Terra Nova Rural Park Plan

Terra Nova Rural Park Plan

Part 1Getting to know the land…

Part 1Getting to know the land…

The Surrounding AreaThe Surrounding Area

East Side - Residential

South Side:Terra Nova Natural Area

North Side North Side –– Airport, River, TrailAirport, River, Trail

West Side- Sturgeon Banks, West Dyke Trail

The Existing SiteThe Existing Site

The City owns 63 acresof land in the Terra Nova North West Quadrant area.

The land is rich in heritage, wildlife, and landscape character.

The City owns 63 acresof land in the Terra Nova North West Quadrant area.

The land is rich in heritage, wildlife, and landscape character.

Ecological ContextEcological Context

The Terra Nova lands are an important part of the larger :•Fraser River estuary

ecosystem •Pacific Flyway

1.4 million migrating birds pass through the area

The Terra Nova lands are an important part of the larger :•Fraser River estuary

ecosystem •Pacific Flyway

1.4 million migrating birds pass through the area

Ecological ImportanceEcological Importance

Connection to the river and Sturgeon BanksWildlife can move back and forth between these areas

Habitat diversity on site: woodlots, fields, hedgerows, ditchesProvides food, refuge and nesting areas for a diversity of wildlife

Connection to the river and Sturgeon BanksWildlife can move back and forth between these areas

Habitat diversity on site: woodlots, fields, hedgerows, ditchesProvides food, refuge and nesting areas for a diversity of wildlife

Heritage HighlightsHeritage Highlights

Pre-1868The First Nations used this area for seasonal fishing camps.

Sloughs were likely used for transportation.

Pre-1868The First Nations used this area for seasonal fishing camps.

Sloughs were likely used for transportation.

1868The first Crown Grant was given to non-native settlers.Early families were from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

1868The first Crown Grant was given to non-native settlers.Early families were from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

Unique to Richmond is the cluster of 5 buildings still in their original setting along River Road.

For 100 years farming has been the main use of the land.

For 100 years farming has been the main use of the land.

The dykes and farmland have shaped the land that we see today.

The dykes and farmland have shaped the land that we see today.

Terra Nova cannery c. 1906

1892 the first cannery, Terra Nova Cannery, was built on the Middle Arm.

1892 the first cannery, Terra Nova Cannery, was built on the Middle Arm.

Cannery RemnantsCannery Remnants

Remnants of the cannery pilings can still be seen.Remnants of the cannery pilings can still be seen.

The goal of the park plan is to ‘tread lightly’, respect and enhance the existing site

features and assets.

The goal of the park plan is to ‘tread lightly’, respect and enhance the existing site

features and assets.

Part 2Terra Nova Rural Park Plan

Part 2Terra Nova Rural Park Plan

Creating a legacy park…Creating a legacy park…

Three sets of Public Open Houses were held in February, April and June of 2004

An overwhelming 98% Liked or Very Much Liked the Visionpresented as the Terra Nova Rural Park Plan

Three sets of Public Open Houses were held in February, April and June of 2004

An overwhelming 98% Liked or Very Much Liked the Visionpresented as the Terra Nova Rural Park Plan

Planning ProcessPlanning Process

The Park VisionThe Park Vision

To preserve the unique rural character while providing a balance between agricultural heritage, wildlife conservation, and recreational uses.

To preserve the unique rural character while providing a balance between agricultural heritage, wildlife conservation, and recreational uses.

The following outlines the highlights of the park plan.

The supporting imagery provides the viewer with a ‘flavour’ of the proposed park.

The following outlines the highlights of the park plan.

The supporting imagery provides the viewer with a ‘flavour’ of the proposed park.

The Park PlanThe Park Plan

Image source: www.Image source: www.picturequestpicturequest.com.com

The Site Plan

NORTHNORTH

1.Heritage District1.Heritage District

The intent is to preserve and interpret the rich story of the pioneer settlers, farming and fishing industries.

The intent is to preserve and interpret the rich story of the pioneer settlers, farming and fishing industries.

Heritage Settlement Site• retain 5 heritage

buildings• establish creative reuses

Heritage Settlement Site• retain 5 heritage

buildings• establish creative reuses

HighlightsHighlights

Heritage Interpretive Features• provide interesting and

creative interpretation

Heritage Interpretive Features• provide interesting and

creative interpretation

The Cannery Wharf• construct a boardwalk/

deck to interpret former cannery site

The Cannery Wharf• construct a boardwalk/

deck to interpret former cannery site

Throughout the park there will be a wide variety of creative features to encourage learning and discovery.

Throughout the park there will be a wide variety of creative features to encourage learning and discovery.

2. Site Interpretation2. Site Interpretation

Field Lookout StructureField Lookout Structure

First Nations Interpretive SiteFirst Nations Interpretive Site

Ecology Centre/Outreach Facility• reuse of a building for

nature outreach programs

Ecology Centre/Outreach Facility• reuse of a building for

nature outreach programs

Seasonal Environmental Art• temporary and seasonal

crops forming patterns in the fields

• fields will be fallow in winter and provide food for wildlife

Seasonal Environmental Art• temporary and seasonal

crops forming patterns in the fields

• fields will be fallow in winter and provide food for wildlife

HighlightsHighlights

3. Farm Centre3. Farm Centre

The goal is to build upon the agricultural heritage of the site and modern urban needs by creating an area for growing food and education.

The goal is to build upon the agricultural heritage of the site and modern urban needs by creating an area for growing food and education.

Farm Management Centre• utilize existing buildings

to store equipment and provide meeting space

Farm Management Centre• utilize existing buildings

to store equipment and provide meeting space

Community Gardens• food to be grown for

educational and community benefits

• gardens to be integrated into park

Community Gardens• food to be grown for

educational and community benefits

• gardens to be integrated into park

HighlightsHighlights

The goal is to protect and enhance the biodiversity and habitat values of the site.

The goal is to protect and enhance the biodiversity and habitat values of the site.

4. Wildlife Habitats4. Wildlife Habitats

Riparian Areas and Drainage Ditches• daylight heritage slough • connect to river• construct additional wetlands

Riparian Areas and Drainage Ditches• daylight heritage slough • connect to river• construct additional wetlands

Woodlots and Mature Trees• expand woodlots and protect mature

trees• protect heron rookery

Woodlots and Mature Trees• expand woodlots and protect mature

trees• protect heron rookery

Hedgerows• connect existing hedgerows with new plantings

Hedgerows• connect existing hedgerows with new plantings

Old-fields /Farmed Fields• manage a seasonal crop field• maintain a central fallow field

Old-fields /Farmed Fields• manage a seasonal crop field• maintain a central fallow field

HighlightsHighlights

The intent is to have areas and features that allow for informal leisure use.

Picnic areasCreative children’s play facilitiesWashroomsOpen grass area for informal play

The intent is to have areas and features that allow for informal leisure use.

Picnic areasCreative children’s play facilitiesWashroomsOpen grass area for informal play

5. Passive Open Space5. Passive Open Space

The goal is to allow people to access and circulate comfortably through the park.

The goal is to allow people to access and circulate comfortably through the park.

6. Park Infrastructure6. Park Infrastructure

Turnarounds and entry gates• control access at night with

gates

Turnarounds and entry gates• control access at night with

gates

Trails• utilize existing lanes, farm

pathways • create a series of new trails

Trails• utilize existing lanes, farm

pathways • create a series of new trails Field and Riparian Boardwalks• construct boardwalks over

slough, wetlands, and fields

Field and Riparian Boardwalks• construct boardwalks over

slough, wetlands, and fieldsParking• reorganize parking • add more spaces along

River Road

Parking• reorganize parking • add more spaces along

River Road

HighlightsHighlights

The goal is to link the waterfront physically and through interpretation to the upland uses, maximize viewing opportunities and enhance circulation.

The goal is to link the waterfront physically and through interpretation to the upland uses, maximize viewing opportunities and enhance circulation.

7. Dyke Perimeter 7. Dyke Perimeter

Dyke, foreshore and cannery c. 1918

Heritage Slough• connect slough to river with

flood gate• construct boardwalk with

interpretation over slough gate

Heritage Slough• connect slough to river with

flood gate• construct boardwalk with

interpretation over slough gate

Location of lookout towerLocation of lookout towerLocation of lookout tower

Mouth of the heritage sloughMouth of the heritage sloughMouth of the heritage slough

Lookout Structure• construct a 2 level lookout

for maximum view of river and estuary.

Lookout Structure• construct a 2 level lookout

for maximum view of river and estuary.

Marsh Boardwalk• proposed boardwalk into marsh adjacent to lookout

Marsh Boardwalk• proposed boardwalk into marsh adjacent to lookout

HighlightsHighlights

All these features and elements create layers of richness and a strong sense of place in Terra

Nova.

All these features and elements create layers of richness and a strong sense of place in Terra

Nova.

In summary, Terra Nova Rural Park will be an incredible

addition to the existing open space system. This will be a special place for people to

experience Richmond’s natural and cultural landscape.

In summary, Terra Nova Rural Park will be an incredible

addition to the existing open space system. This will be a special place for people to

experience Richmond’s natural and cultural landscape.