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2 Master of Landscape Architecture Design Studio III Fall 2015 Nathan Collier, Mark Dennis, Maria Espinoza, Renee LaGue, Dylan Reilly, Saeed Shirazi, Vince Yi Under the supervision of Professor Christopher D. Ellis PhD, PLA, ASLA Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture

3 Table of Contents Executive Summary 1 Introduction and Goals 2 Site Analysis History 4 Topography 7 Soils 8 Hydrology and Hazards 9 Vegetation 11 Circulation 13 Sensory Perception 15 Utilities 17 Climate 18 Design Habitat Master Plan 22 Educational Master Plan 27 Education: Trails 28 Education: Classrooms 29 Education: Living Classrooms 30 Interpretive Sign Master Plan 32 Interpretive Signs 33 Entry Design: Kingman Orchard Farm 37 Entry Design: Recreation Concept 38 Entry Design: Garden in the City 40 Entry Design 42 Entry Design: Food and the Arts 43 Entry Design: Kingman s Farm 44 Entry Design: Partnerships Concept 46 Landscape Performance 48 References 49 Appendices Plant Schedule 51 iii

4 List of Tables and Figures Figure Map Trace 4 Figure 2. Shooting Sora Rail on the Anacostia Marshes, Figure Map Trace 4 Figure 4. The U.S. Capitol from the Anacostia Marshes, Figure Aerial Image Trace 5 Figure 7. Dredge boat in the Anacostia River, circa Figure Aerial Image Trace 5 Figure Aerial Image Trace 6 Figure Aerial Image Trace 6 Figure 10. Restored areas of marsh. 6 Figure 11. Elevation Map 7 Figure 12. Slope Map 7 Table 1. Soil characteristics 8 Figure 13. Soil classes 8 Figure 14. Flooding Map 9 Figure 15. Storm Surge 9 Figure 16. Water Quality Monitor Locations 9 Table 2. Anacostia River Water Quality Assessment 9 Figure 17. Benning Road Bridge Monitor Location 10 Table 3. Top Five Pollution-Releasing Facilities in D.C. 10 Figure 18. Air Chemicals Released 10 Figure 19. Land Chemicals Released 10 Figure 20. Staghorn sumac creates a striking threshold. 11 Figure 21. Sida hermaphrodita 11 Figure 22. Bee on white snakeroot in a floodplain forest. 11 Figure 23. Poison ivy 11 Figure 24. Amur honeysuckle dominates the island s understory. 12 Figure 25. Sweet autumn clematis 12 Figure 26. Sawtooth oak at the Benning Road entrance. 12 Figure 27. Naturalized Bradford pear 12 Figure 28. Japanese honeysuckle 12 Figure 29. Roads and Trails 13 Figure 30. Public Transportation Map 13 Figure 31. Daily Traffic Count Map 14 Figure 32. Water Trail Map 14 Figure 33. View of the entrance and sign from Benning Road 15 Figure 35. View towards Anacostia River from the pavilion 15 Figure 34. Community garden with fence and Benning Road in the background 15 Figure 36. Main Festival Ground 16 Figure 37. Main Road on Kingman Island 16 Figure 38. Utilities Map 17 Figure 39. Wind direction data for Washington, D.C 18 Figure 40. Wind direction data for Washington, D.C 18 Figure 41. Sun path direction for Washington, D.C 18 Figure 42. Daylight direction data for Washington, D.C 18 Table 4. Daylight data for Washington, D.C 18 Figure 43. Snow fall data for Washington, D.C 18 Table 5. Flood data for Washington, D.C 18 Figure 44. Temperature Averages Figure 45. Monthly Precipitation Averages Figure 46. USDA Hardiness Zone 19 Figure 47. Plant Heat Zone Map 19 Figure 48. Spring Wind Rose 20 Figure 49. Fall Wind Rose 20 Figure 50. Summer Wind Rose 20 Figure 51. Winter Wind Rose 20 Figure 52. Proposed habitats 23 Figure 53. Upland Forest Perspective 24 Figure 54. Floodplain Forest Perspective 24 Figure 55. Meadow with herbaceous plants 25 Figure 56. Meadow Perspective 25 Focal Species 25 Figure 57. Photo of Vernal Pool 26 Figure 58. Vernal Pool Perspective 26 Focal Species 26 Figure 59. A pleasant gravel road 28 Figure 60. An example of a gravel path through a meadow 28 Figure 61. A mulch pathway through the forest 28 Figure 62. A boardwalk in a wetland 28 Figure 63. Bog bridging in wet forested areas 28 Figure 64. Students learning in the field. 30 Figure 65. Youth learning job training skills 30 Figure 66. Students learning around a campfire. 30 Figure 67. Children learning different rock materials 30 Figure 68. People planting wetland. 31 Figure 69. Youth learning how to create a wetland grid. 31 Figure 70. Youth learning teambuilding skills. 31 Figure 71. Youth walking through upland forest. 31 Figure 72. Fifth-graders taking the temperature of the soil. 31 Figure 73. Students learning about river processes 31 Figure 74. Vernal Pool sign 33 Figure 75. Journey of the Monarch Butterfly sign 33 Figure 76. Kingman Island Wildlife Habitat sign 34 Figure 77. Green Infrastructure sign 34 Figure 78. Tidal Wetlands sign 35 Figure 79. Woodpeckers sign 35 Figure 80. History sign 36 Figure 81. Perspective A 37 Figure 82. Perspective A 39 Figure 83. Perspective B 39 Figure 84. Plan view of the Benning Road entry area 40 Figure 85. Kayak launch as seen from the Anacostia River 40 Figure 86. Perspective of entry design 41 Figure 87. Looking west at the Benning Road Garden Entry 43 Figure 88. The Arts District under the E. Capitol Street overpass 43 Figure 89. Perspective 1 45 Figure 90. Perspective 2 45 Figure 91. Perspective 1 46 Figure 92. Perspective 2 46 Figure 93. Precedent photo od Robinson Nature Center, MD 46 Figure 94. Precedent photo of USFS entry sign. 46 Table 95. Acreage of habitat and new features 48 Figure 96. Total acreage by habitat type 48 Figure 97. Acreage of Total Habitats 48 Figure 98. Acreage of habitat and location types 48 iv

5 Acknowledgements Thanks to Bryant Curry and Rachel Williams of the Living Classrooms Foundation for guiding us around Kingman Island, providing valuable insights about site use, providing feedback at a preliminary project review, and for their support throughout. Thank you to Damien Ossi and Dan Rauch of the District Department of Energy and Environment for meeting with us on site, providing valuable information on Kingman Island s focal species and habitat, for providing feedback at a preliminary review of the project, and for their support throughout. Thanks to Janet Norman of the US Fish and Wildlife Service for providing feedback at a preliminary review of the project. We are grateful to Jorge Bogantes Montero and Christopher Myers of the Anacostia Watershed Society for hosting an information session at their headquarters. v

6 Executive Summary Kingman Island is one of the largest natural areas in the District of Columbia. Kingman s unique history and location, nestled in the Anacostia River, gives it the potential to become a wildlife and recreational destination. The Kingman Island conceptual plan is the result of a collaboration between Living Classrooms Foundation (LCF), District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and a team of graduate students in Landscape Architecture at the University of Maryland. The design team was asked to prepare a detailed site analysis, a habitat master plan, and an educational master plan for Kingman Island from Benning Road to its southern tip. The design team was also tasked with developing a series of concepts for the entry area off of Benning Road. Following an iterative process of research, design, and review, the design team has the following recommendations: 1. Implement habitat master plan through discrete restoration projects including 2 proposed vernal pools, a meadow, and a freshwater tidal wetland. Existing habitats are also defined for management consideration. 2. Implement educational master plan through creation of new paths, signs, and learning opportunities. The new paths are specifically designed to take advantage of the Island s varying habitats. 3. Accommodation of the annual bluegrass festival which brings about 13,000 people to the Island to listen to local music. Annual management of the main festival ground meadow in late April will allow the meadow to provide wildlife habitat for much of the year and humans a good time for one day a year. 4. Implement a new entryway design. The design team developed 7 possible entryway concepts ranging from low disturbance to high disturbance with special attention to creating a welcoming and orientating entryway that invites the community to enjoy Kingman Island. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1

7 Introduction and Goals When Mayor Anthony Williams formed a partnership with 15 different federal and local agencies to restore the Anacostia river in 1999, he set Kingman Island on the path toward becoming a quality public green space. As part of this process, they brought in the Living Classrooms Foundation (LCF) to manage the island in 2005, which oriented the new park towards environmental education and job training. In the past 10 years, LCF has developed educational programs on the island to teach environmental literacy to D.C. elementary and middle school students and host a popular annual bluegrass festival in late April. The festival brings in around 13,000 people each year to experience this lesser known park. During the same time period, the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS), founded in 1989, made great strides towards their goal of restoring the Anacostia River to be swimmable and fishable by Removal of invasive species, installation of wetlands, trash removal, public engagement, and advocacy are all part of AWS s strategy. Their work, in concert with Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Committee (M-NCPPC), helped connect Kingman Island to other green spaces along the river by land and by water. For the past 12 years, Dan Rouch of Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), has conducted weekly bird counts on Kingman Island. These birds counts provided an incredible resource to draw upon for education and management. The design team from the Landscape Architecture Program at University of Maryland addressed the following project goals: 1. Establishing diverse habitats appropriate to an island in the Anacostia River. 2. Supporting educational opportunities for Living Classrooms Foundation by providing a path system, interpretive signs, and a central gathering space. 3. Creating a destination for D.C. residents to enjoy nature. This proposal includes trails, a habitat master plan, an educational master plan, and concepts for the entryway off Benning Road. A proposed boat launch on Kingman Island better connects it to the Anacostia water trail, while a proposed wetland and boardwalk creates an immersive experience for visitors. Proposed trails and education signs tell the island s story and provide information about its history, habitats, and wildlife. The proposed entryway conceptual plans make the island a destination by improving access and adding amenities for the community to enjoy. INTRODUCTION 2

8 SITE ANALYSIS

9 History Before 1912: A Dynamic River System Becomes Polluted Figure Map Trace The Boschke map of 1856 is very detailed in its representations of different habitats, but it doesn t contain a legend. Some habitat types, like the forests and floodplain forests, are easy to identify. Others, like the area colored darker orange, have a unique symbol but it is unclear what the symbol means. By 1856, the land around the river was already mostly cleared and the river was full of eroded topsoil, so the dark orange area could possibly be hummocks of sediment in the river. Figure Map Trace This 1861 map by Colonel Hains shows a significant area of tidal marsh, with a small amount of floodplain or flooded forest in the same location as the 1856 map, but the river channel is different. These two maps show a dynamic river system changing over time. This map portrayed the river only, not the surrounding uplands, but the banks were all shown as deforested except for the small area shown. Water Tidal Mud Flat Tidal Marsh Floodplain Forest Upland Forest Mowed Grass Bare Earth Built (2015) Timeline Early settlers found the river rich with animal species and were amazed at the clarity of the streams and rivers. The port upriver at Bladensburg was initially 40 deep. 1853: The Army Corps of Engineers closed Bladensburg to large commercial ships. The river had become very shallow because of erosion of topsoil from farm fields. Intense clearing was due to lack of knowledge about fertilizer, a cash crop of tobacco (which requires fertile soil), and low crop prices. 1871: DC switched to a sewer system to dispose of human waste. These sewers drained directly into the Anacostia River. Upstream communities also drained their waste into the river. Figure 2. Shooting Sora Rail on the Anacostia Marshes,1883 Figure 4. The U.S. Capitol from the Anacostia Marshes, s-90s: Sewage accumulated in the river and mud flats, leading to outbreaks of cholera, malaria, measles, and typhoid fever. 1890s: People in DC finally believed in germ theory and came to realize that their sewage-laden tidal flats were the cause of many diseases that ravaged their communities. Public pressure to fill the tidal flats began mounting. 1912: An act by Congress allowed for dredging in the Anacostia. Dredging finally began around New Year of 1914 and by the end of that year, significant progress had be made. HISTORY 4

10 : Channels, Islands, and Development Proposals Figure Aerial Image Trace By 1949, the date of the earliest aerial photo found, the river had long been dredged and channelized. Heritage Island was already wooded. Note the existence of a second wooded island to the south. Almost all of the area around the river appears to be mowed grass, with very little forested area. Figure Aerial Image Trace By 1957, the aerial photo shows a large area of bare earth from the construction of the RFK stadium, the East Capitol Street bridge, and Highway 295. The southern island has been incorporated into the RFK parking lot. Heritage Island remains wooded and the southern tip and edges of Kingman Island are wooded by this time. Water Tidal, unclear Tidal Marsh Floodplain Forest Upland Forest Mowed Grass Bare Earth Built (2015) Timeline 1916: Enough sediment had been accumulated from dredging that Kingman and Heritage Islands were created. These islands were considered to be property of the federal government. Originally, the plan was to develop the islands as a park and recreation area, but people started to come up with other ideas. 1926: The city considered the islands and a filled-in Kingman Lake for its first major airport. However, a park and recreation area was still the favored use. 1930s: During the Great Depression, subsistence gardens were grown on the northern half of the island. 1938: Langston golf course was constructed on the northern half of the island and opened in : Plans were made to develop the islands and Kingman Lake into a private airport. However, the densely populated area was undesirable and plans were quashed. 1954: The islands were to be part of the expansion of Langston Golf Course but the new holes were built elsewhere. 1960: The construction of RFK Stadium and its parking lots began, and part of the river was filled in to accommodate these parking lots. 1962: There was a failed proposal for the site to become a city dump. Even though it did not become an official landfill, the city dumped environmental waste until the 1990s. 1968: Talks of an environmental theme park for the bicentennial of July 4, 1976 began. Kingman Island was renamed National Children s Island. The park was to be entirely handicappedaccessible and free, but bureaucratic issues delayed construction Figure 7. Dredge boat in the Anacostia River, circa 1912 and caused costs to rise. The project was transferred to a new department and was not funded. HISTORY 5

11 : More Development Proposals, Marsh Restoration Figure Aerial Image Trace In 1961, the RFK stadium and its parking lots were completed and areas of bare earth were covered with grass. By 1980, a pedestrian bridge connecting the islands had been constructed. In 1980, Kingman Island had a large grassy clearing south of East Capitol Street and a network of bare earth paths and grasslands north of East Capitol Street. Figure Aerial Image Trace Between 1980 and 2015, areas of marsh were restored, which were the first areas of marsh on this part of the river in nearly 100 years. Heritage Island has been wooded for at least 66 years, and the southern tip of the island has been wooded for at least 48 years. Kingman Island gained significant tree cover since The areas around RFK stadium remain covered in impermeable parking lot and surrounded by mowed lawn. Water Tidal, unclear Tidal Marsh Floodplain Forest Upland Forest Mowed Grass Bare Earth Built (2015) Timeline 1980: After spending 4 million dollars DC officials terminated the plans for a theme park. The only construction that had occurred were bridges connecting the islands and two buildings. 100 cherry trees had been planted. a healthy state. To improve the state of the Anacostia, $1B was earmarked to clean up the sewer runoff that continues to drain into the river. Tons of garbage were hauled off the islands. 2005: Mayor Williams announced plans for a $9M environmental education center to be built on Kingman Island. 1984: Italian Countess Bina Sella di Montelue won approval for a 50 acre, 40-million dollar theme park on the two islands. The theme park would be based off of Tivoli Gardens, an amusement park in Copenhagen. 1991: The countess proposal was delayed by a proposal to put 2,000 parking spaces on Kingman Island to accommodate the new Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in the RFK parking lots. 2007: Kingman Island officially reopened for public use. Living Classrooms was chosen to manage the islands. 2010: A bill amending the 1995 National Children s Island Act ensured Kingman and Heritage Islands still belonged to DC. At this time, new pathways, new plantings, and outdoor classrooms were added to the islands. The islands are currently being returned to their original purpose, which is to provide an area in DC for people of all ages to learn about the natural environment. 1995: The National Children s Island Act of 1995 transferred ownership and management of Kingman and Heritage Islands from the federal government to the DC government. The new law stated that if development did not occur within a number of years, ownership would revert back to the federal government. 1999: Countess Bina Sella di Monteluce s dream of creating a theme park officially ended because of cost projections and because local and environmental groups opposed the plans. 1999: Mayor Anthony Williams formed a partnership with 15 different federal and local agencies. This partnership was created in order to restore the Anacostia River and surrounding areas to Figure 10. Restored areas of marsh. HISTORY 6

12 The highest points on the site are the three mounds that are on the north side of the island. The mound southeast of the meadow is the environmental waste pile that government started in The site has significant elevation change. Steep slopes are found on the edge of the island. Careful attention to programming is needed on of the edge of the island to prevent erosion and the release of toxins. Runoff from the northern mounds probably replenishes the vernal pools. Legend Legend Slope % 0-2% Elevation 2-5% 30' - 40' 5-8% 20' - 30' 8-12% 10' - 20' 12-33% 0' - 10' 33%+ Roads Roads Water Water Figure 12. Slope Map TOPOGRAPHY Figure 11. Elevation Map 40' - 50' Slope: Elevation: Topography 7

13 Soils Soil Series Kingman Island was built with dredge material from the Anacostia. Prior to development, the Anacostia was approximately 30 feet deep in the vicinity of Bladensburg. Much of the silt and sedimentation came from the clear-cutting of forests for agriculture, and then subsequent land development. The Udorthents soils may contain a variety of building material refuse, organic and inorganic debris, and polluted spoils. Soil testing for metals produced by nearby industries during the 20th century will be necessary if vegetable gardens will be planted. Foundation pilings may be necessary to support structures. Bibb sandy loam soil is found on Heritage Island and is characterized by strong acidity. If not in cultivation, these soils support mixed hardwood vegetation. An account of the vegetation currently supported on the island can be found in the Vegetation section of this document. Health Risks Because of the legacy of industry surrounding the Anacostia River, there is a concern for contaminants in the soil. Elevated levels of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, copper and may be present in the soil. Other compounds, like Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), petroleum products, solvents and debris can remain from previous parking lots or adjacent roadways. The municipality had collected and dumped yard materials on Kingman Island, forming the existing mounds. It remains to be seen to what extent other materials and debris ended up in those piles. Nonetheless, any productive gardening that will occur on site may not contribute much in the way of exposure to contaminants. The main risks to children include ingesting or inhaling contaminated dust and dirt particles. Because most food crops do not accumulate contaminants, and because any garden food crops will account for a small amount of one s overall food intake, risk to exposure remains low. Layering mulch, compost or vegetation on top of bare soil in raised beds will minimize any chances of exposure to contaminated dust and dirt particles. Figure 13. Soil classes Table 1. Soil characteristics SOILS 8

14 Hydrology and Hazards Flooding Water Quality Assessment Kingman Island, as an island located in the Anacostia River and flanked on both sides by water, is located mostly within a 100-year floodplain. Figure 1 shows the impact an 100-year event would have on the island and surrounding land. The last 100-year event was recorded in During this event, most of Kingman Island was affected and the island was inundated with water. Future plans for the island need to consider this and provide flexible and resilient ways of adapting to its position in a floodplain. It should be noted that Zone X and Zone X500 are not affecting the site at the 100-year flood. The image below shows base flood elevation. Figure 14. Flooding Map Storm Surge In the event of a category 1 hurricane, the island s shores and southern point would be affected. In the extreme case of a category 4 storm, the whole island would be affected. Figure 2 illustrates how different category storms impact the island. Category 1 storm winds range from 74 to 95 mph and can produce minor damage. In a category 2 storm, winds can range from 96 to 110mph and extensive property damage is expected. In a category 3 storm, winds can range from 111 to 130 mph, which can cause significant damage to humans and animals. Both category 4 and 5 storms can reach 155 mph and can cause catastrophic damage to property, humans and animals. New infrastructure should be designed with future hurricanes and the possibility of inundation in mind. Possible design solutions include raised infrastructure and materials that will resist or recover well from storm events. The Anacostia River contains many pollutants and toxics and is considered an impaired water for secondary contact recreation and consumption of fish and shellfish because of arsenic, biochemical oxygen demand, chlordane, copper, DDD, DDT, dieldrin, epoxide, lead and more. The river is not considered impaired for navigation or protection and propagation of fish, shellfish and wildlife. Water quality assessments available on the DOEE website show that there are no toxic releases or EPA Water Monitors directly on Kingman Island but some can found upstream. These releases can affect the island s shorelines, surrounding water, and current and future wetlands. Figure 16. Water Quality Monitor Locations Table 2. Anacostia River Water Quality Assessment Figure 15. Storm Surge HYDROLOGY AND HAZARDS 9

15 Real Time Water Quality The closest EPA monitor is at the Benning Road Bridge. The last report was on January 22, 2015 at 1:00pm. It concluded that the water temperature was 37.12F, the ODO Conc (mg/l) wa 13.08, and the Turbidit (Ntu) was The depth at this location was feet and the ph was This report stated that the water quality at this location had no alarms. Figure 17. Benning Road Bridge Monitor Location The former Pepco Benning Road station was the industry with the largest releases of TRI chemicals in the District of Columbia as of When a chemical is released it means it emits toxins into the air, water, or on land. The Benning Road Bridge Facility monitors TRI chemicals like lead, ammonia, mercury, nickel, copper, and manganese. The following charts represent the chemical releases in the air and land from this facility. Figure 6-1 shows that of total air emissions, 60% are lead and 39% are ammonia, totaling 424 pounds. Figure 6-2 shows the emissions affecting the land, of which 69% are copper compounds and 31% manganese compounds. All these chemicals are being released near Kingman Island and need to be considered when planning on and near the island. Figure 18. Air Chemicals Released you can use the text wrap tool to place images amidst text. To allow the subhead below to be within the wrapped area, right-click, choose text frame options, and check ignore text wrap Figure 19. Land Chemicals Released Table 3. Top Five Pollution-Releasing Facilities in D.C. HYDROLOGY AND HAZARDS 10

16 Vegetation Habitats The design for Kingman Island will include a habitat master plan that addresses four main habitat types: upland forest, floodplain forest, and vernal pools. Below is a list of native plants observed in different habitats on Kingman and Heritage Islands during our September 2, 2015 site visit. Plants are listed under the habitat in which they were observed and not necessarily in all habitat types they are compatible with. Upland Forest Ageratina altissima -- white snakeroot Betula nigra river birch Carya glabra pignut hickory Juniperus virginiana eastern red cedar Magnolia grandiflora - southern magnolia Nyssa sylvatica black gum Platanus occidentalis sycamore Populus deltoides - eastern cottonwood Prunus serotina black cherry Rhus typhina staghorn sumac Robinia pseudoacacia black locust Solidago sp. goldenrod Smilax rotundifolia - greenbriar Toxicodendron radicans poison ivy Floodplain Forest Acer saccharinum - silver maple Ageratina altissima -- white snakeroot Amelanchier sp. serviceberry Cercis canadensis -- redbud Euphatorium purpureum green-stemmed Joe-Pye weed Impatiens capensis jewel weed Liriodendron tulipifera tulip poplar Salix nigra -- swamp willow Platanus occidentalis sycamore Populus deltoides - eastern cottonwood Solidago sp. goldenrod Toxicodendron radicans poison ivy Meadow Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis common elderberry Solidago sp. goldenrod Vitis sp. - grapevine Figure 21. Sida hermaphrodita Sida hermaphrodita was not observed during the visit, but is known to exist on the southern end of Kingman island. It prefers sandy soil and is an endangered species in Maryland. Freshwater Tidal Wetlands Peltandra virginica lizard tail Typha latifolia - common cattail Figure 22. Bee on white snakeroot in a floodplain forest. Figure 20. Staghorn sumac creates a striking threshold. Figure 23. Poison ivy Watch your step! Poison ivy is a common plant on both islands, seen here on the right. VEGETATION 11

17 Invasives Invasive plants are a challenge for Kingman Island. They dominate much of the understory on the northern end of the island, pushing out native plants that would better serve the island s pollinators, birds, and amphibians. Below, we have identified some of the most pervasive invasive plants. Any plan to restore or create habitats on the island must address the control and management of invasive species. Figure 24. Amur honeysuckle dominates the island s understory. Invasive Plants Observed on Kingman Island Albizia julibrissin mimosa tree Ampelopsis brevipedunculata porcelain berry Celastrus orbiculatus oriental bittersweet Clematis terniflora sweet autumn clematis Hedera helix English ivy Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Lonicera mackii - Amur honeysuckle Lythrum salicaria purple loosestrife Microstegium vimineum Japanese stiltgrass Morus alba white mulberry Phragmites australis subsp. australis -- phragmites Pyrus calleryana Bradford pear Figure 26. Sawtooth oak at the Benning Road entrance. Quercus acutissima sawtooth oak Styphnolobium japonicum Japanese pagoda tree Figure 27. Naturalized Bradford pear Naturalized Bradford pear with thorns at the main festival ground on Kingman Island. Figure 25. Sweet autumn clematis Sweet autumn clematis smothers vegetation in sunny areas on Kingman. Here, it is flowering amongst other vines. Figure 28. Japanese honeysuckle Bees seem to like this Japanese honeysuckle on the bridge from Kingman to Heritage Island. VEGETATION 12

18 CIRCULATION Circulation Roads and Trails Public Transportation: There are two main entrances to the park. The first entrance is from the west from inside the RFK Stadium s parking lot across the Anacostia River Trail. The second entrance is from the north on Benning Road. Currently, the north entrance to the park is closed off with an electronic fence that can only be opened by those who know the code. Public access is through the RFK parking lot entrance. A network of bike trails goes through and around the site. This network of trails is part of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail that started in 2012 from the Maine Street SW and the west RFK trails. Between the National Mall at the Tidal Basin and Bladensburg Marina Park in Maryland, it connects 16 communities. To date, 15 of the 28 miles are built. Currently, a section is being built north of Benning Road and will connect to the Kenilworth Park s River Trail (Anacostia Waterfront, ). There is a BikeShare station east of the site near the intersection of Benning Road and Anacostia Avenue. The four nearby bus station are marked. The X2 and X9 buses run along Benning Road and stop there. The X2 runs frequently, arriving every 8 minutes in the middle of the weekday and runs 23 hours a day, from 4 am to 3 am. The X9 is considered as an express service bus that runs every 15 minutes but only during rush hour on the weekdays. The bus that runs on the small residential street east of the island is the U4. That bus does run 7 days a week. The orange Line of the Metro is visible from the park and is on the map. Two stations are nearby but outside the view of the map. The first is Minnesota Station. For safety and time, the best way to get to or from there would to catch any of the buses that are mentioned above. The second would be the Stadium Armory Station on the blue/silver line. It can be accessed by Independence Ave SE or 19th street NE and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. Figure 29. Roads and Trails Legend Bike Trails Future Bike Trails Additional Trails BikeShare Station Open Space Nodes Figure 30. Public Transportation Map Legend Metro Rail Streetcar Bus Bus Stop 13

19 Daily Traffic Count: Water Trails: This figure shows the number of cars that travel on these roads. These number are from 2013, so the number of vehicles could have increased or decreased since then. The average number of cars on Benning Road and the East Capitol Street Bridge had increased by 100 between 2012 and 2013, while the average number of cars on 295 increased by 6,000 in the same one-year period. Benning Road NE East Capitol ST NE The Anacostia Watershed Society partnered with a number of organizations including the the Department of Interior to set up a water trail along the river. It travels nine miles from the Bladensburg Waterfront Park down to the junction of the Anacostia with the Potomac River. It showcases the views that can be seen from the forest areas, wetlands, and ends at a hub of community parks, restaurants, and sporting events. Figure 31. Daily Traffic Count Map Anacostia Freeway (295) Legend Traffic Counting Location Numbers are expressed in the thousands * 2013 Estimates TO Kingman Marsh TO Potomac River Figure 32. Water Trail Map Legend Water Trails Roads Water CIRCULATION TO Keniworth Park 14

20 Sensory Perception Entrance Area The entrance to Kingman Island from Benning Road can be difficult to recognize and find. The entrance is a wide, black electric gate, which is flanked by metal fences with similar black finish. The sign at the gate, announcing the entrance into Kingman Island, is weathered and the text is hard to read unless parked right alongside the gate. Aside from this sign, there is little to indicate that this open area, which has amenities like a pavilion, community garden, and storage shed, is the entryway into a Living Classroom site. Figure 33. View of the entrance and sign from Benning Road Inside the gate and fences is a grass clearing with a few planted trees like Magnolia grandiflora, Betula nigra, Quercus acutissima, Cercis canadensis, and Robinia pseudoacacia. The mowed lawn and widely spaced trees gives the entry area an open feel. The planted trees at the entry area are young, so there is plenty of sunlight, which is beneficial for the community garden and gives the space a high energy feel.. The Orange Line of the DC Metro runs to the north of the Kingman Island entryway and is a major source of noise. This consistent and loud noise is an issue that needs to be addressed in design. Vehicular traffic from Benning Road, on the other hand, is not a significant source of noise.the fence and plantings along Benning Road provides a buffer from the four lane highway, but more could be done with plantings to give this entry space more separation from the road and block the train noise. Figure 35. View towards Anacostia River from the pavilion Figure 34. Community garden with fence and Benning Road in the background SENSORY 15

21 Main Road Southern Island Clearing The main road itself has the texture and sound one would expect from loose stone. It almost crackles with footsteps across it. It is surprisingly secluded from the sounds of the city, not even the metro that runs just north of the park can be heard. The canopy is fairly low, somewhere between a two and three story building. The sound of birds and sometimes can be heard on either side of the road. People s voices do not carry far with all that vegetation. The smell of the road was that of a southern forest, probably because of the humidity and heat on the day we visited. Site lines during our visit in early September were short, maybe 20 feet in the forest, though the lack of vegetation on the west side of the trail at the vernal pool extended the site line. The low canopy allowed a clear view of the sky, which could mean good stargazing at night. The texture of the bush honeysuckle dominated the shrub/understory layer with few exceptions. Main Festival Ground The open site lines of the main festival ground, all the way to the water, give it the feel of a meadow, but the heat and hard texture of crushed stone and old asphalt underfoot give it more of a feeling of abandoned industry. The woods at the northern edge of the meadow are almost impenetrable, without any visibility into them at all. Vines take advantage of the full sun and smother trees and shrubs. The smell of the field was not noticeable in the stifling heat of the fun sun, mowed grass, and decayed asphalt. While the water is visible, the edge itself is characterized by a steep, treacherous slope that almost threatens to fall right into the river. The southern clearing of the site had no clear view of the water, but the site line into the woods, especially to the south was greater than along the road. There was some serenity to the southern most clearing. The higher canopy gives a sense of security, as do the spaced trees within the clearing. With only one way in or out it also has a feeling of seclusion. Figure 37. Main Road on Kingman Island SENSORY Figure 36. Main Festival Ground 16

22 Utilities UTILITIES Figure 38. Utilities Map The District of Columbia water and sewer authority (i.e. WASA or D.C. Water) is an independent authority of the D.C. Government that provides drinking water, wastewater collection and sewage treatment services in Washington. Pepco is the city s electric utility and provides services for customers in the District and suburban Maryland. In 1889 law prohibited overhead wires within much of the historic City of Washington. As a result, all power lines and telecommunication cables are located underground in Washington. On Kingman Island, there are remnant underground conduits for electric service and water service, the status of which are uncertain. There is electric service to the vehicular access gate at Benning Road from a utility pole in the right-of-way. During the Bluegrass Festival, portable generators provide electricity for stage equipment and food trucks. There is no municipal sewer service, although there is a portable toilet along the access road into the property. The client representatives have expressed an interest in maintaining an undeveloped site, with perhaps minimal electrical grid service. 17

23 Climate Wind Diagrams Shadows These are the wind, wave and weather statistics for Reagan Airport in Virginia. Wind finder specializes in wind, waves, tides and weather reports & forecasts for wind related sports like kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, sailing or paragliding. The wind statistics are based on real observations from the weather station at Reagan Airport. The arrows point in the direction that the wind is blowing. Figure 39. Wind direction data for Washington, D.C Figure 40. Wind direction data for Washington, D.C Shadows are cast along the north side of structures and trees. For plants that require full sun in the summer, plant along the south and east sides of the property to receive the most amount of sunlight. Figure 42. Daylight direction data for Washington, D.C Table 4. Daylight data for Washington, D.C Solar Path The sun s path varies throughout the year. In the summer the sun is high in the sky, and rises and sets north of east-west. To study the extreme of hot summer sun, it is a good idea to study the sun s path on the summer solstice, the day when the sun is at its highest noon altitude. In the winter the sun is low in the sky, and rises and sets south of east. To study the extreme of the winter sun path, it is a good idea to study the sun s path on the winter solstice, the day when the sun is at its lowest noon altitude. To study more average positions, you can look at the sun s path on the spring and autumn equinoxes, when the sun rises and sets due east-west. The altitude of the noon sun at the equinox is determined by the latitude of the site. Figure 43. Snow fall data for Washington, D.C Sea levels and Global Warming Sea levels are rising at an accelerating rate, and the scientific community is confident that global warming is the most important cause. Higher sea levels translate to more and higher coastal floods. Washington, D.C. is likely to see record flooding by 2040 under a mid-range sea level rise scenario. A low-range scenario leads to a better-than-even chance by 2030 of flooding more than 6 feet above the local high tide line a level topped just once in the last 70 years. And under high-range projections, there is a near certain chance of flooding above 10 feet by end of century the highest level incorporated into our analysis. Figure 41. Sun path direction for Washington, D.C Table 5. Flood data for Washington, D.C CLIMATE 18

24 CLIMATE Temperature & Precipitation Plant Hardiness Zone & Heat Map The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration station at the National Arboretum is 2.3 miles away from Kingman Island. This means the climate data from this station could useful in making design decisions at the island. For the years 1981 to 2010, the average daily temperature recorded at the National Arboretum was 57.7 degrees Fahrenheit. The average daily max temperature was 67.9 degree Fahrenheit and the average daily minimum temperature was 47.4 degree Fahrenheit. Precipitation data shows that precipitation is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. The National Arboretum saw an average of inches of precipitation per year from On average, the arboretum received the most precipitation in July at 4.32 inches and the least amount of precipitation in February at 2.90 inches. Figure 44. Temperature Averages The USDA plant hardiness zone is used by gardeners and growers as a standard measure in determining whether certain plants are likely to thrive at a specific location. Kingman Island is located in USDA Hardiness zone 7a, which indicates that the average annual extreme minimum temperature is 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant heat zone map indicate the number of days each year a given location experiences temperature over 86 degrees Fahrenheit. 86 degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature at which plant growth can suffer from the heat. Figure 46. USDA Hardiness Zone Figure 45. Monthly Precipitation Averages Figure 47. Plant Heat Zone Map 19

25 WIND The wind data from Washington Dulles Airport over a time period of 5 years between 2007 to 2012 will help make design decisions as it applies to sheltering both plants and visitors on the island from harsh winter winds. Spring Spring is the least calm with only 17.4 percent of calm (or less than 1.3 mph) winds. The highest percentage of wind come from the south at 13 percent. The strongest winds on average come from the northwest at 12.1 mph. Overall mean wind speed is 7.7 mph. Figure 48. Spring Wind Rose Summer The highest percentage of winds (13 percent) in the summer come from the south, and the winds with the highest average speed come from the west northwest at 11.7 mph. The overall average wind speed during the summer is 7.6 mph. Figure 50. Summer Wind Rose Fall The greatest percentage of winds still come from the south at 12.2 percent, and winds with the highest average speed come from west northwest at 10.9 mph. The overall average wind speed during the fall season is 6.3 mph. Winter Highest percentage of winds (15.0 percent) come from northwest. Mean wind speed is also highest coming from west northwest at 14.3 mph. Average overall wind speed is 8.0 mph. Figure 49. Fall Wind Rose Figure 51. Winter Wind Rose CLIMATE 20

26 DESIGN

27 CHAPTER NAME HERE, CTRL-SHIFT-CLICK TO EDIT Habitat Master Plan 22

28 Located just inside the western border of Washington D.C., Kingman Island presents an opportunity for the surrounding community to experience and learn about different types of habitats in a natural setting unlike anywhere else in the city. The Kingman Island Habitat Master Plan provides a framework for the preservation and restoration of habitats such as upland forest, floodplain forest, vernal pools, and meadows. Design Objectives Maximize the size and quality of viable habitats in response to existing biotic and abiotic conditions on the island. Limit fragmentation of habitats to promote sustainable plant and wildlife communities. Identify and provide necessary habitat conditions to support representative wildlife and plant species Upland Forest Upland forests are located at higher elevations where drainage is sufficient so that the soils do not remain saturated for long periods of time. Percentage of canopy cover is higher in upland forest habitats when compared to floodplain forest habitats. Floodplan Forest Floodplain forests are low-lying forest communities located adjacent to rivers and streams. These habitats are subjected to frequent flooding, which leads to cycles of erosion and sedimentation. Vernal Pool Vernal pools are temporary pools of water that provide habitat for wildlife. These pools typically dry up during the warmer months, which prevents fish from inhabiting the ponds and predate on the species dependent on these pools to complete their life cycle. Habitat Schematic Plan Meadow Meadow habitats are dominated by early-successional herbaceous plants. Frequent disturbances prevent slower-growing vegetation from establishing. This sunny and exposed condition also allows specific wildlife communities to thrive. Figure 52. Proposed habitats HABITAT MASTER PLAN 23

29 Upland Forest Upland forest habitats are located at higher elevations where the soils are not flooded and do not remain saturated for extended periods of time. The percentage canopy cover of this habitat type is higher, which means only shade and part-shade tolerant plant species can thrive in the understory layer. In the mid-atlantic, beechoak-tulip and oak-beech-blackgum are the dominant hardwood forests associated with this habitat. In the understory, flowering dogwood, shadbush, and pawpaw are some common, shadetolerant trees. Figure 53. Upland Forest Perspective Focal Species Red-headed Woodpecker Great Blue Heron Great Egret Eastern Mud Salamander Baltimore Checkerspot Floodplain Forest Located along streams and rivers, floodplain forests have semi-open canopies and often occur and act as a transition between upland and marsh-wetland habitats. Land-water interactions play a vital role in the composition of plant species in floodplain forests. Flooding frequency and duration, sediment deposition, and erosion all influence species composition. As a result of the dynamic nature of the habitat, vegetation communities will vary in small local patches, but generally, the canopy tree makeup will range from gum-maple of Pocomoke River watershed to gum-maple and red maple-green ash dominated bottomlands. Shrub layers in tidal floodplain forests are typically dense and diverse. In its current condition, the understory of the Kingman Island Figure 54. Floodplain Forest Perspective floodplain forest is not diverse and is overrun with invasive species like japanese and amur honeysuckles, porcelain berry, and white mulberry. These invasive plant species do not provide the same quality of resources for wildlife as native species would. In order to create a viable and healthier floodplain forest habitat, native floodplain species such as silver maple, green ash, arrowwood, winterberry, sweet pepperbush, and jewelweed, among many others, must take the place of invasive plant species. This will require removal and continued maintenance. Focal Species Virginia Possum Bald Eagle Orchard Oriole Five-Lined Skink Question Mark Butterfly UPLAND AND FLOODPLAIN FORESTS 24

30 Figure 55. Meadow with herbaceous plants Meadows Meadows are a type of plant community that indicates early-stage succession. They are dominated mainly by non-woody herbaceous plants. Typical disturbance activities that limit natural succession and favor early stage meadows include wildfires, grazing, and mowing. This prevents slower-growing woody plants from establishing and it allows smaller herbaceous plants to quickly colonize an area. Figure 56. Meadow Perspective Wildlife Meadows have specific features that support different types of wildlife. The low growing, upright vegetation supports a number of insects that roost on plant stalks while feeding on plant material. The open flight area above a meadow allows birds to scope out insect prey and swoop in to feed. In addition, many meadow plant species produce seed heads that can make up a large percentage of the diet of migratory birds. Dead plant stalks can provide ground nesting opportunities or supply material for building nests in nearby trees. Certain flowering plant species can provide nectar and pollen for pollinators that include species of butterflies and bees. Among the more important species for flowering plants in a meadow are the various species of bees. While most people are familiar with the typical honeybee (Apis mellifera), there are also a number of native species that are just important for pollinating flowers. The Bumble bee (Bombus spp.), of which there are over 10 species in the region, often nests underground in abandoned rodent burrows. Their stout bodies are covered with pale yellow and black hairs. While females can sting, they typically ignore humans and other animals. Butterflies are another species of insect that feeds on flowering plants. In their adult form, they may forage for nectar, but in their larval stage, they may feed on the same host plant or on the leaves of another type of plant. Unfortunately, the population of Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) has been declining for a number of reasons as milkweed, its principal host plant, has been eradicated or reduced over much of its traditional growing areas. The Monarch Butterfly lays its eggs on the underside of a milkweed leaf in the spring. The eggs hatch into larva, which feeds on the milkweed until its time to molt into a chrysalis. When it emerges in the summer as an adult, it then feeds on various nectar plants. Come winter, they migrate in migrate in massive quantity to the warmer climate of Mexico and the Southwestern U.S. Focal Species Barn Swallow Indigo Bunting The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is one such bird that flies low over meadows, fields, and open water searching for flying insect prey. Their deeply forked tails and bright blue backs and wings help to easily mark these quick-flying birds. They typically build their nests on man-made structures. They prefer to nest near sources of mud, and they do not mind nesting in man-made nest boxes attached to a building. The Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) can be spotted in weedy fields, meadows and shrublands, especially the bright blue male. The female is a more muted brown, which helps conceal her in the nest, which she prefers to build in low-growing vegetation. The Indigo Bunting will eat small seeds, berries, buds and insects. Bumblebee Monarch Butterfly MEADOWS 25

31 Figure 57. Photo of Vernal Pool Vernal Pools Vernal pools are temporary seasonal ponds and a type of forested wetland. Beneath the vernal pools lie either a clay hardpan or a layer of impermeable soil or rocks that prevents drainage. As the water table rises in the fall and winter, water collects in the basin and fills the pool. By spring time, rain and snow melt have caused the pond to reach its maximum size and depth. The size of these wetlands range from small puddles to larger but shallow lakes. They can dry and fill up several times throughout a season, but are typically completely dry for most of the summer and early fall. As a result of this dry period, the pools usually lack fish. This allows certain species of amphibians like the American toad and Jefferson salamander and insect species like dragonflies to complete their life cycles in vernal pools without the threat of predation from fish. The species that have evolved with vernal pools and require them for completion of life cycle are called obligate vernal pool species. In addition, birds, such as egrets, ducks, and eagles, use vernal pools as a seasonal source of food and water. Figure 58. Vernal Pool Perspective Focal Species American Toad Jefferson Salamander Wood Duck Blue Dasher Dragonfly Green Darner Dragonfly Common Snapping Turtle VERNAL POOLS 26

32 Educational Master Plan Benning Road A N A C O S T I A R I V E R Heritage Island RFK Stadium East Capitol Street NE EDUCATIONAL PLAN KEY Vehicular Path Trail A N A C O S T I A R I V E R Scale: 1 = Entrances Views of Water Educational Opportunities Kayak Launch Arts District

33 Education: Trails Trail System on Kingman Island The new master plan for Kingman Island will have a more cohesive system of trails that will connect the island as a whole. The main road on the island has been left in its existing location because it provide a direct route from the northern part of the island near Benning Road NE to the southern half of the island where classroom number three can be found. This road also leads you to all three classrooms on the island and the main meadow where the yearly Bluegrass Festival is held. The main meadow connects to Heritage Island and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. Keeping this route allows Kingman Island to remain connected to nearby communities and provides pedestrian access into the island. We propose the main road be made of gravel or reinforced earth. This will allow the island to keep its natural and untouched feeling Figure 59. A pleasant gravel road In addition, four smaller trails will permit visitors and Living Classrooms students to explore the island. The trails located in the upland forest areas could be made of mulch, gravel, or reinforced earth and the trails on the meadows could be the same or simply be mowed grass. In the floodplain forest and wetland areas gravel or boardwalks should be used since these areas are prone to flooding. The second trail will lead people back to the main road from the main meadow area. This trail will be a little more difficult because it follows a steeper slope, but this trail will provide a view to a new vernal pool and people will get to experience the different habitat zones as they walk through the trail. They will walk from a meadow through upland forest and end at floodplain forest. Figure 61. A mulch pathway through the forest The third trail will connect classrooms three and four by passing underneath the East Capital St NE bridge at a second location. This trail will also connect to the main road via classroom three and will branch off to a deck boardwalk in the proposed wetland area. This trail will give access and visibility to the water and will provide educational opportunities in the wetland. Figure 60. An example of a gravel path through a meadow Figure 62. A boardwalk in a wetland The fourth trail is directly off of classroom number four and it loops back around to classroom four. This trail would be made of mulch or reinforced earth because it is located in the upland forest zone. The loop back around goes into the floodplain forest. These areas might require bog bridges or boardwalks. This last trail will give visitors an experience through mature vegetation and will provide educational opportunities in the different habitat zones. On the northern side of the island, near Benning Road the northernmost trail will connect the main road with the main meadow. This trail will allow visitors to view two vernal pools and they will also find educational signs along the way. This trail difficultly level will be easy because it follows flatter areas. Figure 63. Bog bridging in wet forested areas EDUCATION: TRAILS 28

34 Education: Classrooms Educational Classrooms Classroom #3 Kingman Island provides educational programs that give teachers the opportunity to use the island as an outdoor classroom. Kingman Island offers an opportunity to learn from and enjoy the unique natural and cultural resources in the island. These classrooms provide an unforgettable experience for students. New classroom locations were chosen carefully based on existing and proposed habitat types. Classroom #1 This classroom is adjacent to the vernal pool and upland forest habitats. This provides a great place for individuals to learn about the different animal and plant groups and to monitor the Kingman Island resources. The meadow is a suitable space for holding exhibition, special event, and meeting and it can warmly host many students. The classroom is accessible through both the main and the secondary trails. Taking advantage of the existing bridge, the art gallery for open studios and live painting will be an attractive educational place in the Kingman Island. The art gallery benefits from the archway of the bridge to provide a suitable place for students to exhibit their work and connect with peers, while developing presentation skills. Local artists can exhibit their works for the public during events, which makes Kingman Island a good platform for a vibrant Arts District. Classroom #4 This classroom is located close to the wetland and also provides the opportunity to serve as a living laboratory which students engage in hands-on activities, making science applicable to their lives. In this place, students also have access to rare species (e.g., Sida hermaphrodita). The mature forest in the south of the classroom makes it a good place for researchers to study environmental and biological topics. The classroom is accessible through the main trail. Classroom #2 EDUCATION: CLASSROOMS The city dumped environmental waste onto Kingman Island for many years until the 1990s. Private companies and citizens also illegally dumped unwanted trash onto the island. Boulders dumped on the site serve as a reminder of what has come before and provide a good opportunity to locate the classroom#2 in this place. The place has a good view to the eastern side of the Kingman Island. This classroom is accessible through the main trail. 29

35 Education: Living Classrooms History Mission Statement: Living Classrooms Foundation strengthens communities and inspires young people to achieve their potential through hands on education and job training, using urban, natural, and maritime resources as living classrooms. Living Classrooms was founded in 1985 in Baltimore. The organization started in one city and now has grown into dozens of programs across the region, including Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland. Living Classrooms has developed programs to teach students by experience or Learning by Doing. They apply this approach to three focus areas: K-8 Schools- Students are educated in one of living classroom s charter middle school and k-8schools. Hands-on Education enrichment- Different after-school and supplemental education program are offered to students who live in high-risk environments. These programs teach students environmental, maritime heritage, and health experiences. Programs for the general pubic and students are offered to explore the significance of the region s maritime heritage and how it shapes our communities and nation. Job Training- Living Classrooms offers young adults, and families workforce preparation, and life skills training. Figure 65. Youth learning job training skills Kingman Island Program Kingman Island has three classroom locations on the island. These outdoor classrooms provide students a hands-on approach to learning forest ecology and watersheds and provide an opportunity for students to build orienteering and team-building skills. Currently grades four through eight attend programs held at the island. The class sizes are an average of 20 to 30 but can be up to 60 children. Living Classrooms also has two workforce programs running on the island: landscaping and park management. Creating New Opportunities The new master plan includes different habitat zones and human usage areas that create an opportunity for Living Classrooms to expand their educational programs offered at Kingman Island. By creating educational signs thoughout the island, highlighting habitat zones, and providing key species diagrams, students can learn more about focal species and the island as a whole. Figure 64. Students learning in the field. The Living Classrooms Way The vision of Living Classrooms is to be a national model for community engagement and student achievements by producing quality programs that are consistent, reliable, and have predictable results. Figure 66. Students learning around a campfire. Students can learn from a new scavenger hunt that will introduce different animals and different plants. This hands-on approach can teach students while they have fun. Vernal pool areas are maximized on the site. This will create more habitat opportunities on the island and the potential for students to learn from these ecosystems. Students can find wood frogs, salamanders and other small animals. Core Values of Living Classrooms Excellence Living Classrooms believes that everyone that steps through their doors has the ability to learn and the potential to be great. Living Classrooms assumes the responsibility to nurture these individuals so they can achieve their full potential. Respect Living Classrooms believes in keeping communities engaged and actively involved by including the communities from the beginning in any projects and programs. Integrity- Living Classrooms believes in respectful services, and attitude with their supporters and following through on their commitments. They are accountable to their supporters, constituents and the community. Figure 67. Children learning different rock materials EDUCATION: LIVING CLASSROOMS 30

36 Vernal pools allow students to learn the life cycle of the focal species that are found in vernal pools. Vernal pools accommodate educational programs because for parts of the year they are dry and when they have water in them, it is relatively shallow. This will allow teachers to point out species and catch them. The current living classrooms areas will become meadow areas that student can learn from and see different pollinators while having class. The new master plan adds view sheds so that students can feel they are on an island and also learn about the different aquatic species that are found along the Anacostia River. The master plan also includes a new wetland area with a boardwalk so that living classrooms can teach students about how wetlands are constructed and why they are important. All these areas can also serve as job training in maintenance, caring for ecosystem, as well as protecting and creating different habitat zones. The proposed wetland areas can also provide job-training opportunities by teaching youth and community members how to install and create wetlands. Figure 68. People planting wetland. Skills that can be learned include wetland plant selection, proper care of wetland plants, and basic craftsmen skills like how to use power tools. Applied math, science, and physics can also be taught. A new art district underneath the East Capitol St NE Bridge will allow students to show their work as well as see local artists work. This will enhance the students cultural experience, allow them new outlets to express themselves, and will also allow artists an opportunity to display their work. Figure 71. Youth walking through upland forest. Figure 69. Youth learning how to create a wetland grid. Figure 72. Fifth-graders taking the temperature of the soil. Figure 70. Youth learning teambuilding skills. Figure 73. Students learning about river processes CHAPTER NAME HERE, CTRL-SHIFT-CLICK TO EDIT 31

37 Interpretive Sign Master Plan History Vernal Pool V E H G Green Infrastructure E Monarch Butterfly M E Wetland W F Focal Species E Monarch Butterfly M Woodpeckers Vernal Pool V P W Wetland E 32

38 Interpretive Signs Introduction The park sign system includes seven signs titled Wildlife Habitat, Tidal Wetland, Green Infrastructure, Woodpeckers, History, The Journey of the Monarch Butterfly, and Vernal Pool. Vernal Pool What are Vernal Pools? Vernal pools are temporary seasonal wetland. They are covered by shallow water for variable periods from winter to spring, but may be completely dry for most of the summer and fall. These wetlands range in size from small puddles to shallow lakes and are usually found in a gently sloping plain of grassland. Beneath vernal pools lies either bedrock or a hard clay layer in the soil that helps keep water in the pool. The pools collect water during winter and spring rains, changing in volume in response to varying weather patterns. During a single season, pools may fill and dry several times. However, appearances may be deceiving. The unique environment of vernal pools provides habitat for numerous rare plants and animals that are able to survive and thrive in these harsh conditions. Due to the seasonal drying, fish populations is hard to establish. Many species have evolved to use these temporary, fish-free wetland to complete all or part of their life cycle. In addition, birds such as egrets, ducks, and eagles use vernal pools as a seasonal source of food and water. Figure 74. Vernal Pool sign This sign system performs multiple functions including providing useful information, encouraging learning experiences, helping maintain the image of the park, communicating park rules, and providing a sense of place and local pride. Dry Vernal Pool Vernal Pools Animals Keep your eyes open for these animals! Virginia Opossum Wood Duck Snapping Turtle Blue Dasher Dragonfly Green Dasher Question Mark Butterly Milkweed Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed (Asclepias spp.), making it a vital plant for the species survival Monarch butteflies hibernate over the winter months in the Californian and Mexican forests and migrate north in February and March to find a mate and lay their eggs. During these winter months, the trees in these forests are blanketed with roosting monarch butterflies! Monarch chrysallis THE JOURNEY OF THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY DID YOU KNOW THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY IS A MIGRATORY ANIMAL? Every spring, millions of monarch butterflies embark on a thousand mile journey from their winter home in California and Mexico north in search of mates and a place to lay eggs. M o n a r c h butterflies are m i l k w e e d butterflies and depend on the plant as a source of food and habitat for their caterpillars. In March and April, the monarch butterflies lay their eggs, which hatch in about 4 days. The baby caterpillars will then eat until they go through metamorphosis in two weeks. LIFE CYCLE OF A MONARCH BUTTERFLY Figure 75. Journey of the Monarch Butterfly sign The next generation of monarch butterflies live for about 2 to 6 weeks and go through the same cycle of mating and laying eggs throughout the summer. By September and October, the latest generation of monarch butterflies will migrate south to overwinter. This generation of monarch butterflies, unlike the previous generations, will live up to 8 months. To start their transformation into a majestic adult monarch butterfly, the caterpillars attach themselves on a stem and spin silk around themselves until they are enclosed in a cacoon called chrysallis. This phase will last for 10 days and the monarch butterfly will emerge and fly away. Fun Fact Wingspan of migrating monarch butterflies are up to half an inch large than non-migratory monarch butteflies. That s a wingspan of up to 4 inches! INTERPRETIVE SIGNS 33

39 What is Green Infrastructure? The Benefits of Forests Have you seen any of these birds in the island? Figure 76. Kingman Island Wildlife Habitat sign SITE SCALE FEATURES Rain Gardens Bioswales Green Roofs COMMUNITY SCALE Parkland Tree Planting Initiatives Green Streets A living network that connects landscapes, natural areas, and waterways. Five-lined skink American toad Common snapping turtle Southern leopard frog What other Amphibians and Reptiles do you think you can find in the island? REGIONAL SCALE Watershed protection Greenways Hubs and Corridors American beaver Look for the footprints of these mammals Virginia opossum Have you seen any of these Fish before? Where? Explore and learn the four stages of a butterfly s life cycle in the Kingman Island Green Infrastructure Stormwater Bioretention systems treat stormwater by filtering pollutants and sediment from runoff. When runoff enters the planting bed, it is held until it infiltrates through the special planting media. The biotic organisms within the planting bed can then process the excess nutrients and material filtered from the stormwater. The underdrain collects cleaner, filtered water that can be discharged to the existing stormwater sewer system. Forests play an important role in maintaining a healthy environment. They offer a number of services that often go unrecognized. Bioinfiltration system showing the stormwater capture and treatment (Courtesy of DDOT s Greening DC Streets) -habitat and food sources for wildlife -oxygen for breathing -shade from the hot sun -wood products for various industries -outdoor recreational activity -stormwater treatment and mitigation How do you benefit from Green Infrastructure? Gray infrastructure Figure 77. Green Infrastructure sign INTERPRETIVE SIGNS 34

40 Tidal Wetlands What are Tidal Wetlands? Tidal wetlands are transitional wetlands between tidal freshwater systems and salt marshes. Tidal wetlands flood twice a day by lunar tides and include freshwater, brackish, and salt marshes. Wetland Vegetation Salt marshes form flat plains of low-statured vegetation with moderate species diversity that is dominated by aquatics that emergent at high tide. There is two distinct zones, which are low and high salt marshes. At lower salinity areas the marshes are dominated by saltmarsh cordgrass and extensive strand of blackneedlerush. High salt areas support a diverse arrangement of plants which include annual salt-marsh aster, perennial salt marsh aster, sea-oxeye, sea-lavender, glassworts, sea rose-pink, salt marsh false foxglove and narrow leaved loosestrife. Wetland Habitat: Can You Spot these Animals? Bold Eagle Great Egret Ruddy Duck Northern Diamond -Back Terrapin Marsh Wren Figure 78. Tidal Wetlands sign WOODPECKERS Kingman Island Educational Series Four Spotted Pennent Aquatic Energy Pyramid Decomposers and Consumers Plants use the sunlight to make food by using the energy to make sugar. Plants use glucose or sugar to make many thinks like, wood, leaves, roots and bark. Consumers are any organisms that cannot make there own food. These animals feed on producers and other consumers to survive. Decomposers are organisms that primarily feed on dead organisms or waste from other organisms. Decomposers take all dead organisms plants and animals and break them down into nutrient that plants can re-use to make more food. Rare Skipper Species Highlight: Northern Flicker One species of woodpecker on the island is the Northern Flicker, scientific name Colaptes auratus. During the survey, 61 Northern Flicker individuals were counted on the island. Northern Flickers nest in tree cavities. They often forage for food on the forest floor, for instance pecking at ant hills or cow paddies to eat insects. In a behavior called anting Northern Flickers use the acidity of ants to preen their feathers, protecting them from parasites. Woodpecker Morphology Woodpeckers do just as their name suggests, they peck on wood. There are two main ways that woodpeckers peck on wood: to communicate (drumming) and to find food or excavate nests (drilling). To support these activities, woodpeckers have strong bills and long, sticky tongues. If you do catch a glimpse of a woodpecker, you may see them climbing a tree. To climb vertically, woodpeckers have a stiffened tail, using it to support their body. They also have zygodactyl feet, a toe arrangement particularly effective at climbing tree trunks and limbs. Downy Woodpecker climbing a tree. Photo Credit: J. Michael Raby Woodpeckers On Kingman? Northern Flicker finds Raises the alarm. Photo Credit: Kelly Colgan Azar Figure 79. Woodpeckers sign Kingman and Hertiage Islands are host to a diverse group of different woodpeckers indcluding Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, and Hairy Woodpecker. The most common woodpecker during the survey was the Downy, with 130 individuals counted on the islands. Red Bellied Woodpecker in the Snow. Photo Credit: Kelly Colgan Azar INTERPRETIVE SIGNS 35

41 INTERPRETIVE SIGNS Where Did Kingman Island Come From? More than a hundred years ago, the land you are standing on was not land at all. The river was broad and deep enough for ocean-going ships to make it upriver to Bladensburg. Once the settlers cleared land for farming, topsoil was washed into the river by rain and the river became very shallow. Wide marshes filled the river. Sewage from the developing city of Washington D.C. and communities upriver settled in the riverbed. This caused diseases like malaria, typhoid fever, and cholera. Once people realized that the sewagefilled mud flats were the cause of their public health problems, they demanded the marshes and mud flats be filled. In 1912, Congress allowed the river to be dredged. Wetlands were filled and Kingman and Heritage Islands were created out of in the shape we see today. Figure 80. History sign HISTORY A Dumping Ground Kingman and Heritage Islands were built from soil dredged up from the bottom of the river and whatever other materials were found there. After the islands were finished, there were many different plans on how to use the space, but all fell through. While years of negotiations were happening, the island became a dumping ground. Piles of large stone can be found on the island (see picture below), private companies and citizens illegally dumped trash onto the island, and for many years until the 1990s, DC dumped yard waste on the island. In 20015, when planning was underway for Kingman and Heritage Islands Park, many tons of garbage were hauled off the island. Living Classrooms remains committed to cleaning the island and removing invasive plants. 36

42 Entry Design 1: Kingman Orchard Farm Maria Espinoza Master Plan The new design for the entryway of Kingman Island will provide a farm like feeling with a wooden farm fence around the property which will give people easier visibility into the site. People will get this sense of being on a farm because they will see a mowed lawn, an alley of orchard trees and the forest line as a backdrop. Iron art gates will separate pedestrian access to vehicular which will further strengthen the sense of place for the user. In this design solution the garden space area has been extended to provide extra space and so that students can learn from raised vegetables bed gardening and ornamental gardening. This design took the existing geometry and gives it a more cohesive look by making the paths more organic and unified. The paths will be lined with an alley of fruit trees and made out of gravel. This path will lead the users to the kayak launch which will have a boat/kayak rental store. Perspective A: of alley of fruit trees and extended garden area Inspirational Pictures This image shows the farm fence with a mowed lawn and a forest back drop Figure 81. Perspective A These images shows the different elements that can be included on the site. These images show the natural character that can be preserved. Iron art work and different gravel pathways can be used on the site. This image shows an example of a kayak launch area with rental store and storage. ENTRY DESIGN: KINGMAN ORCHARD FARM 37

43 Entry Design 2: Recreation Concept Saeed Shirazi ENTRY DESIGN: RECREATION CONCEPT 38

44 Figure 82. Perspective A Figure 83. Perspective B ENTRY DESIGN: RECREATION CONCEPT 39

45 Entry Design 3: Garden in the City Renee LaGue N Figure 84. Plan view of the Benning Road entry area The Garden in the City is a welcoming entrance to Kingman Island for school groups, gardeners, kayakers, families, birders, community members, and nature enthusiasts. It provides spaces for education, gardening, recreation, and gathering. 1 The tree canopy has been pulled back in order to provide clearer sight lines for vehicles traveling eastbound on Benning Road and for pedestrians. The path winds through a meadow, which is dotted with trees and shrubs that have compelling stories and histories associated with them. The shop, storage, and staging area for Living Classrooms and the Green Teams is located to the south of the public area and is accessible from its own drive, which is past a secondary gate. This means that only Living Classrooms vehicles and other authorized vehicles have access. 2 The garden contains a greenhouse and is designed so 8 A nature play space is located close to the parking lot and vehicles can be driven around the raised beds on both ends. meadow area and is separated with a stone wall made from If the soil is tested and found to be good, 20 by 20 plots with stone found on the island. 3 walkways between them could be used instead, which would be a more efficient use of space and would be an excellent community garden layout. 3 4 The existing pavilion with its rain barrels remains on the site. A winding path leads down from the parking lot and pavilion through a meadow and low shrubs, which stabilize the banks 5 and remove the need to mow the area. The kayak launch is simple and withstands flooding, with no major infrastructure located too close to the riverbanks. 6 Benches are located near the launch. 7 The new gravel parking lot contains a 50 parking space for a vehicle with a kayak trailer, 4-5 parking spaces, a handicapped space, and a rain garden to accept runoff. Figure 85. Kayak launch as seen from the Anacostia River 40

46 Figure 86. Perspective of entry design with greenhouse, raised beds, meadow walkway, new parking area and rain garden, children s play area, and path to kayak launch. ENTRY DESIGN: GARDEN IN THE CITY 41

47 ENTRY DESIGN Entry Design 4: Benning Road Entry Design Vince Yi P Kingman Island Benning Road Entry Design Vincent Yi B E N N I N G R O A D 7 A N A C O S T I A R I V E R Before After Scale: 1 = 40-0 KEY 1 Benning Road Entrances 5 Urban Farm 9 Trail to Kayak Launch 2 Welcome Sign + Island Map 6 Kayak Drop Off 10 Kayak Launch 3 Orchard Walk 7 Pavilion + Meadow 4 Greenhouse 8 Rain Garden Educational Area 42

48 Entry Design 5: Food and the Arts Mark Dennis ENTRY DESIGN: FOOD AND THE ARTS 43

49 Garden Entry Design Upon immediately entering the site from Benning Road, visitors encounter a new traffic circle that realigns the entry and allows for turnaround and dropoffs to the garden. Four parking spaces radiate off the circle, allowing the daily volunteers to tend to the garden. Overflow parking is found farther down the road in the existing meadow. While the current layout of the garden has not changed, a new permaculture garden radiating off the traffic circle enhances learning opportunities for interested students. New storage that frames the garden has been added along with a shade structure and additional seating. Parking for trailers exists in the current pad beyond the pergola, as well as next to the future greenhouse. A pollinator garden in the foreground attracts beneficials to the vegetable garden while simultaneously occupying a previously neglected space. Figure 87. Looking west at the Benning Road Garden Entry The Arts District A captivating mural that announces Living Classrooms lays waiting for curious hikers to discover under the Capitol Street bridge. To further expand the space for artists to show off their talents, an Arts District has been proposed to connect Classroom #2 with this existing artistic expression. This space will allow students and local artists to display their creative sides while giving the general public an interesting visual experience. Sculptures within this district will allow visual, tactile, and even aural stimulation for different types of learners. What was once a dull and imposing bridge that sliced through habitat now becomes repurposed and reclaimed as a gathering space that attracts the eye and provides shade. It accomplishes this even without adding new development and disturbance pressures to the existing habitats. Figure 88. The Arts District under the E. Capitol Street overpass ENTRY DESIGN: FOOD AND THE ARTS 44

50 ENTRY DEESIGN: KINGMAN S FARM Parking Lot Storage/Office 2 3 Farm Area Kayak Launch and Boat Dock Rain Garden and Sunflower Patch 5 6 Greenhouse BENNING ROAD NE Entry Design 6: Kingman s Farm Nathan Collier 45

51 Figure 89. Perspective 1 Figure 90. Perspective 2 ENTRY DEESIGN: KINGMAN S FARM 46

52 Entry Design 7: Partnerships Concept Dylan Reilly This concept is all about partnerships. A native trees arboretum could be an educational resource for Living Classrooms Foundation (LCF), D.C. public schools (DCPS), University of the District of Columbia (UDC), and the general public while providing job training opportunities for the Department of Energy and Environment, landscapers, and landscape architects. The water lab represents the same sort of opportunities as the arboretum, bringing together District educators and scientists with a world class field lab for measuring water quality of the Anacostia, vernal pools, streams, and groundwater. Public school children, UDC students, and professional scientists could collaborate on water quality projects, involving plenty of time on the water and in the lab. Secure boat storage and launch adjacent to the lab makes the water more accessible. The once annually managed meadow adjacent to Benning Road provides valuable wildlife habitat, decreases maintenance requirements, and could be aesthetically pleasing with a crisp mow strip. A well orchestrated parking area makes the site more accessible and able to handle large educational and fundraising events throughout the year. All of these elements work together to make the partnerships concept for Kingman Island a win-win. Figure 93. Precedent photo od Robinson Nature Center, MD Figure 94. Precedent photo of USFS entry sign. Figure 91. Perspective 1 Figure 92. Perspective 2 ENTRY DESIGN: PARTNERSHIPS CONCEPT 47

53 Dylan Reilly ENTRY DESIGN: PARTNERSHIPS CONCEPT 48

54 Landscape Performance New Master Plan Performace Numbers Historically, Kingman Island has undergone significant changes to its landscape. In order to better understand these changes, it will be helpful to establish some baseline metrics that quantify features of the proposed habitat masterplan. These metrics will inform an analysis of the effect any future changes will have as the site is improved in its ecological capacity. It must be noted that these figures are estimates from CAD software and may change slightly during construction. To start, the Kingman Island project area comprises 40 acres just south of Benning Road. Over half (21 acres) of the project area has been identified as floodplain forest. Together with the 15.8 acreas of upland forest, approximately 91% of the site is forested. Table 95. Acreage of habitat and new features Though they comprise only 4% and 5%, respectively, of the total project area, the vernal pool and meadow habitat are proposed to increase significantly from previous levels. One measure that will prove worthwhile to researchers on the site will be to quantify the effect these additional vernal pools will have on species abundance and diversity. Likewise, the establishment and maintenance of meadow habitat may have a similar effect that can be quantified. The establishment of classroom space is an important component of Living Classroom s mission. Currently the site design supports just under 0.87 of open classroom space, which is an area into which could fit 36 typical elementary school classrooms. Figure 97. Acreage of Total Habitats Additional Vernal Pool Acreage acres acres Existing Proposed Proposed Existing Figure 98. Acreage of habitat and location types As we understand and evaluate the effectiveness of placing students in outdoor classroom experiences, we can better understand the connection between green space and educational performance. In addition to the inherent value of natural green corridors and spaces, the value to wildlife and the community of Kingman Island can be evaluated with hard metrics over a period of years. Gathering baseline data will allow future researchers to evaluate the benefits of the island s features for students, wildlife, and the community as a whole. Figure 96. Total acreage by habitat type LANDSCAPE PERFORMANCE 49