USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1930-1934 > Part 16
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would be placed for the use of the small children while their parents are attending games.
A parking field is indicated slightly to the north on the school property. It is hoped that this may be developed through co-operation with the school authorities. This will allow easy access to the west side of the running track where the Field House and Grandstand are located and where spectators will naturally congregate. It will not be used when there is a game taking place on the Center School Playground, and only by any number of cars when there is some special game or gathering on the new field.
It is believed that six tennis courts are a minimum to sup- ply the future requirements of the area but only five are shown on the plan pending the disposition of the Pierce house. These are shown in two groups; one of two courts behind the pine grove near the corner of the school prop- erty, and one of three courts at the southwest end of the running track. As the scheme is to build the two courts numbered 1 and 2 first and then to add 3, 4, and 5, as needed, a sixth court, making a fourth in the second group, could easily be added when required. The major consideration in the location of the tennis courts is an inexpensive place to grade, good drainage, and proper orientation which is with the long axis of the court north and south.
The Plan-South and West of Athletic Unit
The lower tennis courts and the two basketball areas which are suggested at the south of the court, make a rather pleasant break between the athletic unit which will be pri- marily for the boys' use and the playfield for the girls or field hockey area which is located to the west of these courts. This area, while far from being smooth, is perhaps the largest unit of nearly level area on the property, and, sur- rounded as it is by trees, will develop into a very beautiful playfield which is well back from the street, and will give
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the girls that privacy which is essential to the proper con- duct of their athletic development. The open pasture to the west of this area may also be used as a supplementary girls' field. It would make an excellent place for archery practice or contests.
The Plan-East of the Athletic Unit
Turning now to the east or Weston Road side of the athletic unit it is found that there is a strip two hundred feet wide from the side of the running track to the road. This should provide ample space for planting which will screen and separate the running track, and there would be a chance within this area to secure additional parking space later if it becomes necessary.
Just off the southeast end of the track immediately in front of the Pierce Residence the area is left in an undis- turbed state. It is believed that this section might be con- sidered as a location for a new Town building and it does not seem wise to jeopardize its use for such a purpose. In the meantime, it will remain undisturbed and no interference with the rights of tenancy, which the present Mr. Robert Pierce holds, is necessary. Below this to the south on the slope there is a considerable area through which one of the drainage courses runs. It is proposed to smooth this out at comparatively small expense, making it available for an unassigned play area which for convenience in reference is called "The South Field." Though there will be consider- able slope from north to south it can be used easily for general play. Its value will be much increased if it should be a school building which is placed near the south end of the running track because the area will be close to the build- ing where classes in physical education could be taken di- rectly to it even during school periods. In case no building were ever put in this locality this entire space could easily be made available for play or park use.
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The Plan-The Pond and Brook
The whole southern part of the area, below the South Field and Girls' Play Area and to the west of this area is to be developed as improved and restored natural scenery where rest and recreation may be obtained in the summer and where snow sports may take place during the winter. In the middle part near the western side there is a low area which is at present divided by a small brook. The brook has been artificially stoned up in a straight line down through this section, and it is far from beautiful in its pres- ent aspect. The plan suggests that by excavation and flood- ing a good sized portion of this valley be covered to form a pond which will include the present brook thus causing its straight lines to disappear. Because of the trees near at hand and the pleasant slope on the south this pond should be very attractive in summer and, as it will be sheltered by the high hill on neighboring property to the west, it should freeze early and make an excellent place for informal skating.
Space for hockey games, however, will be best obtained by erecting back boards and spraying parts of the football gridiron. Besides adding a great deal to the appearance of the park, the pond will rid it of a damp, almost swampy area, and the excavation necessary would provide excellent ma- terial for use in connection with the planting of laurel, ink- berry, azaleas and other ericaceous plants.
The problem of obtaining water to maintain the level of the pond is not a serious one even though the Town supply is limited at present and cannot be depended on for a sup- plementary supply. As previously stated, the ground is well permeated with water, and excavation will probably bring some of it to the surface. It is definitely known that on the hill, on private property to the west, there are springs, and it might be possible to obtain permission to tap one or more of these as an added source of supply. The pond will not be deep and most of the water from the brook below can
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easily be recirculated through it at no operating expense, by the use of a hydraulic ram. Repeated observation warrants the statement that there will be a sufficient increase in the amount of water which flows into the brook, during its progress across the area, to permit the amount necessary being taken from it to maintain the level and a flow of water in this pond. Consultation with pump men who handle rams has proved that the problem is entirely practical and quite inexpensive to do.
To the east of the dam which will hold back the pond the brook will be restored to an open channel all the way down to the southeastern corner of the property. Part of this is covered over at the present time and in the greater portion of the central part of the area the brook is almost five feet deep down between stone walls. The idea of the new treat- ment is to remove these walls wherever possible and open up the channel of the brook to develop it as a pasture stream. At the lower end, the plan proposes again excavating and damming up a low area to form a smaller pond which is primarily to take care of the water condition in the south- eastern corner of the property. The layout provides also a little play space near the pond, where small children can have see-saws, swings and sand boxes. As all this south- eastern corner is to be thickly planted with trees, the effect of a brook under, and in among the trees, and a pond in a grove will be obtained.
The Plan-Juniper Hill
The hill at the south is labelled "Juniper Hill" in order to suggest the proposed treatment. At present this hill is rather bare and bleak and as it may all be seen at once there is no desire to go forth in search of more interesting aspects. It is planned that it be clothed with a rather heavy plant- ing of red cedars, ground junipers and possibly a few pine. Proper grouping of these will make the slope very attrac-
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tive and will create a typical bit of Lincoln scenery such as may still be found in parts of the Town but which will probably disappear all too soon.
At the top of the hill where the elevation is highest a structure called "Rustic Shelter" is placed. This is to serve as an attractive look-out point from which in sum- mer excellent views may be obtained over the athletic field to the north, over the pond to the west and over the brook and smaller pond to the east. In the winter, the shelter will be used as a warming place in connection with winter sports, and, with that in mind, a large open fireplace is indicated on the south side of the structure where it will not interfere with the views over the park. The starts of the toboggan slide and sled run are found near the Shelter from which point these are carried down among the junipers to finish the ride on the uphill slope near the street ; a clever arrangement because when one is getting weary it allows him to take his "one last slide" as a part of his start home.
The Plan-The Rock Garden
In the very southwest corner there is a small section where there is an outcrop of ledge. This is shown for development as a natural rock garden, the thought being to keep the outcropping rock as free from any artificial look as possible and to bring in only such additional rock as would be required for the proper construction of recesses to hold the native plants. This would be a feature of the "Nature Trail" which is to run from this point along the west border of the property and back to the rear of the Field House. Along this Nature Trail, which will be kept in a very natural aspect, native flowers and shrubs (espe- cially those which attract the birds) will be introduced and marked in such a way that they may be observed and studied.
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The Plan-North of the Athletic Unit
Turning from this part of the area to the section to the north end of the running track the plan shows an area be- tween Station Road and the track labelled "The North Field," then an area close to the street, as along Weston Road, which has been used for planting and screening of the interior areas. The idea is to make this North Field usable for unassigned play when necessary without at- tempting much grading on it. Though it is far from level, it has an even cross slope, and this large open field will not only be a valuable space for informal play or community gatherings but it will also give a feeling of spaciousness to the whole layout. The planting along Station Road will form a native grove and there will be places under the trees where people may rest and enjoy views over the play areas to the south. Though no hesitancy has been felt about making suggestions, the school grounds of the elementary school have been left as they are except for the idea of a little more studied grouping of the children's play appa- ratus, and some additional planting to give shade at the southwest corner.
At the junction of Weston Road and Station Road a recommendation is made which deserves some considera- tion. The intersection of five roads, already referred to as Lincoln Center, is on a considerable slope to the north up which the road to Bedford continues. Some treatment of the park corner which abuts the Center seems necessary because of the fact that the property inside slopes off very quickly from it. In other words, something which closes the view from both sides is believed essential at this point. As the Committee asked its adviser to consider the Center concurrently with the study of the Pierce property, im- provements which include the whole area are naturally involved.
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The Plan-Entrance Treatment at Northeast Corner
In looking over the Center two items were discovered that could be used to accomplish the result desired. The first is the flagpole which is now in the library triangle. It is apparent that this was put here because at the time it was the only desirable location. As no attempt has been made to give it a setting, there seems to be no particular reason why it should stay there if a better setting can be found. The second is the war memorial which is placed in front of the library building. The large clump of shrub- bery behind it detracts from the appearance of the building, and adds nothing of value as a setting to the memorial it- self. The library grounds will be benefited by the removal of both these items and if they were placed in a setting properly prepared for them, they would be a real asset to the Center. In addition a feeling of enclosing the Center on the park side as it is already enclosed by structures on the other sides, could be obtained by moving them over to that corner. The scheme as shown on the General Plan, suggests cutting the present stone wall about fifty feet from the corner on each side and returning it into the property, making an area in front of the wall which will be graded up and really become a part of the Center. The wall is carried around on a curve and at the approximate middle it is developed with a proper architectural base to receive the Town flagpole. On either side are openings through the wall from which steps lead down to the level of the par about six feet below. In front of the wall there will be a nearly level grassed area on which the memorial boulder is to be placed. The bronze eagle may, of course, be returned to its position on the boulder, but an eagle in a position where he can be looked down upon seems to lose some of his lofty inspiring qualities. With that in mind a more elevated position for him is highly recommended. As his
WALK
$ 20 Mal
90.00
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-
Sidewalk
IVALK /
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İSALK
JOHN H. PIERCE PARK LINCOLN . MA33. . PRELIMINARY SKETCH FOR CORNER ENTRANCE . . Scale - Ten Feet Equals One Inch . 40
Robert Washburn Beat Landscape Architect
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weight is three hundred and forty pounds it is out of the question to put him on top of the pole but a suitable place at the upper part of the architectural treatment of the base of the pole might be provided. More detailed consideration of this feature which would be necessary before construc- tion could be undertaken would determine the most prac- tical and charming arrangement, but a study sketch accom- panying this report shows in a general way the idea in mind.
This whole feature by clever handling can be beautiful from all viewpoints inside the park area, and the flagpole in this location would be much higher, much better seen, and much more available for general Town use than if placed in a more interior section of the property. By open- ing up the view at the corner, by the removal of the two line poles, and by slight modification of the road curve, this improvement would greatly benefit the flow of traffic be- tween Station and Weston Roads. By framing in the park side and by a more appropriate setting for the flagpole and memorial, the interior aspect of the Center would be much improved, but even all these assets are outweighed by the greater value of attaining a straightforward, simple, inviting method of entering the park.
The Plan-Roads and Walks
There are no roads on the development except those which permit access to the parking space, because on ac- count of the limited size of the area it is considered far better to keep all vehicular traffic out. Walks are indicated connecting points where it is believed people would desire to go, where it is desired to lead them, and where most in- tensive use of the area is to be expected. The idea is to subordinate these just as much as possible by carefully fit- ting them to the topography, by letting them become leafy and moss grown, and yet at the same time providing by proper sub-drainage, where necessary, a means whereby
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people can get around conveniently even in bad weather. The walks will be gravel, usually six feet wide, in order that small service trucks or wagons may make use of them in the necessary maintenance of the area. They need be constructed only as the demand for them arises but for the better preservation of the area some anticipation of this demand is advisable.
The Plan-Planting
The general treatment of the planting over the project is of utmost importance. Considerable planting is shown along Weston Road and also along Station Road to pro- vide, as mentioned before, a separation between the street and the intensive play areas with the idea of reducing the predominance of these areas and with the idea of obtaining a natural aspect. This can best be done by using a great many trees in the planting and not as many shrubs as might ordinarily be found in an area of this kind. The scheme is to get away from the formality of the trees along the street as rapidly as possible. Oaks and elms will be generously used in this section of the area and in the southern parts oaks, pines and birches in addition to the junipers, already mentioned, will form the main substance of the planting. They will not be planted in orderly lines but will be in scattered groups massed to produce natural grove-like effects. Along the north side of the North Field flowering dogwood, hawthorns, and mountain ash planted along the border of the larger trees will add greater attraction to the planting. Where shrubs are used, native plants such as viburnums, black alder, sumac, dogwoods, mountain laurel, elder and other similar material will be employed almost exclusively. Existing trees are saved wherever possible. Unfortunately no trees can be kept within the intensive playfield area. There are seven large elms in good con-
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dition existing there which it is possible to move with safety. They are well forth consideration for removal if funds are sufficient to permit it because they can be used to advantage on the east side of the property to obtain results that it would take 30-40 years to get without them.
There are also certain types of trees already mentioned as not in keeping with the attempt to secure a natural bit of Lincoln Landscape, the ultimate removal of which is highly desirable. The Lombardy Poplars along the brook are rapidly going to decay and should be removed at the earliest possible moment. The shrubbery around the house is very much overgrown and can well be sacrificed when the time arrives. The blue spruces which come in the left fielder's area are beautiful specimens in themselves but do not fit in the composition as a whole, and the change in grade makes their removal necessary. If it is not possible to find anyone to take them it is believed that the cost of moving them, which would be at least twelve hundred and fifty dollars, is sufficient to justify cutting them down. The apple orchard in the southwest part involves much the same problem. These are no doubt, beautiful trees, yet the orchard is not deserving of the space it occupies in this limited area in which a natural picture is being at- tempted. As it will probably be some years before the development of this section is undertaken it is suggested that the trees be allowed to remain at present but as they become old and unworthy they be removed and not re- placed.
Summary
It would appear then that from the survey of the design that the plan does recognize very plainly the topography, and the natural assets ; it has measured carefully the value of the artificial features; it provides the facilities which will be needed in Lincoln not only for the present but for
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some time to come and there are even included unassigned spaces which may be used for any development of play that cannot now be foreseen. Natural park-like facilities are secured in what should be a most attractive manner ; the playfields are subordinated as much as possible con- sidering the size and natural limitations of the piece of property available. The feeling of perpetuating a natural Lincoln landscape is kept predominately in mind and while this idea cannot be adequately shown in any flat design or even by means of sketches, it is the ardent desire of the designer, and future planting plans would be drafted to secure that effect. It is confidently believed that with proper planting and due time for development under proper guidance, the area will appear much more natural twenty to forty years from now than it does today.
No study of an area of this kind would be complete with- out some consideration of the cost of carrying the scheme out. The plan has been prepared with the idea that it will probably be carried on over a period of years and the most comprehensive development of the area has been given much more weight than the ultimate cost. At the same time due care has been paid to economy of construction and to keeping the development a reasonable, sensible proposi- tion for a Town the size of Lincoln to undertake.
The Plan-Cost of Construction
Before submitting a general estimate of cost it should be made very clear that the following figures are arrived at without the use of final detailed drawings. Though the quantities are estimated, their estimation is necessarily very rough at this preliminary stage. The figures are, therefore, based chiefly on the designer's experience with other projects of a similar nature and are based on the particular
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type of design that he has in mind. They can be used only as a basis for discussion and individual items may vary a great deal if definite contract figures are obtained. To intelligently pass on them it is necessary for anyone else to ascertain the details the designer has in mind. It does not seem necessary to go into these details in this report other than to state that it is recommended that each unit of the area, as it is carried out, be executed in accordance with the best principles of construction the money available will permit. This may make progress somewhat slower but it will save doing over units, and the maintenance cost will be tremendously reduced.
For the first consideration of cost a general estimate for the whole work as if carried out at one time by competitive bids, under present conditions is submitted. After this table there will follow a scheme of progress adapting the funds which are at present available to the construction programme.
General Estimate of Cost
General Grading
Playfield
$9,500
Entrance Feature
500
Girls' Play Area
1,500
South Field
500
Upper Pond
1,500
Lower Pond
600
Clearing Woods and Constructing Parking Field
Road
500
$14,600
Drainage
Playfield
1,800
South Field
100
Tennis Courts
500
Parking Field at Center School
250
General
500
3,150
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Water Supply
1,000
Preparation of Seeded Areas and Seeding
Playfield
725
Flagpole
50
North Field
500
South Field
200
1,500
Tennis Courts (5)
Surfacing
3,500
Backstops
2,000
5,500
Running Track Surfacing and Curbing
2,250
Entrance Feature
Wall Work and Steps 1,000
Flagpole Base
500
Moving Flagpole and Memorial
150
Flagging Walks, etc.
350
2,000
Rock Garden
500
Walks
2,500
Planting
Preparation of Areas
1,500
Purchase of Material
4,000
Moving of Elm Trees
2,500
Removal of Poor Trees and General Trimming Work
500
8,500
Structures
Grandstand
500
Altering Field House 3,500
Moving Residence
(Note: No item is included for moving residence and making it ready for use in another place be- cause the house could be torn down at no cost to
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the Park. If the Town desires it for further use the expense should come from a separate Town appropriation.)
Shelter
1,000
5,000
Equipment
Children's Play Area
500
TOTAL COST $47,000
Contingencies-10% $4,700
Unforeseen Items-5% 2,585
Professional Services, Engineering, etc .- 10% 5,428
$12,713
TOTAL $59,713
The proposition involves, therefore, the expenditure of about sixty thousand ($60,000) dollars. This lump sum doubtless seems large for this kind of project but that is chiefly because it has not been customary to approach the solution with due regard to the future and with a known total cost in view. If the same amount were involved in the construction of a new library, school or other public build- ing it would seem a comparatively small figure, yet this project is undoubtedly more important and enduring than any one building can possibly be. Fortunately, it is not necessary for the Town of Lincoln to have to consider this as one expenditure. Through the foresight of the late John H. Pierce, a fund has been established the income of which amounts to $3,000 per year, from which it is assumed that at least $2,500 will be available for park development. In addition, in the period that has already elapsed the income has accumulated to provide a fund from which about $15,000 is available for immediate construction if work is started in 1932. The figure is based on a present accumulation of about $12,500 plus the $2,500 income for 1932.
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A programme follows based on the initial expenditure and an annual outlay of $2,500. Naturally the work will cost slightly more if carried out in this way, but with proper planning, duplication and waste can be reduced to a mini- mum. It is also quite obvious that a programme of this kind looking so far to the future has to be subject to lib- eral interpretation. The sequence is considered about right at this time but if it developed that a programme for one year could not be entirely carried out, or, if wonderful to relate, more work might be done, then the next year's project would be retarded or advanced accordingly. Spe- cial conditions such as the availability of material for a certain purpose-cinders for the running track, plant- ing material at especially attractive prices, the early re- moval of the Pierce Residence, the construction of a new Town building making filling material available, etc.,- would be sufficiently good common sense reasons for chang- ing the sequence.
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