fort allen park hpb presentation 2.15.12

Fort Allen ParkLandscape Preservation ProjectDesign Development-Level Review

Martha Lyon Landscape Architecture, LLCRegina S. Leonard, Landscape Architecture & DesignforThe Friends of the Eastern PromenadeCity of Portland Department of Public Services

February 15, 2012

Where are we in the preservationplanning process?

October 25, 2011Historic Preservation Board Comments

• Maintain 50’ o.c. spacing of street trees along the Promenade

• Move linear walkways to historically-accurate locations

• Plant trees along linear walkways of a size subordinate to the Promenade trees

Program

Circulation & AccessSigns

Lighting Memorials

BandstandLandscape Details

Dogs

Period of Significance1890 - 1930

The City purchased land from Henry Deering, Harry Fessenden and Francis Fessenden in 1890

In 1891, Goodwin prepared the first site plan for Fort Allen Park.

In 1904, Portland Mayor James Baxter negotiated with the Grand Trunk Railway to acquire additional parkland on the north side.

In 1911, the City purchased the “Cummings Lot” on the south side, bringing the total Fort Allen Park acreage to 4.55

Between 1890 and 1896, the City added several other amenities, including walkways, a loop drive, two overlook terraces, a flagpole, many benches, and pole lighting. The original earthen fort berms remained.

Cobblestone gutters (added in 1894) and plantings of flowering shrubs (added in 1897) further ornamented the park.

Tall elm trees stood along the Eastern Promenade, providing a strong outer edge to the park. Plantings within were kept low to preserve the

views.

The City began to erect wrought iron fencing at the upper and lower terraces in 1896. Lower terrace fencing appeared in 1896, and upper

terrace fencing followed in 1900. Plans to connect the two terraces via a set of broad central steps were in the works as early as 1896.

Rodman cannons, used in the Civil War, were acquired for the park in 1900. (Note the houses standing along the park’s northern property line)

In 1913-1915, the gun from the battleship USS Maine was brought to Fort Allen Park and mounted in a concrete base. This effort launched a long

tradition of siting memorials within the park landscape.

The Grand Army of the Republic placed a memorial bench in the park in1926. (Note the small-scale beds of flowers and shrubs throughout.)

Preservation PlanDesign Features

Promenade Edge

Period of Significance Today

Proposed Dimensions & Materials

-Existing sidewalk replaced with new concrete

-Entry plaza across from Morning Street

-Relocated drinking fountain and horse trough

-Gingko “Magyar”planted 50’ o.c.

Loop Road(Horseshoe)

Period of Significance Today

Proposed Dimensions & Materials

-existing road widths maintained-20’ wide profile; 40’ wide at Overlook-16’ chip seal travel lane-2’ cobble stone gutters-smallest radius 71’ (minimum for bus = 40’)

Central Path

Period of Significance Today

Proposed Dimensions & Materials

-5’ width throughout-poured concrete with broom finish-reconstructed according to Goodwin

alignment

Linear SidePaths

Period of Significance Today

Proposed Dimensions & Materials

-5’ width throughout-poured concrete with broom finish-reconstructed according to Goodwin

alignment-modified to accommodate 9/11 and

USS Portland memorials-lined on outer edges with small trees

that will provide 4-season interestand wildlife habitat

Fort AllenBerms

Period of Significance Today

Proposed Dimensions & Materials

-extended in length and raised in height to match historic images

-re-surfaced with turf

Overlook

Period of Significance

Today

Proposed Dimensions & Materials-raised curb removed and replaced with

concrete ramps-overlook platform restored to its original

width (20’-8”)-ornamental aluminum fencing replaced with

color-galvanized steel or wrought iron-concrete steps and cheekwalls replaced with

granite

Seating

Period of Significance Today

Proposed Bench Arrangement

OverlookPaths

Proposed Planting for Slopes & Pathways Beds

Lighting

Next StepsMarch 8 – Parks Commission Review

-Public Presentation

April 18 –HBP Final Public Hearing

May – Planning Staff Review

…implementation!