HomeMy WebLinkAbout154-83 RESOLUTIONtry
RESOLUTION_NO__154783,
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A MASTER PLAN FOR CHARLES J.
FINGER PARK.
L
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS:
That the Board of Directors hereby adopts the master
plan for Charles J. .Finger Park attached hereto, marked
Exhibit "A", and made a part hereof.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 20th day of December, 1983.
ATTEST:
APPROVED:
By : GGCG�/ Gyt2 %%e^"
Mayor
3.01
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.CHARLES J. FINGER PARK
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SITE ANALYSIS AND MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT
prepared for:
FAYETTEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS
Submitted by:
ALFRED ERWIN EINERT, ASLA
MERLIN SEAMON, JR., ASLA
December 1, 1983
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
Introduction 1
Site Analysis 2
List of Significant Woody Plants on Site 10
Quality Characteristics of Tree Species Matrix11
Site Map of Significant Vegetation 12
Development Concepts 13
Facility Proximity Matrix 17
Site Location Matrix 18
Master Plan Review 19
ece
General Recommendations 26
Master Plan 27
Land Acquisition Map 28
Appendix
Typical Restroom Detail i
Typical. Picnic Station Detail ii
Typical Pavilion Detail iii
Entry Gate/Sign Detail iv
Typical Walk Bridge Detail v
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3.04
INTRODUCTION
Charles J. Finger Park is a public park of the City of
Fayetteville intended to serve the southwestern portion of
the city as a neighborhood park and to accomodate awide array
of active and passive recreational pursuits. The park is
located west of the J. William Fulbright Bypass, south off
U.S. Highway 62, lying south and between East Farmers Avenue
and West Farmers Avenue. The park property is approximately
17 acres, occupying a north slope with an elevation difference
of 185 feet from its northern to southern boundaries. Numerous
types of ecosystems are evident in the park land ranging from
grassland/prairie, through ozark forest to significant stone
bluffs.
The Park has been named to commemorate the life of Charles
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Joseph Finger (1871-1941), author,
editor and adventurer who
lived at Gayeta Lodge, his Fayetteville home from 1920, located
on Finger. Lane west of the Park. Charles J. Finger was born
in England, lived and travelled extensively in South America
before settling in Fayetteville. He wrote over thirty-five books
and numerous other articles and short stories from his Fayette-
ville home. In 1924, he won the Newbery Medal
for literature
for. his book Tales from Silver Lands. In 1927, he wrote and
published "Ozark Fantasia," a collection of impressions about
the Ozarks.
Spain, Mary Ann. 1981.
Flashback. Washington
The Squire of Gayeta Remembered.
County Historical Society. 31(1):1-9.
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SITE ANALYSIS
1. General
The Park is located on a north slope of a wooded hillside
extending to meadowland at the northern property line. The
site was, from all indications, a small farm or a portion of a
larger farm with farmstead and stock confinement structures
at the northern end. Old fence remnants and existing perimeter
and cross fencing indicate cattle have grazed most of the site.
Condition of the timber and timber debris indicate that the
wooded area may have been used as a farm wood lot yielding
white oak lumber, fence posts and firewood.
Park access is provided via East Farmers Avenue which
extends from U.S. Highway 62W to the northern property line
of the Park. A gravelled alley connects East Farmers with
West Farmers (an undedicated roadway) along and parallel to the
northern property. line. The Park is surrounded on all sides
by privately owned lands, yet presently only development exists
along part of the north side. The Park site is served with
natural gas, electricity and appears to be reasonably close
to City water and sewer service. _
2. Structural Features
In the vicinity of the northeast corner of the Park
property is the foundation ruin of a house and apparently its
connected small outbuildings. These foundation walls appear
to have been collapsed after the house was removed (burned)
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and used as a private dump site. Many of the stones are
squared and valuable for park construction projects proposed
in the Master Plan.
Approximately 12 feet east of the north end of the house
ruins is a serviceable stone well of extremely handscome con-
struction. The well opening is surrounded by a concrete slab
and covered with a steel plate. In early November, the depth
of the well was measured as 17 feet to the water level. Although
the well capacity was not ascertained, local residents stated
that it was known to be a `good well." The well is an import-
ant site feature to be preserved as a historic entity and also
since it may provide a source of irrigation water for the Park.
AA
There also appears to be an old well or cistern at the
west side of the ruins. This feature appears to have been
filled in with stone and presently has a small tree and other
vegetation growing in it.
A small (15'x20') barn is located east and slightly south
of the home foundation. This structure is built of rough oak
lumber, without floor and with a corrugated galvanized metal -
covered gambrel roof. The barn appears sound and serviceable
for a possible. Park maintenance/storage structure after minor
cosmetic repairs. The location of the barn lends itself readily
for convienence to the areas of greatest potential Park activity.
The Park property is divided by a 30 feet wide utility
right-of-way containing a major overhead electrical service
line. While this right-of-way extends across the entire
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property, it should not pose any difficulty to Park activities.
Only one power pole of this line is on Park land.
In addition.to the debris dumped in the foundation ruins,
two other dump sites exist on Park property. In the vicinity
of the barn, dumping of construction lumber debris has occured
recently. An old dump of metal containers exists along the
old roadway extending up the slope of the wooded property.
Both of the dumps are easily removed.
3. Landforms
The northern one-fifth of the Park land, which includes
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the old farmstead and meadow slopes gradually to the northeast
at between 5% - 8% slope between two drainage channels. .This
area lends itself well to the development of playfields.
The land becomes increasingly more steep toward the southern
boundary of the Park. While the general slope is toward the
north, the site is actually a series of distinguishable ridges
running in a north/south orientation between water drainage
channels running north. The major drainageway has at one point
a channel that is almost 20 feet deep. On the ridge landforms
there appear numeroussmall plateaus or land shelves, that appear
to have been formed by soil slumping as a result of water.
Along the west side, some recent erosion force evidence is visi-
ble. These plateaus make ideal rest/observation points to view
the creek beds and general terrain. Such land features lend.,
themselves uniquely to hiking trails.
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At the southeast corner of the Park site is a major rock
ledge and accompanying boulders. The land slopes up to a
lower bluff/plateau and then gradually to the base of the larger
stone bluff. The landform in this vicinity can challenge the
more hearty hiker and provide the reward of a panoramic view
of the land below.
4. Geology
The numerous water drainage channels are scattered with
native stones, some large ones uncovered by the water developing
the channel and other smaller ones having been washed, pushed,
tumbled to their existing location by spring water flow. The
stones provide considerable visual interes* and should create
good water sounds for hikers, campers and other Park users.
Ample stone exists on the site to allow careful removal in
selected areas for Park construction projects.
Some bluffs at the southeast corner of the site afford
a natural overlook. The major bluff rises ten feet above the
lower plateau which itself rises about 50 feet in a horizontal
distance of 100 feet. The stone formations have sufficient
crevices to enable safe, yet adventurous climbing to the top.
Only minor modification of the stone bluff may be required
to eliminate unsafe hiking or rock sliding from fragile areas.
Throughout the site areas exist where subsurface rock is
exposed and usually covered with lichen. Shallow stone covered
with thin forest soil provides many attractive areas of moss
growth.
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A detailed geologic profile of the site should be conducted
to provide educational narrative for Park visitors.
5. Hydrology
The Park site contains a major water drainageway which
runs primarily from the southeast corner toward the western
boundary and then exits the site at the northeast corner. This
creek is fed by three major channels and about five lesser
channels. An additional drainageway enters the site approx-
imately 250 feet south of the northern border and exits within
100 feet of its entry. All waterways are flowing north.. At
the time of site analysis (October and November 1983) no water
was seen in any of
during the Spring,
siderable flooding
The water channels
the hill formation
the channels. It appears, however, that
ky
extremely heavy water flow exists and con -
may occur at the northeast corner of the Park.
appear to be the major drainage system for
to the
south.
A small pool and possible stone remnants of a dam appear
close to the east boundary where the major channel first leaves
the property. This appears to be a logical place for construc-
tion of a pond for the Park. The water can be impounded by a
low stone dam with spillway or overflow. 4.
The water features on the site are a definite visual
attraction. They should enhance the Park considerably during
late fall and winter. Creek crossings for trails must be care-
fully planned so that bridges are high enough to accomodate
heavy Spring water flow.
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P,
Wildlife
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During frequent visits to the site considerable animal
population was observed. The meadow area contained numerous
birds, particularly meadowlark as well as the other common
songbirds. The wooded area was home to many box turtles
(terrapins), squirrels (only red squirrels seen) and woodpeckers.
Hawk and owl calls were heard
burrows from small mammals on
kingsnake and green ringneck)
on the site. There are numerous
the site. Several snakes (speckled
were seen in the dry water channels.
Plants are covered under the section entitled vegetation.
A detailed inventory of wildlife should be conducted over
a 12 month period for the purposes of educational narrative
for the Park. Local groups such as the AudaSon Society and
Scouting groups might be resources for such studies.
7. Vegetation
The northern end of the site consists of previously agri-
culturally managed land that has begun to revert back to wild
native vegetation. The grassland has many young saplings of
winged elm and persimmon. The grassland is native grasses and
appears to be easily renovated by mowing and increased fertility.
In the vicinity of the old farmstead, there are some
landscape plants most likely planted by the residents. These
include 'a large lilac bush (Syringe vulgaris), a large privet
(Ligustrum spp.) and a mimosa tree (Albizzia julibrissin). A
rather largesugar maple tree (Acer saccharum), several black
walnut (Juglans nigra), several redbud trees (Cercis canadensis)
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and a single loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) also appear to have
been planted. At the old well or cistern there is considerable
groundcover of periwinkle (Vinca minor). All of these plants
make positive impact on the Park site. Several of these plants,
however, may need to be removed in the future because of poor
condition or poor location in terms of proposed Park facilities. •
They should be kept as long as possible.
Along the major waterway in the proximity of the farmstead
and meadow, are several significant trees and tree clumps.
These include oaks, Osage -orange and honeylocusts.
The wooded slope of the site consists primarily of oak -hick-
ory tree associations. The most numerous oak species is white
oak (Quercus alba) and there are many large^black and Northern
red oaks. Many of the white oak trees are multiple trunk,
indicating regrowth from stumps where timber has previously
been removed. The hickories include the black hickory, the
mockernut hickory and the shagbark hickory. The hickories
display a uniform yellow fall leaf color that is quite attractive.
Along the main drainage channel on the wooded slope are
mulberry trees and a single large cottonwood tree. A few
eastern redcedars of significant size are found where small
clearings exist.
Understory plants in the wooded area include flowering
dogwood (most quite rangy), winged sumac, aromatic sumac,
beautyberry and wild huckleberry. Ferns, mosses and lichens
are found in abundance in various parts of the forest floor.
At the interface of the wooded area and the meadow land,
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honeysuckle vine and greenbrier vine are abundant and persistent.
Poison ivy is quite widely spread on the site.
Because of the dry summer and fall weather preceding the
vegetation analysis in October, very few herbaceous perennial
plants were seen in the wooded areas. A complete inventory of
higher plants, mosses and lichens should be made by regular
site visits throughout an entire calendar year.
A listing of significant woody species on the Park site
is given. Significance is defined as those plants in great
number, of relatively large size or of particular value (or
problem) for a public use site. A matrix of plant attributes
is also given.
No endangered plant species were detected on the site.
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3.13»»
WOODY PLANT SPECIES ON PARR SITE
Common Name
TREES
1. Ash (white)
2. Basswood
3. Blackgum
4. Cherry (wild black)
5. Cottonwood
6. Crabapple
7. Dogwood (flowering)
8. Elm (American)
9. Elm (winged)
10. Hackberry (Southern)
11. Hickory (black)
12. Hickory (mockernut)
13. .Hickory (shagbark)
14. Honeylocust
15. Locust (black)
16. Maple (sugar)
17. Mulberry (red)
18. Mimosa
19. Oak (white)
20. Oak (black)
21. Oak (Northern red)
22. Oak (post)
23. Oak (blackjack)
24. Oak .(chinkapin)
25. Osage -orange
26. Persimmon
27. Pine (loblolly)
28. Redbud
29. Redcedar (Eastern)
30. Serviceberry
31. Sycamore
32. Walnut (black)
SHRUBS AND VINES
1. Beautybeiry (American)
2. Greenbrier
3. Grape (wild)
4. Honeysuckle (Japanese)
5. Lilac
6. Privet (common)
7. Poison ivy
8. Sumac (aromatic)
9. Sumac (winged)
Botanical Name
Fraxinus americana
Tilia americana
Nyssa sylvatica
Prunus serotina
Populus deltoides
Malus ionensis
Cornus florida
Ulmus americana
Ulmus alata
Celtis laevigata
Carya texana
Carya tomentosa
Carya ovata
Gleditsia tricanthos
Robinia pseudoacacia
Acer saccharum
Morus rubra
Albizzia julibrissin
Quercus alba
Quercus velutina
Quercus rubra
Quercus stellata
Quercus marilandica
Quercus muehlenbergii
Maclura pomifera
Diospyros virginiana
Pinus taeda
Cercis canadensis
Juniperus virginiana
Amelanchier canadensis
Platanus occidentalis
Juglans nigra
Callicarpa americana
Smilax lanceolata
Vitis spp.
Lonicera japonica
Syringa vulgaris
Ligustrum spp.
Rhus toxican
Rhus aromatica
Rhus copellina
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facilities are used into the evening hours of the autumn,
lighting might be considered.
C. Playground - A pleasant rustic adventure playground
should be developed as a partof the Park. This playground
should be designed to fit into the pleasant rustic character-.
of the site. Such a facility should stimulate the children's.
imagination, while providing.a safe, but challenging atmos-
phere. Such a playground will also be beneficial to both
the physical and mental development of the children.
Because of the sensitive nature of the site, and con-
sidering its natural beauty we feel that this playground
should be specially designed to fit intra the work with
the site.
The playground will require approximately 1/2 acre.
2. Passive Recreation Area
A. Picnic Tables - A total of 20 picnic tables should be
placed in the Park. These tables should be very vandal
resistant, and each table should have access to a BBQ grill.
B. Pavilion - One small rustic pavilion should be installed
in the Park. This pavilion should be approximately 800
square feet and should have a grill/fireplace. Night light-
ing should be provided to reduce vandalism.
C. Nature Trails - A nature trail approximately 5 miles
long should be placed in the south portion of the site.
The trail should pass through as many different ecosystems
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as possible, and should have interpretive graphics explain-
ing each of those areas. It may be necessary to provide
an improved surface for heavily used portions of the trail,
in sensitive areas.
Brochures providing more information on the trail
could be prepared, and the Public Schools and the University
could use the area for classes.
D . Camping Area - A small area suitable for rustic camping
should be developed. While it may not be desirable to allow
public camping, a number of groups like scout troops and
church groups could make good use of such an area.
Approximately one acre would be required for this
purpose.
E . Pond - A small pond should be developed along the sites
major waterway. A native stone low water bridge allowing
pedestrian and service access to more of the park could
act as the dam. The addition of this pond will allow
fishing and other water related activites.
F. Wildlife Habitat - Efforts should be made to retain
and enhance the sites natural value as wildlife habitat.
G . Scenic Overlooks - Scenic overlooks should be provided
along the nature trail located to permit view of the most
beautiful portions of the site.
H . Benches - Benches should be strategically located to
provide adequate restingspace along the nature trail as
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well as allowing appreciation of the sites features.
3. Service Facilities
A. Shop/Storage - A small shop/storage facility should
provide for the Park Departments needs. The existing barn
can be easily remodeled to serve this purpose.
B. Service Drive - A service drive to assist in the cleaning
and maintenance of the Park facilities should be included
in the development. The drive should be 8' wide and should
go near all major facilities. This drive may also be used
for pedestrian circulation. The service drive must be
secured so that private vehicles are unable to use it.
C. Trash Receptacles - Attractive trash containers should
be integrated into the Park design. These containers should
be located in such a manner as to facilitate easy trash
pickup and to make using the containers convenient.
D. Rest Rooms - Rest rooms for men and women should be
provided in the Park. This facility should be located
convenient to playground and picnic areas. The rest room
structure should be clearly visible in an area affording
proper security surveillance.
A matrix showing compatabilities of site conditions
with proposed Park facilities is given. The relationship
between facilities is also given in matrix format.
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