additional funding from the City ’ s Stormwater Initiative Program , ensuring this element was part of the construction package . The bioswale is planted with native grasses and wet meadow perennials , transitioning into a tree and shrub layer further “ downstream ” as the bioswale flows south toward the old Mill River bank . This stormwater solution replaced 10 catch basins on site , and is a model for a passive and highly visible approach to stormwater management in a public setting .
Coordinating Community Input
Northampton is a melting pot . There is a distinct sense of history here , from the farming , to the river , the mills , and the industry . It has real , authentic grit and a connection to the past . During our community process , SSA was reminded that this identity is coupled with attitude — an attitude about shaping its own future through social and environmental change , freedom of speech , and inclusiveness . Over a series of public meetings during the six months of Schematic Design , we heard from hundreds of stakeholders , community members , the Polish American group , neighbors of the Park , and City officials . They all shared a desire for a collection of Park elements : a civic plaza , a large lawn , a natural play area for children , performance space , flexible gathering , places to sit , sunny areas , shady areas , and a sustainable water feature . Our goal became to express these new elements in a way that celebrated the heritage and atmosphere of the City .
Desiging for High Use — Now and into the Future
Our redesign became an interpretation of what is distinctly Northampton right now , but in a way that is flexible enough to grow with the community over the next century . The life and
... a civic plaza , a large lawn , a natural play area for children , performance space , flexible gathering , places to sit ... Our goal became to express these new elements in a way that celebrated the heritage and atmosphere of the City .
energy of the bus stop was expanded and embraced in our proposal for a new plaza that extends across the Main Street edge of the Park . Working with the City Arborist , we saved several significant trees in good health , and then supplemented the plaza with a grove of Sycamore , Swamp Oak , Sugar , and Red Maples , all taking cues from the heritage trees of the site . The trees provide canopy over the common space which has moveable tables and chairs , industrial rolling carts , permeable pavers , and decomposed granite . A multi-use bench 5 ' wide x 50 ' long called the “ urban lounge ” defines the southern edge of the plaza , bookended by Goshen
Boston Society of Landscape Architects Fieldbook
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