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Flagpole Hill Border Restoration Breaking Ground October 8

After a year of planning, fundraising, and approvals, Phase 1 of the Conservancy’s first major landscape initiative, Flagpole Hill, is being installed during the week of October 8, 2018 along Dunnell Rd across from the train station. Phase 1 will be completed in October and a ribbon-cutting tentatively scheduled for November. The project is being done in partnership with the Township of Maplewood and is funded by a grant from the Maplewood Open Space Trust Fund.

This beautiful plan, which is based upon the original 1923 Olmsted Brothers planting design for this area, has been carefully researched, crafted and modified for twenty-first century needs by Rutgers graduate landscape architect intern Jennifer C. Ryan in consultation with the Conservancy. New shrubs, trees, and ground covers, many from the original specifications, are intended to enhance and restore some of the picturesque features of the park’s original design. Plantings will add seasonal interest and color, provide protection for existing trees, and replace invasive plants with species that sustain wildlife and are suited for today’s climate.

The first phase to be completed, a planting bed at the pathway across from the train station, will define the entrance to the park from the train station, and will incorporate amenities such as seating and more bike racks. This area will serve as a pilot so that plantings can be evaluated in terms of suitability for soil, drainage, climate, and interaction with park goers. A drip irrigation system is being installed and can be expanded to provide water for future plantings.

 

Future phases of the project include re-landscaping and rejuvenating of existing beds along the pathways and the Flagpole Hill monuments, connecting them visually and providing some screening of parked cars to improve the park goer’s experience (Phases 2 & 4), and a re-landscaping and definition of the park entrance across from the train tunnel to the south (South Entrance, Phase 3).

 

The Olmsted Brothers original plan and plans by subsequent landscape designers Brinley & Holbrook had envisioned a thickly planted border along Dunnell Rd. There is historical evidence that a border was planted though it is not clear how closely the original plan was followed.

 

Aerial Photo, c. 1941

In re-envisioning this original plan, several goals were set out:

  • Reinterpret the Olmsted planting plan to fit the current space.
  • Open up the plan to preserve physical access to the train station from park paths and seating areas and to accommodate community events.
  • Provide clear and welcoming entrances.
  • Provide access to water.
  • Maintain and enhance seating and bike parking.
  • Maintain and preserve existing trees and shrubs, many planted by noted horticulturalist Richard Walters, who was supervisor of parks from the 1930s to 1970.
  • Install low-maintenance plantings that are suitable for the site and current climate.
  • Minimize the view of parked cars from the park.
  • Begin replacement of significant trees.

We are looking forward to seeing this plan unfold, and will provide updates along the way. Look for an announcement of a November ribbon-cutting for Phase 1!

 

 

 

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