Memorial Garden at Seaside Nature Park

David Kamp, Dirtworks, Inc. October 3, 2002 Site Visit

General Notes/Context

The Turnaround Friends
The Turnaround Friends Executive Committee on site. Photo: Lindsay Campbell

Seaside is the expansion of an existing park that was created by volunteers in an abandoned harbor side lot. The project goal is to provide a setting that is "serene, comfortable and reachable while providing a physical connection to nature and living elements." Realizing the potential of a long-term program, the volunteer group has partnered with various organizations and agencies to provide funds, assistance skills and resources.

The five-acre site is adjacent to a picturesque harbor and fifteen acres of vacant land. The vacant land is being considered for acquisition and connection to the park as part of a community preservation effort. The site offers a variety of interesting views of nature: harbor views, coastal marshlands, woodlands and meadows.

The terrain is flat (adjacent to tidal marshes) with rolling meadows along part of the periphery. Largely open and sunny with breezes from the harbor, there are scattered trees along the periphery and street.

The park is located at the end of a quiet street that connects to one of Staten Island's major thoroughfares. It is a tranquil site with little traffic noise.

The surrounding area is residential. A three-story condominium development is adjacent to the park with a masonry security wall. While the development is heavily planted, it still maintains an imposing presence. Additional housing has been proposed on adjacent properties.

Great Kills Harbor
Great Kills Harbor and Seaside Nature Park wetlands. Photo: Lindsay Campbell

Seaside site and existing tree specimen
Flat terrain and a large tree specimen at Seaside. Photo: Lindsay Campbell


Considerations

The following considerations intend to enhance the significant efforts underway and further existing efforts to restore a waterfront ecosystem, provide publicly accessible open space and create an enriching, restorative setting:

Condos adjacent to the site
Condos adjacent to Seaside Nature Park. Photo: Lindsay Campbell

Work closely with the adjacent properties to insure that the Living Memorial and the various park and housing interests collectively create a cohesive and sensitive community.

  • Consider the variety of views, enhancing positive views and screening unpleasant ones. For example, provide evergreen screening to screen the adjacent housing development (particularly the security wall) and to screen the road and parking areas.

    • Supplement the existing tree groves with seasonally interesting native trees to frame important views. For example, frame views of the water and create a sequence of interesting spaces that reflect the distinct ecosystems (woodlands, meadows, shoreline). Evergreens may be necessary along the site's perimeter (including the woodlands) to insure adjacent residential and commercial areas are sufficiently screened in the winter months.

    • Consider the arrival sequence. Enhance the roadway arrival with additional street trees, framing the arrival and entry area with evergreens. Traffic and parking demands will most likely increase, so locate parking close by but off street to maintain the tree-lined approach.
    • Create a stronger place of arrival and welcome. The arrival area and street cul de sac should be large enough to accommodate drop-offs and easy turn arounds (including small vans and trucks). Consider a welcoming kiosk or shelter at the arrival to provide information, orientation and a gathering place protected from inclement weather.

    Road to Seaside Nature Park

    Gate to Seaside Nature Park
    The entrance to Seaside. Photo: Lindsay Campbell


    The site's generous size, level terrain and varied natural settings (open lawn, woodland, shoreline) offer the opportunity to develop a variety of interesting, easily accessible public and private settings. Insure access to the varied ecosystems (meadow and woodland walks, boardwalk access to the tidal marshes) and consider a universal access path system to weave the various ecosystems together with opportunities for learning about nature.

    The shoreline offers an exciting opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of nature. Access to the shore should be carefully sited to avoid disturbing wildlife nesting sites. Activities such as the recording and monitoring of wildlife, researching and identifying native woodland and aquatic species, etc. provide opportunities for community groups (such as scouts, etc.) to become involved in the Living Memorial's development and enhancement.