• Introduction to Living Memorial Design
• Site Appraisal
• Diversity in Site Design
• Diversity in Plant Material
• Accessibility and Ease of Use
• Maintenance
• Case Studies of Living Memorials

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Site Appraisal

Appraisal of potential sites or one existing site is a critical early step towards designing a Living Memorial. Here one must learn to let go of notions of one ideal site, and instead objectively set about learning about the natural and human elements to the space. It is only in this way that one can institute creative designs and planting schemes that can turn traditional "disadvantages" into unique "opportunities." Admitting constraints of the site is equally important to ensure that plantings are sustainable and appropriate. Appraisal of the site gives one the physical context as one proceeds with visioning, building a stewardship group, and long term planning. And vice-versa, the process of learning about the site can create opportunities for the community to offer knowledge about a site, to ground a site in community context, and to participate in a design scheme.

It is never too late to research your site. Even if special trees have already been planted, there is always more that can be done to make the site a representation of your community's changing priorities and needs. As you put your insights into practice, consider the following aspects of the living landscape, and notice how they bring a depth of meaning to your selection of tree species and overall design.

The following categories are intended to encourage you to think off the plan and plant list, working from a broad base of possibilities. Here you are asked to think about the natural and cultural, historical and present-day, existing assets of your Memorial site. These assets provide opportunities to integrate the new design into the existing natural and cultural context.

• Beyond the Site
  • Site Surrounds
  • Orientation and Views
• Natural Features
  • The Spirit of the Place
  • Geology, Topography, Hydrology
  • Soils
  • Climate, Micro-Climate
  • Existing Flora, Fauna
  • Light
• Cultural Features
  • Land Use
  • Circulation
  • Transportation
  • Structures
  • History
  • Demographics
  • Site Pollutants
  • Utility Services
  • Access, Staging, Phasing

Beyond the Site
Site Surrounds: What does the surrounding area like?
Before even entering the site, the investigation begins. Particularly in an urban context, one must consider whether the site should harmonize or provide a distinctive setting to its surroundings. Consider the need for access and security (real and perceived) with considerations for fencing, gates, and lighting. Also, if the site is surrounded by undeveloped land, is there likely to be development nearby that will adversely affect the memorial? Zoning maps, available at local planning or zoning offices, can offer an idea of what type of development is allowed adjacent to the site-giving the chance to plan for future buffering if necessary.

Orientation and Views: Which direction will the Living Memorial face? What are the views like?
Orientation can greatly influence the enjoyment of outdoor spaces. Location and orientation should consider uses at different times of day and in different seasons. In assessing views, take into account seasonal change in existing and proposed evergreen and deciduous plant material. Views can be quite different through the seasons. For example, there were many places around New York from which to view the World Trade Centers. Many of these views change with the seasons.

Views of Lower Manhattan from Liberty State Park
Photo: Lindsay Campbell

Natural Features
The Spirit of the Place - or the Genius Loci: What does the spirit of the place feel like?
First impressions. Hold onto these insights as either a tone to expand upon, or a sense to mitigate in later phases. First impressions are often powerful inspirations that can be carried through the design and programming processes. "The river view is wonderful, let's open this up. The sense of peace used to be here - screening the buildings to the west could help."

Geology, Topography, Hydrology: What is the terrain like? How does that affect planning for accessibility?
Are there existing rocky outcroppings, grassy hillocks, streambeds or other such features? Can trees be chosen that are compatible with these conditions? Can a rock garden be created around the existing natural outcropping? Does the grassy hillock call for a grove as a destination? Can a small stream-bed be given a prominent rock border - amplifying its presence? Enhancing exisitng features, such as a pond, can create opportunities for enticing wildlife into more visible areas.

The gentle slope at the Staten Island Botanical Garden Living Memorial Site. Photo: Lindsay Campbell

Watercourses can be a source of food for wildlife but also, a source of pesky insects and unpleasant smells from stagnant water. The various slopes on a site and their measure of relatives steepness are referred to as gradients. Gradients have a physical and economic impact on site development. Gradients and their modification can be considered an opportunity (to enhance views), or a constraint (limiting access). For example, slopes over 1:20 (5%) require modification for handicap accessibility. These modifications can create positive features and spaces such as retaining walls for seating, lookouts for viewing, a sense of privacy or enclosure, and raising plants to an accessible height. Earth berming can also be used to provide interest, screen unsightly views, and extend and frame positive views.

Soils: What are the soils like? What are we building this project on?
The condition of the soil is important as the growing medium for plants and providing a proper base for foundations and paving.

An investigation of the soil and subsurface conditions is necessary to determine whether its pH, fertility and texture will require treatment, to determine the need for drainage and to determine underground conditions. Soil composition tests are used to determine the soil's suitability for pavements and foundations, and percolation tests ensure adequate subsurface drainage. The location of subsurface rock also affects excavations for foundations, drainage lines and planting.

Gardeners often use raised planting beds as a cost efficient way to use clean soils atop historic fill. Photo: Lindsay Campbell

Historic soil surveys are available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, local planning departments, or universities. These offer a general idea of the types of soils found in the vicinity of the site. For more detailed and up-to-date information, a soils engineer or geologist may need to be contracted to perform test pits on the site to determine the soils' suitability for building. County Agricultural Cooperative Extension services may also provide low-cost soil testing for soil acidity, nutrients, or pollutant content.

Climate, Micro-Climate: What of the weather, prevailing breezes and the site's microclimate? Do you want the Living Memorial used throughout the year?

A hot August day during the drought in Prospect Park, Brooklyn demonstrates the importance of shade. Photos: Lindsay Campbell

Climate will largely determine which tree species will thrive in your Memorial Garden. Micro-climate refers to subtle yet significant shifts in the general climate due to local conditions. For instance, in a warm and mostly open space, sun-loving plants are certain to thrive, except under the large conifer, where little or no sun can penetrate the tree's dense foliage. Conversely, the Southern Magnolia, which in most instances cannot survive the cold New England winters, may have a fine chance of survival if planted against a wall that can shield the blows from the chillier north side, and expose the tree to the warmer south side. Breezes off a pond or lake can be directed by mass plantings, producing a localized land/water exchange and micro-climate. Micro-climates can be observed in the existing space you are considering, and can also be created to slightly amend planting conditions.

Local climate influences also affect garden's use - particularly for those sensitive to temperature changes or who may be inclined to sit for extended periods. Modifications of the microclimate can provide extended opportunities for both, such as protection from the wind and the shelter provided by walls, fences and hedges. Solid screens may pose problems by creating wind turbulence. Consider semi-permeable screens to filter rather than block the winds. Also consider:

• Shaded areas for creating cooler locations in the summer and afternoons.
• Open, protected sunny areas for providing warmth in the winter and mornings.
• Water features to cool and humidify.
• A lofty tree canopy to provide shade and allow breezes underneath.

Existing Flora and Fauna: Are there notable existing features on the site to consider?

Bird life on Jamaica Bay at Rockaway Partnership Waterfront Tribute Park. Photo: Lindsay Campbell

Existing features can provide opportunities and constraints. For example, existing plants can provide a link to the past and the benefits of a stable and mature setting. Existing vegetation should be assessed with the memorial's design, construction and use. Considerations include shade and seasonal interest, branching and root structure, leaf litter, health & life span, proximity to construction activity, permanent access, and potential for transplanting. Existing flora, and conditions of floral health, can be a very good indicator of what species can perform well in your space.

If there are existing fauna, that is, animal-life, these species could be surviving as a result of the conditions provided by the trees: a hollow for a home, berries for a harsh winter, foliage for protection from predators. What else may be of use to these creatures? Might a bird book give you more ideas about what tree species to plant?

Light: How does light shape the space?
Light and shade too, will largely determine your selection of tree species. At this time, however, observe the different aspects of light. Is this a place to view sunrise or sunset? Is the light cool (morning, whites, blues) or warm (afternoon, yellow, pinks, oranges)? Could this be a morning garden - where early morning meditations are held? Or is it better suited for an evening gathering place for a collective meal? (Choose trees that are wonderful for picnic table placement.)

Dappled light at Hoboken's Pier A Park. Photo: Lindsay Campbell

Cultural Features

Land Use:
How is this space currently being used? How will your plans change this? What are adjacent land parcels being used for? Do garden plans support adjacent land uses? Review neighborhood zoning, building codes and ordinances to ensure compliance.

The Yonkers Downtown Waterfront BID and Groundwork Yonkers recognize the Hudson Riverfront as a vital natural resource and hope to reintroduce recreational use. New parks and other waterfront amenities are being constructed, despite the nearby Domino sugar plant. Photo: Lindsay Campbell

Circulation:
Are there established pedestrian flows near or on the site? How do people access or enter the site? How many people is the garden designed to accommodate? Design higher traffic areas to accommodate more people.

Transportation:
What modes of transportation are used within the site? What is the balance of pedestrian walkers, joggers, bikers, skaters, and motorized vehicles? How do the uses affect each other? Was the area historically used for something else? (Could those old railroad tracks become greenway trails?)

Structures:
Can existing built features of the site be incorporated into the garden? Are there buildings, walls, walks or plazas that can be utilized? If a structure must be demolished it is often possible to re-use the material on site in new structures?

The existing wall was transformed into a community project and colorful mural at Brook Park, South Bronx. Photo: Lindsay Campbell

History: How has this space been used in the past?
Are the artifacts on the site that can be incorporated into garden designs? Can the site history (discovered through interviews with long-time residents and/or old photographs) be woven into design to bring additional meaning to garden plans? Investigate the site's previous use, looking for interesting physical or historical features to be incorporated or, negative associations to accounted for, such as underground structures or soil contamination. For example, how was the site used before, on, and immediately after 9/11?

Rockland County's new park at Haverstraw Bay was created atop a former brickmaking factory. Channels cut into the Hudson river for transporting products to New York City bridges will now be used for a boat launch. Photo: Lindsay Campbell

Demographics: Who lives/works in the neighborhood? used in the past?
Is there a predominant cultural group or groups? How might these groups use this open space and can these uses be supported in the memorial plan? For example, what are popular sporting events, arts or holiday activities that might be appropriate to the space? [link to Erika's section on groups/stewardship]

Site Pollutants: What is that smell or noise?
Fumes and noise may come from on-site and off-site sources, including stagnant water, street traffic, auto exhaust, refuse dumpster, or a nearby building's kitchen or mechanical equipment. Consider the use of hedges, fences and planting screens to give shelter and deflect wind-borne fumes, dust and noise. Seasonal changes will affect wind directions and the effectiveness of deciduous screens.

Utility Services: What are the existing and proposed utility services?

Power lines and street lights are visible at this Staten Island site.
Photo: Lindsay Campbell

An easily forgotten consideration is the location of underground and overhead utility lines and services, including gas, electricity, phone, cable, water, storm drainage and sewage. Overhead services may affect views and plant material selections. Underground services require coordination to avoid conflicts with planting and foundations and to ensure access for maintenance. New services can be coordinated with the project's design, but altering existing lines often involves significant costs.

Access, Staging, and Phasing: What other constraints and opportunities are there?
Another area of consideration includes the site's overall size, layout and flexibility. Access is an important consideration during construction and for on-going maintenance, security and emergency needs. During construction, access should include the protection of existing features from damage, from soil compaction caused by traffic and storage areas, and to prevent soil erosion and runoff from construction pollutants. Consider the early phasing of construction activities like earthworks and tree planting. Advancing this work is cost effective in construction expediency and by the use of smaller sized, less costly plants. With adequate construction protection and coordination, advanced planting can provide an established look.