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Smith College Parcel K Northampton State Hospital reuse study 9.15.1980} JLISTER POPE ASSOCIATES 5 BRIDGE STREET, SHELBURNE FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS 01370 413 -625 -2655 ARCHITECTS & PLANNERS LAND USE STUDY PARCEL VI THE NORTHAMPTON STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY Prepared for SMITH COLLEGE Northampton, Massachusetts September 15, 1980 Juster Pope Associates Architects and Planners John Martin Associated Landscape Architect BACKGROUND 8 INTENT With the phasing out of the Northampton State Hospital, the issue of the use and/or disposition of the Buildings (40) and Land (500+ acres) has become an important issue for the city of Northampton. Smith College has a longstanding interest and involvement with a portion of the property (Parcel VI) and particular.concerns for its use and disposition. As stated in the "Report-of the State Hospital Re -Use Group" (Nov. 1, 1979) (111 -C, p.4) : Smith College has expressed a desire to acquire the land at the base of the hill which is currently used for athletic . purposes, and in addition, the four buildings at its eastern edge, near the river, the slopes east of the main hospital buildings, and the two houses at the top of the slope. In a letter dated April 18, 1979, the College declared its intention to maintain the slopes in their present condition- "for teaching, conservation, and aesthetic purposes," and to allow appropriate public access to these areas. Smith College has used a portion of that property (Parcel V1) -for a number of years (leased from the State) for their equestrian prograin. In its Recommendations, (VI -A, p.7) the report states: Smith College currently uses a plot at the eastern end of the property for horseback riding. We support_ the College's request to acquire this property, and in addition, to acquire the four houses at the eastern end of the property, the slopes to the east of the main hospital buildings, and the two houses and pavilion at the top of the slope, provided that the acqui- sition of the two houses and pavilion not jeopardize any larger plan for the site and provided further that the deed guarantee appropriate public access to the slopes, and specifically limit the developments that can occur on any part of the property. - 2 - The advantages of this arrangement for the city are that the College would assume responsibility, including costs, for the maintenance of these areas, and that the houses, which would be used as rental properties by the College would be tax - generating. Smith College is interested in acquiring this property for: 1. Recreational and educational uses relating to existing and projected College programs and for community use. 2. The preservation of a major environmental resource (visual and amenity) located close to the center of the city. 3. As a buffer against possible incompatible development on the Northampton State Hospital property. This study is commissioned by Smith College to explore the potentials of this site compatible with the above aims and the following planning intentions: 1. To maintain the land, insofar as possible, in its present undeveloped condition, with no significant modification of existing terrain or vegetative cover. 2. To continue the present College equestrian uses on that portion of the land currently used for this purpose. 3. To maintain and strengthen existing recreational uses currently enjoyed by the community and the College, particularly the unique sliding area of Hospital Hill. 4. To develop the land for informal passive and active recreational activities for use by both the College and the community. (i.e. hiking, jogging, cross - country skiing, etc.) 5. To identify areas suitable for ecological and nature.study and to develop appropriate educational ecological and nature study opportunities for both the .College and the city. - 3 - 6. To extend community access to the land as appropriate. 7. To define plot boundaries for existing residences and to suggest uses for other existing structures in relation to the above activities. The study presentation consists of: Report and Recommendations Site Map - Soil types and topography Site Map - Vegetation zones Site Map - Planning recommendations Note: Delineation of the 25± acre site (Parcel VI) is based upon th=: site Man in the Report of the State Hospital Re -Use Group and is intended to indicate only an approximate boundary of the area. SUMMARY FINDINGS SOIL YPES & VEGETATION ZONE MAPS SOIL TYPES - MAP The riparian plain (currently occupied by the Smith College Athletic fields) and its escarpments are a product of the historic interaction of the Mill River and the highly erodable soils of the Boxford and Raynham soil series. Erosion now seems to be stabilized through: (a) Flood control devices on the Mill River and Smith' College program of dredging to maintain channel flow. (b) River bank stabilization. (c) By tree planting to eliminate erosion on the east - facing escarpment of the Boxford series. (d) Maintenance of native tree cover on the extremely steep (though more stable) Woodford soil series. - 4 - Erosion is evident, nevertheless, in the Boxford series. There is a deep fissuring in one section of the escarpment and shallow surface gullying occurs in the bottom of the small valleys (e on plan) . In addition, gullying and some soil slippage is evident at the toe of the slope at the interface of the Boxford and Amostown soil series. Generally speaking, existing land management practices have been successful in maintaining the stability of the soil /vegetation regimen. VEGETATION ZONES - MAP Analysis of the vegetation on the land under investigation reveals seven distinct ecological zones, each with distinct visual characteristics (described on plan). To the character of each zone can be ascribed the intervention of land management techniques of varying. intensity. The fields used for - equestrian activities are closely mown and well drained, edged by ornamental trees. A sub division of this open -zone category are the areas of coarsely mown grass atop the Boxford soils, which zi-e confined by rich ornamental plantings and the closed conifer canopy of Zone 5 and supporting a slightly differing biota from the equestrian fields. Orchard areas (Zone 2) , Landscaped areas (Zone 1) and the cold slopes of Zone 4 provide niches for biotic profiles. Finally, the riparian areas (Zones 6a and 6b) provide unique areas based upon a fresh water regimen; one with a relatively high water table and subject to prolonged submergence, one low lying and subject to periodic dampness. Historically, the present land cover seems to be the product of landscape policies which were designed: (a) To control erosion on the unstable east escarpment. (b) To provide a buffer of vegetation to partially screen .the hospital buildings and reduce the impact of their immense bulk. (c) The landscape screen is composed of a large number of orna- mental species, planted with great sensitivity. Clearly suggest- ing that considerable care was taken to enhance the views both from and to the Hospital. - 5 - These factors still have an enduring role to play in any future uses of the Hospital buildings and grounds. PLANNING RECOMMENDATIONS The following uses and conservation programs are proposed: Active Uses 1. Continuation of present equestrian education programs on flat lands adjacent to Prince Street. 2. Limited pony trekking /cross- country riding, over nature trails. 3. Natural History Programs - The unique combination of soils and vegetation types combine, in an urban setting, to provide opportunities for a wide variety of educational programs oriented to Natural History Sciences - Botany, Zoology, Biology, ornithology, and ecology, and to professional fields such as Landscape Design and Management and urban agriculture. The area is seen as an important resource for Smith College, the Northampton Community Schools and the Five College system. Consistent with the development of programs in these areas, the College would discourage intensive recreational activities other than on the lower sections of the site (Prince Street - Hospital Hill) . Access to trail bikes, snowmobiles etc. would be banned. The present Bowling alley structure ats rthz -U Mm-5 PTy -hi ric -Unit &vui4-d°rrr9 could be renovated, as required, to uses associated with field studies. For example, one of the buildings could be adapted to uses supporting programs of the Northampton School System (primary and secondary level) and assigned for their use - The other set up for Smith College and Five College programs, on advanced levels. - 6 - 4. Winter Use - The sliding hill is ideally suited to tobogganing, sledding and other winter recreational activities. There is a great variety of open, closed and sloping terrain offering a range of possibilities and challenges. No special site preparation would be necessary. - The proposed uses reinforce and .support the visual and environmental quality of the area and help to preserve what could be an easily damaged landscape (see ' soils map) . Internally, the site embraces a variety of spatial areas, including the landscaped areas of beech grove and the large plantation west of the present psychiatric unit. There are also orchards and erosion control screens of pine and spruce. Natural areas include the complex water environment and the hemlock /oak /grey birch forest of Zone 4. . Each area provides a constantly varying scene of ecological and visual `+ experience for the walker and the nature student. In a broader sense, the topography and vegetation combine to provide a green embankment that defines and contains this particular broad stretch of the Mill River Valley. It acts as a natural buffer and screen from the surrounding community and streets and from the massive complex of buildings that comprise the state hospital. Preliminary studies suggest that this buffer system is in a state of equilibrium, largely because of wise and established management policies that protect the fragile soils that comprise this escarp- ment. MAC LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT The College will develop a landscape management program to maintain the physical landscape and its spatial character in its present condition. This will include mowing, vegetation control, tree care and plowing. Actions materially affecting the physical landscape would include: ). Establishing domestic garden zones around the-residential properties (4, 5, 6 on plans) . Boundary fences and hedges will give better privacy than is presently enjoyed by the residents. 2. Dismantling the metal and fiberglass partition (3 on plan) . This is a visually disruptive structure of limited utility, whose form and appearance are inconsistent with existing landscape values. 3. As part of the College's riparian management activities the y small lagoon would be dredged of silt that is contributing to its present degradation. A small landing /launching area is proposed for the use of those interested in riparian ecology. 4. Chain link fence between existing athletic fields and leased equestrian areas can be removed to.give sense of spatial flow and increase accessibility between both areas. 5. Maintenance of existing spatial character For the following reasons the existing character of the landscape should be retained: Soil conservation (detailed considerations are given on soil types map) . Possible erosion and stabilization of existing vegetation cover. Ecological - Maintenance of present unique ecological zones. These areas have particular value for natural history education, representing an urban wilderness area that is quite rare. M -M Spatial /visual - It is important that the character of the "bowl" formed along the Mill River remains intact. Existing vegetation acts as an important screen for the immense bulk of the main hospital building, reducing both its physical and psychological impact. Open space-and present landscape definition creates a "territorial" zone in front of the main hospital building, which could be of significant value for re -use of the building. Macro Scale _ Much of the character of the site results from the interaction of its distinct landscaped and open - zones (i.e. the spatial and functional character of its parts) . These include open orchard, ornamental trees, hemlock woods on steep scarp slopes, pine grove, riparian zone vegetation etc. d The opportunity for this kind of sequential experience at this scale and in this location is a valuable resource for the community. , Conservation commission A. Smith. School B. County use School Department Recreation Department Lease G_ Jail Site Developed Portions Land to be conveyed to Smith Collece 1, • ., ��/ ., \ + . 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