DEPEW PARK Sustainable Master Plan City of Peekskill, Westchester County, New York February 28, 2009 Class Fishing Trip, Lake Mitchell, Depew Park c. 1940's Prepared by Hudson & Pacific Designs Landscape Architecture 24 Mynderse Street Saugerties, New York 12477 845.246.1699 Fax: 845.246.1370 www.hudsonpacific.com This document and all maps were prepared with funds provided by the New York State Department of State under the Quality Communities Grant Program DEPEW PARK Sustainable Master Plan City of Peekskill, Westchester County, New York February 28, 2009 Prepared by Hudson & Pacific Designs Landscape Architecture 24 Mynderse Street Saugerties, New York 12477 845.246.1699 Fax: 845.246.1370 www.hudsonpacific.com DEPEW PARK Sustainable Master Plan City of Peekskill, Westchester County, New York February 28, 2009 Peekskill Common Council Mary F. Foster, Mayor Donald F. Bennett, Jr., Deputy Mayor Drew A. Claxton, Councilwoman Catherine E. Pisani, Councilwoman Patricia Riley, Councilwoman Joseph Schuder, Councilman Andrew Torres, Councilman Conservation and Parks Advisory Board Sue Sheridan, Chairwoman Kay Barthelmes Margaret Bryan Al Collins Christina Edwards Don Ettinger Marie Knapp Dorothy Leslie Gene Panczenko Brian Havranek, Acting City Manager David Greener, Director of City Services Francis Brunelle, Director of Human Services Jean Friedman, City Planner Prepared by Hudson & Pacific Designs Landscape Architecture 24 Mynderse Street Saugerties, New York 12477 845.246.1699 Fax: 845.246.1370 www.hudsonpacific.com DEPEW PARK Sustainable Master Plan Contents Page INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................6 SITE ASSESSMENT...................................................................................8 Location and History....................................................................................9 Recent Survey & Site Analysis .................................................................13 SCHEMATIC DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................19 Schematic Design Overview......................................................................20 Hydrology ..................................................................................................23 Landscape Restoration & Habitat Revitalization ......................................28 Circulation & Parking ...............................................................................38 Park Facilities.............................................................................................40 Trails and Trail Signage.............................................................................51 PRECINCT PROJECT PRIORITY & COST ESTIMATES....................63 SUMMARY...............................................................................................80 PLAN SHEETS & TRAIL MAPS APPENDICES A Senator Depew Conveyance of Land for Depew Park B Lake Mitchell Management Plan Prepared by New England Environmental C Veterans' Memorial Pool Complex Study Prepared by Ward Associates, PC D Funding Resource List E Public Meeting Minutes F Biographies of Famous People Commemorated in Depew Park G Invasive Species Management H Native Species List I Trail Improvement Guidelines Introduction . In 2007, the City of Peekskill retained the firm of Hudson & Pacific Designs, Landscape Architecture (HPD), of Saugerties, New York, to provide a master plan for Depew Park and its connection to Blue Mountain Reservation. An essential component of the master planning process was to engage the community in the plan's development. Few parks elicit community devotion as passionate as that evidenced by those who took part in the public presentations and discussions of the master plan for Depew Park. All viewed the park as an extraordinarily precious resource for the City of Peekskill. All acknowledged the compassionate care given to the park by the Parks Department and its staff. The consensus was to enhance the passive and bucolic aspects of the park. The most serious park problems identified by the public included vehicular traffic and speed, the deteriorating water quality of Lake Mitchell, and the overabundance of Canada geese. The overall feeling was that the existing mix of uses was working but that facilities needed improvement. Also expressed was the notion that any expansion of activities must not be to the detriment of the park’s ecological and historical resources. In HPD's explorations of the park, its vast natural richness became clearly evident early on, and it was decided that the master plan should include sustainable components. Any and all proposed improvements must clearly restore the park's ecological and cultural fabric. Initially, a new topographic survey was prepared and a site analysis conducted to arrive at an exact understanding of current conditions and to pinpoint problem areas. Next, schematic design recommendations were developed and subsequently refined during a public review. Finally, a list of priorities for implementation and cost estimates were prepared, together with a list of issues that are addressed by each project. Numerous funding sources that could assist with implementation were identified. The Conservation and Parks Advisory Board was designated as the City's Project Advisory Committee, along with City and County staff. These individuals met often with tireless energy and exhibited a generosity of spirit toward Depew Park. They provided valuable input and direction as HPD developed a Sustainable Master Plan for Depew Park. Depew Park Sustainable Master Plan February 28, 2009 During the process, Senator Chauncey Depew and his legacy, Depew Park, captured our hearts. The energy and commitment displayed by the citizens of Peekskill during the 21st century would have pleased the man who initially dreamed of a place where young and old could go for play and recreation Realizing the Sustainable Master Plan will represent a positive step towards the creation of an even greater Depew Park to welcome future generations. The City of Peekskill and its residents should be commended for their decision to embark on this journey. Depew Park Sustainable Master Plan February 28, 2009 DEPEW PARK Sustainable Master Plan Site Assessment SITE ASSESSMENT PAGE 8 Location and History . LOCATION See Sheet 1 Set in the southeastern corner of the City of Peekskill, the 176-acre park is approximately ½ mile east of the Hudson River and the Peekskill Train Station, generally bordered by Union, Hudson, and Maple avenues and, to the south, Westchester County’s Blue Mountain Reservation. Surrounded by residential neighborhoods, Depew Park is close to downtown and is accessible both by automobile and on foot. HISTORY Creation A June 1937 Press Union article proclaimed that the “Depew Park Grant Was Only Routine Matter for Donor,” in describing the gift to Peekskill by Chauncey Mitchell Depew, who represented New York State in the United States Senate from 1899 to 1911 and had attended the Peekskill Academy for 12 years as a boy. Routine though the gift may have been for Depew, however, it was a significant one for the area: Until 1901, Peekskill owned no park or village green. On May 27, 1901, a cordial letter requesting the privilege of addressing village trustees at their regular meeting arrived from Depew. His intention was to give the village a park. To a packed room of current and past village officials and citizens, Depew declared that he had long felt a great need for a park in the village. He recalled his boyhood wish for a place that he and his chums could go without fear of trespassing. Then he continued: When the old farm over yonder began to be filled up and the village to get around it, it struck me that to cut down the woods, which I believe are the only primeval forests there are around here, or near to it, and turn it into lots would be a sort of sacrifice. At the same time, it would afford a nucleus at least and after a while a very good park in itself, with the surrounding property which I have purchased. Depew Park Sustainable Master Plan February 28, 2009 SITE ASSESSMENT PAGE 9 So I have bought out the other heirs, and having got it in that position I want to present the ground to the village in order that my successors cannot have the limitation placed upon them which I had when you and I were boys, Mr. President. And so I have had the deed prepared, and a map of the property. Post-World War II The next significant period of park development occurred after World War II as Peekskill, incorporated as a city in 1940, welcomed its sons home from war. As Senator Depew had predicted, the city proceeded to grow up around the park. The road system was expanded, and trails began to be formalized, diverging from the original design of the park as a place where children could simply roam without fear of trespassing. With the baby boom came the stadium, expanded roads with parking, and increased pressures for more activities and facilities, including the pool and active sports. As the infrastructure became more developed and social imperatives evolved, it is possible that the quaint wooden structures and floral gardens became to seem a burden to maintain. No archival plans for post-1931 development such as the stadium or subsequent “improvements” were located at City Hall or in the library. In 2001, a parcel of approximately 1.8 acres of woodland wetland was subdivided from the homestead of the late Ruth Rusch by Scenic Hudson and donated to the City of Peekskill, satisfying the basic