Step 2 Application

TOWN OF LENOX COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE APPLICATION FOR CPA FUNDING: Step 2

Date Received (for office use only)

All applicants invited to submit Step 2 must include a copy of their Step 1 application.

This application contains thirteen (13) questions which must be answered by ALL applicants. Category specific projects must also answer the specific category sections provided. If your project can be categorized into multiple CPA categories, you must provide responses to ALL pertinent category specific questions. You may attach additional sheets as necessary to answer the numbered questions. Please clearly organize and mark your additional sheets for the Committee’s review with your project name, contact information, and headings indicating which questions and category of project you are referencing in your narrative sheets. Please include page numbers. Address: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (Mass Audubon) 472 West Mountain Rd. Lenox, MA 01240 Map 21 Lot 1 Deed Book/Page: 557 / 454

1) Existing use or deed restrictions, permanent easements, historic designations, special permits, etc. if any: Mass Audubon acquired much of our land at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, including the land that the barn occupies, from the Pleasant Valley Bird & Wild Flower Sanctuary, Inc. As such, it is effectively encumbered with a Charitable Trust. The property has been transferred from one conservation charity to another, with the expressed expectation that Mass Audubon would care for it in perpetuity as conservation land, consistent with our charitable purpose. The Pleasant Valley barn is listed on the Massachusetts Historical Commission historic inventory.

2) Project Budget (list all sources and uses, including grants, fundraising, etc.)

Project Category Community Historic Housing Open Space Recreation Preservation Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Source Name Y5 Amount $75,000 $225,000 % of Total Used for Committed? Total Project Budget: $1,122,000 CPC Request: $300,000

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Attach additional budget sheets or project budget as necessary. Include project management, oversight, engineering, and administrative costs that may be incurred. Please refer to Mass Audubon’s overall project budget in Appendix A.

3) Timing of Funds: Describe when CPA funds and other funding sources are to be received.

Mass Audubon has already begun raising funds for this project on a limited basis. Our intent is to fully develop a capital campaign aimed at raising approximately $1,122,000 to be applied to the design, construction, and long-term maintenance of the improved barn, of which we are asking the Lenox CPC to contribute $300,000. Although it is difficult to predict exactly when all our fundraising will be complete, we would expect to raise the necessary funds so that construction of the project can begin in the spring of 2020. We would request CPA funds be disbursed at key intervals throughout the construction period and once construction has been completed.

4) Proposed Use or Deed Restrictions after Project Completion (in accordance w/ CPA rules):

Much of Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, including the land the barn occupies, is subject to, and encumbered by a charitable trust. Charitable trusts are enforced by the Commonwealth’s Office of the Attorney General. Mass Audubon fully intends to maintain and abide by the charitable trust established through the acquisition of the property from the Pleasant Valley Bird & Wild Flower Sanctuary, Inc., in perpetuity.

5) Describe the project team: The project team consists of the following:

Mass Audubon Staff Becky Cushing, Sanctuary Director for Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary Stu Weinreb, Mass Audubon’s Director of Capital Assets & Planning Stephen Hutchinson, Regional Director Stephanie Bergman, Development Manager

Consultant Team J Harwood Architect- Jim Harwood RA, LEED AP Hesnor Engineering Associates- Michael Trzcinski, PE, CPD, LEED AP Foresight Land Services, Inc.- Steven A. Mack, P.E. Barry Engineering and Constructors Inc. (BECI) - William Barry PE Craig Okerstrom-Lang, Landscape Architect

See Appendix B for Resumes of Key Personnel.

6) Additional Information: Attach, as necessary, additional material including photographs, maps, letters of support, feasibility studies, ownership letters or site control verification, engineer or architect drawings. For Historic Preservation projects, if the project is not state register listed, the applicant must provide a letter from the Historical Commission which details the significant of the project to Lenox’s history, culture, architecture or archeology.

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See Appendix C for the following Additional Information:

i. Photographs of barn, 1930s to the present ii. Massachusetts Historical Commission Inventory Form B iii. Lenox Historical Commission Letter iv. Letters of Support a. Lenox Public Schools (Morris Elementary Principal, Peter Bachli) b. Lenox Garden Club (President, Hilary Deely) c. Tanglewood Music Center (Director, Ellen Highstein) d. Berkshire Natural Resources Council (High Road Project Manager, Mackenzie Greer) e. Lenox Land Trust (President, Ken Kelly) f. Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health (Program Director, Stephen Daoust) g. Town residents: Andrea Goodman, Patty Spector, Dennis Arseneau, Michael Kaplan v. Architect Drawings – Jim Harwood a. Exterior of Proposed Barn Rehabilitation and Accessibility Upgrades b. Aerial view of Proposed Barn Rehabilitation and Accessibility Upgrades vi. Site Plan – Okerstrom-Lang vii. CPA Application – Step 1

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Funding Considerations (All applicants must fill out this section) 7) In what way is CPA funding a catalyst for leveraging other funding sources?

Mass Audubon will launch a targeted fundraising campaign to raise the $1,122,000 needed to complete the Pleasant Valley barn capital project. Our preliminary feasibility research has surfaced three donors with the capacity to give $100,000-$300,000 each. Mass Audubon has committed $35,000 for the initial design work. An enthusiastic donor has already verbally pledged $10,000.

During the past four years, we have seen a significant increase in philanthropic support of our Berkshire Wildlife Sanctuaries. Through a combination of income from family foundations, individual donors, and grants, annual support has grown 35% during the past three years with many 5-figure gifts and grants secured for special projects. We recently have hired a part-time Development Manager based at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary to support the increased fundraising efforts in the Berkshires. In addition, the volunteer Sanctuary Advisory Committee is very enthusiastic about this project and willing to support the fundraising efforts. Mass Audubon’s board has reviewed and supports our application for Lenox CPA funding.

Preliminary fundraising and feasibility will parallel the timeline of the CPA application process. We plan to continue our fundraising feasibility and pledge discussions with key donors and foundations through May 2019. We would launch the large public portion of the capital campaign in May 2019 if awarded Lenox CPA funding. The award from the Town of Lenox would position us to be launching our capital campaign from a position of strength and community support and would inspire others to give generously toward a project that will provide tangible and intangible return on investment to the community.

8) What is the breadth of impact on the lives of the citizens of the Town?

Mass Audubon strives to create a welcoming presence for a wide range of visitors, including making our sanctuaries and nature centers more accessible for all to enjoy. At Pleasant Valley, a top priority is to continue making improvements to its operations to ensure that it is welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for all. We envision that this project would benefit every person in the Town of Lenox by 1) increasing access to and support of outdoor recreational opportunities, and 2) rehabilitating one of Lenox’s great historical assets by bringing it up to code compliance and making it more functional for all to use and enjoy.

In 2012 and 2017 Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary made major upgrades and repairs to its universally accessible All Persons Trail, which provides trail and boardwalk access to the wetlands and to Pike’s Pond. Tens of thousands of visitors of all ages have enjoyed this trail as well as the other 7 miles of well- marked hiking trails at Pleasant Valley. The extensive trail system is supported by Pleasant Valley’s visitor amenities, including an accessible picnic area and nature play area. All access is free to Lenox residents. In addition to recreational access for hiking, Pleasant Valley offers many free and low-cost public programs, including bird walks, beaver walks, family nature rambles, firefly programs, Family Fun Day, live raptor shows, and nighttime wildlife walks. We provide year-long science programming to several grades at Morris Elementary school through our Berkshire Environmental Literacy program, including field trips and hands-on nature study at Pleasant Valley. Students use the barn space during inclement weather, or to eat their lunches during a field trip. During the summer, the Knee-high Naturalist program, a half-day camp program for 3- to 5-year olds, takes place in the barn. For many

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Lenox youngsters, this summer program provides important preparation for school in the fall. Currently, the barn restrooms inadequately serve the public, program and school participants. The Barn Rehabilitation and Accessibility Upgrades would provide support for and expand existing activities and open doors for new outdoor education and recreational opportunities. In the new lobby area of the addition, visitors will be able to view interpretive maps, and learn about other conserved properties or programs in and around Lenox.

A representative sampling of how the barn capital improvements would impact Lenox citizens:  Families with young children would have a safer and cleaner experience using the large family- friendly restroom, which includes a changing table, or simply washing up after enjoying their picnic lunch;  Morris Elementary teachers and students could use new accessible restrooms and the ample lobby space for gathering and waiting for their classmates;  A group could gather on the back deck of the barn for birding or nature observation and seasonal views of Pike’s Pond;  Hikers could start or end their Yokun Ridge day hike at Pleasant Valley (pending the opening of the Yokun Ridge Trail);  Community groups (like Lenox Historical Society or Lenox Land Trust) could co-host programs and events in the barn (free of charge for free public events);  Pleasant Valley could continue to host collaborative and free programs with environmental and cultural organizations, including the Tanglewood Music Center, Boston Symphony Orchestra, The Mount, and others; and  The Pleasant Valley barn, an important piece of Lenox’s historical fabric, would be preserved for visitation and use by many generations to come.  Older adults or persons with mobility challenges can enjoy programs/events in barn with accessible restrooms on the same level.

9) What is the economic benefit to the Town?

Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary has recently been gaining recognition statewide, nationally and internationally. We were highlighted on Boston’s WCVB’s Chronicle TV show, identified on TripAdvisor’s “Most Blissful Destinations for Wellness Travel,” and recently hosted the BBC Radio 3, BSO, and WGBH for a live international radio broadcast from the barn. These opportunities introduce potential visitors from around the world to our sanctuary. Once in Lenox, these tourists spend their dollars in the shops and restaurants and stay in local accommodations.

Pleasant Valley’s hiking, summer camp, and public programs are a major attraction for residents, second home-owners, and tourists. We continually recommend local businesses to our visitors for dining and shopping after their nature excursions. During the past 4 years Mass Audubon has built relationships with local B&Bs and hotels to offer special activities for their guests. Every fall, a Britain-based walking tour company brings 75+ visitors for a guided afternoon at Pleasant Valley. Pleasant Valley operates year-round and offers custom birding, hiking, snowshoeing, canoeing and other nature programs for individuals, corporate groups and retreats. Canyon Ranch and Kripalu both rely on Pleasant Valley for outdoor excursions.

The Pleasant Valley Barn is in a beautiful setting and these improvements will support and attract programs and events that rely on our local businesses for food, flowers, and additional services. Unfortunately, Mass Audubon has had to turn down requests from individuals, community groups and

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nonprofits to use the barn because the current facilities do not adequately meet their needs.

Once rehabilitated, the barn will be able to serve even more visitors and provide improved access to recreational opportunities at Pleasant Valley and beyond. With the opening of the accessible trail at Parsons Marsh, Lenox now has two trails for visitors with limited mobility. However, neither of these locations has accessible restrooms. The accessibility upgrades to the restrooms at Pleasant Valley will enable visitors to these trails to feel welcomed in the community and allow them to spend a longer time immersed in nature. In addition to serving town residents, this has the potential to be a wonderful marketing opportunity for Lenox to invite a new sector of visitors to the town, nature tourists with limited mobility.

A sampling of events and programs at Pleasant Valley that would be supported by the barn rehabilitation project and which provide direct and indirect economic benefit to the town:  Our annual “Art in the Barn” month-long event provides free gallery space and exposure to support 5-6 local nature-themed artists. These local artists benefit from having their art displayed to hundreds of new potential buyers. We purchase food locally for our opening reception and hire local musicians to entertain.  Pleasant Valley hosts education programs and professional trainings, including a wetland delineation class for the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, Mass Audubon statewide meetings, and professional development for Berkshire County teachers. These events bring new visitors to Lenox, who then spend their dollars in the local restaurants and shops;  Pleasant Valley’s annual Wild Thing 5k/10k Trail Race reaches 200+ runners each year, bringing them to Lenox to run through Kennedy Park and enjoy a weekend in town;  The Berkshire Environmental Literacy program brings thousands of students to Pleasant Valley each year for hands-on science field trips at low or no cost;  This fall Pleasant Valley hosted the BBC Radio 3, BSO, and WGBH for a live international radio broadcast from the barn; there is now international interest in and recognition of Pleasant Valley’s 18th century barn and the surrounding forested landscape; and  Tanglewood and Pleasant Valley hosted a series of free bird walks and concerts in the barn during the summer 2017.

The capital improvements to Pleasant Valley’s barn would provide numerous economic benefits to the Town and its residents. Most directly, Pleasant Valley is a local employer providing full-time, part- time, and seasonal jobs in education, ecology, conservation, and land management. By funding this application, the CPC is helping to create and maintain jobs needed to attract and retain residents to our town. This fall, Pleasant Valley hired two new full-time educators, one of whom relocated to Lenox for the position. Every summer, the Berkshire Nature Camp employs seasonal staff, many of whom are college students returning to Lenox for the summer. The project to rehabilitate the barn will create jobs for local design and construction professionals. Mass Audubon has hired a locally-based design team to conduct the initial site work.

10) What is the long-term benefit to the Town?

For the past 90 years, Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary has operated as a sanctuary for wildlife and people. Generations of Lenox residents have enjoyed and been inspired by experiences or programs at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, and many town residents think of it as “their sanctuary.” The major barn capital project would ensure the continued use and enjoyment of the sanctuary, including access to recreation and education programs in the barn for future generations.

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As noted in the Town’s Open Space and Recreation plan as well as the recently developed Historic Preservation Plan, Pleasant Valley’s 1300+ acres and historic buildings are important pieces of Lenox’s ecological and cultural story. Despite being acknowledged in the recent Historical Preservation Plan and recognized on the Massachusetts Historical Commission inventory, Pleasant Valley’s full role in the agricultural development in Lenox is not well studied. By investing in a large-scale capital project, the Lenox CPC would be ensuring the accessibility and programmatic use of the barn for the long-term, both for Pleasant Valley sponsored events as well as for community events. Furthermore, the economic benefits to the Town related to free and low-cost services to residents and visitors are on-going. Finally, this capital project will help ensure that Pleasant Valley is a destination for visitors from in town as well as out of town for years to come.

11) What is the long-term cost to the town if action not taken?

The most direct cost to the Town if action is not taken would be the risk of deterioration of the barn, one of the Town’s important historic buildings as recognized by the town inventory of pre-1860 buildings. Mass Audubon is dedicated to maintaining ecological and cultural integrity of its properties but relies on fundraising support in order to do so. If the barn is not upgraded to achieve accessibility code compliance, the barn risks being underutilized. Like many historic structures, in order to be appreciated and celebrated, people need to learn and understand the important role that the barn plays in Lenox’s history, as well as what it represents on a regional scale. By increasing visitation to Pleasant Valley, we will have the opportunity to share the historical significance of its past.

There are several opportunity costs to the Town if action is not taken to rehabilitate and upgrade the barn. Town residents would not benefit from the use of accessible and family-friendly restrooms, a sheltered lobby with visitor information, and a space to host community events. Pleasant Valley would face possible loss of revenue related to operating programs in the barn (e.g., camp, school programs) and would risk needing to scale back its operations and potentially downsizing its staff, several of whom are Lenox residents.

12) What is the urgency of the project?

The barn capital project is the most immediate and pressing need of the facilities at Pleasant Valley, as the barn must be brought into compliance with accessibility and health codes. Without CPC funding we will not be able to complete the project in a timely manner and may need to shift funding away from other priorities to focus on the project. We have developed this project in response to the needs of our visitors, including those with disabilities that would otherwise prevent them from participating in the activities we offer.

Pleasant Valley’s barn has not received major upgrades in more than two decades and arguably has not undergone a project of this magnitude since its major renovation in 1929, the early 1930s and again in the 1990s. During the past couple of years, we have invested in some improvements, including painting the interior barn ceiling, installing new doors and locking devices, shingling the restroom roof, and adding dual-flush toilets. These small improvements, although noticeable, are not adequate to address the accessibility concerns. Additionally, the barn’s heating and ventilation system is not very energy efficient. This project seeks to greatly improve the efficiency of its systems.

Without funding, Pleasant Valley’s current trajectory of growth will be significantly slowed, which in turn would slow the numerous ways that the project would support the Town’s recreational, historic, and economic goals.

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13) Explain any other factors which may be relevant to your specific project.

None.

Community Housing Projects (Only Community Housing projects must fill out this section) 14) Please explain how this community housing project meets CPC goals, and goals expressed in other community planning documents:

15) Please Identify Affordability Level(s): % of area median income no. of units % of area median income no. of units % of area median income no. of units

16) Please describe any additional aspects to the project, including existing site conditions, remediation, permitting, zoning regulations, whether it is the adaptive reuse of an existing building or site, whether the site is close to community services (such as schools or transportation) etc. and how your project will address these:

17) Community housing projects should provide a letter of support from the Lenox Housing Trust and Committee indicating support of the project.

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Historic Preservation Projects (Only Historic Preservation projects must fill out this section)

Applicants should note: All CPA-funded historic preservation projects must comply with the US Secretary of the Interior’s standards for the treatment of historic properties.

18) Clearly describe how the project meets Historic Preservation goals of the Community Preservation Plan and the 1999 Comprehensive Master Plan:

The Town of Lenox’s Historic Preservation Plan emphasizes the central role that heritage, historic buildings, and landscapes play in the Town’s quality of life. It recognizes the natural and cultural landscape as the context in which individual resources exist and how assets are inter-related. Further, the plan focuses on people’s desire to experience “authentic places”, like the historic barn at Pleasant Valley.

The Historic Preservation Plan notes that Lenox’s history and character are central to the Town’s appeal to heritage visitors and to the concept of “The Creative Economy”. “The authenticity and complete experience that heritage visitors seek includes an interest in learning about the places they are visiting. In Lenox such experiences are available at attractions such as The Mount, Ventfort Hall, Pleasant Valley Nature Center, Lenox Historical Society, and others.” Further, the Plan’s recommendations include “supporting Lenox’s cultural institutions and attractions as central to the Town’s economy, character, and well-being,” and to “support specific projects enhancing community open space, providing trail linkages, and supporting historic interpretive sites.”

Specifically, Mass Audubon’s plan to rehabilitate the barn and provide additional visitor amenities in a new addition to the barn is consistent with the following key goals identified in the town’s Historic Preservation Plan: GOAL 1: Make historic preservation and community character central to Lenox’s quality of life. GOAL 2: Use Lenox’s historical identity as a core element of the Town’s economic development strategy. GOAL 4: Fully integrate historic preservation into Town programs and processes. GOAL 6: Strengthen the relationships between historic preservation and land conservation, environment, and sustainability. GOAL 7: Heighten public appreciation of Lenox’s history and historic resources through storytelling and other means. GOAL 8: Make full use of programs available for historic preservation and community enhancement.

19) Describe any other relevant information about the project and the site.

Pleasant Valley’s Barn is an old building in need of significant upgrades. It currently lacks amenities needed to make it a fully functional cultural and educational event center. By supporting this application, the CPC will help transform the barn from an aging building struggling to meet its visitors’ needs to an economic engine serving our community.

The proposed addition to and rehabilitation of the barn will make the barn ADA-compliant, thereby making the facility accessible to a much larger portion of the community while providing amenities that will enhance the experience of attending a program, walking one of the many trails, or participating in a volunteer event.

The proposed improvements will greatly extend the functionality of the barn while respecting its historic character. In order to accomplish this, our highly qualified design team will apply the Secretary of

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Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation in the design of the improvements, ensuring an appropriate upgrade for this historic building.

20) Historic preservation projects should provide information describing the historic, cultural, architectural and archeological significance of their site and a letter of support from the Historical Commission.

Pleasant Valley’s barn was built in late eighteenth century. The building is listed in the Town’s Historic Preservation Plan, which states that, “A townwide inventory of historic resources was undertaken in Lenox in 1987-1988 by members of the Lenox Historical Commission and staff of the Massachusetts Historical Commission. This inventory has been the foundation for information on historic resources in Lenox for three decades.” It is among the oldest structures still standing in the town, and it is eligible for listing on the State’s Register of Historic Places.

Mass Audubon has owned and operated the barn since 1950, maintaining key elements of the barn’s structure and appearance while making it available to the Lenox community and visitors for programs and events. In addition to being an important part of Lenox’s historic and cultural fabric, it has played a role in the personal history of Lenox’s residents for centuries, hosting weddings, parties, camps, and educational programs for generations. Mass Audubon’s goal is to preserve this cultural touchstone for generations to come.

A letter from the Lenox Historical Commission is included in Appendix C.

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Open Space and Recreation Projects (Only Open Space and Recreation projects must fill out this section)

21) Clearly describe how the project meets the Open Space and Recreation goals of the Community Preservation Plan and the 2013 Open Space and Recreation Plan.

Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary provides access to more than 1,300 acres of high quality open space for town residents and visitors. Admission to the sanctuary and its extensive network of trails is open to Lenox residents at no charge. Mass Audubon provides educational opportunities to the public that are focused on natural history and the critical importance of protecting the nature of Massachusetts and the ecology of the Berkshires.

A key goal of Lenox’s Open Space and Recreation Plan is to ensure that all facilities are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The proposed project at Pleasant Valley’s Barn will create new ADA-compliant restrooms. The new restrooms also will be family-friendly and will establish a new amenity for trail users and program participants. By implementing this project, Mass Audubon will enhance the sanctuary-visitor experience and thereby encourage residents to explore their natural world more frequently.

The plan also recommends establishment of a variety of recreational opportunities that serve all ages, physical conditions, and interests of year-round and summer residents. Mass Audubon is a leader in raising awareness of the value of the town’s open space resources to our physical and economic health, and of the vital importance of protecting these resources. Further, Mass Audubon has strong ties to the Berkshire Natural Resources Council and Lenox Land Trust, and their work to link key open space resources in town.

22) Explain the long-term maintenance and operating plan for the project upon completion.

Mass Audubon plans carefully for the long-term maintenance of all its facilities. Typically, an individual wildlife sanctuary, like Pleasant Valley, will include a line item in its annual budget for maintenance of its infrastructure. If and when necessary, Mass Audubon applies funding from a variety of funds to assist its wildlife sanctuaries with larger maintenance and improvement projects. The barn would be eligible to receive support from those funds should they be needed. Additionally, as part of the campaign to raise funds for this project, Mass Audubon will establish a maintenance endowment fund dedicated to the upkeep of the barn and its new addition.

In terms of operations, Pleasant Valley has a dedicated property manager who is responsible for the proper operation, functioning and maintenance of all its facilities. The barn and its new addition will be part of the property manager’s responsibilities on a year-round basis.

23) Explain how the site will be marked or signed to indicate it is a public resource.

Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary has roadside signage from multiple directions to encourage the public to visit. Our current signs are located in the following locations:  On Route 7/20 in Lenox  At the junction of Undermountain Road and Reservoir Road  At the junction of Reservoir Road and West Mountain Road

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 At the main visitor entrance to Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

Mass Audubon maintains a website with a page dedicated to Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. The website provides visitor and trail information, including that it is free to all Lenox residents.

Additionally, as interpretive signage and marketing materials are developed as part of the Berkshire Natural Resource Council’s High Road network and Lenox’s town-wide trail system, Pleasant Valley’s public access will be identified and promoted.

Certification

24) This application was prepared, reviewed, submitted by:

Name: Becky Cushing, Director, Berkshire Wildlife Sanctuaries Phone No.: 413-637-0320 x8351 E-Mail: [email protected]

I hereby certify that all of the above and included information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. [for non-municipal applicants only: I further declare my willingness to enter into a Contract with the Town of Lenox, including liens, deed restrictions and other means of security to govern the use and expenditure of CPA funds.]

Signature:

Date:

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