LYDICK BOG MASTER PLAN
PREPARED FOR THE SHIRLEY HEINZE LAND TRUST
SPRING 2018
SHIRLEY HEINZE LAND TRUST LYDICK BOG MASTER PLAN
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SHIRLEY HEINZE LAND TRUST KRISTOPHER KROUSE - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ERIC BIRD - STEWARDSHIP DIRECTOR DANIEL ROBERTSON DOUG BOTKA AND ALL SHIRLEY HEINZE LAND TRUST STAFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS KELLY CARMICHAEL, PRESIDENT PAT MCKINLAY, VICE PRESIDENT ROBERT LONG JOHN SWANSON MIKE KEEN AND ALL BOARD MEMBERS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT EVIE KIRKWOOD, DIRECTOR - ST. JOSEPH COUNTY PARKS JAMES TURNWALD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - MACOG
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TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION LYDICK BOG PROPERTY BOG INFORMATION
INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS SITE ANALYSIS: SITE LOCATION AND OVERVIEW DEVELOPABLE AREA ANALYSIS EXISTING UTILITIES EXISTING STRUCTURES ANALYSIS: HOUSE BARN/PAVILION BARREL VAULTED BARN PUMP HOUSE
MASTER PLAN APPROACH SCHEMATIC SITE PLAN OPTIONS MAIN BUILDING MAINTENANCE/STEWARDSHIP GARAGE RESTROOM BUILDING ENTRY SIGN & TRAILHEADS BOARDWALK FINAL SITE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
SHIRLEY HEINZE LAND TRUST LYDICK BOG MASTER PLAN
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INTRODUCTION “This is an extremely high quality natural area, which will now be restored and preserved in perpetuity. We appreciate the
encouragement and support we received from environmental and community leaders in St. Joseph County to make this happen.� John Swanson, Board President June 2016
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INTRODUCTION Shirley Heinze Land Trust acquired a 176 acre parcel of land in St. Joseph County that contains one of the last remaining bog ecosystems in the state of Indiana. The Lydick Bog acquisition serves much more than a milestone of the organization, but a win for the area, being the first and only of its kind in the county. In addition to the bog, the property contains wetlands, upland forest, and a two acre parcel of developable land. There are several existing structures on the two acre parcel including a house, garage, two barns, and a well house. Most of these structures are in poor condition and can be demolished to allow for new facilities and parking to be built to accomodate the proposed fuction of the Lydick Bog property. New improvements could include parking, entry sign, pavilion, restrooms, offices, maintenance garage, trails, gathering spaces, and other features. Located on US 20 a couple of miles west of the US 20/31 Bypass, the property is conveniently located for public access. It is envisioned that the Lydick Bog property will contain public access routes throughout the site including paved trails, unpaved trails, boardwalks, and access to the bog. While providing access to the bog is a priority, minimal human enviromental impact to maintain and improve current conditions of the bog is an important stewardship goal. The purpose of these plans for Lydick Bog is not only for the benefit of the St. Joseph community experiencing nature and gaining unknown knoweldge of bog ecosystems and make-up, but also conservation of Northwest Indiana’s habitats. This master plan looks to identify, analyze and develop a strategy to implement improvements that align with these goals. This project epitomizes what the Shirley Heinze Land Trust organization stands for and is a testament of their mission: educate, inspire, and invite the public to experience the natural wonders of this region while protecting our environmentally significant landscapes.
CITY OF ELKHART PROJECT LOCATION
SHIRLEY HEINZE LAND TRUST LYDICK BOG MASTER PLAN
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LYDICK BOG
The Mission
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"To protect habitats and ecosystems of Northwest Indiana through acquiring, restoring, and protecting environmentally significant landscapes for present and future generations, and to inspire and educate people of all ages about the value of land conservation to protect our natural world and enrich our lives."
LYDICK BOG PROPERTY On the 23rd of June, 2016 the Shirley Heinze Land Trust acquired a sizeable piece of land in St. Joseph County. This 176 acre gem contains much more than just a wooded lot of land, but one of the last remaining bog ecosystems in the state of Indiana. This acquisition serves much more than a milestone of the organization, but a win for the area, being the first and only of its kind in the St. Joseph County area, located just west of South Bend. “The Lydick Bog property is unique and significant and has a number of endangered plants on the property and so down the line when public access is available it’s going to be a really interesting property for people to explore and enjoy nature,” ~ Evie Kirkwood, Director of St. Joseph County Parks The property, which contains an array of wetlands, upland forest and plant species will help to protect and preserve the natural heritage of St. Joseph County. The county which lacks in the amount of land it preserves is in full support and partnership to maximize this project’s benefits to the community and outside visitor’s.
The purpose of these plans is for not only the benefit of the St. Joseph community experiencing nature and gaining unknown knoweldge of bog ecosystems and make-up, but conservation of Northwest Indiana’s habitats. This master plan looks to identify, analyze and devise a strategy to develop these ideas in a concise manner that demonstrates a deeper understanding of our environment. The Shirley Heinze Land Trust now protects 2,100 acres of natural habitats, but ultimately the higher goal is to increase this number two-fold, reaching heights of around 3,000 acres within the next five years, potentially aquiring other areas within the St. Joseph County area. Although a challenging tasks, this number seems to be attainable with the right attitudes, contributions and partnerships with The Bicentennial Nature Trust, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, The Conservation Fund, NIPSCO, and other future partners. As one of the leading organizations of Indiana north sector this partnership of a vast many that works to preserve, protect and restore significant natural areas of Northwest Indiana. This project becomes the epitome of what the organization stands for and is a testiment of their mission.....educate, inspire and invite the public to experience the natural wonders of this region of the country.
$50,000 in Donations Received for Purchase of Two-Acre Public Access Site at Lydick Bog Shirley Heinze Land Trust announces that $50,000 in donations have been raised for the purchase of a two-acre homestead adjacent to the Bog, upon which public access amenities will be built. ~ April 7, 2017
The future plans of this bog are as follows. - Identify the benefactors and beneficiaries of this meaningful project. - Execute a multitude of perspective views on the area. -Public access routes throughout the site with minimal human enviromental impact to maintain and improve current conditions of the bog. -Develop an action plan for the careful preservation and conservation of these lands. -Spread the importance environmental stewardship for Indiana habitats.
SHIRLEY HEINZE LAND TRUST LYDICK BOG MASTER PLAN
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Understanding the Bog Ecosystem Bogs are the creation of several thousands of years of deposits that have been trapped. These particular types of wetlands are the direct result of what happens to land when it becomes waterlogged. Uncommonly known to most people, bogs are the result of nutrient dense water that has been trapped. These freshwater wetlands are primarily seen as soft, spongy grounds that consist of decaying plant deposits and other organic matter. The accumulation of this compressed organic matter over thousands of years becomes known as peat. Peat is made up of sphagnum and other mosses, which hold a large amount of water and contain compounds that inhibit decomposition. The peat slowly builds up over centuries because the annual growth exceeds the decay, with a growth rate of approximately 1 millemeter a year and ten meters over 9000 years. Not your typical wetland, these lands become distinctly different from other ecosystems’ functions. The make-up of bogs is highly dense vegetation, fungi and pollen that promotes a hive of activity for insects to thrive in these muddy ecosystems. The plants and insects support a wide variety of organisms such as frogs, salamanders, newts, beavers, racoons and other species of animals that feed off the bogs or find shelter. Due to the lack of good soil quality, with lowoxgen content, acidic components and lack of drainage bogs typically do not grab the attention for settlement. The positive side of this is the remarkable rich biodiversity that continually thrives and preserves natural history for thousands of years.
Poorly drained site on mineral soil
Accumulation of organic matter
Infilling of the depression and consolidation
Development of raised dome to peat
SHIRLEY HEINZE LAND TRUST LYDICK BOG MASTER PLAN
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Kalamazoo
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3 ick Bo yd
Michigan State Line Indiana State Line
7 South Bend
Elkhart
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Nearby Bogs; 1 2 3 4
- PinHook Bog (LaPorte, IN) - Mud Lake Bog Nature Preserve (Buchanan, MI) - Pipwort Pond Nature Preserve (Bristol, IN) - Spring Lake Woods and Bog-Acres Land Trust (Fort Wayne) 5 - ACRES Land Trust (Huntertown, IN) 6 - Bishop’s Bog Preserve (Portage, MI) 7 - Bittern Bog WCA (Grovertown, IN) 10
Fort Wayne
Closer Than You Think! Bogs are generally located in cooler northern climates, but have been discovered in a few southern climates most recently, such as Congo. They often develop in poorly drained lake basins created by glaciers. Canadian bogs are rather common being in the far north colder climates where most glacier reside and have receeded, but the a common location is the Hoosierland of Indiana. The northern half of Indiana is spotted with numerous lakes and bogs. The difference between these and the southern bogs is maturity due to the retreat of the Wisconsin glaciation that happened much sooner in the south. The creation of these rare ecosystems are becoming more prevelant in the conservationist push to restore these unique habitats. Tourism and an awareness is crucial to the survival. Bog
Pinhook Bog restoration projects are more rare than the regulations on development. The process involves saturating the area and introducing sphagnum moss and other species, along with other strategies to replicate natural processes. In the St. Josephy County area there is only one known bog and that is Lydick Bog. Currently not open to the public the master plan looks to pull ideas and influences from other well preserved bogs in the nearby area and translate those into a cohesive and successful design for Lydick.
Mud Lake Bog Boardwalk
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INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS SITE ANALYSIS - SITE LOCATION AND OVERVIEW - DEVELOPABLE AREA ANALYSIS - EXISTING UTILITIES EXISTING STRUCTURES ANALYSIS - HOUSE - BARN/PAVILION - BARREL VAULTED-BARN - GARAGE - PUMP HOUSE
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SITE LOCATION & OVERVIEW The parcels located at the front of the property are highly visible. Design and development considerations should have a strong push in a welcoming and informative center.
The main design constraint of the site exists with the preservation of the boglands. Providing access to the bog while maximizing stewardship should be a major focus of the property.
The existing 20 acres of agricultural production should continue to produce vegetation until the start of construction efforts on site begin. These parcels will be converted to forested woodlands.
This wetland area has standing water at all times. It connects to the perimeter “moat� of the bog, playing an important role in the hydrology of the site and surrounding areas. North Chain Lake has a drainage area of 3.89 square miles
Woodlands make up approximately 45% of the entire sight. Design elements will mostly take place in these sections of the site because of the conservation safe-gaurding of other features on site.
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SITE ANALYSIS
Existing Gravel Drives
Low Drainage Swale Along US 20
Existing 30’ Right-of-Way along US 20 Existing Setback 50’
Existing Utility Pole
Steeply Drains Away From Roadway High Points
Existing Overhead Lines with 3-Phase Electric and Telephone/Cable High Point of Site Between Existing Structures
Existing House Existing Garage
FEMA Floodplain Boundary
Hydrology Boundary
Existing Pavilion
Existing Barrel Structure
Existing Parcel Boundary Existing Maintenance Boundary
Hydrology Boundary
Drains Away From Roadway High Points
FEMA Floodplain Boundary
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Analysis: Utilities Septic System: The system was tested in September 2017. The test results are shown to the right. The system passed most of the items but failed because the septic tank is losing water. This may have been due to the fact that water ran through the system too quickly since there was not adequate time to consistently prime the system prior to testing. The system should be re-tested and repaired if necessary. Well: The water source is a well and the well head is located near the southwest corner of the existing house. The water was tested and passed for E Coli levels. The new building and maintenance garage can be connected to the well. A pressure test should be completed to verify the available water pressure to see if a pump will be needed to satisfy the load requirements for proposed use. Electric: It appears the electric line at one point entered via overhead lines to a utility pole near the garage and then connected to the house. It also appears electrical lines go underground at the pole in the right of way. Further analysis shall be performed on the electric supply prior to demolition of the house and any electric utilities.
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ANALYSIS OF EXISTING STRUCTURES An analysis was performed of the existing structures on the property. In general the structures were in poor condition and showed signs of neglect for many years. Most of the building materials were at or past their life expectancy. Some structures had materials that could be salvaged for re-use or sale, but most of the structures have little to no value and are not worthwhile for salvage. Utilizing existing structures would limit the function of the proposed site. The existing structures are spread out on the site, and would dictate the available locations for new development of parking, access, trails, and new structures. By tearing down most or all of the existing structures, the site becomes more of a clean slate to design a more efficient use of the land that serves the desired functions of Lydick Bog. It is anticipated that buses with large groups will use the site somewhat frequently, and the current size and layout of the existing structures are not condusive to accessibility and larger groups. Since Shirley Heinze Land Trust is an organization that prides itself in stewardship of the land, it makes sense to reduce the footprint of the structures, driveways, and parking. Utilizing the existing structures would be beneficial for re-use of existing materials, but providing access to the buildings and parking would encompass a large portion of the site. If new development can be clustered closer towards the front of the property, more land on the back half can be restored to open natural space. Based on structural analysis, discussions with Shirley Heinze Land Trust staff, and planning for future site utilization, it was determined that the house, barn/ pavilion structure, well house, and garage should be demolished. The barrel vaulted barn structure could be renovated into a trail head or educational building if it fit with the development plan and budget.
TOP LEFT: The existing home on the property sits near the road and entrance to the property. TOP RIGHT: The barn/pavilion structure is in poor condition and would need major renovation for re-use. MID LEFT: The well house is in poor condition and not functional as a structure for re-use. MID RIGHT: The barrel-vaulted barn structure is in poor condition but may have some value for re-use. BOTTOM RIGHT: The existing garage is located near the entrance to the property and is in poor condition.
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Analysis: Existing House
TOP : South view of the existing house MID LEFT: Stairway is too narrow and steep for public use MID CENTER: Main level of house. Major renovations would be needed to create usable spaces and appropriate finishes. MID RIGHT: Basement in the house. Piping and utilities need to be replaced. 18
BOTTOM LEFT: Attic in the house needs repairs.
The existing house on site has some historical interest based on its longevity on this property, but it is not on the historic register. After a walk-through of the building there were not any elements that were considered worth preserving if demolition were pursued. While structurally the house didn’t have any major apparent concerns, the floor plan of the house does not lend itself to public use. Most of the rooms are small with narrow doorways. There aren’t any spaces large enough to allow for groups of people to gather for programming. Also the building materials are outdated and/or past life expectancy. Some of the steel water pipes are corroded and water damage is evident in certain locations. Restrooms are not compliant and need new fixtures. To make the space usable for offices or gathering, major renovations would be required such as: • Removing or moving walls • Creating code compliant stairwells • ADA compliant restrooms • ADA access to the building • New flooring and finishes • Re-wiring of the electrical system • New water and sanitary piping The cost associated with renovating the house to a point where it could meet code and serve the function desired by Shirley Heinze Land Trust would be higher than constructing a new building. Design and construction of a new building would allow for more efficient use of space, create a longer life span for the building, lower energy and maintenance costs, and make it easier for phased implementation. Constructing a new facility would also allow for greater flexibility in the site layout since the new building could be placed in other locations on site that may better fit the overall design. Based on our analysis and discussions with Shirley Heinze Land Trust staff, it is recommended that the house be demolished and a new building be constructed for the Lydick Bog offices and indoor gathering areas.
Analysis: Existing Barn/Pavilion Structure The existing barn/pavilion structure is in poor condition overall. There are concerns structurally with the timber posts, and the roof, siding, and windows need to be replaced. The floor is The existing barn/pavilion structure is supported by round timbers that have been driven into the ground. There are no signs of foundations in which the timbers are supported by. Considerable deterioration from exposure to ground moisture and weather was observed at the bottoms of the posts. While these timbers cannot be utilized in their current state to support a newly constructed structure, the roof rafters, roof beams and sections of round timbers that are not affected by weathering can be salvaged and utilized in new structures on site or sold, if desired by the owner. The metal roofing and siding is in poor condition and needs to be replaced. The floor of the structure is bare earth with some straw over the surface. Any renovation for public use would require a paved surface for accessibility and ease of maintenance. Since no constructed floor is present, demolition costs would be lower than a typical structure of this size. A unique element present in the structure is an old farm scale. While an interesting historical element, it doesn’t benefit the environmental stewardship theme of the property and wouldn’t serve a purpose in the future. The scale platform and pit should be demolished and backfilled, and the scale unit could be salvaged for use as a historical artifact or sold. The current state of the structure is beyond repair at a cost that would be economical. It is our recommendation to demolish the structure and salvage the timbed posts and beams that are in good enough condition for re-use or material sale.
TOP LEFT : The barn has a large farm scale, with the platform and pit under the overhang shown in this photograph. TOP RIGHT: This photo also shows the scale, as well as the poor condition of the siding and windows. MIDDLE: The timber posts, beams, and rafters are in generally good condition and some could be salvaged for re-use or sale. BOTTOM RIGHT: The inside of the structure is spacious enough to hold large groups, but many upgrades for accessibility, aesthetics, and code compliance would be necessary. SHIRLEY HEINZE LAND TRUST LYDICK BOG MASTER PLAN
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Analysis: Barrel-Vaulted Barn Structure
TOP : The upper level of the structure with elliptical trusses and a wood decking floor MID LEFT: The main level of the structure with cmu walls, concrete slab, and steel pipe columns supporting i-beams MID RIGHT: Exterior view of the structure showing the south facade that could open up to the trail system BOTTOM LEFT: A view of the windows and floor joists supported by the masonry wall. Cracks are evident in the concrete masonry walls in some areas.
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The barn has not been maintained for years and is showing signs of deterioration, but can be retrofitted to be a structurally safe building. The owner should be aware that there are different design criteria that buildings need to meet for agricultural buildings and public use buildings and if the intended use is for public use, additional retrofitting will be required to bring it up to current codes. The barn is a 2 story barn with masonry walls extending from the foundation to the top of the first floor where the original wood barn truss (elliptical shape) connects to the 2nd floor joists that act as ties for the truss lateral thrust. The trusses and walls are sheathed with metal paneling. The 2nd floor is supported by decking and floor joists bearing on the exterior masonry foundation walls and interior I-beams bearing on the exterior walls and steel pipe columns. The first floor is a slab on grade with the steel pipe columns embedded in the concrete. There is a poured foundation wall, but we were unable to determine how deep it went or if the wall was supported by a strip footing. No signs of deterioration were found in the foundation, but there were significant cracks in the slab especially near the embedded steel pipe columns from movement of the columns. The original 8” masonry blocks look like they were formed with larger grain aggregates than what is used today, leading us to believe that these are less strong masonry than current standards, but may still prove to be adequate, but will need to be investigated to determine its structural capacity. The condition of the masonry blocks also require repairs with cracks throughout and no headers or reinforcing present at openings. The continuous steel I-beams (8” deep x 6.625” wide) and pipe columns (3 ½” diameter) look to be in good condition except at the column supports where movement and cracking has rendered the embedment ineffective. The 2x8 floor joists are not continuous and simply span between supports, but are in good condition. Recent roof leakage has mostly effected the floor decking, but if not repaired will eventually cause
Analysis: Barrel-Vaulted Barn Structure (Continued) deterioration of the floor joists as well. The trusses are attached to the floor joists and are vital to the arch truss system as they act as ties between the two arch ends and resolve the lateral thrust of the arches. As the floor joists are not continuous between arch ends, there is concern that the connections between each simple span are adequately designed for current design loads. The second floor decking will likely need to be replaced due to weathering and other deterioration. The original trusses and original connectors look to be in good condition, but are now exposed to weather and will deteriorate in time. Capacity of these trusses will also need to be analyzed to determine if their capacity meets current codes assuming they are determined to be viable to be reused. The entire exterior cladding of the barn is significantly rusted or completely gone and will require complete removal and new paneling. To summarize, the required work to bring the structure to its original capacity will require: • Analysis of overall structure including connections, trusses, beams, joists and foundation • Demolishing the exterior metal cladding • Repair and replace damaged masonry blocks • Repair concrete slab • Replace 2nd floor decking and other deteriorated members • Repair and replace damaged trusses To retrofit this building a complete structural analysis of the gravity and lateral systems with current minimum design loads will need to be conducted for its proposed use and layout. In addition to the repairing of the deteriorated elements to bring the building to its original capacity, the analysis may show that the building is structurally deficient and may require additional strengthening.
Analysis: Garage
Analysis: Well House
The garage is functional and is the only current lockable open storage space so it can be maintained in the short term to store equipment. The slab is in poor condition and several upgrades would be necessary to the roof, garage doors, siding, and framing to use the structures as the permanent maintenance garage. Also the garage in its current location could conflict with the optimized site function and utilization. Due to these implications, it is not recommended to keep the garage as a permanent structure.
The existing well house is a small structure constructed of concrete masonry walls and a metal roof. While structurally it is in ok condition, it would require some upgrades to remain on site for public use. It is too small to be used for restrooms and a retrofit would be expensive. The small size does not make it convenient for storage. Also it is fairly centrally located on the site and could conflict with the optimum layout for future development. It is recommended that the structure be demolished.
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MASTER PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS SCHEMATIC SITE PLAN OPTIONS PAVING & PARKING MAIN BUILDING MAINTENANCE/STEWARDSHIP GARAGE RESTROOM BUILDING ENTRY SIGN & TRAILHEADS BOARDWALKS
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Lincoln Hwy
SCHEMATIC SITE PLAN OPTION A Site Plan Option A utilizes a main entrance drive to access the parking and buildings. A circular turnaround provides an easy way for cars and buses to turn around within the site. Bus parking is also located off of the turnaround, angled for easy entrance and exit. Another benefit of the turnaround is it creates a central feature area that could incorporate gardens and a gathering space. Ten standard parking spaces and two accessible parking spaces are located along the entrance drive, with an additional gravel parking area located off the main drive. There are also two bus parking spaces and additional grass overflow parking accessed off of the turnaround. All existing buildings will be demolished and a new office/maintenance/pavilion main building can be created. A new restroom facility is shown between the gravel parking area and trail. This is located near the existing well and septic system for easy connection. Another option would be to include the restroom in the main building. This would could save some cost by not needing to build a stand-alone structure, but it will add expense to the main building cost and have longer runs for piping that could add cost and increase maintenance. The existing barrel vaulted barn can be renovated into a trailhead facility. While it needs some improvements to make it more accessible for the public, most upgrades are cosmetic rather than structural.
Asphalt Drive & Parking
Reforested Woodlands Restroom Building Gravel Parking Lot
Office/ Maintenance/ Pavilion Bus Parking
Trail
Reforested Woodlands
Grass Parking
Renovated Barn Trailhead
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SCHEMATIC SITE PLAN OPTION B Site Plan Option B utilizes a main entrance drive to access the parking and buildings. An elongated loop turnaround provides an easy way for cars and buses to turn around within the site. Bus parking is also along the drive, angled for easy entrance and exit. Another benefit of the turnaround is it allows for easy navigation through the site and quick drop off points to the main office building. Five standard parking spaces, six permeable paver parking spaces and two accessible spaces are located along the entrance drive, with an additional gravel parking area located off the loop drive. There are also two bus parking spaces located on the drive, with an extra gravel space to allow for parking of a third bus. All existing buildings will be demolished and a new office/maintenance/pavilion main building can be created. A new restroom facility is shown between the gravel parking area and trail. This is located near the existing well and septic system for easy connection. Another option would be to include the restroom in the main building. This would could save some cost by not needing to build a stand-alone structure, but it will add expense to the main building cost and have longer runs for piping that could add cost and increase maintenance. The existing barrel vaulted barn can be renovated into a trailhead facility. While it needs some improvements to make it more accessible for the public, most upgrades are cosmetic rather than structural. There would still be considerable cost to renovate the structure, but it could create a unique historical space on site.
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Restroom Building
Asphalt Drive & Parking
Reforested Woodlands
Trail
Office/ Maintenance/ Pavilion
Gravel Parking Reforested Woodlands
Renovated Barn Trailhead
Schematic Site Plan Option B Rendering This rendering shows Option B with a view from the east side of the property across the parking area to the main building. Gravel parking flanks the asphalt driveway, with permeable paving in the parking bay nearest the main building. The main building could house offices, a meeting space, restrooms, and storage, with an adjacent open air pavilion structure that would provide shelter for larger groups. To the left side of the rendering it shows the renovated barrel vaulted barn structure, utilized as the trailhead for the trail heading south to the bog. A rain garden is located in the center of the parking lot and loop drive, with native plantings abundant throughout the site. Some of the existing trees were kept if in good condition and a desireable species. SHIRLEY HEINZE LAND TRUST LYDICK BOG MASTER PLAN
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SCHEMATIC SITE PLAN OPTION C Site Plan Option C takes a different look at the main entrance drive creating quick access the parking and buildings in the immediate front of the site. Bus parking is located just near the maintenance building. The benefit of this design is the excess lawn space available for events and other activities. Two accessible parking spaces are located along the near the entrance of the main building, with all additional gravel parking area located off the main drive. There are also two bus parking spaces and additional grass overflow parking just off the main drive. All existing buildings will be demolished and a new office/maintenance/pavilion main building can be created. A new restroom facility is shown between the gravel parking area and trail. This is located near the existing well and septic system for easy connection. Another option would be to include the restroom in the main building. This would could save some cost by not needing to build a stand-alone structure, but it will add expense to the main building cost and have longer runs for piping that could add cost and increase maintenance. In addition, there is an outdoor patio space used for gathering near the main building. The existing barrel vaulted barn can be renovated into a trailhead facility. While it needs some improvements to make it more accessible for the public, most upgrades are cosmetic rather than structural.
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Gravel Parking Asphalt Drive & Parking Maintenance Building
Office / Pavilion
Restroom Building
Reforested Woodlands
Trail
Reforested Woodlands
Renovated Barn Trailhead
SCHEMATIC SITE PLAN OPTION D Gravel Parking Asphalt Drive & Parking
Office / Pavilion
Restroom Building
Reforested Woodlands
Maintenance Building
Reforested Woodlands Native Garden
Site Plan Option D take a similar look at the main entrance design as Option C, with the addtion of a couple more spaces for parking. The benefit of this design is less of a building impact on the existing piece of land, keeping everything closely together. Three standard parking spaces and two accessible parking spaces are located along the entrance drive near the main building with an additional gravel parking area located off the main drive at the front of the site. There are also two bus parking spaces and an additional grass overflow parking area accessed off of the end of the main drive. All existing buildings will be demolished and a new office/maintenance/pavilion main building can be created. A new restroom facility is shown tied in with the main office building near the trail. This is located near the existing well and septic system for easy connection. This save somes cost by not needing to build a stand-alone structure, but it will add expense to the main building cost and have longer runs for piping that could add cost and increase maintenance. In addition, a stand- alone maintenance building is added for the storage of maintenance vehicles for the site and/or other pieces of equipment. The existing barrel vaulted barn will be removed and replaced with an open garden exhibit. This will help to open up the property and allow for a more aesthetically pleasing feature.
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Schematic Site Plan Option D Rendering This rendering shows an artistic view of Option D. The main building has an open central pavilion with restrooms on one side and offices and a gift shop on the other side. There is convenient accessible parking near the building, with a larger gravel lot on the other side of the entrance drive. The maintenance garage has easy access to the entrance drive and to the rest of the property. The trail enters and exits from the main area to the east and south.
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MAIN BUILDING
Main Building The main building on the property will be located roughly where the existing house sat. This location makes the building viewable from the road to help establish a sense of arrival. It also allows plenty of parking in proximity to the building. Since the existing well and septic are near this location, there will be minimal costs associated with utility extension. The main building will include restrooms, a gathering space, offices, indoor classroom and potentially a gift shop. Since this building will likely be the largest cost of the improvements at Lydick Bog, a phased approach is recommended. Restrooms could be built first, then an open air pavilion, and then the offices/indoor classroom/
gift shop on the opposite side of the pavilion. In the future the open-air pavilion could potentially be enclosed to create a three or four season gathering space. Newer restroom facilities often include two to four family restrooms rather than including a mens and womens. For this property a restroom building with two family restrooms and a storage area would make sense. The restroom could be heated for four season use, or to save cost could be winterized and only used in the warmer months. A restroom building that is winterized could range from $100,000 to $150,000, and a conditioned restroom building could range from $200,000 to $250,000.
The open air pavilion can be built as the second phase as a separate structure that overhangs the restroom building providing a covered connection. This area can be used for events and informal gatherings. There are many manufacturers that make prefabricated pavilions that could be designed to match the restroom building and overall site aesthetic. The offices/classroom/gift shop building would be the third phase. It is anticipated that this building would be roughly 600 square feet. At a cost of $150$175 per square foot, the estimated cost would be around $100,000.
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MAINTENANCE/ STEWARDSHIP GARAGE A maintenance garage will be necessary to store equipment and materials for Lydick Bog. A garage that is similar in size or a little smaller than the garage at Meadowbrook would suffice. The garage could have two or three garage doors and an overall size of about thirty feet by fifty feet. Garage doors should be at least 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide, but a larger door may be beneficial to accommodate some larger equipment. The maintenance garage should be a simple pole barn style building to reduce cost. Materials could be customized to complement the main building if desired. A simple metal pole barn garage would typically be the least expensive option. A simple 30x50x10 pole barn would cost roughly $15,000 in material cost. Adding customization such as material upgrades, overhangs, windows, larger doors, etc will add cost. Access to the garage should be convenient from the site, but positioned to give some separation from the public area. A gravel approach would be adequate and keep costs low. The maintenance garage could sit on a concrete slab or gravel. The Meadowbrook garage has a gravel floor and works fine. Concrete would be a nice upgrade, but may not be worth the cost. To put the garage on a concrete slab it would cost an additional $5,000 to $7,000.
TOP : Example photo of a four-stall pole barn with wood siding and metal roof that could complement the main buliding MID LEFT: Interior photo of the maintenance garage at Meadowbrook MID RIGHT: Example photo of a two stall metal pole barn BOTTOM RIGHT: Example of a pole barn with garage access from two sides plus an overhang as an extra functional and aesthetic element. 30
PAVING AND PARKING MATERIALS/OPTIONS Several paving options are available for the access drive and parking areas. Since each option has its pros and cons, most likely a combination of paving materials will be used on site depending on the use. The entrance drive will receive the most traffic and should be a durable material such as asphalt. Gravel can be used for some parking areas since it is less expensive that asphalt, but the accessible parking spaces should be paved to meet ADA requirements. Bus parking is necessary to accommodate one or two buses at a time. This can be a gravel parking area to save cost. Grass areas can also be used for overflow parking for large events to minimize the amount of paving on site. There are also several sustainable pavement options that are more environmentally friendly and help reduce storm water runoff. Permeable pavers allow infiltration of the storm water, and can store storm water in the stone base below the pavers. Different colors and styles of pavers are available that can give an aesthetic benefit to the site as well. Pavers also last longer than asphalt or gravel. However, permeable pavers have a much higher cost than asphalt, concrete, or gravel. Materials range in cost, installation time, permeability, maintenance, and environmental friendliness. Below is a chart summarizing these different options. Asphalt
Compacted Gravel
Permeable Pavers
Grass Pavers
$20-$25
$10-$15
$150-$200
$125-$175
Permeability
None
Low
High
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Low
Low
Low
Medium
High
High
No
No
Yes
No
Cost per Square Yard
Environmental Friendliness Stormwater Retention
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ENTRY SIGNS & TRAILHEADS
Entry Sign Lydick Bog needs to have a prominent but appropriately scaled entry sign along US 20. Without a prominent entry sign, less people will know that Lydick Bog exists, and those trying to visit Lydick Bog will have more difficulty finding the property. Along with a parking area, the entry sign should be one of the top priorities. The entry sign should be located near the entrance drive, just outside of the right of way. A double sided sign that is perpendicular to the road which can be read by motorists approaching from both directions would be beneficial. Materials should be mostly natural, such as stone and wood with concrete or metal accents. A stone masonry sign with a concrete footing can be expensive, but the entry sign may be a good improvement to spend some extra money to make an impact. The cost of an entry sign could range from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the size and materials.
Trailhead Signage
TOP LEFT : Example of trailhead signage TOP RIGHT: Design concept for the entrance sign BOTTOM LEFT: Example photo of an entrance sign BOTTOM RIGHT: Example photo of an interpretive trail or educational sign. 32
The trail system will leave the main area of the property in two different locations. One on the east side towards the existing farm field, and one to the south towards the bog. Each trailhead location should have some signage to inform visitors of the trail route and what to look for while on the trail. In addition to signage at the trailhead, interpretive and educational signage along the trail also provides a great benefit to visitors. Signage at the trailhead should be larger and include maps. Materials should be kept simple and natural, predominantly stone and wood, with metal frames or supports as necessary. A trailhead sign could vary from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the size and materials used. Interpretive or educational signage along the trail can highlight facts about the bog, wetland area, forested area, property history, or other information. These signs can be simple with an image printed on a weather proof composite material, placed in a wood or metal frame. The cost for these signs could range from $500 to $2,000.
BOARDWALK OPTIONS One of the key amenities at Lydick Bog will be the boardwalk to give visitors access to get a close look at the bog. There are several options for boardwalks that were considered such as floating systems, boardwalks on helical piers, and boardwalks with spread bases to disperse the weight. Also material choices were considered including wood, composite decking, and plastic with aluminum frame. It was determined that a floating boardwalk made of plastic and aluminum would be the best option. Helical piers would need to be driven far too deep to reach solid earth, so the cost would be very high and installation very difficult. Although wood boardwalks can be economical, the maintenance is much higher. Floating boardwalks and docks are becoming more popular, and there are many companies that develop these systems. Two of the major manufacturers for the floating boardwalks are EZ Dock and Gator Docks. Each has several boardwalk systems in which one could be selected to best fit the function and budget for Lydick Bog.
Full Float The full float’s rugged, fully encased aluminum float with polyurethane is designed to meet the challenging criteria of the most intricate projects. The fully welded frame provides unmatched stability and durability in the harsh marine environment. From extreme tidal fluctuations to heavy fetch from coastal waterways, no other floating dock system in the world out-performs the GatorDock Full Float System. TOP LEFT : Example of a floating boardwalk system TOP RIGHT: A plastic and aluminum boardwalk system with a railing and an overlook MID LEFT Example of a wood boardwalk MID RIGHT: Fencing may be helpful to restrict bog access to the trail only, but the natural moat at the bog access point may be sufficient to control visitor access. BOTTOM RIGHT: Two examples of Gator Dock systems
Poly-Tub Float These economical plastic tubs are filled with polystyrene foam and bolted to the dock frame. Whereas the aluminum casings for the Full Float and Pontoon floatation systems are welded on the aluminum frames, the bolt on feature of the PolyTubs mean they can be replaced in the field. SHIRLEY HEINZE LAND TRUST LYDICK BOG MASTER PLAN
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BOARDWALK RENDERING
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IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX Prioritization and Implementation Matrix Timeline (in years) Strategies and Action Items
Estimated Cost
Potential Permitting
Short 1 1 1 1
Site Improvements Entrance Drive - Asphalt Entrance Sign Parking Lot - Gravel Parking Lot - Asphalt Limestone trail through main area Trailheads 250' Boardwalk to Bog Concrete Sidewalks Parking lot and building landscaping Native Gardens
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
18,000.00 10,000.00 8,000.00 12,000.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 75,000.00 8,000.00 3,000.00 5,000.00
INDOT Driveway Permit County Ordinance Approval Construction Permit Construction Permit
Structures Demolish House Demolish Well House Demolish Slab of Torn Down Structure Demolish Pavilion Demolish Barrel Vaulted Barn Restroom Facility Demolish Garage Maintenance/Stewardship Garage Main Building Pavilion Main Building Office/Classroom/Gift Shop
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
30,000.00 8,000.00 5,000.00 15,000.00 15,000.00 150,000.00 8,000.00 40,000.00 75,000.00 125,000.00
Asbestos Testing, Demo Permit Demo Permit Demo Permit Demo Permit Demo Permit Building Permit, State Approval Demo Permit Building Permit Building Permit Building Permit, State Approval
IDNR, IDEM, USACE
1 1 1 1 1
Medium
1-2 1-2 2 2
1-2 2 2
Long
3-4 3-4
3 4
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TRAIL IMPLEMENTATION
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PROPOSED TRAIL SYSTEM LOCATION MAPS Top Right: Lydick Bog Nature Preserve proposed trail system aerial map. Top Left: Lydick Bog Nature Preserve location relative to the rest of Indiana. Middle Left: Lydick Bog Nature Preserve location west of the City of South Bend, along US20 highway. Bottom Left: Lydick Bog Nature Preserve location aerial map.
TRAIL IMPLEMENTATION
Shirley Heinze Land Trust Lydick Bog Nature Preserve Trails Project 25-Oct-19 TASK
COSTS
MATCH
Design and Permitting Trail design (Individual Donations)
$1,000
$1,000
Permit applications (Individual Donations)
$1,000
$1,000
Wetland delineation (In-Kind Soil Solutions)
$8,000
$8,000
Project management (Board Approved Shirley Heinze Funds)
$8,000
$8,000
PROPOSED TRAIL SYSTEM BUDGET UPDATED OCTOBER 2019
Land 2 acres for trail access and amenities (Board Approved In-Kind) 2 mile corridor x 10’ wide (2.4 acres x $3k) (Board Approved In-Kind)
$
50,000 $7,200
$50,000 $7,200
Parking Lot Concrete approach, pavement drive, and parking lot (Requested- NLT)
$45,850
Trail Construction 1,200’ Materials for ADA wetland boardwalk (Requested - NLT)
$202,157
2,500’ Crushed gravel for trails (Requested - NLT)
$25,000
Staff labor (Board Approved In-Kind)
$40,000
$40,000
Viewing platform 1 (Board Approved Shirley Heinze Funds)
$7,000
$7,000
Viewing platform 2 (Board Approved Shirley Heinze Funds)
$5,000
$5,000
Stream wetland crossings (Individual Donations)
$2,500
$2,500
$107,500
$107,500
Volunteer labor (Volunteer)
$4,000
$4,000
Resting benches (10) (Volunteer)
$1,000
$1,000
$515,207
$242,200
Trail Amenities
Open-air pavilion (St. Joseph County Council)
Totals
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