Deston Denniston's New Conceptual Drawing for 78th Street

Our very own 78th Street Aggies Steward of Abundance, Deston Denniston was hard at work this weekend while the rest of us were eating the ears off of our chocolate bunnies. Check out his latest conceptual plan for the development of the 78th Street/Old Poor Farm site at the Abundance Permaculture web site or scroll down to see it right here.
Nice work Deston!

April 9 Integrated Concept Plan

~This integrated conceptual plan is intended to illustrate elements discussed by the 78th St. Sounding Board (SB), its Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and other suggestions which fulfill the Sounding Board Principles. This illustration suggests possible 15 year goals for the site. Community workshops offered over the next year to develop integrated design, and culminating in a public charrette, will offer better education opportunities to the citizens of Clark County, increased and collaborative community participation, and lower costs to taxpayers than a conventional RFP. Cultivating a diverse set of stakeholders will produce design details deeply reflective of our community. Sweat equity leading to a sense of community ownership will provide social capital for the project a conventional RFP process for design and build cant compete with.

This site design methodology, suggested in the TAC Executive Report fulfills the following Sounding Board principles:

1.Celebrate our agricultural heritage.

2.Interpret Clark County and WSU’s presence at the site.

3.Showcase and promote sustainable and commercial agricultural practices. ~Secure, local, seasonal, organic, biodynamic farming, and permaculture.

4.Support agricultural research that supports sustainable farming practices.

5.Enhance community wellness and inspire life-long learning.

6.Promote community volunteerism.

7.Integrate a variety of activities and resources that provide community access.

8.Reflect sound fiscal policy in decision-making matters.

Key Notes:

* Throughout the integrated concept map, in association with some element numbers, will be CAPITAL letters clarifying management goals.

A: Natives species only area, habitat & conservation, bordering much of north half of the site interior.

B: Native and cultivar plantings for habitat and wildcrafting.

Recommendations for materials and methods used in the construction of the following elements can be found in the TAC Executive Report (PDF).

1. Farmers Market/Auxiliary Parking:About 40 stalls; Local, fresh produce and value added products sold by onsite and offsite producers. Auxiliary parking for 120-150 during events. Landmark placement of Old Silo.

2.County Offices: Farmbudsman, forester, and other ag/forestry operations; cultural, historic, and other sustainability offices, libraries, public resources. Taking full advantage of space as living museum. Also meeting space /classroom, and workshop space. Carriage houses used for onsite electric shuttle & other public services; Historic Preservation.

3.Local Grinds: Restaurant featuring fresh food from local farms, organic when possible. Features Cafe/Deli Lunch Counter and sit down Fine Dining with biodynamic/organic wines and beers. A service oriented non profit in association with a local schools, revenue is held in a scholarship fund for high school students. College interns earn credit and income through food service and produce production.

4.Police Substation: Neighborhood patrols and primary site access point and control for events. 4a) Entry Kiosk for events. Note kiosk near 22, Hazel Dell Community Center, as well.

5.Food Bank/WSU: Oregon Food Bank (OFB) Warehouse, WSU Extension Offices, commercial certified kitchen. OFB Operations, WSU Professional Continuing Education, food and farm workshops. Adult continuing education, rental of certified kitchen space. 5a) Picnic side yard 5b) Food Bank Gardens.

6.The Irrigation Ditch: This feature should qualify for Prior Cropland Conservation (PCC) with Department of Ecology, meaning that it can be used for food production. Contoured to maximize habitat niches and production, one side will be held in conservation, the other used for wildcrafting and aquaculture demos. Picnic table niches.

7.Aquaculture Greenhouse: Hydroponic greenhouse with multiple 4' deep tanks, each with food stock fish (tilapia, catfish, crayfish, etc). Size limited by available water; outflow will fertilize the hydroponics; polished outflow can be used for irrigation. Demo for $40k+/acre per year from organic farmed fish.

8.Working Farm: The 8a) working farm is set in the middle of the 8b) CSA lease lots, integrating animal husbandry into the farm landscape. Working farm 'rents' animals for onsite tractoring, mowing and other functions. Sheep, Goats and Cattle produce milk and cheese. In partnership with 4-H, FFA and the WSU Small Farms team, etc., education and other services are delivered. Children's petting farm, Animal Husbandry Education. Quarters for farm manager, caretaker, college interns and potentially leaseholders rental units. Meeting space for CSA, 4-H and FFA activities is located here. CSA lots divided by production hedgerows. Kapus Farmhouse?

9.Community Gardens/Pea Patches: Annual lease organic 9a) pea patches. Agreement comes with best organic practices orientation. Composting and integrated pest control units throughout. Additional lease price pays for tool locker. 9b) Located centrally, the children's play scape gives a central all-eyes can see location for kids to play safely while their parents garden. The playground is all natural, with a living woven willow fortress, see-saw logs, and a cob (adobe) playhouse, etc. Same with #21.

10.Conservation Wetlands: After invasive species removal and replanting with select natives the area associated with the Conservation Wetlands will be a highlight on the walking path; Interpretive signs, wildlife viewing and ecological systems observation will occur along the path and boardwalk. Soil, water, habitat conservation in core and borders, with margins providing additional benefits of wildcrafting of food and fiber products.

11.Master Gardeners Demonstration Gardens: A variety of demonstration gardens, from produce to native to ornamental, all showcased with the creative touch of the Master Gardeners educational staff and volunteers. Area also includes multiple education and work spaces, reflection pond, greenhouses, and “living machines”.

12.Food Forest Gardens: Specific plantings depend on the micro-climate of a given spot. To include five or more nuts, a dozen+ species of fruiting trees, and dozens of berry varieties, both native and cultivars, as well as perennial vegetables, herbs, etc. Organized according to ecological principals of a natural forest, fruit producers are supported by allied nitrogen fixers, mulchers and insectories for integrated pest and fertilization management. Ohio State University has shown that such practices can produce $80k and acre/annually. This demo can be available for “u-pick” purchases though much of the year.

13.Earthen Amphitheater: Terraced amphitheater with capacity for 300-400. Bring your camp chairs or a blanket and stretch out on the espalier lined terraces. Musical, theater and dance performance, a covered stage. Summer festival fundraisers, Lease option for large events, weddings, etc.

14.The Great Lodge: Auxiliary to the Community Center, #22. Indoor stage, practice and performance space downstairs, leased for events. Leased offices for licensed 'alternative' health care practitioners, such as acupuncturists, LMP's, herbalists and ND's. Great Lodge also houses all Media Services for Amphitheater. Next to the Great Lodge is a world class medicinal garden for temperate maritime climates.

15.Forestry Demos: All Forest management practices include habitat, soil, and water conservation demonstrations 15a) Existing stands 15b) 'Field to Forest' conversion project, demonstrating how to develop and plant the edges of small lot forests for habitat, conservation, foods, and control of wind and fire among other considerations. Production and marketing of secondary products (edible mushroom cultivation, floral greens, etc), fire prevention, harvest and sawyering edcuation. 15c) Heritage Savannah: The endangered Oak, Camas and Saxifrage ecosystem of SW Washington was a 'staple' food ecology for many PNW tribes. This demo provides heritage and ecology education, camas, root crops and acorns- in addition to recreation open space and tables for picnics under the sun.

16.Three Volcanoes Viewing Tower: View Loowit (St. Helens), Wy'East (Adams) and Pahtoe (Hood). Picnic areas.

17.The Upper Tool Shed: Site managers and staff's 'Upper" tool shed/workshop and guest rooms for short term visiting professionals, researchers, teachers.

18.Heirloom Heritage Monument: The graves of 200+ previous tenants of the Old Poor Farm lie here. A robust yet elegant stone monument commemorates their lives and memories, and a garden of heirloom fruits adorn this heritage site and resting place.

19.Vinyard Garden Terraces: Vineyard production area, provides u-pick opportunities. Grapes, kiwi, fig, hops, raspberries and a wide variety of other vineyard produce are all situated here in vineyard near the orchard terraces. Includes sculpture garden elements.

20.County Nursery: WSU and county Forester/ street trees programs production nursery and green house space Starting, grafting, heeling in, etc, of stock for projects both on and offsite. Direct work with volunteer organization such as Friends of trees, Street Trees USA, etc.

21.Community Center: Youth, adult and senior programing through VCPR, co-coordinates non=professional continuing education for the site. Occidental Health Services Clinic (on call nurse in conjunction with Peace Health, or Kaiser etc.) weight loss, nutrition, cardio & aerobic classes and spa rooms, youth and senior recreation rooms 21a) outdoor BB halfcourt and 9b) natural children's play scape. Connection to HAZEL DELL PARK.