Planning Strategy
The underlying philosophy is to NOT reinvent the wheel, but instead to restore the splendor of the park and all of its glory. Ecologically, this requires us to recreate the forest, speed up the natural rate of succession, and create a healthy, renewable resource out of a devastated landscape. For park users, we need to create the appearance of a mature, never-ending forest that one can wander aimlessly through, and that visually and physically connects to the ocean.
Synthesizing these two ecological and park-user objectives forms the basis of the Strategy to Regenerate, Renew and Restore Point Pleasant Park. To create a new urban forest, the Planning Strategy is to install new forest patches and corridors in strategic locations, to mitigate the environmental impacts of erosion, wind damage and fire susceptibility, and to allow the rest of the forest to regenerate at a natural rate so that Point Pleasant Park can once again be a full-canopy urban forest that is an oasis in the city of Halifax.
The new forest patches will accomplish the following ecological objectives:
* forest patches will allow the creation of large, forest interior environments that increase
* biodiversity.
* natural protective functions such as nutrient cycling, soil conservation and population regulation will be achieved.
* the large interior/edge ratio of the forest patch will provide the opportunity for wildlife diversity and a more complex food web.
* the size of the forest patches will offset windthrow potential.
* a more heterogeneous landscape will be instantly created which will enhance food sources, shelter and breeding habitat for wildlife.
The undisturbed forest patches will also provide the following benefits for park users:
* they will create the illusion of the never-ending forest -- park users will have to traverse around and between the forest patches which will make them appear grander in scale.
* existing panoramic views of the disturbed landscape will be shortened or blocked.
* forest patches, along with corridors, open fields and the existing preserved landscape will create a diversity of park experiences.
* Creating the new forest patches is the primary restoration technique in an overall sustainable forest management program that seeks to restore the chemical balance of soil, air and water.
Design Concept
The Design Concept is to combine existing park assets with a new ecological strategy. The restoration process will involve retaining as much of the original park character as possible, repairing damaged areas, ecologically enhancing the park by planting new forest patches, promoting nutrient cycling and biodiversity, incorporating historic and cultural features, and enhancing the park experience by creating a more interesting, looping, trail system and providing additional amenities.
The shoreline will be protected through specific bioengineering techniques geared toward the type of shore (beach, boulder beach, rocky cliff) encountered. Pre- and post-hurricane views toward the sea have been analyzed with the best views shown on the diagram to the right. All of these viewpoints and corridors provide a specific or panoramic view to the sea from a strategic location (such as at an historic feature, from a roadway, at an elevated site in the terrain), and will be quite easy to establish through planting that frames the views and promotes visibility.
All existing historic and park features and programs will be maintained and enhanced where appropriate (such as installing a Victorian garden at the Point Pleasant Lodge). The location of park entries will be maintained, with the possibility of a future shore access point at Purcell's landing; however, the main park entries along Point Pleasant Drive will be redesigned to enhance way-finding, circulation and the overall appearance. Cultural resources of the Mi'kmaq people will be an important consideration in all planning and management strategies.
(From competitor's text)
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