playnature.

Kristen BrownLarc. 8153 Fall 2011

Site Design

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Design Introduction.

PLAY>NATUREBig Idea: Nature Play and Environmental Education

Location: John Heinz Wildlife Refuge

Key Contact: U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceGary Stolz, Refuge ManagerMariana Bergerson, Refuge Ranger/Visitor Services

Site Description: John Heinz Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum protects the last remaining fresh water tidal marsh in Pennsylvania. Located just north of the Philadelphia Airport, it offers spectacular views for visitors entering the city and important habitat for wildlife and native plant communities.

Research Background: The act of being outdoors, enjoying the surrounding landscape has a meditative value. In Attention Restoration Therapy (ART), the general population reported a sense of rejuvenation and better concentration after exposure to natural environments. In nature, a person is surrounded by “soft fascinations,” such as cloud shapes, the gradient colors in a sunset or the sound of leaves rustling. These natural elements help to clear mental clutter and to reach a sense of “cognitive quiet” (Kaplan and Kaplan 1989).

Research suggests that children are not receiving enough time outdoors. Richard Louv coined the term, “nature-deficit disorder,” in his book Last Child in the Woods. Although not a documented medical term, nature-deficit disorder explains the importance of the outdoors for the healthy physical and emotional development of children. Louv argues that children no longer have the same outdoor experiences, finding pleasure in video games and other indoor activities leading to a wide range of behavioral problems. Nature responds to all of the senses, often having a calming effect (Louv 2008).

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Context Plan.

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Site Opportunit ies and Constraints.

I n d u s t r i a lW e t l a n dF l o o d p l a i nA i r p o r t E x t e n s i o n

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c i r c u l a t i o n g r e e n w a y S u i t a b i l i t y F l o o D P l a i n

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Concept Narrat ive.

1. The issues of the s i te include a. Fragmented habitat result ing in genetic isolat ion of species. b. Lack of connectiv i ty both within the refuge and surrounding neighborhood. c. Lack of “nature play” areas for chi ldren within the community. d. Lack of awareness/recognit ion of the John Heinz Wi ldl i fe Refuge

2. The goals for this project include a. Connecting greenways and habitat corr idors b. Improve circulat ion f low to the refuge as wel l as within. c. Design a nature play area within the refuge that educate and inspire vis i t ing chi ldren. d. Develop ident ity awareness and cohesion through way-f inding s igns, interpret ive nodes and maps.

3. Opportunit ies a. John Heinz Wi ldl i fe Refuge is home to the remaining freshwater t idal marsh in Pennsylvania, offer ing habitat, ecosystem functions and environmental education. b. Many schools in close proximity. c. Located at the gateway to Phi ladelphia, i t i s in close proximity to the airport.

4. Constraints a. Dense development and industry l imit greenways and habitat corr idors. b. T idal act ion and f loodplain l imit construct ion c.Refuge budget

Case Studies: • B ibby and Harold Alfond Chi ldren’s Garden o Coastal Maine Botanical Garden Boothbay, ME) • Auburn Univers i ty o Nature Playground (Auburn AL) • Forsythe Wi ldl i fe Refuge o Nature Discovery Area (Absecon, NJ)

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Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden - Coastal Maine Botanical Garden (photos: k. brown)

Auburn University (photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/auburnuniversity “nature playground”)

Forsythe Refuge (photos: k.brown)

Nature Play Precendent

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Project Description: Education is a key component at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge. Children come to the refuge with their families or in school groups to learn about habitat and plant communities. By strengthening the trail system and weaving “interpretive nodes,” throughout the route, the refuge can expand visitor’s understanding of the functioning role of the ecosystem. Way-finding and welcoming kiosks encourage visitors to explore the refuge.

In order to enhance visitor’s experience, a series of educational loops have been designed to for educators to choose from. Ranging from 15 minutes to 6 hours, school groups can plan their walk accordingly. Along each loop, there will be educational nodes, used as talking points or hands on learning.

Nodes Include: 1. Nature Play Area2. Adventure Playground3. Impoundment Boardwalk4. Folcroft Lookout5. Eagle Lookout6. Marsh Boardwalk7. Restoration Area8. City Lookout9. East Entrance10. Historic Trolley Line

The educational loops include:

Boardwalk Loop (wheelchair accessible) Distance: 0.6 mile Time: 15 minutes - 1 hour Age Group: All ages Key Nodes: Educational Center, Nature Playground, Adventure Playground and the Impoundment Boardwalk.

Impoundment Loop Distance: 3.1 miles Time: 1 hour 20 minutes - 2 hours Age Group: 11 yrs +� Key Nodes: Educational Center, Nature Playground, Adventure Playground, Eagle Lookout, Marsh Boardwalk, Historical Trolley Line

Restoration Loop Distance: 3.5 miles Time: 1 hour 30 minutes - 2 hours 10 minutes Age Group: 11 yrs +�Key Nodes: Educational Center, Nature Playground, Adventure Playground,Folcroft Lookout, Eagle Lookout, Marsh Boardwalk, Restoration Area, Historical Trolley Line.

Tidal Marsh LoopDistance: 10.9 miles Time: 5 - 6 hours walking, 1 hour 20 minutes bikingAge Group: 14 yrs +� Key Nodes: Educational Center, Nature Playground, Adventure Playground, Folcroft Lookout, Eagle Lookout, Marsh Boardwalk, Restoration Area, City Lookout, Darby Creek Trail, Historical Trolley Line.

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Historical Trolley: Walk the historic route of the Philadelphia Trolley.

Eagle Lookout: Rest a moment with your telephoto lens to take pictures of the nesting eagles.

Adventure Playground: Build your own and enjoy the outdoors.

Impoundment: Absorb the beauty and learn about the ecological function of the Impoundment.

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The John Heinz Wildlife Refuge is the perfect platform to get children unplugged and outdoors. By designing a space for elementary school-age children to learn about plant and animal communities in a hands-on manner, exploring nature can be fun and educational.

Node 1: Nature Play Area: This is where young children can get hands on experience and truly let loose and play in an outdoor environment. Research has shown children who have play time outdoors, have better concentration within the classroom.

Program Elements: Rolling Hills: Children can run up and down Pennsylvania sedge hills, with plenty of space to run in a leaf covered base.

Phragmite Teepees: Making the most of the abundant supply of Phragmites on the site, a small colony of teepees will be built to create spaces for children to enjoy.

Outdoor Classroom: A half circle of tree stumps provides a place for lessons to be brought outdoors.

Wild Rice Plantings: Children can get their hands muddy while planting and harvesting Wild Rice (a native species once prevalent in the area). Stream Table: Inspired by the beautiful oxbow shape of a stream, children can rinse off mud and race pine cones down a stream where they control the flow.

Build Your Own: Sticks, stones, pinecones, phragmite mats, etc, will allow children to manipulate their own space, building forts or creating art.

Butterfly Meadow: Enjoy the buzzing sounds of a pollinators gorging on meadow flowers, or the sweet smell of spring wildflowers.

Zen Walk: Before returning to the school bus, children can walk through a healthy native woodland, taking deep breaths and enjoying a little quiet time.

Node 2: Adventure Playground: This is an area where middle school and up students can get some guided hands on experience. Instructors guide children in building fascines for stream restoration and snags for wildlife habitat. Here, children learn how to be pro-active stewards of the earth.

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AA’

Open Woodland (Adventure Playground Location) Gas R.O.W. Disturbed Woodland (Nature Play Location)Path

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l lustrat ive Master Plan and Design Guidel ines.Form and design exploration

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r o l l i n g H i l l S

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P H r a g m i t e S t e e P e e S

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t r e e c i r c l e

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S t r e a m t a b l e

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b u t t e r F l y m e a D o w

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Materials/Implementation

The majority of the materials will come from the removal of invasive species on the site:

Phragmites: To build the teepee structuresWood Chips: Lining Paths and Play areasLeaf Matter: For a nice soft layer at the bottom of the rolling hills areaTree Stumps, Tree limbs/sticks, pine cones, stones etc. for the “Build Your Own” area.

Budget is a key constraint, and being able to use the materials onsite is not only economically feasible, it also adds to the educational component. Again and again, it has been proven that a successful nature play area does not require a high budget. Children have the added benefit of learning about local materials.

Phase 1: Repair existing trails, and build new trails. Phase 2: Intergrate way-finding signs and interpretive nodes.Phase 3: Create a “Adventure Playground,” node to help construct elements needed for the “Nature Playground.” Phase 4: Nature Playground

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Landscape Types/ Habitat Types. The Refuge is the largest remaining fresh water tidal marsh in Pennsylvania. Water flowing from the Darby Creek as well as tidal action has significant influences on the shape of the land. Below is a diagram of the existing habitats on the site. Data was based on the Delaware Riverkeeper Network Vegetation Map (2005).

Freshwater Tidal MarshTidal hydrology in combination with marsh surface elevation. Natural accretion of alluvial sediments across marsh surface. Development of natural channel morphology within marsh plain.

Focal Species: American Bittern, Black-bellied Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, King Rail, Least Bittern, Marsh Wren, Short-eared owl, Sedge Wren, Red-bellied Turtle.

Coastal Plain and Floodplain ForestSeasonally wet or saturated silt and clay soils; Regeneration of dominant canopy species through a combination of period fire of canopy openings.

Focal Species: American Woodcock, Northern Oriole, Prothonotary Warbler, Wood Thrush, Worm-eating Warbler, Coastal Plain Leopard Frog.

Wet Meadows and GrasslandsNaturally maintained by periodic fire; contain season saturation or flooding.

Focal Species: American Woodcock, Northern Oriole, Coastal Plain Leopard Frog, Sedge Wren, Short-eared Owl.

Darby CreekPerennial tidal flows and periodic flooding. Open water with periodic mudflats.

Focal Species: American Eel, Alewife, Blueback Herring, Striped Bass.

Open WaterImpoundment.

Focal Species: American Black Duck, Bald Eagle, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Egret, Least Tern, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper.

Ruderal Forest

Disturbed Land with some tree cover and herb layer and pro-lific invasives. Shrub layer is not extinct, possible due to over deer browse.