File - Muttontown Preserve Community Forum

Muttontown Preserve Master Plan
Schematic Design
Concepts
Presentation for Informational
Gathering
& Public Input Workshop
June 30, 2010
March 13, 2010
CHELSEA MANSION:
WHAT YOU TOLD US…
Wedding venue successful
Photo shoots
Small conferences
House Uses
Christmas/Holiday events
Increased staffing & volunteers
- Repair roads, driveway, entries
- Improved Signage and Welcome
- Need Public Restroom Facility
- Create a “friends of” group
- Wine tasting/ Artesian Cheese Tasting
- Gatsby tennis matches
- Art Classes and Shows and Exhibitions
- Historic Photography Exhibitions
- Outdoor Movie Nights, Outdoor Concert Series
- Regional facility for garden clubs
- Community supported agriculture
- Demonstration Gardens
- Restoration of greenhouse for educational facility
- Native plant gardens and tours
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
SCHEMATIC CONCEPT DESIGN:
“Link Nature Center & Chelsea Mansion. Provide orientation & restrooms at new garden demonstration area”
Chelsea Mansion
• Utilize front & rear lawns for events
• Investigate w. bound entry @ 25A
• Improve pond condition
Greenhouse/Educ. Facility
• Re-use old flower garden
• Demonstration Garden
• Parallel Bus Parking
• Restroom facilities
• Path Linkages
Muttontown Lane Entry
• Re-organize traffic at entrance
• Welcome Sign
• Improved School bus entry/exit
• Increase Parking Capacity
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
ENLARGED VIEW WITHIN CHELSEA MANSION SITE
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
Programming Ideas:
• Create a Sense of Arrival
• Improve Entrance
• Expand Parking
• Provide Welcome Signs
• Identify ADA Accessible Routes
• Link Nature Center and Chelsea Mansion with Garden
• Provide restrooms, bus parking and accommodate school groups & bus tours
• Provide outdoor teaching areas with seating
• Utilize Pond for Education, possible observation platform
• Possible Administration office, gift shop, greenhouse, demonstration area
• Sustainable Garden, Farming Demonstration area
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
MOVIE NIGHT
GARDEN CENTER AND SHOP
GREENHOUSE EDUCATIONAL FACILITY
GREENHOUSE
ENTRY SIGNAGE
POND OVERLOOK
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
BILL PATERSON NATURE CENTER
WHAT YOU TOLD US…
- Improve access road and extend parking lot
- Improved signage at trail heads
- Increased dedicated staffing
- Provide lecture series to generate revenue
- Encourage paid membership organization
- Update displays & provide appropriate support equipment
- Grant writing/Grant writer
- Partner with local universities for volunteer efforts
- Provide training for trail guides to ensure continuity of
knowledge base
- Increase visual aids & demonstrations in & around the site
- Update building to make it cleaner & easier to utilize
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
- Provide maintenance tools and utility vehicles
- Provide training for volunteers for
- Environmental Education
- Trail Maintenance
- Site Safety
- First Aid
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
SCHEMATIC CONCEPT DESIGN:
Outdoor Discovery Area
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
ENTRANCE TO TRAILS AT BILL PATERSON NATURE CENTER
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
Programming Ideas:
• Provide facilities to accommodate school groups
• Bus parking
• Expanded restroom facilities
• Lunch Area
• Outdoor Teaching Spaces
• Provide Interpretive Signage
• Provide dedicated, scheduled environmental mowing schedule to preserve
special habitats.
• Provide cautionary signs re: ticks, poison ivy, etc.
• Post rules: “take only pictures leave only footprints”
• Identify Accessible routes
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
NASSAU HALL
WHAT YOU TOLD US…
- Improve Driveway and Parking
- Provide welcome signs
- Orientation signs locating trails
- Restoration of Williamsburg Village ‘Cluster of small buildings’
- Provide venue for children’s parties, petting zoo, events
- Increase staffing & volunteers
- Provide Public Restrooms
- Increase not-for-profit business space use
- Restore gazebo, ID tags in Pinetum area, tennis
court, and rose garden
- Restore Garden for Horticultural Groups and Tours
- Utilize existing stable for volunteers patrol
- Return stables to use/give volunteers rebates on cost
- Develop riding rings
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
SCHEMATIC CONCEPT DESIGN:
Parking/Entry Improvements
• Consolidated Entry Points
• Overflow Parking
• Visible Entry Signage
Restoration of W. Village
• Buildings in enclosed space
• Picnic areas, benches, pavilion
• Kids events and parties
• Small connecting path system
Connectivity and Signage
• Strong linear links within site
• Easy connectivity to trail head
• Major signage at trail head
Programmable Spaces
• Open field space
• Tennis Court
• Pinetum
• Rose Garden
• Fairy House Gallery
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
Restore Williamsburg Village
CONNECTIVITY - OUTDOOR SEATING AND PAVILLION AREA - EASY ACCESS TO PARKING
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
THEN
NOW
THEN
NOW
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
THEN
NOW
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
FAIRY HOUSE GALLERY
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
Summary:
• More not-for-profit utilization of Nassau Hall
• Better entrance/exit parking and welcome
• Provide public restroom
• Provide welcome and orientation signage with links to:
• Nature trails and equestrian trails
• Pinetum
• Restored Gazebo
• Restored Rose Garden
• Williamsburg Village/Events Area
• Fairy House Gallery
• Provide venue for children’s birthday parties
• Provide venue for Gatsby tennis
• Provide stable for patrol volunteer
• Provide venue for Halloween/Spooky Walk
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
TRAILS & PRESERVE
WHAT YOU TOLD US…
Marked Trail
Self-Guiding Trail
Bridle Path
Ponds/Surface Water
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
- Need fire/emergency access
- Need better signage that blends into site
- Need maps & signage illustrating “you are here”
- Need signage illustrating “this way out” to parking, etc.
- Need science based meadow management
- Need Invasive species management
- Need better connection between N. Preserve & S. Preserve
- Need public restroom facilities at equestrian parking &
South Preserve
- Trail markers & signs describing difficulties & length of trails
- Lock boxes to collect fees and contributions
- Adopt-a-trail program and facilitate coordinated efforts
- Improved coordination of volunteer efforts by the county
- Increased staffing/volunteers = increased programming
- Only improve muddy areas that present danger to hikers
- Delineate areas for different uses through themed loops
- Guided Podcasts/Audio tour
- Continue to prohibit use by bicycles
- Identify location for dog walk
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
SCHEMATIC DESIGN:
Programming Ideas:
• Improved and integrate signage
• Identify emergency & ADA accessible routes
• Address flooding and erosion problems
• Create a hierarchy of trail uses
• Themed trail loops
• Label distances, difficulty, and accessibility
• Identify unique features
• Can cater toward specific groups
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
Improve and Integrate Signs
Located Strategically Throughout the Preserve
Points of Intersection
• Give direction at trail crossings
• Make it easy to follow trails
• Indicate way back to parking
At Main Entrance Points
• Marks entry- “You are here”
• Map details & distances
• Defines entrances
• Describes special destinations
Information
• Educational
• Special features
• Cautionary signs
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
Trail Head Signage Types
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
ORIENTATION – EDUCATION – CAUTIONARY
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
Trail Marker Types
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
LENGTH – DIFFICULTY – DIRECTION
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
Trail Standards
Equestrian Trails
• 8-14’ minimum
• Clear sharp bramble
• Remove overhead hazards
• 14’ ht. clearance
• Remove fallen trees
Equestrian
Standard Hiking Trail
• 8-14’ wide minimum
• 2% +/- cross-slope
• May be steep
Standard Trail
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
Emergency Access
Emergency Route Standards
• 12-14’ wide, clear
• Artery through site
• Stable surface
• Headlight reflective markers- 100’ O.C.
Emergency
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
Universal Access
• 12-14’ wide
• Stable Base
• Well-drained
• 2% cross-slope
• 5% maximum gradient
Emergency
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
Path Material Choices
CRUSHED LIMESTONE
STONE FINES
CRUSHED STONE & WOOD STABILIZED SOIL
FIBER
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
WOOD CHIPS
ENGINEERED WOOD CHIPS
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
Trails in Wet Areas
ADDRESSING FLOODING AND EROSION
Recommendations for trails by Federal Highway Administration
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
NORTH PRESERVE
Create a hierarchy of trails
By creating a hierarchy of different loops, use within the preserve is maximized
and a variety of users can explore the preserve. A map would illustrate the time
each loop takes, a brief description, age appropriateness, and physical intensity
level.
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
SOUTH PRESERVE
Create a hierarchy of trails
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
EQUESTRIAN FACILITIES
WHAT YOU TOLD US… - Provide safer turnoff from Route 106 N. Bound
- Repair Fencing
- Provide Composting Toilets
- Provide Benches
- Provide small stable for volunteers with residential caretaker/
patroller
- Provide shelter grounded for summer storms
- On-site maintenance equipment needed
- Clarify permit process for use of fields
- Request lump sum fee
- Provide a better calendar of field uses (ie, Oyster Fest)
from clubs and user
groups
- Protection of the site at events where parking lot is used
- When used as shuttle - Seasonal festivals, hayrides, farmers markets, pumpkin fest
parking area provide
- Outdoor Movie Night
more supervision and
better protection of the - Fees for parking during special events to fund preserve
site
improvements
- Arts and crafts fairs
- Establish privately funded and operated equestrian center
- Sponsorships
- Therapeutic riding
- Provide mounting platform and benches
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
KING ZOG RUINS & WALLED GARDEN
WHAT YOU TOLD US…
- Stabilize ruins and secure hazardous areas
- Needs interpretive signage to explain the site
- Architectural Students to use/study the site
- Photography classes and tours
- Leave it alone to let nature take over
- Less attention = less liability
- Architectural/Historic/Gold Coast Tours
- Movie night
- Restore original gates
- Integrate seasonal activities: ex: Halloween event
- Repair roads, driveway, entries as walking paths
- Project Adventure Area
- Venue for outdoor theatrical events/dance presentations
- Provide glass protection for remaining ruins
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
SCHEMATIC DESIGN:
FARMERS MARKET
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
SCHEMATIC DESIGN:
9 VERNAL PONDS
8 WALLED GARDEN
1 EQUESTRIAN FACILITIES
2 PARKING LOT
3 OVERFLOW PARKING
4 PROGRAMMABLE SPACE
5 SIGNAGE INTO PRESERVE
66 ZOG RUINS
7 RHODODENDRON PATH
(ADA ACCESSIBLE)
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
Programming Ideas:
WALLED GARDEN
- ADA accessible
- Easily Access for Camping/Scout Groups
- Organic Gardening
- Secure equipment location
EQUESTRIAN FACILITIES
- Create Left Turn Lane for Large Horse Trailers
- Overflow parking for large events
- Programmable space (farmers market, seasonal festivals)
- Major Signage
- Covered shelter from lightning and storms
ZOG RUINS
- ADA accessible
- Integrate signage and historic references
- Theatrical/dance venue
- Gold Coast Tours
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
WHAT YOU TOLD US…
- Residences provide increased security
The Gatehouse to Chelsea
- Volunteer to live/work at Nassau Stables and patrol the
trails
- Money generated from these properties should be used
for the preserve
- Use of residential units should be linked to
Preserve’s mission
Garage at Chelsea Mansion
- Restore the Nassau Hall stables and use to board
horses during equestrian events (at a charge)
- Housing for student interns
Stables at Nassau Hall
- Live/Work Exchange
Barnswallow Estate
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
Programming Ideas & Recommendations:
• Barnswallow
- Renovate this facility and create a research facility associated with a local
university. This facility will provide housing and in turn generate revenue
while providing a unique educational resource for Nassau County.
* Increases Access to Preserve from this area (Dismal Swamp & South End)
• Nassau Hall
- Increased use by not-for-profits
- Stables: Volunteer mounted patrol housing
• Staff Housing
• Renovate to lease to not-for-profits
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010
© SARATOGA ASSOCIATES, PS&S 2010
PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 30, 2010