Amherst Landfill: Envisioning Reuse (2008)

Amherst Landfill: Envisioning Reuse

Conway School of Landscape Design Kevin Adams and Sarah Bray Spring 2008 1

Amherst Landfill: Envisioning Reuse

Conway School of Landscape Design Kevin Adams and Sarah Bray Spring 2008

2

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

Amherst Landfill: Envisioning Reuse

Conway School of Landscape Design Kevin Adams and Sarah Bray Spring 2008 3

Table of Contents Executive Summary

1

Goals

2

Regional Context

3

Horizontal Complexity

4

Vertical Complexity

5

Analysis

6

Summary Analysis

9

DPW Context

10

Ecological Context

12

Community Context

14

Case Studies

16

Alternative 1: DPW Dominates

18

Alternative 2: Wildlife Recreation

20

Alternative 3: Regional Destination

22

Alternative 4: The Belchertown Road Split

24

Final Proposed Plan

26

Detail 1 : DPW Combined

28

Detail 2: Passive Recreation

29

Detail 3: Office Park

30

Detail 4: Truck Park

31

Detail 5: Active Recreation

32

Cost Estimates

33

The mission of the Conway School of Landscape Design is to explore, develop, practice, and teach design of the land that is ecologically and socially sustainable.

Executive Summary The town of Amherst has the unique opportunity to re-use its former landfill. DEP approval is pending for sections of the landfill, and the planning process has begun. This report provides five alternatives that envision reusing the Amherst Landfill with the view that eventually both the Landfill’s old section, which sits south of Belchertown Road, and its new section to the north of the road, will someday be ready for reuse. The final proposal creates a plan that accommodates many of the landfills different users, such as the Department of Public Works (DPW), the community, and wildlife. It creates a park with multiple functions interwoven with the department’s uses. The final plan includes the DPW request for a snow dump, compost, vehicle storage areas, and new headquarters. The new headquarters features solar and wind power, and a green-roof.

The proposal accommodates community functions including soccer fields, nature trails, a running track, a dog park, a sculpture garden, and a site for community partnering. Wildlife habitat areas are set aside, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy nature.

would like to move its headquarters from its present location on the Fort River to the most appropriate site at the landfill. At its present location, the department lacks space for all its vehicles and is concerned about contamination from that location into the Fort River watershed. DPW is exploring alternatives to its current snow dump and composting locations at the landfill.

The department is also interested in the feasibility of various active and passive recreation uses on the landfill, such as athletic fields and dog parks.

The DPW, however, is not the only group interested in reusing the Amherst Landfill. Wildlife are appropriating the old and the new site, where birds can be heard both on the landfill’s grassy mounds and along its extensive woodland and wetland edges. Just beyond the landfill’s borders lies a neighborhood, where development in recent years has created a section of Amherst without a park. Just beyond this neighborhood lies the town center of Amherst, a community of nationally known educational and cultural institutions that is always open to opportunities to enhance its cultural and economic assets.

The Amherst Landfill is not a typical green or even brownfield ready for reuse. Covered in 4 to 17 acre patches of different functions and waste histories, it is a place where special measures must be taken to deal with leachate and methane, where any water infiltration is a concern, and where clay caps must be respected. These caps limit where structures and woody vegetation can be placed. The Amherst Landfill is also a site of many opportunities. It is mostly an open grassy area in a region covered in woodlands; it has beautiful views of the Mt. Holyoke Range; and its mounds are unusual topographical features.

The town and residents of Amherst have many hopes and concerns. They hope for adequate recreation facilities and are concerned about the rate at which current facilities are being lost to development.

Dedicated to land conservation, they hope to increase their town’s conservation areas and are concerned about declining habitat for rare species. A town of many trails, they hope to expand this network, and as expressed in the 2007 Draft OSRP, they are particularly concerned about the section of the Robert Frost Trail at the landfill site, which runs along the shoulder of Belchertown Road before crossing into the old half of the landfill.

The Amherst Department of Public Works (DPW) has requested proposals for reuse. However, DPW is interested in schemes that propose uses for both the old and new halves of the landfill. The department

This report will aid in the process of discovering the best fit between the landfill and the hopes and concerns of its potential users.

Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

Executive Summary

1 1

Project Scope: The Department of Public Works in Amherst has asked the Conway School of Landscape Design to deliver a feasibility report for the potential reuse of its landfill site, located on Belchertown Road. The aim of this document is to best utilize the entire site for the DPW, wildlife, and the community and to test feasible alternatives for different potential users.

DPW

Wildlife

Community

Project goals

Fall under three user categories.

Wildlife are currently using both the Old and New Landfills. A fox and several bird species including vultures, kingbirds, red-winged blackbirds have been sighted. Because the landfill is monitored by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and because the Amherst community are outdoor enthusiasts environmental stewardship is an important part of these goals: • Enhance Habitats • Improve Nature Trails The Community is using the new landfill for a transfer station and hiking and the old landfill for other recreation such as kite flying, dog walking, tree-house building, and trail hiking. Assessing the community needs that can be met at the landfill site is also part of the DPW’s goals for the landfill’s future reuse. However, as requested by the DPW, no community meetings were included in this process.

All information gathering has been based on existing community meeting minutes, the Amherst OSRP Draft, the 2007 Amherst Master Plan, and the information included in the DPW’s Request for Proposal for reuse. Based on sources, community goals are: • Enhance Passive Recreation Uses • Create Active Recreation Fields • Site a Dog Park The Department of Public Works is presently using the New Landfill for a waste transfer station and the Old Landfill for a snow dump. Its hope in the future is to consolidate its operations to the landfill. Assessing DPW potential use of the landfill site is the third part of the goals: • Site a new DPW office building • Site a new compost station • Site a new snow dump

Goals 2 2

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

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Image Courtesy of Amherst GIS. File date: September 27, 2006

The Amherst landfill site lies two and one half miles southeast of Amherst town center. Divided by Belchertown Road, it is a complex site with multiple functions and many constraints. Both the northeastern and southwestern halves of this site include capped and vegetated landfills with forested perimeters. The sites are easily accessible by car or public bus, but not by foot, unless hiking on the Robert Frost Trail (shown in purple), which runs north to south along the edges of the site.

Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

Regional Context

3

Amherst Landfill is horizontally complex The site is divided into distinct areas of different acreages, waste histories, and functions. Eight of these areas have been designated by the DPW, other areas have no designation, including wide strips of vegetation, large pockets of exposed earth, and extensive stretches of wetland habitat.

Area 4:

New Landfill

Recent Landfill,

The northeastern half of the site consists of approximately 45 acres and houses the current waste transfer station, landfill gas vents, methane flares, and an active landfill gas collection system. This site was capped in 2002, and it will be several years before it is ready for adaptive reuse according to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

7.5 ac.

Wetland Habitat 8.5 ac.

Area 3:

Recent Landfill with Gas collection system, 13 ac.

Area 1:

Transfer Station, 4.5 ac.

Area 2:

Recent Landfill, 6.5 ac.

Area 5:

Municipal Solid Waste

Borrow

Site, 13 ac.

Belchertown Road

Pit, 4.5 ac

Area 6: Stump Dump, 5 ac.

Wetland

Area 7:

Habitat, 7 ac.

Auto Salvage Yard, 17 ac.

Area 8: Borrow Pit, 4 ac.

Vegetated Areas Exposed Earth DEP Reuse Approved Other Landfill Areas Asphalt Area

Horizontal Complexity 4

Old Landfill The southeastern half of the site consists of approximately 50 acres that formerly served as the municipal solid waste landfill, a stump dump, an old auto salvage yard, and an open borrow pit. This site was capped in the 1980s and may be ready for active public reuse.

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

Amherst Landfill is vertically complex This site has an industrial construction below and above ground that is unique only to landfills.

Methane Gas Flare Methane Gas Flare

Typical cross section of a landfill

How the natural processes interact with the industrial construction of a landfill When water comes in contact with waste material, the resulting effluents are leachates. This material contains ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations that can contaminate groundwater. Therefore special measures must be taken to prevent this contamination, and all Massachusetts landfills currently are required by the DEP to be lined and equipped with a leachate collection system. Because the Old Landfill site started receiving waste in the 1930s, this landfill is unlined, but it contains a continuous impervious clay cap constructed in 1986. The New Landfill is both capped and lined in proper compliance with the DEP. The cap is at least 24 inches thick in almost all areas, with generally a 6-inch-thick impermeable layer of topsoil. (Source: DEP interim CSA permit review, 2007) If this cap or liner is penetrated, leachates can escape and cause contamination. Therefore, subterranean construction (like building a basement) that requires cap modification is limited. (Source: www.mass.gov/de/recycle/laws/310cmr19.htm) Methane produced from decomposing organic matter is also collected and burned at the Amherst site. Area 3 on the new site has an active gas collection system and a gas flare is located just to the east of the transfer station. Area 4 has several passive landfill vents and candle stick flares.

From creation to closure, specific engineering requirements of the landfill, cap, liner, grading, collection systems etc. must be in compliance with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection 310 CMR 19.000.

Using microorganisms A methane-eating microorganism has been discovered in a Tikitere (Rotorua, New Zealand) geothermal field, called Hellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gate (pictured above).

Scientists knew methane was being produced but not reaching the surface and discovered that it was being consumed by a microorganism.

This bacteria lives in hot, acidic environments and scientists have speculated that it could be introduced to landfill sites to curb emissions.

(Source: The New Zealand Herald; Nov.. 23rd, 2007)

Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

Vertical Complexity

5

Analysis

The following analyses are relevant to this site and will be addressed in following pages: • Legal Constraints • Buildable Areas • Hydrology • High points and Low points and Views • Access and Circulation • Vegetation

Legal/Environmental Constraint The landfill is monitored by the Department of Environmental Protection. The DPW is responsible for all maintenance of the site in addition to any potential legal, public, or ecological health concerns regarding the landfill, presented to them by the DEP or the community.

Before reusing the site, the Town of Amherst must apply to the DEP for a post-closure use permit that complies with the requirements of 310 CMR 19.143, including proper closure, and clean monitoring reports.

Gas collection systems on the new landfill mounds

Landfills must be monitored and maintained for at least 30 years post closure (the old landfill has now been closed for 22 year, the new landfill for about six.

As a landfill settles (i.e. compresses), it produces gases and leachates. The DEP conducts comprehensive site assessments which includes receiving data from groundwater monitoring wells, surface water samples, sediment samples, and ambient air quality readings.

Current DPW truck barn and shop to be resited.

Buildable Area Buildable areas are limited to areas which are not on the cap, with the exception of one area on the old landfill which is the site of an old stump dump (l), where penetrating and modifying the cap is less of a concern.

Though the DPW is exempt from water setback laws, they have been noted and observed when possible to respect the maintenance of ecological integrity.

New Site

Old Site

l

N Analysis 6

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

Standing water on old landfill

Hydrology Water infiltration on a landfill is not desirable due to concerns about groundwater contamination.

Water pooling on caps is also not desirable. On the new landfill, the capped mounds are designed so that water runs off, into swales along the mound edges. The old landfill lacks swales and three areas demonstrate pooling likely due to winter snow dumping. Ploughed snow can contain salt, sand, and other road contaminants, which run off into ponds and wetlands. Therefore, future snow dumping should not be located near proposed or existing sensitive areas.

Ground water is of particular concern in a landfill because leachates can potentially reach and contaminate this water supply.

Groundwater monitoring reports from the DEPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comprehensive site assessment states that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are â&#x20AC;&#x153;generally non-detectable,â&#x20AC;? other contaminants exist only as trace amounts, and levels of metals were only slightly elevated. The DEP has approved the old landfill site for reuse.

New Site View of Mount Holyoke Range from new landfill

High Points, Low Points, and Views

Old Site

The nature of the mounded topography and the openness of the site create attractive views, especially looking south to the Mt.. Holyoke Range. These views provide visitors with a rewarding experience, unique to this site.

N Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

Analysis 7

Access and Circulation

A

The landfill site is separated by Belchertown Road/Rte. 9 (A), which is a busy road with no sidewalks. It is dangerous for both pedestrians and wildlife to cross. The Robert Frost Trail (B) runs along the edges, through rich habitat (based on the number of observed plant and animal species). The condition of the trail is in disrepair, and entrances are difficult to negotiate. Cars are turning into the transfer station at this point as well, adding to the congestion. This intersection is in need of redesign to alleviate some of this problem.

New Site B

Old Site

The road around the perimeter of the new landfill is used by DPW vehicles.

Construction roads on the old landfill are also used by DPW vehicles. These roads can be potential access roads when the site is developed.

N

Entrance to Robert Frost Trail on Belchertown Rd.

l Trees growing on the edge of the cap.

Vegetation Mounds are maintained as mowed meadow to protect the caps from tree root penetration. However, one part of the cap has 30â&#x20AC;&#x2122; trees growing on the edge (shown above). Studies from Fresh Kills Landfill show that trees can in fact grow (or be planted) on caps, and the roots grow laterally (where the good soil is) not vertically, and do not penetrate the clay liner. Thus, trees could potentially be planted in select areas of the new plan.

Several areas around the capped mounds are not vegetated and topsoil has been removed (all areas with bare earth are borrow pits), therefore making it difficult to revegetate in the future without soil remediation.

Areas surrounding the meadow are forested with both conifers and deciduous trees and pleasant to walk through.

Analysis 8

New Site

l

Old Site

N Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

New Site

Old Site

l

N

Summary Analysis • Legal restrictions dictate the timing of construction and reuse • High points create vistas • Water infiltration should occur where appropriate (i.e. not on mounds but around them) • New buildings should be on areas around the caps and / or on the old stump dump • The Robert Frost Trail needs to be taken off of Belchertown Road • Woody vegetation enhancement is limited to areas where subterranean material is less of a concern.

The landfill mounds are the drivers for all of the analysis.

Their shape dictates views, as well as drainage, and their vertical complexity dictates what can be built on or around them.

Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

Natural forest succession has been held back, just as public use has been held back until the areas are deemed safe by the Department of Environmental Protection, so the area has received minimal use in the last 20 years.

Opportunities for the site’s revitalization lies in the large outdoor spaces that are tucked around these mounds, and the public’s already evident enjoyment of the site’s openness.

With better access and circulation, and utilization of the buildable areas, the Amherst Landfill will become an asset to the community. In addition, having one side (the new landfill) as more industrial and the other side (the old landfill) more open, serves multiple functions.

Summary Analysis 9

Department of Public Works Current Conditions

Employees and Vehicles The current location of the DPW is 586 South Pleasant Street, one mile south of Amherst center. DPW operates 43 trucks and has 62 employees. Housed in a onehundred-year-old historic trolley car barn, the current facility does not have room for its entire fleet of vehicles or for employee expansion. DPW expects employee growth to be 20% over the next few decades. Only half of the current vehicles have space inside the current truck barn and there is no room for additional employee offices.

Most DPW Employees spend more time with their vehicles than in the DPW offices.

Other Space Requirements Surrounding the current truck and employee facility is roughly 125,000 square feet of impervious surfaces. In addition to the building, this area includes space for the roughly 20 vehicles unable to fit inside the barn; a water department storage facility of 2,000 square feet; a round salt shed of 3,000 square feet; 45 automobile parking spaces including one handicap spot; and a large area for equipment storage that runs along the back end of the lot.

If the overall space were to be organized more efficiently DPW believes the total lot square footage to be adequate even with a building expansion. However, the current outdoor truck parking would need to be accommodated in a new truck facility.

Storage facilities are insufficient at the current DPW site at 586 S. Pleasant Street.

Exposed 100-Foot Industrial Storage River Buffer

Current Amherst DPW

Fort River Salt Shed

Truck Barn

A

0’

A’

FIGURE 1: Current DPW Site

DPW Context 10

50’

100’

Back Fence

River Bank

FIGURE 2: Section of Current DPW Backlot

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

Drainage Concerns The heavy industrial uses of the current DPW site sit on the edge of the Fort River. The risk of river contamination is higher the closer one sits to a riverfront.

Although they are exempt from riverfront buffer requirements and their is no evidence of contamination, DPW values environmental stewardship and is concerned about drainage from their current site into this watershed.

Drainage from DPW Back Lot

Contamination Concerns If the DPWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current home is impacting the river it could be from the piles of industrial equipment located along the back of the lot. This equipment presently sits entirely within the 100 foot riverfront buffer.

Additionally, salt water runoff cuts across the vehicle parking lot as it heads into the watershed. Located on the site is a diesel fuel facility for DPW vehicles.

When no longer in use, fuel tank sites usually become brown-fields. If the DPW were to relocate, since it may cause contamination from its fuel tanks, salt shed, and industrial equipment, relocating to an undisturbed site would not be preferable.

Exposed DPW Storage

DPW Context Summary The current DPW site does not accommodate all its vehicles, nor does it have room for employee expansion. Directly located on the Fort River and partially in the riverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s buffer zone the current site may pose greater contamination risks to the watershed than locations further away. Relocating the headquarters to the landfill, a heavily disturbed site not directly located on the river, and a site which DPW already owns and must manage in perpetuity, has many merits.

Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

11

Source: Microsoft, maps.live.com

Ecological Context Amherst Rare Species Opportunities There are several species of concern in Amherst including birds, clams, and amphibians. (See Figure A.) Five out of eight of the rare bird species listed in Amherst are grassland species. As an 80-plus-acre site of mostly open grassy land, the Amherst landfill has been designated by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage Atlas as a priority habitat for birds who require areas of 75 acres or more for breeding habitat. In a region of forest and small openings, these birds have been in decline. Birds requiring large grasslands on the Massachusetts priority list include grasshopper sparrow, upland sandpiper, and northern harrier. A large single-owner parcel of over 80 acres, the landfill may be able to provide needed breeding habitat for these grassland species.

Constraints An analysis of the land currently available for grassland on the site, however, indicates that the Amherst landfill, while a large parcel, is barely large enough or may not be large enough to successfully attract birds who require large grasslands to breed.

Additionally, the site is currently home to a busy transfer station and sliced in two by Belchertown Road. This may not be a concern, as many busy sites such as airports are home to rare bird species.

However, airports tend to be much larger sites. Coupled with the limited acreage, the road, and other human activities on or near the site, the site’s ability to support birds who require large grassland habitats may be limited. Still, the entire site or sections of it could easily be managed for bird species who do not require grasslands over 75 acres to breed. These species, such as the savannah sparrow, eastern meadowlark, and bobolink are flourishing in Amherst due to the town’s current conservation and Agricultural Preservation Restrictions (APR) programs.

Amherst Conservation: Opportunities The town of Amherst actively promotes large habitat

Ecological Context 12

Amherst Landfill: Grassland, Woodland, and Wetland

corridors in its five-year open space and recreation plan. The APR program protects 1,841 acres, just over 10% of the town’s land area. Additionally, there are many trail networks in the town for residents to enjoy these conservation assets.

The Robert Frost Trail, for example, stretches the length of the Amherst Landfill. Opportunities exist to turn the landfill into a large node in the town’s conservation program.

The landfill also has abundant ecotones, habitat where two ecosystems such as woodland and grassland meet. Ecotones are believed to have more variety of species. Preserving the landfill’s ecotones could add a valuable type of habitat to Amherst’s conservation program.

Constraints While the landfill site could provide a new corridor, perhaps along the Robert Frost Trail, it would be a tenuous connection to other habitats since the landfill is surrounded on three sides by residential uses, which threaten migratory species with constant human presence, heavy automobile traffic, and predatory pets. The Amherst landfill is not in a priority corridor area listed in the OSRP. Finally the busy Belchertown Road, (Route 9) running east from the town center, bisects the site, creating problems for animals (as well as people) crossing the road. If Amherst hopes to create more grassland bird habitat for sandpipers or grasshopper sparrows, species who require grasslands above 75 acres for breeding, perhaps a better strategy would be to work within the APR program to manage for these species on contiguous, but not necessarily single-owner, hay fields.

Summary: The landfill provides opportunities for species habitat, especially for small grassland birds. There may also be opportunities to connect the site’s woods, water, and fields to Amherst’s conservation areas. Additionally, The Robert Frost Trail could serve as a conservation link as well as a recreation asset. If more active human uses are proposed for the landfill such as snow dumps and soccer fields, their compatibility with the trail as well as wildlife should be assessed. If active recreation uses conflict with species habitat and the trail, there are fortunately many passive recreation uses that are more compatible including walking narrative nature trails or bird watching.

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

Group Scientific Name Common Name Amphibian Ambystoma laterale Blue-spotted Salamander Amphibian Hemidactylium scutatum Four-toed Salamander Beetle Cincinedela Purpurea Purple Tiger Beetle Bird Podilymbus podiceps Pied-billed Grebe Bird Circus cyaneus Northern Harrier Bird Accipiter striatus Sharp-shinned Hawk Bird Falco perefrinus Peregrine Falcon Bird Bartramia longicauda Upland Sandpiper Bird Pooecetes gramineus Vesper Sparrow Bird Ammodramus savannarum Grashopper Sparrow Bird Ammodramus henslowii Henslowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sparrow Butterfly/Moth Apodrepanulatrix liberaria New Jersey Tea Inchworm Butterfly/Moth Cingilia catenaria Chain Dot Geometer Butterfly/Moth Eacles Imperialis Imperial Moth Dragonfly Gomphus ventricosus Skillet Clubtail Dragonfly Ophiogomphus asperses Brook Snaketail Dragonfly Stylurus amnicola Riverine Clubtail Dragonfly Stylurus scudderi Zebra Clubtail Fish Notropis bifrenatus Bridle Shiner Mussel Alasmidonta heterodon Dwarf Wedgemussel Mussel Alasmdonta undulate Triangle Floater Mussel Ligumia nasuta Eastern Pondmussel Mussel Strophitus undulates Creeper Reptile Glyptemys insculpta Wood Turtle Reptile Terrapene carolina Eastern Box Turtle Source: Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) and Federal Status Rare Specieis

Status Special Concern Special Concern Special Concern Endangered Threatened Special Concern Endangered Endangered Threatened Threatened Endangered Endangered Special Concern Threatened Special Concern Special Concern Endangered Endangered Special Concern Endangered Special Concern Special Concern Special Concern Special Concern Special Concern

Conservation Area, Amherst, MA

FIGURE A: Rare and Endangered Species in Amherst

New Landfill Transfer Station Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 New Borrow Pit Wetland Area Old Landfill Area 5 Area 6 Area 7 Old Borrow Pit Wetland Area

Total Acres 45.0 4.5 6.5 13.0 7.5 5.0 8.5 47.5 13.0 5.0 18.5 4.0 7.0

Grassy Acres 27.5 0.5 6.5 13.0 7.5 0.0 0.0 36.5 13.0 5.0 18.5 0.0 0.0

FIGURE B: Amherst Landfill Grassy Acres

Conservation Areas

FIGURE C: Amherst Conservation Areas Mount Holyoke Range, seen from Amherst Landfill Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

13

FIGURE E: Amherst Parks By Type Amherst Recreation Fields COMMUNITY FIELD CROCKER FARM EAST STREET SCHOOL FORT RIVER GROFF PARK KIWANIS MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 MILL RIVER PLUMBROOK FIELDS WILDWOOD

High School Fields Elementary School Across from Fort River Elementary School Park Park Middle School Park Fields Elementary School

Community Context

Softball, Baseball, Football Softball, Baseball, Soccer Soccer, Softball Softball, Baseball, Ultimate, Soccer Softball, Baseball, Ultimate, Soccer, Football, Lacrosse Softball, Baseball, Ultimate, Soccer Soccer, Softball, Ultimate, Baseball, Lacrosse Baseball Soccer, Ultimate Soccer, Softball, Ultimate

Source: Town of Amherst

FIGURE D: Amherst Parks

Park Needs In 2000, there were 34,874 residents in Amherst, and based on buildable land analysis the town estimates that number could increase to roughly 43,000 residents, a 25% increase in population.

Also, since Amherst is a community with multiple institutions of higher learning, half of those residents are between the ages of 18 and 24.

(Source: US Census Bureau) For years, Amherst shared the recreation fields at local colleges and universities. However, in recent years, as the University of Massachusetts has entered a phase of extensive facilities expansion, the number of fields available not just to the student population but to the entire community has decreased. According to the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2007 draft OSRP, conflicts are now occurring between sports organizers jockeying for the remaining fields.

Figure D indicates in yellow the location of current parks of all types in Amherst. Figure E is a list of those fields by recreation type. Atypical in this list is the number of fields dedicated to soccer and ultimate frisbee. These sports are especially in demand in Amherst due to its youthful demographics.

Relation of Population to Parks Figure G shows 1/2 and 1/4 mile population nodes in relation to parks. Village centers are named. There are no parks outside the central population corridor which stretches in pink from Cushman to Atkins Corners. Moreover, an emerging population node is forming just to the northwest of the landfill site. A new park at the landfill could serve this developing area.

Other Recreation Needs Multipurpose active recreation fields, however, are not the only type of recreation in which the community has expressed interest. There is also a growing need for dog parks, according to the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s draft 2007 OSRP. Currently there is no dog park in Amherst. In 2007 alone, dog licenses increased by 8.75%. (Source: town of Amherst)

Community Context 14

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

Other park needs include nature-related recreation, in which the town also expressed interest in the 2007 Draft OSRP. Additionally, Amherst has a demonstrated interest in land conservation. (See Figure B, page 15) Passive recreation activities such as nature watching and hiking are also likely popular in a community with such a strong land ethic. An example of this ethic is the extensive network of trails fanning across the community. The Robert Frost Trail running north to south along the edges of the Amherst Landfill connects the site to this extensive trail network.

More than most communities, however, Amherst also has the possibility to create partnerships with its many educational and cultural institutions and help them with their many recreational needs. These institutions make the town not just a regionally known destination but also a town of national recognition. According to the draft OSRP, tourism related to these institutions is a significant contributor to the community’s economy.

Some of Amherst’s major educational and cultural institutions include the following: • The University of Massachusetts • The Emily Dickinson Museum • Amherst College • The Amherst College Museum of Natural History • The National Yiddish Book Center • Hampshire College Any addition to the town’s parks and other recreational and cultural facilities that partners with these institutions will only make the town a more robust cultural and educational center.

FIGURE F: Amherst Population in 2000

8%

3%

10% Young Children (under 5) School-age Children (6-17) Young Adults (18-24) Adults (25-61)

29%

Source: US Census Bureau 2000 Census

FIGURE G: Amherst Parks and Population Centers Population Corridor

Cushman

Recreation Area

Summary: Amherst currently has nearly 35,000 residents. Whether or not population increases, there is a need for more recreational facilities. Available recreation space has been decreasing as fields formerly shared have been converted to other uses. Additionally, passive recreation needs have not been sufficiently met such as dog parks for the rising number of dog owners. Amherst is a community with so many prominent educational and cultural institutions, that adding new recreational facilities creates an opportunity to partner with the community’s cultural and educational business entities.

Seniors (62 and over)

50%

North Amherstt

1/2 Mile Radius

East Ea E Amherst A

Population Node 1/4 Mile Radius Amherst m Center e

Rome Village

Amherst Landfill 0

Nh

Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

South Common Commo o

1 Mile Atkins Corner

15

Creative Landfill and Large Brownfields Re-use Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, Australia More than one quarter of this 1,877-acre site was severely contaminated between 1954-1974, when its previous owner, Petroleum and Chemical Corporation Australia Limited, processed crude oil and dumped the by-products directly into a lagoon. As a result, environmental assessments in the 1990s showed that not only was the now-buried lagoon severely contaminated, it was also contaminating a nearby river.

Actions were taken to contain the contaminated material and bioremediation mitigated the damage. This example demonstrates that even a severely degraded site can be restored for reuse. (Source: Contamination Assessment and Bioremediation at Wilson Park) Sydney Olympic Park

Hiriya, Tel Aviv, Israel

Soda Seat and Bottle Arch, Hiriya Park

Hiriya landfill closed in 1999. It has recently been transformed into the centerpiece of a 2,000-acre urban wildlife park. Like the Amherst Landfill site, a transfer station sits on the edge of its capped mounds.

It was not moved, but rather screened with innovative fountains called water curtains, from a reception center for park visitors. The reception center’s furnishings are made of recycled plastic. A recycling plant is also situated at the base of the landfill park, where gravel and dry organic matter are processed. On the top of the mounds are trash sculptures as well as vegetated areas, of grass, trees, and a small cafe. Park benches will be made from crushed soda cans.

(Source: Landscape Architecture, March, 2008)

Stockley Park, London, UK In the 19th century, Stockley clay was excavated to manufacture bricks. In the 20th century, the resulting large pits were filled with rubbish, creating noxious odors and ground water contamination. In the 1980s, the rubbish was excavated from half the site and placed under a new capped mound. The excavated area was developed as the Stockley office park and the new landfill was covered in trees. European research suggests that tree roots do not penetrate capped mounds. British researchers claim that “A wellengineered cap is like concrete with a pH of 2.5.” and that “no self respecting root would want to go into that.”

(Source: Forest Ecology and Management, July 2004)

Office Park Section of Stockley Park

Case Studies

16

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

Fresh Kills, Staten Island, NY Fresh Kills is a 2000 acre landfill site. Visible from space, it has being planned as a massive outdoor recreation area for the entire New York Metropolitan region to be completed by spring, 2009. In preparation for this transformation, Rutgers University has been conducting landfill vegetation research since the late 1980s, including grass-seeding techniques, wildlife habitat creation techniques via avian dispersers (birds), and tree-seeding techniques. Rutgers tree studies indicate no tree root penetration of landfill caps after several years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A tap-rooted tree when entering a clay cap will divide into fifteen different roots and spread laterally.â&#x20AC;? (Source: Restoration Ecology, Volume 5, June 1997)

Wildlife Recreation, Fresh Kills Park

Danehy Park, Cambridge MA Closer to home Danehy, Park is a former 50-acre city landfill site, closed to dumping in the 1970s. Though this town has also installed several recreational fields, it took an innovative risk by building a wetland. Normally, standing water is of concern on a landfill, but special circumstances made this wetland possible. When the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority used the site as a staging area during a tunnel excavation, additional fill was placed over the refuse, further compacting the landfill refuse. After the addition of a clay liner, concerns about groundwater contamination were eased, and the wetland was created. Today, many different kinds of wildlife have taken up residence in this improved site.

(Source: Danehy Park Brochure) Kestrel and Lacrosse, Danehy Park

Summary Communities around the world are adapting their landfill sites for a myriad of creative uses. There are many myths about what can and cannot be put on a landfill cap. Landfills have been forested or adapted to include structures on the caps. Amherst can draw from these many case studies.

Improvised Sculpture Garden, Amherst Landfill Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

17

Alternative 1: DPW Dominates Area 4: Recent Landfill

New Site

Area 3: Recent Landfill

Wetland Habitat

Area 1: Transfer Station

Assumptions: Area 2: Recent Landfill

Area 5: MSW Area 6: Stump Dump Area 7: Auto Salvage Pomeroy Pond Area 8: Borrow Pit

Amherst Landfill Key

In Alternative 1, DPW use dominates, lining both sides of Belchertown Road. Community uses occur on the old site only and no special accommodation is made for wildlife.

Borrow Pit Belchertown Road

This scheme can be implemented earlier than the other schemes, since all public uses and new DPW buildings are located on the new site. Alternative 1 also assumes that the DEP is only likely to approve public use on the old sites’s areas 6, 7, and 8.

Arguments For: Old Site

• Current DPW headquarters moved: To remedy the ecological concerns on the current DPW site, the old stump dump becomes a new DPW home because of its level space and solar access. Both the developable locations on the new site would require either reconfiguring the transfer station or creating access off Belchertown Road.

• Shared parking: If the old site is used for a DPW headquarters, a shared parking scheme with the proposed recreation fields sited behind the building is possible, thus limiting impervious surfaces.

• Ready to go: The DEP has already approved reuse of areas 7 and 8 on the old site and Amherst has zoned this area for commercial use.

• Provides needed recreation space: Amherst’s park needs are met, especially for the emerging neighborhoods one-half mile to the west of the landfill.

Arguments Against • DPW gets most buildable area: The full community potential of the site is not realized as the most buildable area, the old stump dump, is the new DPW headquarters • Habitat potential unrealized: New habitat opportunities through new grass management schemes are not realized on the landfill mounds. The possibility of adding to Amherst’s conservation lands is also lost.

• Recreation accessed through DPW uses: Conflicts with the community may emerge since the site will become more industrial and park goers must pass heavy industrial DPW uses to access the new recreation facilities.

Current Amherst salt barn

Current DPW Headquarters on S. Pleasant St.

Alternative 1 18

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

Alternative 1: DPW Dominates •A The DPW snow dump remains on the old site and a second snow dump site is on area 2 next to the transfer station.

•B A new headquarters, complete with out-buildings, truck space, and extensive parking is added to the developable parcel on the old site, the stump dump location close to Belchertown Road.

•C At the new site, the landfill mounds are still mowed by the DPW; however, no other use is proposed. The new site’s borrow pit continues as a granite dumping ground, and compost windrows sit next to the transfer station where the DPW currently plans to put them.

•D To remove hikers from the road, the Robert Frost Trail is rerouted through the woods behind the compost.

•E All recreational uses are on the old site tucked behind the DPW headquarters, including two potential dog parks, one in the borrow pit and one on the edge of area 5, and a space for at least four soccer fields, which takes advantage of the flat and sunny area 7.

•F These recreation uses share a large parking lot with the DPW near Belchertown Road. Smaller lots sit in the space between areas 5 and 7, where full grown trees currently stand, suggesting small parking lots and toilet facilities could be accommodated here.

Robert Frost Trail North Entrance

Wetland Wildlife Area

C Mowed DPW Area (no special use)

Rerouted Trail D

C Compost Transfer Station A Potential Snow Dump

A

Potential Snow Dump

C Current Granite Graveyard Wetland Wildlife Area

E Potential Dog Park

F

F

Shared Parking B

Small Parking Lots and Toilet Facilities

New DPW Headquarters, 32,000 sq ft., plus three out buildings Foot paths

E Soccer Fields Wetland Wildlife Area

Robert Frost Trail Vegetated Buffers Vehicle Circulation

E

Potential Dog Park

Parking Areas Access Point Buildings

0 ft..

500

Community Use Area Robert Frost Trail South Entrance

Wildlife Use Area DPW Use Area

Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

N 19

Alternative 2 Area 4: Recent Landfill

New Site

Area 3: Recent Landfill

Wetland Habitat

Area 1: Transfer Station Area 2: Recent Landfill Area 5: MSW

Borrow Pit

Area 6: Stump Dump Area 7: Auto Salvage

Belchertown Road

Old Site

Pomeroy Pond Area 8: Borrow Pit

Amherst Landfill Key

In alternative two, wildlife dominates. There is also room for human use, but they are mostly present as wildlife spectators. Here, the landfill’s grassy mounds are transformed to open meadow with enhanced woody plantings at the edges. The mounds are seeded with meadow grasses and wildflowers and mowed entirely once yearly after nesting season, except for a few meadow walking paths that are mowed more frequently.

In this alternative the site becomes a habitat node along a north- south ecosystem corridor stretching along the re-routed and well maintained Robert Frost Trail.

Assumptions: This scheme assumes the DEP will continue to be present functioning as it does today at the transfer station and the snow dump. This is a possible solution for the immediate future, as a shift in the mowing regime is a simple transition from mounds of lawn to mounds of meadow.

Arguments For: • Easy to implement: It would simply require managing the grass caps differently. Additional tree and shrub enhancements could be phased in later.

• Solves the trail access problem: by enhancing the Robert Frost Trail and the crossing of Belchertown Road, by re-routing it, and installing a stoplight with a crosswalk. Mowed narrative trails also create a community destination. Letting the grass grow on the caps could cut down on the current unregulated community uses that the DPW aims to avoid and decrease maintenance.

• Adds significantly to Amherst’s conservation land: The 75 acres of open grassland would be the largest addition of continuous grassland habitat to the Town of Amherst so far.

• Enriches biodiversity: by enhancing edge habitat and increasing grasslands.

• Capitalizes on the site’s already diverse habitats.

Robert Frost Trail

Arguments Against: • Creates easy prey: The site is surrounded on three sides by residential homes. Promoting rare species habitat or extending the conservation corridor may not be appropriate due to the threat of house cats.

• Serves as redundant protection: Working through the town’s Agricultural Preservation Restriction program with contiguous farm fields may be a more effective way to protect grassland birds, especially large grassland birds.

• Limits human use: Only passive recreation would be appropriate in this plan for the public and The DPW’s functions would remain as they are today with transfer station and snow dump.

Upland Sandpiper

Alternative 2 20

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

Alternative 2: Wildlife Recreation A•

B•

C• D•

E• F•

Diverse habitats serve wildlife

Wildlife

The DPW continues its current uses for the snow dump and transfer station, but does not increase.

The Robert Frost trail is rerouted with a safe road crossing and screened from the transfer station. Additional looping mowed trails are added on the mounds (The northern site will have to wait for DEP approval).

The new landfills borrow pit becomes a hidden garden with more formal plantings.

An interpretive nature center with parking provides rest room facilities and a chance for hikers to meet, rest, or eat.

All remaining areas, both grassy and forested provided habitat for wildlife.

Some plants will succeed into fields from the forest providing additional edge habitat.

Community

Visitors are observers and recyclers

Robert Frost Trail North Entrance

Wetland Wildlife Area

B

E Grassland Wildlife Recreation Area E Transfer Station A

Rerouted Trail B A Snow Dump

DPW

DPW exists only as a transfer station and snow dump

Grassland Wildlife Area E

F

Wetland Wildlife Area E

E Grassland Wildlife Area

C

D Interpretive Nature Center

E Grassland Wildlife Recreation Area

B E Wetland Wildlife Area

Foot paths Robert Frost Trail

F Successional Woodland Area

Vegetated Buffers Vehicle Circulation Parking Areas Access Point

Robert Frost Trail South Entrance

Buildings

0 ft..

500

Community Use Area Wildlife Use Area DPW Use Area

Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

N

Ecological/ Schematic 21

Alternative 3 Area 4: Recent Landfill

New Site

Area 3: Recent Landfill

Wetland Habitat

Area 1: Transfer Station Area 2: Recent Landfill Area 5: MSW Area 6: Stump Dump

Borrow Pit Belchertown Road

Area 7: Auto Salvage

Old Site

Pomeroy Pond Area 8: Borrow Pit

Amherst Landfill Key

In this alternative the site becomes an educational and cultural destination for the community. The landfill could serve a myriad of functions kinds of places that could spark the imaginations of the community including: • A sculpture park, perhaps made from recycled trash • A community center made with recycled materials • A cultural venue with outdoor theater spaces • A dog park Other areas are maintained, with the transfer station, as grassy areas for wildlife habitat, and space for ball fields, but they are not the main focus of this scheme. This alternative extensively transforms the site, utilizing borrow pits as well as capped mounds.

Assumptions: This scheme assumes that the community will be able to use several multi-purpose recreational fields as well as a multi-use community center (unlike any other currently existing in the rest of the town). Any functions served on the new site will be planned for the future, since the DPW must wait for DEP approval. It also assumes that the DPW will be able to operate as only a transfer station.

Arguments For: • Provides revenue: A community center can provide revenue for the town with rental space.

• Provides sports fields: As noted in the OSRP, and community meeting minutes, there is a definite need for new fields.

• Creates a dog park: The community is already using this site for dog-walking. There are no other formal dog parks in Amherst.

• Mixes community uses: Community uses can commingle and share parking to create a popular regional destination.

Arguments Against:

Conceptual Amphitheater in borrow pit

• Requires more community input: Choosing the right plan would require more actively engaging with the Amherst community, which the DPW may not be able or wish to do.

• Conflicts with wildlife: Grassland bird habitat may not be appropriate due to the high level of active human recreation.

• Does not fulfill all goals: There is no new site for the DPW in this alternative.

• Complaints: Surrounding neighbors may complain about elevated noise level • Elaborate: Requires extensive (and perhaps costly) construction.

Conceptual community center

Alternative 3 22

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

Alternative 3: Regional Destination A• B•

• C D •

E •

F •

G •

H •

Grassland species use northern site

Wildlife

The Robert Frost trail is re-routed, as in the other alternatives, but otherwise remains unchanged.

As in alternative 2, the new landfill is preserved for wildlife uses using an infrequent mowing regime.

The new sculpture garden is an opportunity for local artists and college art students to use recycled materials to create sculptures.

A 1-acre dog park with circular walking/running track provides a chance for both dogs and owners to get some exercise The new landfill’s borrow pit, with a new access, becomes an additional community facility, large enough to house a movie theatre, providing revenue to the town.

The old landfill’s borrow pit is transformed to an outdoor amphitheater, using the existing topography for built-in seating.

Multi-purpose recreational fields with adjacent parking and facilities provide much needed space for local sports teams.

The DPW functions are limited to the transfer station uses.

Rerouted Trail

C Sculpture Garden

D 1 Acre Dog Park

Community Multiple user groups use the site for active, passive, and cultural recreation

Robert Frost Trail North Entrance

Grassland Wildlife Recreation Area

Wetland Wildlife Area

Grassland Wildlife Recreation Area

Transfer Station H

Grassland Wildlife Area

Wetland Wildlife Area

E

Additional Access Point

Multi-purpose Recreation G Fields Potential 8,000 sq ft..

Community Facility

DPW

DPW exists only a transfer stati and snow dum

Potential 32,000 sq ft., Community Facility

Foot paths Wetland Wildlife Area

Robert Frost Trail Vegetated Buffers Vehicle Circulation Parking Areas Access Point

Amphitheater E

Buildings Robert Frost Trail South Entrance

500

Community Use Area Wildlife Use Area DPW Use Area

Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

0 ft..

N

23

Alternative 4: The Belchertown Road Split Area 4: Recent Landfill

New Site

Area 3: Recent Landfill

Wetland Habitat

Area 1: Transfer Station Area 2: Recent Landfill Area 5: MSW Area 6: Stump Dump Area 7: Auto Salvage

Borrow Pit Belchertown Road

Old Site

Pomeroy Pond Area 8: Borrow Pit

In this alternative, no user group dominates the site. On a highly disturbed site in the context of Amherst, a town dedicated to rural conservation but also with dense urban population centers, accommodating both wildlife and urban uses makes sense.

However, this alternative recommends that community uses be segregated onto the old site while DPW and wildlife uses mix on the new site. Industrial uses and DPW structures work better with wildlife since they use less acreage than a dog park or a set of soccer fields.

Assumptions: Like alternative 1, this alternative could also be easily implemented, and it assumes that the DEP is only likely to approve public use of the old site. However, unlike alternative 1, alternative 4 assumes that area 5 will also receive DEP approval.

A community sculpture garden is proposed on the site’s highest point with the best views of the Mt. Holyoke Range.

Arguments For: Amherst Landfill Key

Industrial uses mixing with wildlife uses at Fresh Kills

• All users are well accommodated: The community receives both recreation fields and other community facilities, while habitat area is expanded to include grassland birds. The DPW receives a new headquarters, complete with truck space and outbuildings.

• Revenue generating: By developing the former stump dump, the largest and most developable site for the community, the DPW creates revenue opportunities.

• Conflict between the community and the DPW is minimized: Since recreation is not accessed through DPW’s industrial facilities, community conflict is reduced. The Robert Frost Trail also does not have to pass through DPW uses on the old site.

Arguments Against: • Costly: Building a DPW headquarters on the new site will require a new access point and extensive re-grading.

• Conflict with neighbors: Building a new DPW facility on the new site could cause conflict with adjacent home owners, who have already complained about the DPW. • Public feedback is time-consuming: To propose such extensive public reuse of the old site, and to find community partners for the new facilities, requires additional public outreach.

Community-use stone garden concept for Amherst Landfill

Alternative 4 24

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

Alternative 4: The Belchertown Road Split • The DPW uses Belchertown Road for easy truck access.

A These uses include the transfer station, an area for DPW trucks next to the current transfer station, a snow dump on area 2, and a large headquarters with offices and covered truck parking of 32,000 square feet, double the current headquarter size and located on the developable land of the new site’s borrow pit.

• To provide for a mix of wildlife and DPW uses on the B new site, this scheme has adapted a grassland management regime appropriate for grassland species.

• Community uses on the new site include a sculpture garden C on area 5, a dog park between areas 5 and 7 and four soccer fields on the large flat grassy section of area 7.

D • Two sites are available for the DPW to partner with an Amherst institution to provide a new cultural or educational destination. Both of these sites accommodate facilities of 32,000 sq ft.

E • As in all the alternatives, the Robert Frost Trail is rerouted away from the busy Belchertown Road.

Robert Frost Trail North Entrance

Grassland Wildlife Area

Wetland Wildlife Area

B Mowed DPW Area & Grassland Wildlife A E Rerouted DPW Trail Trucks

Transfer Station A Snow Dump

C Sculpture Garden A

Wetland Wildlife Area 1 acre C Dog Park

C

D Potential 32,000 sq ft..

Community Facility

New DPW Headquarters, 32,000 sq ft..

Additional Access Point

4 Soccer Fields

Parking and toilet facilities

Wetland Wildlife Area

Foot paths Robert Frost Trail Vegetated Buffers

D

Vehicle Circulation

Potential 32,000 sq ft..

Community Facility Robert Frost Trail South Entrance

Parking Areas Access Point

0’

500’

Buildings Community Use Area Wildlife Use Area

N

DPW Use Area

Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

25

Final Proposed Plan •D Compost Windrows: Three 50 by 15 ft... windrows sit behind the transfer station, making room for the nature center on the other side of the transfer station •C Interpretive Center: A 1500 sq ft... interpretive nature center screened from the transfer station but connected to it by a path, provides a meeting spot for wildlife recreation users and trail hikers that includes rest rooms and ten parking spaces

F

F Wayne Pond

•B Robert Frost Trail: Hikers on the trail are rerouted from busy Belchertown road to a welcoming new nature center.

Sculpture Garden and Dog Park: 2 acres at the top of area 7 contain C a sculpture garden and a dog park Robert Frost with southerly Interpretive Center views of the Mt. Holyoke Range

•A

•E New Nature Trails: Wildlife recreation trails encircle the mounds of areas 2, 3, and 4, to provide both grassland bird habitat and recreation

E

Sn now Dump Pits: n Snow Rather than on the landfill caps, which makes the mounds excessively wet in the spring, snow dumping occurs in the pits along the new site’s truck route

Bobolink Park

Transfer Station

G•

D

B

Belchertown Rd. MSW Track

Rubbish Gardens

Bus Stop Anne Pond

A J

Dog Park

K

I

G

H

DPW Lawn

DPW Truck Barn

DPW Headquarters

DPW Industrial Site: 16,000 sq ft... of additional truck space, with lockers and parking for employees, sits in the new site’s borrow pit. The most hazardous DPW uses are sited here, including the salt shed, the fuel pumps, and industrial waste storage bins, as well as the most expensive equipment, to protect these industrial DPW materials from the public and the environment from these industrial materials

•H New Access: Direct access for DPW trucks located at a safe stopping distance from the park entrance

500’

0’

•I

M Pomeroy Fields

N

Pomeroy Pond

L

The “Borrow” Theater

• Soccer Fields: Three small 170 M

by 300 ft... soccer fields and one 220 by 360 ft... soccer field, grace the flat sunny expanse of area 7.

Parking for 41, picnic pavilions, and shade trees for on lookers sit just off the landfill cap. A fence keeps balls from rolling down

J DPW Lawn: Rather than cramming all

•L Amphitheater: the sloping sides of the old site’s former borrow pit are lined with a new amphitheater, created from collaboration with an Amherst institution. Access is along the former truck route; parking for 40 is next to the facility, overflow parking is available at the DPW shared lot.

Final Proposed Plan 26

•K Shared Parking: Since DPW employees spend most of their time in their vehicles and work early in the day, parking can be shared with park goers in this lot of 68 spaces •

DPW Headquarters: a 12,000 sq ft... screened building for DPW vehicles covered in solar panels, an 8,000 sq ft... office building with a green roof and a 2,500 sq ft.... storage building with a wind turbine provide for DPW’s office needs on the former stump dump and make visible DPW’s commitment to sustainability.

DPW buildings on area 6, potentially contaminating Pomeroy pond, a grassy lawn and retention pond sits between the complex and this wildlife area. This arrangement also provides pleasant views for DPW employees and a better trail experience for Robert Frost Trail hikers.

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

Final Proposed Plan To meet the key project goals of utilizing the entire site for the DPW, wildlife, and the community, this proposal melds aspects of the previous four alternatives into a more comprehensive plan in which no particular user dominates. This scheme is a regional park with pockets of DPW use. The park is divided into two sections, a 40 acre trail and wildlife recreation park north of Belchertown Road and a 45 acre active recreation and cultural park south of Belchertown Road.

DPW Like Alternative 1, a new DPW headquarters, truck facilities, and out-buildings are all sighted on buildable areas. However, more of these uses are located on the new site than on the old to separate park users and Pomeroy Pond from the most heavy industrial uses, and to enhance DPWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to secure its most sensitive equipment. Unlike the Belchertown Road Split, however, this proposal recognizes that DPW employees have needs for a quality work environment with good views and access to amenities when possible. Additionally, unlike the other four alternatives, rather than putting snow dumps on any of the mounds, which would make the caps excessively wet in the spring, this plan proposes using the under-utilized cleared areas and small pits surrounding the new site.

Wildlife Similar to the wildlife recreation plan, areas 2, 3, and 4 on the new site are managed for grassland birds with the opportunity for bird watching and nature trails, when these areas no longer releases methane.

Community The flat and sunny Area 7 on the old site sports four soccer fields, a one-acre dog park, and a sculpture garden, all of which can be implemented soon since DEP final approval is pending for this area.

Alternative 3, an amphitheater is nestled in the former borrow pit, created by collaborating with one of Amherstâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many cultural or educational institutions.

As in Alternative 1, amphitheater and soccer fields, share some parking with the DPW headquarters.

Also, as in all four alternatives, the final plan reroutes the Robert Frost Trail from busy Belchertown Road to behind a new Robert Frost Interpretive Center.

Unlike the other alternatives, which put a community use directly on area 5, a two-mile running track encircles area 5 on the current truck route because this areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history as a municipal solid waste dump may make it less likely to receive final approval for sports or other active recreation uses.

Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

27

DPW Combined Uses Detail Critique: This detail, though not included on the final plan, is important to illustrate pros and cons of combining all of the DPW’s functions (except for snow dump and transfer station). Combining all the functions in one area would be convenient and more publicly visible than on their current site. The final plan proposes a split of functions, where the DPW can make their public face more visible and their work face more secure (and less visible). In order to fit all trucks, storage sheds and DPW facilities on one site, extensive grading must be undertaken. This alternative also builds right up to the edge of the area 7 cap (to the west).

Assumptions: This plan accommodates for an additional 20% increase in staff, storage, and number of vehicles.

•A DPW functions are screened.

•B A retention pond receives run-off before flowing into Pomeroy pond.

•C DPW and public share parking for 56.

•D Additional DPW parking.

E • Optional fencing can be installed to “lock up” at night.

•F Three storage sheds organize material and protect from the elements.

G • Truck barn accommodates 52 vehicles.

• Main building H A provides space for offices, lockers, and a truck shop for 75 employees.

Bus Stop

C

Shared Parking

DPW Of Offi O ffices, Shop, & Lockers

E

A

H

D D Salt Shed

G

Truck Barn

A E B

Gas

C D

A’ F

Shared Parking

Retention Pond

Sheds

A

N

Pomeroy Pond

0’

100’

200’

A

Shared Parking

A’

Salt Shed

Truck Barn

Retention Pond

Old Belchertown Road 0’

Details 28

Rerouted Robert Frost Trail

100’

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

200’

View heading into transfer station

Passive Recreation Detail

A • Small nature or interpretive

A’ B •

DPW Access Road to Snow Dump Areas

B G

Woodland Edge

Buffer

A

E•

C E

Gate

D

A H Rerouted Robert Frost Trail

D •

Transfer Station

Parking D Picnic Area

C•

IInterpretive In n nte teerrp pre Nature Center

F•

Flare F

Compost

G •

N Crosswalk on Belchertown Road

0’

100’

H •

center with bathroom facilities is sited for current Robert Frost Trail hikers.

This facility also becomes a meeting place and wildlife recreation center.

The transfer station and surrounding lot are unchanged. However, a vegetated buffer screens it from the new nature center.

Separate access and a small parking lot is provided for the nature center A picnic area and path exist at the nature center’s front door A perimeter fence surrounds the transfer station, and a gate enables DPW to control transfer station access after hours.

Compost windrows sited in the open space south of the station.

Woodland edge is maintained to buffer public area from residences.

Robert Frost Trail is rerouted from Belchertown Road to behind the new nature center. A crosswalk spans the intersection.

Area 2

Buffer

A

Rerouted Robert Frost Trail

Interpretive Center with Picnic Area

Transfer Station 0’

Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

A’

Area 3, New Landfill

100’

150’

Details 29

A This new site accommodates

Grassy area on the former stump dump

parking for 60 cars, used by the DPW during the day and used by the community in the afternoon and evening.

Green Office Park Detail

B Vegetation provides screening,

Belchertown Rd. Crosswalk

but lockable gates can be installed to create better security.

C

C Robert Frost Trail has a new

wooded edge along Old Belchertown Road, as well as a new crosswalk and traffic light.

D All facilities are south-facing

for maximum solar access.

Bus Stop E DPW headquarters

Old Belchertown Rd.

accommodates 75 employees and has a vegetated roof to reduce run-off and improve efficiency

C

Trail

F Wind power is generated and

B

Sheds

H

can be sold to the town.

G Truck barn, with solar-paneled

Turbine

F

D

roof, includes space for 18 trucks, workshop, and lockerroom.

B

G Truck Barn Retention Pond

H Northern-most building has

three 1980 s.f. buildings for covered storage.

I E

A

I A retention pond is located

down slope of the buildings and parking for pretreatment of run-off.

A’

DPW Offices

A Parking for 60

100’

0’

200’

N

J Shared parking lot and roads

southwest of the facilities are maintained as gravel or dirt to encourage water infiltration.

This plan accommodates for an additional 20% increase in staff, storage, and number of vehicles.

A

Retention Pond Shared Parking

Details 30

DPW Headquarters

0’

Rerouted A’ Robert Frost Trail 100’

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

200’

Granite graveyard in the new site’s borrow pit

Truck Barn Detail

A Two storage spaces of 1980

A

s.f., provide covered storage of materials; salt shed stores road salt, and outdoor bins store materials that do not need to be covered.

B Parking is provided for 40

personal vehicles.

C Stream edge is buffered with

vegetation to protect water quality. (Top soil may have to be brought in since this former borrow pit has little remaining).

Salt Shed

Bins

D Major regrading will have

A

to take place, and “street sweepings” mounds will have to be removed.

C

Sheds

E The truck barn provides

D

covered storage for 34 vehicles and a small locker-room.

E Truck Barn

F Gas tank is located outside the

100’ water setback line (despite the DPW’s exemption) to respect water quality.

F

Gas B

Parking

New Access D

0’

N

200’

A’

A Storage Salt Shed

Bins

Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

A’

Parking Truck Barn

0’

200’

Details

31

B•

The existing oak is preserved and other trees are added to enhance the wooded edge.

C•

A fence runs along the edge of the mounds to prevent stray balls from rolling down slope.

D•

View north on Area 7, the former auto salvage yard

Active Recreation Detail A’

•A This provides parking for 41 cars. Additional parking for 50 cars lies just north of the fields by the new DPW facility.

The access road is located on already existing access road.

Dog Park

H

Picnic tables and 30’x 30’ shaded pavilions provide refuge for visitors.

Current 2% slope should be regraded with added topsoil to 1%. Irrigation for the fields may not be possible unless brought in through adjacent property to the west.

F•

Regulation size Soccer fields: Professional (225’ x 360’) Jr. High (165’ x 300’).

G•

All fields are on a northsouth axis for minimal sun interference.

H•

To DPW and Additional Parking

F

Jr. High Size Soccer Field

F Professional Size Soccer Field A

B

Existing Mature Oak

F

Parking

F

E G D

C

Fence

Pavilions and Picnic Tables

0’

280’

N

A

E•

A

A 1-acre dog park.

A

Dog Park

A’

Sports Fields Parking and Pavilion

32

0’

Conway School of Landscape Design Sarah Bray and Kevin Adams Spring 2008

280’

Estimated Costs

ITEM Circulation and Parking Trail clearing and grubbing Gravel base Crushed surfacing Asphalt Site Grading Excavation Rough grading Fine grading Recreation field grading* Storm water runoff pond Concrete building pads Buildings Building costs Solar Panels Green Roof Other Structures Out buildings Gas pump relocation Salt shed relocation Picnic shelter pavilion Landscaping 6 ft... high chain link fence 3 ft... hight chain link fence Specialty fencing Picnic tables Trash receptacles Benches Bike racks Lighting Soil A quality Soil C quality Compost mulch Hydro Grass-seeding Plantings TOTAL COSTS

Costing Units

Unit Cost

per acre per ton per ton square feet

$5,000.00 $18.00 $28.00 $5.00

cubic yard square feet square feet per field cubic yard square yard

$0.20 $0.05 $0.10 $30,000.00 $120,000.00

square feet kilo watt square feet

$250.00 $4,000.00 $25.00

linear feet linear feet linear feet per item per item per item per item per item cubic yard cubic yard cubic yard per acre per item

$30.00

Active Recreation Nature Center DPW Truck Area Detail Area Detail Site Detail $10,000.00

$60,000.00

$18,000.00

$3,500.00

$250,000.00

DPW Office Site Detail

TOTAL COSTS

$5,000.00

$15,000.00

$235,000.00

$548,500.00 $$-

$8,000.00 $249,000.00

$18,000.00

$270,000.00

$375,000.00

$4,500,000.00 $5,325,000.00

$37,500.00

$200,000.00

$120,000.00 $8,000.00 $555,000.00

$$237,500.00

$20,000.00 60,000

$$$60,000.00

$25.00 $15.00

$22,500.00 $5,250.00

$22,500.00 $5,250.00

$2,500.00 $750.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $15,000.00 $50.00 $18.00 $40.00 $4,000.00

$5,000.00 $4,500.00 $24,000.00 $28,500.00

$5,000.00

$10,000.00 $4,500.00 $24,000.00

$3,000.00 $$-

$347,750.00

Amherst Landfill Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

$77,000.00

$520,000.00

$697,000.00

$$$1,641,750.00

33

Conway School of Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road Conway, MA 01341

The Conway School of Landscape Design is the only institution of its kind in North America.

Its focus is sustainable landscape planning and design. Each year through its accredited, ten-month graduate program just 18-19 graduate students from diverse backgrounds are immersed in a range of applied landscape studies, ranging in scale from residences to regions. Graduates go on to play significant professional roles in various aspects of landscape planning and design with an eye to sustainability.

The Class of 2008: Kevin Adams, Sarah Bray, Jesse Froehlich, Douglas Guey-Lee, Elizabeth Hammen, Pamela, Hurtado, Liz Kushner, Adrian Laine, Michael Lance, Amy Livingston, Kathleen McCormick, Katja Patchowsky, Seth Pearsoll, Catherine Pedemonti, Theresa Sprague, Tom Sullivan, Dillon Sussman, Joseph Weidle, and Andrew Weir

34

Conway School of Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road Conway, MA 01341

The Conway School of Landscape Design is the only institution of its kind in North America. Its focus is sustainable landscape planning and design. Each year through its accredited, ten-month graduate program just 18-19 graduate students from diverse backgrounds are immersed in a range of applied landscape studies, ranging in scale from residences to regions. Graduates go on to play significant professional roles in various aspects of landscape planning and design with an eye to sustainability.

The Class of 2008: Kevin Adams, Sarah Bray, Jesse Froehlich, Douglas Guey-Lee, Elizabeth Hammen, Pamela, Hurtado, Liz Kushner, Adrian Laine, Michael Lance, Amy Livingston, Kathleen McCormick, Katja Patchowsky, Seth Amherst Landfill Pearsoll, Catherine Pedemonti, Theresa Sprague, Tom Sullivan, Dillon Sussman, Joseph Weidle, and Andrew Weir Department of Public Works Feasibility Study

35