The managed retreat of this East Coast home and restoration demonstrate coastal adaptation in the wake of accelerated shoreline erosion and sustainable residential landscape practices. Spearheading the project, CD&P worked alongside an assembled group of contractors and technical specialists in the capacity of designer, planner and project management including structure relocation, permitting, landscape design, restoration installation and establishment. Ecological restoration efforts were planned and implemented in all phases of this project from salvaging unique plants and existing soils, to green infrastructure strategies including raingardens, permeable weight-bearing access road, and biodiversity using native plants to restore this heavily disturbed site.
Post-home relocation and 2 year restoration establishment
Restoration before/after
Restoration and wildflower establishment
Unique native trees salvaged prior to house-move
Raingarden construction
Pussy’s Pond Park is an integral cornerstone of Accabonac Harbor inlet and historic district in East Hampton, NY. Pussy’s Pond Park Restoration Project aims to improve the water quality and habitat of the pond and subsequently its connected water bodies, Accabonac Harbor and the greater Peconic Estuary. A host of conditions, including stormwater runoff, an eroding shoreline, waterfowl, and contaminated groundwater streams have diminished the water quality and riparian ecosystem functions of the park. Utilizing sustainable, ecologically aligned approaches, the overall design creates a high-functioning landscape to improve stormwater management, erosion control, preserve public open space, restore shoreline habitat and educate visitors. Techniques used include bioswales, coir fascines, brush fascines and native meadows. Utilizing the restoration as an “action learning” opportunity CD&P collaborated with teachers from a nearby elementary school in a highly successful water quality education-outreach initiative. To read more about this please visit our “Education-Outreach” page.
Coir fascines installation
Bioswales in action
Before/After: Meadows integrate bioswales into landscape and frame interesting pathways throughout the park.
Wetland vegetation establishment 2016
Before-After: Shoreline buffer and erosion mitigation
Shoreline stabilization and native vegetation growth, Sediment accruement
July 2019 shoreline establishment update.
Carlson Design and Planning brings ecological principles to the finer details of garden design. Using native plants, sustainable turf seed, and best management practices we guide land and water-scapes to work as systems that require little to no irrigation and fertilizers.
In collaboration with Center for Urban Watershed Resilience, CD&P crafted documents to illustrate and support efforts to mitigate severe erosion on two Trustees of Reservations historic sites, Bartholowmews Cobble and Naumkeag. Documents informed residential and municipal stakeholders, supported grant processing and steered erosion control strategies used.
To view the Trustees of Reservations project video click Here
Knowledge is key in the success and growth of sustainable and best management practices. Generally people desire clean waters and functional landscapes in their communities, but they don’t necessarily understand their role in the challenges and solutions in obtaining and/or conserving these natural resources. CD&P seizes opportunities to incorporate education and outreach in our residential, municipal and commercial endeavors. By linking environmental, social, and economic factors into clear and accessible information we hope to inspire and cultivate stewardship of natural resources.
Pussy’s Pond Park Restoration: During the course of this project CD&P collaborated with nearby elementary school teachers and students to learn about local water quality, tidal wetland ecosystems, stormwater pollution and environmental stewardship. Using the restoration as an “action learning” opportunity students helped plant native buffer, participated in a “Do Not Feed the Ducks” sign contest and based their annual 4th grade opera on the pond. The 30+ year tradition of feeding waterfowl at the park is no longer in practice and the shoreline, water quality and ducks are all the better for it.
As part of Interpublic Group’s employee “Green Day” event, CD&P provided educational material, gave a presentation and led a hands-on planting opportunity to highlight the challenges of New York Cities combined sewer system and actions to do at home and work to improve water quality of the harbor, rivers and bays. Utilizing the company’s existing (and gorgeous) green roof system, employees learned the function and benefits of this “working” ecosystem.
CD&P worked for CCOM-Concerned Citizens of Montauk, a non-profit in creating a stewardship program and educational materials pertaining to local imperiled waterbodies. Topics included were outdated septic systems, stormwater runoff and best management practices and resources.
During her time living on the coast Michele grew her own oysters as a participant in East Hampton (EHSEED) program. By caring for her own batch of oysters, she developed a deep understanding of their biology, architecture, and natural infrastructure. Because oysters are “ecosystem engineers” and one adult oyster filters 40-50 gallons of water per day Michele plans to use them in future coastal restoration and water quality improvement projects. She looks forward to tasting them as well.
Holyoke is in a period of redevelopment. Like many older cities that were once thriving industrial centers but now face financial challenges, Holyoke has problems with combined sewer overflows and stormwater runoff that are polluting nearby rivers and streams. The Green Streets Guidebook illustrates how green streets can help address these important problems, while creating a more vibrant and livable city. The Guidebook introduces city planners, policy makers, and citizens to important green streets concepts, advocates for their implementation in Holyoke, and offers preliminary design guidelines for transforming Holyoke’s streets into more ecologically, socially, and economically positive spaces. A toolbox of green infrastructure, complete streets, and placemaking strategies identifies the benefits and potential uses of a number of tools. The project also includes a selection of streetscape templates – conceptual designs which can be applied to actual streets in the city, based on their characteristics and needs.
This project was the winner of the BSLA Merit Award for Students. Find the full project here.
Now more than ever coastal communities face particular challenges in managing their landscapes and protecting existing infrastructure. As a team member with a coastal and green infrastructure specialist, CD&P provided permit renderings, plans, support documentation and installation assistance for five adjoining East Coast properties in an effort to stabilize, re-vegetate and protect existing infrastructure.
Shoreline stabilization installation
Coastal stabilization—landscape design—coastal native plant revegetation
Renderings: coastal adaptation specs—permit document support
The Ashuelot Greenspace Landscape Plan reimagines a 3.5-acre parking lot as a vibrant greenspace for the residents of Keene, NH. Here, residents can explore the riparian area's natural beauty, purchase local produce and goods, connect with their community, learn about the area's history and ecology, play in natural areas, reflect in quiet nooks, experience thriving native habitat, and produce renewable energy for the community.
Find the full project here.
WaterLine Elevated Park re-imagines a long abandoned Staten Island rail line into an elevated community open space that serves as both a retreat for recreation, gathering, and green infrastructure as well as a retreat and resource during natural or other disasters. Stormwater systems process rainwater for irrigation of lush native habitat gardens while improving watershed health. Sustainable solar stations provide power for light and emergency recharge stations. Resilient infrastructure, seen and unseen, regenerates this community by unveiling the social, ecological and economic potential of this elevated structure.
Completed in collaboration with Willa Caughey.
On occasion Carlson Design and Plannng steps inside with applied skills in project managing and interior design. Working with artisanal woodworkers, painters and builders our interior designs bring natural elements of light, wood, and stone to create functional, organic interior and patio spaces.