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JUN I Public Use and Property Management Plan BeaHie 7 Powers -P Ce "s"11, New YA Submitted to: The Beattie Powers Place Committee Florence Cally, Chair Prepared by: Scenic Hudson, Inc. 9 Vassar Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601 T11is plan was developed for the New York Department of State, division of Coastal Resources and Waterfront Revitalization, with financial assistance from the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, provided under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended. Partial funding provided by a grant from Scenic Hudson, Inc. HT 168 .N49 P83 1991 December, 1091 Introduction 'Me Beattie Powers Place in Catskill, New York is a unique riverfront property on the west bank of the Hudson River with views to the north of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge and Olana, and views to the west of the Catskill mountains and the site of the once famous Catskill Mountain House. Although the site is within walking distance from the center of Catskill's Main Street, it is a significant riverfront parcel (7.5 acres) and integral to the maintenance of public access to the river for the community. The Beattie Powers Place Committee has outlined its long term goals in the Beattie Powers Place Report, Proposal for Village Use _Qf the Building and Property. July l& 1991. This report clearly delineated the property use options and the subsequent advantages and disadvantages. This report declares that the donor's intent that the property be used "... as a public park for the recreation and well-being of its residents and those in the surrounding area". The Committee has determined that the property be used for passive recreation, with nature trails and bird watching, creating and encouraging wild bird habitat and developing interpretive signage for the landscape, building and wild life. As part of this passive use of the property, the Committee specified that occasional concerts, community events, house tours and lectures would also be an appropriate use of the house and site. Any use of the site must take into consideration the surrounding residential area and this plan mitigates as much of the negative impacts as possible. Parking during special events and the location of rest room facilities are some of the concerns which were addressed as sensitively as Cjl< possible. The development of the property will require phase d planning due to limited funding, the sea- sonal nature of the work, and the need to create a volunteer "core" to undertake the less strenu- ous work on the site. This plan outlines those phases and the tasks within which may be deemed CDIQ as "contract services" and "volunteer services". The following plan outlines the development of the property with conceptual guidelines, design suggestions, and cost estimates for the work. The plan developed from a review of the recre- ational potential, plant, bird, and wildlife habitat, aesthetic, cultural, and historical references, and the planned use of the site. Each of these concerns has been overlaid on the map of the property, with the intent to minimize as much conflict of use as possible. The plan does not take into consideration the estimates for restoration of the house. The Existing Condition Survey of the Powers House by Pierpont Nelson Architects, P.C., and the above- referenced Beattie-Powers Place Report describe the house and restoration costs. The changes noted on the plan in reference to the house relate to the removal of the porte cochere and the renovation of the former maid's apartment to accomodate a larger restroom facility. Page 1 Description of Existing Conditions The site is accessed from a shared driveway from the public street. The water and sewer lines are also located under this driveway. This shared driveway is necessary as the property does not front directly on Prospect Avenue, rather, it- sits behind another smaller property. The site con- tinues to the River rising gently from the street to the house and from there dropping, quite steeply in some areas, to the river. The western section of the property, defined here as the area between the house and the property fronting Prospect Avenue, has varying site conditions taken into consideration when developing the use plan. First, the area immediately adjecent to the western property boundary is a low, wet area. It is currently overgrown with briers and brush, but a dry stone masonry wall is visible and serves as the boundary between the neighbor and Beattie Powers Place. This section is also the location of the mature plantings and trees. The drive to the house is lined by large oak trees with some sycamore and even a small stand of white birch sprinkled among the lawn plantings. There are remnants of the original carriage drive to the house, a meandering route that moved from- east to west across the front lawn of the property. The bluestone path from the house to the driveway, a more recent addition, remains although some pieces are deteriorated. The northern section (defined as the area between the house and the nothern property boundary) has remnants of the pergola which once connected the formal garden at the Beattie Powers House to the neighboring main house. The southern section, between the house and the neighboring property is a narrow, overgrown area. As the neighboring historic house has been removed and a modem building remains, the growth is necessary screening to preserve the feeling of history at the site. Without a doubt, the eastern section provides the most opportunity and challenge for the project. Currently, the ground slopes steeply towards the river, with few breaks in the hillside. Histori- cally, this area featured a large fon-nal garden with the above-mentioned pergola and a flat seating area beyond the stone dust walk that currently encircles the house. The original carriage road that ran from Catskill Point to town remains as an overgrown path at the river. The majority of the hillside is currently overgrown with briars and vines, although gateway visible from the house suggests that a series of paths through this thicket must have existed at one time. Page 2 Suggested Site Use Plan and Design Guidelines (numbers keyed to the Public Use Plan Drawing) The management of the site will be performed by the Village of Catskill under the direction of the Beattie Powers Place Management Committee. Management'Guidelines Critical to the operation and management of Beattie Powers Place is the development of a volunteer "core". To that end the Beattie Powers Place Committee must create a sub- committee devoted to developing this core. The local historical society may take an active interest in creat- ing a guides program for the house. A "Friends of Beattie Powers Place" should be created to research the grounds and gardens and maintain the more delicate aspects of the historic land- scape, i.e. the garden and specimen plantings. Operational Hours The park should be managed on a dawn-to-dusk basis during the year. Access should be re- stricted to the house and immediate grounds during sensitive nesting times in the spring and to the stone paths when rain and groundwater conditions have made the lawn and fields impassable. Special events will require additional security measures as access will be permitted after dark on the site. Security lights for the house and grounds will be necessary as well as a lock on the gate leading to the bird watching paths. Vehicular Access I Although parking on the site will be discouraged, a parking lot will be located at the western boundary with a capacity for ten cars, including one handicapped space. There will be no ve- hicular access to the house but the drive will be maintained to allow for emergency vehicles and deliveries to the house. The construction of such a parking facilty will necessitate building berms to protect the neighboring residence's view and installing drains, paving materials (the Commit- tee selected a red stone gravel), lighting and plantings to further screen the parking area from the house. A vehicle control point (bollard and chain) will be installed at the fork in the driveway where the drive splits to enclircle the house. Boat Access 2 There will be no river access for boats nor can there be any boat launching from this site. The steep slope would severely restrict opportunities for creating a boat launch at the river edge. Such a facility would also diminish the passive recreational use of the site. Riverfront Access The riverfront can not be considered part of the project at this time. It is advisable to limit pedestrian traffic on the beach and the hillside directly above it to prevent accidents or erosion. Hunting As the site is being developed as a nature preserve with the intent to encourage wild bird nesting, all hunting should be prohibited from the site. The boundary should be clearly posted with signage that prohibits hunting and restricts access to designated areas. Page 3 Bicycle Access 3 Cyclists should be restricted to the western portion of the site. A bike rack should be installed at the information booth. Rest Facilities 4 Ile Committee intends to renovate the former servant's quarters to include permanent restroom facilities for the building and site. These facilities would be open while the site is open for visitors. The renovation will be done in such a way as to prevent access to the rest of the house when it is not open to the general public (i.e. if the house becomes an office or is used for pri- vate affairs like a wedding). While these renovations are taking place, temporary facilities will be used with a private mainte- nance contract from the supplier. These facilities will be located at the parking area, housed in a temporary structure that will both screen the facilities from the neighboring residences and provide some level of security when the site is closed. Habitat Improvement for Eastern (Riverfront) Property 5 One of the long term goals of the Committe is the creation of habitat to encourage wild birds and create nesting and feeding opportunities for migratory birds on the eastern side of the property. Below is a listing of plantings and shrubs suitable for this purpose. Note that the mature height of these plants will not restrict or prohibit Hudson River views. Plantings: Barberry: grows in any location; best for erosion control; produces berries; with its thick, dense growth, it provides good nesting, summer and winter shelter. Bayberry, Myruca Pennsylvanica: Prefers dry soil; produces berries; will require male and female plants for berry production. Birch, gray, Betula alnifolia: Prefers dry soil; another erosion controller; produces seeds. Deutzia: Prefers moist soil conditions; a thick, dense grower for nesting, summer or winter shelter. Dogwood, Shrubby: Red Twig: Prefers moist soil; another erosion controller; produces berries. Yellow Twig: Prefers moist soil; erosion controller; produces berries. Euonymus, Winged: Can be planted anywhere; good erosion controller. Honeysuckle, shrub: fragrantissima: Plant anywhere; produces seeds. Tartatian: Plant it anywhere; produces seeds. Juneberry, Amelanchier alnifolia: Likes dry soil; produces berries. Sasktoon serviceberry Page 4 Juniper, Pfitzer (shrubby): Likes dry soil; erosion or Hetzii (more compact) controller; thick, dense growth provides shelter for summer, winter, nesting. Mock Orange: Prefers moist soil; thick growth for summer shelter. Prunits tomemtosa: Plant it anywhere; produces berries. Nanking Cherry Rose: multiflora: grows anywhere, erosion control,thick growth for nesting and summer shelter; produces berries. rugosa: grows anywhere; erosion controller; produces berries. Symphoricarpos albus: Plant anywhere; controls erosion; produces berries. Snowberry Spirea van Houttei: Plant in moist soil; thick growth makes good nesting habitat. Sumac, stag's-horn: Plant in dry soil; produces berries. Viburnum: Trilobum (highbush cranberry) Plant in moist soil; produces berries. Maple Leaf: Plant in moist soil; produces berries. Prunifolium (Blackhaw): Plant it anywhere; produces berries. In general, these shrubs can be planted in poor, rocky soil. The planting should take place in the spring, as soon as the ground thaws. As the hillside is currently covered with growth, do not do any general clearing, just selective planting and clearing. Do not fertilize the first year. Water deeply every 7-10 days until frost if rainfall is inadequate during the first year. Keep a mulch about two inches deep around these plants until they begin to spread. As part of the habitat management plan, plant a nursery bed for young plants at the bottom of the hill to nurture them for the first year and propogate new growth. Tiny shrubs placed in their permanent location will dry out too quickly and will require replacement. Landscaping Improvements (General): 6 The areas to be planted with meadow grass should be mowed selectively to encourage wild- flower growth. The mowed paths should not exceed four feet wide. Swale path contours to provide adequate drainage. Mow paths only when grasses exceed two inches in height to avoid scorching. 6 The formal garden on the east side of the property will require a substantial retaining wall and stairs to lead from the garden to the hillside below. More research must be done to delineate the outline of the paths and uncover the planting plan. This portion of the project is part of the final phase and will need a large funding source. 7 The mature trees on the western portion of the property must be pruned and treated as some are diseased. The Conu-nitte will make a final determination on the status of some of the older marginal trees which may present hazards to users on the site or to the house. 8 The understory on the western section will be cleaned out to encourage wildflower and grass growth. Clearing the understory will also allow some of the wet soils to dry and create a Page 5 healthier environment for the existing trees. 9 Paths to the house from the parking lot and around the house win be crushed red stone (3/8") over a gravel aggregate base with drainage tiles as needed in wet areas. An existing bluestone path from the house to the driveway will be restored, resetting- the salvageable stone and replac- ing to match original when necessary. 10 The property boundaries will be screened to protect the neighboring houses and also to protect the sense of history at the site. The existing scrubby growth is inadequate during the winter months so that it will be necessary to replace this with evergreen shrubs to complete the screen- ing from ground to tree level. 11 The property boundary between the northern neighbor and the formal garden will be completed with a wooden post and wide gauge wire fence planted with ornamental vines to screen the neighboring house from view. The pergola which once ran between the two houses will now terminate at this fence and make a 90 degree turn to the east to end at the stairs overlooking the river and the meadow. 12 Lighting The parking area will have a period light post to match the new post at the drive to the house. There will be one light post across from the entrance to the house. 13 Architecture The restoration and cost estimates for the restoration of the house are covered in the previously mentioned architects' report dated August 16, 1991. This plan was developed independent of the intended use for the house which was undetermined at this time. (Although the concept of a building for community events was mutually agreeded upon, the strategy for implementing and financing this concept had not yet been developed.) Additional architecture that must be considered for the site include landscape amenities such as benches and a reproduction of the Adirondack-style gazebo on the eastern side of the property, as well as a unified signage program that interprets the site for the visitor and controls access on the site. 14 Two open air structures must be constructed at the parking area for users on the site. The first will serve temporarily as a location for the restroom facilities while renovations are made to the main houseformer servant's quarters to accomodate permanent facilities. This building win later serve as the staging center for open air concerts and performances. It will require a power hook-up for these events. 15 The second building is also an open air structure serving as the information center for special events and will have a property map and interpretive signage installed permanently for visitors. It will also require a power hook-up for special events. In the summer, a temporary canvas roof can be installed to provide shade. 16 Note: These design guidelines are subject to review by State regulations. Page 6 Construction and Phased Site Development Phase I The first phase of construction will entail development of the western section of the property and the area immediately adjacent to the house. Description Installation of parking lot By Contract including drainage, 6" substrate Cost Est.: $ 14,000 and 2" gravel, oiled with 4" red stone finish, 10 cars, including 1 handicappped space Installation of period lighting (3) By Contract Est: $ 3,200 Installation of bollard and chains By Contract (2) at parking lot and house drive Est.: $ 1,700 Construction of staging area By Skilled Volunteers inclduing power hook-up By Contract Est.: $ 5,500 Construction of information/visitor By Contract center, incl. foundation, power, Est.: $ 4,500 signage Perimeter & misc. plantings for By Volunteer front lawn Materials Only Est.: $ 4,500 Tree Maintenance, misc. pruning By Voluteer Materials Only Est.: $ 2,000 Regrade/resurface driveway By Contract install drainage, blacktop surface Est.: $ 5,000 Install new red stone path around By Contract house (300 Lf.) reset bluestone path By Volunteer to and from house Est: 84 cents per square foot for red stone($ 10 10) / bluestone materials and labor no charge Signage: Entry Sign at Prospect Ave. By Contract Wood, painted, carved, gilded Est.: $ 1,800 Directive Signage, parking, By Contract hours of operation, access Est.: $ 2,000 control. Wood, painted, (8) Page 7 Interpretive Signage: House and By Contract Grounds, plantings and specimen Est.: $ 3,000 trees. Wood, painted. Bike Rack, enamelled, painted. By Contract Est.: $ 800 Benches. Wood, painted or oiled. By Contract Installed. by volunteers. Allow 8. Materials Only Est.: $ 600 per 6' bench Eastern Section, Phase I Continued Regrade slope, install swale system By Volunteer at steep slope to meadow Restore Historic River Views By Volunteer Plant Hillside to stabilize and By Volunteer create wildlife and bird habitat Materials Only Est.: $ 3,500 New Entry Gate to Hillside By Volunteer Materials Only Est.: $ 300 Install fence, wide gauge wire wooden posts By Volunteer plant with ornamental vines Materials Only Est.: $ 1500 Phase II, Formal Garden Prelim. Restoration and Miscellaneous Landscape Details New Retaining Wall for Formal By Contract Garden, including drainage and Est.: $ 40,000 raqndom fieldstone face with backfill and 6" topsoil cover; bluestone stairs from garden to hillside Regrade immediate area at riverside By Contract of house, provide drainage swales and Est.: $ 2,000 seed to prevent erosion Gazebo. Wood, oiled. By Contract Installed by Volunteers Est.: $ 5,500 Page 8 Phase III Completed Restoration Restoration of Formal Gardens, includ- By Volunteers ing planting beds and paths Materials Only Est.: $ 1,500 Restoration of pergola By Volunteers Materials Only Est.: $ 5,000 Total Development Costs: Phase 1 $ 59,110 Phase 1E1 $ 47,500 Phase 1H $ 6,500 Total Cost of Development $113,110 Note: T"hese estimates were based on a preliminary review of th esite, not an in-depth analysis of conditions. Actual bids may vary. Page 9 List of Appendices Appendix A: Bench and Lighting Recommendations Appendix B: Signage Recommendations. Appendix C: Historic Photodocumentation of Formal Gardens 0 Bench with back - 8' long. This is the bench we furnished to the New York World's Fair and is standard with the New York City Park Depart- ment. This bench has a heavy wrot iron frame with wood seats and back. The ring-like arm rests are ideal for older people helping them to get to their feet. The center ring prevents park "loafers" from sleeping on the benches. This is a heavy, strong, desirable, bench and is generally al- ways available. Bench Catalog cut taken from brochure provided by: Kenneth Lynch & Sons, Inc. Wilton Connecticut 06897 telephone: 203-762-8363 twW401jar wp- I 44 0 7;i@dl @fol e. L-1p(arilorim) ro 04 -04 FiRg595M Womb 0" L"N' L-41 LEN IL j Awti Kflri qp 10 &A. ftwV01to Met- L. 6 1 1"-- -IP LAN] X @b A, 10 tj S E. C, 'r 140 F1 Trash Receptacle q2 Catalog cut taken from brochur's, provided by: C8"t$rbury Inteiriational P.O. Box 6730 Sherman Oaks, CA. 91413: telephone 213-936-7111, DEC-13-1991 09:37 FROM TO 8-900779-914473@eb4b 1 &4 PL ICKO cc dc z 40 c 40 -0 CJ 0 qt DO r 0 2; E 0 CL 1 a N re CO 4N c j r4 1 C9 cv zm mum goo mz 0 CL (E -;o C).v x-rpu;gddv Appendix B EuVEMOM SIGM by DAMZV EESIGM 527 Albany Post Road Hyde Park, New York 12538 (914) 229-6061 1 February 1992 Dear Business Friend: Thanks for expressing an interest in PtIVERHOOD SIGUM BY DANDEV DESIGNS. The distinctively styled signs we produce follow certain basic guidelines: Each piece is custom designed by the design team here at RIVERWOOD SIGNS BY DANDEV DESIGNS, or we will gladly work with your people to produce a sign or signage system which will enhance the overall architecture or follow a certairr environmental theme. Although we work in a broad spectrum of unique mediums, we are best known for our pieces in redwood. In 1984 Riverwood Signs introduced the technique of sandblasting redwood for signs to an area which mainly*- consisted of plastic faces and plastic letters or plywood signs which deteriorated within three to five years. For your permanent signage we recormnend using f irst quality materials which are then meticulously and professionally crafted to completely enhance the unique ambiance which sets you apart from all others. This, we f eel, is what a sign should do for a business. Your total satisfaction with the finished product is assured when you become the proud owner of a distinctive and long-lasting representation of yourself and your specialty. Our sales people will work together with your needs and budget and give you the best sign for your money. We simply ask that you consider your sign and/or design needs when you first consider your budget. A sign is one of the first impressions you can make in your business. It's what people look to for information as well as identification. RIVERWOOD SIGNS BY DANDEV DESIGNS is a full service sign business ranging from iA temporary "Sales" signs and point of purchase displays to vinyl and airbrushed window or vehicle graphics. We also offer a variety of gold and metal leafing techniques as well as exotic inlays. On a closing note, we would like to remind you about the Americans with Disabilities Act which went into effect on January 26, 1992 and its pertinence to signage for the visually disabled. We can provide and install any ADA signage you need (call for details). Please feel f ree to call us at (914) 229-6061 so we can meet to discuss your sign and/or design needs. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Vn i- a T-Ti A,- 1;4ff=?- HI nuolow SIGNS by DANDEV DESIGNS 527 Albany Post Road Hyde Park, New York 12538 (914) 229-6061 WOOD Exterior signs are available in Redwood and Cedar. All signs are BASE-PRICED per square foot and include up to five words. STOCK SIZE SINGLE-FACE DOUBLE-FACE lit ........................................... $58.50/ft2 $102.50/ft2 2 .............................................. $63.50/ft2 $112.00/ft2 4 ............................................ $76.00/ft2 $133.00/ft2 ADD per vord over five ........................... $10.95 $18.50 Interior signs are available in most woods, including exotics, however prices will.vary. Call for individual prices. OPTIMS G= LEAF (priced per square inch) All prices for gold and other precious metals.vary from day to day due to the daily market value change. For this reason it is advisable to call for current prices. SURFACE GOLD 23-K (recommended for exterior use and repeated handling) PATENT GOLD 23-K (necessary for exterior on-site gilding) GLASS GOLD 23-K (interior gilding on glass only) NOTE: Both imported and domestic grades of gold are available for gilding. MOON GOLD (Palladium) (91/10 gold, 5% palladium, 21% platinum, 2% silver) Variegated Leaf (Interior or Exterior decorative leaf with discrete markings of different shades of red or green) Red or Green Tint ............................................ $ 1.60 ft2 Composition Leaf (Interior only, tarnishes quickly) ..............$ .60 ft2 Copper Leaf ........................................................ $ 1.00 ft2 Silver Leaf - Domestic (used for glass on interior) .............$ 2.25 ft2 Aluminum Leaf -"German Silver" (Takes the place of Silver Leaf for other surfaces) .........$ .95 ft2 -1- PRICE SHFEr kcont-; ARTWORK ......................................................... $55.00/hour Layouts and Custom designed hand-drawn or ALL PRICES ARE Computer generated art: MINIMUMS A. LETTERING ONLY Pencil sketches of proposed signs ..................... $ 54.00 Camera Ready Black & White .......................... $105.00 B. LETTERING w/SIMPLE PICTORIAL or SILHOUETTE-TTPE LOGO Pencil Sketch ......................................... $ 95.50 Camera Ready - Black & White .......................... $141.50 C. LETTERING, w/AVERAGE DETAILED LOGO Pencil sketch ......................................... $157.50 Camera Ready - Black & White .......................... $209.00 EACH ADDITIONAL COLOR ...................................... $ 50.50 Very complex designs will incur the hourly rate for ARTWORK ..... $ 55.00/hr. COMPUIM DIGITIZIM CXV1'0M SUPPLIED CAMERA READY ART MINIMUM Simple one-color geometric design. ................... $ 17.25 Simple letter styles per color per set-up ............. $ 40.25 Simple one-color Logo ................................. $ 54.00 Average two-color Logo ................................ $105.50 Difficult Logo or Letters (3 color-maximum) ........... $157.50 EACH AM ITIONAL COLOR (Add to above charge) ................. $ 14.50 NUM: The above digitizing price a for estimating purposes & the prices may vary up or down upon receipt of artvork. . If other'tban CAMERA, READY ART is received, any necessary alterations will be charged an additional hourly rate of $55.00 per hour. INSTALLATION All installations have the following charges: Minimum charge ........................................ $ 50.00 Trip charge ........................................... $ 25.00 Add per mile over 10 .................................. $ 1.00 (Boom truck not included in above prices) WALL MOLMT SIGNS: Priced per bolt or screw used Flat-mounted to wood, under 12, high .................. $ 8.50 over 121 high ................... $ 14.00 Flat-mounted to concrete, under 12' high .............. $ 12.50 over 121 high ............... $ 21.00 PLUS S= SALES TAX unless valid certificate of exemDtion, properly filled out, is supplied with payment upon delivery or within 30 days of delivery. -2- ml i a I 40 4@,V@N L his if 14A FAMILY CARL K. NEEDY LYNN & SETH RUDNICK S USAN NEEDY PRIVATE.,..,, 1979 I 011@1 4,j; 14 0 Appendix C Reg.& to New W&Pt, (box%'%) 10 protect lawn install period lighting and bollard and "a mm FOM ()Maxmw Vim Restore pergola ment in R.. Right-of- ay Berm and Sutta Parking Restom blueslone -9*wBY Igeiradefresurface dnve-aj proposed restoration a 30's foammul 9 Spaces parking with I handicapped Bike Rack 40) Rejore Hist.ri. River View % He. entry gale (Lonnance Kwil provi in 7: we" .4 Recta for C let 10 th: Ibluestone flags Entry Pa Gamebo St.Sinj Am. lnc@se sc@ning 10 PrOte" "Vighbor" Hillside plund to slobiliW encourage and attract wildlift &n bit& 3 6668 14109 3072