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CAROL WAAG MLA

Landscape Architecture

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Carol Waag, Landscape Architect, MLA 2013

SkillsExcellent digital and hand graphic skills.Detail oriented, construction familiarity and strong architectural background.Proven ability to render complex ideas into concise, accessible language for the general public.

Design experienceLandscape designer: master plans, perennial borders and vegetable gardens, hardscaping, stormwater mitigation, wildlife habitat enhancement. 2008-15 Current projects include a landscape for a new seaside home in Cornwall, UK, and a redesigned home entry including steps, path and plantings in NY. Fluent in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, QuarkXPress, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Word, PowerPoint, familiar with SketchUp, GIS, Excel.Artist: sculpture, installations, set design, watercolors. Pursued career in NYC as a professional artist while supporting myself as a graphic designer. Exhibited in NYC, Chicago and Japan (resume available). 1982-2009

Independent graphic designer with extensive experience in all phases of directing and creating art and design for print media, from concept to print supervision. Products include books, logos, brochures, newsletters, reviews, posters, book jackets, statio-nery and calendars. 1984-2009Clients include: Yale University, The Yale-China Association; The Asia Society; China Institute; Country Living Magazine, InnerAsia Trading Company, Blue Chip Farms, Campo de Fiori, Wildlife Conservation International, and Book-of-the-Month Club.

Designer, Art Director: Sports Illustrated Responsibilities included design, directing illustrators, photographers and designers, working closely with writers. Produced covers, charts and diagrams, final art checks and color proofing. 1994-96

Related employment highlightsTeaching Assistant, Sophomore Studios, University of Massachusetts Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning: Design and Plants and Design with Landform. 2011Intern Teaching Assistant, Five College Mellon Grant, Lessons from the Past: Interpreting Water Use and Conservation at Three Significant Historic Landscapes: Naumkeag, Hancock Shaker Village and Sturbridge Village. 2012Floral Designer Assistant, Crocus Hale. 2007-2009Seasonal Transplanter, Left Field Farm, Middlefield MA. 2006-2009Archivist, PADD Archive, Museum of Modern Art Library. 1982-91Curator, director, Terminal New York, Brooklyn Army TerminalResponsible for selection, siting and supervising installation of art exhibition presenting the work of over 400 artists, in 125,000 sq. ft. of an historic industrial building. 1983

Architectural and graphics assistant, draftsperson:New York City Public Development Corporation; Yagi Landscape Architects, Tokyo, Japan;David A. Crane & Partners, Boston Massachusetts; Community Design Center, San Francisco, California.

Freelance writer: published articles in The Japan Times and Watashi no heya; co-founded and edited Tokyo Journal, an English language monthly published in Tokyo. 1979-81

AwardsLeNoir Scholarship Award UMass Amherst 2012Sigma Lambda Alpha Honor Society, from 2011

EducationUMass Amherst: MLA, May 2013, cumulative GPA: 3.9 Yale University: BA cum laude, in architecture and literature. 1978Yale University: modern written Japanese. 1981-82Other studies include Japanese calligraphy with Maruyama Tankei in Tokyo, printmaking with Rena Tzolakis in Paris, book design at Parsons School of Design, NYC

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PublicationsHancock Shaker Village, Cultural Landscapes Studio Report, UMass LARP, 2011

Creating Livable Neighborhoods in Old Hill and Six Corners, Urban Design Studio Report, 2010

West Woburn Gateway Study, Urban Greenways Studio report, UMass LARP, 2010

MLA ThesisThe Lovely and the Wild: A Consideration of Naumkeag, 2013

Selected bibliographyArts Magazine, Not Walls..., Faye Hirsch, March 1992

The New York Times, The Ancient Relationship of Goddesses and the Dance, Anna Kisselgoff, December 14, 1986

The Village Voice, Heros and Villains in the Arts, Guy Trebay, January 3, 1984

The Village Voice, Terminal Real, Guy Trebay, October 11, 1983

The New York Times, Grace Glueck, September 30 and October 20, 1983

New York Magazine, Terminal Art, Kay Larson, October, 1983

Contact info: cwaag@verizon.net 413 329-8988 PO Box 384 67 Alderman Road Middlefield, MA 01243-0384

References available upon request

Table of Contents

Greenway Planning .......................................4

Sustainable Community Design ...............5.

Urban Design ...................................................6

Sensory Garden ...............................................7

Multifamily Housing ......................................8

Urban Park Design .........................................8

Conservation Design .....................................9

Campus Quadrangle .................................. 10

Residential Design ...................................... 11

Drawings and Sculpture ........................... 12

Graphic Design ............................................. 13

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Greenway PlanningMill River Watershed, MA

The Mill River watershed connects sparsely populated northern agricultural hilltowns to the diverse cultural amentities of Northampton in the flood plain of the Connecticutt River. Cultural, historic and scenic aspects were assessed by my team. Compatibility of these findings with ecological and recreational resources in the area yielded optimal networks for creating a greenway system, and suggested strategies for conserving priority green space.

I conducted an ecological assessment of the Bay State neighborhood in Northampton (black circle on plan), where intensive mill history, invasive species, wetlands reduction, recreational overuse, water contamination, and storm damage threaten an ecologically rich area.

With the objective of improving the health, resiliency and usefulness of the Bay State lands, I sought to: enhance the land’s ability to absorb high water events; increase biodiversity and native plant distribution; improve water quality; provide connectivity up and down stream; reveal the historic narrative.

Proposed actions included: increasing wetlands and riparian buffers; stabilizing banks; removing and man-aging invasive species; consolidating and creating a phased network of trails including river crossings; assessment of removal of dam and pollution sources; creation of greenway connections for people and wildlife.

Historical factors led to the Mill River and Route 9 becoming the prime cultural spine, with scenic farms

scattered throughout the headwaters. Flooding issues have limited settlement at the river’s southern end in

the flood plains, contributing to the area’s scenic value.

This assessment plan alone is a team effort : Carol Waag, Jinglin Wang and Yan Yan .

Balancing ecological and recreational priorities

Ecological Assessment and Rehabilitation Plan for the Mill River in the Bay State Neighborhood, Northampton Carol Waag Greenway Planning for the Mill River Watershed Fall 2012

Instructor: Sarah la Cour Department of Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning

University of Massachusetts Amherst

proposed actions

Proposed ecological actions• Remove pond berm and locust grove to increase wetland area and species• Increase riparian buffer in protected land to 100 feet and move path• Encourage replacement of lawns with wetland shrub species• Remove and manage invasives• Stabilize banks where there’s sufficient sunlight• Remove remains of dam upstream• Assess extent and location of point source pollution

Proposed actions over time1. Increase wetland area and species2. Increase riparian buffer3. Stabilize banks4. Remove and manage invasives5. Consolidate trails, add trails to highlight historic assets and beauty of protected land6. Assess potential dam removal and point source contamination7. Create greenway connections

assess dam removal

proposed wetlland enlargement

proposed riparian buffer

proposed bank stabilization

privately owned parcel

live rootable cuttings

live bundles of branch cuttings (fascines)

biologs: wrapped organic material allows plants to root

ecological

recreational

proposed trails make full use protected land

existing trails

city-owned parcel

discontinue network of trails close to river

phase 1

summary of phasing

phase 2

proposed trails provide residents access to area south of river and highlight historic features

city-owned parcel

bridge and trail crosses to school property on Riverside (requires easement through privately- owned parcel)

APRAPR

proposed trail makes connection upstream and utilizes city-owned parcel (requires easement)

Stepping stones connect trails across river

stepping stones connect trails across river

Bridge to school property on Riverside Drive

Extend trail through mature forest

Easement to continue greenway

Phase 1connect across river to east and fully utilize protected and and controlled land upriverPhase 2obtain easement through northern parcel and across bridge to school propertyPhase 3extend greenway west upstream on south bank with easements

phase 3

ObjectivesImproving the health, resiliency and usefulness of the Bay State lands•Enhancetheland’sabilitytoabsorbhighwaterevents•Increasebiodiversityandnativeplantdistribution•Improvewaterquality•Provideconnectivityupanddownstream•Revealhistoricnarrative

stabilization techniques

One of two presentation boards presented proposed actions for improving the ecological health and

usefulness of Bay State

A stepping stone crossing created in shallow water with on-site cut

granite blocks provides greenway connections.Section/elevation AA below: topographic, vegetation and structures assessment of Bay State peninsula.

Section/elevations BB above: assessment of existing flood zone conditions above proposed enhance-

ments to wetlands and riparian buffer.

The proposed trail system avoided sensitive slopes and endangered species, highlighted historic features, and established connections

with the local school and the greenway upstream and down.

BB

A

A

B

B

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Sustainable Community DesignIntegrated Design Building, UMass Amherst

The challenge of this project was to apply principles of sustainable design to the siting and designing of a new building to combine the University of Massa-chusetts’ departments of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, Architecture, and Building Con-struction Technology in order to foster collaboration and interdisciplinary learning and research.

With architects David Harrington and Erin Riley, I integrated site infrastructure requirements with exist-ing natural systems to create a cohesive design that strongly linked building and site. As the building’s more slender wings reach out towards significant views of the campus, the landscape enters the build-ing--rising up a grass covered slope over the audito-rium to a terrace off the second floor. The landscape penetrates crevices at the building’s edges, creating protected microclimates. The building embraces distinctive, functional places on three sides: a botanic garden to the west; an orchard stepping down from Stockbridge Road to the northeast, as water cascades down to a pool; southeast terraces create a sunny protected outdoor classroom and trial gardens.

A major pedestrian crossing of two axes is marked by intersecting pergolas with tall sloping lattice rooves. The pergolas create a gateway to a plaza framed by storm and rainwater basins. A series of five of these basins, linked by runnels, ring the building, concentrat-ing and infiltrating stormwater, replenished by irriga-tion cisterns fed by roof drains.

Clockwise from top: Master Site Plan for the Integrated Design Building on UMass Campus; model of same (building model only by Harrington and Riley); Section Elevation from east to west through pergolas, trial garden, outdoor classroom, indoor classrooms, and street; Section Elevation showing northeast to southwest axis showing orchard, underground auditorium, building with entrance atrium and bridges, botanical garden and street (building sections only by Harrington and Riley); SketchUp models of pergola structures and plaza.

AA

B

B

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The section/elevations below depict the street-edge defining dormitories, collegiate quad lawn, ornamental groves, parking, and vegetated swale to cleanse run-off and minimize CSO’s.

Urban DesignWatershops District, Springfield, MA

This underutilized neighborhood centers on the handsome 19th century Watershops Armory. With my team I envisioned: restoring historically and culturally significant structures; improving access to the water and protecting and improving its quality; increasing pedestrian and vehicular safety; enhancing an active commercial and recreational crossroads for diverse communities; encouraging sustainable jobs and revenue; providing affordable student housing and neighborhood agriculture.

My own design served to :

Create connections to Springfield College with the proposed construction of dormitories to accomodate 450 students on their 3/4 acre vacant site.

Reinforce the district’s identity through streetscape improvements to increase safety for pedestrians, bikers and drivers, enhance infiltration and provide hydrological effects to protect and improve water quality and minimize stormwater loads.

Encourage cohesiveness with the creation of a 2/3 acre garden, including an orchard, rainwater collection for gravity-fed irrigation, composting, and a vegetated swale to capture run-off.

A nightly installation for the facade of the Armory projects a real-time video of the waterfall,

which lies just behind the building.

This public triangle framing entrance to the dorms, cleanses street run-off in a vegetated swale.

This plan illustrates the street-edge defining dormitories, lot-long veg-etated swale, community gardens and improved intersection.

Watershops Pond flanked by industrial buildings would make an ideal ice skating rink in winter.

A

A

B

B

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Sensory GardenWinston Prouty Center for Child Development Brattleboro, VT

Engaging children with unique learning abilities or physical challenges in an inclusive environ-ment is the core of this design. It celebrates diversity with a broad range of topographic and horticultural complexity, providing physical challenge as well as supportive shelter, and stimulating children in all their five senses. The garden also provides a direct experi-ence of nature, both wild and cultivated.

Sheltered enclosures offer quiet resting places far above the rushing river.

Anemone CanadensisCanada anemone Aquilegia Canadensis

Columbine

Iris sibirica Siberian iris

Lilium superbumTurk’s cap lily

Oxalis acetosellaWood shamrock

Podophyllum peltatumMay apple

Smilacina racemosaFalse Solomon’s seal

Fothergilla gardenii Fothergilla^ Ilex glabra Inkberry ^

Woodland SpeciesUnderstory Trees

Shrubs

Herbacious perennials

Amelanchier canadensis ‘Autumn Brilliance’Shadblow serviceberry ^ Cornus alternifolia Pagoda dogwood ^

Hamamelis spp. Witch hazelAcer japonicum Full moon maple

Kalmia latifolia Mountain laurel ^Ribes aureumGolden currant ^ Sambucus racemosa Red berried elder ^

Vaccinium angustifoliumLowbush blueberry ^ Vaccinium corymbosum Highbush blueberry ^

Viburnum opulusvar. americanum (trilobum)American cranberry bush ^

Viburnum acerifoliaMapleleaf viburnum ^

Arisaeme triphyllumJack-in-the-pulpit

Asarum europeanEuropean ginger

Cypripedium calceolus pubescens Yellow lady’s slipper

Helleborus foetidus

Helleborus orientalis Lenten rose

Erythronium americanumTrout lily

Dodecatheon meadisShooting star

Dicentra cucullariaDutchman’s breeches

Polygonatum commutatumSolomon’s seal

Rogersia sambucifoliaRogersia

Trillium grandiflorumTrillium

Carex morowii ‘Ice dancer’Sedge

Hakonechloa macraAureola Japanese Forest Grass

Salix spp. WillowsLiriope muscariLilyturf

Clematis virginiana Virgin’s bower

Hydrangea anomala petiolarisClimbing hydrangea

Vitus labruscaGrape ivy

Parthenocissus quinquefoliaVirginia creeper

Water areas

Arctostaphylos uva ursiBearberry Gaultheria procumbens

Tea berry

Hosta spp Mitchella repensPartridgeberry

Potentilla tridentataThree toothed cinquefoil

Phlox stoloniferaCreeping phlox

Tiarella cordifoliaFoamflower

Uvularia sessilifoliaBellwort

Waldsteinia fragarioides

Barren strawberry

^ indicates attractive to butterflies and beesor forage for birds

Vines

strawberries blackberries

raspberries

Berries

Ilex verticillatawinterberry

Juniperus virginiana

Hamamelis molliswitchhazel

Winter

Groundcovers for shade

Materials

Water play

Apple Orchard

Meadow

Quercus albawhite oak

Schizachyrium scopariumLittle Bluestem

Chasmanthium latifolium Northern sea oats

Ratibida pinnata yellow coneflower

Eryngium yuccifoliumRattlesnake MasterMiscanthus sinensis‘Silberfeder’

Japanese silver grassCalamagrostis x acutiflora'Karl Foerster'

Filipendula rubra queen of the prairie

Flower garden

Achillea filipendula Coronation GoldYarrow ^

Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly weed ^

Rudbeckia fulgida‘Goldsturm’ coneflower Monarda didyma

bergamot

Yucca filamentosa Adam’s needle

Stachys byzantinalamb’s earsPerovskia Atriplicifolia

Russian Sage

Echinacea purpurea purple coneflower ^

Platycodon grandiflorusballoon flower Eryngium planum

sea holly

Alchemilla mollislady’s mantle

Dianthus Caryophyllusclove pink

Winston Prouty Center for Child DevelopmentBrattleboro Vermont

Finding BalanceCarol Waag

University of Massachusetts|AmherstLandscape Architecture 6O3|Fall 2O1O

Professor Annaliese Bischoff

Hand-activated pumps send water through pipes and concrete channels, activating noise-makers and water wheels. A bridge crosses a runnel and a broad sand box. A hedge enclosure provides sheltering for the youngest children.

A series of sloped ramps retained by fieldstone walls climb to high points for slides and water sources, and create a vantage point for a roofed stage/sandbox. Edible fruits and berries abound, and the flower selection maximizes fragrance.The master plan at left increases pedestrian safety at drop-off time while relocating spill-over parking and fencing the active play-yard. A pergola provides shade for the offices.

Terraces off classrooms with birdfeeders and wind chimes provide observation points and transitional inside/outside space. Higher velocity play, such as a cycling track, occurs farthest from the structures.

An orchard of child-scaled, climbable apple trees occupy the center of the garden (above).At left, the planting palette presentation board.

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Urban ParkEmerson Wight Park, Springfield, MAA new design for this 8.5 acre park in Springfield’s South End was sought to address security issues, increase visibility and access from bordering streets, correct poor drainage at the base of a steep and heav-ily wooded bluff, and enhance limited and ageing recreational facilities. I sought to foster social trust and interaction through encouraging active engagement with the site and its considerable natural features. I created multiple entrances, removed fencing where possible, emphasized a hierarchy of paths, trails and intersections, established safe sitting areas with views to encourage engagement with other people, the nat-ural elements, and the impressive view of downtown.

A naturalized swale marked by large and climbable boulders tumbles down the slope, spilling into a shallow pond and then a series of wetland features. A community garden with rainwater collection occupies the sunniest portion of the site. Multiple play areas serve various age groups, and a basketball court and bocce court address the diverse needs of the Latino and Italian-American residents. A central elliptical lawn provides baseball and soccer, and a picnic shed is situated close by.

Multifamily HousingLookaway, North AmherstThis multi-famiy housing project required a density of 10 units per acre on a sloping site with distant views. The pedestrian and bicycle-friendly design provided several community gathering places, creative water management, buffered parking and optimal views.

This section/elevation (BB) illustrates the dynamic landforms of the entrance green.

A central gathering space between rows of townhouses collects people and water (AA).

The cardboard contour model (above) reveals the steep escarpment at the edge of the flood plain.

A boulder-strewn swale in the model (above) tumbles into a shallow pool for cooling off in the summer and skating i n the winter.

A permeable edge to invite residents and filter street noise is created by a series of raised beds

and seating made of steel and sur-rounds a basketball court

(detail, above). The construction drawing (right)

details the planting and seating structure.

B

B

A

A

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Conservation DesignWoburn, MA

The City of Woburn was interested in buying the 75 forested acres of the Whispering Hill property in Woburn, in response to development pressure, and to provide much needed green space in this formerly industrial town with a history of aquifer pollution. A portion of the site is listed as priority habitat, but has no protection. Motor bikes currently present a chal-lenge for hikers, birders, and the ecological health of the site.

I proposed a conservation cemetery for 10 level acres-- for cremated remains–with the only obvi-ous change to the forest a network of trails and benches. Woburn is in need of cemetery space, and yet has indicated a commitment to preserving the existing woodlands. A plan for complementary uses would serve both purposes, raise funds for upkeep and insure that the land, and water, continues to be protected.

I designed a series of trails throughout the site, skirting wetlands and other sensitive areas. Some trails were suitable for contemplative strolling. Others took ad-vantage of varied topography to provide challenging trail-running. Overlooks highlighted views of Boston.

trailsdesign

recommended grades

The ideal trail takes advantage of natural features,

meets diverse users needs and expec-tations, requires minimal maintenance, and

minimizes environmental impact to soils, wetlands, andother sensitive areas. Preventing erosion caused by water is key:

keep water off the trail, follow existing contours and use grade reversals to naturally shed water.

When planning and designing trails, consult soil survey maps (NRCS), hydrologicdata, and topographic maps (USGS). Be familiar with the character of the land andits vegetative cover. Identify all prime wetlands and avoid them. Be sure to survey

your potential trail site during the wettest months. Design to keep trail users on the trail to minimize potential damage. Users will

leave the trail when it is wet, eroded, or does not meet their needs and ex-pectations.

erosion and sedimentation controlsediment barriers: hay, straw bales or geotextile materials for silt fencing installed

across the toe of a sloperetaining walls/cribbing: structures made of logs or rocks which provide stability and strength

to the edge of the trailfilter strip: an area of undisturbed soil, vegetation, and leaf litter between a trail and a body of water or wetland

stabilization: establishing vegetation on disturbed or erodible areas by sowing seed, planting, and/or mulching

Appropriate temporary spring seeding species mixtures for Massachusetts: Creeping Red Fescue, Annual Ryegrass, Winter Rye

drainageoutsloping: trail surface is sloped in same direction as hill slope

insloping: trail surface sloped into the direction of the riseswales/dips/berms: depressions constructed across a slope with earthen bermswater bars: rock, earthen or log barrier or excavated channel angled across a trail to divert runoff. Some consider water bars to be unsustainable and recom-

mend grade reversals and grade dips insteadgrade reversals (or rolling grade): reverse grade often (every 20-50 feet) to reduce the watershed, and prevent water from collecting and flowing down the trail

deflectors: rubber belting fastened to treated timbers which are placed in the ground to deflect water off a trail (suitable for heavily traveled trails with

motorized use or roadways or trail corridors where water runoff could cause serious erosion )culverts: metal, plastic, cement or wood pipe placed under a trail to permit crossing a stream. (conventional, open top culverts, box culverts)

The American Disabilities Act (ADA) re-

quires that newly constructed “places of public accommoda-

tion” be readily accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities. This

does not require unreasonable efforts to provide an accessible route on hiking trails in

steep terrain without added surface. Where terrain allows accessible slopes, a range of surfacing choices

from pavement to fine stone dust to engineered wood fiber can create levels of accessibility that consider the

character of the site.

Accessible trail grades: 5% for any distance, 8.33% (max. of 50’); 10% (max. 30’); 12.5% (max. 10’). Maximum cross slope: 5%.

Minimum clear tread width: 36”

The maximum sustainable grade, the steepest grade the trail will

attain, should be determined early on in the planning and design

process. Typically this should fall between 15% and 25%, but will depend on

your site’s soils, rainfall, the half rule, frequency of grade reversals, user type

and volume and desired challenge.

Identify the type of trail intended, potential uses and the volume of expected use.

Multiple-use trails should be designed to the most limiting standard.Design trail grade as low as is reasonable while fulfilling your objectives. To increase

interest on the trail, the grade should vary as much as possible, with an average grade of 4%-6%.This will make your trail twice as long as a conventional 10% average grade. An optimal average

grade will allow higher speeds going uphill for those who want a challenge, while rewarding the userwith a longer downslope, slowly releasing the elevation earned. On steep terrain, if the grade is 10%, a

cyclist will use her brakes, which is not enjoyable, and hard on the trail. At 4% a cyclist can pedal orcoast and a hiker or runner has minimal pounding.

To serve the physically challenged, keep maximum tread grade to 8% on short sections for the first mile from the trail head. For those who prefer a greater

challenge, one leg of a loop can be a gradual climb, one leg can be steeper. For ex-treme equestrian and mountain biking varying the grade will serve better than a

consistent grade. Offer more difficult optional trail segments for these users.

water crossingsstepping stones: in low wet these minimize destruction by users attempting to avoid

them; for crossing shallow streams with light to moderate flowfords: low water stream crossing on stream bed at same grade as trail. Designed to allow

normal flow, and to be covered by seasonal floods. Should be employed where streambed is

hard, unless constructed of concrete bars, or as last resort due to water quality impact.

bridgeswet soil crossings: avoid whenever possible!

stepping stones: any material laid on a trail which minimizes compaction of soil, prevents erosion,

and provides a dry surface for userscorduroy: logs or other material placed perpendicular to trail to provide dry crossing

puncheon: walkway constructed of logs to provide dry crossing on fragile, wet terrainboardwalks: a fixed planked structure usually built on pilings, piers or footings. Often used for interpretive

facilities in habitat areas such wetlands. Can widen for seating and observation areascrowns and ditches: raised section of trail with side trenches to improve drainage in wet areas paved

surfaces may require infiltration trenches or bioswales to the sideremoveable bollards prevent unauthorized vehicular access to off-street trails, warn trail

users of vehicle crossings and slow them down, and identify the trail or cross-streets.

Placed in the center of the trail and locked in place.

earth, stone, wood, asphalt, con-

crete, gravel, crusher fines, porous asphalt,

pervious concrete and permeable pavers, agricul-

tural by-products such as filbert shells, organic sur-

faces such as bark mulch or wood planer shavings,

limestone treated surfaces, recycled plastic

lumber boardwalk, engineered wood fiber,

rubberized surfaces and geosynthetics

Use vegetation to controlerosion wherever possible, such as

seeding or planting small trees or otherground cover.

Stacked loops provide options for di-

verse users. The majority of a looped system

can be shared use, with a few areas designed for a

single use. Keep core loops near trailheads open and flowing

to accommodate the widest variety of users. Outer loops

can become progressively more technical and

strenuous for people who want a challenge.

Sources:www.americantrails.orgwww.appalachiantrail.orgwww.nhtrails.orgwww.PortlandParks.orgwww.outdoors.org

Landscape Sustainable StudioLA 554 Spring 2010Professor Jack Ahern

Woburn Western Greenway StudyCarol Waag

adjacent landowners:Homeowners can benefit

from proximity to trails orthey can be distressed by them.

The narrower the trail corridor, thecloser the trail to the residence

and the likelihood that fenc-ing will be required.

Consider safety: keep walkingtrails and vehicle routes separate and

design for visibility and crime prevention. Design for maximum connectivity with other

trails and surrounding bicycle and pedestriannetworks.

Hiking/interpretive: 0-12% High challenge hiking: 15%, with short steeper segments.

Mountain biking: 4% sustained, average of 3%. pitched grades of 8%, 5% for long runs, grades of 12% Cross country skiing: maximum 10% (sustained), 15-25% (50 yds), 25-40% (experts)

Equestrian: 8% sustained, 15% for a maximum of 200 feet with a 4% easing-off section of at least 500 feet;avoid steeper than 15%

Snowmobiling: avoid grades of greater than 25% ATV/ Motorcycle: avoid grades of greater than 30%Bicycling: 0-3%, 5% as needed, 8% max. Exercise/fitness on resilient track: 0-1%Accessible trails: 5% for any distance, 8.33% (max. 50’); 10% (max. 30’); 12.5% (max. 10’). Max. cross slope:5%. Accessible trails are closed to dogs and bicycles.Other potential uses: overnight backpacking; competitive trail events; in-line skating; snowshoeing; jogging or running; 4WD vehicles

porous asphalt, if properly main-tained, minimizes puddles and potential

hydroplaning and infiltrates stormwater.Porous asphalt results in a rougher surface (not

preferred by rollerbladers or skateboarders).Not recommended for sites that floodor are likely to receive largeamounts of seed.

surfaces

Wildlife, habitat, botanical, or geologicalinterpretive signs and displays on trails provide

an opportunity to teach the public about the envi-ronment, natural and cultural history, help build sup-

port for preserving open space, and teach aboutcritical habitat and biodiversity issues.

signage:

the half rule:The trail’s grade should be no greater than half the grade of

the hillside that it contours along.

For example: trail grade should not exceed 8% , if traversing a hill

with 16% slope. This allows water to flow across the trail and

not down it.

constructionBefore beginning any trail construction,

take appropriate measures to minimize and pre-vent erosion. Stabilizing slopes, creating natural

vegetation buffers, diverting runoff from exposed areasand construction areas, controlling the volume and velocity of runoff, all serve to reduce erosion.

trails poster:Layout 1 3/22/10 9:09 AM Page 1

A GIS slope analysis was essential for siting the cemetery and trails.

The cemetary occupies the level and dry portion of the site, distinguished by mature oaks which could be enhanced by judicious planting of a woody understory.

This poster educated Woburn residents about the various types of trails and their construction.

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Campus QuadrangleUniversity of Massachusetts, Amherst

The future construction of a new classroom building southeast of the Campus Center at UMass provides the opportunity to create a vibrant quad-rangle that focuses the disparate building types and pond that surround it. At present a sunken and unde-rutilized lawn is bordered by the most heavily traveled paths on campus.

My proposal calls for a series of elliptical terraces providing a vantage point towards the pond, and also stepping down to the water’s edge. The former Tan Brook, currently underground, would spill from the pond over falls, run between terraces irrigating wetland plants, and provide lively water interest for outdoor dining areas.

Spiraling plantings of trees reinforce the centripetal attraction of the terraces and lend shade to an outdoor classroom (above).

The section/elevations (left) reveal shaded seating walls flanking the stream, viewing platforms, sheltered depressions for sunning, access to the pond for wading, and shaded dining areas off the Student Union.

This drawing of an amphitheatre on the UMass campus analyzes scale.

The study model (right) explores the tilting nature of the concentric

elliptical terraces.

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Site Planning & Garden DesignRock, Cornwall, UK

A London family has commissioned a 1/3 acre garden design for a vacation house being constructed in Rock, Cornwall. The property is on an exposed slope with water views. I was retained as architectural design consultant during the design phase, advis-ing client on layout and materials, working with the architect to site the house and facilitate views while retaining existing mature trees. The client has requested a landscape that will complement the style of the house and allow for a diversity of uses. My goal is to find the most sustainable means to achieving the client’s goals.

Master Plan and GardenMiddlefield, MA

This master plan for a new second home on 9 wooded acres called for: relocating the driveway, parking and propane tank; distributing boulders left over from con-struction; creating berms to screen cars and to provide a bed for blueberry plants over the former driveway; solving a severe drainage problem. A contemplative garden surrounding the house is currently underway.

Enhanced EntranceNassau, NY

At a lakeside log home, the existing two small entrances competed for attention, but were both upstaged by an oversized parking area. I enlarged the front entrance porch, creating a welcoming landing and terracing steps, in keeping with the house’s style . A flagged path and appropriately sized shrubs minimized the slope, buffered the parking area, contained a side yard and enabled a staged revealing of the lake view.

My garden.

Clockwise from top: this working planting plan demonstrates a palette of natives at home in wet, acidic forest, as well as Asian ornamentals in keeping with the style of the architecture and the clients’ origin; a 60 foot stone swale wrapping the garden, edged with ornamentals, eliminated drainage problems; the clients requested a design for a free-standing screened porch in the style of a Japanese tea house; an elliptical lawn creates a sunny glade in the forest .

The program included a sunny dining area and a long lawn for ball games (above).Designed by Stuart Martin (left), the residence is a 3300 sq. ft. concrete block structure clad in traditional Cornish materials.

A 14 foot elevation drop on the southwest corner had no water views and was considered a liability (left). I created a sunken gar-den accessed by traditional Cornish cantilevered steps, providing sunny protection for tender plants , a sound-masking waterfall, and a fire pit. A sloping orchard underplanted with spring bulbs is an alternative path to the sunken garden for those who cannot manage steps.

12

Selected Drawings, Installations, Sculpture and Set Design

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Selected Graphic Design

class of

2009

Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School

Carol Waag 413-329-8988 cwaag@verizon.net

Landscape Architecture