Prospect Meadow Farm Master Plan

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM INDEX MISSION & GOALS EXISTING CONDITIONS CONTEXT & SOILS VEGETATION LEGAL & ZONING DRAINAGE ACCESS & CIRCULATION SUN & SHADE SUMMARY ANALYSIS SUITABLE USES COMMON FEATURES ALTERNATIVE 1 ALTERNATIVE 2 PATHWAYS & TRAILS PLANTING GUIDE PLANTING PALETTE 1 PLANTING PALETTE 2 WATER MANAGEMENT RESOURCES & CREDITS

Landscape Master Plan SERVICENET • SHAWN ROBINSON 103A PROSPECT STREET HATFIELD, MA 01038 JAMIE POTTERN • FALL 2011

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MISSION

ServiceNet is a progressive and innovative mental health and human services provider in the Pioneer Valley. In September 2010, ServiceNet purchased this 11.3-acre property in Hatfield, Massachusetts, as a therapeutic working farm for its clients and the extended community. The farm is home to four ServiceNet clients, while providing educational and therapeutic opportunities for hundreds of additional clients in the region. Prospect Meadow Farm staff hope to expand their farm operation and continue to provide fresh, healthy food for their clients and address food security in the region.

ServiceNet’s mission at Prospect Meadow Farm is to use the healing power of nature, meaningful work, recreational activities, and therapeutic community to provide a vibrant healing and growth-enhancing environment for their clients.

The farm addresses issues of food security for disadvantaged groups and provides job training skills and transitional assistance to the disabled and unemployed in the Pioneer Valley.

GOALS 1) PROVIDE NATURE-BASED THERAPY AND REHABILITATION FOR SERVICENET’S CLIENTS • Site areas for recreation and connection with nature • Site areas for social gathering and community building 2) PROVIDE JOB TRAINING SKILLS & CREATE EMPLOYMENT POTENTIAL FOR CLIENTS • Create educational workspaces • Create agricultural training opportunities 3) IMPROVE ACCESS AROUND THE PROPERTY Improve and expand parking area Create universal access for people with disabilities

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The 4-acre crop field in early fall. The farm produces organic fruits and vegetables all season long.2

4) CREATE A WORKING FARM THAT PRODUCES DIVERSE PRODUCTS AND GENERATES INCOME • Improve irrigation system for agricultural field • Capture and hold water on site for water management • Site healthy locations for livestock • Site best locations for diverse, integrated food production • Identify best locations for new farm structures

A beautiful 4-acre woodland on the property provides ecological services and opportunities for recreation and education.4

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

ServiceNet clients work together to construct the alpaca shed.3

A ServiceNet client connects with Tony, one of the farm’s alpacas.1

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

The two-story house and its immediate surroundings are the center of community at the farm.5

Clients learn to plant, tend, harvest, and cook their own food.6

MISSION & GOALS

1/19

The defining feature of this 11.3-acre property is that it is relatively level, with substantial wet areas across the landscape. The western four acres are farmed, with two small livestock operations in the center of the property. The house and swimming pool are prominently located in the north-central area, while woodlands in the southern half and the northeast corner of the property create clearly defined edges.

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A 900-foot gravel driveway provides vehicular and pedestrian access from Prospect Street to the farm.

The driveway bisects the property, running along the narrow arm of the easternmost section of the property and curves east of the house where it ends in a small parking area.

North of the driveway is a wet field with a small shed and paddock for three alpacas. These were constructed

by ServiceNet staff and clients.

Tall, mixed-deciduous woodlands, containing possible wetlands, compose the northeast corner and the entirety of the southern portion of the property.

Parking is restricted to the driveway and a dirt lot east of the house. Overflow parking encroaches upon the adjacent field, causing numerous problems.

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The two-story home is currently the farm’s office and a residence for four ServiceNet clients. These clients do chores and work projects around the property.

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A large silver maple tree defines the backyard, providing cool shade and protection from the hot summer sun.

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Five apple trees west of the house provide shade and delicious fruit for clients to pick and eat.

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An in-ground swimming pool is located west of the house. It is currently unused due to the costs of maintenance and a lifeguard.

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

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PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

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A roughly 4-acre crop field begins west of the pool and extends to the west end of the property (not shown here or surveyed).

Produce was grown by ServiceNet on the southern half of the field during the 2011 growing season, and the northern half was leased to a nearby squash farmer. The client’s intention is to use the entire field next season (2012) to increase production and sales.

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North and west of the house is a small chicken coop, converted from an old shed, and a chicken run, a fenced-in area in which chickens can range.

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A group of raised vegetable beds, constructed by ServiceNet clients and residents, are located just north of the house. These provide clients with the opportunity to learn about growing, tending, harvesting, and preparing their own fresh produce.

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EXISTING CONDITIONS

2/19

The site conditions at Prospect Meadow Farm are consistent with much of the land in the Connecticut River Valley. The valley is known for its prime agricultural land and its poorly drained soils. ServiceNet faces the dual challenge of sustainably managing the site’s water resources while seeking to maximize food production.

CONTEXT

ROUTE I-91 CONNECTICUT RIVER

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CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY

Prospect Meadow Farm is located in the Connecticut River Valley in Hatfield, Massachusetts.

• Before the early 1970s, tobacco was grown on the current site of Prospect Meadow Farm. Since 1973 the farm has lain fallow. Bringing these farm soils back into a healthy balance, while making efforts to remain sensitive to the water resources on the property will be key to stewarding the land into the future and meeting the client’s goals.

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• Since European settlement, the area has been intensely farmed, with tobacco as a major cash crop. Tobacco and other commodity crops have taken a toll on the soil after many generations, depleting organic matter.

HATFIELD

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• Hatfield is a small, rural town of 3,300 people, located in western Massachusetts. Nestled between the Connecticut River and two major north-south roads: I-91 and Highway 5&10, it sits in the center of the fertile Connecticut River Valley. Due to its unique glacial history, the valley has some of the best agricultural soils in the world. As the glaciers receded, roughly 12,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age, a glacial lake was formed from central Connecticut up to northern Vermont along the Connecticut River Valley. After 3,000 years the lake drained, leaving rich sediment deposits. While minerally rich and virtually free of rocks, the land is composed of ancient lake bottom that makes it poorly drained and thus prone to flooding.

The property is relatively level farmland. The section below represents the A-A1 line above.

SOILS

• According to the NRCS Soil Survey, the soil on this property is a fine sandy loam with rapid permeability and a seasonal high water table at 0-1 foot below ground.

• The western side of the property, composed of the main crop field, is a Ninigret fine sandy loam, which is moderately well-drained and well-suited to cultivated crops.

• The remainder of the property is a Walpole fine sandy loam, which is poorly drained but is still suited to cultivated crops.

• The soil conditions cause the property, overall, to be extremely wet for much of the year. The main design challenge is how to turn the problems of a wet site into solutions, such as using wet areas on the property to help meet the irrigation needs of the well-drained crop field.

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Eastern Edge of Main Crop Field

Pool

Backyard

Front Yard

Parking Area

Alpaca Paddock

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

Wet Field I

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This section is cut east-west across the center of the property. It reveals overall flatness of the property and the subtle slopes that direct the movement of water across the landscape (see Drainage Analysis, Sheet 6). The seasonal high water table is 0-1’ below ground, making the area prone to flooding. Areas with higher elevation on this site were purposefully built up with fill material to be above the groundwater table.

JAMIE POTTERN

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

House

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CONTEXT & SOILS

3/19

Mixed-deciduous woods with wetland indicator species cover the southern half and northeast corner of the property, with mown lawn and large deciduous trees dominating the central band between them. Small garden beds exist around the house, with a 4-acre field to the west (not fully shown or surveyed) dedicated to organic crop production.

MAIN CROP FI

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SILVER MAPLE

GARDEN BEDS

POOL

POTENTIAL WETLAND

HOUSE

APPLE ORCHARD

POTENTIAL VERNAL POOL

BURNING BUSHES

MIXED-DECIDUOUS UPLAND WOODLAND POTENTIAL WETLAND

MIXED-DECIDUOUS UPLAND WOODLAND

OBSERVATIONS

• Mixed-deciduous forests, composing the northeast corner and southern portion of the property, contain possible wetlands. These support wetland indicator species, with upland tree and shrub species in the southeast and southwest corners of the southern forest.

• Large, mostly deciduous shade trees, are concentrated around the house.

• Garden beds are located on the north side of the house, with flowers and herbs planted around the perimeter of the house.

A small apple orchard stands west of the house, and a 4-acre crop field (not fully shown or surveyed) comprises the entirety of the western portion of the property.

• Low shrubs are planted east of the pool, and the remainder of the property is mowed lawn.

• Burning bushes planted along the crop field edge and south of the house have been spreading into the surrounding wetlands.

IMPLICATIONS

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

DESIGN DIRECTIVES

• Trees cast shade over a large area of the property and restrict agricultural activities that require full sun, along with sunny areas for gathering and recreation.

Deciduous trees provide pleasant areas for shaded outdoor summer gathering, as well as habitat for shadetolerant species.

• The woodland and potential wetlands provide wildlife habitat for diverse species, filter water, and offer areas for recreation and enjoyment of nature.

• Over 4,000 pounds of food are already being produced on the site, with the potential for additional production.

Raised beds around the house provide beauty, natureconnection, and meaningful work for the residents and visiting clients.

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

• The main crop field also provides meaningful work and education for clients, while producing healthy food for members of the community in need.

• Lawns provide places for recreation, social gathering, grazing of livestock, and food production, but require time, energy, and money to maintain.

• While burning bushes provide beautiful fall color and food for birds, they may continue to spread and threaten the health of the wetland ecosystem and surrounding region.

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• The large silver maple to the west of the house may be an ideal, centralized outdoor, shaded gathering space for visitors who frequent the farm during the warmer months.

• It may be best for all burning bushes to be removed from the property to prevent their spread into nearby ecosystems.

• Additional spaces for grazing and crop production in suitable areas should be created to increase food production while reducing mowed areas.

• Consider low-maintenance plantings in underutilized areas to reduce the mowing regime and help to define outdoor spaces across the landscape.

VEGETATION

4/19

MAIN CROP FI

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LEACH FIELD

A large, potentially regulated wetland in the southern half of the property could restrict certain activities within a 100-foot setback from its edge. The Hatfield Conservation Commission should be consulted to help gain an understanding of wetland regulations and possible agricultural exemptions. All future decisions should take into consideration the sensitive ecology of this property.

POSSIBLE ISOLATED WETLAND

POOL SEPTIC PUMPS

POTENTIAL VERNAL POOL

HOUSE

POTENTIAL 100-FOOT WETLAND BUFFER

MIXED-DECIDUOUS UPLAND WOODLAND

IMPLICATIONS

• Existing buildings are in compliance with the building setbacks, but the house falls within the potential wetland buffer (it was constructed before the passage of the WPA).

• To be considered for agricultural exemption from certain restrictions in the WPA, a farm must have been in agricultural production for two of the past five years.

Therefore, Prospect Meadow Farm is most likely ineligible for agricultural exemption at this time and some activities may be restricted within a 100-foot wetland buffer. The client must prove to regulatory bodies that any proposed activities will not negatively impact the wetland.

• Activities within the buffer and adjacent to the small isolated wetland in the northern part of the property should take into consideration the wetland ecology and potential impacts.

• The location of the alpaca paddock within the wetland buffer may be hazardous to the health of the wetland system, water quality, soil, and the alpacas themselves.

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

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• The property is zoned as Rural/Residential. As a R/R property using the town water supply, the building setbacks are 35 feet from the front of the property and 15 feet from the sides.

• A possible isolated wetland is located in the northeastern corner of the property, and a possible state-regulated bordering vegetated wetland is located in the southern half of the property. These have not been officially delineated and are shown with their approximate boundaries.

• Small isolated wetlands are not regulated by the state, and they have no buffer zone. However, they may be federally regulated by the Army Corps of Engineers.

• Bordering vegetated wetlands are regulated by the state.

According to the Wetlands Protection Act (WPA), a 100-foot buffer extends horizontally from the edge of the wetland on all sides. Activities potentially harmful to the wetland are restricted in the buffer zone.

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OBSERVATIONS

POSSIBLE BORDERING VEGETATED WETLAND

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MIXED-DECIDUOUS UPLAND WOODLAND

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

DESIGN DIRECTIVES

• Additional buildings on the property must respect the building setbacks and building codes. The town zoning officer is best suited to advise ServiceNet on how to proceed with future building plans.

• Vehicles accessing the crop field should be directed away from the leach field and septic pump system. Select herbaceous perennials with shallow root depths for these areas. Future buildings should not be built near this sensitive infrastructure.

• The Hatfield Conservation Commission should be consulted to better assist ServiceNet with understanding wetland regulations, possible agricultural exemptions, and best practices for farm management and productive conservation.

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• The wetlands should be officially delineated by a specialist. ServiceNet is advised to contact the Hatfield Conservation Commission if they are considering activities that may alter or negatively impact the wetlands.

• Consider moving the alpacas to a drier location away from the potential wetland buffer. The impact of livestock within the buffer should be taken into consideration for all future decisions.

• All design choices should keep in mind the critical ecological functioning of these wetlands for habitat, water filtration, and flood control, as well as the health of livestock.

LEGAL & ZONING

5/19

This property is mostly level, with the seasonal high groundwater table at 0-1 foot below ground. Water slowly drains off built up surfaces and pools in low-lying areas across the property. Protecting water resources and the landscape, while conducting farm operations, poses management challenges for the farm.

MAIN CROP FI

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POTENTIAL WETLAND

ALPACA PADDOCK

POOL PIPE FROM SUMP PUMP

POSSIBLE VERNAL POOL

POTENTIAL WETLAND

DESIGN DIRECTIVES

OBSERVATIONS

• The entire property contains fine sandy loam soils that are poorly drained, with the western portion of the property being slightly more well-drained.

• Water runs off elevated areas that were intentionally built up on fill material, including the driveway, the house, the pool, and the leach field. The water then pools in low areas across the property, and drains into the potential wetlands.

• The soils in the field containing the alpaca paddock and the land along the driveway and parking area are very saturated.

• The house was built within the potential 100-foot wetland buffer before wetland regulations were passed; water seeps into the basement. The sump pump currently pumps the water out of the basement, through a long external pipe east of the apple orchard, and deposits it directly into the wetland.

IMPLICATIONS

• While the soils of the eastern part of the property are highly saturated*, the western part of the property containing the main crop field (because of its better drainage, slightly higher elevation, and land use history of intensive farming that may have negatively impacted soil quality) needs to be irrigated during the season.

The farm currently uses the town water supply for irrigation, connecting a series of long garden hoses to the spigots around the house and dragging them out to the crop field, where sprinklers distribute the water.

This system is costly, resource-intensive, and poses some management issues for the clients.

• The wet location of the alpaca paddock poses health risks to the animals, while the animals cause compaction and aesthetic damage to the field.

• The wetness of the alpaca field and lack of pathways limits mobility for those in wheelchairs.

• Cars driving on the field or parking in the parking area cause severe compaction and aesthetic damage to the landscape. Runoff may be negatively impacting wetlands by causing pollution.

• Pumping water out of the basement into the wetland is a resourceintensive and inefficient use of energy.

• Lawns provide places for recreation, social gathering, grazing of livestock, and food production, but their maintenance is time-, energy-, and resource-intensive, causing additional pollution to seep into the groundwater. * (According to the National Climate Data Center and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, August 2011 was the second wettest month in the last 117 years, with some of the highest flood levels ever recorded in the western part of the state. http://www.mass.gov/dcr/watersupply/rainfall/)

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

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• Prescribed permeable parking areas and pathways should be created to guide walkers, those in wheelchairs, and vehicles safely through the property. These areas and paths can help to protect the sensitive hydrological system, while reducing compaction and erosion.

• Consider moving the alpacas to a dry, sunny area.

• Make use of on-site water resources to turn problems into solutions. (See Sheet 18 for Water Management Strategies).

— Water infiltrating into the basement could instead be pumped into a water catchment basin (the pool or a constructed waterbody), filtered, and used for irrigation.

— Bioswales or infiltration basins around parking areas and vehicle pathways may help protect water resources and address areas of pooling by collecting, treating, and slowly infiltrating water back into the soil.

— A duck pond or rain garden could be constructed in the area of pooling in the existing alpaca field because it is low-lying, wet, and already contains a ditch with standing water.

DRAINAGE

6/19

A narrow entry corridor funnels residents, staff, and visitors along the driveway toward the house, where infrastructure problems cause vehicles to veer onto the lawn and compromise the landscape. A lack of a road to the main crop field threatens the integrity of the leach field, while a lack of pathways around the property reduce connectivity and wheelchair mobility. There may be potential for a trail system through the southern woodland.

CHICKEN RUN & COOP

MAIN CROP FI

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LEACH FIELD

PARKING AREA HOUSE

WOODLAND & POTENTIAL WETLAND

ALPACA PADDOCK

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WOODLAND & POTENTIAL WETLAND

Legend Frequent Vehicular Circulation Infrequent Vehicular Circulation Pedestrian Circulation

OBSERVATIONS

• There is heavy vehicular traffic along the driveway and parking area. Cars skirt potholes on the driveway and also park beyond the designated parking area.

• There are no prescribed pathways for farm vehicles to reach the main crop field, and there have been issues with compaction and structural damage to the leach field.

• Pedestrian movement is restricted to the parking area, house, and agricultural areas.

• Wheelchair access is limited due to a lack of accessible pedestrian pathways across the property. The house, which contains the office and restroom for visitors, is also not currently wheelchair accessible.

• Vehicles cause compaction and aesthetic damage to the fields.

• The current parking area is insufficient to accommodate clients and visitors–up to twenty people daily and up to one hundred people for larger farm events.

• Trucks and tractors accessing the main crop field cause compaction and risk damage to the leach field.

• People are not walking into the forested wetlands. This indicates little negative human impact on the wetlands, but also reveals the untapped potential of the woods for education, recreation, and connection with nature.

• ServiceNet is not currently able to provide certain educational and therapeutic opportunities to clients with mobility challenges; no pathways exist to guide them safely and easily across the landscape.

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

Problem Areas created by Vehicles

IMPLICATIONS

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

DESIGN DIRECTIVES

• Create clearly delineated permeable parking areas and pathways to guide people, those in wheelchairs, and vehicles safely through the property.

• Parking spaces should remain close to the house for optimal convenience, and because no other areas on the property appear suitable to meet additional parking needs without causing potential long-term damage to the soil and hydrological system.

The parking area should be large enough to accommodate daily visitors.

• Overflow parking should take place off-site, and a shuttle system should be devised for larger events.

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• A vehicle pathway out to the crop field should avoid the leach field.

• Create a system of 3-foot-wide (min.) wheelchair-accessible paths to guide visitors.

• Create an interpretive and accessible trail system through part of the southern woodland.

• Design all new farm structures to be universally accessible, and consider ways to retrofit parts of the existing house to accommodate those with disabilities.

ACCESS & CIRCULATION

7/19

The site’s abundant trees shade much of the property and could limit food production requiring full sun. There is potential to grow shade-tolerant crops, and utilize shady spots for gathering and recreation in the warmer months.

CHICKEN RUN

MAIN CROP FI

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LEACH FIELD

GARDEN BEDS

POOL

HOUSE

ALPACA PADDOCK

DRIVEWAY

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OBSERVATIONS

• Forests, buildings, and yard trees cast shade across most of the landscape during the growing season (late April-late September).

• Areas receiving the most sunlight are the driveway, the lower half of the alpaca field, the area north of the pool, and the main crop field.

IMPLICATIONS

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

DESIGN DIRECTIVES

• Shady areas are attractive for outdoor gathering and recreation on hot, sunny days, and for the production of shade-tolerant crops.

• Full or partly-sunny areas are appropriate for sun-loving crop production, outdoor gathering and recreation spaces, and livestock grazing.

• Crops are currently being grown in most of the sunny areas on the property. The chicken run is located in a mostly sunny spot, while half the alpaca paddock is in full sun and the other half is in dense shade.

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

• Consider planting fruit trees or shrubs on the sunny strip along the driveway.

• Consider continuing to plant sun-loving plants in areas of full sun on the property, especially annual fruits and vegetables on the main crop field.

• Consider planting blueberries and/or other commercial berry crops in the wet, shaded area on the alpaca field.

• The wetness of the alpaca field in combination with the shade it receives, may make it unsuitable for a permanent alpaca paddock.

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SUN & SHADE

8/19

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Overlaying numerous site analyses helps to elucidate trends across the landscape and provide insight into design directives. This summary analysis reveals the confluence of drainage, circulation, and lack of clearly delineated and accessible pathways and parking spaces as a major area of concern for the maintenance of a safe and healthy landscape. Sunny areas are being utilized for food production, but could be maximized by growing crops along the entrance driveway and north of the house. Sustainably designed trails through the southern woodland may provide additional areas for recreation, gathering, and nature-connection.

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Cars access the property from Prospect Street and travel along a 900-foot gravel driveway. The driveway has numerous potholes along its length, which drivers avoid by swerving onto the grass.

Along the entrance driveway, water drains off the gravel surface to the north and south, but the southern side is more saturated.

The driveway receives full sun during the growing season and could be a prime location for fruit trees along the northern side with more water-tolerant species along the southern side.

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The alpaca paddock is currently situated in a water-logged field, half of which receives four or more hours of full sun during the growing season, and the other half of which is shaded during the growing season. This water drains directly into a potential isolated wetland in the northeastern corner of the property, and may be connected hydrologically to the large potential wetland in the southern half of the property. Compaction from the animals and vehicles is a threat to the field and the wetlands, while the health of the animals also could be negatively impacted by constantly having their feet wet. It would be advisable to move these animals to a drier location. Repairing the driveway would discourage cars from veering onto the field.

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Cars and trucks park in the driveway and the small dirt lot east of the house. This area is wet, full of potholes, and is too small to meet the farm’s parking needs. Cars park on the lawn, causing compaction. This area is the most suitable for parking due to its proximity to the house, and could be improved by the addition of permeable pavers or gravel, with handicap and standard parking spaces demarcated.

The house is the center of community on the farm for residents, staff, and visitors. Pedestrian traffic radiates out from the home to the crop and livestock operations, and to the parking area. Water drains away from the house, but is also pumped from the basement back into the southern wetland. There may be potential for turning this problem into a solution for the farm’s irrigation needs.

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

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As indicated by the lack of foot traffic, a major underutilized area is the southern woodland. No prescribed trails currently exist, and there may be potential for recreation and nature connection. Changes within the potential wetland buffer should not be made until a thorough analysis of the wetland resources and the legal regulations have been conducted.

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The swimming pool is currently not being used due to the expense of maintenance and lifeguards. There is the potential to use the pool as a place for recreation and therapy or to convert it to other uses, such as for water storage and irrigation.

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A confluence of factors makes the leach field an area of great concern. Without pathways to guide vehicles to the field, they may continue to cause costly, physical damage to the septic system.

North of the house is a dry, sunny area with raised garden beds, with the chicken run and coop farther west. This is an ideal location for further crop production, a greenhouse, or for livestock. The existing beds should be moved or reoriented to maximize space and solar gain. This may also be a suitable site for a new farm structure, such as a barn or greenhouse.

The 4-acre crop field receives optimal sunlight during the growing season and, based on the client’s goal of increased food production, should be kept in agricultural production.

There may be potential for additional social uses, such as wheelchair accessible garden plots or a community garden.

This sunny location may be ideal for a greenhouse or a social gathering space.

SUMMARY ANALYSIS

9/19

A concept diagram of existing site conditions and corresponding potential suitable uses guides the design directions and may assist the client in creating a long-term farm management plan.

The combination of vegetation, legal, drainage, access and circulation, and sun and shade analyses, along with the client’s goals, suggest areas for sustainable activities and functions for different areas of the property. This graphic lays out a framework for better understanding the landscape, and can guide ServiceNet as it explores additional uses for the site.

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

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SUITABLE USES

10/19

COMMON FEATURES MAP

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FRUIT TREES

These design features, based on the analyses, site conditions, and client goals, are strongly recommended in both design alternatives.

4 DRIVEWAY

7

9 6

3

2

0 CT SPE PRO

8

0

40 Feet

0

20

40

60

80

Feet

60

80

FRUITING OR FLOWERING SHRUBS

1

FRUITING AND FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS A row of fruit trees are planted along the north side of the entrance driveway, with herbaceous perennials around the base of the trunks to reduce mowing. A row of fruiting and/or flowering shrubs are planted along the south side of the driveway, with an understory of herbaceous perennials.

COMMERCIAL BERRY CROPS

2

40

Feet

EET STR

1

20

Commercial berry crops that are water-and shadetolerant, such as blueberries, can be planted in rows with 3-foot-wide spacing to enable wheelchair accessible picking. This could be a pick-your-own operation, or a component in a value-added product, such as jams, fruit leather, or bread.

6

3

Ponds are constructed just west of the existing alpaca paddock and in the northeast corner of the main crop field.

7

PARKING LOT

4

A new gravel parking lot will accommodate ten parking spaces; four spaces for handicap-accessible vans and six standard spaces. Around the parking area could be a constructed water filtration system, such as a bioswale, to capture and filter water.

ALPACA PADDOCK MOVED

5

The alpaca paddock has been moved from the field north of the driveway to the dry, sunny area north of the house, with white pine trees providing them with summer shade. This will be healthier for the land and animals, and bring the alpacas closer to the core of the farm operation.

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

8

9

ACCESSIBLE PATHWAYS (see Sheet 14)

Prescribed permeable parking areas and pathways are created to guide people and vehicles safely through the property. A main 8-foot wide pathway begins west of the parking lot, extending out the beginning of the main crop field and back across the southern side of the house to the driveway. This provides a clear pathway PRIVATE SPACE FOR RESIDENTS for vehicles to access the field without causing damage to the lawn Due to the highly public nature of this farm, or leach field. Constructed of crushed aggregate material, this a private outdoor space for residents has been pathway is also suitable for wheelchairs and pedestrians. Smaller created just east of the house. This outdoor room is 3-foot-wide wheelchair-accessible pathways extend from the main surrounded by deciduous woody shrubs that create pathway to the house and key buildings and attractions across privacy and shading in the summer, and allow for the property. Wheelchair-accessible trails are created through the passive solar gain in the winter. drier sections of the southern forest, providing opportunities for education, recreation, and nature-connection.

SHADED GATHERING AREA CONSTRUCTED PONDS

OTHER COMMON FEATURES

BARN

A public outdoor gathering area has been created As a working farm with plans to expand their operation, Prospect west of the house, under the canopy of the large Meadow Farm will benefit greatly by increasing their farm silver maple. The tree provides ample shade and is infrastructure. Assumptions for these designs are that the client central to the farm, while providing reprieve from will desire a tractor and other equipment, which would require the hot summer sun. The gathering area provides ample storage space. Additionally, with an expanded livestock outdoor seating for meals or workshops, while operation, more storage will be needed for feed, hay, fencing offering pleasant views of surrounding vegetation materials, and the like. A barn also provides an indoor workshop & grazing animals. space and shelter for animals during the winter months. The barn could even house a walk-in cooler or root cellar for storing fruits BURNING BUSHES REMOVED and vegetables.

The long row of burning bushes east of the main GREENHOUSE crop field and the cluster of them south of the With the goal of doubling food production in the 2012 season, house have been removed in the designs.

Prospect Meadow Farm will benefit from the addition of a greenhouse on the site. Raising seedlings, season extension, and a passive or externally-heated winter work space are all benefits of this structure.

SUNNY GATHERING AREA

MAIN CROP FIELD KEPT IN PRODUCTION

A sunny outdoor gathering area has been created just west of the swimming pool. This is a prime spot for gathering during large farm events, sitting out in the sun, or doing outdoor work projects.

FARM OPERATIONS ARE INTEGRATED

The main crop field is kept in annual fruit and vegetable production. The designs consider additional social uses for this area, such as community gardens.

Livestock, crops, and building placement are designed to maximize efficiency and promote nutrient cycling on the farm.

COMMON FEATURES

11/19

The primary focus of this alternative, “Community Central,” is on the community aspects of the farm.

Community gardens and a large gathering are created on the eastern edge of the main crop field. A barn has been constructed north of the house, connecting the

“COMMUNITY CENTRAL”

GREENH

OUSE

POND

ROW CROPS

farm operation to the homestead. The chicken operation and greenhouse are functionally stacked along the north side of the property, highly visible and open to visitors. These farm attractions sit directly across from the prominent shady outdoor gathering area under the silver maple tree, west of the house.

COOP

CHICKEN RU

N

BARN ALPACA PADDOCK

PARKING LOT

LEACH FIELD

COMMUNITY GA

RDEN

ROW CROP S

PERGOLA

SUNNY OUTDOOR GATHERING AREA PATIO

POSSIBLE FORESTED WETLAND

PERGOLA

SHADY OUTDOOR GATHERING AREA

HOUSE

SHADE TREES PRIVATE SPACE FOR RESIDENTS

DUCK POND

COMMERCIAL BERRY CROPS

PROS

• Siting the barn’s location near the house provides • The greenhouse receives some added insulation from the chicken convenient access to tools and materials needed for coop, and can also serve as a warm indoor workspace or place for farmwork during the growing season and to livestock small gatherings close to the house in the winter months. Located or stored materials during the winter months. close to the home, it will be easier for staff to water plants on a Adjacent to the alpaca paddock, the barn affords more regular basis during hot summer days. Situated along the main warmth and shelter for the alpacas during the winter, pathway, in the center of the farm, it is convenient to bring plants and with access to hay and water. The barn also offers a materials to and from the greenhouse. convenient indoor/outdoor workspace adjacent to the • The area of pooling on the westernmost part of the existing alpaca house and a centralized gathering area. Its proximity field is transformed into a duck pond, supporting five to ten ducks to the house announces the character of the property and many water-loving plant species that can perform numerous as a farm center and attracts visitors into the western functions, such as filtration. This pond may increase biodiversity part of the property. on the property, while creating an inviting and visually appealing • The proximity of the chickens to the outdoor attraction for visitors as they approach the home and parking lot. A gathering area west of the house makes them small duck coop is situated on the edge of the pond, providing shelter an important attraction for clients and visitors, for the ducks at night and in inclement weather. Ducks are easy to as well as makes it easier to monitor for attacks care for and they eat unwanted pests. by predators. Attached to the greenhouse, the • The swimming pool, transformed into an irrigation basin, is capped chicken coop will receive added insulation from with a patio that provides a sunny outdoor sitting and gathering area, the greenhouse and require less external heating in adjacent to a large grassy area that provides a venue for ServiceNet winter, thus saving money and resources. clients, staff, and the broader community to participate in outdoor events, such as concerts or harvest festivals.

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

0 Feet

• To the west of the new gathering area, the eastern edge of the crop field has been modified to accommodate a community garden, with wheelchair-accessible raised beds. This garden could be used by ServiceNet clients and/or rented for use by members of the local community. The remainder of the 4-acre field is used for row crops.

CONS

• The barn is far from the main crop field, requiring more trips for trucks and tractors over the pathway and a longer distance to walk with tools. An additional shed may therefore need to be constructed closer to the field. With the livestock far away from crop production, manure will need to be carted a long distance to be applied to the field. A composting area will need to be created to address the manure, and the odor may be unpleasant for residents and staff.

• The proximity of the chickens to the house may irritate residents and staff if the chickens are particularly noisy.

• The number of ducks that this size pond could support is small, and thus would not be a significant income-generator.

20

40

60

• The open, grassy area will need to be mown, which is labor- and energy-intensive.

• The community gardens are 400 feet from the parking lot and 300 feet from the barn. A small tool shed will need to be constructed to accommodate garden tools so they will not need to be carried all the way from the barn. These gardens also utilize space that could otherwise be used for production beds, and may be challenging to manage in addition to the main crop production. The parking lot may not be able to accommodate all of the visitors trying to access the gardens.

ALTERNATIVE 1

12/19

“FARM FOCUSED”

PADDOCK FODDER CROPS

IRRIGATION POND

CHICKEN RUN

BARN

This alternative is focused on farm product

production. The design still retains many

community-oriented elements, such the existing swimming pool, social gathering areas, and an area

for wheelchair–accessible raised beds north of the house. An expanded chicken operation and extra paddocks allow for increased food production. A barn and greenhouse are sited on the edge of the main crop field, away from the homestead.

CHICKEN COOP TOOL SHED

LEARNIN

G GARDEN

GREENHOU

SE

ALPACA PADDOCK PARKING LOT

LEACH FIELD SHADY OUTDOOR GATHERING AREA

SUNNY OUTDOOR GATHERING AREA

POOL

HOUSE

PRIVATE SPACE FOR RESIDENTS

RAIN GARDEN

COMMERCIAL BERRY CROPS

TEMPORARY

SHADE TREES

POSSIBLE FORESTED WETLAND

PERGOLA

GARAGE

PADDOCK

ROW CROP S

PROS

• The siting of the barn, greenhouse, and paddock on the edge of the main crop field offers convenient access to tools and materials needed for farmwork and tractor storage, while creating a sheltered workspace for those doing farmwork or for educational workshops. The spatial relationship between these structures and the crop field encourages nutrient cycling (manure and plant material) on the site, while the barn provides some additional insulation for the greenhouse.

Animals can be overwintered in the barn, with access to the outdoors. Smells from livestock and manure are kept at a distance from the house, reducing the likelihood of odors affecting the staff, residents, and visitors. These structures create a visible destination for visitors, drawing them out toward the farm field.

• The chicken coop and run are expanded to accommodate more birds, while providing them with safe, healthy shelter through the winter. Adjacent to the gardening area with raised beds, the chicken manure can be composted nearby and used on the crops, promoting nutrient cycling. Proximity to the house makes for ease of care and attention, especially in the winter months.

• The sunny area north of the house is a productive learning garden for ServiceNet clients with raised beds to accommodate those in wheelchairs. These can be personal plots for individual clients or collectively planted and maintained. Centrally located, and close to the parking lot, this learning garden is a main attraction for visitors.

Plant waste can conveniently be tossed to chickens and alpacas, while chicken manure can be used for compost.

• Water issues south of the parking lot are addressed through a rain garden that holds and filters water, supporting a diversity of species and creating an aesthetically pleasing attraction for visitors.

• A portion of the existing alpaca paddock can be used on a temporary basis for grazing and containing livestock. Some manure from the livestock can be used on adjacent berry crops, or on crops to the west.

• The swimming pool is kept as an area for recreation, relaxation, therapy, and social gathering. A constructed pond west of the chicken run provides a source of water for irrigation (see Sheet 18 for Water Management Strategies).

• The driveway adjacent to the garage is removed, creating a larger private space for the residents.

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

0 Feet

20

40

CONS

• The distance from the house will make access to the barn difficult in the winter months. Siting the paddock on the north side of the barn may create icy conditions.

• There is less space reserved for community members to garden, and the income potential from leasing garden plots is lost.

• A larger chicken operation will require more space for them to graze; a mobile chicken coop may need to be built to move chickens to additional areas around the farm to range on fresh grass and bugs.

• The swimming pool is costly to maintain.

• The removal of the driveway adjacent to the garage reduces the number of parking spaces available for staff and residents. The garage, housing tools and equipment, can no longer be accessed by vehicles.

60

ALTERNATIVE 2

13/19

As ServiceNet continues to envision how the farm will look and serve the needs of its clients into the future, there are models that provide some insight into strategies for improved mobility and comfort for visitors with disabilities.

MAIN PATH

Accessible Pathways

PARKING LOT MINOR PATHS

HOUSE

MINOR PATHS

MAIN PATH DRIVEWAY

A boardwalk can guide visitors on foot and in wheelchairs across ponds and wetlands.1

A mulched path uses local, renewable resources to provide a soft, natural, permeable surface.2

A main 8-foot wide pathway begins west of the parking lot, extending to the beginning of the main crop field and back across the southern side of the house to the driveway. This provides a clear pathway for vehicles to access the field without causing damage to the lawn or leach field. Constructed of crushed stone, this pathway is also suitable for wheelchairs and pedestrians. Smaller 3-foot wide wheelchair accessible pathways extend from the main pathway to the house and key buildings and attractions across the property.

Signs guide the visitors to points of interest across the site, and provide educational information.

HOUSE

MAIN PATH DRIVEWAY

FIRE PIT WOODLAND TRAIL

Crushed stone pathways provide a long-lasting, semipermeable surface.3

BOARDWALK

Stone can be sourced locally and provides a long-lasting, natural surface.4

PICNIC AREA

POSSIBLE WETLAND

WOODLAND TRAIL BOARDWALK

POSSIBLE WETLAND BOUNDARY

A path made from recycled materials provides a soft and permeable surface.5

Earthen or mixed aggregate pathways are natural and aesthetically pleasing.6

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

Wheelchair accessible woodland trails have been provided in the mixed-deciduous forest to the east and west of the large potential wetland. These trails may require boardwalks over areas that cross the wetland. Signs along the trail provide directional assistance and education for clients and visitors, while encouraging outdoor recreation and nature-connection.

A fire pit and picnic area provide spaces for social gathering and community-building.

Potential for productive conservation, such as mushroom production or firewood harvest, exist and should be discussed with the Hatfield Conservation Commission. Under the Wetlands Protection Act, it is allowable to do some amount of cutting in wooded wetland areas. A forester should be hired to create a forest cutting plan. Filing this plan, no matter how small the cutting operating, may help the farm to gain agricultural exemption for this activity.

PATHWAYS & TRAILS

14/19

POND

As Prospect Meadow Farm grows, ServiceNet will want to consider ecologically-appropriate, multifunctional plantings for the property. Plants help to define spaces in the landscape, create shade, build soil, provide food, fodder, and medicine,

GREENHOUSE

ALPACA PADDOCK

7 LEACH FIELD

SUNNY OUTDOOR GATHERING AREA

PERGOLA

SHADY OUTDOOR GATHERING AREA

4

PARKING LOT

6

FORESTED WETLAND

PERGOLA

SMALL FRUIT TREES & SHRUBS

PATIO

8

BIOSWALE

BARN

BIOSWALE

4

CHICKEN RUN

BIOSWALE

CHICKEN COOP

and create habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife. The following lists are based on site conditions and projected uses around the property, and may assist ServiceNet in selecting appropriate plants.

HOUSE

SHADE TREES

5

4

DUCK POND

PRIVATE SPACE FOR RESIDENTS

1

COMMERCIAL BERRY CROPS

3

WET MEADOW

2

4

FLOWERING SHRUBS

0

20

40

60

80

Feet

1

NORTH SIDE OF DRIVEWAY The north side of the driveway has dry, well-drained soils, and receives full sun during the growing season. Fruiting and/ or flowering trees are planted, with an understory of herbaceous perennials around the base of the trunk to reduce mowing and attract pollinators.

PRIVATE SPACE FOR RESIDENTS

5

Nanking Cherry (Prunus tomentosa) 1

2

3

4

Dwarf Apple (Malus pumila) 2

6

SOUTH SIDE OF DRIVEWAY The south side of the driveway has wet soil and receives part-sun during the growing season. Fruiting and/or flowering shrubs here also have an understory of herbaceous perennials around the base of the trunk to reduce mowing and attract pollinators.

COMMERCIAL BERRY CROPS Rows of commercial berry crops, such as highbush blueberry or red currants fill this wet, partlyshady, partly-sunny field. Bushes and brambles are planted in rows at least three feet apart, allowing pathways wide enough for wheelchairs.

Redosier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) 3

Apple Serviceberry (Amelanchier lamarckii) 4

8

Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) 5

Red Currants (Ribes rubrum) 6

Wet Meadow 7

Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) 8

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

SHADY OUTDOOR GATHERING AREA Plantings include attractive shrubs and herbaceous perennials with beneficial qualities such as fruit-bearing, flowering, insect-attracting, and soilbuilding. Limiting turfgrass as much as possible with ground covers and lawn alternatives will reduce the mowing requirements.

7

0 Feet

Dwarf Forthergilla (Fothergilla gardenii) 9

Salvia (Salvia nemorosa) 10

Butterfly Bush (Buddleia spp.) 11

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) 12

Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) 13

Canada Bluegrass (Poa compressa) 14

Red Bud (Cercis canadensis) 15

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) 16

LOW-GROWING LAWN ALTERNATIVES Open lawn or meadow grasses may be an appropriate use of space for less saturated areas on the farm where there is a lot of movement and gathering, or for forest edges. Low-mow lawn mixes that require less mowing would be ideal.

SMALL SHADE TREES & SHRUBS

PONDS & BIOSWALES Ponds, bioswales, and wet meadows are all design components to capture, filter, and infiltrate water on this site. A wetland meadow species mix includes native grasses, sedges, rushes, flowers, ferns, and others.

JAMIE POTTERN

Hedges and other plant screens create a private outdoor room in the front yard for staff and residents. Plants with edible fruits or beautiful flowers provide added benefits.

Plant these only in areas around the property where shade is needed. Those planted for shade in the outdoor gathering area should be able to tolerate full sun, and some wetness. Consider planting small-to-medium height trees that will not get too large and encroach upon the limited gathering space.

20 40 60 80

PLANTING GUIDE

15/19

POND

GREENHOUSE

ALPACA PADDOCK

7 LEACH FIELD

SUNNY OUTDOOR GATHERING AREA

PERGOLA

SHADY OUTDOOR GATHERING AREA

4

PARKING LOT

6

FORESTED WETLAND

PERGOLA

SMALL FRUIT TREES & SHRUBS

PATIO

8

BIOSWALE

BARN

BIOSWALE

4

CHICKEN RUN

BIOSWALE

CHICKEN COOP

HOUSE

SHADE TREES

4

5

DUCK POND

1

COMMERCIAL BERRY CROPS

PRIVATE SPACE FOR RESIDENTS

3

WET MEADOW

2

4

FLOWERING SHRUBS

0

20

40

60

80

Feet

1

2

3

NORTH SIDE OF DRIVEWAY Common Name

Genus

Species

Description

Height

Width

Preferred Conditions

Functions

Uses

Apple, SemiDwarf

Malus

pumila

Small tree with edible fruits.

12–20’

12–20’

Full sun. Welldrained, fertile soils.

Nutrient accumulator.

Heavy fruiting, stores well.

Fresh, pies, jams, jellies, dried.

Nanking Cherry

Prunus

tomentosa

Broad, dense shrub with fragrant white flowers and edible 1/2’’ fruits.

6–10’

6–10’

Full sun in well-drained soils.

Hedge plant, food.

Fresh or frozen, pie.

Beach Plum

Prunus

maritima

Rounded, dense suckering shrub.

Fruits in late summer.

Salt tolerant.

6’

5–6’

Poor, sandy or well-drained soils.

Wildlife food, insectary.

Fresh, jams, sauces, jellies.

Peach, SemiDwarf

Prunus

persica

Small fruiting tree.

10–14’

10–14’

Full sun, moist.

Wildlife food, insectary.

Fresh, jams, pies, frozen.

Canada Plum, Bounty

Prunus

nigra

Does not sucker.

Makes a small tree or shrub with an open crown.

15’

15’

Light shade.

Can tolerate very cold conditions.

Wildlife food, insectary.

Mulberry, ‘Geraldi Dwarf’

Morus

x hybrid cv.

Small tree with edible fruits.

8’

6–8’

Light shade.

Can tolerate moist conditions.

Height

Width 6–20’

Common Name

Genus

Species

Description

Height

Width

Preferred Conditions

Functions

Uses

Highbush Blueberry

Vaccinium

corymbosum

Vigorous shrubs.

Productive and reliable. Few disease or insect problems.

4–7’

Spreading

Wet, acid soils. Partial shade.

Wildlife food.

Fresh, pies, jams and jellies, dried, frozen.

Elderberry

Sambucus

canadensis

Broad, vigorous multi–stemmed shrub. White flowers and clusters of edible berries.

5–12’

5–12’

Moist, rich soil. Full sun.

Edible, wildlife food, insectary.

Fresh, pies, jams and jellies, wine, frozen.

Lingonberry

Vaccinium

vitis–idaea

12–18’’

12–18’’

Full sun; poor, sandy acid soils.

Groundcover

Sauces, jams, syrups, juices, wine, frozen.

Fresh, jams, pies, frozen.

Vigorous, shallowrooted, spreading groundcover related to blueberries and cranberries. Red nutritious fruit

Highbush Cranberry

Viburnum

trilobum

8–12’

8–12’

Fresh, jams.

Prefers rich, moist, welldrained soils.

Sun or shade.

Wildlife food, insectary, screens and hedges.

Jelly, tea.

Wildlife food.

Multi-stemmed shrubs, with clusters of white flowers in May.

Red Currant

Ribes

rubrum

Medium shrub

3–5’

3–5’

Part shade.

Moist soil.

Wildlife food and habitat, insectary.

Fresh, juice, jam, jelly, dried.

Preferred Conditions

Functions

Uses

Full sun to light shade.

Moist, welldrained, acid soils.

Hedge

Fresh

Full sun, moist soil.

Wildlife food.

SOUTH SIDE OF DRIVEWAY Common Name

Genus

Species

Description

Canada Shadbush

Amelanchier

canadensis

Short, multi-stemmed 6–20’ suckering shrub.

Apple Serviceberry

Amelanchier

lamarckii

Large, understory multi-stemmed shrub or small tree. Blooms in early spring.

15–20’

15–20’

Ilex

verticillata

Deciduous shrub with bright red fruit.

3–5’

3–5’

Part-sun.

Moist soils.

Wildlife food.

Not edible.

Redosier Dogwood

Cornus

sericea

Beautiful flowering shrub with red stems.

7–9’

10’

Somewhat tolerant of wet soils.

Insectary

Not edible.

Spicebush

Lindera

benzoin

Multi-stemmed native flowering shrub.

6–12’

8–12’

Wet, part shade.

Wildlife food, insectary.

Not edible.

Branchy shrub with fragrant white flowers.

6–10’

Cephalanthus

occidentalis

8’

Wet, adaptable.

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

Fresh

Winterberry

Buttonbush

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

COMMERCIAL BERRY CROPS

Wildlife food, insectary.

0 Feet

Not edible.

20 40 60 80

4

PONDS & BIOSWALES Genus

Species

Genus

Species

Asclepias

incarnata

Lobelia

cardinalis

Asclepias

tuberosa

Lobelia

siphilitica

Aster

laevis

Monarda

spp.

Aster

linariifolius

Pycnanthemum

muticum

Aster

novaeangliae

Pycnanthemum

tenuifolium

Baptisia

tinctoria

Rudbeckia

nitida

Comptonia

peregrina

Scutellaria

incana

Deschampsia

cespitosa

Senna

hebecarpa

Eupatorium

maculatum

Solidago

rugosa

Eupatorium

rugosum

Sorgastrum

nutans

Gailardia

aristata

Thalictrum

dioicum

Helenium

autumnale

Vernonia

noveboracensis

Iris

versicolor

Veronicastrum

virginicum

PLANTING PALETTE 1

16/19

POND

GREENHOUSE CHICKEN COOP

BIOSWALE

BARN

SHADY OUTDOOR GATHERING AREA

FIELD PERGOLA

PARKING LOT

6

FORESTED WETLAND

PERGOLA

PATIO

8

BIOSWALE

7 LEACH

SUNNY OUTDOOR GATHERING AREA

4

ALPACA PADDOCK

BIOSWALE

4

CHICKEN RUN

SMALL FRUIT TREES & SHRUBS

HOUSE

SHADE TREES

4

5

DUCK POND

1

COMMERCIAL BERRY CROPS

PRIVATE SPACE FOR RESIDENTS

3

WET MEADOW

2

4

FLOWERING SHRUBS

0

20

40

60

80

Feet

5

Common Name Black Chokeberry

6

7

PRIVATE SPACE FOR RESIDENTS Genus Aronia

Species melanocarpa

Description

Height

Round, suckering shrub. Brilliant red folliage in fall. Best alternative to invasive burning bush.

1.5–6’

Width 6–10’

Preferred Conditions

Functions

Uses

Adaptable to wet or dry areas, sun or partial shade.

Wildlife food, insectary, ground cover.

Fresh, juice, wine, jelly, tarts, medicine.

Butterfly Bush

Buddleia

spp.

Beautiful shrub with fragrant flowers.

4–8’

4–8’

Full sun.

Wildlife food, insectary.

Cut flowers.

Dwarf Fothergilla

Fothergilla

gardenii

Shrub with beautiful summer and fall foliage.

3–5’

3–5’

Acid, moist, welldrained soils. Full or part sun.

Insectary

­–

Koreanspice Viburnum

Viburnum

carlesii

Fragrant flowering shrub.

6–8’

6–8’

Full or part-sun.

Insectary

–

Manchurian Lilac

Syringa

patula

Compact shrub, fragrant flowers, deep burgundy fall color.

8–10’

8–10’

Well-drained soils.

Full sun.

Insectary

–

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea

purpurea

Beautiful clumping perennial flower.

3–4’

1–2’

Part shade, moist soils.

Insectary

Cut flowers, tea, medicine.

Anise Hyssop

Agastache

foeniculum

Clumping herb with long-lasting purple blossoms.

2–4’

1–2’

Part shade, moist soils.

Insectary

Tea, medicine.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia

fulgida

Long blooming, large flowers.

24’’

24’’

Adaptable

Insectary, wildlife food.

Cut flowers.

Salvia

Salvia

nemorosa

Purple blossoms.

18–24’’

18’’

Moist, well-drained soil, adaptable.

Insectary, wildlife food.

Edible leaves, tea.

Shooting Star

Liatris

spicata

White or purple blossoms.

12–18’’

12’’

Moist, well-drained soil. Full to part-sun.

Insectary

Cut flowers.

8

SHADY OUTDOOR GATHERING AREA Common Name

Genus

Species

Description

Height

Width

Preferred Conditions

Functions

Uses

Summersweet

Clethra

alnifolia

Suckering shrub with fragrant flowers.

3–8’

3–8’

Acid, moist, well-drained soils. Shade to full sun.

Insectary

–

Peegee Hydrangea

Hydrangea

paniculata

Large shrub or small tree.

5–10’

5–10

Part sun, dry soils.

Insectary

–

Silky Dogwood

Cornus

racemosa

Suckering deciduous shrub with white flowers and fruit.

10-–15’

10–15’

Sun or shade, variable soil conditions.

Wildlife food, insectary.

–

Virginia Sweetspire

Itea

virginica

Suckering, multi-stemmed shrub with white flowers.

3–4’

5–7’

Heavy shade to full sun.

Wet or dry soils.

Insectary, borders/ hedges.

–

Bugbane

Actaea

ramosa

Fragrant white perennial flower.

48–60’’

48’’

Moist soils, shade.

Insectary

–

Purplecone Flower

Echinacea

purpurea

Beautiful clumping perennial flower.

3–4’

1–2’

Part shade, moist soils.

Insectary

Cut flowers, tea, medicine.

Bee Balm

Monarda

didyma

Herbaceous perennial with bright flowers.

30’’

30’’

Moist soil, adaptable.

Insectary

Herb

Columbine

Aquilegia

canadensis

Herbaceous perennial with beautiful flowers.

24’’

24’’

Moist, well-drained soil, adaptable.

Insectary

–

Tall Larkspur

Delphinum

exaltatum

Herbaceous perennial with beautiful flowers.

48’’

28’’

Moist, part to full sun.

Insectary

Cut flowers.

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

0 Feet

LOW GROWING LAWN ALTERNATIVES Genus

Species

Genus

Species

Agrostis

perennans

Eragrostis

spectabilis

Andropogon

scoparius

Festuca

arundinacea

Andropogon

virginicus

Festuca

rubra

Anthoxanthum

odoratum

Gaillardia

pulchella

Aquilegia

canadensis

Juncus

tenuis

Asclepias

tuberosa

Liatris

spicata

Aster

laevis

Lolium

perenne

Aster

novae-angliae

Lupinus

perennis

Aster

ptarmicoides

Penstemon

digitalis

Carex

normalis

Poa

annua

Carex

swanii

Poa

compressa

Coreopsis

lanceolata

Poa

pratensis

Dactylis

glomerata

Rudbeckia

triloba

Elymus

canadensis

Solidago

rigida

Elymus

villosus

Zizia

aurea

SMALL SHADE TREES Common Name

Genus

Species

Description

Height

Width

Preferred Conditions

Functions

Uses

Red Bud

Cercis

candensis

Small-to-medium tree with edible flowers.

20–35’

20–35’

Part shade, moist soils.

Nitrogen-fixation, wildlife food, insectary.

Flowers eaten in salads.

Chokecherry

Prunus

virginiana

Medium-sized tree, produces small, edible berries.

35–50’

20–35’

Can tolerate part shade. Moist soil.

Wildlife food, insectary.

Fresh

Nannyberry

Viburnum

lentago

Large suckering shrub or small tree with 1/2’’ edible berries. Hardy.

8–30’

10–12’

Moist, welldrained soils.

Full sun to partial shade.

Edible, wildlife food.

Fresh, medicine.

Mountain Silverbell

Halesia

carolina

Medium-sized tree or shrub with beautiful flowers.

30’

35’

Moist soil, shade.

Wildlife food, insectary.

–

Japanese Stewartia

Stewartia

pseudocamellia

Small-to-medium tree with beautiful flowers and fall foliage.

20’

20’

Moist soil, part sun.

Insectary

–

Fringe Tree

Chionanthus

virginicus

Small tree with fragrant white flowers.

12–20’

12–20’

Sun to partial shade. Moist soil.

Wildlife food, insectary.

–

20 40 60 80

PLANTING PALETTE 2

17/19

There are many opportunities for improving water management across the landscape. Specialists should be consulted to assess the feasibility and regulatory requirements of these options.

2 5

FORESTED WETLAND

LEACH FIELD

1 4

3

2

POOL PIPE FROM SUMP PUMP

3 POTENTIAL VERNAL POOL

FORESTED WETLAND

1

1

2

Protect wetland resources. Consult wetland specialists and the Hatfield Conservation Commission for wetland delineations and for gleaning an understanding of state and federal regulations for activities restricted within wetland buffers. The wetlands should not be used directly as sources for irrigation.

3

Hire a consulting engineer to assess the suitability of these two wet areas for ponds. Constructed ponds have a high rate of failure when not designed properly. Ponds may be used for irrigation, water filtration and mitigation, or for agriculture (food and fodder). An engineer could also assess the suitability of a well on the property.

Water currently being pumped from the basement into the wetland could be redirected into the swimming pool basin to be filtered and used for irrigating the main crop field. This water could be filtered with a mechanical pump and/or with plants. There is also potential for utilizing the swimming pool basin as a hydroponic system (growing a productive crop), an aquaculture system (raising fish), or an aquaponic system (combining the two). These options use existing resources to creatively address the irrigation challenge, while providing opportunities for raising other useful crops that could be integrated into the farm operation.

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

0 Feet

4

Roofs of existing and new structures have the potential to be used for catching water. This water could be used for irrigation or for watering the animals, and may need to be filtered.

5

Gravel may be the cheapest surface material for the parking lot. It may be advisable to subgrade the parking area, fill with four inches of 4-inch stone and then twelve inches of gravel. This will keep gravel from sinking into the ground, while keeping the lot semipermeable.

20 40 60 80

Other recommended parking lot materials are pavers, made of stone or cement. Hollow pavers filled with gravel provide a more permeable surface.

Consider constructing bioswales and/or infiltration drains around parking area to reduce pooling in the existing lot, and to capture, filter, and infiltrate runoff. An engineer should be consulted to assess soil permeability and feasibility of different water management strategies.

WATER MANAGEMENT

18/19

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

PHOTO CREDITS

WATER MANAGEMENT

COVER SHEET: Jamie Pottern

STORMWATER http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/laws/swmpolv2.pdf http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/laws/swmpolv2.pdf http://www.unh.edu/unhsc/pubs-specs-info WETLANDS www.mass.gov/dep/water/laws/farman.doc www.mass.gov/dep/water/laws/ch131s40.pdf http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/index.cfm

MISSION & GOALS: SHEET 1 1 Shawn Robinson, ServiceNet 2 Jamie Pottern 3 Shawn Robinson, ServiceNet 4 Jamie Pottern 5 Jamie Pottern 6 Thomas McCarthy, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation PATHS & TRAILS: SHEET 14 http://everyoneoutdoors.blogspot.com/ 2 http://everyoneoutdoors.blogspot.com/ 3 http://nttp.net 4 http://www.imamuseum.org/ 5 http://rainbowturfproducts.arcflorida.com/ 6 Thomas McCarthy, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation 1

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/accessibilitytable.php http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/accessibilityatMassAudubon.php http://everyoneoutdoors.blogspot.com/p/fall-2011-adaptive-recreation.html http://www.americantrails.org/resources/accessible/index.html http://www.americantrails.org/resources/accessible/USFSguide06.html http://ncaonline.org/?q=node/8 http://www.mass.gov/dcr/universal_access/index.htm http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/accessibility/ CASE STUDIES: http://www.crotchedmountain.org/ http://www.camphill.org/ PATHS & TRAILS http://www.americantrails.org/resources/accessible/USFSsurface.html http://www.nttp.net/resources/trailbuilding/index.html ZONING www.townofhatfield.org/wp-content/uploads/.../zoningbylaws.pdf http://www.townofhatfield.org/Pages/index

PLANTING PLAN: SHEET 15 http://www.thehoneytreenursery.com/Fruit--and--Nut.php 2 http://nhfruitgrowers.org/blog/?p=34 3 http://www.aboutcomoxvalley.com/ 4 http://accentgardendesigns.com/blog/?author=1&paged=4 5 http://www.oregonberry.com/Fresh%20Blueberries.htm 6 http://krabatas.deviantart.com/art/red-red-currants-243288941 7 http://www.cooperativeconservation.org/viewproject.asp?pid=151 8 http://www.florafinder.com/Species/Solidago_rugosa.php 9 http://www.naturallandscapesnursery.com/fothergilla.html 10 http://hg.ohio.com/page/7/ 11 http://www.wisenurseries.com 12 http://www.folksbutterflyfarm.com/plants/plantlist.htm 13 http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/ga/blog_03/yellow_summer_flowers/ 14 http://www.geolocation.ws/v/L/3883811525/poa-compressa/en 15 http://www.holmeshollow.com/bean_trees.html 16 http://www.wildflowerchild.info/search.cgi?family_id=44 1

ORGANIC FARMING http://www.nofamass.org/ https://attra.ncat.org/organic.html http://www.sare.org/ http://northeasternpermaculture.wikispaces.com/Massachusetts http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1195497988026&lang=eng

JAMIE POTTERN

SERVICENET/SHAWN ROBINSON

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044, www.csld.edu Fall 2011

103A Prospect Street Hatfield, MA 01038

THE CONWAY SCHOOL

PROSPECT MEADOW FARM

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

RESOURCES & CREDITS

19/19