North Lakeland Discovery Center Master Plan

Transcription

1 North Lakeland Discovery Center Master Plan Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin Analysis & Planning 2012 PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

2 Purpose of Project The goal of the North Lakeland Discovery Center s Beyond Boundaries: Creating a Natural Destination for Discovery is to create a visionary, implementation oriented document to guide the Center s future. The document creates a guiding site plan, recommendations, phasing plans and sustainability management approaches that serve to support the overall operating mission to connect nature, people and community while providing expressive form to the Center s defining relationships. The plan incorporates the desires of its members, and attempts to organize existing and future elements in a manner that matches structure and cognition with the mission, vision and values of the Center. With an understanding that environmental entry occurs from; multiple portals, a variety of experience levels, and wide range of knowledge bases, the proposed recommendations are planned to take advantage of opportunities and activities aimed at user experiences in and appreciation of the natural world. Ultimately, authentic experiences that facilitate diverse opportunities in nature will solidify the site as the premier Northwood s Discovery Destination. The enhanced direction and design philosophy for the Center was inspired, in part, by Richard Louv s book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder (2004). The master plan program will: - Identify and enhance existing and proposed site features. - Promote visitor driven discovery that is open-ended, meaningful and enduring. - Integrate experience-based places and exhibits. - Reliably and creatively provide discovery at a variety of levels. - Envision phasing implementation strategies to grow the Center PROFESSIONAL AWARDS Planning & Analysis

3 Role of Landscape Architect The LA was the lead consultant and worked with Center staff, executive board, affiliate groups and local contractors throughout process. Contractors retained due to location of facility and assisting in feasibility recommendations. (i.e. building remodeling, winterization) Facilitated charrette style work sessions with Center staff and executive board. Performed extensive site inventory ranging from regional impacts to micro-level climatic impacts. Appropriately surveyed, researched and applied information and knowledge provided by staff. Staff is comprised of graduate level members in the fields of: Environmental education, research, botany, conservation biology, fisheries management, natural resources and ecosystem management. Organized and defined strategic roles for various stakeholders at the Center as well as created an Implementation Framework to guide future site work and planning efforts. Improved connectivity between the Center and its adjacencies within the context of seasonal transportation methods and regional trail networks. Prepared design concepts, evaluated costs, presented alternatives and assembled final documents. The final document presents a viable plan rooted in the sound planning principles of nature based research, heightened by the landscape architect in the realms of sense of place creation, natural amenity enhancement, connectivity, stewardship and context-specific design for the Center PROFESSIONAL AWARDS Planning & Analysis

4 Special Factors The Center (63 acres) is a 501c3 organization set within Wisconsin s largest forest, the Northern Highland- American Legion (NH-AL) State Forest, which covers 232,000 acres in northern Wisconsin. An education and stewardship based land agreement currently exists between the entities and dictates land use, which must run through state Department of Facilities Development (DFD). This agreement has proved limiting for a nature center that has seen substantial financial donorship and programming demand from users. With the current political climate of program cuts and limited environmental funding the Center has repeatedly been constrained. A single large donor (currently funds multiple positions at the Center as well as suggested projects) has at times handcuffed Center and decision making abilities of the executive board and staff. Discovery of a privately owned parcel adjacent to the Center for purchase/acquisition. This land holding would enhance the Center s offerings, including water access to the larger context, as well as the ability to limit DFD regulation and public process requirements. Plan identifies opportunities and constraints of this parcel-including a potential negative decentralization of the Center. Northwood s location with an extreme user demographic separation. (i.e. Grandparents and grandchildren) Landscape architect working with the science end of the spectrum, distilling that knowledge and promoting functional, aesthetic, interesting recommendations for an authentic environmental experience. A change in the current staff thinking of piece meal, season oriented projects to broad level visioning that places emphasis on strategically implementing tasks that will achieve the goals of the larger mission of the Center. Viable recommendations that will enhance membership, involvement, and ensure future success of the Center PROFESSIONAL AWARDS Planning & Analysis

5 Plan View of Project Master plan graphic integrated as a pull-out 11x17 sheet within the document for ease of reference while reading the plan recommendations PROFESSIONAL AWARDS Planning & Analysis

6 Existing Conditions The Center is a 63 acre campus located on the shores of Statehouse Lake. Formed in 1996 the site was historically a YCC summer camp.

7 Analysis - Regional Above, the Center is shown in the context of Wisconsin s largest forest, the Northern Highlands-American Legion State Forest. Left, the regional analysis locates the site within the area and identifies opportunities for connection and interaction. Wayfinding and signage areas are also identified to allow ease of navigation to the Center.

8 Analysis - Site An extensive set of analysis maps were created to inform recommendations and ensure a heightened level of site understanding VEGETATION ANALYSIS

9 Analysis - Site A hand sketched site analysis was performed to both identify existing conditions and graphically bring user understanding to a complex site.

10 Project Schedule & Coordination Meetings with affiliate groups, touring a Minnesota nature center on a weekend and compilation of survey data heightened the engagement of this project. Meeting #1 Kick-off with staff, hopes and concerns, roles in project, tour Meeting #2 Analysis review, visioning charrette and design character images Meeting #3 Concept A, B, C review Meeting #4 NLDC Board, review to date, Main Lodge, E-Pods Meeting #5 Presentation of Master Plan

11 Concept Development A series of concepts were developed throughout the process that responded to staff/board concerns. Precedent imagery visually delivered concept intent. A B C

12 Sub-Area Concepts Areas were identified to create specific site plan approaches. The concepts show a gradation of complexity for staff/board decision making.

13 Special Areas Throughout the planning process existing areas and elements that were repeatedly mentioned became the basis for further concept development. Where precedent imagery could not effectively convey the design intent, postcard style graphics were produced. These small vignette graphics were cost effective to produce and instill a level of information that will assist in future development phases without limiting design creativity.

14 Tower Site The Tower site is a corner parcel of land for sale located 600 south of the Center s southern boundary. Due to the unique land ownership agreement for the Center proper, this parcel would afford many opportunities related to private land use and river access (just south of the Tower site). In an effort to present a nonbiased decision making tool, the consultant team created three (3) scenarios to aid in the decision making process. Multiple access routes were also identified if the parcel was determined as an appropriate acquisition.

15 E-Pod Experience E-Pods are best defined as stations designed for enrichment, exploration and education. Their presence enables visitors of all ages and abilities to experience the natural world in a way that engages the senses and focuses on technology and hands-on experience. The Center s programmatic focus on Citizen Science Monitoring (CSM) is one of the prime means to highlight the E-Pod Experience. The best way to learn about something is to monitor and study it. E-Pods will allow visitors a variety of ways to assist and experience the Center s activities and at the same time provide valuable data to agencies and scientists. E-Pods support the mission of lifelong learning.

16 Recommendations Recommendations are organized between site features and site structures. Precedent imagery and /or sketches reference the recommended narrative.

17 Recommendations Recommendation topics included the following features and structures. These include both existing and proposed elements. STRUCTURES: Main Lodge Bunk Houses Nature Nook Retail Store Director s House Log Sauna Storage Facilities Wayfinding Kiosk Grow Camp and Greenhouse Wildlife E-Pods Administrative Trailer Programming Office FEATURES: Sitting Reflection Area E-Pods/Passive Exploratory Space Demonstration Gardens Meadow Septic Mound Parking Lot Arrival Drive Beach Understory Planting Island Donut Dock Rock Nook Overlook Forest Classroom Signage Trailhead Location Lighting Director s Drive

18 Sustainable Management Guidelines Six sustainable management topics were created with recommendations listed. Limit Land, Water and Cultural Resource Degradation Institutionalize Rain Water as a Resource Utilize Natural Processes to Manage & Restore Planning and Policy to be Green Vegetation Management Promote a Stewardship Ethic Graphics derived from: Dramstad, Wenche E., James D. Olson, and Richard T.T. Forman. Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land-use Planning. Washington D.C.: Island, Print.

19 Implementation & Phasing The consultant provided a twelve (12) year implementation schedule with associated probable costs as well as an organizational structure to assist in taking projects from inception to completion. Movement Phase Make Ready Phase Solidify Phase