The ecological design of a trail system through a
brownfield redevelopment at Liberty State Park
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Cherichello, Joseph.
The ecological design of a trail system through a
brownfield redevelopment at Liberty State Park. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3222SQ3Export
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TitleThe ecological design of a trail system through a
brownfield redevelopment at Liberty State Park
Date Created2012
Other Date2012-05 (degree)
Extentxiii, 119 p. : ill.
DescriptionIn this post-industrial age, many opportunities present themselves to convert urban brownfields into open green space. In doing so, as with any other land development, landscape architects rely on the principles of ecological design. Ecological principles unique to this brownfield pertaining to soil and plant relationships were tested on site; the results provide recommendations for the planting design. Ten soil amendment treatments (25% and 50% the recommended fertilizer, 10% and 20% sand by volume, compost, hydrogel, 10% sand + compost, 10% sand + hydrogel, mulch and a control) were compared for their impact on survival and growth of eight native species (Aronia melanocarpa, Myrica pensylvanica, Prunus maritima, Solidago sempervirens, Baptisia tinctoria, Eupatorium coelestinum, Chamaecrista fasciculate, and Lolium multiflorum). Only one statistically significant difference was found for one of three growth measures in one of the eight species tested. This implies that the soil amendments in the full scale planting scheme may not be important. The design of three nodes along a trail (with information and educational opportunities) investigates the blending of ecological design principles with the art of designing an engaging experience through a series of successional plant assemblages. ‘The Trailhead’ (Node 1) provides a shaded gathering space at the start of the trail surrounded by a bioretention swale to collect stormwater runoff. ‘Succession and Space’ (Node 2) engages the user by displaying the spatial significance of emerging from a forested area to an open meadow through various sub-nodes. And finally, ‘The Crossroads’ (Node 3) is the convergence of many trails with information and views of nearby constructed wetlands and also provides experimental opportunities for further research. The designs are evaluated using the 2009 Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks, as prepared by Sustainable Sites Initiative. Each design achieved three stars (out of four) even though the entire design process was completed before in depth study of the Guidelines commenced. It became clear that the evaluation system favors the inclusion of building in the design and, thereby, lowers the potential rating of open space.
NoteM.L.A.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Joseph Cherichello
Genretheses, ETD graduate
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.
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