REGENERATE RESTORE RENEW - Point Pleasant Park

REGENERATE RESTORE RENEW
Point Pleasant Park International Design Competition 2005
Halifax Nova Scotia Canada

VISION

This Master Plan for the multi-phased regeneration, restoration and renewal of
Point Pleasant Park is based on a detailed understanding of the site's geographic
location, geomorphic characteristics, diverse ecologies and historic significance,
and is guided by principles of managed forest succession. The proposal aims to
develop a healthy, sustainable, multi-aged forest system whose health and vigor
are able to adapt to impacts of disease, insect infestation, weather extremes and
human use. The proposed design concept celebrates, protects and enhances the
site's extraordinary physical qualities and historic legacy.

The proposed managed forest succession strategy for Point Pleasant Park will
be augmented in the early stages with young plantings in strategic locations (as
catalyst patches), thus encouraging the forest system to regenerate and evolve
with minimal guided intervention. Firstly the boundaries for the initial plantings will
be established. Steeper slopes will be located and planted with pioneer species.
Planting the steeper slopes first will help mitigate soil erosion while providing the
new plantings a safe place to establish beyond regular human traffic. Locations
and predictions for future forest succession boundaries will be made considering
soil types and quality, slopes, orientation, exposure, microclimates and
programming. A key component to the managed forest succession process will
be the development of a diverse multi-aged forest system of native plant species.
The management scheme will also take into account the regional context helping
to bridge the link along the proposed Halifax urban greenway corridor.

The proposed strategy will take place from the ground up. Soil building efforts
and the retaining of woody debris will ensure an adequate amount of soil and
nutrients are available for forest growth. A diverse understory will be monitored to
promote wildlife habitat and forest health. The forest system will be adapted to
suit the micro-sites and soil conditions unique to the site. As restoration is an
ongoing process the proposed design strategy for Point Pleasant Park will
include continuous monitoring of the landscape. The plan is inherently flexible by
its promotion of changing forest conditions and park uses. Inclusion of the
community, with a strong community-based education, planning, and monitoring
system is an integral component in the plan to ensure the long term success of
the park.

Point Pleasant Park has experienced extreme disturbance and disruption in the
wake of Hurricane Jaun and other natural adversities. Like any healing process it
takes time to repair and rebuild. The process of successional evolution, not only
for the forest and site ecologies but for infrastructure and programming as well,
will ensure that the future configuration of the park will be well suited to its
environment. With managed forest succession a new park identity will evolve.

SITE CONTEXT

The location of Point Pleasant Park is unique and holds great potential for
connections beyond the site. The proposal aims to build upon the dynamic
location within the larger green network and coastal community by promoting and
enabling linkages to larger park and open space sites. For pedestrians and
wildlife the park acts as a pivotal zone. The proposal builds upon this point and
enables a vision for an even larger scale forest system to evolve via a contiguous
green network. Point Pleasant Park has the ability to become a paragon for
establishing a healthy forest system within the developing green network.

PHASING

ECOLOGY
1 year

ƒ Site Preparation
ƒ Bioengineering of steep lowland slopes >30% with primary successional

species to stabilize slopes, build soil profile, create forested windbreak,
augment planting in existing forest patches, and create corridor linkages.
ƒ Rearrangement of deadfall for slope stabilization and nutrient nursing logs.
ƒ Beginnings of ecological shoreline protection planting.
ƒ Focus soil building with respect to poor soils and diversity potential.

2 to 5 years
ƒ Planting of upland slopes with mid-successional forest species to stabilize
slopes >30%, encourage the patch and corridor forest matrix, and diversify
the forest species.
ƒ Allow primary species to succeed into secondary forest.
ƒ Development of sustainable parking (permeable/treed). Further
development of shoreline habitat to strengthen all areas of park ecology.
ƒ Integration of various uses with park's carrying capacity.
ƒ Forest matrix development.

6 to 20 years
ƒ Encourage self seeding of tree species to take place on all significant and
gently sloping areas <30% and encourage diversity with seedling planting
where necessary.
ƒ Further coastal habitat development to help with shoreline protection and
remediation.
ƒ Embrace the sea.

21 to 50 years
ƒ Encourage forest to develop into a healthy and diverse multi-aged forest
ecosystem maintaining and adding seedlings where necessary.
ƒ Forest ecology is managed, monitored, and minimally maintained due to
strength and resilience of diverse park landscape matrix.
ƒ Small scale selective disturbances may be necessary to promote diversity.
ƒ Dynamic forest system to provide greater opportunity for wildlife.
ƒ Park is monitored for indicator species.

CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
1 year

ƒ Structuring of sustainable approach in relation to community activities,
education, stewardship programs, and current renewal projects :
tree planting and forest management
cultural resource management park's history
HRM infrastructure renewal
active living project amenities for active living
federal disaster relief fund Hurricane Juan remediation

ƒ Front entry restoration project to symbolize park's renewal.
ƒ Gates to be restored and boulevard to be extended in front of park to

enhance this important and historic primary entrance.
ƒ Current park activities continue, while new programs are added annually.

Successional ecology education seminars/workshops
Community tree planting events
Gate renewal and dedication ceremony
Perimetre Franklyn Street tree planting
Picnic and recreation lawn areas (to reduce mowing in park)
Plots of natural succession used for research and education
Tall grass areas for battery preservation (removal of other woody
plants)

2 to 5 years
ƒ Development of sense of place in contrast with the surrounding urban
environment.
ƒ Clarification of form and function.
ƒ Implementation of universal design principles for all new construction.
ƒ Development of use programming activities, which are closely tied to the
park's historical, social, and environmental context.
ƒ Continued archeological investigation and documentation.
ƒ Mi'kmaq Spring Feast festival
ƒ Establish forest development and ecology self-guided walks
ƒ Addition of military self-guided walk
ƒ Monitoring of succession plots
ƒ Construction of sea viewing mounds
ƒ Implementation of green parking lot and planting
ƒ Infill tree planting on perimetre Point Pleasant Drive
ƒ Additional outhouse facilities
ƒ Structural stabilization of military batteries and significant archeological
remnants
ƒ Significant forest tracts to be protected from foot traffic/trails

6 to 20 years
ƒ Construction of new Cafe/Shakespeare by the Sea Office/
Bathouse/Washrooms/Exhibition Space/Cultural-Community Building.
The new building is more appropriately located by the sea at the junction
of the lower parking lot and Sailor’s Road, to act as an authoritative focal
point and welcoming gateway into the park.
ƒ Encouragement and support of water related activities such as:
Canoe and small craft mooring
Fishing areas
Swimming areas
Coastal habitat restoration walks

ƒ Special events become regular/annual celebrations.
ƒ Further clarification of form through sustainable design.
ƒ Establish and mark historic settlement boundaries (archeology/research)
ƒ Provide a map and information for an early settlement self-guided walk

21 to 50 years
ƒ Additional programs are accommodated sustainably.
ƒ Continual maintenance and management of road and trail system to adapt
to user needs.
ƒ Ongoing research, education, and community involvement to understand
and promote forest and coastal ecology, Mi’kmaq heritage, early
settlement, military history, and park legacy.

CIRCULATION
1 year

ƒ Restoration and restructuring of park entrance to create a grand and clear
primary entry and symbolize the beginning of park renewal.

ƒ Relocation of bus turnaround to north east corner of park.

2 to 5 years
ƒ Connection of Cambridge Drive and Prince of Wales Drive to reintroduce
historic settlement and military road alignment, clarify circulation, and
solve erosion problem at south end of Pine Road.
ƒ Conversion of decommissioned roads to trails.
ƒ Clarification of forest trails.
ƒ Renovation of parking lots to green parking and activity areas.

6 to 20 years
ƒ Extension of sea walk trail.
ƒ Connection to sea wall path.
ƒ Repair of park perimetre walks along Franklyn Street and Point Pleasant
Drive.
ƒ Road maintenance and minor repair to alignments for safety and erosion
control.
ƒ

21 to 50 years
ƒ General maintenance / adjustment of roads and trails to suit park and park
user needs.

VISION FOR FOREST SUCCESSION
1 year

ƒ Reduction in open lawn areas.
ƒ Retain and place deadfall for soil and nutrient retention and erosion

control.
ƒ Selective thinning by a professional crew followed by community planting

and forest education events.

2 to 5 years
ƒ Shoreline protection and stabilization with shrub and grass planting.
ƒ Protect areas of primary forest succession.
ƒ Monitoring, management, and infill planting as necessary.

6 to 20 years
ƒ Additional shore protection tree planting and natural succession.
ƒ Manage mid-successional forest and encourage healthy forest understory
growth with clearing and planting as necessary.

21 to 50 years
ƒ Established ecological shoreline protection and a diverse multi-aged
coastal ecology.
ƒ Monitor and manage the mature, healthy, dynamic forest as necessary.

ENTRIES

The proposed park entry redesign will expand upon the strengths of the existing
structures and historical design language. At present the entry points to the park
from both Young Avenue and Tower Road lack clarification and punctuation. For
both entries the pedestrian experience has been diminished and overpowered by
vehicular needs. Defining edges, refining materials, and improving circulation will
help to re-establish the threshold between park and city by celebrating this
transition.

CAMBRIDGE BATTERY ECOLOGY AND CULTURE

The Cambridge Battery will be repaired, reinforced where necessary, and
incorporated back into the life of the park. Vegetation near the foundation and in
close proximity to the structure will be removed to decrease the chances of
structural damage. An open lawn area below and longer grasses above the
structure will enable full view and access to the historic remnant.

LOWER PARKING

The lower parking lot has been redesigned into a multi-use space for parking as
well as occasional large gatherings. Greater tree cover within the lot provides a
cooler environment and protection from sea winds. Sunken tree trenches that
run the width of the lot act to capture, retain, and filter storm water runoff. A row
of trees have also been planted along the eastern periphery to screen the
container pier. At the southern end of the lot, adjacent to the helicopter pad, an
interactive wind sculpture captures wind off the water as well as responding to
the presence of a helicopter. The sculptural propellers will harness energy to
supply the adjacent bathing pavilion. The wind sculpture, in conjunction with the
pavilion acts as a gateway into Black Rock Beach and the park beyond.