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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGibbs Master Plan Chapters with Intro LetterDAVID VALBRACHT, ASLA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT P.O. BOX 224 PORT TOWNSEND, WA 98368 206-385-7954 August 14, 1991 Ms Janet Kearsley Jefferson County Public Works Department Port Townsend. WA 98368 Dear Janet. Enclosed is the Draft Gibbs Lake Master Plan. This Plan should be reviewed by members of the Park Advisory Board and comments and additions forwarded to me for inclusion in the Revised Draft. Thank You, David Valbracht I GIBBS LAKE HASTER PLAN Draft Plan Outline 1. INTRODUCTION A. Project Background B. Project Approach C. Project Goals D. The Site E. Regional Context To be revised by Public Works Department staff. 2. SITE INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS A. General Site Conditions- B. Site Inventory Elevation Slope Soils Hydrology Vegetation Habitat Structures Road System Trail System Utilities Unique Features Land Ownership C. Site Zone Hap D. Summary Analysis Due Date: June 15, 1991 3. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND CONCEPT A. Major Program Elements Recreation Conservation/Environmental Education B. Program Requirements and Impacts C. Site Zones and Recommended Program Elements Due Date: July 15, 1991 4. MASTER PLAN A. Development Plan B. Development Guidelines C. Recommended Schedule Due Date: Draft August 15. 1991 Revised September 15, 1991 ADVISORY BOARD FINDINGS CONCERNS Fees Vandalism Reservoir Parking Canary Grass Road Maintenance Safety Restrooms DNR policies Focus on local users Waterborne diseases Liability POSSIBLE PROGRAM ELEMENTS RECREATION Swimming Fishing Non -motorized Boating Hiking Camping Birdwatching Day use shelter Orienteering Rope training Playfield Playground Windsurfing Picnic area Horseback riding Rock climbing Bicycling Trail linkage to other regional sites Prohibited Activities Hunting Motorized boating Motorcycles and ORVs CONSERVATION/ENVIRONMENTAL Habitat protection -osprey. -wetlands, native plants Habitat enhancement projects Ecosystem inventory Corridor to Anderson Lake Interpretation EDUCATION Environmental education programs Scout activities Art and writing retreats Community awareness and support programs Nature center Forestry interpretation programs Interpretive trails Wetlands education programs Volunteer programs Educational brochures PROPOSED SUBCOMMITTEE ACTIVITIES Facilities Subcommittee -Larry Scott 1. Evaluate existing buildings and recommend uses. 2. Contribute to inventory maps: structures utilities transportation unique features Education and Conservation Subcommittee -Janet Kearsley 1. Contribute to inventory maps: habitat unique features vegetation hydrology 2. Recommend conservation and education program elements. Recreation and Activities Subcommittee -Warren Steurer 1. Recommend recreation program elements. 3-... ..:. , :... •W4! .:.tr, 1 - DRAFT G2BBS T.AKF. MASTER P3�AN 2 CHAPTER 3- 3 2N'TRODUCT20N 4 5 6 7 PROJECT BACKGROUND 8 9 In 1959, the Boy Scouts of America purchased the Gibbs Lake area 10 from Dr. Adrian Werner. "Camp Werner" served as a Boy Scout 11 wilderness camp for about 25 years; however, as use of the camp 12 and the condition of facilities declined, the Scout organization 13 concluded that the property should be disposed of. The grounds 14 were purchased in 1989 by a lumber company for timber harvest. A 15 grassroots movement to obtain the former camp for a public park 16 resulted in acquisition negotiations involving the logging 17 company, Jefferson County, and the Department of Natural 18 Resources (DNR). 19 20 In 1990, DNR took possession of the property. Jefferson County 21 is currently negotiating with DNR for reconveyance of the 22 property as stipulated under RCW 76.12.072. 23 24 PROJECT APPROACH 25 26 The Jefferson County Parks Advisory Board (P.A.B.) and county 27 staff developed a Parks Comprehensive Plan which was completed in 28 August, 19901. A recommendation for the development of a master 29 plan for Gibbs Lake was made in this plan. In September, a three 30 member nonvoting subcommittee was drafted to assist the P.A.B. in 31 preparation of the Gibbs Lake Master Plan. The task of the 32 enhanced P.A.B. was to prepare a Gibbs Lake Master Plan that met 33 the needs and demands of the citizenry of Jefferson County. A 34 consultant was hired in April 1991 to work with the County staff 35 and the P.A.B. in the development of the Gibb's Lake Master Park 36 Plan. 37 38 The three project goals which were the task focus were (1) 39 Recreational, (2) Educational, and (3) Conservation 40 /Environmental. 41 42 43 PROJECT GOALS 44 45 Jefferson County has experienced an increase in development 46 projects in the past several years. It was designated through SSB 47 2929, the Growth Mangement Act as one of Washington's "growth" t Copies of the -2a are arerlaDle tAraDgD the Jeflerren county ]DDIi: torlf DeD�rraenr. Draft Gibbs ;Ake Nester Plad 1 counties. In cooperation with the Port of Port Townsend and the 2 City of Port Townsend. the County in late 1989 distributed a 3 survey to randomly selected County residents to canvass 4 recreational preferences and priorities'. The results indicated 5 that a high priority is to protect and increase public -access 6 open space. The following addresses the goals for Gibbs Lake. 7 8 Recreation: Meeting community -oriented recreational needs. with 9 low impact recreation activities. 10 11 Conservation /Environmental: Keeping the wilderness quality of 12 the area intact as development of rural areas intensifies is a 13 primary concern. Assuring that the unique ecosystems of the lake 14 and surroundings are protected. 15 16 Education: Using the wetlands. open water, open field, and woods 17 as an outdoor classroom to understand the delicate balance of 18 nature, and to bring awareness of the "habitat network" which 19 each area by itself, and in relationship to the other zones, 20 provides. 21 22 23 PROJECT OBJECTIVES 24 25 1. To provide, within the capacities of the site, a variety of 26 recreational opportunities which are in harmony with the 27 existing natural environment. protect the site, and encourage 28 user stewardship. 29 30 2. To set aside a portion of the site as a natural reserve zone 31 in which vegetation and wildlife communities can continue to 32 function with as little disturbance as possible. 33 34 3. To provide linkage with other regional recreational sites and 35 create a network of pedestrian/trail corridors permitting park 36 site access, wildlife corridors, and greenways. 37 38 4. To offer public education and interpretation opportunities. 39 40 41 THE SITE 42 43 Gibbs Lake Park lies approximately ten miles South of the limits 44 of the City of Port Townsend'. Vehicular access is via West 45 Valley Road to Beausite Lake Road and to Gibbs Lake Road. The 4 1•rest:.nel i1 le�lerLpn- ^_e'Itr 'ti�._,��tiy�d: 1 tfsf r,orrer e1—C1ti.ux.Qa end Jn�ninnr. Ae edalysts at t:a Sarre/ ;e;c„ t nsra can puoiisneu n the ,a__�Ig; �_' .tr rsrn,L�,,;Zr-Rrrsir� -__ja. r M open space s�aettieali� addressed to Clapier i 49 ]see Attachrent A. Vicinity Nap. .% , :ohs lake Raster P;aL 1 park area, managed by Jefferson County, is comprised of 510 2 acres. This includes Gibbs Lake, with approximately 45 surface 3 acres, Beausite Lake, with approximately 20 surface acres, 4 associated wetlands, and rock cliff areas north of Gibbs Lake. 5 The majority of the property is comprised of forest habitat, and 6 includes a large snag which serves as a nesting site for osprey. 7 There are small meadows to the North and the South of the lake 8 and a cleared area for access to the lake for swimming or non- 9 motorized boating. Gibbs Lake Park provides an exellent example 10 of various landforms and native vegetation found in the area. 11 The site includes adjacent Beausite Lake, which lies in an area 12 in which substantial logging, followed by replanting with conifer 13 seedlings, took place in 1989. Certain portions of the site will 14 be retained by D.N.R. for sustained timber harvest and for a 15 demonstration forest stewardship project. 16 17 18 REGIONAL CONTEXT 19 20 The majority of property surrounding Gibbs Lake Park has been 21 logged within the past 10 years. The Gibbs Lake area is an 22 exception to this, remaining forested. At this time residential 23 use of the overall vicinity is minimal; however, this may change 24 as development increases. 25 26 Recreational opportunities in unincorporated Jefferson County are 27 primarily centered around outdoor activities; however, few public 28 sites offer substantial acreage for these activities. Existing 29 parks facilities are, in some cases, oriented toward specific 30 activities such as baseball or overnight camping; but the larger 31 parks are of a more general recreational nature. 32 33 Approximately 2.5 miles north of Gibbs Lake lies 420-acre 34 Anderson Lake State Park, which provides boat launch facilities 35 and fishing on the 58.7 acre lake, as well as numerous trails. A 36 picnic unit is also available. 37 38 Other parks in the area provide sports fields, picnic facilities, 39 and camping.' Corridor trails linking this park to Gibbs Lake 40 could provide enhanced recreational opportunities for horse 41 riders, walkers, and bicyclists. Such a corridor could also 42 encourage users to remain on the trail, thus protecting and 43 preserving fragile wetlands. 44 45 46 ` See Attachment 6. Service Area Nap, for other public parks and facilities in Eastern Jefferson County. aratt G i b b 3 L a k a Ya3ter P I a a CHAPTER Z S=TE 2NVENTORY AAND ANAZYS2S SITE INVENTORY As an essential first step in the Master Plan proces, site characteristics, including a variety of natural system and cultural factors. have been mapped. The site inventory is intended to identify areas where future development can be sited with limited disturbance of the existing qualities of the site. HAP 1 ELEVATION Site elevations are delineated in 40 foot zones. The map shows the general physical topography of the site. As indicated on this inventory map. Gibbs Lake is located in a trough between two ridges running north and south. HAP 2 SLOPE Slopes are delineated in three zones: 20% and above. 10%-20%, and less than 10%. Construction on high slope areas adds to construction costs and increases probability of soil erosion. The slope map indicates that much of the area around Gibbs Lake is limited by steep slopes. Flat areas on the site are either low, often porly drained areas around both lakes, and higher flat areas at the center of the site. Development should be limited to flat areas wherever possible. Precautions should be taken to protect the site from erosion when construction occurs on steeper areas. HAP 3 SOILS The soils map delineates the various soil types found on the site. These soils are part of the Alderwood-Sinclair soil association, which is typical for eastern Jefferson County. This association includes soil series which are typically moderately well -drained, gravelly soils underlain by poorly draining, compacted glacial till. This poor drainage generally makes these soils unsuitable for purposes other than forestry. Soils present on the site include: Alderwood Series: Moderately well drained soils with a very slow permeable cemented layer at a depth of 20-40 inches. These soils are formed of glacial till. A1D-ALderwood gravelly sandy loam, 15-20% slopes 6� Drat; Giac. Lake Naster Plan 1 A1C-Alderwood gravelly sandy loam, 0-15% slope 2 AmC-Alderwood gravelly loam, 0-15% slopes 3 Beausite Series:Well drained soils underlain by cemented 4 sandstone conglomerate at a depth of 20-36 inches. 5 BdD-Beausite-Alderwood complex, 0-30% slopes 6 BeE-Beausite-Alderwood complex, 30-50% slopes 7 BaD-Beausite gravelly sandy loam, 15-30% slopes 8 Belfast Series:Well drained soils on flood plains. These soils 9 are formed of alluvium. 10 Bm-Belfast silty clay loam, wet varient 11 Cassolary Series:Well drained soils on upland terraces. These 12 soils formed in reworked glacial and marine sediments. 13 ChC-Cassolary-Everett Complex, 0-15% 14 Mulkiteo Series:Very poorly drained organic soils that formed in 15 partly decomposed plant remains. 16 Mm-Mulkiteo peat 17 Semiammu Series:Very poorly drained organic soils that formed in 18 well decomposed and desintigrated plant remains and overlying 19 mineral soil material. These soils are in glacial basins or old 20 displaced stream and river channel ponded areas. 21 Se-Semiahmu muck 22 Sm-Semiahmu muck, moderately shallow variant 23 Sinclair Series:Moderately well drained soils that have a very 24 slowly permeable cemented layer at a depth of 20-40 inches. 25 SnD-Sinclair gravelly sandy loam, 15-30% slopes 26 SnC-Sinclair gravelly sandy loam, 0-15% slopes 27 Swantown Series:Somewhat poorly drained gravelly soils that have 28 a very slowly permeable cemented layer at a depth of 18-20 29 inches. These soils formed in glacial till. 30 SuB-Swantown gravelly loam, 0-8% slopes 31 32 Constraints: 33 34 Septic Systems Road Building Buildings w/o Basements 35 36 A1D Severe Severe Severe 37 A1C Severe Moderate Moderate 38 AmC Severe Moderate Moderate 39 BaD Severe Severe Severe 40 BdD Severe Severe Severe 41 BeD Severe Severe Severe 42 Bm Severe Severe Severe 43 ChC Severe Moderate Moderate 44 Mm Severe Severe Severe 45 Se Severe Severe Severe 46 Sm Severe Severe Severe 47 SnC Severe Moderate Moderate 48 SnD Severe Severe Severe 49 SuB Severe Moderate Severe 50 51 44 ) Draft Gibbs Lake Master Plan 1 HAP 4 WETLANDS 2 3 4 The site includes two major hydrologic features. Gibbs Lake and 5 Beausite Lake, and important associated wetlands. Gibbs Lake is 6 fed by a creek to the southeast and drains the surrounding higher 7 ridges. Shallow areas around the streams and the lake remain wet 8 throughout the season. An unusual bog has formed on the southern 9 tip of Gibbs Lake. The marsh to the north of the Gibbs Lake 10 receives water from the lake but has been channelized and lost 11 much of its wetland character. 12 13 Beausite Lake is a much shallower lake whose boundaries vary 14 significantly over the season. There appear to be no inlets or 15 outlets. 16 17 Wetland vegetation on the site was mapped and reported in the 18 "Gibbs Lake Wetland Survey", Washington Native Plant Society, 19 Olympic Peninsula Chapter which is located in Appendix 1. These 20 areas provide important wildlife habitat and contain plant 21 species requiring protection. Development should not be sited in 22 wetland areas. 23 24 25 HAP 5 VEGETATION 26 27 28 The site is generally forested with a mix of conifers and 29 deciduous species. Much of the forest has been recently logged 30 and is in varying stages of maturity. Areas around Gibbs Lake 31 contain a high percentage of deciduous species. particularly in 32 areas with moist soils. Scattered older trees are present, 33 particularly in high slope areas. 34 35 36 MAP 6 STRUCTURES AND ROADS 37 38 39 The site includes various structures reflecting use patterns over 40 time. Two habitable houses are located on Beausite Lake: the "Red 41 House" and the "Blue House" as well as several farm structures. 42 The original homestead building is located south of Beausite Lake 43 as well as a log cabin and lookout tower. The homestead building 44 is in very poor condition; the lookout tower and cabin are in 45 disrepair. A habitable cabin and associated auxiliary buildings 46 are located on Gibbs Lake. A number of wooden buildings used by 47 the Boy Scouts are located on the south edge of Gibbs Lake. These 48 structures are generally in poor condition and it is the 49 recomendation of the Park Board that they be demolished. Several 50 outhouse buildings and camp structures are also scattered on the 51 ridge between Gibbs Lake and Beausite Lake and should also be 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 3` 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 ,_! ;iSSt Lake K a I t e r Plan removed. Access to the site is provided by two county roads Gibbs Lake Road and Beausite Road. Gibbs Lake Road provides access to the existing swimming area and services several homes north of the site. Development at Gibbs Lake has traditionally been organized along this road. Beausite Road provides access to the two existing homes in the site. SITE ZONES The site can be divided into 12 zones which share characteristics of land use pattern, vegetation. and slope. The zones are portrayed on Map 7. A. DEVELOPED AREAS Zone 1. Gibbs Lake Development Zone 2. Beausite Lake Development Cleared areas exist along with structures at the edges of Gibbs Lake and Beausite Lake. These areas are good places for park development given the presence of utilities and the possibility of adaptive reuse of the structures. B. WETLANDS Zone 3. Gibbs Wetlands Zone 4. Beausite Wetlands The edges of Beausite Lake and Gibbs Lake and the low areas adjacent to these water bodies are characterized by wetland vegetation, moist soils. and high water table. The stream at the north end of the lake feeds into a wetland meadow which has been drained by chanellization. Smaller areas of wetland are scattered throughout the site. All these areas are prime wildlife habit. unsuited for development without extensive modification and should be protected as habitat. C. FOREST -HIGH SLOPE Zone 5. West Forest -High Slope Zone 6. Central Forest -High Slope 0 r a I t Gibbs Lake N33ter Plan 1 Zone 7. East Forest -High Slope 2 3 Gibbs Lake is surrounded by steep slopes covered by mixed second 4 growth coniferous and deciduous timber and associated vegetation. 5 Steep forested slopes also form the edge of the site in the east. 6 Construction in these areas would be difficult because of the 7 slopes. 8 9 10 D. FOREST -LOW SLOPE 11 12 Zone S. South Forest -Low Slope 13 14 Zone 9. Central Forest -Low Slope 15 16 Zone 10.East Forest -Low Slope 17 18 The areas between Gibbs Lake and Beausite Lake and south of Gibbs 19 Lake are composed of forested lands at lower lower slope. This 20 zone provides the good opportunities for park development. Areas 21 of this zone bounding the Wetlands south of Gibbs Lake should be 22 treated carefully to protect the wetlands habitat. 23 24 E. FOREST PLANTATION 25 26 Zone 11.South Plantation 27 28 This area has been planted in conifers for forest production. 29 30 31 F. CLEARCUT 32 33 Zone 12.,Central Clearcut 34 35 An clearcut area is located southeast of Beausite Lake adjacent 36 to existing development. This area could be used for park 37 development without disturbing more mature forest lands. 38 39 40 SUMMARY ANALYSIS 41 42 43 The site as a whole demonstrates the common land use pattern of 44 Jefferson County: coniferous forest in various stages of recovery 45 from forest harvesting. The presence of the two lakes makes this 46 site particularly valuable for both recreation and habitat. 47 48 Gibbs Lake is located between two steep ridges which have 49 hindered both development and forest harvesting. This steep 50 terrain and a legacy as Boy Scout camp has kept this area in a 51 relatively undisturbed state. The lake and associated wetlands 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 J e � I IC2[ 111 . %f. 111df: Z.':5 idi2 Vd Sic. is riL are prime habitat. The edge of Gibbs Lake is both the most valuable and most potentially vulnerable area of the site. The effects of seasonal recreation use is obvious; the area adjacent to the present swimming beach is eroded and the lake shore has been altered by filling and erosion. The area around Beausite Lake has been heavily impacted by both human occupation and recent forest harvesting. This area contains most of the flat lands which make it prime area for both forest management and further development. Orals Gibbs Lame master Alje 1 CHAP TER 3 2 PROGR.AM 3 4 PROGRAM 5 6 The program is a statement of the activities to be accomodated on 7 the site. These program elements are intended to fulfill the 8 goals and objectives of the park and be in harmony with the Parks 9 Comprehensive Parks. Each element can be analyzed in terms of its 10 program requirements, siting requirements and potential 11 association with other program elements. 12 13 14 PROGRAM ELEMENTS 15 16 A. SWIHHING AREA 17 18 Gibbs Lake is the central feature of the new park. Swimming has 19 been identified as the most important current recreational use. 20 Primary attention should be placed on the development of a new 21 swimming area. In addition to shorline for swimming, space should 22 be available immediately nearby for sunbathing and similar 23 recreation activities. 24 25 1. Program Requirements: 26 27 a. Shorline for swimming. 28 29 b. Subathing area adjacent to swimming area. 30 31 c. Picnic area in close proximity to shorline. 32 33 d. Adequate parking. Several smaller parking lots may take 34 advantage of available grades and limit neccessary tree removal. 35 Additional parking should be sited away from the swimming area 36 but within walking distance. 37 38 e. Barrier free access to all facilities. 39 40 f. A telephone for emergency use. 41 42 43 2. Siting Requirements: 44 45 a. Away from sensitive habitat and hazardous areas 46 47 b. Low slope 48 49 c. Within a walking distance of potential parking areas 50 51 d. Good road access oral: 011.U9 lake xaile- ? � t !� 1 2 3 3. Associated Program Elements: 4 5 a. A small children's playground. 6 7 b. Park trails 8 9 10 B. BOATING 11 12 Non -motorized boating and windsurfing should be permitted -on 13 Gibbs Lake. Public boating on Beausite Lake should be prohibited. 14 15 1. Program Requirements: 16 17 a. A small boat launch for hand launcing boats. 18 19 20 2. Siting Requirements: 21 22 a. Away from sensitive habitats and hazardous areas. 23 24 b. Good road access. 25 26 c. Adequate area for unloading of boats and parking. 27 28 d. Not close enough to swimming area to interfere with swimming. 29 30 31 2.Associated Program Elements: 32 33 a. Education/ Interpretive program activities. 34 35 36 C. DAY USE SITES 37 38 A series of day use areas should be established as an alternative 39 to major recreation and camping sites. The facilities of these 40 areas should vary depending on their location. 41 42 1. Program Requirements: 43 44 a. Picnic tables or benches. 45 46 2. Siting Requirements: 47 48 a. Away from sensitive habitats and hazardous areas. 49 50 b. On trail system. 51 Draft Cibba L a i e 4 a a t e r Plan 1 c. Away from main roads and major recreation facilities. 2 3 4 3. Associated Program Elements: 5 6 a. Education /Interpretive Activities 7 8 9 D. PLAYFIELD 10 11 A multi -use playfield should be established for active recreation 12 within the park. This playfield should be grassed and be adequate 13 for field sports and simultaneous use by several groups. 14 15 1. Program Requirements: 16 17 a. Restroom facilities. 18 19 b. Adequate parking. 20 21 22 2.Siting Requirements: 23 24 a. Away from sensitive habitat and hazardous areas. 25 26 b. Level terrain with stable. well -drained soils capable of 27 supporting grass. 28 29 30 3. Associated Program Elements: 31 32 a. Other group recreation facilities such as a camping area or 33 swimming area. 34 35 E. CAMPING 36 37 Camping should be allowed only at a specified group camping site. 38 Camping and fires outside of this specified site should be 39 prohibited. 40 41 1. Program Requirements: 42 43 a. Restroom facilities. 44 45 b. Adequate parking. 46 47 c. Water. 48 49 2. Siting Requirements: 50 51 a. Away from sensitive habitat and hazardous areas. 1%' 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 D[E(T Ojhhc i:L.. 4!3!e[ Pl3e a. Access by a road which can be gated to control access. c. Flat terrain which is natural appearing. Natural vegetation should be present to provide screening. d. Away from other public recreation activities. 3. Associated Program Elements: a. Trail system. F. TRAIL SYSTEM A trail system should be established to provide controlled access to important features within the park. The trail system should connect to other existing or planned public trail systems. Motorcycles and off -road vehicles should be prohibited from trail systems. 1. Program Requirements: a. Interpretive trails through representative habitats. b. Trails to accomodate horse, bicycle. and foot traffic. 2. Siting Requirements: a. Away from sensitive habitat and hazardous areas. b. Sited on stable soils of limited grade to prevent erosion. c. Horse trails should include an adequate trailhead. 3. Asociated Program Elements: a. The trail system should provide links between all park features. b. Day use sites should be located on the trail system. G. CONSERVATION AREAS The entire park area should be considered a protected natural area. Development within the park should be accomplished with 1%! dep[eauer 11. L2ji � s Draft YIYui Lake das:ar N az 1 minimim effect on the environment. Recreation elements should be 2 located away from critical natural areas. Management activities 3 in all areas should be conducted in a way to protect the 4 integrity of the natural environment. Certain critical areas 5 should be designated as protected Conservation Areas. 6 7 1. Program Requirements: 8 9 a. Critical natural habitat should be protected from the impact 10 of park development and recreation activites and designated as 11 Conservation Areas. 12 13 b. Conservation Areas should be protected by adequate buffer 14 zones. 15 16 c. Interpretive sites and trails should be developed to inform 17 the public about the site and to encourage appropriate behavior 18 within the park. 19 20 d. Park managers should coordinate management activities with 21 adjacent landowners to protect the integrity of the park habitat. 22 23 d. Appropriate restoration of degraded natural areas should be 24 attempted. 25 26 2. Siting Requirements: 27 28 a. Identified critical natural areas should be designated as 29 Conservation Areas and protected from development and impacts 30 from recreation activites. 31 32 3. Associated Program Elements: 33 34 b. Conservation /Education activities should include monitoring 35 of critical natural areas within the park. Education activites 36 should not compromise the protection of Conservation Areas. 37 38 39 H. EDUCATION ACTIVITIES 40 41 The entire site should be considered as a resource for 42 educational activities. An educational component should be 43 included wherever possible in all park development. 44 45 1. Program Requirements: 46 47 a. Areas within the park should be designated, as required. for 48 appropriate educational and demonstration projects which may 49 include programs in: 50 51 Forestry Practices .1 Urban Forestry 2 Waste Reduction and Recycling 3 Composting 4 Wetland Enhancement 5 Wildlife Habitat Management 6 Wetland Studies 7 Environmental Education 8 9 10 2. Siting Requirements: 11 12 a. Educational activites should be concentrated at the 13 Interpretive Center. Projects requiring additional sites should 14 be located in areas that are compatible with the other 15 environmental and recreational activites. 16 17 18 3. Associated Program Elements: 19 20 a. Education and interpretive activites should be integrated with 21 the recreation activites wherever possible. 22 23 24 I. INTERPRETIVE CENTER 25 26 An interpretive center should be establish to host conservation 27 and education activites such as a summer day camp, teacher 28 training, and similar programs. 29 30 1. Program Requirements: 31 32 a. A suitable structure to host educational and interpretive 33 activities. 34 35 b. Adequate surrounding area to acomodate demonstration projects 36 and outdoor activities. 37 38 c. Restroom facilities. 39 40 41 2. Siting Requirements: 42 43 a. Away from hazardous areas. 44 45 b. Close to a wide variety of habitats and natural features. 46 47 c. Good public road access. 48 49 50 3. Associated Program Elements: 51 Jip(CdueL l/, &,$I ,Lift Yiit:I .:1: 1 a. Trail system. 2 3 4 5 J. RETREAT CENTER 6 7 A retreat center should be developed to accomodate groups 8 wishing to meet in a natural environment. 9 10 1. Program Requirements: it 12 a. A functional structure able to host groups. 13 14 b. Parking. 15 16 c. Privacy and separation from other park activities. 17 18 19 2. Siting Requirements: 20 21 a. Away from critical habitat and hazardous areas. 22 23 b. In an area of natural beauty. 24 25 26 3. Associated Program Elements: 27 28 a. Trail system. 29 30 31 r 2[a[t Cubs Lake Master Plaa 1 PROGRAM MATRIX 2 3 4 The Program Matrix portrays the relationship between the major 5 program elements. Program elements which can be sited together 6 are designated with a "+", those which should be sited separate 7 from each other are designated with a "-". Where there is no 8 definite relationship, a "?" is used. 9 10 11 Swim Boat Camp Day Play Retr Trail Inter Cons Educ 12 13 14 Swimming + + + + -- + + - 15 ' 16 17 Boating + + ? ? _ ? ? _ 18 19 20 Camping + + + + - + - - + 21 22 23 Day Use + + + + - + + _ + 24 25 26 Play + + + + - + + - 27 ' 28 29 Retreat - - - _ _ + _ _ 30 ' 31 32 Trails + ? + + + - + - + 33 34 35 Interp. + + + + + - + - + 36 Center 37 38 Consery 39 40 41 Educat ? ? ? + ? ? + + - 42 43 Draft Gibbs Lake Master Plan 1 2 SITING MATRIX 3 4 5 The Siting Matrix portrays in graphic form the relationship 6 between the 12 site zones and the program elements. Program 7 elements which can be accomodated in a site zone are designated 8 by a "+", those which cannot be sited in the zone are designated 9 with a 10 11 Swim Boat Camp Day Play Retr Trail Inter Cons Educ 12 13 14 1 15 Gibbs + + - + - - + - + + 16 17 2 18 Beau - - - - + + + + + 19 20 3 21 GWet - - - - - - - - + + 22 23 4 24 BWet - - - - - - - + + 25 26 5 27 FWH - - + _ - + - + + 28 29 6 30 FCH - - - + - - + - + + 31 32 7 33 FE8 -- - + - _ + - + + 34 35 8 36 FSL -- - - + - - + + + + 37 38 9 39 FCL -- - + + + + + + + + 40 41 10 42 FEL - - + + + + + + + + 43 44 11 45 PL - - - - - - + - + + 46 47 12 48 CC -- - + - + - + - + + 49 50 0 Draft Gihhs Lake Naster Plan 1 SUMMARY •2 3 4 Comparing the Program Matrix and Site Matrix helps assign 5 possible site zones for each program element. 6 7 A. SWIMMING- Swimming must be located on the Gibbs Lake shorline. 8 To minimize the impacts on the wetlands. expansion of the 9 developed area is advisable. 10 11 B. BOATING- A boat launch area must be located at the developed 12 area on the Gibbs Lake shorline. Siting near the existing 13 developed area would minimize disruption of the sensitive 14 wetlands. 15 16 C. DAY USE- Day use facilities should be designed according to 17 site specific conditions in areas of the park not being utilized 18 as conservation areas. 19 20 D. PLAYGROUND- The playground requires a relatively level site 21 with good access. The Forest Central Low Zone or Clearcut would 22 be good locations. 23 24 E. CAMPING- Siting of a large group campground is limited by the 25 need for road access and low grades. Good areas for this facility 26 may be available at the Forest Central Low Zone or the adjacent 27 Clearcut Zone. 28 29 F. TRAILS- Trails can sited everywhere except in Conservation 30 Areas. Existing trails along Central Forest High Slope can be 31 upgraded. Trails should connect developed areas along Beausite 32 Lake, camping and recreation areas in the center of the site, and 33 swimming and boating activities at Gibbs Lake. 34 35 G. CONSERVATION AREAS- Important natural areas include the 36 wetlands and less disturbed forest areas. Areas identified as 37 containing threatened or endangered plant species must be 38 included in the Conservation Areas. The Wetland Zones and High 39 Slope areas, especially the relatively isolated area west of 40 Gibbs Lake should be designated as conservation areas. The 41 proximity of swimming and boating activites to sensitive areas 42 will require efforts to limit impacts through careful siting, 43 education activities and enforcement. 44 45 H. EDUCATION ACTIVITIES- Education activites should be integrated 46 with the other activites. They should be concentrated at the 47 Interpretive Center and use trails as an opportunity for 48 education. 49 50 I. INTERPRETIVE CENTER- The interpretive center should be easily 51 accessible and near a variety of habitats. One of the houses on Se0t229ec .7, 1391 G U utdit dtu09 4dAe Addtet fidd 1 Beausite Lake could be renovated to accomodate the center or a 2 center could be built in the Low Slope Forest Area. 3 4 J. RETREAT CENTER- The retreat requires some isolation from other 5 activities. The houses at Beausite Lake are potential sites. 6 a L '1 .2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 �2 3 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 CHAPTER 4 MP,LSTER PLAN PARK AREAS •--• -•_tea ++nc :1oa.cl i:u� The Master Plan is intended to match program requirements with site. The site zones developed during the site inventory phase can be refined into 8 park areas portrayed on Map S. Each area can support certain program elements. AREA 1. This area is composed of high slope forested lands West and South of Gibbs Lake. This area is isolated from the remainder of the park by Gibbs Lake and its surrounding wetlands. Its relative isolation and difficulty for development suggest its use as a conservation area. AREA 2. This area is composed of wetlands surrounding Gibbs Lake. It includes sites where endangered plant species have been discovered. Since this area includes valuable habitat and can not be readily developed, this area should be combined with the adjacent Area 1 as a conservation area. AREA 3. This area is composed of the existing swimming area and access road. This area can continue to serve as the swimming and boating area with minimum disturbance to the lake shore. AREA 4. This area is composed of the central ridge of the site and includes existing trail and roads that can be converted to trails. It is easily accessible and can serve as a hiking and picnic area. AREA 5. This area is composed of low slope forested lands. It can serve as hiking and picnic area and would also be the easiest forested land for further development because of its low slope. AREA 6. This area is composed the development around Beausite Lake and adjacent clearcut. The houses can be adapted for park use and the clearcut used for additional development without additional forest clearing. AREA 7. This area is composed of Beausite Lake and surrounding wetlands. It is valuable habitat and should be preserved as a conservation area. AREA 8. This area is composed of forested lands in various stages of regeneration, from recent clearcut to plantation and more mature trees. This block should be managed for timber pproduction by the DNR. It would be an ideal location to experiment with new concepts of ecological forestry. 3ep;eaber 27, 1151 cc �r dLL 415bI Yd.e AddLel Yldu DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES All use and development of the integrity of the area site must respect The entire site natural area; development should be maintainedlas a should be sited in a way that minimizes individual and collective impacts. Devted the functioning of existing Pment should not disrupt of the site, g natural systems or the natural beauty Site development is undertaken to minimize adverse impacts natural system of unregulated, human use. impacts recreational facilities should be sited on on the activities Possible, should be limited in scale and sitedtointerfere Human as little as possible With natural interfere e educational goals of the patterns in the landscape, The development park should be an integral part Of every p decision. A. WATER RESOURCES Water quality monitoring of Gibbs Lake should be continued, evaluate the health of the lake. Care must toe taken durin to construction activities to prevent sail erosion or contamination from affecting the lake. Natural drainage disturbed. patterns should not be B. VEGETATIION AND WILDLIFE Existing natural habitat must be park development and use. protected from the impact of where development Conservation areas should be posted Revegetation of disturbed lareas ng cshould ess abesundertaken undertaken Jefferson County should work with the Department of Natural Resources on a compatible forest management lands. Herbicide spraying should be not be plan for adjacent adjacent forest lands. Permitted in the C. FACILITIES Site planning for individual facilities should be done in a manner that protects the existing natural fabric. Possible, existing structures should be adapted Wherever rather than constructing new facilities. for new use to siting facilities on disturbed areas. Priority should be given Natural materials and sympathetic architectural forms should be Se;te]be1 i 9 4 1 2 J )hill a1*1'.a .aec haite! ;iin yl used in all facility development. Designs which conserve energy 2 and materials should be chosen. 3 4 Buildings should be sited to take advantage of natural grades. 5 Plantings should be established where there has been disturbance 6 and to screen buildings. Native plants should be used wherever 7 possible. 8 9 D. ROADS 10 11 Wherever possible. existing roads should be adapted for new use 12 rather than developing new roads. Roads should be sited to avoid 13 disturbance with existing land forms and vegetation. Roads should 14 be designed with minimum functional road surface. 15 16 17 E. PARKING 18 19 Parking areas should be sited so as to minimize their impact on 20 the natural environment. Several small lots may produce less 21 total impact on the site, particularly in areas of sloping 22 terrain. Planting should be introduced where there has been 23 disturbance and to screen parking. Existing trees close to 24 parking areas should be protected from automobiles by employing 25 barriers. 26 27 F. SWIMMING 28 29 The existing swimming area should be redesigned to accomodate 30 additional visitors and to protect the lake. Picnic and 31 sunbathing areas should be sited near the beach area. Care should 32 be taken to protect the adjacent wetland areas. Terracing and 33 planting should be developed to protect the shoreling from 34 erosion. 35 36 37 ILLUSTRATIVE PLAN 38 39 The plan portrayed on Map 10 presents one possible way of 40 accomodating the program elements within the recommended zones. 41 The precise siting and design of each program element should 42 result from more detailed site planning. The plan demonstrates 43 that the program elements can be sited on the site in a way that 44 minimizes undesireable impacts on each other and on the site. 45 46 47 For management purposes the site should be divided into two 48 sections, indicated on Map 9. Jefferson County will manage its 49 portion to fulfill the park goals and objectives and should work 50 actively with the Department of Natural Resources on a timber 51 management plan for the remainder of the site. A buffer zone should )raft Ci6ha bake .Y39ter be ePlan stablished along the Beausite site- The management of all forest Iands should into into into the park education and the interpretive d be integrated Programs. A. SWIMMING AREA The existing swimming area should be rehabilitated The existing beach should be ated and expanded. BOY Scout area b expanded to the north and southeofvthe Young deciduoushe limits of the former should be cleared °f f the Present beach. vegetation growing to addition of a and the surfacee swimming beach layer of sand, improved by the The grassed area rehabilitated b behind the swimming beach s Y regrading the e should be stumps, . and replanting with slope, removing the existing grass. The temporary toilet should located the wooded area be replaced b south of the swimminrmarea. should outhouse Picnic benches g area. cleared area. uld be sited in the treeline surrounding the B. BOAT LAUNCH A small boat launch area should the swimming area. The existing be located used as g road to at the south edge of to hand he access to this the county road should carry boats facility. Boat owners will be required from the county road, required be C- DAY USE SITES Day use sites with picnic table the sites indicated. Additional sites be located on future, may be identifiedin at in the D. PLAYFIELD A grassed playfield should be sited on Beausite Road. A parking area should be sited adjacent to the E- CAMPING PlaYfield A group camping area should be located west of This site should include a sites and a loop road Beausite Road. group campfire area. Each a minimum of 5 individual include space for campfire Picnic table. vehicle and trailer site should be erected on to ter controlshould access, tent site. fire pit, and provided t° the site. A gate should Should be prohibites. Camping and fires at other areas 1%` L J 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 n^ 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 F. TRAILS Foot trails as indicated should be developed. The existing roads and trails should be utilized in preference to constructing new trails. Existing trails into designated conservation areas should be blocked and revegetated. Construction of horse trails and bicycle trails should be coordinated with trail development outside of the site. Roads and trails not included within the site trail plan should be blocked and revegetated. G. CONSERVATION AREAS Indicated areas should be designated as protected Conservation Areas. Boundaries of the Areas should be posted. Disturbed areas within conservation areas should be restored when required to prevent further degradation. Access into Conservation Areas should be limited to necessary management, monitoring. and restoration activities. H. EDUCATION ACTIVITIES Education activities should be designated Interpretive Center. educational activites should be Board. I. INTERPRETIVE CENTER initially limited to the Additional use of the park for reviewed by the Park Advisory The Blue House and surrounding area at Beausite Lake should be converted for use as the Interpretive Center. A site plan for the development of the area should be developed by the Parks Advisory Board through consultation with groups interested in using the facility. J. RETREAT CENTER The Red House at Beausite Lake should be converted for use as the Retreat. Guidelines for use of the retreat should be developed by the Parks Advisory Board. DEVELOPMENT PHASING Phasing of park development should be guided by considering the health and safety of park visitors, the continued integrity of the natural system, the relative importance of program elements, and the costs of development. A. PHASE 1 These projects are necessary for the safety of park users. JtVic�yci a . ♦.s Hazards should be ;�3Ec ,;yy' removed throughout the site. is the most important park use site. The swimming to accomodate an Improvements should be made expected short term use and to alleviate Potential unsafe conditions. 1. Swimming Area parking. 2. Removal of potential hazards. 3. Swimming Area Rehabilitation. B . PHASE 2 These projects are necessary to and to make them accessible to protect the sites natural areas relatively low cost activities andkarestors. These are participation. appropriate for volunteer 4. Trail system. 5. Day Use Areas. 6. Natural area restoration. C. PHASE 3 These are projects which add new uses to 'he presently accomodated at the site, h traditional ones projects. They are relatively expensive 7. Playground. 3. Retreat Center. ). Interpretive Center. 0-Camping Area.