A Heart For The Hills Revitalizing the Conway Town Park
Prepared for Tara Guild Parks and Recreation Committee By Kate Cholakis Conway School Of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road Conway, Massachusetts 01341 Fall 2010
7mi to Ashfield “The Centre occupies a deep valley shut in by towering hills, and is, in the mild seasons of the year, an inviting spot. It contains numerous handsome dwellings, two stores, a bank, hotel, public library, high school, three churches, and a fire-engine company, called Protection, No. 1, organized in 1858, and now numbering upward of 80 members.� Louis H. Everts. History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts Volume II, 1879.
7mi to I-91
LEGEND CONWAY TOWN PARK
Downtown Conway sits in a low-lying area along the South River. Steep hills and dense forest surround this historic New England town. State highway Route 116 bisects the town, offering access to Interstate 91 in the east and to the town of Ashfield in the west.
DOWNTOWN CONWAY HIGHWAY RTE. 116 ROADS SOUTH RIVER, PUMPKIN HOLLOW BROOK, OTHER STREAMS 30 FT. CONTOURS
prepared for: tara guild, parks and recreation conway, massachusetts
Image: MassGIS <http://www.mass.gov/mgis/mapping.htm>
kate cholakis
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
conway town park
Introduction Historical Context Social and Ecological Context Existing Conditions Circulation Drainage Vegetation and Soils Sun and Shade Summary Analysis Summary Implications Alternative 1: Static to Dynamic Alternative 2: Stone by Stone Alternative 3: Ebb and Flow Alternative 4: Integrate, Insulate Alternative 4: Details Materials Precedents Plant List: Overview Plant List: Front Plant List: Back Conclusion
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index
index
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts
overview of downtown conway
The Town Park, also known as the Veterans Park, is located in the heart of downtown Conway, Massachusetts. Although recently redesigned, the park suffers from a lack of use and maintenance. Many residents feel that the park seems disconnected from its historical and social context. Tara Guild, a member of the Conway Parks and Recreation Committee, approached the Conway School for help in revitalizing this neglected, sterile space. Her goals for the project fall into three main categories: integrating, re-vegetating, and defining the park.
Integrating the Park with Town Events and Activities
Design proposals should also respond to the values of the Conway community. These values were summarized and published in the 2000 Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) for the Town of Conway. The following list was generated from a public process during which students of the Conway School of Landscape Design gathered information about the interests and concerns of the community. They reflect a vision of the town held by Conway residents:
Although the grass turf of the park is maintained by the town highway department, maintenance of the plant beds depends upon local volunteers. Plans for the park should incorporate native plants that require little maintenance, yet contribute to the visual appeal of the space. Defining the Borders of the Park
Anne Capra, Joan Casey, and Janet Curtis. Open Space and Recreation Plan. Conway, Massachusetts, March 2000.
Currently, the neighbors’ backyards are visible from the park. While sitting on park benches, one can occasionally hear voices from the house interiors. The client would like the design to address this need for privacy for the neighboring residential properties.
Photograph by Kate Cholakis
LOCATION OF WEEKLY FARMERS MARKET PLANTED TRAFFIC ISLAND
ROUT
E 116
TOWN PARK TOWN HALL
LIBRARY
Left: The recently designed town park is located in the center of downtown Conway. Right: The client would like the park to be integrated with nearby features, such as the Field Memorial Library, and with town events and activities, such as the annual Festival of the Hills.
Photograph by Kate Cholakis NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
Re-Vegetating the Park with Low Maintenance Native Plants
OSRP 2000 Goals: • Conway continues to look like and function as a rural community. • Clean rivers, streams, and drinking water exist in town, and in the watershed as a whole. • A wide variety of wildlife habitats, with food, cover, water, and space, are supported by both public and private landowners. • Trails on private and public land are used with respect and maintained by the community.
conway town park
Multiple events occur within a short walking distance of the park. The Wednesday afternoon, seasonal Farmers Market recently moved to the small connecting road between the planted traffic island and row of residences. The annual fall festival (Festival of the Hills) utilizes several buildings in the downtown area, such as the nearby Town Hall and library. Parades throughout the year also use the roadways adjacent to the park. However, the lack of defined entrances and the centralized location of the memorial make it difficult for these events to utilize the space. The client would like the park to be incorporated into town events. In addition, the client envisions the park as a space for people to enjoy on a regular basis. She would like the park to serve as a place for people to relax, play, and gather.
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Community Goals
introduction
Client Goals
kate cholakis
Overview
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
overview of site and project goals
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1908
PRESENT
kate cholakis
1890
Downtown Conway Today
To Ashfield
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Pumpkin Hollow Brook
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Old Downtown Conway (Pumpkin Hollow)
history of town park
Image: John Warner Barber’s Historical Collections. Reproduced in Diane Lee’s Conway 1767-1967. Conway, Massachusetts, 1967.
1918 • The park appears in maps as early as 1918. A hedge-lined diagonal pathway crossed the space. • The planted island across the street was defined by a soldiers’ memorial. The town’s Women’s Relief Corps placed an urn here in memory of soldiers with unknown burial locations. Today, this urn is located across the street in the park.
Image: Conway 1767-1967.
2004 (Prior to Route 116 Highway Project) • The diagonal pathway across the park remained in the same location for nearly a century. However, at one point it was paved over with concrete. • Norway maples within the park shaded the pathway and open lawn. • Three memorial stones were located towards the front of the park. • Although not shown on the map, the planted traffic island consisted of a flower garden maintained by the Garden Club, a tall Christmas tree, the soldiers memorial, and flagpole. Memorials
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In the 1930s, the state of Massachusetts constructed a highway (Route 116) through the downtown area. Increasing traffic took its toll on the road, which has continually received repairs. As the elm trees declined from Dutch Elm disease, telephone poles
and other highway infrastructure came to dominate the landscape. In 2004, the Massachusetts Highway Department carried out a streetscape project to improve the integrity of Route 116 and the appearance of the downtown area. Although power lines were not able to be buried, a considerable amount of attention was placed on a new design for the town park. Despite this effort, the formality of the design did not reflect the rich history of the town, and the park is not regarded as an important node of the downtown area.
Image: Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Memorial Hall Museum, Deerfield MA.
2004-Present (Route 116 Highway Design) • The Massachusetts Highway Department divided the highway project into smaller areas of focus. • The Town Park, located in block 8, received a new design created by Waterfield Design Group. • A concrete oval pathway replaced the diagonal path, and the maple trees were removed. • The memorial stones were grouped together towards the front of the park. • The flagpole and memorial urn were moved from the island to the park. The Christmas tree was replaced, and the flower garden was removed.
Right: Construction detail for park
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
1839: Pumpkin Hollow
To Shelburne Falls
So
In the early 1900s, industry and agriculture both declined. Abandoned mill buildings dotted the landscape, and forest began
to reclaim fields. However, the downtown retained its residential and town center ambience. Elm trees lined the Main Street, and the unique architecture of the Field Memorial Library defined this axis.
conway town park
History: Downtown Conway
The original downtown area of Conway was located south of its current location in a lowlying area known as Pumpkin Hollow. Wood, a by-product of clearing land for agriculture, fueled the growth of industry, and mills
sprung up along the streams of the town. In the 1800s, due to the construction of mill buildings along the river, the downtown of Conway migrated north to a flat area near the South River. The downtown remained in this location up through to the present day. However, this does not mean that it did not continue to change over time.
historical context
The park is centrally located within the historical downtown area of Conway. In 1999, Main Street was added to the National Register of Historic Places for the way in which its architecture reflects the development of the town over time.
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
historical context
PARK
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Historical Maps and Survey Documents: Supplied by MassDOT
NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
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PAGES
SITE: TOWN PARK
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CONWAY INN
LIBRARY TOWN HALL
ECOLOGICAL
REC. FIELDS
131’
The park is within a short walking distance of many public buildings, such as the post office, coffee shop (Pages), Conway Inn, library, and Town Hall. In addition, the town recreation fields, which include tennis courts, a playground, and sports fields, are located behind the Town Hall. Combined with the residences lining the street, these elements contribute to the town’s social context.
2 ecological context: riparian corridor
SO
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SOCIAL 131’
Image: http://hilltownfamilies.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/artswalk/
4 potential Connections
PRIORITY HABITAT AREA FOR RARE SPECIES
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PUMPKIN HOLLOW BROOK
(Designated by the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program)
131’
The park is also located near two rivers: the South River and Pumpkin Hollow Brook. A priority habitat area for rare species has been designated for areas around these rivers, and extends into the back portion of the town park. Combined with the adjacent forested land, this riparian corridor exemplifies Conway’s rich ecological context.
The town park sits at the intersection of Conway’s social and ecological diversity. This intersection represents two strong values held by Conway residents: respect and enjoyment of the natural world and the importance of community life. The park may be imagined as a node that connects the ecological and social communities of Conway.
kate cholakis
TE 1
ANNUAL ARTS WALK POTENTIAL NATURE TRAILS 131’
For example, the park could serve as an entrance to potential nature trails through the wooded areas behind the downtown, while also serving as a stop for town events, such as the annual Arts Walk. The Arts Walk concludes with lighting the town Christmas Tree for the season, utilizing the space on the planted traffic island.
conway town park
ROU
TOWN OFFICES
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RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
TOWN AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
3 intersection of social and ecological contexts
1 social context: downtown conway POST OFFICE
LEGEND
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
Analyzing the context of the park suggests the possibilities for integrating the space with the community and the landscape.
social and ecological context
social and ecological context
These possibilities for connection could be further developed by the community with more research into the logistics of creating public nature trails on private land.
NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
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WEEKLY FARMERS MARKET
2 Habitat
Photograph by Kate Cholakis 40’
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TO DEERFIELD AND I-91
SEPTIC TANK PATH TO RECREATION FIELDS
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The leach field for the Town PRIVATE Hall septic system is located RESIDENCE underneath the mowed area of the park. Before installing any plants, the exact area of the septic system should be identified and mapped. To ensure optimal functioning of the system, deeply rooting plants and trees should not be planted near the leach field. However, the existing wide expanse of turf contributes to a feeling of exposure, and could be reduced.
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3 Town Hall Septic
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PLANTED TRAFFIC ISLAND STR
TOWN PARK
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0’ 5’ 10’
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3 APPROXIMATE SEPTIC AREA
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SPLIT-RA
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The wooded area towards the back of the park extends the habitat associated with the river into the park. This area consists of many fruit-bearing shrubs and man-made brush piles that provide food and refuge for wildlife. This inter-connectedness of the natural world and downtown life could be emphasized.
TOWN CHRISTMAS TREE
95
5 Veterans Memorial
A veterans memorial dominates the front of the park. Although this provides a focal point for the park, it designates the park as a solemn space. This limits the adaptability of the park to a variety of activities.
TOWN HALL
Photograph by Kate Cholakis NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
A split-rail fence marks the property boundary between the park and private residence on the northwest side of the park. However, there is no boundary between the park and private PRIVATE residence along the southwest side of the RESIDENCE park. This contributes to the lack of privacy.
TO ASHFIELD
existing conditions
1 Boundaries
kate cholakis
Across the street from the park, the traffic island provides access to the town Christmas tree, which is decorated annually in the winter, as well as to the weekly, seasonal Farmers Market, which has recently moved to this location. These two events occur during different seasons, and present opportunities for the park to be integrated with town events.
Examining the park and its immediate context suggests several constraints and opportunities that will be factored into the creation of alternatives.
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
4 Planted Traffic Island
conway town park
existing conditions
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PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION DURING WEEKLY FARMERS MARKET PARKING FOR TOWN HALL
1 Vehicular Circulation
ACCESS TO POINTS OF INTEREST ACCESS TO PARK
PRIVATE RESIDENCE
FAR M
ERS
2
MAR
KET LIBRARY STEPS (INFORMAL GATHERING AREA)
1 BENCH BENCH
VETERANS MEMORIAL 5
PLANTED TRAFFIC ISLAND
16
BENCHES 3
5 Edges
The park lacks clearly defined edges. The back of the park is porous to views into and out of neighboring residences. The front of the park is open to vehicular noise and pollution as well as to views into the park from the street. This lack of defined edges contributes to an uncomfortable feeling of exposure.
3 Parking
The parking area along Academy Hill Road increases pedestrian circulation, as it is used by visitors to nearby destinations and events. However, cars back into the road at an odd angle, and people do not cross the street using the crosswalk.
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PRIVATE RESIDENCE
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IMPLICATIONS These patterns suggest that the park serves as a venue for vehicular and pedestrian movement. The park is overlooked by fastmoving vehicles. It does not serve as a physical landing for pedestrians: it falls short of providing adequate gathering areas for people.
4 Seating
0’ 5’ 10’
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40’
Benches within the park are spaced equidistantly around the oval pathway instead of in groups, limiting the possibility of social gatherings. Their material (granite), width (3’ seating space), and lack of backrest makes them uncomfortable for reading or relaxing.
LIBRARY
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TOWN PARK
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Circulation is concentrated towards the front, northeast corner of the park. This reflects the tendency that people have to use the park as a means to reach other destinations, such as the Town Hall and recreation fields.
PATH TO RECREATION FIELDS
ROUTE 116
NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
2 Pedestrian Circulation
INTRUSIVE VIEWS AND SOUNDS
kate cholakis
Traffic is concentrated along Route 116. This traffic limits pedestrian movement from the park to the planted traffic island, weekly Farmers Market, and library. Although the speed limit is 25 mph, cars gain speed as they enter the town from the hill towards the south of the park. This compromises pedestrian safety.
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TO DOWNTOWN SHOPS
VEHICULAR CIRCULATION
conway town park
The circulation patterns within the park and its local context raise several concerns regarding pedestrian safety and aesthetic experience.
circulation
LEGEND
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
circulation
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http://www.fundforlakegeorge.org
DRAIN DRAIN
6 DEEPLY-ROOTING VEGETATION in the back of the park increases water infiltration into the ground.
0’ 5’ 10’
20’
40’
1
95.6
LOW POINTS WITH ELEVATIONS
109.3
HIGH POINT WITH ELEVATION
INFILTRATION RATES
LOW TO MODERATE INFILTRATION (MOWED LAWN)
3
6
MODERATE TO HIGH INFILTRATION (MULCHED AND WOODED AREAS)
96.8
95.6
DITCH 5
DRAIN 4
DRAIN
IMPLICATIONS Untreated water from the roads empties into a river that is designated as priority habitat for rare species. Road salt and vehicular pollutants compromise the health of wildlife. During the summer, impervious surfaces collect solar heat that releases into the runoff. The warm, polluted water reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen in the stream, further compromising aquatic life. Shallow-rooting turf grass only allows for low to moderate water infiltration. Grading directs water that cannot infiltrate into storm drains, and possibly into a ditch in a neighbor’s backyard.
5 A LOW DITCH IN
THE NEIGHBOR’S BACKYARD occasionally collects water. Some water within the park may move into the neighbor’s backyard, contributing to the pooling water.
4 GRADING DIRECTS
EXCESS WATER FROM THE PARK into a storm drain located on Academy Hill Road.
Runoff into the nearby river and neighbor’s backyard is an example of the consequences resulting from 109.3 separating the downtown from its ecological context. HIGH POINT: HILL This presents an opportunity to connect these two DESCENDING INTO 3 SHALLOW-ROOTING DOWNTOWN AREA landscapes: replacing the turf lawn with street trees MOWED TURF and small shrubs would increase water infiltration while dominates the open offering shade for park visitors. Rain gardens would space of the park, limiting slow down the movement of stormwater, increasing the the amount of water that possibility for infiltration while offering visual interest can infiltrate the ground. and educational opportunities for visitors. NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
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drainage
95.6
LIMITED INFILTRATION (IMPERVIOUS SURFACES)
1) Impervious surfaces direct water into storm drains. Pipes empty this untreated water into nearby rivers. In Conway, runoff from Route 116 drains into the South River via storm pipes (see photograph on left). 2) More permeable surfaces, such as the grass turf and wooded areas of the town park, increase water infiltration into the soil. Deeply-rooting plants contribute to higher infiltration rates, whereas shallow-rooting plants allow for limited to moderate water infiltration. Therefore, the wooded areas in the back of the park allow for water infiltration, whereas the grass turf still produces runoff.
UNDERGROUND DRAINPIPES DRAINS
2
Analyzing the drainage within and near the park demonstrates two basic methods for processing stormwater:
WATER FLOW
kate cholakis
STORM DRAIN TO SOUTH RIVER
LEGEND
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
road flows across these surfaces into on-street storm drains. Underground piping directs the runoff into the nearby South River.
the Town Park on two sides and completely envelopes the planted traffic island. This prevents water infiltration along the road, concentrating water in storm drains.
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
2 RUNOFF from the impervious
1 IMPERVIOUS ASPHALT surrounds
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Drainage
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Mowed lawn fills most of the surface area of the traffic island. Isolated plants in this space tolerate direct sun as well as salt spray and pollution. (AC, AG, CS, NX)
The type, arrangement, and location of plants within the park relates to the plants’ function and degree of maintenance. Ornamentals and Small Shrubs 1 Isolated ornamental perennials and bulbs towards the front of the park are generally kept orderly. (AC, C, CA, FG, GP, L, NX, RC, UA)
A small group of bulbs, small trees, and shrubs provide a low but visually porous border between the park and the neighboring residence. (CK, KL, L, P, VT)
0’ 5’ 10’
20’
40’
OAK (Q) Grove of NORWAY SPRUCE (PA)
MAPLE (AS)
POTENTIALLY INVASIVE PLANTS MAINTAINED MULCHED PLANT BEDS SEEMINGLY UNMANAGED MULCHED PLANT BEDS
MAPLE (Acer)
FULL SUN PARTIAL SHADE
1
SHADE
AG
a
SOILS AC
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7
NX
6
b
AG
Miscanthus sinensis
CS AG
5 6 Memorial Area
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A AC AM AS C CA CK CV FG FM GP HT HV IV JV KL L M MS NX
5 Mowed Lawn
The sunny lawn receives perhaps the most maintenance, as it is mowed regularly.
PLANT LIST: TOWN PARK Alopecurus foxtail grass Aquilegia canadensis columbine Alchemilla mollis common lady’s mantle Acer saccharum sugar maple Chrysanthemum spp. Clethra alnifolia summersweet Cornus kousa kousa dogwood, ‘constellation’ Chionanthus virginicus fringe tree Fothergilla gardenii dwarf fothergilla Fothergilla major large fothergilla Gaultheria procumbens checkerberry Halesia tetraptera Carolina silverbell Hamamelis virginiana common witchhazel Ilex verticillata winterberry, ‘red sprite’ Juniperus virginiana red cedar Kalmia latifolia mountain laurel Lilium spp. Malus spp. apple Miscantus sinensis silver grass Nepeta x. Faassenii catmint, ‘walker’s low’
Isolated plants surrounded by mowed lawn provide a focal point for the memorials. This area is generally kept orderly and devoid of less ornamental plants. Ornamental grasses (PV, MS), Dogwood (CK), Catmint (NX)
P PA PO PS PV Q RC
Polygonum spp. smartweed Picea abies Norway spruce Polygonatum odoratum fragrant solomon’s seal Pinus strobus white pine Panicum virgatum switchgrass Quercus spp. oak Rhododendron carolinianum Carolina rhododendron (or PJM rhododendron) S Solidago spp. goldenrod UA Ulmus american elm, ‘new harmony’ VT Viburnum trilobum American cranberry PLANT LIST: TRAFFIC ISLAND AC Abies concolor white fir AG Amelianchier x Grandifolia autumn brilliance serviceberry CS Cornus sericea red twig dogwood NX Nepeta x. Faassenii catmint, ‘walker’s low’ NOTE: only plants visible and identifiable during late autumn were recorded for this analysis.
Soil Association and Type: Merrimac-Ondawa, Podunk Fine Sandy Loam. The soil is a moderately well-drained fine sandy loam that formed in recently deposited material along nearby streams. Except when soil is saturated, water passes readily through it. A high water table keeps the soil wet late in the spring and following periods of rain. The town park shares this association with downtown Conway, and with the land to the north and west along the South River. Soil Test: Two soil samples were taken in the park during the fall of 2010. Each sample included ten smaller samplings from two areas of the park (see A and B on the map). Results are summarized below: a Front of the park: pH is around 6.2; organic matter is around 7% (within desirable range); micronutrient levels are normal. b Back of the park: pH is around 6.0; organic matter is around 9.2% (high); micronutrient levels are normal, but some added compost would increase low phosphorous levels.
IMPLICATIONS The vegetation of the park demonstrates the stark contrast between the highly-maintained front and unmanaged back of the park. Although the back of the park has an unkempt appearance, it extends wildlife habitat into the park. The front of the park seems open and exposed, and provides little refuge for people or wildlife. Planting trees and shrubs in the grassy areas towards the front would create shade, decreasing the feeling of exposure. Vegetating the back of the park with low-maintenance plants of different scales (ferns to small shrubs to understory trees) would increase the visual appeal while providing habitat for wildlife.
NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
4 Shrub/Bulb Border
REGULARLY MOWED LAWN WITH ISOLATED PLANTS
kate cholakis
A row of Norway spruces 3 (Picea abies) extends the vertical scale of the park. However, low understory plants surround the bases of their trunks. Wild grasses and other plants have appeared in this plant bed, contributing to its unmanaged Lonicera appearance. Despite this morrowii appearance, this area consists of many native plants that provide food and cover for wildlife. (Aster, A, AM, FM, GP, HV, IV, PO, S)
MAPLE (AS)
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
3 Wooded Area
LEGEND
APPLE (M)
conway town park
2
Tree Border This line of trees provides a visual screen between the neighboring residence and the park. However, two of the trees in this screen are deciduous, creating seasonal gaps in an otherwise visually orderly evergreen row. (CV, HT, JV, PS)
MATURE TREES
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7 Planted Island
vegetation and soils
vegetation and soils
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sun and shade
The intersection of Academy Hill Road and Route 116 receives limited sun throughout the day during the winter months, when the park is not in use.
3
NOON SHADOWS 3 PM SHADOWS
This area can become uncomfortably warm for those walking around and sitting in the park.
EQUINOXES (SEPTEMBER AND MARCH) Seating areas become uncomfortably warm in the summer.
The lack of full bottom branches on the Norway spruces produces filtered shade for the plant beds below.
In the fall and spring, the intersection and front of the park is exposed to sunlight, making this space warm and comfortable. The mulched plant beds underneath the Norway spruce canopy receive significant morning sunlight and dappled, afternoon shade. Plants added to these areas should be tolerant of partial sun and shade.
IMPLICATIONS During the summer, fall, and spring months, most of the park and intersection receive significant exposure to sunlight over the course of the day. In the recent re-design of the park, these areas were designated as pedestrian spaces; they include benches and pathways. In the spring and fall, exposure to the sun provides welcome warmth. However, these areas can become uncomfortably hot during the summer. These pedestrianoriented areas feel exposed and lack the refuge provided by shade trees.
NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
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9AM SHADOWS
sun and shade
The intersection and the park receive significant exposure to sunlight throughout the course of the day in the summer.
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
SUMMER (JUNE 22)
kate cholakis
2
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
WINTER (DECEMBER 22)
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LEGEND
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summary analysis
VEHICULAR CIRCULATION
STORM DRAIN TO SOUTH RIVER
PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION PEDESTRIAN/VEHICULAR CONFLICT
WEEKLY FARMERS MARKET
PRIVATE RESIDENCE
ENJOYABLE VIEWS
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LOW POINT WITH ELEVATION
109.3
HIGH POINT WITH ELEVATION CANOPY TREES/ FORESTED EDGE
1 Memorial Area
2 Mowed Lawn
D OA
The location of the septic system underneath the park prevents the planting of deeply rooted trees and shrubs. This space is therefore kept open as a sunny lawn that receives perhaps the most maintenance, as it is mowed regularly. This area provides open space and views of the library and Town Hall, but its formal shape does not accommodate sports games or other casual, recreational activities and interactions.
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PRIVATE RESIDENCE
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The memorial’s location towards the front of the park allows for increased visibility. As a result, isolated plants are managed and orderly. However, this location exposes the memorial area to vehicular noise and direct sunlight, compromising solemn contemplation.
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3 Boundaries
The boundaries of the park are porous. The lack of buffers encourages intrusive views into and out of neighboring residential properties. This lack also exposes the park to vehicular pollution. The boundaries between the road and sidewalks are also problematic: crosswalks lack visibility and compromise pedestrian safety.
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
E
SIV LIBRARY VIEW TO
TOWN CHRISTMAS TREE
conway town park
RU INT
MORNING SUN/ AFTERNOON SHADE APPROXIMATE SEPTIC LOCATION HIGHWAY RUNOFF MOVEMENT
95.6
kate cholakis
FILTERED SHADE
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
INTRUSIVE VIEWS
VETERANS MEMORIAL
3
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Combining the greatest opportunities and constraints of the site suggests how patterns of circulation, drainage, vegetation, and sun/shade affect the park experience and wildlife.
summary analysis
LEGEND
4 Habitat PATH TO RECREATION FIELDS 0’ 5’ 10’
20’
40’
109.3
The back, shady area of the park is rarely visited by pedestrians, and receives the least maintenance. Although it appears to be unmanaged, it contains many native plants that support wildlife, extending the habitat beyond the park into the space. This area of the park, unlike the impervious roadways, encourages water infiltration into the ground.
TO DEERFIELD AND I-91 NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
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A'
Isolated Island The lack of crosswalk definition makes access to the planted traffic island difficult and at times unsafe. The granite wall on the island faces away from the park, contributing to this space’s isolation.
As the section illustrates, these four “zones” lack integration. Everything in the park is exposed all at once. The park lacks mystery, and fails to draw people into the space.
A
WOODED BACK
OPEN MIDDLE
TOWN PARK 0’ 5’ 10’
20’
40’
EXPOSED FRONT
ROAD
ISOLATED ISLAND
ROAD
LIBRARY
fall 2010
summary implications
A
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
Wooded Back The back of the park is shaded and enclosed. Although people do not walk to this area of the park, it supports wildlife and connects to the riparian habitat beyond the park.
kate cholakis
Open Middle The middle of the park is defined by a formal oval pathway and grass turf that does not accommodate casual interactions. Isolated benches in direct sunlight do not provide refuge or inspire gatherings. The space seems barren and sterile.
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
Exposed Front Paved surfaces, clustered monuments, and busy roadways dominate the front of the park. It serves as a venue for movement rather than rest.
The opportunities and challenges associated with the memorial area, mowed lawn, boundaries, and habitat suggest that the park comprises four main zones with different characteristics:
conway town park
summary implications
A'
NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
10 /21
LOW WOODLAND PLANTS TALL WOODLAND PLANTS
ADDED STEPPING STONE PATH
CONCRETE WALKWAYS COBBLESTONE STEPPING STONES
EXPANDED CORNUS SERICEA
GATHERING AREA WITH SCULPTURE
OPEN LAWN ADDED STREET TREES AND LOW VEGETATION
ADDED STREET TREES
MEMORIAL STONES
20’
40’
fall 2010
STONE SEATING SCULPTURE/ARTIFACT
CONCEPT:
Vegetation deconstructs geometry, and a “node” towards the front of the park serves as a transitional area between the park and the road.
SHRUB BORDER
TOWN HALL
0’ 5’ 10’
aLTERNATIVE 1
TALL SHRUBS
MOWED GRASS
LIBRARY
PRIVATE RESIDENCE
PROPOSED TREES
PERENNIAL ORNAMENTALS
MOVED BENCH
MEMORIAL AREA WITH ADDED STEPPING STONE PATH
EXISTING TREES
NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
PERENNIALS
LEGEND
kate cholakis
PRIVATE RESIDENCE
CONS • The memorials might not receive the attention and respect that they deserve in such a hidden space. • The open lawn space assumes an unusual shape, making this design less cohesive and perhaps less adaptable to town events. • The memorial path is not accessible to people in manual and motorized wheelchairs.
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
This alternative works with existing hardscape elements, but disrupts the formal geometry of the park with added street trees and understory plants. New vegetation generates shade for park visitors and creates more mysterious views into the park. An informal gathering area towards the front of the park serves as a transitional area between the interior and exterior of the park. A stepping stone pathway and managed plant beds integrate the wooded area with the rest of the park.
PROS • Most pathways remain in current locations. • Street trees create shade for park visitors. • An added walkway winds through the wooded area, offering a more contemplative environment for observing the memorials. • Stone benches create an informal gathering space near the front of the park. • An added shrub border extends along the edges of the park that meet the residential properties, increasing privacy.
conway town park
Alternative 1: Static to Dynamic
11 /21
PICNIC TABLES FOR FARMERS MARKET
CONCRETE PATHWAYS TRANSFORM INTO PERMEABLE STEPPING STONES
PROPOSED TREES TALL SHRUBS LOW WOODLAND PLANTS TALL WOODLAND PLANTS PERENNIAL ORNAMENTALS MOWED GRASS CONCRETE WALKWAYS COBBLESTONE
LIBRARY
STEPPING STONES MEMORIAL STONES
fall 2010
EXISTING TREES
aLTERNATIVE 2
LEGEND
kate cholakis
CONS PROS • The proximity of the memorials to the road • The memorials receive greater visibility may hinder a contemplative experience towards the front of the park. • The pathway across the park bisects the • The added path across the park references lawn, creating unusual open spaces that may the path that existed here for nearly a century This alternative incorporates themes of not accommodate town events and activities. (prior to the recent re-design of the space). transformation and history. Concrete pathways In addition, this path may not have relevance • The vehicular/pedestrian interaction is defined transition into stepping stones that continue into the to people today, as it does not connect major with gathering spaces or nodes. woodland to the potential nature trails. Stone seating features. • The historic stone wall on the island greets transitions into a stone wall created with pieces of • The memorial path is not accessible to people vehicles entering the town. historic stone walls from the Conway landscape. in manual and motorized wheelchairs. • Woodland plants in the back of the park Vegetation transitions from more ordered plant beds extend wildlife habitat. towards the front of the park to a woodland garden in the back. MEMORIAL AREA HISTORIC STREET LAMPS (REPLICAS PROTECTED BY OF THOSE FLANKING THE LIBRARY) PRIVATE LINE THE FARMERS MARKET AREA SHRUBS RESIDENCE
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
alternative 2: Stone By Stone
WINTERBERRYLINED POTENTIAL TRAIL TO RIVER
0’ 5’ 10’
20’
STONE WALL SEATING TRANSFORMS INTO HISTORIC STONE WALL
PRIVATE RESIDENCE
40’
ADDED PATH REFERENCES HISTORIC WALKWAY ACROSS PARK
GATHERING AREA WITH SCULPTURE AND STONE WALL SEATING
GATHERING NODES FOCUS ON CROSSWALKS
EXPANDED CORNUS SERICEA WITH STONE WALL
CONCEPT:
SCULPTURE/ARTIFACT
This alternative is guided by the geometry of pedestrian walkways. Nodes are created near crosswalks to draw attention to points of intersection. The material of the pathways and the stone walls changes as visitors walk around the park, evoking themes of history and ecology.
TOWN HALL
NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
OPEN SPACE
conway town park
STONE SEATING
12 /21
MEMORIALS MOVED TO OPEN SPACE ALONG STEPPING STONE PATH
PROPOSED TREES TALL SHRUBS LOW WOODLAND PLANTS TALL WOODLAND PLANTS PERENNIAL ORNAMENTALS MOWED GRASS CONCRETE WALKWAYS
LIBRARY
COBBLESTONE STEPPING STONES
MAIN ENTRANCE
MEMORIAL STONES
ENTRANCE FROM PARKING LOT
PLACEMENT EMPHASIZES CHRISTMAS TREE
CONCEPT:
The design responds to the ebb and flow of community life (activities and events) and ecology (water movement). The patterns of vegetation and walking paths create nodes that serve as gathering spaces and integrate the park with nearby features and community events.
PRIVATE RESIDENCE TOWN HALL
20’
40’
NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
GATHERING SPACE NEAR SWALE AND SCULPTURE
SCULPTURE/ARTIFACT
SHADE PLANTS INTEGRATE AREA IN FRONT OF TOWN HALL WITH PARK SHRUB
conway town park
STONE SEATING
OPEN SPACE
0’ 5’ 10’
fall 2010
EXISTING TREES
aLTERNATIVE 3
LEGEND
kate cholakis
CONS PROS • Constructing the swale requires grading • Street trees, an arbor, and a main as well as careful research to ensure that entrance define the front edge of the park. it does not affect the functioning of the • A central gathering area opening out onto septic system. the lawn accommodates event gatherings This alternative connects the downtown and the river • Continuing the swale down to the river and daily activities. habitat behind the park through the process of stormwater requires arrangements with private • A sculpture located inside the swale treatment. A swale draws some of the runoff from the street property owners. connects art and ecology, two interests of into the park, and brings it through the site via a planted • The memorial path is not accessible the Conway community. or dry-rock swale. The swale continues down to the river to people in manual and motorized • The memorials are located in a sheltered after leaving the park. This process slows down the water, wheelchairs. yet visible location. increasing the opportunity for infiltration before emptying water into the river (a priority habitat area). ROCK BED SWALE DRAWS SMALL AMOUNT OF RUNOFF FROM ROAD PRIVATE INTO THE PARK RESIDENCE
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
alternative 3: Ebb and Flow
13 /21
PRIVATE RESIDENCE QR CK (M.)
JV IV (M.)
CC
CC
BENCHES LINE A WOODLAND WALK TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE PARK
AA
AA
STREET TREES WITH ATTRACTIVE FALL FOLIAGE VISUALLY UNITE THE PARK, TOWN HALL, AND ISLAND
GRASSES, JUNIPER
AR
PRIVATE RESIDENCE
40’
DECIDUOUS SHRUB BORDER
LOW VEGETATION HISTORIC STONE WALL STONE WALL SEATING
STEPPING STONES STONE PAVERS
AG (M.)
fall 2010
CANOPY AND UNDERSTORY TREES
aLTERNATIVE 4
EXISTING TREE MOVED (SEE VEGETATION ANALYSIS FOR IDENTIFICATION)
AR
BULBS, LOW PERENNIALS, RHODODENDRON
HV (M.)
20’
LIBRARY
SHRUBS, PERENNIALS
CV (M.) HT (M.)
CK (M.)
TREE ADDED (SEE PLANT LIST FOR IDENTIFICATION)
SHRUBS
AG (M.) JV
CK
STONE SEATING DEFINES AN INFORMAL GATHERING AREA TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE PARK
RED-TWIG DOGWOOD STANDS BEHIND THE HISTORIC STONE WALL
CONCEPT:
Street trees and understory vegetation integrate the park with the island and Town Hall, creating a gateway for vehicles entering the town and a physical landing for pedestrians. Within the park, the mown lawn is transformed into an interesting shape that accommodates events and activities. This alternative integrates the movement of cars and people into the landscape.
TOWN HALL
NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
UNDERSTORY WOODLAND PLANTS: FERNS, PERENNIALS
0’ 5’ 10’
A BRICK CROSSWALK IMPROVES PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND ANNOUNCES VEHICULAR ARRIVAL TO MAIN STREET
THE EXISTING AMELANCHIER (AG) TREES HAVE BEEN MOVED TO FRAME THE TOWN CHRISTMAS TREE. LOW-GROWING JUNIPER COVERS AREAS OF THE ISLAND CURRENTLY FILLED WITH MOWED LAWN.
LEGEND
conway town park
THE MEMORIALS HAVE BEEN MOVED TO A SHADY YET VISIBLE LOCATION ON THE EDGE OF THE LAWN
CONS • The added Amelanchier arborea (AA) trees’ roots may grow too close to the septic leach field. The leach field should be mapped prior to planting trees. • Moving the benches to the south side of the property might intrude on the privacy of the neighboring home.
kate cholakis
PROS • Added trees and other vegetation fill in part of the mown lawn, producing shade and visual interest. • The benches have been grouped This alternative demonstrates how elements of the previous together towards the back of the park, three alternatives can be combined with particular plant choices. where they provide opportunities to enjoy Vegetation patterns and landscape elements integrate the this woodland area. park with the traffic island and Town Hall, while also creating • Existing plants have been saved and comfortable spaces within the park for people to gather, relocated, decreasing costs. contemplate the memorials, and explore a woodland landscape. • The stone pavers in the memorial area are intended to be ADA accessible.
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
Alternative 4: integrate, insulate
14 /21
3
2 Above: The stone wall and understory trees create a park-like experience for visitors. Below: Trees with horizontal, architectural branching patterns provide visual contrast to vertical elements (such as the Norway spruces), and offer winter interest.
3
A
A‘
1
4 Street Trees
4
Image: http://www.flickr. com/photos/bobistraveling/4359953884/
0’ 5’
20’
Image: http://www.americancenturies. mass.edu
40’
0’ 5’ 10’
A
SHRUBS AND TREES REDUCE SCALE
HISTORIC STONE WALL DEFINES OPEN SPACE
STREET TREES CREATE GATEWAY, PROVIDE SHADE
AMELANCHIER FRAME CHRISTMAS TREE
Crosswalk A brick or painted crosswalk draws the attention of drivers, alerting them of pedestrians and welcoming them to the downtown area.
20’
40’
A'
An added street tree in front of the Town Hall responds to the existing and added street trees in the park and planted island. It also references the history of street trees in this area. The photograph to the left shows the street tree that once stood in front of the old town hall.
Section Street trees and understory vegetation create less porous and exposed edges for the park. They serve as buffers between the park and the road, private residences and the wooded habitat. These elements break up the formal structure of the park, creating a sense of mystery for park visitors.
NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
The memorials receive the respect they deserve in a contemplative setting. The existing Halesia tetraptera, moved to this newly created memorial space, drops its petals in the spring onto the memorial stones (see photographs at right).
fall 2010
aLTERNATIVE 4: details
Towards the back of the park, understory trees, such as Amelanchier arborea and Carpinus caroliniana, reduce the scale of the space, creating an intimate experience. Native shrubs and trees provide food and cover for wildlife while offering a quiet woodland experience for park visitors.
kate cholakis
2 Memorial Area
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
1 Woodland Walk
Images: http://www.hort. uconn.edu/plants; Rick Darke, The American Woodland Garden 2002
conway town park
Alternative 4: Details
15 /21
http://www.studiogblog.com
http://www.dirtstudio.com
http://www.arch.virginia.edu/
2 Concern: The existing crosswalks lack
http://www.pedbikeimages.org/ Max Bushell
visibility for vehicles moving down a hill into town and around a curve.
3 Concern: Unmanaged areas of the park have
an overgrown appearance, and suggest that the park is neglected.
Potential Solution: Materials such as paint, brick, and stone can lend attention to existing crosswalks, improving safety and announcing vehicular arrival into the downtown.
http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/07/10/eyes-on-the-street-anew-crosswalk-at-market-golden-gate-and-taylor/
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/ photo/4w4GSIB7bxSgQ3klkGak1A
Raised crosswalks slow down traffic and define entry into an area. http://www.pedbikeimages.org/ Dan Burden
Potential Solution: At Ashintully in Tyringham, Massachusetts, a path through a woodland garden dominated by ferns is mowed yearly (right). Each time, the path is slightly different from the previous one. Native understory plants that require little maintenance retain the woodland experience, but communicate that the park is cared for. Photograph by Kate Cholakis
kate cholakis
http://www.arch.virginia.edu/
conway town park
Potential Solution: Pathways might be transformed into crushed concrete surfaces. At the Urban Outfitters complex in Philadelphia, concrete was salvaged and reused as a permeable surface. The grooves between larger slabs were filled with smaller pieces of rubble and planted with trees. However, these surfaces would not be ADA accessible.
fall 2010
in the park seem out of character with Conwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rural and historical character.
materials
1 Concern: The formal, oval concrete pathways
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
Potential Solution: At Bloedel Reserve in Washington State, stepping stones and rectangular pavers define pedestrian walkways while blending in with the landscape. Stepping stones would lessen the formality of the Town Park. (See photographs to right).
Reusing existing materials and introducing new materials can help to resolve some of the problems associated with the current park design.
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
materials
16 /21
James Clarkson Environmental Discovery Center White Lake Township, Michigan
woodland gardens
Low-maintenance woodland gardens draw people into a landscape, offering an attractive and tranquil experience for park visitors.
Bloedel Reserve Bainbridge Island, Washington
public art
Salamander Sculpture and Mill Canal Newt Amherst, Massachusetts John Sendelbach Installing artworks from local artists incorporates the community into the design process, and anchors a space within its community.
Images: Clockwise from Top Left: http://www.asla.org/awards/2008/08winners/338.html; http://www.flickr.com/photos/writergirl76/1100342412/; next four images: http://www.johnsendelbach.com; unknown source; http://www.healthcarefineart.com/landscaping/
conway town park
pedestrian intersections
kate cholakis
Bloedel Reserve Bainbridge Island, Washington
fall 2010
Minuteman Crossing Amherst, Massachusetts John Senselbach
Informal gathering areas that allow people to sit near one another are conducive to casual conversation and group activities.
precedents
gathering areas
Drawing attention to the spaces in which pathways converge celebrates and reinforces pedestrian activity.
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
The park suffers from a lack of use and maintenance. Several strategies and landscape elements can attract people to a space and encourage stewardship.
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
precedents
17 /21
Front/Middle of Park • Sunny, well-drained • Areas along roads subject to salt and pollution • Dry to moist soils Image: http://www.hort. uconn.edu/plants/ Images left to right: http://www. hort.uconn.edu/plants/; personal photo; wildflower.org; finegardening.com
Common Name Serviceberry (existing, possibly moved) Red twig/red-osier dogwood (existing, possibly moved) Creeping juniper
Amelanchier x grandiflora
Variety Type ‘Autumn Sunset', 'Prince deciduous small William' tree/large shrub ‘Flaviramea' (yellow stems), deciduous small Cornus sericea 'Baileyi', 'Cardinal', 'Silver tree/shrub and Gold' (yellow stems) Juniperus horizontalis, evergreen ‘Bar Harbor', 'Depressa' communis groundcover
Catmint (existing, possibly moved)
Botanical name Amelanchier x grandiflora
Nepeta x faassenii
‘walker’s low’
perennial herb
Ht (ft.) 15-25'
Nepeta x faassenii
Juniperus horizontalis
Cornus sericea
Width (ft.) Sun/Shade Water full sun to 10' moist to dry part shade
6-10'
6-10'
full sun to part shade
moist, adaptable
1-2'
4-8'
full sun
adaptable
12-15"
24-30"
full to partial sun
droughttolerant
Soil Uses acidic; street/park tree; pollution tolerant; fall foliage; adaptable spring flowers adaptable
stems are of winter interest; can spread; pruning lends best effect; easily grown
well-drained, groundcover in neglected areas; salt tolerant adaptable well-drained
edging along paths; blue/purple flowers; spring interest
vegetated borders
Retain existing white pines and red cedars along split-rail fence, but be sure to thin them to prevent expansion into planted areas. Add red cedars or other similar evergreen trees to areas along the split-rail fence (consider dwarf varieties). Move existing silverbell (Halesia tetraptera) and fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) to sunnier locations where they can expand outward. Remove or prune existing apple tree. Add deciduous shrubs along borders without evergreen trees. Common Name
Botanical name
Eastern red cedar (existing and Juniperus virginiana expanded) (JV) Atlantic white cedar
Chamaecyparis thyoides
Sweet pepperbush (existing and Clethra alnifolia expanded) Witchhazel (existing, possibly Hamamelis virginiana moved)
Variety ‘Canaertii', ‘Emerald Sentinel', 'Pendula', 'Hillspire', 'Manhattan Blue' ‘Andelyensis' (10'), 'Aurea' (15'), 'Ericoides' (6') ‘Hummingbird', 'Paniculata', 'Pinkspire' ‘virginiana’
yes
fruit
yes
fruit
yes
cover, berries
yes
birds, insects
Images left to right: wildflower.org; http://www.hort. uconn.edu/plants/; http:// www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/ Juniperus virginiana Sun/ Shade
Ht (ft.)
Width (ft.)
evergreen tree
15-50' (select smaller)
8-15'
full sun adaptable adaptable
evergreen color; screens; windbreaks; attractive blue "berries"
Yes
"berries"; cover
evergreen tree
10-50’
10-20'
full sun
evergreen color; screens; windbreaks
Yes
berries; cover
deciduous shrub
5-8'
4-6'
deciduous tree or 10-15', up multi-stemmed shrub to 30'
10-15'
moist moist moist
Soil
Hamamelis virginiana
Type
full sun to part shade part shade to shade
Water
Clethra alnifolia
sandy
Uses
fall 2010
Native Wildlife Uses
Native Wildlife Uses
well-drained, fragrant; fall foliage; good for massing at Yes acidic woodland edge or in understory well-drained, flowers in late winter; understory plant; Yes acidic tolerates pollution; branching
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
Approximate Septic Area • The location of the septic system and other utilities should be mapped before plants are installed in this area
planted traffic island
Add new plants and expand existing vegetation to increase both winter and spring interest. Use vegetation to integrate island with park, creating a green or red (depending on the season) gateway to downtown Conway.
plant list: overview
Right: samaras of Acer rubrum (red maple) provide seasonal interest.
kate cholakis
The plant concept diagram to the right divides the park into areas with similar conditions. Species in the following list are grouped according to these general areas. Existing plants left in their current locations have been omitted from these tables. The tables therefore include new plants, moved plants, and expanded plants.
Back Wooded Area • Part to full shade • Underneath canopy of Picea abies (Norway spruce)
conway town park
The following plant list includes trees, shrubs, ferns, and perennials that can be integrated into the designs. Conway residents may add plants to the list. However, additions should be native to the region. Native plants generally require lower maintenance, as they have adapted to local conditions. In addition, they tend to be more deeply rooting, increasing the potential for water infiltration. Their placement within the park should respond to moisture and sun/shade conditions. This list is intended to be a resource from which residents may draw inspiration and data.
Planted Traffic Island • Sunny, well-drained • Subject to salt and pollution
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
plant list overview
Vegetated Border • Part shade to sun • Moist soils underneath canopy of Picea abies (Norway spruce)
insects seeds, browse
NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
18 /21
browse
moist
well-drained, acidic
shade tree; samaras; foliage; does not tolerate highstress environments (salt/pollution); needs space
yes
seed
full sun
normal
well-drained, acidic
street tree; shade; rounded growth habit; shallow root system; foliage; withstands urban conditions
yes
acorns
40'
full sun
moist
well-drained, acidic
shade tree; branching; foliage; needs space; easy growing
yes
acorns
15-25'
5-10'
full sun
moist
foliage, flowers, bark
yes
fruit
15-25'
40'
full sun to adaptable partial shade
well-drained, acidic well-drained, acidic
foliage; flowers; tolerant of pollution; background or screen plant; bark
yes
fruit
deciduous shrub
5-8'
4-6'
full sun to part shade
moist
well-drained, acidic
fragrant; fall foliage; suckering - good for massing at woodland edge or in understory
yes
pollinators
deciduous shrub
6-10'
6-10'
full sun
moist
well-drained, acidic
red berries persist on stems into the winter (seasonal interest)
yes
fruit
15-25'
variable
full sun to part shade
moist
foliage; understory trees or shrubs
yes
fruit
6-10'
3-5'
full sun
adaptable
yes
fruit
6-10'
3-5'
yes
fruit
5-9'
5-9'
yes
fruit
6-10'
6-10'
yes
fruit
3-6'
3-6'
partial shade to full sun
moist
well-drained
flowers; compact evergreen shrub; leaves turn purple in winter; avoid windy/dry sites; understory plant at woodland edge
no
2-3'; 5-6'
full sun
moist
foliage; shrub borders
no
fruit
24-30"
full to partial sun
droughttolerant
well-drained, acidic well-drained
edging along paths; blue/purple flowers
yes
birds, insects
2'
partial sun
moist
flowers
yes
insects
nice edging juniper and other evergreens seasonal interest; flowers; borders and massed in beds
no
deciduous tree
40-60'
25-45'
full sun to part shade
moist
Sugar maple
Acer saccharum
‘Legacy', 'Monumentale', 'Green Legacy', dwarfs: 'Globosum', 'Shawnee', 'Natchez'
deciduous tree
60-75' (15-25' dwarf)
40-50'
full sun to part shade
Red oak (QR)
Quercus rubra
‘Splendens'
deciduous tree
60-75'
50-65'
Pin oak
Quercus palustris
‘Crownright', 'Sovereign'
decidous tree
75'
Amelanchier laevis Amelanchier arborea
‘Cumulus', 'Prince Charles', 'R.J. Hilton', 'Snowcloud' Amelanchier x grandiflora (25') - 'Autumn Brilliance', 'Ballerina', 'Princess Diana'
deciduous tree/shrub deciduous tree/shrub
Clethra alnifolia
‘Hummingbird', 'Paniculata', 'Pinkspire'
Ilex verticillata
‘Winter Red', 'Red Sprite'
Sweet pepperbush (existing, possibly moved and/or expanded) Winterberry (existing, possibly moved and/or expanded)
Amelanchier ‘Autumn Brilliance', 'Ballerina', 'Princess aborea, laevis, Diana', 'Cumulus', 'Prince Charles', 'R.J. xgrandiflora Hilton', 'Snowcloud' Aronia Black chokeberry v. elata melanocarpa Red chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima', x prunifolia Viburnum ‘Christom', 'Moonglow', 'Morton', 'Ralph Arrowwood dentatum Senior', 'Patzam', 'Perle Bleu' ‘Flaviramea' (yellow stems), 'Baileyi', Red twig/red-osier Cornus sericea 'Cardinal', 'Silver and Gold' (yellow dogwood stems) Rhododendren Rhododendron 'PJM' 'PJM' (existing, possibly moved ‘PJM' (carolinianum v. and/or expanded) dauricum) Serviceberry
deciduous tree/shrub deciduous shrub deciduous shrub deciduous shrub deciduous tree/shrub evergreen shrub
Ht (ft.) Width (ft.) Sun/Shade
Fothergilla (existing and Fothergilla deciduous ‘Blue Mist', 'Mount Airy' 2-3'; 6-10' expanded) gardenii; major tree/shrub Catmint (existing, possibly Nepeta x ‘walkers low’ perennial herb 12-15" moved and/or expanded) faassenii Lilium Lilies canadense or bulb 2-4' superbum ‘ice follies’, ‘cheerfulness’, ‘Tete-a-Tete’, Daffodil Narcissus bulb 4-20" ‘dutch master’, ‘February gold’ Penstemon Wild snapdragon ‘Husker Red' perennial herb 3-5' digitalis Wild columbine (existing, Aquilegia possibly moved and/or perennial herb 1-2' canadensis expanded) Panicum perennial Switchgrass ‘Heavy Metal' 3-6' virgatum grass Siberian squill Scilla siberica bulb 3-6"
3-5" 1-2' 2' 3-6' 3-6"
Water
full sun adaptable full sun or adaptable partial shade full sun to part moist shade
partial to full moist sun full sun to dry to partial sun moist full sun to dry to partial shade moist full sun to dry to partial shade moist full sun to part medium shade
Creeping phlox
Phlox stolonifera
perennial herb
6-10"
variable
partial sun
moist
Lupine
Lupinus perennis
perennial herb
1-2'
1-2'
full sun to partial shade
dry
Creeping juniper
Juniperus horizontalis
evergreen groundcover
1-2'
4-8'
full sun
adaptable
‘Bar Harbor'
Soil
slightly acid, well-drained well-drained, acidic well-drained, acidic adaptable adaptable
normal well-drained well-drained normal tolerant of most soils well-drained acidic, welldrained, woodsy soil well-drained, acidic well-drained, adaptable
Uses
4 season interest (winter architecture); foliage; persistent black berries 4 season interest (winter architecture); foliage; persistent red berries woodland edge mass; berries blue/black, fall color; durable; salt tolerance stems are of winter interest; can spread; pruning lends best effect; easily grown
yes
insects
flowers
yes
birds, insects
flowers and foliage are gold in fall and winter blooms; low groundcover; massed around shrubs or trees small flowers; transitional areas between sunny and shady spots; carpet of flowers; good with bulbs; border flowers; nitrogen fixer
yes
seed; cover
groundcover in neglected areas; edging masonry walls; planted with medium height flowering bulbs; salt tolerant
fall 2010
yes
'Red Sunset', 'Armstrong', 'Bowhall', 'Columnare'
Downy serviceberry (AA)
SHRUBS
slightly acidic street tree; foliage; samaras; shade
Acer rubrum
Allegheny serviceberry
BULBS, FLOWERS, GRASSES
Wildlife Uses
Type
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
Red maple (AR)
Native
Variety
plant list: front
Botanical name
kate cholakis
Common Name
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
TREES
Type
Images left to right: http://www.hort.uconn. edu/plants/; thegardenerseden.com/; http:// www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/; http://www.hort. uconn.edu/plants/; www.fs.fed.us/
conway town park
front/middle of park Add street trees to frame shaded areas. Move existing plants and add new plants to frame inviting views into the park while decreasing the feeling of exposure. Break up formality of pathways with vegetated areas.
no yes
honeybees
yes
browse; seeds
yes
cover, berries
19 /21
Ironwood/musclewood/ American Hornbeam (CC) Witchhazel (existing, possibly moved and/or expanded)
BULBS, GROUNDCOVERS, FLOWERS
SHRUBS
Blueberry Winterberry (existing, possibly moved and/or expanded) Sweet pepperbush (existing and expanded) Serviceberry Arrowwood Mountain laurel (existing, possibly moved and/or expanded) Rhododendron (existing, possibly moved and/or expanded) Roseshell azalea New England aster Creeping phlox
Hamamelis virginiana Vaccinium corymbosum, angustifolium
partial shade to shade
moist
acidic, wellfoliage, flowers; bark drained
15-25'
15-25'
partial shade
moist
acidic, well- architectural; small flowers; horizontal branching; drained flowers; berries, stems
20-30'
20-30'
partial shade
moist
10-15'
part shade to shade
moist
2'; 6-12'
2'; 6-12'
full sun to partial shade
moist
6-10'
6-10'
full sun
moist
5-8'
4-6'
15-25'
variable
5-9'
5-9'
7-15'
7-15'
shade to sun
moist
3-6'
3-6'
partial shade to full sun
moist
2-8'
2-8'
shade to sun
moist
2-6+"
3-5'
partial shade
moist
perennial herb
6-10"
variable
partial sun
moist
perennial herb
1-3'
1-3'
sun to shade adaptable
perennial herb
6-8"
6-8"
partial shade
moist
deciduous tree/ 10-15', up shrub to 30' deciduous shrub
deciduous shrub deciduous Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird', 'Paniculata', 'Pinkspire' shrub Amelanchier ‘Autumn Brilliance', 'Ballerina', 'Princess deciduous tree/ aborea, laevis, Diana', 'Cumulus', 'Prince Charles', 'R.J. shrub xgrandiflora Hilton', 'Snowcloud' Viburnum ‘Christom', 'Moonglow', 'Morton', 'Ralph deciduous dentatum Senior', 'Patzam', 'Perle Bleu' shrub evergreen Kalmia latifolia ‘Ostbo Red', 'Sarah', 'Elf', 'Bay State', etc. shrub Rhododendren evergreen 'PJM' (carolinianum PJM' shrub v. dauricum) Rhododendren deciduous prinophyllum shrub Aster novae‘Purple Dome,' 'Alma Potschke' perennial herb angliae Ilex verticillata
Phlox stolonifera
‘Winter Red', 'Red Sprite'
full sun to part moist shade full sun to part moist shade full sun or adaptable partial shade
yes
fruit
yes
fruit
yes
fruit
well-drained, flowers in late winter; understory plant; tolerates acidic pollution; branching
yes
seeds, browse
well-drained foliage; fruit; select more drought-tolerant cultivars acidic, sandy
yes
fruit
yes
fruit
yes
insects
yes
fruit
yes
fruit
yes
insects
acidic
well-drained, acidic well-drained, acidic slightly acid, well-drained
insects
flowers
yes
insects
well-drained, flowers; groundcover rich
yes
birds
yes
fruit
yes
fruit fruit
4-12"
partial shade
moist
acidic
Bunchberry
Cornus canadensis
perennial herb
3-6"
6"+
sun to shade
moist
acidic
Checkerberry/Creeping wintergreen
Gaultheria procumbens
evergreen herb/shrub
6"
6"+
partial shade to shade
dry to moist
acidic
Partridgeberry
Mitchella repens
evergreen perennial herb
2"
2"+
partial shade moist to to shade dry
deciduous fern
2-5'
3'+
partial sun
decidous fern
2-3'
3-4'
evergreen fern
2-3'
evergreen fern deciduous fern
Hay-scented fern
yes
yes
4-12"
Woodferns
no
insects
perennial herb
Polystichum acrostichoides Dryopteris intermedia, marginalis Dennstaedtia punctilobula
foliage; understory trees or shrubs
yes
Claytonia virginica
Christmas fern
red berries persist on stems into the winter (seasonal interest) fragrant; fall foliage; suckering - good for massing at woodland edge or in understory
woodland edge mass; berries blue/black, fall color; durable; salt tolerance well-drained, evergreen; architecture: dense in full sun, artistic in acidic shade; flowers; avoid windy areas flowers; compact evergreen shrub; leaves turn purple well-drained in winter; avoid windy/dry sites; understory plant at woodland edge well-drained foliage; flowers; woodland borders well-drained, flowers; interesting by stone wall and mixed with slightly acidic fothergilla acidic, well- small flowers; edging walks and beds; transitional drained, areas between sunny and shady spots; good with woodsy soil bulbs
Spring beauty
Interrupted fern
4 season interest (winter architecture); beautiful mottled bark; foliage; screen; upright spreading; small street or lawn tree
adaptable
Violets
Osmunda cinnamomea Osmunda claytoniana
Uses
20'
decidous tree/ shrub
‘Bluecrop', 'Blueray', 'Jersey', 'North Blue,' 'Patriot', 'Rubel', 'Sunshine Blue'
Soil
15-40'
Cornus florida
Carpinus caroliniana
Width (ft.) Sun/Shade Water
adaptable
flowering carpet on forest floor; dormant in summer shiny dark green leaves turn wine-red in fall; white flowers in spring; fruits in august persist into winter; groundcover fragrance when leaves are crushed, shiny evergreen leaves; flowers; berries
acidic
dark green leaves, whitish veins; pinkish flowers in summer; red fruits in fall/winter
yes
moist
acidic
seasonal interest (stalks in spring, beautiful fall color)
yes
partial shade to full shade
moist
normal
leafy fern that grows in large groups; brown leaflets that 'interrupt' the green leaflets
yes
18-24"
partial shade to full shade
moist
1-2'
2'+
shade
moist
normal
green throughout winter
yes
1-3'
3'+
partial shade
moist
acidic
groundcover; beautiful with azaleas
yes
well-drained, green throughout winter; sturdy, beautiful fiddleheads acidic in spring that unfurl; interesting in glade with rocks
fall 2010
‘Cherokee Brave', 'Cherokee Chief', 'Cherokee Princess', 'Cherokee Sunset', deciudous tree 'Cloud 9', 'Pendula', 'Rubra' deciduous tree/ Cornus alternifolia ‘Variegata', 'Argentea' shrub
Ht (ft.)
Solidago caesia, flexicaulis, speciosa Viola striata
Goldenrod
Cinnamon fern
FERNS
Type
plant list: back
Pagoda dogwood
Variety
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
TREES
Flowering dogwood
Botanical name
kate cholakis
Common Name
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
Type
Images left to right: flatbushgardener.blogspot.com; Rick Darke The American Woodland Garden 2002; Rick Darke; westonnurseries.com; westonnurseries.com Wildlife Native Uses
conway town park
back, wooded area of park Extend the habitat of the area behind the park; plant vegetation that serves as shelter and food for birds and other wildlife. Shade plants located near pathways and stone walls offer seasonal interest to visitors, and create a peaceful refuge from the downtown area.
yes
20 /21
In 1867, on the hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town, Conway residents gathered together and sang an ode to the place they called home:
conway town park
The same proud hills around us rise, The same bright waters flow. As when our grandsires trod these fields A hundred years ago; We’ll tell the tales of other days, We’ll talk of years gone by, And blend with many a sainted name Hopes that will never die, We welcome you! We welcome you! Our hearts and hands we join; God bless you all, as we recall The days of “auld lang syne.”
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank all those willing to meet and share their thoughts about the park and the greater town of Conway: project client Tara Guild of the Conway Parks and Recreation Committee, Garden Club representative Pam O’Brien, administrative aide Tom Spiro, Select Board members Maureen Chase, Chuck Trombley, and Jim Moore, Town Clerk Virginia A. Knowlton, Adm. Assessor Lee Whitcomb, and previous member of streetscape committee Ruah Donnelly.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to Rex Bryant of the Plans and Records Office of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and Senior Landscape Architect of Waterfield Design Group Christine Scypinski. Many thanks to the students, faculty, and staff of the Conway School of Landscape Design for their support, feedback, and ideas.
As a gateway, the park might reflect the character of the town while welcoming visitors to the community. Through a collaborative, community-driven design process, the people of Conway might create a heart for the downtown area that reflects the vibrancy of their community and the beauty of their land.
fall 2010
Conclusion
social context of the town park while addressing the concerns of the current park design. Re-designing the park presents an opportunity for community involvement. The ideas proposed in this plan set might serve as ways to begin discussions about revitalizing this neglected space. By combining design elements of these alternatives with plant choices, residents can craft these ideas into a plan that reflects the spirit of the community. Once part of the process, residents may be more willing to become stewards of the town park.
prepared for: tara guild parks and recreation committee conway, massachusetts
The alternatives proposed in this plan set seek to respond to the essence of this character:
they incorporate common interests and values, such as the importance of community life and respect for the land. They respond to the vision of the town held by Conway residents as summarized in the recent open space and recreation plan. Proposed design elements break up the rigid geometry of the existing design in order to create a rural appearance. Vegetation choices extend habitat for wildlife and improve the infiltration of water into the ground. Native woodland plants call to mind the beautiful network of trails winding through the forests of Conway. The proposed design elements respond to the rich ecological and
kate cholakis
The recent Route 116 streetscape project sought to create a gateway for downtown Conway and a gathering space for pedestrians. Today, the park is often overlooked and neglected. Perhaps the park’s lack of use derives from its isolation from context. Many residents of the town feel that the park does not reflect the character of Conway. The formality of the concrete pathways and isolated plant beds does not evoke the rich ecology and history of the town’s landscape.
Conway School of Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 South Deerfield Road / PO Box 179 Conway, Massachusetts 01341
Conclusion
Song lyrics from Celebration of the Hundredth Anniversary of the Incorporation of Conway, Massachusetts, Northampton: Bridgeman & Childs, 1867.
Photographs by Kate Cholakis NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. THIS DRAWING IS PART OF A STUDENT PROJECT AND IS NOT BASED ON A LEGAL SURVEY.
21 /21