Bartley Community Park
Master Plan Final Report – April 2005
Lappas + Havener, PA Landscape Architects
INTRODUCTION
In January 2004, the landscape architecture / planning firm Lappas + Havener,PA was commissioned by the Town of Cary to lead a master planning process and create a design for the new Bartley Community Park. The park planning team assembled and coordinated by LHPA provided additional expertise in the following supportive specialties:
· Soils & Environmental Consultants – Wetlands, stream buffer delineation
· Chas. H. Sells, Inc. – Boundary and topo survey, storm water management strategy
· Clearscapes, PA – Architectural assessment of historic structures
Located in southeastern Cary, the outstanding natural and manmade features of the park site present an opportunity to create a unique facility in the Town's recreational offerings. The character and historical use of the site as a working farm strongly suggested a guiding principle for the Plan that balanced an environmentally sensitive design with the passive and active recreation needs of the community and was integrated throughout the programming of desired facilities. With many of the original farm structures intact, the site's agrarian features serve as a symbol of a rapidly disappearing resource in the Piedmont region of North Carolina.
During the course of the master planning process, the design team incorporated input from Town staff, Citizen Design Committee and other interested neighbors. Priorities for facilities and plan options were reviewed and refined with input provided through multiple meetings with the Citizen Design Committee, two meetings attended by the public-at-large, and by the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Board. Upon review by the Operations Committee and the Planning & Development Committee, in September 2004 the Master Plan for the proposed Bartley Community Park was formally adopted by the Town Council.
ANALYSIS
SITE CONTEXT
Land for this community park (50.4 acres) was purchased by the Town of Cary in 2000 from N.C. State University, who acquired it from Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Bartley. It is located on Penny Road immediately west of the intersection with Holly Springs Road. Mr. and Mrs. Bartley have retained a life estate on the property, consisting of 3.3 acres. The life estate is essentially an easement containing the Bartley home and grounds that Mr. and Mrs. Bartley may occupy for the remainder of their lives. After this, the life estate will terminate and the Town will gain all rights to this property.
The adjoining map shows the Bartley Community Park site in context with other recreation facilities making up the Town of Cary Park system. By looking at the distribution and number of existing parks within a 2-˝ mile and 5-mile radius of the Bartley Park property, it becomes apparent that its location in the southeastern portion of Town will make it ideal for a community park that offers a diverse range of attractions. The park's size will support the requirements for a community park as outlined in the current Master Plan for Cary Parks and Recreation and Cultural Resources.
SURROUNDING LAND USE
This drawing shows surrounding development in the immediate vicinity of the park site and the relationship of adjoining neighborhoods that the park would likely serve. It also illustrates the importance of preserving the Bartley Community Park site as open space, given the encroaching development in what was once a rural community. The park site, while not within the Town of Cary limits proper, lies within the Town's jurisdictional planning area.
Potential greenway connections are also indicated that may in the future link the park with the surrounding community, including the proposed Dutchman's Branch Trail and the proposed Holly Springs Road Multi-use Trail.
SLOPES
Eighty percent of the site exhibits topography that is relatively flat with 0%-8% slopes that are well suited to most any type of park development. Moderate 8%-15% slopes are found along dominant side slopes in the northern portion of the site near the farm pond and along the western site boundary. Any construction proposed in these areas will need to be addressed with a degree of caution and design consideration. Steeper 15%-25% slopes are also associated with many of these same side slope areas and present greater limitations for construction. Steep severely limiting slopes, greater than 25%, are confined to the creek bank and pond edge.
HYDROLOGY, LANDFORM AND SOILS
The "lay of the land" is diagrammed in the adjacent map. The park site is comprised of relatively fl at land, exhibiting a 60' elevation change from its high point at elevation 444' at its northern edge along Penny Road, to its low point where a perennial stream exits in its southwestern corner. A minor ridgeline extends across the site in an east-west direction to create two major drainage basins within the site. A series of smaller drainage basins flowing to the channelized creek are created by smaller topographic formations. Approximately 10 acres in the southeastern corner of the site, slope to an offsite drainage way.
Alluvial soils are found in the lower reaches of the creek. No other soils within the property exhibit moisture or stability characteristics that would limit potential park development.
A unique existing feature of the site is the one-half acre farm pond, which is about 6' deep at its deepest point. The earthen dam structure is overgrown with mature pines. Immediately below the structure, two drainage ways converge into the site's primary drainage channel. The drainage channel is a perennial stream with an alignment that has been straightened in the past, most likely to increase the area of farm and pasture land. Pockets of jurisdictional wetlands occur especially at the junctures of minor drainage ways with the primary stream channel.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES
The general character of the park property is depicted in the following Natural Communities map that divides the site into three 3 dominant land types:
· Woodland
· Open field
· Cultivated areas
Each land type exhibits common vegetation cover and has been rated in terms of visual density. Together, these characteristics begin to express the site's spatial structure. One of the most prominent spatial characteristics of the site is created by the contrast between wooded and open land, often accentuated by dense hedgerows that create large rectangular spaces, almost "room-like" in character. Another open area is the 1˝ acre site at Penny Road that the Town has used for storage and processing of storm debris.
Approximately half of the park property is wooded in a combination of mature mixed hardwood / pine forest, mature pine woods, bottomland forest and hedgerows. The remaining portions of the site are open fields, remnant pastures with individual specimen cedars and pines, and fields undergoing succession with transitional brambles and young pines. Cultivated land near the farmhouse / life estate are characterized by lawn areas, with specimen oaks, ornamental trees and shrubs typically associated with residential uses, and the adjoining orchard.
INFRASTRUCTURE & REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
This map illustrates infrastructure and regulatory impacts to the park site. The primary drainage way is a regulated perennial stream in its lower reaches, subject to North Carolina Department of Water Quality regulations and Neuse River buffer restrictions. On each side of this portion of the drainage channel an additional 50' Town of Cary stream buffer will apply beyond the 50' Neuse River buffer. Jurisdictional wetlands, regulated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, occur as linear features along the creek channel and drainage ways predominately within the confines of the stream buffers. In addition to stream buffers, the Town of Cary will also require a 10'-30' buffer of existing and / or planted vegetation around the entire park site perimeter.
Utility service for the park site will come from the north as well as from Penny Road. Natural gas and electrical service currently exist along Penny Road. Domestic water is available west of the park property, but will require approximately 2,800 lineal foot of extension to provide service to the site. Sanitary sewer will require a 1,900 foot extension northward to tie into an 8" main located near Birklands Drive. Careful siting of proposed park facilities will be required to assure service by gravity sewer.
The park site is also impacted by planned road improvements. Penny Road improvements, slated to begin in 2007, will increase its width to a 4 lane median divided thoroughfare, and will require approximately 2-acres along the northern boundary to be dedicated as future right-of-way. A public sidewalk will also be added. A second road project, the proposed eastward extension of a collector road connecting Belgium Road in the Dutchman Downs neighborhood to Holly Springs Road, may impact the site. If constructed, the right-of-way would potentially consume an additional 75' width along the park's southern boundary.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS
The Opportunities and Constraints map combines aspects of the site analysis and begins to identify areas with potential for development, as well as more restricted areas. The composite graphic indicates three major use areas that share common physical characteristics affecting their suitability for development.
1. Woodlands - associated with creek, wetland areas, mixed pine / hardwood forest and upland pine slopes. Valuable wooded edges are indicated that help define the park's spatial character. Focus area is the 2-acre pond.
2. Old Field - associated with open spaces and relatively fl at topography suitable for recreation fields and facilities requiring a higher degree of development. Focus area corresponds with a topographic high point.
3. Life Estate - associated with the Bartley homestead and the centerpiece of the site's cultural history.
Each use area is shown as having a focus area which corresponds with a unique topographic or built feature, presenting opportunities for incorporation into planned park facilities or activities. Secondary focus areas are also indicated near the life estate. Enhancement of the remnant orchard and original farm road entrance will help create new park features and attractive transitions into the homestead area.
Because of its environmental value and regulatory status, the creek corridor is generally restricted for park development, but should be viewed for its positive potential to provide a functional and aesthetic link within the park, presenting the opportunity for natural interior circulation.
Potential vehicular access / egress to the site has been identified at two locations on Penny Road; one that would create an intersection with Birk Bluff Court to the north, and the other corresponding with the location of the existing homestead driveway. Pedestrian connections to surrounding neighborhoods are possible along the planned Penny Road sidewalk and with the future development of town greenways and multi-use trails.
Homestead
With the rapid urbanization of Cary and Wake County, this farm represents a significant opportunity to preserve an example of our agricultural heritage. The centerpiece of the farm is the Greek Revival main house, which dates from the 1840's and represents an excellent example of architecture from that period.
The main house has a single story wing on masonry piers and whole log beams, which is evidence that it is older than the 2-story hand hewn portion of the structure. The two brick chimneys are original and the metal roof is over 100 years old. The significant interior features of the house - heart pine floors, wood and plaster walls and ceilings, wood doors, frames and window trim, and an elegant wood staircase, are all original and in good condition. Plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems were added to the house in the 1960's and have little impact on the integrity of the historic fabric. Lead base paint and accessibility code compliance remain issues that will need to be addressed as future uses for the structure are considered.
Exterior modifications to the house - a front porch addition, aluminum gutters and a breezeway connecting the summer kitchen - have not compromised the structure. Its horizontal wood siding was covered by aluminum siding in the 1960's, concealing its present condition. It will most likely require major repair if exposed again.
In addition to the main house, the freestanding kitchen structure and collection of outbuildings, sheds and small barns demonstrate the historic use and function of the place. Specimen fruit and shade trees add to the overall character of the homestead.
SUITABILITY MAP
The Suitability Map identifies general development areas in terms of their potential and appropriateness for major park activities. The largely wooded area, located in the western half of the site and indicated in green, is designated as suitable for passive recreational uses and functions requiring limited development. The wooded area associated with the farm pond and upper reaches of the creek are largely suitable as a natural area with supportive habitat enhancement. This zone may also be suitable for low impact facilities such as trails, picnic and play areas.
Higher impact development is most suitable in the open, flatter areas of the park site that occupy the eastern third of the site and are indicated in yellow. Athletic facilities and multi-purpose fields can be readily accommodated in these areas.
Community facilities will be most suitably located near the existing farmstead. While development of this kind may require large footprint buildings and significant parking, the importance of proper relationship, careful siting and sensitive design of these facilities cannot be overstated. It will be imperative that any new structures proposed in this zone not detract from the scale and character of the homestead. Appropriate enhancements of the site may help to create sensitive transitions as well as add value to the overall park experience and appreciation of the homestead.
CONCEPT FACILITY PROGRAMMING
A process to actively solicit opinions and preferences of recreational facilities for the Park, incorporated input from the Town staff, adjacent property owners and other concerned citizens. A Citizen Design Committee was formed, consisting of eleven local residents representing the various neighborhoods within the vicinity of the park site and two PRCR Advisory Board members.
The Design Committee met three times, reviewing the program of facilities, alternative preliminary plans, and master plan for the park. At each phase of the park planning process, critical citizen input was incorporated. The first Design Committee Meeting established broad goals for Bartley Community Park and reviewed preliminary programming ideas that were generated at an initial Public Meeting. During the facility programming phase of the planning process several important goals for the Bartley Park Master Plan were generated:
· 75% of the Park is to be reserved for passive recreational uses and programming.
· Respond to a diversity of residents' needs.
· Allow for flexible future development.
· Provide important linkages to Cary's open spaces.
· Remain sensitive to the existing farm and reinforce its historic aspects.
· Develop the Park with an agricultural/natural theme.
· Promote stewardship of the land, which includes using recycled products as much as possible in facility areas and activities that emphasize conservation and sustainability of the land.
· Develop the park as a cultural arts center for the southern part of Cary. o Incorporate public art throughout the site
· Create a "Friends of Bartley Park" association to develop programmatic partnerships within the community. Partnerships might use local resources to help develop specialized garden areas, historic / cultural interpretive programming and other thematic attractions. Fund raising may be a key function of the "Friends" association as well.
Subsequent Design Committee work sessions and meetings with Town PRCR staff, developed and refined the list of specific facilities desired for the park. Preferred program uses for the Park are listed below:
1. Dog park
2. Trails
3. Rock climbing
4. Spray-ground
5. Open, unprogrammed fields
6. Fantasy play
7. Accessible areas and ways for seniors
8. Picnic shelters
9. Wildflower areas
10. Potential farmhouse uses - art studios / cultural and historic interpretive functions
11. Community center
12. Public art to be incorporated throughout the park
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
The Master Plan represents a physical expression of the concepts established for the programmed uses and character of the park. Arrangement of recreational facilities, and configuration of circulation throughout the park was developed through an interactive process that explored a variety of schematic options for the plan.
A number of circulation patterns (vehicular and pedestrian), park entrance locations, parking arrangements, and optional locations for park facilities were depicted in four schematic plans and reviewed by the Citizen Design Committee and Town Staff.
Preferred park access aligns with a controlled intersection with Birk Road. This alignment was deemed the safer one, especially as Penny Road becomes widened and a center median is added. Using the existing homestead driveway as the Park entrance was less appealing due to its close proximity to the Holly Springs intersection and the potential for queing conflicts.
Internally, various routing options for vehicular circulation impacted the siting of Park features and had implications for important pedestrian connections. The preferred roadway schemes had to meet several criteria. First, impact on pedestrian movements through the Park needed to be kept to a minimum. Second, it was important the homestead area be well connected to the rest of the Park. Finally, it was deemed desirable to divide the large amount of required parking into small lots dispersed throughout the Park.
The plan options were assessed through a set of criteria that would enhance the function and appeal of the park:
· Access
· Connectivity
· Appropriate adjacencies
· Heritage experience
· Environmental sensitivity
· Phasing
Valuable comments derived from a second Public Meeting and additional review by the Design Committee, narrowed the preferred plans to two options. Applying the same criteria, the two schemes were evaluated.
The Design Committee and Town staff generally agreed that they were in favor of 'Plan B' that includes a more linear vehicle circulation pattern, a strong connection between the farmhouse and Community Center and better phasing possibilities. However, the Committee agreed that the Dog Park would be better situated in the northwest corner of the site, as shown in 'Plan A'. In addition, attendees felt that parking for the multi-purpose fields should be divided between the lot in the southeastern corner of the site and the large lot north of the Community Center, instead of locating all soccer/athletic fields parking at the southeastern corner. The vehicular circulation in 'Plan B' will require a creek crossing.
PLANNING CONCEPT
The following diagram illustrates four basic concepts that have guided development of the Master Plan:
· Nature
· Play
· Heritage
· Art
It is envisioned that the four planning principles will be applied to the proposed programmatic functions and park facilities in an interrelated fashion, rather than as independent statements. In other words, rather than a stand alone play or nature area, a specific, designated area for art display, or a separate area devoted to an agricultural theme, elements of each concept will become cross-linked.
For example, the child's play environment could be nature-based, incorporating landforms, water play, and elements inspired by agriculture or nature. Trailheads and entry points to park facilities may be expressed in the form of landmarks, inspired by natural or agrarian forms and executed in an artful, and sometimes a whimsical manner. Sculpture may be located in pastures and fields with focus on naturalistic expressions using plants and earth forms. Elements throughout the park may be detailed and use materials in artful ways. Athletic field areas may be treated at their edges with cultivated wildflowers and meadow grasses to blend in with the agrarian theme.
PLANNING CONCEPT
The following graphic is a series of illustrative examples taken from a variety of projects around the country. The purpose for assembling these images is to begin to develop a design vocabulary for various aspects of the park. They capture the desired character that may result from the interaction of art, nature, play and history. Together, they provide a conceptual springboard for the eventual development of specific designs of key park elements - homestead, garden, play, landmarks, water, paths and meadow.
THE PLAN
The preferred Master Plan has a linear vehicular circulation system, of which the entrance is aligned with Birk Bluff Court and the terminus with the historic entrance to the farmhouse. The plan features a 2-acre dog park, a group picnic area around the existing pond, a fantasy play area, multi-use field, a community center, and a system of greenway and footpath trails, including interpretive boardwalks and trails through a wetlands habitat near the farm pond.
Elements of the Plan
Homestead / Community Center
Bartley Park Master Plan centers on the Bartley homestead, which is over 160 years old and is a classic example of a mid-nineteenth century agricultural facility. This structure will be retained and is proposed to be restored for use as a cultural arts facility. The Design Committee and town staff agree that the farmhouse should be carefully renovated for flexible community uses rather than be restored as a museum piece. Several other structures are proposed to be grouped adjacent to the Bartley homestead, creating a small-scale cultural arts campus.
A traditional community center / gym is also proposed in close proximity to these cultural facilities, but is sited in a way that does not detract from the scale of the homestead area. Careful attention to specific siting and architectural design of the facility will need to be given in order to maintain an appropriate relationship and character with the existing homestead.
Small demonstration gardens of flowers, herbs, vegetable crops, and heirloom plants are proposed on the homestead and community center grounds. A garden walkway from a small parking loop will help to reinstate the traditional main entrance to the house on its south elevation.
Natural Area
The western side of the Park, with its mature forest, is to remain largely protected. However, the application of environmentally sustainable design principles will also allow for passive recreational uses in this area. Over 1 1/2 miles of trails are proposed for this portion of the Park.
Picnic Area
A large picnic area is proposed near the existing pond, which will include a large reserve-able picnic shelter, several smaller structures, interpretive wetlands, and greenway trials. The large group shelter will overlook the pond and offers easy access to parking. Trails will connect the upper pond area to the interpretive wetlands and associated boardwalks and gazebo. Smaller picnic shelters are proposed along the greenway trail. A natural spring, east of the wetlands, offers the opportunity for another small gathering space along the trail system.
MASTER PLAN
Play Area
The Fantasy Play Area occupies roughly 3 ˝ acres and links a variety of unique play environments, reflecting natural themes, and open space. Climbing walls and natural boulders will form part of the northern and eastern edges of the overall space, and will offer some degree of separation from parking. Also included are a garden maze that may be elevated to function as an "overlook" to the play space, an interactive “spray-ground”, an area for sand play, and an area with play and climbing structures. The topography lends itself to introduce grade changes from one feature to the next and integrate sculpted landforms as part of the play environment.
Open Play Field
In the northeast quadrant of the park, a large multi-use field and basketball courts are proposed. The multi-use field will be designed for soccer, football and other field sports, as well as for informal open play. It may also be used as a spillover area for farmhouse / cultural festivals. The edges of the field will be planted in meadow grasses and wildflowers to harmonize with the Park's natural and agrarian feel. This will minimize maintenance and encourage unprogrammed recreational uses of the field, as well as athletic uses. The basketball courts are sited within the expanded orchard area.
Dog Park
A 2-acre off-leash dog park is planned. The dog park includes a large sunny open area and a large wooded area bounded by a 5' chain link fence. Approximately ˝ acre within the dog park is separated by fencing and reserved for small dogs. Both large and small dogs areas house picnic shelters and drinking fountains for dogs and their owners.
Trails
A system of paved greenway trails will connect all park facilities. A multi-use asphalt trail, nearly a mile in length, will provide a potential connection with the future Dutchman Downs Greenway and continue through the Park to Penny Road. Its 8-10' width will allow bicycles, joggers, pedestrians, in-line skating to safely use the greenway. Roughly 2 ˝ miles of paved and natural surface trails are proposed within the Park.
Roads / Parking
Park roads will most likely be asphalt. In many areas, curb and gutter may not be necessary as storm runoff will be directed from travel lanes and large paved areas (parking) to vegetated areas, designed to filter and slow down runoff.
The Master Plan currently shows 340 parking spaces to serve the various facilities. The development strategy for parking is to concentrate larger parking areas at facilities such as the Play Area and Community Center. In all cases it is desirable that parking areas be designed in lots as small and discreet as possible, well shaded with canopy trees, and connected to park facilities with well defined pedestrian walkways.
Storm Water Management
A decentralized approach to storm water management will allow storm detention and water quality enhancement devices to be integrated directly into the design of park features. Collectively, this approach will allow for the Park's development to be a model for storm water treatment, reflecting the goal to be representative of a soundly sustainable development. For example, the interpretive wetlands will provide a unique natural habitat for the enjoyment of Park visitors, as well as providing an area to collect and filter storm water runoff. In addition, many of the vegetated areas between the park roadway and parking may serve as bio-swales, collecting, filtering and slowing runoff. Other storm water devices proposed include bio-retention basins and wet detention ponds tucked within larger wooded areas. These will jointly serve to enhance wildlife habitat, plant diversity, offer interpretive possibilities, as well as storm water management functions.
Landscape Character
The proposed character of the Bartley Park landscape is derived from many agrarian patterns still evident on the property. Cleared land surrounded by hedgerows and mature woods form large rooms where many Park facilities are sited. In some areas, old abandoned fields that are now overgrown with successional plants, such as young pines, will be allowed to mature to forested land over time. The visitor will have the opportunity to enjoy many Piedmont habitats: upland woods, bottomland forest at the edge of the creek, enhanced wetlands, meadows and successional fields.
Cultivated landscape will reflect the historical patterns of agrarian and farmstead landscapes. There is also potential to expand the existing fruit orchard. Naturalized plantings and use of native species will be utilized throughout the Park. Ribbons of native grass and meadow plantings are proposed in areas where open fields meet the wooded edge.
There is a unique opportunity to enliven the more formal grounds of the farmstead and proposed Community Center with demonstration gardens, herb gardens and heritage specimen plants and trees. Garden walks moving through these specialized plantings could be used to link the homestead and Community Center complex, the orchard walk, picnic areas, fantasy play area and the multi-purpose field together.
There is also the potential to add the element of surprise and playfulness into the landscape by incorporating "landmarks" throughout the Park. These may occur along the greenway, other trails and walks, marking entry points into various facilities and use areas. The landmarks may be sculptures, small structures, specialty plantings, landscape features or created landforms that delineate thresholds and trailheads by presenting a contrasting form to the natural landscape.
MASTER PLAN
Implementation of the Bartley Park Master Plan will be phased over time. Potential phasing of the Park's facilities was determined by considering the following goals and criteria for the first step in implementation:
1. Provide critical recreational components.
2. Construct site required off-site improvements.
3. Minimize on-site infrastructure construction.
4. Minimize impact to the Life Estate.
Improvements proposed for Phase One construction are to include the following facilities:
Off-Site Improvements
· Utility service (water and sanitary sewer) extensions to the site
· Required road improvements to Penny Road
· Potential extension of Belgium Drive along southern border of park
Park Facilities
· Fantasy play area
· Dog park.
· Western portion of greenway trail and woodland trails linking small group picnic areas around pond and wooded natural area.
· Restroom building at fantasy play area.
· Park drive (including creek crossing) from Penny Road to Play Area and parking.
· Picnic shelters at Dog Park, wooded natural area and pond.