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Samuel Howlett Park
City of Rochester
City Beautiful CommissionWednesday, April 13, 2011
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2011 Survey Results Older demographic (68% of those surveyed 55 or older)
33% have kids, majority small kids (66% age 0-5)
In summer (April-October):
27% visit several times per week, 13% several times per month, 7%once per month, 17% several times in summer, 8% once per summer
28% never visit park
57% visit in winter too
Mostly in evening (57%)
49% ranked as good to excellent
50% or more want to see:
Paths & gardens (85%)
Quiet, shaded areas (81%)
Picnic tables (59%)
Green open space 86%)
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2011 Survey Results Open ended responses:
“Leave it the way it is” “Keep it a walkers park” “Please do not “improve” this park”
“Open areas great for multiuse recreation”
“Keep open space for kids activities”
“More trees around perimeter” “The perimeter looks bare, more trees needed in islands or pockets on
Romeo/Inglewood” “Looks bare…needs something around the perimeter”
“ Plant wildflowers/perennials” “A few more benches too” “Establish a “Friends of Howlett Park” group to oversee park
coordinate volunteer activities and communicate with City Staff”
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2011 Survey Results Open ended responses related to the pond:
ACCESS
“Keep overgrowth tame around pond”
“How about a wood chip path around the pond, a few more outlooks over pond”
“Make paths accessible to pond”
“Area around retention pond could be improved. Would be nice to have more
areas to stand” “Improve access to water feature, including rehab of deck and establishment of
wood chips around the wetland”
“Clear a small area by the pond and add benches and picnic tables”
“We love walking around the pond, a picnic table would be nice”
“I would like to see access to the pond improved…a great area to study naturebut almost too natural….. by July the weeds are so high that access is limited to1 or 2 spots”
Gardens would be nice, soften the open green space and add something to lookat”
ECOLOGY
“Survey the existing bird, fish, amphibian, mammal population, and waterquality. Find ways to enhance habitat to support wildlife”
“Stock the pond with game fish”
“Native plants with placards to identify them” “Landscaping with more native plants”
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2011 Survey Results Open ended responses related to the pond:
“Enhanced viewing area of the pond”
“Nature Path around the pond”
“Open the area around the pond so [police can see into the pond area.The water feature of the park should be open and enjoyed by visitorsand passersby”
“Stock the pond with fish”
“Make the pond larger and deeper with a sustainable ecosystem withfish, frogs, turtles etc. Make anature trail around the pond. Areaaround pond is very soggy making access hard”
“I never realized there was a pond there until last summer…my kidsand I would visit more if it were easier to get to the pond”
“clean up the water area and have a haven for the birds and animalsto rest”
“Clean up the water so birds and ducks have a quiet place to live”
“ How about a few more outlooks over the pond”
“Keep the water clean.... no scum”
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2011 Survey Results Open ended responses (structures and facilities):
Paths (passive, walking/jogging. Snowshoing, X-C ski) Picnic tables Benches Interpretive Signage City of Rochester signage
Trash Bins Playground Warming Hut Bathroom Parking Grills Disc Golf baskets Tennis Courts ADA accessibility “Please no ball parks, play grounds, picnic areas or parking areas” “Do something with it; right now it’s just vacant land with a dock”
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History of Park 2008
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History of Park 2006
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History of Park 2002
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History of Park 2000
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History of Park 1997
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History of Park 1990
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History of Park 1980
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History of Park 1974
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History of Park 1963
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History of Park 1872
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History of Park Surface Geology
End Moraine Outwash
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Howlett Park: 20,000 Years Ago
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Surface Geology
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Surface Geology
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End Moraine
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End Moraine
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Outwash
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History of Park:
Presettlement Vegetation
Black Oak
Barren
Mixed Oak Forest Mixed Hardwood
Swamp
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Topography: Very Diverse!
Kettle
Kame
Low,Wet Area
Steep Ridges,Slopes
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Oak Barren http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/communities/community.cfm?id=10693 •Found on droughty soils formedfrom glacial outwash or sandymoraines•Fire dependent•5-60% canopy
•Contain a mix of prairie and forestcommunity species
TreesBlack OakWhite OakBurr Oak
Red MapleBlack CherryBig-Tooth AspenScarlet OakNorthern Pin OakHickoryDogwoodBlack CherrySassafras
Sub-CanopyBearberryNew Jersey TeaAmerican Hazelnut
WintergreenHuckleberryChoke CherrySand CherryDwarf Chinquapin OakShining SumacBlueberry
Ground LayerLittle BluestemBig BluestemPennsylvania SedgeHeart Leaved AsterFalse foxgloveTickseedGoats-RuePorcupine GrassDwarf Blazing StarWood BetonyWhite PeaFalse Dandeliion
NoteworthyAnimalsButterfliesSkippersGrasshopper
sLocusts
Invasive PlantsSpotted KnapweedCommon St. John’sWort
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Mixed Oak Forest
http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/communities/community.cfm?id=10685
•Found on droughty soils formedfrom glacial outwash, coarse-textured moraines, kettle-kametopography•Fire dependent
•90% closed canopy•Contain forest community species
TreesBlack OakWhite Oak
Red OakScarlet OakNorthern PinOakRed MapleBlack CherryPignutHickoryShagbark
HickoryBlack Cherry
Sub-CanopyIronwoodAlternate-
LeavedDogwoodFloweringDogwoodCherriesServiceBerriesWitch HazelChoke Cherry
GroundLayerDoll’s Eyes Hog PeanutJack-in-the-PulpitWhite BearSedgeEnchanter’sNightshadeSpottedCoral-Root
Tick-trefoilBlackSnakeroot
NoteworthyAnimalsEastern BoxTurtle
Blanding’sTurtleCooper’sHawkCeruleanWarblerEasternMassasauga
Invasive PlantsOriental Bittersweed
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Southern Wet Meadow (sedge meadow)
http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/communities/community.cfm?id=10657
•Found in depressions in glacialoutwash and moraines, alongmargins of lakes, ponds and streams•Flood-dependent•Groundwater-fed
•Open canopy•Contain a mix of wet prairie species
Grasses & SedgesTussock sedge
Carex spp.Bluejoint grassFringed BromeGrassFowl manna grassMarsh wildTimothyLeafy satin grass
NoteworthyAnimalsMuskratSandhill CraneMarsh WrensCanada geeseBeavers
Invasive PlantsReed CanaryGrassPhragmites
Narrow-leavedcattailGlossy buckthornMultiflora Rose
ForbsSwamp MilkweedSwamp Aster
Marsh BellflowerSwamp ThistleBonesetJoe-Pye WeedWater HemlockMarsh-PeaMountain MintGreat Water DockSwamp Goldenrod
Purple Meadow Rue
FernsSensitive FernMarsh Fern
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Submergent Marsh http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/communities/community.cfm?id=10651
•Found in small, shallow lakes andponds in depression on outwash andmoraine•Contain submergent and emergentaquatic species
•Tolerate natural water-levelfluctuations
Aquatic VegetationMilfoils
PondweedsWater CrowfootWater CeleryWater LilyPond LilyDuckweedGreat Duckweed
NoteworthyAnimalsFishAmphibiansReptilesWaterfowlWater birdsWaterbirdsMuskratBeaver
Invasive PlantsEurasian water-milfoilHydrilla
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Topography: Very Diverse!
Kettle
Kame
Low,Wet Area
Steep Ridges,Slopes
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Park Habitats: Also Very Diverse!
SubmergentMarsh
Wet Meadow
Pond Margin
Wet MeadowSwale
OakBarren/Mixed Oak Forest
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Park Habitats: Also Very Diverse!
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Park Habitats: Also Very Diverse!
SubmergentMarsh
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Park Habitats: Also Very Diverse!
SubmergentMarsh
Wet Meadow
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Park Habitats: Also Very Diverse!
SubmergentMarsh
Wet Meadow
Mixed Oak Forest
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Park Habitats: Also Very Diverse!
SubmergentMarsh
Wet Meadow
Mixed Oak Forest
Oak Barren
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Stormwater Issues
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Stormwater Issues
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Stormwater Issues
26.5 acres of =23.2 cfs
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Stormwater Issues
26.5 acres of =23.2 cfs
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Stormwater Issues
26.5 acres of =23.2 cfs
44.57 acres= 52.39 cfs
New Outlet to Paint Creek 782.10
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Stormwater Issues
Drainage volume has increased by a factor of 3.25
Stormwater Runoff Water Quality
NutrientsOilsGreasesRoad Salts
HabitatFluctuationHigh Oxygen DemandSediments
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Park Planning/Management Issues
Multi-Use Open Space
Paths
Access to Howlett Pond
Ecosystem Restoration Howlett Pond
Watershed Management
Vegetation Management/ Restoration Invasives
Wet Meadow
Upland Oak Barrens/Forest
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Multi-Use Open Space
Children’s Soccer
Sledding Hill
Catch Area
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Paths
ADA Path
ADA Path
FootbridgeUnofficial Pathways
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Access to Howlett Pond
Access Points w/Picnic Tables/Overlooks
Ecosystem Restoration:
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Ecosystem Restoration:
Howlett Pond
Wildlife• Fish• Herpetiles (Amphibians)• Waterfowl• Nesting Birds
• Mammals & Insects
Vegetation• Aquatic Vegetation• Riparian Vegetation• Invasives
Recommendations:
1. Assess fish & amphibianpopulation (professional)
2. Assess other wildlife(volunteers)
3. Identify gaps & targets
4. Develop habitat improvement
plan
5. Implement with volunteers
Ecosystem Restoration:
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Ecosystem Restoration:
Watershed ManagementRecommendations:
1. Neighborhood OutreachCampaign (flier/Website)
2. Interpretive Signage at HowlettPond
3. Storm Drain Stenciling
4. Partner with CRWC
Ecosystem Restoration:
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Ecosystem Restoration:
Vegetation Management-InvasivesWoody Species:Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)Eurasian honeysuckles (Lonicera species)Asian bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora)
Wetland Species (I’m fairly certain I saw these, yet anothervisit needed for positive id):
Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea)Common reed (Phragmites australis)
Species of Less Concern:Gray dogwood (Cornus foemina) – can create aggressiveclonesShrubby willows (Salix species)Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii )Raspberry/blackberry (Rubus species)
Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei )Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)Wild grape (Vitis species)Queen Anne’s lace/wild carrot (Daucus carota)Goldenrods (Solidago species)Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)Mullein (Verbascum species)Curly dock (Rumex crispus)
-Sue Greenlee, Dinosaur Hill Volunteer
E t R t ti
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Ecosystem Restoration: Vegetation Management-Native Restoration
Recommendations:
1. Use presettlement vegetation types asguide/palette
2. Begin with wet meadow restoration;
establish no-mow boundary and plant withnative plugs
3. Supplement mixed forest with additionaltree species and appropriateunderstory/ground flora species
4. Start small regarding prairie/oak barrenplantings in small “no-mow areas” to avoidunsightly weed growth
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Next Steps
1. Establish “Friends of Howlett Park” toengage volunteers
2. Conduct Spring & Fall “Bio Blitz “Events inpartnership with Six Rivers Regional Land
Conservancy
3. Professional pond and fish/herpetileassessment
4. 2011: Wet Meadow VegetationEnhancement
5. Work with SRRLC/Dinosaur Hills to drafthabitat management plans
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Howlett Park
Children’s Soccer
Sledding Hill
Catch Area
ADA Path
ADA Path
Footbridge
Access Points w/
Picnic Tables/Overlooks