Seneca Falls Waterfront Enhancement Fall 2014
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Kate Chen Ehab Ebeid Valerie Green Boyao Jiang Mujahid Powell Matthew Robinson Chenglong Zhao
INTRODUCTION ABOUT DESIGN CONNECT DesignConnect is a multi-disciplinary, student-run, community design organization based at Cornell University. DesignConnect is rooted in collaborative, democratic, and sustainable principles for the advancement of towns in upstate New York. DesignConnect provides practical experience to students through cooperation with local municipalities and non-profit organizations while providing design and planning services for these groups that may not have the resources to hire professionals. DesignConnect was formed in the spring of 2008 by students as an initiative of the Design & Planning Group and became an independent student organization in 2010.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION The Seneca Falls Waterfront Enhancement project has been initiated at the request of the Seneca Falls Commissioner of Parks & Recreation, Jim Spina. The project seeks to develop a plan for revitalizing the Water Street area known as PeopleĂŠs Park, including a historic bandstand and its adjacent parking area. The 1924 bandstand, a contributing structure in the Seneca Falls Village Historic District, is a target of regularly occurring vandalism in spite of being relocated to this highly trafficked and visible waterfront park in 1984.
PROJECT GOALS 1. Bandstand rehabilitation plan sensitive to its historic integrity while minimizing vandalism. 2. Landscaping plan for the park and parking area embankment.
SITE INVENTORY
HISTORIC ANCHOR The bandstand serves as a historic anchor to the park, and a link to the historic town it serves.
SITE INVENTORY BANDSTAND The bandstand is relatively intact with the exception of its railings and one column which have significant and visible structural damage. There are instances of cracking and plant growth in the concrete foundations, decay or rot on the column bases, chipped paint, and spray painting on the bandstand. Most damage appears to be caused primarily by weathering and age with a few instances of intentional vandalism.
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SITE INVENTORY
LIMITED VIEWS AND ACCESS The Crabapple trees along the canal block the view of local landmarks and the steel fence prevents visitors from reaching the water’s edge.
SITE INVENTORY LANDSCAPE PeopleĂŠs Park has a classic tree-and-lawn aesthetic anchored around the historic bandstand which ties it in nicely to the character of the surrounding town. Overall,this tree-and-lawn aesthetic is appropriate for the types of informal and formal gatherings which occur in the park, however there are several issues which maybe addressed within the scope of this study.
The existing trees are densely planted creating a sense of clutter, limiting visibility and posing a hazard during large storms. In addition, there are several plants in poor health, the parking lot embankment is very overgrown and the crabapples on the waterfront block the beautiful views of the canal and historic mill across the canal.
SITE INVENTORY
VIBRANT WATERFRONT The canal provides a link to the past and present with beautiful views of local landmarks and an active boating community.
RECOMMENDATIONS BANDSTAND REPAIRS
FENCE REPLACEMENT
Repair the damaged column, replace the railings and column bases, and repaint the entire bandstand to preserve historic integrity and prevent future damage.
Demolish the thick steel fence along the waterfront and replace it with a hedge with gaps to provide a clear boundary while allowing easy waterfront access.
TREE THINNING
NEW TREES
Remove excess or unhealthy trees in order to improve the visibility of the bandstand (discouraging vandals) reveal views, and prepare for future storm events.
Plant new Crabapple trees at the base of the parking lot embankment to shield views of the parking lot and new Sycamores along the canal to extend the feeling of the dock promenade.
NEW SEATING OPTIONS
NEW PLANTING BEDS
Build or provide simple benches along the sides of the bandstand. Benches should be movable yet chained to the bandstand to prevent theft.
Plant shrubs along the base of the bandstand to cover up the concrete masonry unit foundation and stairwell wall.
HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY
ILLUMINATED BOLLARDS
Raise the ground level behind the bandstand to provide an accessible at-grade entrance to the bandstand. Provide accessible pathway to this entrance.
Place illuminated bollards along the new sidewalk through the park, providing pedestrian scale lighting to discourage vandalism and invite night-time use by a broader spectrum of community members.
STAIRWELL UPGRADE
BANDSTAND UPLIGHTING
Add handrails to the front entrance of the bandstand to make the stairs safer to elderly or handicap park visitors.
Highlight the bandstand as a focal point in the park and as a local landmark by illuminating the bandstand columns with uplighting fixtures.
PROPOSAL THE PEOPLE’S PLACE The renovations of the park enhance its quality as a friendly, recreational space and a significant historical landmark for the town of Seneca Falls. Integrating accessibility features like handrails, ramps and sidewalks will create a more open and dynamic public place for all people to enjoy.
PROPOSAL MUSIC UNDER THE STARS Illuminating the bandstand at night will transform the park into a warm, inviting gathering space. Even after sunset, families and friends will still be able to come to the park to relax, gaze at the stars and listen to live music.
PROPOSAL PHASE 1 - BANDSTAND Phase 1 is framed around the $20,000 currently budgeted for the park. As the bandstand is the most valuable and vulnerable resource in the park, Phase 1 focuses the townĂŠs resources primarily on the bandstand. The bandstand repairs are the number one priority in this phase as the longer these repairs are deferred, the greater chance that the damage will get worse and become more expensive to fix.
Implementation
BANDSTAND REPAIRS
NEW SEATING OPTIONS
Remove the wooden bases of each bandstand column, replacing each with a new brick base in order to prevent future rot or damage. The bricks used for the column bases may be salvaged from the mill demolition across the canal or other sources. The broken column on the BandstandĂŠs south side should be replaced with at the same time as its base. 11 new railing segments should be prefabricated in order to be installed after column rehabilitation is complete. All wood should be treated with a water repellent, a primer and fresh paint. The local BOCES (Board of Cooperative Education Services) facility may be able to assist with fine carpentry work. Four to six backless benches should be built or purchased and installed along the shorter sides of the bandstand to provide a sheltered seating area.
PROPOSAL PHASE 1 - LANDSCAPE In addition to repairs for the bandstand, Phase 1 includes a plan for removing specific unhealthy or unnecessary trees in the landscape. These trees would otherwise pose a safety hazard during storm events or block sightlines into the park. Maintaining clear sightlines into the park is critical in discouraging vandalism by making it easier for local residents and police officers to see what is happening in the park. This anti-vandalism strategy does not necessarily need additional surveillance to work however, the simple sense of being visible discourages late-night users from breaking rules.
Implementation
TREE THINNING
NEW PLANTING BEDS
Remove trees that are in poor health, crowd the site, or are unnecessary. The crabapples along the waterfront will be removed to open up views across the canal. Tree removal will be contracted out to an arborist for proper removal. This will include stump removal as well. Plants placed around the foundation of the bandstand will help to cover up the existing concrete facade. These plants will be a mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs, as well as herbaceous plants. Plants may include small Rhododendrons, Boxwood, Japanese Pieris, Inkberry, Deutzia, Hydrangea, Catmint, Hosta, Iris, Ornamental Grasses, etc. Plants will be planted with standard planting practices. Mulch will be added as well. Volunteers or members of the community can help with the planting
PROPOSAL PHASE 2 Phase 2 is framed around another $20,000 increment of action, holding in mind the potential for the $20,000 from this years budget to be rolled over to the following yearĂŠs budget for a total of $40,000. This phase provides an accessible pathway through the park and an at-grade entrance to the bandstand. These amenities also serve as an extension of the canal promenade, providing a direct path from the docks to the community center. The at-grade entrance to the bandstand also facilitates set-up for concerts. This phase also replaces the existing steel fence along the waterfront with a hedge which allows easier access to the canal while maintaining a barrier along the water.
Implementation
HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY
Rather than building a steep ramp up to the bandstand, the town should import fill to create a gradual slope up along the accessible pathway allowing the path to connect atgrade. The pathĂŠs slope shall never exceed 5%. New fill should never be placed under the canopy of existing trees.
STAIRWELL UPGRADE
The town should provide ADA compliant handrails on the front stairwell of the bandstand. These handrails may be installed by drilling cores into the existing stairwell.
FENCE REPLACEMENT
Remove the thick steel fence along the waterfront by saw cutting the posts at their base and removing the concrete footers for each post to allow for future plantings. Hedgerows will then replace the fence to provide a less imposing physical barrier which allows greater waterfront access. Plant options include boxwoods or yews. These plants allow for easy maintenance and pruning. Hedges should be kept at a height of 2-3 feet.
PROPOSAL PHASE 3 Phase 3 is framed around the potential for an additional $20,000 or so. This phase enhances the aesthetics of the site and is designed to create an iconic site which attracts visitors and residents alike. This phase extends the row of Sycamore trees from the canal promenade into the park, creating a unique waterfront identity. In addition, new up-lighting highlights the iconic bandstand to drivers and passersby while inviting residents into the park at night with illuminated bollards along the pathway.
Implementation
NEW TREES
Plant new trees along the waterfront and on the slope north of the parking lot. Trees along the waterfront will be American Sycamores like the trees on the existing canal promenade to the east. These trees have high branching allowing for views across the canal. Trees will be planted 15 ft. apart with standard planting practices. Trees to be planted on the slope will be a continuation of the existing crabapples, blocking views of the parking lot.
NEW SEATING OPTIONS
New movable seating and tables should be placed in the park which are heavy enough to discourage vandalism, yet light enough to provide flexibility for park users and events.
ILLUMINATED BOLLARDS
Illuminated bollards (2-3 feet tall) should be installed at 30 foot intervals along the main pathway through the park, providing pedestrian scale lighting in the park, encouraging more active night-time park use.
BANDSTAND UPLIGHTING
Uplighting fixtures should be installed underneath each column of the bandstand, highlighting their forms at night. The fixtures may be hidden in the plantings or embedded into the ground to discourage vandalism.