Alternate Solution Abstract

The landscaping aspect of the green marina is very important. Landscaping provides opportunities for greater biodiversity and has the ability to reduce storm water runoff. While the area where the landscaping is to be developed has not yet been determined, the focus of the alternate solutions is based on color schemes and plant type.

            In alternate solution one, the color palette revolves around warm colors such as vibrant reds, pinks and burnt orange. The sample plants consisted of soapwort, beach rose and holly. The holly complements the environment present on Sandy Hook since it is home to the oldest holly forest in North America. An architectural feature for this design would include a gazebo, potentially with solar panels to power any lighting in the area.

            Alternate solution two is similar to an “eco-green” color scheme, using bright gold and greens of all shades. The sample plants of this design include ferns, switch grass, Solomon’s seal, red cedar and ox-eye daisy. These plants are a great solution because they bloom at different point during the years, ensuring a type of bloom year round. This design also plays into one of the goals of the marina, to be truly “green”.

            The third solution plays into cool colors such as blues of various shades and light purples. The plants used for this design include chicory, blueberry and rabbit’s foot clover. Cooler colors are often more subdued and appealing to the general public. They also are known to create a relaxing environment, less stressful and more peaceful.

            The alternate solutions are limited to plants indigenous only to Sandy Hook. All designs exclude plants that are invasive species. The landscaping on the marina is also limited to shrubs and trees because those plants can survive in this particular sandy soil and would be most effective for absorbing water. The designs include plants that bloom in different seasons in an attempt to have blooming flora year round. Perhaps the most effective design would include the most favorable aspects of multiple solutions.

Alternate Solution 3

Alternate Solution 2

Alternate Solution 1

Testing Procedures

The final landscape solution must:

• Curb storm water runoff
• Include a variety of plants
• Include a welcome sign, flag pole and other ornamental objects
• Adapt to soil condition and sun exposure
• Consider staff and patron views
• Be salt tolerant

The design will be tested for aesthetics based on the opinions of the focus group. It will also be tested on feasibility by a National Park Service expert. I will administer the testing, by surveying the focus group through a written questionnaire. The survey will take place in Atlantic Highlands Marina during its hours of operation.

            There will be two types of tests: exploratory and validation. The exploratory test is a preliminary test to grasp feedback from the three potential solutions. The second test will ask the focus group and experts to comment or suggest ideas for the final solution. The final solution will then be revised and tailored to their needs.

The actual test will follow these steps:

1. Explain directions to client(s).
2. Provide survey to client(s).
3. Collect survey.
4. Tally and document results.
5. Revise final design based on results.

Atlantic Highlands Marina

Limitations

Landscaping must:

Include only plants indigenous to Sandy Hook.

Implement eco-friendly methods and products.

Use solar lighting where lighting is needed.
Adhere to areas designated for runoff.

Specifications

Landscaping must:

Curb storm water runoff.

Include a variety of plants.

Include a welcome sign, flagpole and other ornamental designs.
Be best suited for each area of runoff.
Be adaptable to soil condition and sun exposure.
Consider staff and patron views.
Be salt tolerant.

Brainstorming

Dow Solar Shingles

Crushed Shell Walkways

Solar Power Sculpture

Brainstorming and ideas about landscaping, done prior and during research:

ð     Seating areas, gazebos

ð     Roses

ð     Shell or stone lined pathways

ð     Solar powered fountain

ð     Berry picking (blueberry, black berry, beach plum)

ð     Color schemes, muted tones

ð     Elevated rain gardens

ð     Solar power (sculpture)

ð     Solar shingles (being developed)

ð     Fish waste fertilizer 

Picnic

Research

Introduction

            The task at hand is to design a viable and appealing landscape for a new “green marina”. This marina would be located in the area that the Fort Hancock Chapel currently resides, on Sandy Hook. The landscaping must only include plants which are indigenous to Sandy Hook. Lastly, the overall design must include measures taken to minimize storm water runoff as well as soil erosion.

Green Marina Landscaping

            One of the more common forms of “green” landscaping is a rain garden. A rain garden is a planted depression designed to take as much of the excess rain water as possible from an associated landscape. (Dunnett and Clayden 13) Rain gardens promote wildlife and biodiversity by providing shelter and habitats for a variety of organisms. They also reduce the need for maintenance as well as inputs of water, fertilizer and energy (Dunnett and Clayden 15). And contrary to popular belief, a temporary body of water in a rain garden will not harbor mosquitoes. The water is absorbed into the earth in less time than it takes for them to thrive (Dunnett and Clayden 28).

Climate and Environment of Sandy Hook

            Sandy Hook receives approximately 3.63 inches of rain every month. Its average daily minimum temperature is 46.58˚ F and the maximum is 61.13˚F (World Climate 2008). It is a 2044 acre barrier beach peninsula and contains 7 miles of saltwater marsh, beach and holly forest (Solutions 2009).

Indigenous Species

            Only species of currently indigenous plants may be planted on Sandy Hook. Plants are more apt to thrive in certain areas because these plants serve different functions.

Roadside

Bladder Campion

Broom Grass

Cactus

Chicory

Dandelion

Milkweed

Mullein

Ox-eye Daisy

Plantain
Poison Ivy

Queen Anne's Lace

Rabbit Foot Clover
Red Cedar

Soapwort
Sweet Clover

Switch Grass

                                                                                               

Holly Forest

Green Briar
Holly
Poison Ivy

Red Cedar

Solomon's Seal

Virginia Creeper

Thickets

Bayberry

Beach Plum

Blueberry

Cherry

Green Briar

Groundsel Tree

Hackberry

Holly

Pearly Everlasting
Poison Ivy
Red Cedar

Rose
Shad Bush

Solomon's Seal
Sumac

Virginia CreeperEnd User

            There are multiple ways to gather information about the users of a certain product, in this instance the marina. The more effective methods in this case would include focus groups, stakeholder analysis, user profiling and direct observation. Focus groups are mainly large interview of about 5-11 people and enable the interviewer to amass a variety of views from different users. Stakeholder analysis is a method of determining how much a person, group or institution can influence the consummation of the project. In user profiling, demographics, backgrounds and experiences are used to create a profile of users and what they want or need. Direct observation, or shadowing, involves observing the actual users and making observations and forming conclusions.

            The users of the marina want different things to be a part of the overall landscape design. People who dock their boats want an aesthetic environment. Families that are there for recreation may want a picnic area and a playground for their children. Investors and workers want an area that is easy and inexpensive to maintain. Visitors to Sandy Hook may want a historic aspect or scientific view of the area. Others may want an area that attracts certain insects or wildlife, or possible a recreational area for playing.

Individual Design

Design and develop seasonal, sustainable, pleasingly aesthetic landscaping for the proposed Sandy Hook "Green Marina" to accommodate the runoff from rain and general clean up.

AC

Team Design Brief

The team effort is to design an environmentally friendly marina, which will provide the public with recreational water access, by enabling each member of the project to complete tasks pertaining to their delegated specialty to create a cohesive solution for a functional “green marina” on Sandy Hook. 

 AC

Background

Situation



CC and AC

             The task at hand is to design a viable and appealing landscape for a new “green marina”. This marina would be located in the area that the Fort Hancock Chapel currently resides, on Sandy Hook. The landscaping must only include plants indigenous to Sandy Hook. The landscaping must take into account that the area is in direct sunlight as well as that the wild animals are present in the area. Lastly, the overall design must include measures taken to minimize storm water runoff.

Google Earth

Google Earth

Google Earth



People

            The people involved in the situation can be divided into two categories: seasonal and year-round. Those who fall under the seasonal category include visitors for recreational purposes as well people who dock their boats at the marina. Areas involving these persons should be more focused on aesthetics. The year-round group consists of the maintenance workers as well as the other employees of the marina. However the areas where these people reside do not require such inventive touches and should be more focused on function.

BBC News

Gateway National Recreational Area

Observation Platform

Sandy Hook Opportunites



Why

            The issues of landscaping must be addressed for a multitude of reasons. First, proper landscaping can promote wildlife and biodiversity. Also the issue of aesthetics must be addressed during any construction and design project. The area is in direct sunlight and not all of the plants can survive in that light. There are wild animals on Sandy Hook, however it is not truly an issue to the landscaping because they do not come in contact with the humans. However, they do cause an issue when they "dumpster dive" in the waste receptacles. The landscaping also has the ability to attract certain organisms that are beneficial to the environment such as bees, butterflies and birds. Certain flowers will attract these creatures and will help the landscape to thrive and become more beautiful. And lastly, proper landscaping can help in the matter of runoff and soil erosion, which is a known problem on Sandy Hook.


Ecological Catastrophe



Mood

            The mood for the overall effect of the landscape is pleasing to the eye and efficient. Certain areas require different landscape designs for different purposes. For instance, a sitting area should provide a zen environment with fragrant flowers and lots of space. This is intended for visitors to enjoy the area and relax. However in the areas that are constantly in use (i.e. docks and ramps) should be more functional. The landscaping infrastructure would direct the flow of pedestrian traffic through these areas.

Bayshore Regional

Flora: Sandy Hook

Beach Vacation

New Jersey Birds





Similar Products

            The plants for landscaping must be indigenous species of Sandy Hook. In addition, the plants need to serve special functions depending on their location. For example the low lying areas must have plants that thrive in large quantities of water. Sea lavender and pickle weed are two plants that prosper in very moist places. Multiple plants can serve the same purpose. But in implementing usage of those plants, the landscape design must account for the purpose of the area so that it can be utilized properly.

Native Plants Society

Hawk Owl's Nest

SELC Saltmarsh