STREATER PARK. North Branch Canal Trail. Existing Head Race. Warm-Season Meadow. Picnic Area. Pedestrian Crosswalk

Transcription

1 North Branch Canal Trail Convert Old Railroad Bridge North Branch Canal Trail - to Catawissa and Danville Active Railroad Rupert Covered Bridge On-Road Route to Streater Park STREATER PARK Off-Road Route to Streater Park 1.25 Acres Mill Property North Branch Canal Trail Existing Head Race Warm-Season Meadow Historic Pennsylvania Canal Corridor Picnic Area Streater Park - Master Site Plan The Town of Bloomsburg Master Site Plan Elements Feet Scale: 1 = 60 (1) Softball Field (1) Football Field (1) Full Size Soccer Field (1) U-12 Soccer Fields (2) U-10 Soccer Fields or (4) U-8 Soccer Fields (2) U-8 Soccer Fields (1) Large Pavilion (3) Small Pavilions Restroom / Storage Structure - Trail Head Kiosk (12) Interpretive Signs - (30) Picnic Tables - River Walk - Nature Trail - 3,500 L.F. North Branch Connection Trail L.F. North Pond / Wetland Restoration Area Acres Outdoor Classroom / Boardwalk Acres Grass Swales - 1,700 L.F. (13) Stone Water Catchments - Warm Season Grasses Acres Loop Road (One-Way) - 2,010 L.F. Parking Spaces Trees (Loop Road and Trail) Trees Benches - Bollards (4) s (1) Pedestrian Bridge (1) Park Sign / Entry Landscaping North Branch Canal Trail - to Bloomsburg > Creek Overlook w/picnic Tables, Access to Fishing Creek Trail Head Parking and Informational Kiosk Historic Flour Mill - Foundation to Remain for Interpretation Existing Tail Race North Branch Connection Trail Soccer Field U-14 Full Size 210 x 360 Softball Field 400 Heritage Interpretation Area Historic PA Canal Aqueduct Remnants 4.5 Acres Emergency River Trail Access Grass Swale in Warm-Season Grasses Soccer Fields U-8 75 x 105 Mature Oak Tree Drop-Off Area Views - Fishing Creek and Rupert Covered Bridge Creek Overlook - with Picnic Tables and Informal Seating Areas w/ Access to Fishing Creek Streater Park - Exit Only w/ and Bollards Picnic Pavilions Soccer Fields (1) U-10 The Green (2) U-8 Picnic Pavilions Soccer Fields (1) U-10 (2) U-8 Restroom / Storage Soccer Field U x 300 Football Field 160 x 360 Tree Planting 45 on-center w/ Space for 4 Cars In-Between One-Way Vehicular Circulation Habitat Enhancements - in Existing Wet Areas w/ Warm Season Grasses Playground Slope Slope Grass Swale in Warm-Season Grasses Riparian Buffer Enhancements - Invasive Plant Control and Native Tree and Shrub Plantings Zone A Zone B Zone C Open Water Shallow Marsh Shrub Wetland Existing Farm Lane Streater Park to be Removed Main Entrance Park Entrance with Sign, Tree, Shrub and Perennial Plantings, Bollards and Ft. McClure Blvd (21 Paved Cartway) Pond w/ Wetland Enhancement Plantings, Outdoor Classroom and Boardwalk 7.5 Acres RiverWalk Trail - a Primative or Crushed Gravel Nature Trail along Fishing Creek Mature Sycamore Trees Emergency River Trail Access Fort McClure Boulevard River Access - for Motorized and Non-Motorized Boats - w/ Improved Access and More Parking Views - Catawissa Railroad Bridge and Forested Ridge River Overlook - with Picnic Tables and Informal Seating Areas w/ Access to the Susquehanna River Susquehanna RiverWalk Trail - a Primative or Crushed Gravel Trail along the River - Connecting River Overlooks and Informal Picnic and Seating Areas A MASTER SITE PLAN Prepared for: The Town of Bloomsburg Prepared by: SEDA-Council of Governments Community Resource Center June 1, 2010

2 Overview The Town of Bloomsburg has acquired the former Streater Farm to provide enhanced recreational opportunities for its residents and residents of the region. The proposed Streater Park has the potential to become a major recreational destination in Columbia County and a hub in the evolving Susquehanna Greenway. Its prime location at the confluence of the North Branch Susquehanna River and Fishing Creek offers excellent educational and recreational opportunities. The park plan was developed through a participatory planning process, facilitated by the SEDA-COG Community Resource Center, involving municipal representatives, recreation and heritage advocates, and active members of the region s various youth and adult recreation leagues. The Streater Park master plan seeks to maintain a balance between developing recreational resources and preserving the site s heritage and scenic qualities. An ecologically sensitive park, the Streater Park design seeks to preserve the site s woodlands, improve biodiversity, control invasive plant species, stabilize soils and improve water quality to the benefit of the park, Fishing Creek, Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. Master Plan Elements Active Recreation A top priority for the Town of Bloomsburg, and the project advisory committee, is to accommodate active recreation and sports fields. The master plan allocates space for a softball field, a football field, a full-size soccer field, a U-12 field, two U-10 fields, and two U-8 fields. The number of fields and their layout was prioritized and created through collaboration and open dialogue with the local sports youth leagues. These fields, along with four picnic pavilions, a combination restroom/storage structure, and a playground are situated on top of a small bluff to help reduce flooding impacts. The picnic pavilions mimic the historic layout of the farmhouse, barns, and farm buildings and the design of these pavilion structures should reflect the look and feel for the former farm structures. Trails In addition to the variety of athletic sports fields, Streater Park will also develop several other recreational amenities. A 3,500 linear foot RiverWalk Nature Trail is a proposed primitive trail bordering the Susquehanna River and Fishing Creek, allowing visitors to access the water and providing scenic views of the creek and the river. The plan proposes an enhanced river access that will improve safety and provide vehicles with a less steep approach to the river, allowing for better parking and less erosion. Also a 600 linear foot North Branch Connection Trail will link the heart of Streater Park to the North Branch Canal Trail, a future regional trail connection that seeks to connect Bloomsburg, Catawissa, and Danville. Historical Interest Streater Park is known historically as Streater Farm, located on fertile soils at the confluence of the Susquehanna River s North Branch and Fishing Creek, both of which are important regional and state resources. The master plan incorporates the interpretation of the historic Flour Mill, remnants of the North Branch Pennsylvania

3 Canal and the Rupert Covered Bridge. With history and scenery being essential qualities of this site, areas of active recreation are located in such a way to minimize their visual impact and preserve the site s scenic and historic landscape. Interpretative signs will help visitors to uncover the site s fascinating history, and the foundation of the Flour Mill, race way, and canal aqueduct remnants will remain for interpretation and education. Park Features and Amenities Pond / Wetland Restoration This area will receive stormwater runoff from Streater Park as a whole. A boardwalk will enhance park visitor access and create opportunities for the park to be used as an outdoor classroom. Selected species for the open water area include water lilies (Nymphaea sp.) and several submerged plants; species used in the shallow marsh include sweet flag (Acorus calamus), Tussock sedge (Carex stricta), blue flag iris (Iris shrevei) and common arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia); plants for the shrub wetland include smooth alder (Alnus serrulata), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica). The pond and swales will remediate excess unfiltered and possibly contaminated runoff before it reaches the Susquehanna River (see Education, below). Grass, Swale, and Meadow Plantings The master plan includes a nod to native habitats and to the site s historical past through the use of a warm-season grass field and a grass-hay pasture. Suggested plant species for both the warm-season field and grass swales include grain barley (Hordeum vulgare), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). The grass-hay pasture will consist of cool-season grasses, clover, and alfalfa. Education Not only will Streater Park serve as a sports and recreational hub of the Bloomsburg area, it will also provide many opportunities for environmental and heritage education. Grass swales located throughout the park take runoff from the road and convey it to the pond with wetland enhancement plantings, filtering the water of nutrients and sediments before it reaches the river. Interpretive signage will be included to educate visitors on the site s history, specifically the Flour Mill, the Pennsylvania Canal, and the Rupert Covered Bridge. Connectivity Streater Park has the potential to be a hub on the evolving Susquehanna Greenway North Branch Canal Trail, connecting the park to Bloomsburg and to river towns further downriver. Recommended Project Phasing As the town of Bloomsburg begins to actively seek partners for the Streater Park project, it is recommended that the project be constructed and implemented in at least

4 two phases. The first phase of the project would include the southeastern corner of the site. This area includes the U-12, U-10, and two of the U-8 soccer fields, the football field, picnic pavilions, restroom, and playground, in addition to the wetland restoration pond and River Walk nature trail. The second phase would include the remaining site elements on the northwestern portion of the park. This phasing strategy is recommended because of the level of disturbance of the current site: the confluence area of waterways typically has a high probability of historical and cultural artifacts, and this site is no different. By beginning development in an area that has already been disturbed, potential conflicts the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission can be greatly reduced. Additionally the site offers gentle 2% slopes that are ideal for the construction of athletic facilities, requiring little earth moving. Again, this type of development has the potential to avoid any conflicts with possible historic or archeological sites within the Streater Park site. Conclusions The Streater Park Master Plan takes a community-centered approach to its design, specifically proposing solutions to issues addressed by community participants. This type of design often results in projects with much greater longevity and a greater sense of community ownership than those proposed entirely by landscape architects and planners. Streater Park is part of a larger regional vision of connectivity based on the Susquehanna River, and has the opportunity to serve as a central gathering and recreational park for citizens of Bloomsburg and the surrounding areas. The river has historically served as an important gathering place for many different human populations, and after the completion of Streater Park, it can become a social and cultural hub once again. Site Inventory and Analysis Acreage Upper Parcel: 1.85 Acres Canal Parcel: 3.45 Acres River Parcel: 5.12 Acres Farm Parcel: Acres Mill Parcel: 4.62 Acres Total Acreage: Acres Deed Restrictions, Easements, and Right of Ways that Limit Use The Streater Farm parcel is owned by the town of Bloomsburg. Bloomsburg has also acquired the Mill parcel and seeks to acquire the existing residential parcel. The railroad corridor is owned by SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority.

5 Environmental Issues Several invasive species have taken over areas along the riparian zone, primarily Japanese knotweed. However, the areas invaded by exotics are relatively limited and if addressed now could be controlled more easily. These plants will be targeted through an invasive plant removal program that will include removing invasives and planting native understory trees and shrubs to compete for their space. River and creek embankments have eroded due to a lack of native stabilizers. This will be combated through native riparian shrubs and trees. Floodplains 100 year floodplain on upper half of site Floodway along the Susquehanna River and Fishing Creek The 100-year floodplain covers the entire northeastern corner of the site up to a ridge that divides the property in half. The other half of property is in a floodway that surrounds the property on the Fishing Creek and Susquehanna River edges of the property.

6 Historic Features Historic Flour Mill (to be partially demolished leaving only the foundation Mill Raceway head race and tail race Remnants of a North Branch Canal aqueduct A fully restored covered bridge Abandoned railroad bridge and active railroad bridge Existing agricultural fields Village of Rupert North Branch Canal remnants including basin and towpath Location Streater Park is located on the extreme southwestern corner of the town of Bloomsburg and about ten miles east of Danville. The village of Rupert is directly east across Fishing Creek. The property is located within the ridge and valley physiographic region of Pennsylvania, which is dominated by large ridges and rolling valleys with numerous historic farms and small towns. The North Branch Susquehanna River borders the southern edge of the site. Riparian Buffers Riparian Buffers are present along the Susquehanna River and Fishing Creek. Both have a primarily silver maple-dominated forest community. The buffers are situated between Fort McClure Boulevard and the river and are somewhat uniform in depth. Site Access Fort McClure Boulevard is the only main road that passes the site. There are two farm lanes that once serviced the Streater Farm. The farm lanes will be reused for park access as well as parking, with the exception of one lane that will be removed and converted to a grass-hay pasture. Soil Types Tt Tioga silt loam Well drained prime farmland The following only cover a small percentage of the site: Cha Chenango silt loam Well drained prime farmland Ma Made Land (mostly fill, no horizon) Species of Special Concern Based on a PNDI search, there are no species of special concern present at the site.

7 Stormwater Drainage Features The Streater Site has visible drainage patterns that will be enhanced and stabilized with warm season grass swale systems to collect runoff. A series of swales will collect water and filter it as it proceeds to a main wetland area. The wetland will be constructed at an existing low point where water usually ponds year around. The wetland will have three distinct zones: open water zone, shallow marsh zone, and shrub wetland zone. Surrounding Land Uses The predominant land use around the Streater Site is Agricultural. The Bloomsburg Fairgrounds are northeast of the site and hold a fair in late summer, along with numerous smaller events and activities. The village of Rupert, across Fishing Creek, contains only a handful of houses. The Susquehanna River and opposite shoreline is predominantly forest with a few residential properties scattered throughout. Topographic Features Topography ranges from steep slopes around the canal basin to the north, mostly flat farmland on top of the ridge, the ridge leading to the lower agricultural fields which have a gently rolling topography, a steep slope along the roadway leading to the river, a flat terrace of land, and finally another steep slope ending at the river s edge. The topography follows this sequence from northeast to southeast with the steepest slopes near the river. Vegetation The riparian forest bordering the Susquehanna River and Fishing Creek is a tulip poplar and maple forest, while other forest lots on site consist of upland hardwood forest containing oak and maple. Agricultural land remains in production by a local tenant farmer as overseen by the Columbia County Conservation District. Ponds / Open Water A pond exists at the extreme southwestern corner of the farm where water is generally visible all or looks moist for most of the year. The pool is created by a visible drainage pattern that drains the farm fields. The farmer has traditionally farmed to the edge of the pond, so the habitat there is in poor condition. Wetlands The pond and pond edges are most likely wetlands, but no official wetland delineation has been performed. Also, the head and tail race areas are likely wetland areas as well.

8 Zoning The parcels are zoned under the town of Bloomsburg as residential-conservation for the bottom three quarters of land and zoned as industrial park for the northern quarter (due to its proximity to the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. Site Advantages The Streater Property contains many cultural resources relating to historic industry that once fueled the local economy. Additionally, several regional attractions such as the Bloomsburg Fair and the future North Branch Canal Trail which will connect several communities such as Danville, Catawissa, and Bloomsburg. Site Disadvantages The site periodically floods and is partially within the Susquehanna River floodway. The conceptual design responds to this reality by placing development within the 100-year floodplain area. Unsuitable Public Use Area The entire site will be accessible to the public. Special Environmental Protection The riparian buffer zone along Fishing Creek and the Susquehanna River need to remain intact to ensure future buffer zone protection. A small pond will be enhanced with native wetland plantings and buffers to protect it from harmful impacts from adjacent agricultural activities. Natural Drainage Courses A natural drainage system exists that creates a natural swale area along two sides of the property neighboring the creek and river. This will be enhanced with warm season grass swales that will filter nutrients and sediment and improve both water quality and wildlife habitat. High Quality Habitat Value The forested areas of the site are rich in plant and animal biodiversity. These areas will be preserved and enhanced. The site soil is considered prime agricultural soil that will be transitioned to a no-till, grass-hay pasture.

9 Neighborhood Compatibility Streater Park will mesh well and compliment neighboring uses. The Bloomsburg Fair and the General McClure House are two such resources. Together these resources and the proposed park will form a greenway hub along the North Branch Canal Trail.

10 On-Road Route to Streater Park Streater Park - Master Site Plan Off-Road Route to Streater Park The Town of Bloomsburg Feet No r th 0 Scale: 1 = 60 North Branch Canal Trail Master Site Plan Elements Existing Head Race (1) Softball Field (1) Football Field (1) Full Size Soccer Field (1) U-12 Soccer Fields (2) U-10 Soccer Fields or (4) U-8 Soccer Fields (2) U-8 Soccer Fields (1) Large Pavilion (3) Small Pavilions Restroom / Storage Structure Trail Head Kiosk (12) Interpretive Signs (30) Picnic Tables River Walk - Nature Trail - 3,500 L.F. North Branch Connection Trail L.F. Co Nor nv th er Bra to n ld ch Ra Ca ilr na oa l T d B rai Ac rid l tiv ge er ail ro ad 1.25 Acres North Branch Canal Trail to Catawissa and Danville t er e g d ri B d re e v o C p u R Pond / Wetland Restoration Area Acres Outdoor Classroom / Boardwalk Acres Grass Swales - 1,700 L.F. (13) Stone Water Catchments Warm Season Grasses Acres Loop Road (One-Way) - 2,010 L.F. Parking Spaces Trees (Loop Road and Trail) Trees Benches Bollards (4) s (1) Pedestrian Bridge (1) Park Sign / Entry Landscaping Mill Property Historic Warm-Season Meadow Pennsylvania > g r u b s m o lo B o t ail h Branch Canal Tr Nort North Branch Connection Trail Historic Flour Mill Foundation to Remain for Interpretation Trail Head Parking and Informational Kiosk Corridor Picnic Area Creek Overlook w/picnic Tables, Access to Fishing Creek Canal Softball Field 400 Soccer Field U-14 Existing Tail Race Full Size 210 x 360 Heritage Interpretation Area 4.5 Acres Historic PA Canal Aqueduct Remnants Soccer Fields U-8 Grass Swale in Warm-Season Grasses Emergency River Trail Access 75 x 105 Drop-Off Area Mature Oak Tree Views - Fishing Creek and Rupert Covered Bridge Tree Planting 45 on-center w/ Space for 4 Cars In-Between Restroom / Storage Football Field Creek Overlook - with Picnic Tables and Informal Seating Areas w/ Access to Fishing Creek Soccer Fields (1) U-10 (2) U-8 Picnic Pavilions Picnic Pavilions Streater Park - Exit Only w/ and Bollards 160 x 360 Soccer Field U-12 The Green One-Way Vehicular Circulation 210 x 300 Soccer Fields (1) U-10 (2) U-8 Playground Slope Habitat Enhancements in Existing Wet Areas w/ Warm Season Grasses Slope Grass Swale in Warm-Season Grasses Riparian Buffer Enhancements Invasive Plant Control and Native Tree and Shrub Plantings Ft. McClure Blvd (21 Paved Cartway) RiverWalk Trail - a Primative or Crushed Gravel Nature Trail along Fishing Creek Existing Farm Lane to be Removed Zone A Open Water Zone B Park Entrance with Sign, Tree, Shrub and Perennial Plantings, Bollards and Shallow Marsh Shrub Wetland Zone C Pond w/ Wetland Enhancement Plantings, Outdoor Classroom and Boardwalk Mature Sycamore Trees 7.5 Acres ure l C c rt M rd a v e l Bou Fo Emergency River Trail Access Susquehanna RiverWalk Trail a Primative or Crushed Gravel Trail along the River - Connecting River Overlooks and Informal Picnic and Seating Areas River Access - for Motorized and Non-Motorized Boats - w/ Improved Access and More Parking Views - Catawissa Railroad Bridge and Forested Ridge Streater Park Main Entrance River Overlook - with Picnic Tables and Informal Seating Areas w/ Access to the Susquehanna River