Conservation Area Signage Small Grant 1
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION
COMBINED SMALL GRANT
ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION FORM Project Title: Conservation Area Historical and Ecological Interpretive Signage Project location, including address and parcel number: Conservation and recreational parcels owned by the Northampton Conservation Commission Project Sponsor/Organization: Northampton Conservation Commission and Office of Planning & Sustainability Contact Name: Wayne Feiden, Director of Planning and Sustainability Property Owner, if applicable: City of Northampton c/o its Conservation Commission Mailing Address: 210 Main Street, Room 11, Northampton MA 01060 Daytime phone #: 413-587-1265 Fax #: 413-587-1264 E-mail address: wfeiden@northamptonma.gov
CPA Program Area (check those that apply): X Open Space Historic Preservation Community Housing Recreation Project Purpose (check those that apply) : Preservation X Rehabilitation/Restoration
Applicant’s Signature:
Date Submitted: January 19, 2018 For CPC Use Eligible: _____ Not Eligible: _____ Date: __________ Reviewer: ____________________ Appropriate for Small Grant Process_____ Referred to Traditional Funding Round______
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Total Project Budget (not to exceed $6,000.00): $4,500 CPA Funding Request (not to exceed $3,000.00): $2,900 Funding from other sources: $1,600 labor match List any in-kind donations of labor or materials: The Office of Planning and Sustainability commits to providing $1,600 in-kind match for historic research, design and installation. CPA Request as % of Total Budget: 64% Budget Summary: Please specify how CPA funds will be spent. Itemize all projected expenditures. If budget is based on a quote, please attach it. List any additional funding sources or donations of in-kind service. These funds must be secured at the time of application, as evidenced by a signed commitment letter referencing the content of the application, and including any restriction on the use of funds. Estimated budget: CPA Funds: Signage, shipping, mounting posts and hardware for seven 24x36 inch signs ($356 each plus shipping): $2492 Shipping: $408 Matching funds: The Office of Planning and Sustainability commits staff and intern time to research conservation area history and ecology, design compelling and informative signs, work with Fossil Graphics to print the signs, and finally, install all signage when complete. 1) Please provide a brief description of the project. The Conservation Commission currently owns more than one thousand acres of permanently protected open spaces in greenways and corridors around the City. These areas provide a wide variety of recreational opportunities and are utilized by many types of visitors throughout the year. They all vary widely, have different cultural histories, ecology and natural communities, points of interest, geology, recreational opportunities, and stories. The Commission, with the help of CPA funds, hired naturalist Laurie Sanders to update ‘Rediscovering Northampton’ in 2015. This invaluable resource provides a comprehensive inventory of all of the City’s protected open spaces; pulling together information from a
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wide variety of sources and serving as an encyclopedia of local open space. It includes a wealth of information about the natural history, environmental opportunities and challenges, vegetation, and human and geological history of all conservation areas – those that are large, well-known and frequently visited, as well as smaller secluded areas that may not see as much use. The document helps bring alive each area and tell its unique story, but most conservation area visitors have not read through the documents, and see areas through a much smaller lens. This project proposes seven informational signs at conservation areas around the City to convey the historical and natural context of each area, through text, maps, and photos on durable, weather-proof panels. A visit to a landmark, historic neighborhood or scenic vista can most certainly be appreciated on its own, but a well-designed, informative sign can help to educate visitors and bring experiences even closer. They can serve as educational tools for school groups, can spark interest in local ecology and history, will help to preserve a sense of place, and will encourage visitors to visit new places and trails. We will finalize sign locations and designs once funding is complete. The Office of Planning and Sustainability has received extremely positive feedback on other signs, both those at existing recreational and conservation areas, and historic signs sponsored by other groups. A small initial investment will have a significant long-term impact on increasing awareness and knowledge about conservation. 2) What Community Preservation criteria – both general and program-area specific – does this project meet? General Criteria: The Conservation Area Signage Project meets several of the CPC general evaluation criteria: Contributes to the preservation of Northampton’s unique character, boosts the vitality of the community, and enhances the quality of life for its residents Addresses recommendations contained in the Sustainable Northampton comprehensive plan, Open Space, Recreation, and Mixed Use Trail Plan 2011-2017 or is consistent with other city-wide planning efforts that have received broad-based scrutiny and input and can demonstrate wide community support Receives endorsement by community groups, municipal boards and/or departments The application is supported by the Conservation and Historical Commissions. Contributes to the preservation of Northampton’s unique character, boosts the vitality of the community, and enhances the quality of life for its residents The project also meets many of the criteria for both Open Space and Recreation, as well as Historic Preservation projects.
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Open Space and Recreation Criteria: Supports passive and recreational opportunities by providing information about areas and encouraging further exploration Serves many residents and visitors Is accessible to all ages and abilities Enhances appreciation of existing conservation areas Contributes to public health by encouraging walking and hiking Maximizes utility of city owned land Promotes a creative use of connecting corridors Historic Preservation Criteria: The project meets all of the criteria for historic preservation projects. Preservation restrictions are not necessary because the areas are already permanently protected. It will directly increase knowledge about historic and culturally significant areas. The project will define conservation areas in a historical context, could help to support eligibility for national register listing in some cases, and is supported by the Historical Commission. 3) What community need(s) does this project serve? If the project serves multiple needs and populations, please describe them. If the project serves a population that is currently underserved, please describe. The project serves the community by encouraging new ways to look at existing conservation areas – the small wooded area one walks by every day may have had a different life in the past – what did that look like, and how was Northampton different in the past? What type of animals could one expect to see here now? How did the area get its name, and how did it get to be protected? What do the rocks tell us about how Northampton was formed? The project will create and affordable and accessible educational opportunity for all residents. The signs will meet accessibility guidelines and will be easy to view by children and individuals in wheelchairs. 4) What specific guarantees will assure the long-term preservation of the project? All properties are already permanently protected, and the signage proposed should help to increase use and stewardship of those areas. The Office of Planning and Sustainability commits to necessary maintenance for the life of the signs. We have other signs from the same manufacturer at other projects and they are holding up extremely well to wear after several years. The signs are graffiti-proof and are guaranteed for 10 years against fading and deterioration. 5) What community support does the project have? Explain the nature and level of the support.
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The project is supported by the Conservation and Historical Commissions, and the Office of Planning and Sustainability. 6) How will the success of this project be measured? Success of the project will be measured by installation of signs and use by residents and visitors. We hope to receive positive feedback and comments. 7) Is ongoing maintenance and upkeep required? If yes, please explain how this will be accomplished. Fossil panels are graffiti-proof, and guaranteed for 10 years. Any maintenance and/or repair will be conducted by Office of Planning and Sustainability staff as-needed. 8) Explain the various steps of the project and when they will be completed We are ready to begin as soon as funding is secure, and hope to have all signs designed and installed in 2018. 9) Provide any additional information you think would be useful in considering your project. Interpretive signage is a small but incredibly impactful part of a visit to many destinations; such as national and state parks, historic sites, and lookouts. We are looking forward to the signs’ eliciting comments like “I didn’t know that,” “That’s really interesting,” and “Let’s go take a look at that” Attachments: Support Letter from Historical Commission