Women Together's Winslow Park Plan

W I N S L OW PA R K D E S I G N - WO M E N TO G E T H E R , WO RC E S T E R , M A EMMA COOKE, HANNAH WHIPPLE - CONWAY SCHOOL OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN SPRING 2006

CONTENTS

Introduction

1

Park Goals

2

Context

3-4

Existing Conditions

5

Site Analysis

6

Concept Plan, Schemes, Preliminary Plan

7

Final Plan

8-14

Planting Plan

15

Plant List

16

Details

17

Water Management

18

Cost Estimates

19-20

Community Input

21

W I N S L OW PA R K D E S I G N - WO M E N TO G E T H E R , WO RC E S T E R , M A EMMA COOKE, HANNAH WHIPPLE - CONWAY SCHOOL OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN

INTRODUCTION

The Winslow Street Lot, April 2006

W

omen Together is a non-profit community group from the Pleasant Street neighborhood of Worcester, Massachusetts, that is committed to ending violence by working together to create change.

Women Together plans to buy the vacant half-acre Winslow Street property and create a public park. The Winslow Street School once stood on this site and served as a gathering place for the surrounding neighborhood. In 1978, when the school burned down, the Pleasant Street neighborhood lost its community anchor.

The creation of a public park on the Winslow Street lot would allow the Pleasant Street neighborhood to use this space as a community gathering place. In this urban context, usable greenspace would improve the quality of life for residents since urban greenspace improves air and water quality, and provides space for people to recreate. By attracting businesses and visitors, this park could further unify and revitalize this community and help reduce crime.

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PA R K G OA L S

Vision Statement: Creating a safe, multi-generational, and sustainable place where neighbors can come together, interact and build relationships.

This park must be safe.

Visibility in all parts of the park will decrease crime and vandalism.

No spaces for hiding or entrapment.

This should be a place where people look out for each other, keeping eyes on the park.

Safety from traffic is important since the site is a corner lot on a busy street.

Design that eliminates or reduces criminal behavior and at the same time encourages people to “keep an eye out� for each other.

This park must be multi-generational.

Creating activities and spaces for all ages and abilities will increase the use of the park.

Creating spaces where all ages can interact will help build a more cohesive community.

Multi-functional spaces will allow all ages to use this space as they are inclined.

Women Together is dedicated to creating a strong and healthy neighborhood. Every year they host an Earth Day sweep to bring neighbors together and help clean up their streets.

Providing comfortable spaces for everyone from the community.

This park must be sustainable.

A low-maintenance design will enable the community to easily take care of this park.

Multi-functional spaces will allow groups to do different activities in the park, expanding the use of the space.

A flexible design will allow the park to change as the community changes over time.

An environmentally friendly design will improve the quality of life in this neighborhood as well as contribute to making the city greener.

The use of local resources will decrease costs and support the local economy.

Pride and a sense of ownership evoked through neighborhood stewardship will strengthen the community.

This park must hold up under frequent use over a long period of time. With the community members caring for the space, the park must require very little maintenance in order for the space to be in top form all the time.

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CONTEXT

Massachusetts

Radius = 1/3 mile (A 10 min. walk) Elm Park

PLE

NT ASA

The Winslow Lot

STR

EET

Basketball court

Community Garden

Pocket Park

City of Worcester

Source: MassGIS

Tot Lot

T

he Pleasant Street neighborhood is located in the center of Worcester, Massachusetts. The red line designates U.S. Census Tract 7315. This is also how Women Together identifies the neighborhood they serve, the Pleasant Street neighborhood. The neighborhood is ethnically diverse; 42% of the population is Latino and there is a large population of Albanians. The neighborhood also includes Greeks, African-Americans, Asians, and Caucasians.

From the last census, in 2000, the population of Census Tract #7315 was 4,813 people.

The Winslow Street property is about a ten-minute walk, or less, from most of the Pleasant Street neighborhood making it centrally located.

Currently, only 1% of the Pleasant Street neighborhood is open space. This 1% includes a tot lot, a community garden, a pocket park, and a basketball court. Elm Park is just outside of the neighborhood and is used by the entire city of Worcester.

The Pleasant Street neighborhood, delineated by census tract #7315

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CONTEXT,

CONTINUED

The Winslow property, April 2006. The site is very prominent in the Pleasant Street neighborhood because it is a very green half-acre corner lot in an otherwise built neighborhood.

To the east, from the Winslow property, is a church and its parking lot.

The Winslow property and its neighbors.

To the south, from the Winslow property, is a residential neighborhood.

North of the Winslow property, across Pleasant Street, is a sixteen-story Housing Authority apartment building, mixed commercial establishments and businesses.

The old firehouse to the west, across Winslow Street, now houses a Mediterranean Market, a small food store.

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EXISTING CONDITIONS

T

he site is currently covered in thick vegetation, which is why there is little to no visibility from the street into the back half of the lot. Power and telephone lines run above ground. There is one utility pole on the eastern boundary of the site.

Zoning: The northern half of the property along pleasant street is designated as BG 3.0: Business District. The southern half is designated as RG 5.0: Residential District. Both zoning districts allow for a public park.

A

A1

A view of the property from the sidewalk on Pleasant Street, June 2006.

A足 1

A

VIEWS There is clear visibility from the streets into the property, until about halfway in, where the view is completely restricted by dense vegetation.

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HIGH POINT

DIRECTION OF EXCESS STORMWATER RUNOFF

LOW POINT

T R A F F I C

SHADE

ON STREET PARKING

SITE ANALYSIS

EX

CURB CUT

IST

IN

G

SH

OR T

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ON STREET PARKING

CURB CUT

TRAFFIC MATURE TREES, VALUABLE FOR SHADE

SUN & SHADE Shade is cast from existing vegetation and the residential buildings bordering the southern and eastern boundaries of the property. Both sun and shade areas are necessary for a comfortable climate year round.

HYPSOGRAPHY The site has a change in elevation of 4 feet over 220 feet, or an overall grade of less than 2%, from the southeast corner down to the northwest corner. Excess stormwater runoff will drain from high point to low point into the existing street drains.

SOIL Soils on site consist of man-made urban fill. Garbage and other items such as old stereos, car batteries, mattresses, a whole car, and potentially parts of the school building foundation have been left here over the past 30 years. The permeable quality of the soil allows stormwater to infiltrate into the groundwater. Soil testing, for possible contamination, is recommended before the purchase of the lot.

CIRCULATION On a corner lot, a cross-corner path is not only a natural short-cut, but an opportunity to bring people into the site as well. As streets border two sides of the lot, safety from moving traffic, especially for children, must be considered. At least one existing curb cut should remain clear to allow for service and emergency vehicles to enter the site.

VEGETATION Mature, healthy trees on site are invaluable for the shade they cast in this urban context. This may outweigh any invasive tendencies certain species may have.

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CONCEPT PLAN, SCHEMES, PRELIMINARY PLAN URBAN WALLS SCHEME

The Urban Walls Scheme echoes the idea of the retaining wall on the east boundary and runs low sitting walls throughout the park that roughly follow the contours of the land. The walls act as a canvas for community-made art. The walls also define the different spaces of the park.

HISTORICAL FOOTPRINT SCHEME

The Historical Scheme uses the footprint of the old Winslow Street School building that used to be on the property. Using the footprint of the building acknowledges the importance of the school in the history of the neighborhood.

CONCEPT PLAN

Based on existing conditions, inventory, analysis, and community input, a concept plan was developed to guide the design of the park. Major park elements, identified by the residents of the Pleasant Street neighborhood, include:

PRELIMINARY PLAN

• Large gathering/audience space • Covered stage area • Natural play area • Space for community art • Gardens • Memorial • Bathroom

The Preliminary plan combines the major design elements of the Historical Footprint Scheme and the Urban Walls Scheme.

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FINAL PLAN - AERIAL PERSPECTIVE

SPRAY WALL STAGE

STICK GARDEN

SAND PLAY AREA MEMORIAL AREA

GATHERING AREA

VEGETATED BUFFER

SHADY NOOK

TABLES GARDENS SITTING WALLS/ ART WALLS

BATHROOM/SHED

P L E

BENCHES

A S A N T S T R E E T W

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N

S

L

O

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R

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E

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KIOSKS WITH BULLETIN BOARDS MAIN ENTRANCE

W I N S L OW PA R K D E S I G N - WO M E N TO G E T H E R , WO RC E S T E R , M A EMMA COOKE, HANNAH WHIPPLE - CONWAY SCHOOL OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN

FINAL PLAN

T

SHADY NOOK

A1

SAND PLAY AREA

MEMORIAL AREA

STAGE

P L E A S A N T S T R E E T

he Winslow Park design provides a framework in which the neighborhood can further develop the space according to their wishes. There is space for the community to add other park elements, and expand on the design. For instance, raised garden beds can be added to the garden area.

The community can literally put their mark on this space, since there are many elements within the design on which the community can create art.

The sitting walls that run through the park, are one of these such elements, and can be painted, or inlaid with mosaics.

A central gathering and audience space is ringed with flowering crabapple trees that will provide visual interest throughout the year. Within this space, small or large groups can gather in the shade or the sun. The cross-corner path allows for a shortcut that people are naturally inclined to follow across this corner lot. The path also enlivens the park by inviting people to enter and pass through.

This park is a place for various events and activities to take place, such as performances, farmers markets, festivals, open-air art galleries, outdoor film showings.... The opportunities are endless.

STICK GARDEN

GATHERING AREA SPRAY WALL

WILD FLOWER GARDEN VEG ETATED BUFFER

KIOSKS

COMMUNITY GARDEN

MAIN ENTRANCE

A

BATHROOM/SHED W I N S L O W S T R E E T

A1 A

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FINAL PLAN - ENTRY AREA

A1

A

Section through entry area

Source: www.pps.org

A1

BENCHES ALONG SIDEWALK

P L E A S A N T S T R E E T

Benches along the sidewalk create a connection between the street and the park.

MAIN ENTRANCE

The main entrance area is very open, drawing people in and providing views into the park.

KIOSKS A W I N S L O W S T R E E T

ENTRY AREA Kiosks at the main entrance create a vibrant welcome to the park. The kiosks provide space for bulletin boards or community art. They also provide shade for the hardscaping on the street corner. Because of its proximity to the street, this main entrance area is ideal for events like farmers markets.

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Source: www.pps.org

FINAL PLAN - SHADY NOOK

CHESS TABLES

The chess tables under the shady nook create an impromptu show for passersby, drawing people into the park.

SHADY NOOK The shady nook along Pleasant Street has tables and chairs for eating lunch.

Chess boards inlaid into the tables allow for chess and checker games in the park, inviting adults and children to spend time in this space.

View of the shady nook area, from park walkway

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A

A1

Section through gathering space A1

Source: www.yestermorrow.org

Source: Village of Arts and Humanities

FINAL PLAN - GATHERING AREA

STAGE

LOW WALLS

A simple cover for the stage area provides shelter from the sun and rain but maintains an open feel, allowing views in from all angles. The stage is an ideal place to hold performances or show a movie.

Source: www.pps.org

Creatively decorated walls provide color to hard surfaces and can add humor to the park.

Walls provide a place to sit, as well as define spaces within the park.

GATHERING AREA

The gathering area is not only a space for an audience, but for picnics in the park as well.

A

GATHERING AREA A park in Roxbury, MA has a community declaration of rights built into a sitting wall.

The central gathering area is a raised lawn space ringed with flowering crabapple trees. This space provides an area for large audiences but also small gatherings. The stage gives this neighborhood a formal place for outdoor performance. The low retaining walls that ring the raised grassy area provide seating along the paths that runs through the park.

RING OF CRABAPPLE TREES

The crabapple trees provide shade for the gathering area, as well as year-long interest, as the trees bloom and bear fruit.

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Source: www.pps.org

FINAL PLAN - PLAY AREA

SAND BOX AREA

SPRAY WALL

Children can get cooled off on hot summer days by running through and playing on the spray wall.

PLAY AREA The play area is far away from the traffic in the streets, creating a safe area in which children can play. Children are free to run through the stick forest or get wet in the spray wall. The large sand area allows children to build elaborate sand castles.

Source: Village of Arts and Humanities

Source: Jack Ahern, A Guide to the Landscape Architecture of Boston

Large boulders ring a sand box area making the structure of the sand area part of the fun.

STICK FOREST

A painted stick forest is an area for wooden posts, painted by the community.

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FINAL PLAN - GARDEN AREA A bathroom in the garden area fulfills a need in this neighborhood where there isn’t another public bathroom.

The bathroom could have room for a small storage area that would provide space to hold gardening tools.

Source: www.yestermorrow.org

BATHROOM

TABLES WILD FLOWER GARDEN

MEMORIAL AREA

The memorial area is focused around the large Norway maple in the back corner of the park.

Source: www.pps.org

Source: Village of Arts and Humanities

VEGETATED BUFFER

COMMUNITY GARDEN

The large wildflower garden needs to be mowed only once a year, allowing the community to easily take care of this space. If the community finds a need and want for more formalized gardens, there is ample room for raised beds within the larger wildflower area.

Murals behind the memorial area discourage vandalism and provide space for the community to express themselves.

GARDEN AREA The garden area is a place for quiet reflection where residents of an urban neighborhood have access to a very green place. Retaining the existing mature trees on the southern boundary of the park provides a vegetated area that acts as a privacy and sound buffer for the residential neighbors.

BENCHES

Benches made by the community can be art as well as places to sit.

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PLANTING PLAN quantity common name

botanic name

size at installation

350 300 350 10

blue flag iris Canada rush cardinal flower crabapple

Iris versicolor Juncus canadensis Lobelia cardinalis Malus ‘Donald Wyman’

300 5

fringed sedge ginkgo

7

green ash

1/4 lb bag 7

wildflower seed mix witch hazel

2” plug 2” plug 2” plug 1.5-1.75” caliper Carex crinata 2” plug Ginkgo biloba ‘Princeton 2-2.5” Sentry’ caliper Fraxinus pennsylvanica 2-2.5” caliper Hamamelis virginianica

30-36” hieght

spacing Existing black locust

9” o.c.

1’ o.c.

9” o.c.

-

Green ash

1’ o.c.

-

Bio-swale plantings

‘Donald Wyman’ crabapple

-

Existing norway maple

Lawn Existing poplar

Ginko

-

Lawn Bio-swale plantings

‘Donald Wyman’ crabapple Wild flower mix/ community garden s

Witch hazel

Existing sumac

Witch hazel Existing poplar Lawn

Ginko Bio-swale plantings

Existing tree of heaven

T

he Final Plan uses some of the existing mature vegetation on site, especially on the southern boundary. The mature trees provide shade for the park and a privacy buffer for the residential neighborhood to the south. The green ash trees provide cool shade for the shady nook area.

The ‘Donald Wyman’ crabapple trees encircle the gathering space, providing a ring of shade around this central lawn area. The crabapples also provide year-round interest with their spring

flowers and persistent fruit. The ginkgo trees provide bright yellow fall foliage and shade for the hardscaping near the streets. The bioswales are planted with moisture-tolerant species to hold and absorb excess stormwater runoff. The bioswales also provide interesting vegetation throughout the park. The garden provides space for a wildflower and/or a butterfly garden, as well as future community vegetable and/or perennial gardens.

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PLANT LIST This plant list is for recommendations only, any substitutions should emulate the size, shape, habit, and growing conditions of the recommended plant.

EXISTING VEGETATION TO REMAIN Common Witchhazel Hamamelsis virginiana Habit: small tree or large shrub with several large, crooked, spreading branches Fall flowers: yellow, fragrant Height at maturity: 20’ Norway maple Acer platanoides

Tree of heaven Ailanthus altissima

Staghorn sumac Rhus typhina

Flowering Crabapple Malus ‘Donald Wyman’ Habit: large spreading form Flower: pink buds opening to white in spring Fruit: glossy bright red, persistent into winter Height at maturity: 25’

Black locust Robinia pseudoacacia

BIO-SWALE PLANTING RECOMENDATIONS Fringed Sedge Carex crinita This species of sedge is shade tolerant, but also thrives in sunny locations

Blue Flag Iris Iris versicolor Blue flowers and green sword-like leaves.

Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis The brilliant red flowers attract hummingbirds.

Canada Rush Juncus canadensis A common rush of bogs and hummocks. A good plant to add diversity to a planting plan.

Poplar Populus sp.

TREE RECOMENDATIONS Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica Habit: Oval to broadly pyramidal, Fast growth rate.

Grows in sun or shade; tolerant of wet or dry, salt, and urban pollution.

Height at maturity: 55’

Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba ‘Pinceton Sentry’ Male (as fruit on female tree is messy) Habit: upright shape Height at maturity: 60’

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D E S I G N D E TA I L S PERMEABLE JOINTS CONCRETE PAVERS SAND SETTING BED CRUSHED STONE BASE SUB GRADE

CONCRETE PAVERS

NTS

Concrete pavers create a long-lasting hard surface that will stand a lot of use while still being a permeable surface, allowing stormwater to infiltrate between the pavers.

DRY LAID PAVERS STRUCTURAL SOIL PREPARED SUBGRADE

TREE IN STRUCTURAL SOIL

NTS

Structural soil is a mixture of crushed stone, soil and a binding material that will provide enough soil volume for adequate tree growth while supporting the pavers on the surface under the shady nook area. Structural soil has the potential to extend the lives of both the trees as well as the pavers.

18”

ART/ SITTING WALLS

NTS

One possible construction method for the walls (including the retaining walls) of the park could be of concrete masonry units with a stucco finish. The stucco finish allows for mosaics or paintings on the walls. The walls should have a comfortable height and width for sitting on, a height of about 18” and a minimum width of 12”.

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WATER MANAGEMENT

OVERFLOW DRAIN

GRASSY SLOPE

BIO-SWALE

WALKWAY

BIO-SWALE SECTION BENEATH STAGE

NTS

The bio-swale planting area around the stage not only adds visual interest, but it slows and filters stormwater that runs off the hard surfaces and lawn area surrounding the stage. Bio-swales slowly transport shallow depths of runoff over vegetation. The slow movement of runoff allows sediments to settle and associated pollutants to be filtered through biological activity.

KEY DIR E C T I O N O F R U N O F F AR E A O F I N F I LTR ATI O N LO W P O I N T/ B I O - S WA L E OV E R F L O W D R A I N

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

NTS

With only one-third of the site covered with impermeable surfaces, the park is mostly vegetated and therefore can potentially retain most stormwater on site. Hardscaping areas are semi-permeable and are pitched toward vegetated areas to allow for attenuation of stormwater. Bio-swales in the lowest areas are planted with vegetation that filters and absorbs stormwater runoff. Overflow drains are placed in these bio-swales to allow for any overflow to enter the municipal storm sewer system.

RECIRCULATING DRAIN

SPRAY WALL DETAIL

NTS

The water from the spray wall flows into a drain that prevents standing water from collecting.

The water is then filtered and recirculated into the spray wall.

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MATERIAL COSTS ESTIMATES

Cost estimates (June 2006) do not include delivery or labor.

Structural Soil: Amount for 1 cubic yard of structural soil: Crushed rock gradation of 100% passing 1.25 inch, max. 30% passing .75 inch: 23.2 cubic feet Topsoil: 5.9 cubic feet Soil Binder, such as “Stabilizer”: 13.7 oz.

Water: 1.6 gallons (The major components of the structural soil mixture are crushed rock and topsoil. When mixed together, some of the topsoil fills in the voids of the crushed rock material and therefore the sum of the rock and topsoil volumes does not equal the volume of the structural soil material. There is approximately a 10% volume reduction due to mixing the materials together.)

The area where there will be structural soil is about 1600 square feet. The total quantity of structural soil needed will be about 178 cubic yards. In other cases where structural soil has been used, the price to supply, deliver and install the structural soil material per cubic yard ranged from $19 to $85 with an average bid of $42.

178 cubic yards x $42 = $7476 (for more information see: www.hort.cornell.edu) Hardscaping: Drylaid concrete pavers: precast concrete paving slabs: 24” x 24”: $1.99 each.

7000 square feet for the hardscaping (not including the bosque area) 1750 24”x24” pavers (at $1.99 each)=$3482.50 Drylaid concrete pavers: precast concrete paving slabs: 16”x16”: $1.60 each shady nook area: 2050 square feet of paving for the shady nook area.

1153 16”x16” pavers (at $1.60 each)=$1845.

Coarse washed sand bed, 1”: $1.13 per square yard for bosque area: 7000 sq.ft. /9= 777.78 sq.yds. x $1.13=

Sand Play Area: Mason sand $16.25 per cubic yard 300 square feet at 1.5 feet deep: 450 square feet/27= 16.6 cubic yards of mason sand x $16.25 = $276.25 Lighting: Light fixtures on 20 foot posts, illuminating about 33’ diameter circles.

12 posts and heads for $800-$1000 each= $13,600-$17,000 TOTALS: Structural Soil: $7,476 Hardscaping: $10,250 Walls: $3,545 Stucco finish for walls: by others Sand Play Area: $276 Lighting: $13,600-$17,000 1 Bathroom/Shed: by others 1 Stage: by others Furniture: by others 3 Kiosk structures: by others Water feature: by others

ESTIMATED TOTAL: $35,148 - $38,548

$878.89

Crushed ¾” stone base, compacted, 6” deep: $5.20 per square yard 7000sq.feet/9= 777.78 sq.yds x $5.20= $4044.00 Walls: Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) with stucco 685 lineal feet of walls, height 18” CMUs 8”x16” at $1.15 each 1540 CMUs at $1.15 each=$1772.44 footing: 1540 CMUs at $1.15 each=$1772.44 Total: $3544.88

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MATERIAL COSTS ESTIMATES,

CONTINUED

Cost estimates (June 2006) do not include delivery or labor.

Vegetation: Wildflower seed mix: $70. for ¼ lb. bag to cover 1,000 sq.ft.

From Wildflowers and Native Grasses, Prairie Nursery www.prairienursery.com Lawn: 8600 square feet of lawn: 2-3 7lb. bags of Scotts Pure Premium High Traffic Brand Grass Seed Mixture. $26.99 each. Total: $53.98-$80.97 Straw bales to cover newly seeded lawn: 8 straw bales to spread over the newly seeded lawn areas. $6 per bale: $48 Tree and Shrubs: Green ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica Cost: 2-2.5” caliper at $175 each 7 at $175 = $1,225

Mulch: for new trees and bio-swale areas (not the wildflower garden).

1270 sq.ft. of mulch spread 3” deep around trees and in bioswales by the streets. 1270sq.ft x ¼’ = 317.5 cu.ft.

317.5 cu.ft. / 27= 11.8 cu.yds.

12 cu. yds. At $27.50/cu.yd.=$330.

TOTALS: Trees and Shrubs: Lawn: Straw bales: Bioswale plants: Wildflower seed mix: Mulch:

ESTIMATED TOTAL:

Ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba ‘Pinceton Sentry’ Cost: 2-2.5’’ caliper at $239.00 each 5 at $239 each = $1,195.

Common witch hazel, Hamamelsis virginiana Cost: 30-36’’ at $39.90 each 7 at $39.90 = $279.30

$3,697 $54-$81 $48 $1,300 $70 $330 $5,525

Flowering crabapple, Malus ‘Donald Wyman’ Cost: 1.5-1.75” caliper at $99.75 each for 10 or more 10 at $99.75 each = $997.50 All tree and shrub cost estimates from Northern Nurseries, Inc., Wholesale Horticultural Distribution Centers Bioswale Plants: Blue flag iris, Iris versicolor Canada rush, Juncus canadensis Cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis Fringed sedge, Carex crinita All bioswale plant recommendations available in 2’’ plugs at $1 each from New England Wetland Plants, Inc., www.newp.com 1,300 plugs to cover 1,000 square feet at $1 each = $1,300

W I N S L OW PA R K D E S I G N - WO M E N TO G E T H E R , WO RC E S T E R , M A EMMA COOKE, HANNAH WHIPPLE - CONWAY SCHOOL OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN

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COMMUNITY INPUT Time-line for a community based design

Defining overarching goals and program elements

PAST • Members of the community talk of the creation of a neighborhood park in the vacant Winslow Street Lot. • Women Together applies for an Urban Self-Help grant to purchase the lot, but they are turned down for the lack of a concrete plan for the space.

During the first community workshop, participants brainstormed as a group to share their ideas about the future of the Winslow lot.

Participants then created their own individual visions for the space--drawing, making lists and describing what they would like the space to be. In small groups, the participants shared their ideas with each other to create combined group posters of what the park might be like. From this workshop, the overarching goals for the park were developed and the major park elements identified.

May 6, 2006 Winslow Park Workshop #1

PRESENT • Graduate students from the Conway School of Landscape Design are hired by Women Together to help articulate their vision for the park, in order to reapply for the grant. Initial Client Meeting held on April 20, 2006.

• Community input facilitated by the Conway School of Land- At the second workshop, residents discussed possible locations for park elements scape Design through two workshops: Workshop #1 held on May 6, 2006 to define overarching goals and program elements of the future park. Workshop #2 held on May 25, 2006 to determine spatial relationships of park elements.

• A progress meeting was held on June 16, 2006, with representatives from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs and Women Together.

• Based on the community input from the workshops, a conceptual design is created to accompany the application for the Urban Self-Help grant to purchase the lot.

• Presentation of the final design at an open house held on June 21, 2006.

FUTURE • With an Urban Self-Help grant, Women Together purchaces the Winslow Lot! • The residents of the Pleasant Street neighborhood implement the design and become stewards of the park.

• Many types of activities and events are held in the Winslow Park, creating a dynamic and inviting place for the residents of the Pleasant Street Neighborhood to come together.

Participants: Ana Alfaro Ines Baron Nicole Belanger Karen Careiro Rebecca Dezan Sharon Doherty Meghan Doherty Osiris Fernandez

Paulette Fortier Honee Hess Mary Keefe Justin Keegan Kevin Ksen Anne Lewenberg Anael Fernandez Marge Purves

Philip Reid Lynne Simons Jen Solin Laura Suroviak Marta Vega Selena Vega

At the first workshop, residents created vision posters for the Winslow lot.

Determining Spatial Relationships May 25, 2006 Winslow Park Workshop #2

During the second community workshop, different locations of the major elements were considered. Each group was asked to respond to different possible locations of the major park elements that were identified during the first community workshop.

Participants: Nicole Belanger Shane Coughlin Rebecca Dezan Erin Ellison Matt Feinstein Paulette Fortier Marikler Giron Vivian Kavuma

Anne Lewenberg Susan Lozoraitis Karen Margold Timothy Niles Laura Suroviak Marta Vega Selena Vega

W I N S L OW PA R K D E S I G N - WO M E N TO G E T H E R , WO RC E S T E R , M A EMMA COOKE, HANNAH WHIPPLE - CONWAY SCHOOL OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank Anne Lewenberg, Laura Suroviak and Mary Keefe from Women Together and The Pleasant Street Neighborhood Network Center. The work they do is inspirational and their help with this project has been invaluable. A special thank you to all the residents of the Pleasant Street neighborhood who contributed their time and enthusiasm during the community workshops held during this project.

We wish Women Together all the best and hope to visit their new park in the years to come.

Thank you to our fellow students, the faculty, and the staff at the Conway School of Landscape Design.

A special thanks to Jean Killhour Akers, Ken Byrne, Paul Cawood Hellmund, and Nancy Braxton for their support and guidance.

The Conway School of Landscape Design is the only institution of its kind in North America. Its focus is sustainable landscape planning and design. Each year, through its accredited, ten-month graduate program, eighteen to nineteen graduate students from diverse backgrounds are immersed in a range of applied landscape studies, ranging in scale from residences to regions. Graduates have gone on to play significant roles in various aspects of landscape planning and design with an eye to sustainability.