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Planning Board Presentation 3-23-17.pptxNorthampton State Hospital Memorial Committee March 23, 2017 Northampton State Hospital Memorial Park 1 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” The Hospital in History Northampton State Hospital Memorial Committee March 23, 2017 2 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 Memorial Committee March 23, 2017 3 The Memorial Park: Location & Context ¼ acre in size; geomorphic shape Original Site of the 1876 fountain, base remains in place Northampton State Hospital Memorial Committee March 23, 2017 4 The Memorial Park: Topography & Plants 1/3 of property nearly level 2/3 of property falls down a steep slope (30-35%) Had been primarily overgrown, was partially cleared in conjunction with adjacent site work Mature European beeches stand along east side; part of parcel sits under the canopies Northampton State Hospital Memorial Committee March 23, 2017 5 The Memorial Park: Full Design as Approved in 2015 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; mix of restoration and casting, lower portions only Electricity and water not part of this phase of fountain restoration Northampton State Hospital Memorial Committee March 23, 2017 6 The Memorial Park: Planting & Amenities – Full Design Partial screening of adjacent residences Interpretive signs (3) Benches (2) Turf lawn surrounding fountain “Daffodil Project” along eastern slope Northampton State Hospital Memorial Committee March 23, 2017 7 The Memorial Park: Utilities Water for irrigation only to be supplied to the park via a tap in Olander Drive Fountain will not be operational at this point 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 Northampton State Hospital Memorial Committee March 23, 2017 8 The Memorial Park: Phase 1 – Amendment Request Seeking approval for a scaled-down ‘Phase 1’ plan that will allow City to take ownership of the parcel and start work this spring, with CPA funds on-hand No other changes to original design – ‘Phase 2’ to be constructed as soon as funding is available Northampton State Hospital Memorial Committee March 23, 2017 9 The Memorial Park: Phase 1 – Amendment Request Stonedust path connects street, Park, and open space Restored fountain installed on base Fine-grading slope, seeding of entire park Northampton State Hospital Memorial Committee March 23, 2017 Protect existing trees 10 The Memorial Park: Community Impact Walking tour created by Smith College students through freshman seminar Northampton State Hospital Memorial Committee March 23, 2017 11 The Memorial Park: Community Impact Northampton State Hospital Memorial Committee March 23, 2017 12 The Memorial Committee Joe Blumenthal Barbara Blumenthal Tom Riddell Martha Lyon Sarah LaValley, planning staff liaison Northampton State Hospital Memorial Committee March 23, 2017 13