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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-09 September Stewart Park Improvement Master Plan Map & DrawingLOPMENT i'ol cy tai ements p oxide the rativnaleR j �stlfl ation and d%ec#inri"" crr a wlde variety of�ossibile publfc ant piiv#e actions, for cilia[ iinvstmett#,ni fcr POLICY# 't 0` and develi�ptnent ®pdrunities #hat continued evolution of #;pat%riJfl inevitab create The Mast Plar< is based on the friliowin� pollci+�s The City will support future public and private development which will enhance the op- portunity for regional use of the park when such development is compatible with the overall objectives of the Master Plan. The City wishes to increase the informal picnic use and passive character of the park. Future development will aim at enhancing casual use by families and people of all ages for picnicking, fishing, strolling, viewing and similar unstructured activities. The park faces serious problems of overuse. To overcome this, and increase future holding capacity, the City intends to work toward extending parkland by selectively extending the shoreline to the north. The City feels that the best remaining old-growth lakeshore forest should be protected and preserved in its natural state. In recognition of the natural functions of these wetlands, their use will be controlled to prevent undesirable impact on human activity. The City has every intention of again providing natural swimming opportunities in this area if it can be demonstrated that this can be done safely and in a way that is econom- ically acceptable to the community, responsive to environmental concerns, and compati- ble with the broad role of this park in the City's recreation system. It is the City's policy to assure the safety of park users by separating pedestrian and vehicular movement whenever this can be done. Emphasis will be placed on the human aspects of park use and pedestrian -vehicular conflicts will be minimized. The City affirms the park's unique historic nature. It intends to rehabilitate park structures when feasible and reestablish some of the earlier social, cultural and recreational activity and character of the area. The City intends to implement the Master Plan by the End of this century. It will use public money to the extent that this can be incorported into overall budgets and supplement this with funds from other public and private sources. The activity area relationship diagram shows major types and intensity of proposed land uses as these relate to each other, to the vehicular cir- culation system and to the total area of the Stewart Park waterfront complex. High capacity active picnic or play Low capacity active picnic or play Low capacity passive picnic or play e • e i e e e • •-s Children's concentrated activity center e e e e 02 Historic/ Social/ Cultural activity center Unique natural resource preservation . , . • , • - Shoreline enhancement °® ® 10 Traffic spine OREPLACE EXTENSIVE ROAD AND PARKING SYSTEM WITH SINGLE CIRCULATION SPINE AND THREE PARKING AREAS. OPROVIDE LAKE "OVERLOOK" PARKING SPACES. ORELOCATE PARK ACCESS ROAD TO EAST SIDE OF "TIN CAN." REMOVE EXISTING ROAD. OBUILD NEW STRUCTURE TO HOUSE YOUTH BUREAU AND PARK MAINTENANCE OPERATION. OHEAVY PLANTING TO SCREEN PARK FROM CD CREATE A TOURIST INFORMATION PLAZA TRAFFIC AND FORMALLY AND BUS STOP. ESTABLISH THE ENTRANCE. OCONSTRUCT MUNICIPAL PIER TO PROVIDE PUBLIC % ACCESS TO DEEPER OFFSHORE WATER. DEVELOP URBAN FISHING PROGRAM. ENCOURAGE REESTABLISHMENT OF LAKE CRUISES. OCONSTRUCT PROMENADE WITH LOW INTENSITY LIGHTING EXTENDING THE FULL SWEEP OF THE LAKESHORE. OCONSTRUCT RETENTION DIKE AND EXTEND SHORELINE INTO THE LAKE NORTH OF DUCK POND. USE HYDRAULIC MATERIAL DREDGED FROM THE INLET TO FILL THIS EXTENSION AREA. jQ FILL DUCK POND. 11 PLACE ADDITIONAL DIKING AND FILL TO CREATE A SMALL ISLAND ABOUT 300 FEET OFFSHORE. oCONVERT PRESENT MAINTENANCE BUILDING INTO AN INTERPRETIVE CENTER RELATED TO ITHACA'S SILENT FILM ERA. 13 REHABILITATE PICNIC PAVILION. PROVIDE FORMAL AREA FOR DANCING, CONCERTS AND 14 PUBLIC GATHERINGS. RECREATE SOME SENSE OF THE ARCHITECTURAL UNITY OF ORIGINAL VIVIAN AND GIBB DESIGN FOR THIS AREA. 15 REESTABLISH FORMAL PUBLIC GARDEN SOUTH OF COURTYARD. INCLUDE MEMORIAL ROSE GARDEN AS A FEATURE OF THIS NEW ATTRACTION. 16 REDESIGN CHILDREN`S PLAY AREA. 17 REHABILITATE BOATHOUSE BUILDING. CONSIDER COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE PUBLIC USE. 18 IMPROVE SHORELINE TREATMENT ALONG SOUTHWEST SHORELINE OF STEWART PARK. OREMOVE ZOO AND USE AREA FOR SMALL GROUP i9 PICNICKING. 2O EXCAVATE DEEPER HOLES RANDOMLY IN LAGOON TO IMPROVE FISH HABITAT. 21 BUILD WATER IMPOUNDMENT STRUCTURE TO RAISE WINTERTIME WATER LEVEL IN LAGOON FOR SKATING. OBUILD NEW REST ROOM AND WARMING SHELTER FOR 22 SKATERS. 23 BUILD AND LANDSCAPE MOUNDS TO SCREEN PARKING AND PROVIDE WINDBREAKS. 24 RELOCATE EXISTING TENNIS COURTS. oCONNECT FOOTBRIDGES TO FACILITATE USE BY 25 HANDICAPPED. OMAINTAIN INFORMAL FOOTPATH SYSTEM THROUGH 26 FUERTES SANCTUARY. SURFACE TRAILS WITH NATURAL MATERIALS. oREDUCE EROSION ALONG FALL CREEK BANKS. 27 RESTORATION SHOULD ALSO AIM AT IMPROVING FISH HABITAT. 2B CREATE NATURAL INTERPRETIVE TRAIL AROUND BIOLOGICAL FIELD STATION. @REALIGN THIRD FAIRWAY AND RESTORE AREA AROUND CITY'S OLD FIRE TOWER. RENOVATE OLD CLUBHOUSE AND USE AS SHELTER. REMOVE FIRE TOWER. oBUILD NEW GREENS AT HOLES THREE AND SEVEN. 3Q REALIGN GREENS AT HOLES SIX, EIGHT, AND NINE. 31 BUILD NEW FAIRWAYS AND TEES FOR HOLES FOUR, SEVEN AND EIGHT. oMOVE FAIRWAY NINE AWAY FROM THE INLET AND 32 RELOCATE NINTH HOLE. oCONSTRUCT PONDS AND MOUNDS TO IMPROVE SURFACE 33 DRAINAGE AND ADD CHALLENGE. PONDS COULD BECOME USEFUL ARTIFICIAL WETLANDS IF PROPERLY DESIGNED. 34 BUILD PRACTICE RANGE 35 RELOCATE GOLF COURSE BETWEEN FAIRWAYS ONE PARKING AND INCREASE AND THREE. CAPACITY. 3B ESTABLISH PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION ACROSS THE INLET TO CASS PARK. A SMALL PONTOON BOAT WITH AN OUTBOARD MOTOR COULD PROVIDE A WORKABLE FERRY. 3% KEEP PLANTING NATURALISTIC AND INFORMAL THROUGHOUT PARK. INCLUDE EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS IN ALL PLANTING PLANS TO ENHANCE YEAR- ROUND APPEARANCE. 38 DEVELOP OVERALL LANDSCAPING PLAN TO ACHIEVE VARIETY AND INTEREST, DEFINE AREAS AND ENHANCE VIEWS. 13 \ Cayuga Heights outfall 9 � 7 •9 • 1 B • 1 New out 11 line y e la s s, • •• Cayuga a • 1 s 6 7 6 ra a a M» • .nnw t' --N e?tension 1t�M i GOLF COURSE 7 ry:M SOUNDINGS IN FEET STEWART PARK SWIMMING As the depth readings on the map indicate, the lake bottom is flat and the water quite shallow for some distance out. A soft silty bottom and extreme turbidity are prevalent conditions in this area. The combina- tion of wind- and wave -driven debris, and settlement of silt carried by Fall Creek and the Inlet, make swimming at Stewart Park unsafe and unpleasant. Special effort was made to see if these natural conditions could be mitigated or overcome. Changing the shoreline configuration, as in- dicated, extends the stronger Fall Creek current further into the lake and delays sediment dispersion. While this may improve offshore water quality somewhat, additional measures such as silt removal, creating a wind barrier (the proposed island) and, possibly, pumping cleaner water from further offshore would probably also be needed if swimming were to be reestablished. Additional possibilities such as dik- ing a large pond, or swimming in the higher water velocity of Fall Creek, were also considered but conclusions were not promising. Another benefit of extending the western corner of the park further into / the lake comes from acquisition of badly needed additional land for picnicking, with apparently little impact on habitat. The positive and negative environmental effects of this proposal to extend the shoreline 1� need careful study. It is proposed that the extension be constructed whether or not swimming is reinstated. PAVILION AND INTERPRETIVE CENTER Rehabilitation of the main picnic pavilion, and development of an exhibit center dramatizing the events and glamour of Ithaca's brief silent film era, is recommended as a potential major focus in the park. Feasibility must be tested. The area between these two structures was once an attractive unifying court with a band shell; a proposed colonnade was never built. The courtyard feeling should be recreated and this space reclaimed as a major public gathering place. The lakeside facades of the pavilion and film center should be joined by a wide pergola which could also be used as a bandstand, with the lake as a backdrop. MUNICIPAL PIER AND ISLAND A man-made island is proposed, to be connected to the shore by a wide pier. Earlier in this century a municipal pier extended several hundred feet from the east side of the park and was used for promenading, watching crew races and boarding the popular lake steamers. The proposed pier would reestablish some of the earlier flavor and activity of the lakeshore; the island would form a windbreak and offer additional picnic space as well as a possible bathing beach on its south side. The pier could also originate at the large parking lot if better access from cars and busses was desired. The island would then have less meaning and its suitability and need should be reviewed. CASCADILLA BOATHOUSE The conical towers and wide second -story veranda of this structure, built in 1894, are Ithaca's most striking example of the Shingle Style of architectural design. Rehabilitation of this building to restore much of its original visual interest is proposed. The former exercise hall on the second floor offers the opportunity for group gatherings, social events or a restaurant with fine lake vistas. An architectural conservator should be retained to investigate the original design of this important building and to assist in the proper accomplishment of needed adaptations to accommodate new uses. ts'jfj I PROPOSED ARCHITECTURAL REHABILITATION PLAN x •liounoo uowwoo pue s� ic,M oilgnd Io peog s,eoeg;I a;dope uaaq seq weld aq; `ani;oafgo luawdolanap peozq pue lejauaS Io ;uaLuale;s e sV -szeM uaa;Iil o; ual lxau aq; .rano siq; ul znaao of pa;oadxa aze ;eql suoiloe a;enlzd pue Dilqnd gpui AueLu aq; zo; aozol Sugeuipz000 pue aullapmS algixall e )sn aq weld aq; ;eq; papua;ui si ;I -palielap pue oiliaads alinb io `lezauaS aze awoS -podaz ueld ja;seW llnj aql ui papnloui aze luawanozdwi �aed zoI suogepuawwooaz I1;LlaAas zaAO " eoeq;I ;o h;iD aq; fq;uawAo'lua pue asn oilgnd zoI pauie;uiew pue eah aq; zano paainboe uaaq seq goigm ale -1 ei3n6L)o Io peaq 3ql ;e aoznosaa alge�.zewa.z sigl ut seaze lezn;eu pue pueplzed Io same 091 pue auilajogs Io ;aa; 000`Zi Inoge aie azagZ u014e4S Plaid tealB0101g sd1auJ03 • t asinoo ;log ueuxmaN • £ ti,ren;oueS pn8 sa:pan3 • Z 3I•1ed 11emalS • I :a.ze hpn;s aql ui papnloui a.te pue-1 -xaldwoo �'Pcl lzemNS aql Io asn pue uolleAzasazd ;uaWanozdLui `;uawdolanap aSuei-Suol aql zoI ueld zals2w Igaidwoo t86I aql s;g5ilgSiq pue sazizewwns amgoolq sigl AHvw ns V NVza HgJLSVW iNgWgAOHdWI XHVd JLHVMgiS In 1934 the above plan for a Cayuga Lakefront was developed by the Ithaca firm of Hewitt and Metzger. In 1984 a second lakeshore plan, summarized in this brochure, was prepared for the Ithaca Board of Public Works. A fifteen member Stewart Park Advisory Group was appointed to provide guidance and give meaningful response and advice dur- ing the planning process. Committee reaction to proposals and ideas helped shape final recommendations and gave the Master Plan a strong sense of realism. The work of this committee and the many others who contributed to the preparation of this plan is acknowledged with gratitude. PLANNING/ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CONSULTANTS 310 WEST STATE STREET, ITHACA, NEW YORK January, 1985 Photographs prouided by the Ithaca Department of Public Works. ;q5p aqa in Sit asanoD fioE) uowmaN fo DaID aqZ 'awp siq; 6q vDvg11 fo 6;iC aql 6q pasogojnd uaaq pDq 'loogag DlppDosDC 6q;llnq 'wnlsvuw68 puo asnog400q anbsatn;Did puo Spoil Buiuuny gaatj llDj pun a�o7 DEn6DC aof poolf fo pouad D smogs uosulgod 'S 'C 69 (6E6I 6uudg) �and;aoma;g fo o;ogd 61aDa uy Electric trolley line, picnic pavilion and water tower c. 1900. An entrance to the Wharton film studio. Bandstand is on the left. THE VALUE OF A PLAN fishing, golf, strolling, sitting, bird watching, As explained above, dramatic changes in Stewart Park and its adjacent recreation areas do not occur frequently. Nevertheless, significant change has taken place over the past nine decades and the park we enjoy to- day is the product of that evolution. It is clear that the availability of a number of active and passive recreational opportunities has caused the popularity of the Stewart Park complex to increase rapidly in recent years. This lively lakeside setting has become a major regional attraction. It is a primary site for family and group picnics, large community gatherings, special events, lake watching and generally communing with nature and enjoying outdoor life in a variety of beneficial ways. Time and overuse have taken their in- evitable toll; major repair and maintenance work is now needed in the park. In the not too distant future City officials will have to make important decisions about major capital expenditures in this part of the com- munity. They will have to look at costs, weigh alternatives, and establish priorities. In fact, this process is already beginning as badly needed utilities are being installed and new facilities designed. What will Stewart Park look like in the year 2000? How can this invaluable community resource be expected to change over the next fifteen years? Can public expenditure for critical repairs and improvements, which must be made in any case, contribute to the long-range renovation and permanent enhancement of the entire complex? The Stewart Park Improvement Master Plan was developed to help provide answers to these and related questions. Interrelated issues, concerns and opportunities were ex- amined and a comprehensive outline for the future — a point of departure — was prepared to guide City actions in this area. View of Stewart Park looking north. Photo taken by C. S. Robinson in May, 1932. Park structure has changed little since this period.