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THE JEWEL OF BLOOMFIELDFILLEY PARK RENOVATIONS Bloomfield, Connecticut
INTRODUCTIONFILLEY PARK RENOVATIONS Bloomfield, ConnecticutFilley Park has been referred toby numerous town residents as“Bloomfield’s Jewel”. Locatedjust north of the Town center, thepark features a pond, a brook,and an island set against awooded hillside. In it’s century ofhistory, the park has hosted egghunts, skating, fishing, concerts,ceremonies, and winter carnivals.But, geese and anurban park with anisland and much lawndon’t mix. Geese arewild animals, and wildanimals poop. And,when you get a lot ofgeese congregating inone small area, well The poop makes thelawn quite unusablefor us humans, andrainwater dissolving itand running into thepond isn’t healthy forthe water. The Town islooking at many waysto deter the geese inthe redone park; butthe most importantstep is:Don’t Feed the Geese!In recent years, however theshine has come off of the jeweland the park has begun to showits age. The pond has silted in;the hut and bridges are closed;and the pond edge is failing.About the only thing enjoying thepark now are the Canada geese!In 2008, Bloomfield decided that itwas time to re-polish the jewel and togive it a new setting. The TownCouncil appointed a committee ofhard working, enthusiastic residentsto guide the process. The Filley ParkCommittee engaged CR3 consultantsto help them engage the public anddetermine what the communitywanted for its jewel, and to create apreliminary concept plan based onthat input, with a successful outcome.The Committee and the Town then selected the consulting firm Fuss & O’Neill to dig deeperinto the various factors affecting the park, especially the environmental and flood relatedissues, and thereby rework & refine the concept into a final design development plan. Aboveis the designer’s rendering of the overall plan; and on the accompanying pages are picturesand descriptions of the vision that the talented professionals at Fuss & O’Neill working withthe Committee and Town staff have come up with to let our jewel sparkle like never before!
HISTORYFILLEY PARK RENOVATIONS Bloomfield, ConnecticutHistoric BridgesPre 19301910 Albert Filley donates 6½ acres on east side of “WhirlwindHill” to Village Improvement District; named “Filley Park”.1911 Easement acquired to build a road & bridge to connectthe park across the brook to Tunxis Avenue.1930 Wilbur Filley & Grace [Filley] Bidwell (nephew & niece ofAlbert Filley) donate 5 acres of meadow extending the parkacross the brook to Tunxis Avenue.Early 1930s Original earthen dam constructed & Scott Trail createdon west side of the brook; named for James W. Scott.1940 Additional 1 acre of frontage along street acquired for park.Aerial ViewEarly 1930sCurrent brook/pondalignment in red1942 Channel dug on west side of pond creating the island.1959 Winter Carnival at Filley Park draws over 2000 attendees toto skating performance. Also, Town assumes maintenanceof park and expands the park to present size.1960 Current concrete dam installed.1979 Town acquires ownership of Filley Park from VillageImprovement District.Skating on pond1940’s
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PLANFILLEY PARK RENOVATIONS Bloomfield, ConnecticutTrails &Picnic elopmentRock RampFish PassageDamRemovalArboretumIslandFilley PondGreatLawnPavilionStreetscape
Stream, Pond, Wetlands, & LIDFILLEY PARK RENOVATIONS Bloomfield, ConnecticutRestoring & Enhancing the Environmental Assets of the ParkFILLEY POND: Existing pond silted in and choking on organics Pond to be excavated to restore depth for fishing & skating Pond taken off-line from stream to reduce siltationExisting pond& island inAutumnWASH BROOK STREAM RESTORATION:Example ofrock rampfishway Dam removal to provide a number of environmental benefits Rock ramp fishway proposed – also adds ‘rapids-like feature’ Enhanced, stabilized stream shoreline to be providedWETLANDS MEASURES AND LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT: Wetlands connections reestablished and enhanced Invasive species removal and control Rain garden and use of pervious pavement where possibleExample ofa rain garden
ARBORETUM ISLAND-CONCEPTFILLEY PARK RENOVATIONS Bloomfield, ConnecticutPERENNIALSCONIFERSNATIVE CONIFER TREES&SHRUBSPRIMARY WALKCONNECTION TO TRAILS &WARMING SHEDCONCRETE WALKCOLLECTION OFNATIVE PERENNIALSAND GRASSES BENCHES(TYP.)TREESCOLLECTION OFNATIVE DECIDUOUSTREES WITH UNIQUEBARKSHRUBSCOLLECTION OF UNIQUENATIVE DECIDUOUSSHRUBSGROUNDCOVERSSHADE AND SUN NATIVEGROUNDCOVERSWEDDING LAWN40’X80’ TENTARBOR WITH LAWN SEATINGPOSSIBLESECONDARYCONNECTIONOUTLOOK POINTCONCERT TERRACE WITHPERGOLAFLAGPOLESBOULDER EDGESECONDARY PATHSOUTER LOOPSTONE DUST PATHSOFFSET SEATING AREAS
ARBORETUM ISLANDFILLEY PARK RENOVATIONS Bloomfield, ConnecticutNATIVE PLANT ES
ARBORETUM ISLAND-Existing PhotosFILLEY PARK RENOVATIONS Bloomfield, Connecticut
ARBORETUM ISLAND – Concept RenderingFILLEY PARK RENOVATIONS Bloomfield, Connecticut
NATURAL PLAYGROUNDSFILLEY PARK RENOVATIONS Bloomfield, ConnecticutWHAT IS A NATURAL PLAYGROUND?“OPEN ENDED PLAY ENVIRONMENT OCCURRING IN NATURE”BENEFITS: CONNECTS CHILDREN BACK TO NATURE COMBATS NATURE DEFICIT DISORDER IMPROVES CONCENTRATION PROMOTES CREATIVITY & ABSTRACT THINKING ENHANCES MOTOR SKILLS
NATURAL PLAYGROUNDSFILLEY PARK RENOVATIONS Bloomfield, ConnecticutLOCATION:ZONES/ COMPONENTS :CLIMBINGHIDE AND SEEKGATHERINGDIGGING/ SANDBUILDING AREAMUSIC & MOVEMENTDISCOVERY AREASWATER PLAY
NATURAL PLAYGROUNDFILLEY PARK RENOVATIONS Bloomfield, ConnecticutBEFORE:AFTER:
PEDESTRIAN SYSTEMS / CONNECTIONSFILLEY PARK Bloomfield, ConnecticutBREWER DRIVENEIGHBORHOODAn enhanced & expanded trail systemIs proposed to highlight the naturalbeauty and features of the woodedhillside of ‘Whirlwind Hill’. The trailsystem will feature cleared sitting areas,picnic areas, educational opportunities,exercise areas, and a peaceful walk inthe woods near Bloomfield center!TRAIL NODE – PROVIDE CLEAREDSEATING (TYP)NEW CROSSINGENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENTSAND EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMSTO ALEXANDRIAMANORTO BUSINESSES &MAINTENANCEACCESSLEGENDEXISTING PATHSYSTEMPROPOSED PATHSYSTEMSTREETSCAPEPOSSIBLECONNECTIONSITTING AREALOOP #1 – PRIMARY PATH SYSTEMLOOP #1 & #2 – PAR COURSE SYSTEMLOOP #3 & #4 – ENVIRONMENTALEDUCATIONTO BUSINESSES& LIBRARYTO PARKING
TRAILS/ EDUCATIONAL/ PICNIC AREASFILLEY PARK Bloomfield, ConnecticutTRAILSEDUCATIONALPICNIC
STREETSCAPE LINKAGESFILLEY PARK Bloomfield, POSED FILLEY PARKENTRANCE PLAZACEMETERYENTRANCEWintonburyMallThe Filley Park streetscape is intended to be the first part of an integral streetscape system tolink, both aesthetically and physically, Filley Park and the historic cemetery across TunxisAvenue to the Library, Town Hall, Roberts Park, the Town Center Green, churches, theWintonbury Mall and other businesses, and the rest of the Bloomfield town center. Thestreetscape will look to incorporate historic elements such as the stonework of the cemeteryentrance, the brick of the Town Hall and the Library, the ornate benches of the Park, andthe monuments of the Green, and new elements such as decorative lighting and plantingsto look to give Bloomfield town center a distinctive character of regional significance.
STREETSCAPE ELEMENTS & LOCATIONSFILLEY PARK Bloomfield, Connecticut
PAVILION & WHAT’S AHEADFILLEY PARK RENOVATIONS Bloomfield, ConnecticutPAVILION BUILDING: Expand the existing warming hut to a new multi-purpose building Recreate the signature chimney, with fire places inside and outside Include a sitting room that will serve as a warming room in the winter Include a great room that can host meetings, reunions, receptions, etc.PERMITTING, FUNDING, AND CONSTRUCTION: The project needs many environmental permits from all levels of government Permit applications will be made in spring 2012, and take many months to acquire Funding is expected from diverse sources: the Town, grants, & private donations The project includes “plaque-able items”, to accommodate larger donations The design is ‘modular’ to allow for construction as funding becomes availableAnd, someday in the not-too-distant future:You will be able to sit on the great lawnand take in the beauty of Bloomfield’srestored jewel: FILLEY PARK!
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSFILLEY PARK RENOVATIONS Bloomfield, ConnecticutTown Council Liaisons:FILLEY PARK COMMITTEE: Robert Berman Joan GambleTown Staff Liaison: Jonathan Thiesse, Town Engineer Albert Reichin, Chair Keith Bell, Vice ChairDesign Consultant:Fuss & O’Neill Doug Barnard Bonnie Bercowetz Chris Ferrero, Project Director Ernestine Griffin Phil Forzley, Project Manager David Cooney Stephanie White, Lead Designer Jane Nadel-Klein June O’ConnorLogo design & marketing assistanceprovided gratis by:Ryan Marketing Partners Carol McCrann Proom Jim Lehman Pat Ryan, President Leslie Warren Carol Weaver Shirley WilliamsQuestions or comments should be emailed to: filleypark@aol.com
FILLEY PARK RENOVATIONS Bloomfield, Connecticut FILLEY POND: Existing pond silted in and choking on organics Pond to be excavated to restore depth for fishing & skating Pond taken off-line from stream to reduce siltation Stream, Pond, Wetlands, & LID Restoring & Enhancing the Environmental Assets of the Park
