INTEGRATE
TUM SUPPAK
BUSEY WOODS HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT
LA 438 SPRING 2011
SUPPORTIVE STUDIES
History
Why Owls?
Aphids
Squirrels
in 1821 Diagram of what The Big Grove looked like
Snake Diagram of the remnance of the big grove in 1999.
Japanese Beetles
This is why we should at least try to save what is left for us to cheerish. The Busey Woods, a part of the remains, are in trouble with the construction dump and the raids of invasive species over the year. Now it is time to reestablish the infrastructure of the forest. Since the land development was established, Perhaps in the future, this part of restoration can weave the Big Grove back to the geograthe reduction of the forest land progressed severely. Shown above are the diagrams com- phy as another fabric along with the urban and agricultural blanket across Urbanaparing the Big Grove and its remaining between 1821 and 1999. Less than two centuries, Champaign landscape. more than 70% of the precious woodland was turned into housing development, farmland, and urban sprawl. The area we currently live was once called the Big Grove. It was where the oaks and other giant trees covering in thousands of squarefeet land. Tying the animals from different regions to come together.
Why Oak Trees?
Rats
Owls, especially Eastern Screech Owls are well known for controlling the populations of small mammals, reptiles, and insects. We have so much rodent problem in the household partially because the lacking of the predator.
The insects became the problem recently also due to the lack of birds in the region. The aphids outbreak in 2009 and the japanese beetle swarm in 2010 were also to blame. Introducing the owls back to the urban fabric will help preventing these outbreaks to reoccur.
Why Bring People to Nature?
Acorns are food for squirrels and other mammals
Branches are the spots
Environmental Education Model derived from Groenewegen’s article
Environmental Education Model derived from Renton’s article
long fly and for mating behavior Holes at the tree trunks accommodate different different kinds of birds
Community Exposed to nature Healthy and Happy
Shade accommodates animals and human during hot summer days
Want to make it
Holes in the ground accommodate mammals’ hibernation during harsh winter
greater goods
Dead branches and trunks provide moist and cool spot for salamanders and other reptiles ing wild flowers and creating rich and nutririous forest soils. It also helps soil creatures The roots stabilize the soil structure and improves water retention
Oak trees are generally good for an environment in itself. It creates good shade, make a good home for animals and offer food for a lot of them. Many birds use the tall branches of the oak trees to mate and to rest while flying for a long time. For ecosystem, the oaks play even bigger role. They improve water retention in soils, which accommodate soil creatures to thrive, bring in more aeration to the soil structure, hence greatly improve the soil quality. The
nutrition to specific types of beautiful wild flowers. The shade from the oaks also discourage the growth of some understory invasive species that might prevent the birds to find food and might kill the existing plants; thus the oaks help sustain the biodiversity of an ecosystem.
Children
Environmental Education Model derived from Emelyanova’s article
Exposed to nature Participate to improve nature Adults who contributes to nature
Adults Exposed to nature Learn the importance of ecology
Community work together for ecological goals
Ecological Sustainability Several studies had been done to proof that human needs an ecological sustainability to survive, and the nature also needs human’s changes of behaviors to sustain its stability. The three studies share some idea toward a sustainable goal. Groenewegen (2008,) suggested that the green space in living area affect human health and percep tion of the safety in community, so they willbe more likely to participate and contribute
to community’s activities. Emelyanoca (2011,) suggested that if the adults recognize the importance of nature, they will be more likely to help improve the ecology. Renton and Butcher (2010,) reported that when children are exposed to nature and participate in nature activities when they are young, they will be more likely to contribute to nature when they become adults.
INTEGRATE
TUM SUPPAK
BUSEY WOODS HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT
LA 438 SPRING 2011
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
Site Analysis
Analytical layers
Owls and Oaks Relationship
Oaks Habitat
LEGEND
At the Edge
Field Analysis
Water
This part of the forest has the closest access to the outside street, hence can create noise pollution and cause roadkills to wildlife. It needs buffer.
Urban Openspace Savanna Upland
Circulation
Oaks + Owl Relationship
Parking lots
Salt Fork
The parking lot and the driveways in the park takes to much space, making runoff very difficult.
The salt fork is the creek that channelled the water from Lake of the Woods to Kickapoo. For this fork, the water quality is very important.
Hydrology
Floodplain Forest
Oak Analysis Nature Center
Landcover Oaks and Flowers
Owls Habitat
Amita Purves Nature Center are the sources of information for Busey Woods. It is also a gathering area for people who want to explore the wilderness
1
The landcover analysis suggests that the area are compatible to grow oaks and wildflower to support the forest structure and biodiversity.
Topography
Upland Forest Oak Tree Distribution Facilities 1. Anita Purves Nature Center 2. Swimming Pool 3. Sport field 4. Boathouse 5. Pavillion 6. Playground 7. Labyrinth Garden 8. Baseball Daimond Bus Stops
8
Parking lots Existing Path Diagrams by Soojung Kim
+
Noise Pollution
White Noise Weak Connections Bad Views
Goals and Objectives
Glory games
The views off the fence here is quite unpleasant. It requires some visual tactics. The fence itself blends fine.
The horse stable and field might be an interesting sports, but it barred the park from the woods with metal fence. The noises from the races can also be pollutant to wildlife
Mission Statement Enhance the ecosystem around Busey Woods, complete its infrastructure by creating habitats for Oaks which will help remove the undesirable invasive species, and invite the species that create rich ness to the ecosystem such as screech owl while find support from community group to help sustain nature. Goals and Objectives 1. Protect large canopy trees such as oaks and improve its reproduction availability 1.1 Clear off invasive species such as maple trees and honeysuckles along the forest 1.2 Introduce large tree species that help stabilize the soil and improve the forest structure 1.3 Protect the area 50 feet radius around existing oak trees from any soil disturbance 1.4 Let some part of the forest develop naturally to accommodate species that are adjusted to the current woodland conditions
Acorns
Seedling
Once a gigantic grove, now an oasis. Busey Woods tries its hardest to sustain its quality, yet it struggles with invasive species such as honeysuckles and maples.
Context Regional Suitability analysis
Viewing Spot
The road that goes along the perimeter of the park is not very well kept. Requiring more effort to go to Busey Woods.
Invasives
Life Cycles
Oak Tree Life Cycle
2
Site
Regional Analysis Oak Regional Analysis
Untamed Corridor
3
This transitional area has only one walking trail connecting Crystal Lake Park to Busey Woods. The connection needs improvement.
Neighborhood The neighborhood can benefit a lot from the park and the woods. They will also be an important key to allow changes and development to these green spaces
Transition
2. Increase the biodiversity and provide appropriate habitats for wildlife and sustain them 2.1 Put the bird houses on the trees in the woods to accommodate birds 2.2 Introduce wild flower species back to the site 2.3 Improve buffering with vegetation around the site to prevent road kills. 2.4 Locate maintenance area on site 2.5 Substitute certain area of Kentucky blue grass to alternative groundcovers
The area acts as a transitional zones between the park and the residences. It also has a bus stop and a small plaza to offer some fun chances that draw people to the park.
7 The Crystal Lake Pond
6 5
Oak Tree
This retention pond offers water recreation and scenery, and the openspace around it offers some active recreations.
4
Hospital
3. Improve the educational function for residents and visitors 3.1 Extend walking trails above ground to allow drainage system 3.2 Reserve some part of the woods undisturbed 3.3 Provide visual access and information about ecology and sustainability
The proximity between Carles Hospital and the park offer the opportunities for patient and faculty members to come and take a relaxing time in nature
Young Oak Tree
Owl’s Breeding Cycle throughout the seasons
Oak tree Life Cycle
Owl Regionakl Analysis
Ecological Functions
Diagrams by Soojung Kim
Conduit
Corridor Analysis
Owls Foodchain
Corridor
A
Slope
Hydrology
Hydrology
Landcover
Landcover
WILDLIFE Woodpecker
Predators Great Horned Owls, Barred Owls, Long-eared Owls, Great gray Owls, Short-eared Owls, Snowy Owls, mink, weasels, raccoons, skunks, snakes, crows, and Blue Jays.
Prey Norway rats, chipmunks, cotton rats, squirrels, shrews, bats, and moles. small sh, small snakes, lizards, and soft-shelled turtles, small frogs, toads, and salamanders, and invertebrates such as cray sh, snails, spiders, earthworms, scorpions, and centipedes.
Land Use
Sink
The vernal ponds act as the sink that collects water from rain
Source
The ground filled with leaves are the source of nutrient for wild flowers
Filter
The roots of the tree act as a filter for the runoff from the street
Site A’
Slope
The trail acts as a conduit that carry people across the forest
Blanding’s Turtle Bullfrog
Squirrel
Opossum
Habitat
Salamander
Wood Duck
The hole in an oak tree acts as a habitat for the owl to live in
Wren
Human
GPS Data Analysis
Transportation Transportation
Diagrams by Soojung Kim
Young Grove Vernal Pond
Mature Forest
Street Buffer Large North Pond
Horizontal Scale: 1”=60’ Vertical Scale: 1” =60’
INTEGRATE
TUM SUPPAK
BUSEY BUSEY W WOODS HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT
LA 438 SPRING 2011
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
Design Components
Master Plan
Sections LEGEND Vegetation Focused Species
Vegetation Aside from regular vegetation, the oaks are added in crystal lake park, blending in for community uses
Existing Plants Buffer Species
Building The buildings remain the same, apart from the addition of the maintenance building in Busey Woods
Circulation Circulations are adjusted the most in front of Anita Purves Nature Center, to be a gateway to explore nature
At the Edge
Ornamental Species Groundcover
The addition of buffer species such as spicebush helps protect the wildlife from crossing. It also creates the visual buffer from people inside to see the street
Surface Water Surface Water 1
B
Hydrology
Building
B’
Pavement Grasscreet Parking
3
See Detail Plan
Street B
Grondcover Alternate groundcovers are encouraged to be used across Crystal Lake Park in this design
The oaks are added into the forest to re-establish the forest infrastructure, improving it to be a hunting ground of owls and other birds
Sketches
Parking lots
6 Invasives
The parking lot are changed to grasscrete, and there is the bioswale for best management practice.
5
Topography in this design is only subtly changed for drainage purposes
2
1
Honeysuckles and maples
Topography
B’
4
Oaks and Flowers
Site Boundary This is the primary site boundary of habitat that can be expanded in the future
A
Structure
2
The channel of water remains the same in this design
A’
will be removed to create a chance for the oaks to grow and to create the hunting ground for different kinds of animals including owls.
Nature Center The concept of the nature center expands over this entire space. By adding the multipurpose field for camping and other activities, people from the community can get closer to nature
Context Map The site remains woven in the urban fabric of UrbanaChampaign
Transition The transition remains the same, but the parking lots are changed into grasscrete to help reduce to stormwater runoff.
Connection to the cemetery are made for occasional visitor, but not for all. It acts as a filter for this woods.
Maintenance hut located near the road has both access to the urban area and to the forest.
4
3
Time Series Diagram Neighborhood
2011
Passive recreational areas can be used by the residents of the neighborhood to restore their mental fatigue and improve their physical health. It can introduce them more to nature
A
The site as exists. Contaminated yet it is the oasis of wildlife
2031
The power row, being stark and bold, can enhance the way finding experience during a visit in Busey Woods
6
5
2021 The habitat for owls and oak is prepared on the northern part. The geo-process begins
Habitat area for oaks and owls. Wild flowers are in full bloom in early spring.
Hospital The improved social gathering area and the introduced passive recreational area helps the patients and faculty members of the hospital restore their mental fatigue.
A’
The Crystal Lake Pond The pond can be enjoyed more on the other side from adding the meander path and ornamental trees along the way.
Create a strong buffer for the site and start add in the adaptables on the east side
0
LEGEND Buffer
2041 Create the oaks and owls habitat on the wetland area
Floodplain Forest Adaptables Wetland Oak Wetland Geo-process
2051
Finish the construction dump site, turning it into the area for tough, adaptable plants
250
500
1000ft
Project Description Intergration is the project that combines the existing of nature and human together. The intention of the design is to restore a fraction of what once was the great oak grove. By returning the oaks into its home, the animals will come back and the ecosystem will start to flourish again. Another focus species is the eastern screech owl. By bringing back the oaks, the terrance of the forest open up enough to allow the owls to exist. The owls would also get rid of rodent problem around the city.
Undesirables
Finally, human is the important part of this design. By inviting people into the education and exposure of nature, human tend to grow to love the nature and thus try to safe it. This is the reason why we provide the educational area for people in the north east corner of Crystal Lake Park.
The oak saplings regrowing after the construction waste are moderated with the adaptable species
Theon the ridge into the South Pond during fall season can be quite attractive
Conceptual Diagrams
INTEGRATE
TUM SUPPAK
BUSEY WOODS HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT
LA 438 SPRING 2011
DETAIL PLAN
Detail Plan
Sketches 1
B’ The open space in front of the nature center can be used multi-purposely, ranging from outdoor class, camping, to sports
A
2 1 2
The closed area around this space gives out the private feeling, yet very accessible to community.
3 3
B
A’
The temporary parking becomes an open space when not used by vehicles.
0
100
200
400
Sections Redbud
Hackberry
Conifer Oak
Crabapple
Hickery
Existing trees Wetland mix
Ground mix
Building
Temp. Parking
Pourous pave
Street
Parking lot
Pourous pave w/ light traffic
Water surface
Suggested Plant Materials
A’
B
B’
Groundcover Mix
Wetland Mix
Sumac
A
Joe Pye Weed
Quinine
Swamp Milkweed
Sneezeweed
Spring Beauty
Ruptureworth Violet
Catmint
Periwinkle