slow-growing, native fine fescues (cool-season grasses) that forms a dense sod that requires infrequent mowing, grows in sun or part shade, and tolerates sandy, acidic soils.

Fescues also resist most turf diseases and are less susceptible to weeds. (prairienursery.com)

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

Pennsylvania sedge

LAWN ALTERNATIVES

low-mow grass

Lawns have become the defining feature of the American yard, and an expanse of grass can be a useful play area. Traditional turf lawns, however, are an expensive, energy-intensive landscape feature that requires irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides and frequent mowing to achieve the intended look. At Hildreth Hills, there is little need for recreational lawns, and despite the amount of maintenance and time spent caring for these areas, a lush green lawn has not been achieved in many places on the site because sandy, acidic soil and dry shade are not the desired growing conditions for conventional lawn grasses.

HILDRETH HILLS

LAWN ALTERNATIVES

23

part shade/ part sun

PARKHURST part shade/ part sun

part sun

part shade/ part sun

sun/ part sun

JIMNEY

part shade/ shade

part sun

part shade/ part sun

This is a diagram of the amount of sun and shade different building clusters receive based on their forest cover. This will determine the type of sun and shade tolerant plants that will survive and thrive in these locations.

MONADNOCK

drainage and moisture • Overall, sandy soil composition and upslope positioning creates well to excessively well drained soils on site. Plants evolved for drier habitats will require less water and maintenance to look beautiful and healthy.

• Jimney is downslope and closer to streams and wetlands so there may be wetter soil conditions.

natural open meadow

natural woodland

Micro-conditions will vary from house to house and even within areas of one yard. Please observe individual conditions carefully before planting.

All units will have full shade on their north-facing sides.

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

shade

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

sun • Due to the orientation of the house fronts and abundance of mature trees on site, most areas do not receive full sun, and would support shade tolerant plants best.

• Areas in Jimney have fewer mature trees and receive more direct sun. Plants evolved for open meadows and higher sun conditions should perform best in these conditions.

• Some areas in Parkhurst and on the west side of Monadnock may receive very little direct sun and should choose shade loving plants that would naturally be found in shaded woodland habitats.

PLANTING CONSIDERATIONS

Knowing the conditions of a chosen planting area is an important first step in choosing proper plant materials. Many plant species will thrive best in specific light, drainage, and moisture conditions.

HILDRETH HILLS

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

PLANTING CONSIDERATIONS

24

①

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

1 spreading, dry-tolerant ferns:

hay-scented fern, bracken fern 2 low to medium, shade-tolerant shrubs:

highbush blueberry, St. John's wort 3 taller, under-story woodland shrubs:

fothergilla major, mountain laurel

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

MAIN DRIVE

②

②

④

WOODED PARKS

①

⑦

1 broadleaf evergreen, woodland shrubs:

inkberry holly, azalea 2 prostrate or mounding woodland shrubs:

dwarf fothergilla, lowbush blueberry, 3 taller, understory woodland shrubs:

mountain laurel, rhododendron 4 spreading woodland groundcovers:

Canada mayflower, bearberry 5 woodland perennials:

foam flower, Canada anemone 6 clumping ferns:

maiden hair fern, Christmas fern

⑤ ②

⑤⑥

FOUR CORNERS 1 trees: paper or river birch 2 tall-shrub: northern bayberry 3 medium-height broadleaf evergreens: rhododendron, inkberry holly 4 prostrate or low mounding shrubs: azalea, lowbush blueberry 5 + 6 clumping ferns: Christmas fern, autumn fern 7 groundcover: bearberry, moss phlox

③

②

③

⑤⑥ ④

④

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

①

PLANTING PLANS

③

HILDRETH HILLS

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

PLANTING PLANS

⑥ ⑦

25

Christmas fern

pink shell azalea

sweetfern

thread-leaved tickseed

wild geranium

pink turtlehead

Canada anemone

sundrop

blunt-lobed woodsia

mountain laurel

bayberry

white birch

pagoda dogwood

showy mountain ash

TREES

black-eyed susan

hop hornbeam

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

barren strawberry

partridgeberry

bracken fern

false dragonhead

FORBS

PLANT PALETTE

wild ginger

wood sedge

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

SHRUBS

little bluestem

HILDRETH HILLS

bearberry

hay-scented fern

images from New England Wildflower Society gobotony.newenglandwild.org

emory’s sedge

FERNS

GROUNDCOVER

Pennsylvania sedge

GRASSES

PLANT PALETTE

white wood aster

26

d - dry

ps - part sun

mw - moderately well

dr - droughty

psh - part shade

w - well

avg - average

sh - shade

ex - excessive

m - moist w - wet

Type

Botanical Name

Common Name

Sun

Height

Flower/Foliage

Drainage

Moisture

Notes

Sedges and Grass

Carex amphibola

Eastern Narrow-leaved Sedge

ps/sh

< 1’

bright green

mw

w-dr

blooms in april

Sedges and Grass

Carex appalachica

Appalachian Sedge

ps/sh

< 1’

bright green

mw

m-dr

blooms in april

Sedges and Grass

Carex eburnea

Bristleleaf Sedge

ps/sh

< 1’

dark green

mw

m-dr

blooms in april

Sedges and Grass

Carex emori

Emory’s Sedge

s/sh

2’

bright green

p-mw

w-m

Sedges and Grass

Carex flaccosperma

Blue Wood Sedge

ps/sh

1’

blue/green

mw

m-dr

blooms in april

Sedges and Grass

Carex pensylvanica

Pennsylvania Sedge

ps/sh

8-10”

bright green

mw

m-dr

smaller grass choice for dry shade and front border/bed

Sedges and Grass

Carex plantaginea

Seersucker Sedge

ps/sh

< 1’

bright green

mw

m-dr

blooms in april

Sedges and Grass

Carex platyphylla

Broad-leaved Sedge

ps/sh

< 1’

dark/glossy

mw

m-dr

blooms in april

Sedges and Grass

Carex stricta

Tussock Sedge

s/sh

2-3’

dark green

p-mw

w-m

Sedges and Grass

Hierochloe ororata

Sweetgrass

s

24”

glossy green

mw-w

m-avg

Sedges and Grass

Schizachyrium scoparium

Little Bluestem

s

36”

blue/green

w

dr-m

Sedges and Grass

Sorghastrum nutans

Indian Grass

s/ps

36-72”

blue/green

p-mw

dr-m

Thrives in poor soils, turns coppery orange in fall

Sedges and Grass

Sporobolus heterolepsis

Prairie Dropseed

s

36”

glossy green

w

dr-avg

turns yellow to orange in fall

Ground Cover

Amphicarpaea bracteata

American Hog Peanut

s/psh

6- 12”

purple/white

w-p

avg-w

nitrogen fixer; blooms August to September

Ground Cover

Aralia nudicaulis

Wild Sarsaparilla

psh/sh

8-24”

white

mw-ex

avg-d

prefers sandy acidic soils

Ground Cover

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Bearberry

s/lt sh

3-8”

light pink

w-ex

avg-dr

shrub/ trailing shallow-root branches; infertile/ loamy sands

Ground Cover

Asarum canadense

Wild Ginger

sh/ps

6-10”

glossy green

m-ex

m-dr

shiny leaves; rounded habit; moderate spreader

Ground Cover

Coptis trifolia

Three-leaved Goldthread

ps/sh

3-6”

white

p-w

m-avg

early spring ephemeral

Ground Cover

Dicentra canadensis

Squirrel Corn

ps

5”

white

m

m

Flowers are heart shaped

Ground Cover

Epigaea repens

Trailing Arbutis

s/sh

< 3’

white/pink

w-ex

avg-dr

Ground Cover

Epimedium sp

Barrenwort

ps/sh

6-10”

white/yellow

mw

m-dr

Ground Cover

Gaultheria procumbens

Wintergreen

s/sh

4-6”

white

p-w

w-dr

Ground Cover

Linnaea borealis

American Twinflower

Ground Cover

Maianthemum canadense

Canada Mayflower

s/sh

3-6”

white

p-mw

m-dr

Ground Cover

Mitchella repens

Partridge-Berry

s/sh

2-5”

white

p-mw

w-dr

Ground Cover

Pachysandra procumbens

Allegheny pachysandra

sh

4-10”

white

avg

m-avg

tolerates short dry spells

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

p - poor

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

s - sun

COMPREHENSIVE PLANT LIST I

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

Moisture

PLANT LIST I

Drainage

HILDRETH HILLS

KEY TO LIST

Sun

pink

quick spreader-dense carpet; perennial dies back in winter

27

Height

Flower/Foliage

Drainage Moisture

Notes

Ground Cover

Sanguinaria canadensis

Bloodroot

ps/sh

6-12”

white

mw

m

bright green foliage/ red in fall

Ground Cover

Sedum spp.

Stonecrop

s

2-8”

white/yellow

mw

dr-avg

good for small spaces

Ground Cover

Tiarella cordifolia

Allegheny Foamflower

sh

12”

white

p-w

m-avg

Ground Cover

Vaccinium angustifolium

Low-Bush Blueberry

s/psh

8-24”

white

w-ex

m-dr

tough, easy, forms tight mats, good for erosion control

Ground Cover

Waldsteinia fragarioides

Barren Strawberry

s/psh

3-6”

yellow

avg

m-dr

fruits not edible; glossy, evergreen, dark green foliage

Fern

Adiantum pedatum

Maidenhair Fern

psh/sh

12-24” blue/green

p-mw

m

graceful ginkgo shaped leaflets

Fern

Athrium felix-femina

Lady Fern

s/sh

24-36” bright green

p-mw

m

adaptable to many conditions

Fern

Dennstaedtia punctilobula

Hay-scented Fern

s/ps

24-30” light green

p-w

d-m

fronds have an ornamental lacy texture

Fern

Dryopteris fili-mas

Male Fern

ps/sh

24-48” light green

p-w

d-m

turns dark yellow in fall

Fern

Dryopteris intermedia

Evergreen Wood Fern

sh

18-36” dark green

p-w

d-m

tough ornamental suited to heavy shade

Fern

Dryopteris marginalis

Marginal Shield Fern

psh/sh

18-30” bright green

p-w

d-m

fairly drought resistant

Fern

Onoclea sensibilis

Sensitive Fern

s/sh

12-36” blue/green

p-mw

m-w

tolerates full sun if soil is wet

Fern

Polystichum acrostihcoides

Christmas Fern

ps/sh

10-20” dark green

p-w

d-m

easy to grow ornamental

Fern

Pterstichum acrostichoides

Bracken Fern

s/sh

18-60” light green

p-w

d-m

thrives in poor soils

Fern

Woodsia obtusa

Blunt-lobed Cliff Fern

ps/sh

5-16”

p-w

d-m

thrives in rocky areas and on rock walls

Fern

Woodwardia areolata

Netted Chain Fern

s/sh

12-24” light green

p-mw

m-w

good naturalizer

Forb

Actaea racemosa

Black Cohosh

ps/sh

24-72” white

avg

m

woodland edge; varying sized cultivars

Forb

Anemone canadensis

Canada Anemone

s/psh

1-2’

white

avg

avg-dr

blooms late May-June

Forb

Apocynum androsaemifolium Spreading Dogbane

s/ps

7-30”

white/pink

w-ex

avg-dr

Forb

Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly Weed

s

12-36” orange red

w-ex

dr-avg

blooms all summer; great butterfly attractor

Forb

Campanula rotundifolia

Harebell

s/psh

8-12”

w

dr-m

rock garden; front of border; woodland edge

Forb

Chelone lyonii

Pink Turtlehead

s/ps

24-36” pink

avg

m

dark green foliage; blooms August

Forb

Chelone glabra

White Turtlehead

s/ps

24-36” white

avg

m-w

dark green foliage; blooms August

Forb

Clintonia borealis

Bluebeard Lily

ps/sh

12”

white

w-p

m

spring bloomer; bead-like berry

Forb

Clintonia umbellulata

Speckled Wood Lily

ps/sh

12”

white

mw-p

avg-dr

spring bloomer; bead-like berry

Forb

Coreopsis verticillata

Threadleaf Tickseed

s

1-2’

yellow

mw

m-dr

blooms in mid-summer

Forb

Delphinium exaltatum

Tall Larkspur

ps

2-6”

purple blue

w

m-dr

very resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits

Forb

Dicentra eximia

Wild Bleeding Heart

ps

12-18” pink

m

m

long-blooming; fern-like foliage; heart-shaped flowers

Forb

Eurybia divaricatus

White Wood Aster

ps/sh

1’

m

m-dr

blooms in September

Forb

Geranium maculatum

Wild Geranium

s/ps

12-18” pink

m

m-dr

early season blooming; use in masses/drifts

Forb

Gaillardia artisata

Blanket Flower

s

12”

w-dr

avg-dr

G. punchella is an annual form

light green

violet-blue

white yellow red

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

Sun

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

Common Name

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

Botanical Name

PLANT LIST II

Type

HILDRETH HILLS

COMPREHENSIVE PLANT LIST II

28

Height

Forb

Heuchera americana

Common Alumroot

ps/psh

Forb

Liatris squarrosa

Northern Blazing Star

Forb

Oenothera fruticosa

Forb

Flower/Foliage

Drainage Moisture

Notes

12-24” cream

w

m-dr

blooms early summer

s

2-3’

purple

m

m-dr

blooms in July

Sundrops

s

1-2’

yellow

avg

m-dr

blooms in June

Penstemon hirsutus

Hairy Beardtongue

s

1-3’

white to purple

m-ex

m-dr

Forb

Physostegia virginiana

False Dragonhead

s/psh

2-3’

white/pink

mw

m-dr

blooms late summer

Forb

Polygonatum biflorum

Solomon’s Seal

ps/sh

12-28” white

m

m

blooms in Spring

Forb

Rudbeckia ful. Var. fulgida

Black-eyed Susan

s

2’

yellow

m

m-dr

blooms in July

Forb

Symphyotrichum cordifolius

Blue Wood Aster

ps/sh

1-2’

blue

m

m-dr

blooms in September

Vine

Lonicera sempervirens

Trumpet Honeysuckle

s/psh

5-10’

red

m

m-w

long-blooming in summer; attracts hummingbirds

Vine

Lonicera dioica

Glaucus Honeysuckle

s/psh

5-10’

yellow

m

m-w

blooms early in season; silver-toned bracts

Shrub

Aronia arbutifolia

Red Chokeberry

s/psh

6-12’

white

p-w

w-dr

compaction resistant; shallow roots

Shrub

Aronia melanocarpa

Black Chokeberry

s/psh

3-6’

white

w-p

w-avg

shallow lateral roots

Shrub

Calycanthus floridus

Sweetshrub

s/sh

4-7’

red

p-ex

m-dr

Shrub

Ceanothus americanus

New Jersey Tea

s/sh

3-6’

white

w-ex

avg-dr

Shrub

Cercis canadensis

Eastern Redbud

s/sh

15-30’ pink

p-w

avg-dr

Shrub

Clethra alnifolia

Summersweet Clethra

s/sh

6-12’

white

p-mw

w-m

compaction resistant; shallow root; forms clumps

Shrub

Comptonia perigrinia

Sweetfern

s/psh

3-4’

dark green

w-ex

avg-dr

poor dry soil

Shrub

Corylus americana

American Hazelnut

psh/sh

6-12’

dark green

m-ex

dr-m

Shrub

Diervilla lonicera

Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle

s

3’

yellow

mw-ex

avg-dr

shallow lateral roots

Shrub

Dirca palustrus

Atlantic Leatherwood

s/psh

3-6’

pale yellow

mw-w

m-avg

shallow lateral roots

Shrub

Fothergilla gardeni

Dwarf Fothergilla

s/psh

3-4’

white

p-w

w-avg

yellow-orange-red fall color

Shrub

Fothergilla major

Large Fothergilla

s/sh

6-12’

white

mw-w

m-avg

compaction resistant; fibrous roots

Shrub

Hamamelis vernalis

Vernal Witchchazel

s/psh

6-12’

yellow-orange

p-mw

w-avg

compaction resistant; fibrous roots

Shrub

Hydrangea arborescens

Smooth Hydrangea

s/sh

3-6’

white

mw-w

m-avg

intermediate compaction resistant; fibrous roots

Shrub

Hydrangea quercifolia

Oakleaf Hydrangea

s/sh

3-6’

green-white

mw-w

m-avg

intermediate compaction resistant; fibrous roots

Shrub

Hypericum frondosum

Golden St. John’s Wort

s

3’

bright yellow

w-ex

avg-dr

shallow lateral roots; round form

Shrub

Hypericum prolificum

Shrubby St. John’s Wort

s

3’

yellow

p-ex

w-dr

compaction resistant; drought resistant

Shrub

Ilex glabra

Inkberry

s/ps

10-12’ white

p-mp

m-w

good for streamsides and areas prone to puddling

Shrub

Itea virginica

Virginia Sweetspire

s/sh

6-12’

white

p-m

w-m

compaction resistant; drought resistant

Shrub

Juniperus horizontalis

Creeping juniper

s

3’

yellow

mw-ex

avg-dr

Shrub

Kalmia latifolia

Mountain Laurel Kalmia

s/sh

12-20’ white/pink

p-w

w-avg

compaction resistant; moderate drought resistant

Shrub

Leucothoe catesbaei

Drooping Leucothoe

s/psh

3-6’

white

p-w

m-avg

broadleaf evergreen

Shrub

Lindera benzoin

Spicebush

s/sh

6-12’

yellow

p-w

m-avg

shallow, rambling lateral roots

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

Sun

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

Common Name

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

Botanical Name

PLANT LIST III

Type

HILDRETH HILLS

COMPREHENSIVE PLANT LIST III

29

Height

Flower/Foliage

Drainage Moisture

Notes

Shrub

Myrica pensylvanica

Northern Bayberry

s/lt sh

3-6’

white

p-ex

w-dr

shallow-deep roots; grows well in a range of soils

Shrub

Physocarpus opulifolius

Common Ninebark

s

6-12’

white

p-ex

w-dr

shallow lateral roots; mound form; fall-yellow-purple

Shrub

Potentilla fruticosa

Bush Cinquefoil

s

3’

yellow or white

p-ex

w-dr

shallow lateral roots

Shrub

Rhododendron canadense

Rhodora

s/ps

2-4’

magenta

p-mw

m-w

blooms in early spring

Shrub

Rhododendron vaseyi

Pink-shell Azalea

ps/psh

5-15’

pink

m-ex

avg-dr

Shrub

Rhus aromatica

Fragrant Sumac

s/psh

3-8’

red

m-ex

m-dr

Shrub

Ribes odoratum

Clove Current

s

6-12’

yellow

w-ex

avg-dr

fairly compaction resistant; drought resistant

Shrub

Rosa virginiana

Virginia Rose

s

2-5’

pink

p-w

avg-dr

blooms early to midsummer

Shrub

Rubrus odoratus

Fragrant Thimbleberry

sh

3-6’

rose purple

mw-ex

m-avg

shallow lateral roots; mound form; purple-red color

Shrub

Vaccinium corymbosum

Highbush Blueberry

s/sh

6’ +

white

p-w

w-dry

yel-orng-red-purple fall color, shallow fibrous

Shrub

Viburnum acerifolia

Mapleleaf Virburnum

ps/sh

3-6’

white

p-ex

dr-m

dark red fall color

Shrub

Viburnum cassinoides

Witherod Viburnum

s/sh

6-12’

white

p-w

avg-w

compaction resistant/intermediate heat resistance

Tree

Acer pensylvanicum

Striped Maple

ps/sh

15-25’ yellow

p-w

m-avg

reddish brown bark is marked with white-ish vertical lines

Tree

Amelanchier canadensis

Eastern Serviceberry

s/ps

10-20’ white

mw-w

dr-m

Tree

Betula nigra

River Birch

s

50-75’ light green

p-mw

w-avg

Tree

Betula papyrifera

White Birch

s

60-70’ light green

p-w

m-avg

Tree

Betula populifolia

Gray Birch

s

35-50’ light green

p-ex

w-dr

compaction resistant; dry areas; shallow roots

Tree

Carya ovata

Shagbark Hickory

s/sh

75100’

p-w

w-dr

compaction resistant; shallow roots

Tree

Magnolia virginiana

Sweetbay Magnolia

s/sh

12-20’ white

p-mw

w-m

compaction resistant; moderate drought resistant

Tree

Ostrya virginiana

Eastern Hop Hornbeam

s/ps

25-40’ yellow catkins

w

dr-m

peeling bark adds interest to winter landscape

Tree

Prunis pensylvanica

Pin Cherry

s/ps

20-40’ white

w

dr-m

ornamental bronze bark

Tree

Sorbus decora

Showy Mountain Ash

ps/sh

20-25’ white

p-w

m-dr

Tree

Swida alternifolia

Pagoda Dogwood

s/ps

15-25’ white

p-w

dr-m

Tree

Quercus ilicifolia

Bear Oak

s/psh

<20’

w-ex

dr-avg

light green

dark green

compaction resistant; shallow roots

horizontal branching pattern gives a layered look

There are many more native plant species suitable to this site.

Please consider that this list may grow with the community’s knowledge.

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

Sun

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

Common Name

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

Botanical Name

PLANT LIST IV

Type

HILDRETH HILLS

COMPREHENSIVE PLANT LIST IV

30

TOTAL $16,600-$18,000

TOTAL $22,800-$25,000

Monadnock (for one four-unit building)

Residential areas are calculated as the spaces between houses and the parallel walkway while common areas are calculated as the space between the walkway and the road. These estimates should be verified by a professional before proceeding with any project purchases and/or installation.

residential area • sedge lawn $5,700 • groundcover @ 2’ O.C. $1,600 • forb @ 2’ O.C. $350 • shrubs - 5 gal. $660 • trees - 1”-1.5” cal. $600-$800 • clearing $300 • soil amendments 3-6” depth $1,200-$1,700 • mulch (on-site) 3” depth $150-$250 • grading/ site prep $500-$550 SUBTOTAL $11,000-$13,000 common area • ferns @ 1’ O.C. $5,500 • shrubs - 5 gal. $750 • mulch (on-site) 3” depth $1,350 SUBTOTAL $7,500-$7,800

TOTAL $18,500-$20,800

lawn conversion The existing lawn areas and current management practices indicate an opportunity to convert upwards of 10 acres of managed lawn to naturalized meadows or lawn alternative. Converting 10 acres of existing managed lawn will require significant site preparation, materials, and implementation.

Installation costs are estimated to be nearly $8,000 per acre, or approximately $80,000 for 10 acres of converted lawn.

Should an individual homeowner wish to install the design on their own budget, costs are based on the specific unit model, amount of residential green space, and neighborhood design. Costs include site preparation , grading, plant materials, and amendments.

Cost could be reduced if the homeowner chooses to use their own labor or install in phases.

savings As noted above, current management expenses for existing managed lawn areas amount to approximately $3,800 per acre. Maintenance expenses for naturalized meadows and lawn alternative, including one mowing per season and monitoring of and treatment for invasive plants, has been estimated to cost $300 per acre. When combined, the total annual savings for landscape maintenance for both the remaining lawn areas (approximately 6 acres) and the natural meadows/lawn alternative (approximately 10 acres) are estimated to be $35,000 per year.

• Parkhurst - $2,100-$4,800 per unit • Monadnock - $1,100-$3,400 per unit • Jimney - $600-$2,800 per unit

Taking into account the installation costs of conversion, these savings would be realized after the third year of implementation.

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

current maintenance expenses Under current management practices (see sheet 9), lawn maintenance—including mowing, seeding, chemical applications, and irrigation—constitutes nearly 70% of the annual maintenance budget or $60,220 per year. Approximately 50% of the landscape maintenance budget is dedicated to mowing.

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

residential area • groundcover @ 2’ O.C. $2,750 • forbs @ 2’ O.C. $1,700 • shrubs 5 gal. $720 • clearing $250 • soil amendments 3-6” depth $1,400-$2,100 • mulch (on-site) 3” depth $580 • grading/site prep $350-$400 SUBTOTAL $7,800-$8,500 common area • groundcover @ 2’ O.C. $7,500 • shrubs - 5 gal. $1,200 • trees - 1”-1.5” cal. $300-$400 • mulch (on-site) 3” depth $1,000 • berm (4’h x 150’l) $5,100 SUBTOTAL $15,000-$16,500

LAWN MAINTENANCE

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

residential area • sedge lawn $7,100 • groundcover @ 2’ O.C. $150 • forb @ 2’ O.C. $1,150 • trees - 1”-1.5” cal. $150-$200 • clearing $400 • soil amendments 3-6”depth $500-$1,000 • mulch (on-site) 3” depth $150 • grading/ site prep $600-$800 SUBTOTAL $10,000-$11,000 common area • ferns @ 1’ O.C. $2,200 • shrubs - 5 gal. $600 • trees - 1”-1.5” cal. $750-$1,000 • mulch (on-site) 3” depth $3,000 SUBTOTAL $6,600-$7,000

Jimney (for one four-unit building)

COST ESTIMATES

Parkhurst (for one four-unit building)

COST ESTIMATES

HILDRETH HILLS

These are preliminary cost estimates for long and short-term landscape improvements to Hildreth Hills. All of these improvements can be implemented in phases to reduce up-front costs. All designs will have decreased maintenance costs after establishment.

31

• Phase out use of all synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and other landscape chemicals.

• Remove invasive shrubs in landscaped areas on site and phase out less-desirable shrubs (e.g. unhealthy, overgrown, aggressive, not part of recommended plant list) and replace with appropriate species from the plant list.

• Plant trees recommended in the planting plans to give them time to grow and establish themselves.

• Replace walkways in Parkhurst, where they are particularly in need of repair, and eventually, all of the walkways.

• Implement the design at Four Corners (Sheet 18.)

• Consider replacing the "meadow" at four corners with wild flowers or other lawn alternatives. Add mowed paths and reduce mowing to once or twice a year as an alternate to the existing expanse of high-maintenance lawn.

• Replace townhouse front lawns with native low mow grasses, sedges, mosses, or groundcovers—especially in shady areas where grass is struggling.

• Improve the accessibility of the nature trail by keeping walking paths cleared and navigable. Improve trails and add clearer trail markers.

• Remove the lower tennis court and use the remaining replacement budget to replant the area with trees and a low-mow lawn as suggested in "The Hildreth Hills Club" plan on sheet 20.

• Replace the deck and implement new pathway and plantings around the pool area.

• Replace the existing light fixtures.

• Implement residential design plans including wooded park areas.

• Begin planting ferns and flowering shrubs along the main entry road.

• Assess the health of the surrounding woodlands and wetlands with a local ecologist.

cost-benefit—What improvements to the existing landscape will have the fastest return on maintenance cost reduction? community effort—What projects can be implemented by resident volunteers?

Wild-sourcing plants and materials like rocks and using "sweat-equity" are no-cost ways to get projects started and community members involved in the process.

TEN TO FIFTEEN YEARS • Continue to replace lawn with native grasses and sedges.

• Replace all walkways and light fixtures.

• Work with neighbors to create a walking and biking path to Westford town center.

• Borrow sheep to graze meadows two times a year.

• Create connected sidewalks throughout the site to link the Parkhurst, Monadnock, and Jimney neighborhoods.

• Create extensive nature trails to enjoy more of the beautiful natural woodlands and wetlands on site and connect them to trails off-site.

judith doll-foley emily durost olivia loughrey

priority—What must be done immediately for safety concerns, or to prevent further costly structural or environmental deterioration on site?

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

This landscape master plan contains a series of designs and suggestions for establishing a more cost-effective, energy-efficient, beautiful, and sustainable landscape at Hildreth Hills. New designs and improvements have the potential to create a safer, more pleasant landscape for residents, increase property value, and reduce maintenance costs over time, but come with initial costs for materials and installation. The implementation process may be constrained by budget, season, and community consensus, but it is also important to consider:

westford, massachusetts spring 2013

FIVE YEARS

PHASING + IMPLEMENTATION

PHASING + IMPLEMENTATION

• Reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and other landscape chemicals (see "Best Management Practices," sheet 21.)

• Work with the landscape maintenance company to devise a less-intensive pruning regime and encourage open forms with shrubs (see "Best Management Practices," sheet 21.)

• Ask maintenance company to use a mulching mower that leaves grass clippings on the lawn to add nutrients back into the soil.

• Use mulch to stabilize bare and eroding soils under trees—this will also help feed the soil.

• Reduce the mowing schedule to once every two weeks or as needed.

• Mow the wild meadow once in the fall and keep the walking path mowed to the nature trail • Replace shrubs and trees as they are cut down, with appropriate native species.

• Rehabilitate existing shrubs (e.g. rhododendrons and azaleas) that are overgrown, but are still healthy with a hard pruning.

• Plant ferns around the pool to allow them to establish.

HILDRETH HILLS

FIRST YEAR

32