Sam’s Point Conservation Center

Silver LEEDS Certified Project | Cragsmoor, NY | 2001-2005

Hudson & Pacific Designs worked with a team, including architects, historic archeology/preservation professionals, artists, exhibit designers, and fabricators to restore the cultural and ecological landscape of the former Ice Caves Mountain Tourist Site, a site among the top 100 of Earth’s Last Great Places.  The Northern Shawangunks supports more than 35 natural communities, five of which are globally rare, including dwarf pine barrens found at Sam’s Point Preserve. Due to the rich tapestry of ecosystems this area is widely recognized as an important site for biodiversity conservation.  With more than thirty rare plant and animal species to be found on the preserve a sustainable approach to both the Conservation Center and surrounding landscape were essential.

By closely working with the client, The Nature Conservancy, and the community, a master plan and landscape construction documents for a public recreation visitor center were developed.  The new Silver LEEDs certified nature center was constructed according to the best practices of sustainable development.  To this end drought tolerant native plant species were incorporated into the landscape design, the parking lot footprint was condensed in order to reduce runoff quantity, and a bioswale was incorporated into the parking lot to capture and filter runoff thereby improving the quality of water reentering the ecosystem.

The adjacent detail, developed specifically for Sam’s Point Conservation Center, illustrates key components of green practices within a parking area setting.

  1. Use of permeable surfaces reduces the rate and quantity of runoff.

  2. Capturing runoff in filtration swales decreases flow rates and thereby allows for the dropping of suspended sediment loads, increases on-site retention time (which lessens peak flow quantities), allows for the filtration of heavy metals, salts, and other contaminants and groundwater recharging.

  3. Incorporation of native site specific plantings in the bioswale and planting islands within the parking area diminishes solar radiation, provides wind buffers, increases habitat value, and softens views to and from the parking area.

Next

Foundry Dock Park