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NSH Memorial Park Planning Board Presentation-6-11-2015Northampton State Hospital Memorialization Committee June 11, 2015 Northampton State Hospital Memorial Park 1856: Cornerstone for “Northampton Lunatic Asylum” laid 1858: First patient admitted 1864: Dr. Pliny Earle appointed superintendent 1903: Legislative act changed name to Northampton State Hospital 1928-1932: Construction of Memorial Complex on South Campus 1950s: Widespread use of medications introduced 1955: Peak patient population (circa 2500) 1959: Hospital farm closed 1967: Work therapy outlawed under Congress’s Anti-Peony Act 1978: Consent Decree mandated reduction in patient population 1970s: Commitment hearings began; Community Project and Geriatric Care Team initiated patient placement, reducing patient population by two-thirds 1986: Old Main closed; remaining patients moved to Memorial Complex 1993: Last 12 patients leave Northampton State Hospital 2006: Old Main demolished 1900: Hospital was already well over capacity, and described as “overcrowded” 1969: Hospital organization moved from type and severity of disorder to geographically-organized “unitization” Northampton State Hospital Memorialization Committee June 11, 2015 The Hospital in History The Memorial Park: Location & Context East side of Olander Drive Surrounded by conservation land (east), house lots (north and south) and public street (west) Adjacent to existing trail system Northampton State Hospital Memorialization Committee June 11, 2015 The Memorial Park: Location & Context ¼ acre in size; geomorphic shape Site of the 1876 fountain Northampton State Hospital Memorialization Committee June 11, 2015 The Memorial Park: Topography & Plants 1/3 of property nearly level 2/3 of property falls down a steep slope (30-35%) Densely overgrown with volunteer trees, woody and herbaceous materials, and invasives Mature European beeches stand along east side; part of parcel sits under the canopies Northampton State Hospital Memorialization Committee June 11, 2015 The Memorial Park: Design Park Landscape 4’ concrete pathway tracing top of slope leading visitors into and out of the park from Olander Drive Fountain basin exposed New tree plantings Benches and interpretive signs 4’ wide footpath leading to existing and proposed new trails Park Fountain ½ of fountain components exist; others require casting Castings to be made from photos of the NSH fountain and others Electric and water required to operate Northampton State Hospital Memorialization Committee June 11, 2015 The Memorial Park: Grading Northampton State Hospital Memorialization Committee June 11, 2015 18” of fountain basin exposed; park grade lowered Slope graded to accom-modate pathway Minimal impact on existing beech roots The Memorial Park: Planting & Amenities Northampton State Hospital Memorialization Committee June 11, 2015 Partial screening of adjacent residences Interpretive signs (3) Benches (2) Turf lawn surrounding fountain “Daffodil Project” along eastern slope The Memorial Park: Utilities Northampton State Hospital Memorialization Committee June 11, 2015 Water will likely be supplied to the park via a tap in Olander Drive to support fountain (and possibly irrigation) Operation of fountain (circulating water vs. non-circulating) pending investigation of granite basin (inaccessible at the present time) Electrical will be drawn from nearest service (intersection of Ford Crossing and Olander Drive) The park will not be lit Utilities details will be completed, reviewed and approved by DPW prior to construction The Memorial Park: Community Impact Northampton State Hospital Memorialization Committee June 11, 2015 Walking tour created by Smith College students through freshman seminar The Memorial Park: Community Impact Northampton State Hospital Memorialization Committee June 11, 2015 The Memorialization Committee Northampton State Hospital Memorialization Committee June 11, 2015 Joe Blumenthal Barbara Blumenthal Jackie Duda Tom Riddell Martha Lyon Sarah LaValley, planning staff liaison and newest additions to assist with fundraising… Nevart Hamamjian Tina Barsby