PEQUITSIDE FARM ONE PROPERTY, MANY USES

Transcription

1 PEQUITSIDE FARM ONE PROPERTY, MANY USES Laura Campbell March 8, 2016 A plan for the public use of a historic estate

2 Introduction At 33 acres, Peuitside Farm is the largest public owned open space in the town of Canton, Massachusetts. Originally a Colonial farmstead, later a private estate, the property now supports a number of uses: town offices, maintenance barn, recreation activities, land conservation, and preservation of historic buildings.

3 Here are the Questions 1. Can conflicts be managed in order for the public to use the property in a safe and sustaining manner? 2. Can land conservation be promoted and sustained? 3. Can the historic nature of Peuitside Farm be preserved?

4 Goals of the Master Plan To develop a landscape vocabulary for the entire property, with emphasis on: 1. Insuring that uses interface effectively with the site 2. Addressing ecological concerns 3. Preserving significant historic buildings

5 Overview Buildings and activities are concentrated at the northern end of Peuitside Farm. The town-owned Williams Estate is located across Pleasant Street, and is used for large events parking. ALLÉE

6 A Walk Around Peuitside

7 Edward J. Lynch House The main house is available for weddings and other events. Children's Day Program runs here and on the lawn in summer. The Canton Board of Health and the Conservation Commission are also located here.

8 Historic Wall Historic formal entrance to the site from Pleasant Street. The street is designated as a Massachusetts Scenic Road.

9 Old Tennis Court Left over from when Peuitside Farm was a private estate. The court is in bad repair. New tennis courts are available for public use at Canton High School.

10 Peuitside Tavern Historic tavern is now used for Conservation Commission hearings. Accessible entrance is found at back of building. The Historical Commission is located on the second floor.

11 Barns The Large Barn in the foreground is being considered for renovation into a public space. At present the Carriage Barn in the back is used for Town Maintenance. This use is not ideal for the site.

12 Playground and Picnic Area The Recreation Commission wishes to remove the existing euipment in order to design and build a new playground and shade structure. The playground would offer two sections; one for ages 2-5, and one for ages 6-12.

13 Community Gardens Work is ongoing to reorganize the community gardens. Poor drainage and insufficient sunlight are issues at the present location.

14 Trails Outdoor trails are used by the public for exercise, walking, running and in winter, cross-country skiing.

15 The Prospect There is an overlook with a good view of the Soccer Field. An amphitheater was once proposed for this site.

16 The Allée Mature trees line either side of this walk that runs down the center of Peuitside Farm. It has been allowed to become overgrown with shrubs in recent years.

17 Wetlands Wetlands lie along the Peuit Brook at the southern end of the property. There is a potential to partner with local schools to provide environmental education programs.

18 Succession Growth What were once meadows at Peuitside Farm have not been mown for nearly 20 years. They have been replaced with succession growth containing many opportunistic invasive species.

19 Tilden House The Tilden House (1725) is one of the oldest existing structures in the Town of Canton. It is currently the focus of a Canton Community Preservation Committee Grant to document the historic value and stabilize the structure.

20 Grass Fields A soccer field below, and a grassy open field higher up, lie at the eastern boundary of the property. They are served by two separate parking lots.

21 Site Characteristics Tree cover Flat terrain Micro-climate Historic structures Views Entrances and circulation

22 Tree Cover and Other Vegetation MATURE TREES MATURE TREES SUCCESSION SHRUBS SUCCESSION TREES MATURE TREES WETLAND VEGETATION WETLAND VEGETATION

23 Flat Terrain With A Slope Of 5% Or Less SLOPE DOWN This study looks at existing level land. The Grass Field and Soccer Field are separated from each other and other level land by a steep slope. The wetlands have been dredged into channels for mosuito control

24 Micro Climate SUNNY AREAS PREVAILING WINTER WINDS PREVAILING SUMMER WINDS The yellow areas represent sunny locations on the property. Much of the property is protected from harsh winds by stands of mature trees and the southeastward sloping nature of the hillside.

25 Historic Structures LARGE BARN CARRIAGE BARN TILDEN HOUSE OLD TAVERN LYNCH HOUSE STONE WALL Both the Lynch House, the Old Tavern, and the Tilden House are on the Massachusetts State Historical Register. The Carriage Barn and Large Barn are not registered but both have historical context. A historic stone wall runs along Pleasant Street at the northern portion of the site.

26 Views Existing Views VIEWS FROM NEIGHBORING HOUSES Potential Views VIEW TO FORMAL GARDEN VIEWS TO MEADOWS VIEW TO LARGE BARN ALLÉE OF TREES SCENIC VIEWS TO BROOK VIEW FROM PROSPECT SCENIC VIEW UP HILL

27 Existing Entrances and Circulation Full Site Northern End VEHICULAR ENTRANCE P BUILDING ENTRANCE GARAGE ENTRANCE P P HC ENTRANCE UNPAVED SERVICE ROAD WALKING TRAIL PARKING P P P P

28 Relationship Studies Time/Activity Circulation/Activity Circulation precedents

29 Time/Activity

30 Circulation/Activity

31 Circulation Precedents LAWN PEDESTRIAN PUBLIC ROAD SERVICE ROAD ENTRANCE PARKING TYPICAL ESTATE Precedents set by other estates converted to public use, displayed some common circulation features: A drop-off area in front of the main building General parking moved to a side location and screened Service entry separated from main entry

32 Circulation Concepts Conceptual diagrams suggesting different ways to improve circulation at the northern end of Peuitside: 1. Circulation Spine 2. Vehicle Free Zone 3. Recreation Commons

33 Circulation Study 1 Circulation Spine TENT AREA Drop-off at Lynch House Large event parking at Williams Estate Access drive south of Lynch House Parking for Town Business Separate parking for Barn, Playground and Community Garden New courtyard space between barns Pedestrian path from Pleasant Street to trails following drive

34 Circulation Study 2 Vehicle Free Zone TENT AREA Drop-off at Lynch House Large event parking at Williams Estate Access drive north of Lynch House Carriage Barn removed Parking for Barn events, Playground and Town Business Loading and parking for Community Garden Vehicle free pedestrian path from Lynch House to trails Connection from playground to grass field

35 Circulation Study 3 Recreation Commons TENT AREA Drop-off at Lynch House Large event parking at Williams Estate Access drive north of Lynch House Parking for Barn events, Playground and Town Business New courtyard space between barns Loading and parking for Community Garden Vehicle free pedestrian path from Lynch House to trails Connection from playground to grass field

36 Recommendations 1. Activities and Events 2. Environmental Concerns 3. Historic Structures

37 Activities and Events 1. Improve vehicular and pedestrian circulation 2. Identify activities to be housed in renovated barn(s) 3. Create a planting plan to support and enhance activities 4. Establish partnership with local schools to create environmental education program

38 Ongoing Activities to Remain 1. Town Offices and Meetings 2. Weddings 3. Children s Day 4. Playground 5. Picnicking 6. Community Gardening 7. Walking, Jogging & Cross Country Skiing 8. Open Play 9. Organized Soccer 1, 2,

39 Suggested New Activities 1. Community Theater 2. Barn Dances 3. Outdoor Concerts 4. Environmental Education 1 & 2 3 4

40 Environmental 1. Develop and implement plan for restoring open meadow 2. Develop a long range plan for managing succession growth trees 3. Create Environmental Education Center with boardwalk to wetlands 2 1 3

41 Historic Structures 1. Improve access to Edward Lynch House and Old Tavern 2. Determine best use for Carriage Barn 3. Renovate Large Barn for community use 4. Stabilize Tilden House and develop plan for use 5. Create a planting plan to reflect the heritage of this historic estate

42 A Unifying Vision A new old vision for the property: One that links the Peuitside Farm community in space and time to the heritage of the colonial farm and the country estate. This vision has the potential to enrich the experience of all users.

43 Agrarian Elements From colonial times, Peuitside Farm has been structured around agriculture. This structure recalls a way of using, caring for, and caring about a place. The Master Plan recommends repurposing the barns, restoring the meadow, and managing the wooded area. THE BARNS THE VEGETABLE GARDEN THE MEADOW THE WOODS THE FIELD THE MARSH THE HEDGEROW THE BROOK

44 19 th Century Refinements Elements from this period layer a human scale on top of the agrarian landscape. The Master Plan wishes to re-introduce the formal Rose Garden and a Pavilion close to the Children s Garden (playground.) In this illustration, the Tilden House is imagined as a Folly, a picturesue building set in the natural landscape. THE CHILDREN S GARDEN THE ROSE GARDEN THE MANOR HOUSE THE FOLLY THE ALLÉE THE GREAT LAWN THE GRAND ENTRY THE PAVILION THE PROSPECT

45 The Future of Peuitside Farm Recognizing and caring for the agrarian elements of this landscape will support the successful public use and management of Peuitside Farm. Conflicts can be minimized through good communication and through developing a strong conceptual framework. Land conservation can be promoted and sustained, and the historic nature of Peuitside Farm can be preserved as well.

46 In Conclusion Peuitside Farm can present itself to the Town of Canton as a jewel of a landscape. Centrally located, it offers open space for all sorts of recreation; its historic buildings are adaptable for public use; and the memory of the farm and natural environment gives the residents of Canton a place of beauty. It provides them the opportunity to appreciate the natural world and connect to the heritage of the town.

47 THE END Thank you for your kind attention.