Body & Soul: Parks & the Health of Great Cities National Association for Olmsted Parks & City Parks Alliance Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy 22 September 2008 Sustaining Historic Public Landscapes Preservation & Sustainability for Our Shared Heritage To Enhance Quality of Life & Experience of Place Patricia M. O Donnell, FASLA, AICP, Principal Renewing Parks as Keystones of Livability City Identity Livability Linkages Connections Presence of Parks Quality of Experience Diverse Uses Use Conflicts Programs Park Maintenance Functionalities Basic Services Public Safety Perceived Security Historic Preservation Park Character Legacy & Uniqueness Adaptability & Innovation Aesthetics Sustainability Natural Resource s Conservation Ecological Stewardship Habitat Diversity Community Awareness Heighten Sense of Value Partnerships Volunteerism
Preservation Landscape Architects Partner with Stewards to: Safeguard Uniqueness Combat Homogeneity Enhance Functionalities Strengthen Support Broaden Recognition In Cities, Towns, Villages for: Parks, Open Spaces Woodlands, Wetlands Lakeshores, Riverfronts Boulevards, Parkways, Streets Neighborhoods Historic Preservation Treatment Alternatives: Preserve - Steward what you Inherit Rehabilitate - Respect with Current Use Restore - Recapture Authentically Reconstruct - Rebuild Accurately Question Can we Rehabilitate & Sustain?
Sustainability Practices & Preservation Life-Cycle Assessment, Carbon Footprint, Air Pollution Index, Urban Heat Island, etc. Vegetation existing/new trees Invasive species Pavement stone fines, gravel asphalt concrete Lighting night sky Cut-off Attention to Every Aspect/Feature of Landscape Character-defining feature - A prominent or distinctive aspect, quality or characteristic of a cultural landscape that contributes significantly to its physical character. Response to Natural Systems Land Uses, Cluster Patterns Spatial Organization & Views Topography, Natural & Human Shaped Vegetation, Land Cover Typology Circulation, Drives, Paths, Parking Water Features & Drainage Structures, Habitable or Not Site Furnishings & Objects Materials, Details
Pittsburgh Parks Planning & Implementation for Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Pittsburgh DPW, Foundations +30 project s of varying scopes & intensity 1999-2008 Community-Based Master Plan & Management Plan: Team Preservation Landscape Architect Regional Parks: Guide Maps, Pilot Project Estimates, Volunteer Work Guidance, Signage, Lighting & Bench Guidelines & Prototypes, PPC Parks Management Study Frick Park: Homewood Entry Rehabilitation, Environmental Education Center Study & Estimate Highland Park: Welcome Entry Fountain, Gardens, Urns, Paving, Swimming Pool Surrounds Riverview Park: Chapel Shelter Landscape, Plantings, Terrace, Accessible Paths Schenley Park: Visitor Center Window on the Park, Signage, Panther Hollow Watershed Plan Estimate, Panther Hollow Trails, Phipps Run Pools/Trail, Mary Schenley Fountain Area Redesign Mellon Park: Cultural Landscape Report & Master Plan, Stonework, Paths, Iron Fence, Paving Mellon Square: Preservation, Interpretation & Management Plan, Multi-Discipline Team Lead Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Membership Advocacy Planning Support Capital Projects Technical Assistance Training Support Leases/Concessions Events Fund-raising
PPC Pilot Project: Frick Park Entry Design, Education, Threshold of Park Riverview Park, PPC & Partners Clear Guidance Volunteers/Staff Erosion Control & Vegetation Manage -Student Conservation Association -City Partners in Parks -Corporate Parks Days
Signage & Wayfinding As Stewardship Engenders Visitor Understanding & Respect Schenley Window on the Park, Trails, Stormwater Integrated Landscape and Building Rehabilitation New Design & Repair of Existing Sustainability & Durability Focus
Schenley Park, Trails & Stormwater PPC/DPW Partnership Donor- Limited Budget Water Management Phipps Run Sustainability & Durability Focus Highland Park Welcome Entry Fountain & Garden Historical Analysis Change over time Rehabilitate Fountain Build new Gardens Custom Soils
Mellon Park Renaissance Garden Preservation/Repair Sparked by Vandalism Comprehensive Plan DPW & Private Foundation Funded Projects Achievable Components Impact of Combined Initiatives Emerging Donor Interest Mellon Square 1955, Modern Icon Preservation Granddaddy of green roofs Sparked by Degradation Comprehensive Plan Underway Private Foundation Funded Sustainable Future Vision
Louisville Friends of Olmsted Parks & Metro Parks Capital Projects Staff Initiatives Volunteer Efforts Linked Education Pilot Projects Priorities Phasing Funding Momentum Visibility Iroquois Knob- Balance of Historic, Scenic, Ecological, Functional, Sustainability & Recreational Values
Shelburne Farms Landscape Stewardship Plan Project Values LIMIT INTERVENTION- Target lowest level of intervention, repair rather than replace, rehabilitate rather than reconstruct, apply conservation and preservation ideals and approaches; HISTORICALLY APPROPRIATE- Keep historical appropriateness in mind, meet preservation standards while suiting contemporary and future needs (rehabilitation); HOLISTIC, SUSTAINABLE- Consider sustainability holistically, include resource conservation, historic preservation, ecology and green technology applications; ECONOMIC VALUE- Best economic return, match low costs to attaining project goals. SF Garden Renewal Relies on Stable Lake Edge- Winter 2007
Valley Forge George Washington s Headquarters 1777-1778 Winter Encampment Forged the Army Went on to Win Independence National Historical Park Today 3,000 acres Visitor Issues- Wayfinding Interpretation, Context, Story Poor Quality of Experience Valley Forge, GWHQ Existing Conditions Plan
Valley Forge, GWHQ Landscape Treatment Phase 1 Remove Center Road, Recapture Open Pasture Meadow Limitation of Disturbance Machinery Specifications Tree & Soil Protection Soil Tests, Amendments, Reuse Erosion Control Storm Water Management Virginia Capitol: Extension, Visitor Entry, Daylight, Green Roof Historic Master Plan Landscape Rehabilitation Historic Square Construction of Entry Addition Schematic & Design Development Sustainability Technical Solutions Construction Documents & VA Construction Administration
Virginia Capitol: sustainable design in historic setting Morris County Park Commission Targeting Excellence Landscapes, Staff, Partners
Sustainable Public Landscapes Historic, Cultural Landscapes are Valued Global Resources Conserving What We Inherit Sustaining Uniqueness Safeguarding Tangible & Intangible Values Sustainable Components of Cultural Landscape Renewal Reuse of a Place is Inherently Sustainable Containing Human Impacts Fostering Ecological Health of Water, Soils, Plants Choosing Materials based on Carbon Footprint Carbon Sequestering in Plants Sustainability Practices & Preservation Sustainability Protocols on Historic Properties Construction Practices, LEED/Sustainable Sites Elements Limit Disturbance Focus Impacts Specify Machinery Protect Trees & Soil Control Erosion Manage Storm Water Test/Amend/Reuse Soil Plant Bare Root Trees Construct Paths in Stabilized Gravel, Limit Concrete
Thank you. Questions? Stewarding heritage places to a vibrant future through holistic planning & design