Design With Nature

Redevelopment of Stearns Square and Duryea Way

gzadan — Fri, 13 May 2022 14:21:46 +0000

Redevelopment of Stearns Square and Duryea Way gzadan Fri, 05/13/2022 - 10:21

GZA provided landscape architectural and civil engineering services to the City of Springfield for the redevelopment of Stearns Square and Duryea Way as part of a downtown rehabilitation effort. GZA provided conceptual master planning/design, coordinated multi�� City Department reviews (DPW, Planning, Parks, Traffic Commission), estimated cost, prepared construction documents, and provided construction phase services.

Challenge

Built in the 1880s, Stearns Square Park is one of the first public sculptural parks of its kind. Designed and realized by famous sculptor and architect duo, Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Stanford White, Stearns Square is situated across Worthington Street from another historically significant public space, Duryea Way, named after the Duryea brothers who were the first Americans to build a gasoline-powered automobile. It was the City of Springfield’s hope that improvement in this area will serve as a catalyst for future investment and community engagement in the Innovation District and downtown entertainment area.

Solution

The City hired GZA to prepare a “Preliminary Master Plan of Stearns Square Park & Duryea Way��. The Master Plan received input from several City Departments and stakeholders, municipal departments, community members, and business owners in a series of design review meetings. While several site improvements and upgrades were selected during the design meetings, the overriding redevelopment themes were chosen to pay tribute to the deep historical roots of the neighborhood. GZA’s design features elements that honor historical roots while making space for modern use.

Benefit

The $1.7-million construction project involved reconstruction of a historic fountain originally designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, creation of pedestrian spaces and outdoor dining areas Duryea Way and sidewalk bump-outs along Worthington Street and Stearns Square ��Ϸ��st, improved pedestrian connections, installation of new lighting and landscaping improvements, traffic calming measures, way-finding signage, bike share terminal, and utility upgrades. The project was completed in the Spring of 2019 and today features outdoor farmers markets, dining, and jazz and classical music performances in the park.

Master planning
Landscape architecture
Civil engineering
Permitting
Construction phase services

Massachusetts

Government

Site / Civil Engineering & Design

Lytle Park

gzadan — Thu, 12 May 2022 14:51:54 +0000

Lytle Park gzadan Thu, 05/12/2022 - 10:51

Lytle Park has been serving recreational needs of city residents since 1914. There are many opportunities to enjoy nature, fitness, play, relaxation, and recreation. Looking toward the next 100 years of recreation for Mattoon residents, the Lytle Park Master Plan, completed in 2012, takes the goals and objectives articulated by Justin Grady and the Park Board and turns them into action items that embrace sustainability.

Challenge

Building off existing uses within the park, the goal is to weave together new features with old using art, nature, culture, and sustainability. Through the restoration of native ecosystems to managing on-site stormwater, the ideas engendered in each new amenity within Lytle Park collectively represent its commitment to being recognized as an educator of sustainability.

Solution

In 2014, the park received an OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development) Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for $400,000. The grant will help support a new pavilion and restroom, Nature-Based Playscapes, and New Active Green Environment amenities, all items identified in the Master Plan.

Benefit

Today, the park has a new pavilion built from salvaged lumber; rain is collected in a below-ground cistern to flush its toilets, solar panels offset electrical consumption within the restroom, and energy-efficient mechanical equipment offsets energy use. The Nature-Based Playscape is made from 100% recycled round timber and allows kids, and adults, to climb on apparatus that has been handcrafted from white oak, osage orange, and black locust tree trunks and branches. The New Active Green Environment will cater to senior citizens. The yoga circle, bird feeders, inclined walkways, bird baths, and raised garden beds are all designed to strengthen muscle groups that are normally not used on a regular basis. Seniors will be exercising without even knowing it. And native plant gardens will attract pollinators, infiltrate, and absorb rain, and teach residents about the importance of native plants.

Overseeing construction of the nature-based playscape
Overseeing construction of the New Active Green Environment amenities
Overseeing construction of the pavilion and restroom
Submitting quarterly progress reports to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Secured OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development) Grant from Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Government

Natural Resources and Ecological Services

Nells Woodland

gzadan — ��Ϸ��d, 27 Apr 2022 14:59:54 +0000

Nells Woodland gzadan ��Ϸ��d, 04/27/2022 - 10:59

The Nell's Woodland Foundation is an organization dedicated to facilitating a meaningful and connected relationship to nature through programs that support stewardship in the areas of Ecology, Health & ��Ϸ��llness, and the Arts, all of which will utilize inspiration supported by the 60-acre preserve located in Ottawa, IL. By connecting with nature, visitors will benefit from the powerful, healing, and inspirational aspects of nature.

Challenge

To help bring Nells Woodlands�� goals and aspirations to fruition, GZA conducted several site assessments to fully articulate the existing conditions, document important characteristics of the steep ravines, and identify ecotypes within the woodlands that will form the basis of numerous educational features.

Solution

Working closely with Serena Sturm Architects, the Master Plan identifies buildings, bridges, trails, overlooks, outdoor spaces, healing gardens, passive recreation, nature-based activities, and places for reflection that connect visitors to the landscape. At the Ecology Center and ��Ϸ��llness Center, visitors will find outdoor spaces that are extensions of the interior classrooms, kitchens, and lecture halls. The outdoor spaces incorporate raised beds for food production, native plant gardens, and seat walls that emulate natural stone outcroppings found in the ravines. Walking trails through the oak woodland lead to ravine overlooks that offer quiet places to rest, read, and rejuvenate the spirit. For those looking for more active programs, a high ropes course in the woodland will allow visitors to ‘walk�� through the canopies of century old white and red oaks.

Benefit

The entire development is seen as an asset to Ottawa; a place where people can learn about nature, express themselves through art, and develop relationships with the environment that begin to heal through the inspiration of nature.

Conducted site assessment of property to identify issues and opportunities for restoration
Connecting people to nature through ecology, history, and land stewardship
Programming and education to support the Ecology Center
Inclusion of various green infrastructure strategies, such as permeable pavements, rainwater harvesting, solar carports, and car charging stations

Illinois

Natural Resources and Ecological Services

Land Use and Environmental Planning

Fondy Food Market

gzadan — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 20:23:25 +0000

Fondy Food Market gzadan Tue, 04/12/2022 - 16:23

The Fondy Food Center connects Greater Milwaukee to local, fresh food �� from farm to market to table �� so that children learn better, adults live healthier, and communities celebrate cultural food traditions. At the Market, farmers will provide healthy choices to local residents who often times do not have access to fresh fruit and vegetables.

Challenge

The land next to the farmers market has been vacant for years and has become a place where items are often dumped and abandoned. The challenge is to turn the land into a ‘super green park��, meet all of the visions put forth by residents, and meet those visions on a very limited budget.

Solution

Working closely with local community members and the City of Milwaukee, the vacant land was transformed into a new park that encompasses three-fifths of an acre, incorporates numerous green infrastructure features such as a “water tower�� cistern, downspouts connecting to bioswales, in-ground runnels that direct roof runoff to a large bioswale, and a native prairie garden. The project will also monitor water that leaves the site through an in-ground vault and measuring equipment to quantify the amount of water that leaves the site versus be infiltrated on site.

Benefit

The project’s ecological features incorporate nature and nature-based rainwater management strategies into places for people to enjoy the park. Items such as rain gardens, native landscapes, and infiltration zones handle a tremendous amount of roof runoff. A new stage for music and performances incorporates concrete foundations that will support a future boardwalk and art displays. Moreover, the park's central lawn plays host to various programming and activities such as summer jazz music, public art showings, movie nights, and yoga. All of these items were suggestions in the Fondy Park Resident Survey and are now a reality for the neighborhood and residents adjacent to the market.

Creation of an eco-park from unused space at the market
Sustainable stormwater management from building roofs
Native prairie establishment for pollinator habitat
A place to showcase local artists on art platforms
Connections to Nature through native landscapes

Government

Natural Resources and Ecological Services

Coffee Creek Center

gzadan — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 19:10:46 +0000

Coffee Creek Center gzadan Tue, 04/12/2022 - 15:10

The Coffee Creek Watershed Conservancy, a non-profit organization incorporated in 1998, owns and manages the natural areas and recreational facilities within the Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve. Its mission is to protect and maintain the biodiversity of the Coffee Creek corridor and to provide educational and recreational experiences for the public.

Challenge

The Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve is a 157-acre complex of wetlands, woodlands, and prairie. More than 400 native plant species have been identified on the property. The magnificent display of wildflowers from spring through fall is one of The Preserve’s most notable features. Unfortunately, many of the ornamental plants in established landscape beds have been overrun by cool season grasses and aggressive ornamental plants. At The Water Plaza, The Amphitheatre, The ��Ϸ��ir bridge, and Pathway Islands, existing landscapes have become monocultures of unwanted cool season plants.

Solution

Working closely with the Conservancy, a simplified plant palette of native forbs and grasses was selected to transition the overgrown landscape beds. For those areas that receive full sun, the plant palette will be Prairie Dropseed interplanted with Butterfly ��Ϸ��ed and Pale Purple Coneflower. For those areas in shade, the plant palette will be Oak Sedge interplanted with Wild Geranium, Mayapples, and Jacobs Ladder. Over time, as the new plants become established, additional wildflowers will be added.

Benefit

The primary benefit will be an on-going reduction in maintenance, time spent weeding, and cost to continually replenish mulch in the beds. The Conservancy will soon be able to rely on one tool maintenance �� prescribed fire. The new gardens will also benefit pollinators that visit the landscapes.

Site assessment of natural features and resources
Sustainable tree farm plan
Sustainable water management recommendations
Ecological restoration recommendations
Connections to nature through boardwalks and trails

Natural Resources and Ecological Services

Clarke at Garden Avenue

gzadan — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 19:00:09 +0000

Clarke at Garden Avenue gzadan Tue, 04/12/2022 - 15:00

Clarke is a global environmental products and services company whose mission is to make communities around the world more livable, safe, and comfortable. They do this by pioneering, developing, and delivering environmentally responsible solutions for public health through mosquito control and healthy natural habitats.

Challenge

As part of their long-term sustainability mission, Clarke envisioned a holistic transformation of their Garden Avenue property into a demonstration of sustainable design strategies, both inside and outside the buildings. Their vision included ‘green breaks�� for nature exploration, sustainable stormwater, outdoor learning spaces, increased biodiversity that represents the major ecotypes of the Midwest �� prairie, wetland, and savanna, and education for staff and visitors.

Solution

To meet their sustainability goals, Clarke created time for collaboration sessions between staff, GZA, and a select design team to envision environmental initiatives for the site. The hands-on collaboration led to native habitat gardens, rainwater collection and distribution systems, green infrastructure, edible gardens, outdoor learning spaces, renewable energy initiatives, and increased awareness for Clarke’s sustainability mission.

Benefit

Since the project has been completed, Clarke has seen measurable decreases in the buildings carbon footprint, energy use reductions, decreased water use, and reduced waste streams. They have also seen significant increases in biodiversity levels across the site, have increases in operational efficiency, and is 100% carbon neutral.

Their annual reporting has also found that staff retention has increased, and staff are becoming more involved with outside volunteer groups and efforts to enhance the environment where employees live.

Holistic design approach to multiple sites that included staff and design team
Solar carport with permeable pavers (pictured)
More reliance on renewable energy
Increases in operational efficiency
100% carbon-neutrality
Increased levels of biodiversity
Increased staff retention and field work productivity

Natural Resources and Ecological Services

Development of Camp STAR Angelina in Forest Park

gzadan — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 18:51:30 +0000

Development of Camp STAR Angelina in Forest Park gzadan Tue, 04/12/2022 - 14:51

Camp STAR Angelina is an all-inclusive summer day camp for children ages 5-14 with and without disabilities, that is run by the City of Springfield’s Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation (DPBRM) that previously had been held at various City-owned sites located throughout the City of Springfield.

Challenge

It was important to DPRBRM that the camp consolidate its activities at one centralized location where it could offer outdoor, nature-orientated recreation, while also being inclusive and accessible for children of all abilities. DPBRM hired GZA to help explore master planning options that would explore redeveloping a long forgotten and run-down former camp within the 780-acre Forest Park into Camp STAR Angelina’s new barrier-free headquarters. The former camp was last operated in the 1970s and contained relics of a former swimming pool and dilapidated maintenance building. GZA landscape architects, together with civil engineers, licensed site professionals, and wetlands scientists were put to the task of performing and in-depth site analysis a multi-phase master plan of development.

Solution

GZA’s master plan of development was instrumental in the City being awarded funding for the first three phases of the project. For all three phases GZA was the lead landscape architecture and civil engineering firm. With Phase I, GZA designed a new access road, utility connection, low-impact- design stormwater management solutions, zero-entry pool surround design, demolitions of existing structures (pool and buildings). Phase II included a 200-seat fully accessible outdoor amphitheater. Currently Phase II is being developed per GZA’s designs which includes an accessible nature trail that leads from the main parking/amphitheater area through a steep forested ravine down to the shore of Porter Lake- an approximately 80-foot descent.

Benefit

Since completing the first phases, Camp STAR Angelina has enjoyed a new summer home that offers a shady respite in warm summer months for children of all abilities.

Landscape architectural design for Master Plan of Development
Phase I environmental site assessment
Geotechnical investigation, recommendations, and design
Site civil engineering
Low-Impact Development (LID) stormwater management
Universal/ barrier-free site design
��Ϸ��tlands delineation, assessment, and permitting
Utilities design

Massachusetts

Government

Geotechnical Engineering Services

Site / Civil Engineering & Design

U.S. Route 14 Grade Separation Project

gzadan — ��Ϸ��d, 01 Dec 2021 15:21:11 +0000

U.S. Route 14 Grade Separation Project gzadan ��Ϸ��d, 12/01/2021 - 10:21

Challenge

The Village of Barrington, Illinois, has begun the design process of reconstructing U.S. Route 14 to pass underneath the heavily traveled Canadian National (CN) rail line that runs through downtown Barrington. The US Route 14 Grade Separation Project includes reconstruction of the four-lane US Route 14, the CN rail line, associated local roads, relocation of Flint Creek, design of the associated Greenway, and construction of a naturalized stormwater basin for the Barrington Public Library.

GZA’s role in the US Route 14 Underpass Project is to provide environmental services through the Phase II transportation design process, including wetland, biological, special waste, and stream restoration design, as well as county, state, and federal permitting.

Notable challenges to this high-profile project include the Flint Creek relocation design associated with the US Route 14 underpass. The Flint Creek crossing is located at the US Route 14 and CN rail intersection. To construct the US Route 14 underpass, the location of Flint Creek must be relocated approximately 1,000 feet to the west. As this project is located in Barrington’s downtown area, the available space for the new Flint Creek channel is limited.

Solution

The Village, in conjunction with IDOT, conducted a Preliminary Engineering Study for the grade separation after receiving a Federal TIGER II Planning Grant to investigate alternatives for implementing a grade separation at the existing at-grade crossing. This study followed guidelines prescribed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). A public outreach program was also developed for the project based upon the principles of the IDOT’s Context Sensitive Solutions Policy (CSS). The CSS is an interdisciplinary approach that seeks solutions by working with stakeholders to develop cost-effective transportation facilities which fit into and reflect a project’s surroundings.

For Phase II of the US Route 14 Underpass Project, GZA will conduct ��Ϸ��tland Delineations and prepare a ��Ϸ��tland Report, Tree Surveys and an associated Memorandum, Individual Section 401 Water Quality Certification, Threatened and Endangered species habitat surveys, Stream Realignment Assessment and Design, Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment (PESA), Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI), Clean Construction or Demolition Debris (CCDD), NEPA Support Services, Natural Areas Design Services, and USACE and Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (LCSMC) Permitting.

Two commercial properties and eight homes will be demolished to accommodate the Flint Creek realignment and US Route 14 underpass. Approximately 1,700 linear feet of Flint Creek will be relocated through the two commercial properties and four homes. In addition to the stream realignment assessment and design, GZA will conduct an Antidegradation Analysis, which will include a full biological assessment of the stream reach including surveys for fish, macroinvertebrates, and mussels, as well as pollutant loading analysis. The remnant stream channel will be left in place and enhanced for stormwater storage, wildlife habitat, and water quality benefit.

Benefit

Along with the naturalization of a proposed stormwater basin at the adjacent Barrington Public Library, the enhanced old Flint Creek channel and the new Flint Creek Greenway will provide community natural area access in Barrington’s downtown area. GZA’s extensive and detailed reporting, data collection, and design assisted in maintaining project timelines and budgets.

Grade separation project
Environmental services through Phase II transportation design process
��Ϸ��tland, biological, special waste, and stream restoration design
County, state, and federal permitting

Natural Resources and Ecological Services

Hepburn Family Preserve Living Shorelines Case Study Briefing

gzadan — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 15:46:27 +0000

Hepburn Family Preserve Living Shorelines Case Study Briefing gzadan Tue, 08/31/2021 - 11:46

Challenge

Beach and dune erosion have been an ongoing issue along the approximately 450 linear foot barrier spit that makes up the Hepburn Dune section of the Old Saybrook shoreline. The Borough of Fenwick and Lynde Point Land Trust had expended significant effort and cost to stabilize the shoreline and Lynde Point Marsh during the last 10 to 15 years. Crab Creek, located landward of the dune, was blocked by sediment and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) had made emergency repairs. Shoreline erosion continued and in 2017 there was concern that future storm events may cause a breach of the barrier spit. A breach would have negative consequences for both improved property in the area and the recently restored Lynde Point Marsh and Crab Creek located upland of the barrier spit. GZA was retained in August 2017 by the Borough of Fenwick and Lynde Point Land Trust to design a solution.

Solution

GZA proposed designing a Living Shoreline approach to mitigate ongoing erosion and reduce the potential for a breach of the barrier spit. Additional funding was necessary to complete the design process and CIRCA awarded Fenwick a Municipal Resilience Grant. Several alternatives were developed and evaluated relative to system performance, likelihood of permit acceptance and cost. GZA evaluated the performance of the Living Shoreline under prevailing wind, tide, and wave conditions (to establish requirements for new wetlands survivability) and under storm conditions (storm surge and waves) representing different recurrence intervals. The recommended alternative utilizes: 1) a nearshore wetland sill to attenuate prevailing wave heights; 2) new fill and tidal wetlands between the sill and the beach; 3) reshaping of cobble beach; and 4) dune restoration with a quarrystone-reinforced, planted dune (above the Coastal Jurisdiction Line).

Benefit

A Living Shoreline provides the benefit of a nature-based approach to shoreline stabilization, consistent with the existing barrier spit and marsh setting and with only temporary habitat impact. This approach also addresses the erosive effects of existing, historical coastal structures located near the site. GZA assisted the Borough with an application for a CIRCA Municipal Resilience Grant which was awarded. The project was designated by DEEP as a pilot demonstration project with long term performance monitoring. GZA collaborated with CIRCA and the University of Connecticut to establish empirical Living Shoreline performance criteria applicable to Long Island Sound. The project was also recently presented by CIRCA as part of a Living Shoreline permit workshop.

Project Design

GZA is at the forefront of Living Shoreline and hybrid system design for coastal shoreline stabilization. GZA’s approach has been to integrate ecology and coastal engineering technologies to develop a rational method for design of Living Shorelines, and utilizes:

Detailed statistical analysis of wind, water level and wave data;
Assessment of the environmental stress conditions required for new marsh survivability (based on tidal elevation and prevailing wave height and frequency);
Use of high-resolution numerical wave and surge modeling;
Risk-based design which evaluates the system response under a range of conditions (from prevailing conditions to different recurrence interval coastal flood conditions), and;
Consideration of the state and local regulatory agency goals for living shorelines during design.

GZA used a very high resolution, 2-dimensional numerical wave model (SWAN) to characterize nearshore waves. The results of the wave modeling were used to: 1) determine the need for wave attenuation (for new marsh survivability); and 2) inform placement of the Living Shoreline features (e.g., wetlands and rock sills) to conform to the existing shoreline geomorphology and tidal and wave currents. This design approach enhances shoreline stabilization while avoiding significant habitat impact and creating additional erosion in the vicinity.

GZA’s SWAN modeling results of the prevailing wave conditions confirmed that the prevailing wave heights exceed marsh survivability criteria and new wetland sills will be required for wave attenuation. The project is on the southern facing shoreline, with a long fetch across Long Island Sound. GZA’s risk analysis established a probability-based design basis, which defines the performance of the system in terms of likelihood of failure and predicted frequency of maintenance.

GZA completed the permitting in one year. Construction began in 2020 and was completed on May 15, 2021.

CIRCA Municipal Resilience Grant application and award
Living Shoreline proposed for stabilization of barrier spit
State DEEP pilot demonstration project
Historical shoreline change assessment
Metocean data analysis
Numerical wave modeling
Numerical cross-shore sediment transport modeling
Living shoreline design, permitting and construction monitoring
Project Partners: Lynde Point Land Trust, Borough of Fenwick, CIRCA, Connecticut River Conservancy, Sea Grant Connecticut, State of Connecticut DEEP, SumCo Eco-Contracting (construction) and several individual and philanthropic funding partners
Connecticut Green Building Council 2022 Green Building Awards- Resilience Award of Honor

Waterfront and Coastal Engineering

Rose Larisa Park Living Shoreline Protection

gzadan — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 16:02:19 +0000

Rose Larisa Park Living Shoreline Protection gzadan Mon, 08/24/2020 - 12:02

The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) received funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Resiliency Grant Program to increase coastal resilience and reduce risk to people, infrastructure and natural resources in coastal communities by building and monitoring nature-based coastal infrastructure throughout New England. TNC raised additional matching funds with grants from 11th Hour Racing and the RI Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration Trust Fund, administered by CRMC. The objective of the program is to identify and test living solutions to improve shoreline protection and monitor the results over time. The Rhode Island project included the construction and monitoring of two bluff erosion control treatments for the purpose of stabilizing the bluff and creating salt marsh for beach protection at Rose Larisa Park in East Providence, RI.

Challenge

GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. (GZA) teamed with SumCo Eco-Contracting of Peabody, MA to provide engineering design, permitting support, and construction services for the design and construction of two bluff erosion control treatments including a biodegradable shoreline with appropriate plantings and an intertidal sill along the beach below the bluff at the park on the Providence River.

Solution

GZA completed a site visit and reviewed the provided topographic survey of the beach and bluff area to establish the base plan for the design of the treatments. Design plans were developed and reviewed with TNC and CRMC. GZA also provided sketches for inclusion in permitting documents prepared by TNC and CRMC. Following reviews and approvals, the construction of the proposed designs was completed. Construction was performed by SumCo Eco-Contracting under the watchful eye of The Nature Conservancy. Volunteers from CRMC, TNC and Save the Bay helped with planting efforts during construction.

Benefit

The installation of the living shoreline protections will be monitored for their efficacy and resilience over time. The success of these treatments will help determine if these methods will be utilized more frequently for shoreline protection in Rhode Island and throughout New England.

Completed site visits and reviewed available topographic survey to establish base condition
Prepared design documents for review and approvals
Assisted in preparation of permit documents
Provided Construction Phase Services

Water

Waterfront and Coastal Engineering

Natural Resources and Ecological Services

Natural Hazard Risk Management, Climate Adaptation and Resilience