landscape page

Award-Winning Design Credit: Laura Schwanof, RLA
Hofstra University Sanctuary Design

EEA 

 
Westhampton   Hempstead   Purdy   Staten Island
Fresh Kills   Rocky Point   Mt Sinai   Babylon

 
Landscape Architecture and Ecologically Sensitive Design
     

Ecologically sensitive landscape design is an integral part of all proposed development projects that encompass significant natural features, such as wetlands and watercourses, coastal bluffs and shorelines or critical habitats for rare species. These projects typically require close coordination with and approvals from natural resources regulatory agencies, such as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York City Department of Environmental Protection or the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Designing a system that minimizes potential environmental impacts, while incorporating specialized plant materials and essential wildlife features is no easy task.    EEA’s team of experienced ecologists and Landscape Architects work in concert to achieve the goals of our clients, while juggling the key elements of ecological sustainability and landscape development to strike a correct balance with nature. 

 
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White-fringed Orchis
     
For example, park restoration projects or wetland creation projects are noted for needing synergetic landscape design elements that withstand the test of time and require minimal maintenance.     EEA has a proven track record for fulfilling this specialized need for ecologically sensitive Landscape Architectural plans.

 

 

 

Ecological Assessment and Landscape Design
for the Eastern Regional Office, Westhampton Beach, NY.

 

Client: Suffolk County Water Authority
  

EEA was retained by the Suffolk County Water Authority to produce a prototype landscape design that depicts a xeriscape utilizing strictly native Long Island plants, and incorporating a synoptic garden at the front entrance for public display and educational purposes.  EEA coordinated with The Nature Conservancy and conducted an ecological assessment of the surrounding habitat to develop appropriate planting schemes.
 


Situated in the dwarf pine plains on the South Fork, EEA's design mimics the natural communities on the periphery of the site and incorporates other Long Island natives with horticultural value surrounding the building and parking areas.  The first phase of the installation is complete and the remainder will be installed in Spring 2004.

 

 

Hempstead Harbor Tidal Wetland Restoration Project,
Port Washington, NY.

 

Client: Campbell, George & Strong LLP      
       
   

EEA, Inc. designed a tidal wetland restoration plan for a 5-acre tidal cove in Hempstead Harbor, bordering the south side of the Town of North Hempstead Bar Beach Park.  The restoration site represents the first phase of a multi-phased effort encompass-ing habitat and recreational system improvements associated with a Town Shoreline Nature Trail.

The project involved removal of  mixed debris along the shoreline and a gravel bar peninsula that was covered by common reed (Phragmites australis). 


The plan included the re-establishment of native plantings  in the intertidal,  high marsh and adjacent upland zones  in an effort to re-create a true maritime community.

Project implementation required the development of close partnerships between EEA, the Performing Parties Group and various Trustees, including NOAA/NMFS, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, USDOI/USF&WS and the Town of North Hempstead. The project was partially funded by the PPG, with matching funds provided by a NOAA Fisheries community assistance grant and in-kind services and support from the Town of North Hempstead.

 

 
Purdy Creek Landscape Design
       
Client: AKRF, Inc.      
 

EEA provided the plans, details, specifications and project estimates for the relocated Purdy Creek in southern Staten Island, NY.  The restored creek already provides feeding habitat for waterfowl and wading birds and nursery habitat for fish and macrobenthic species.  Specifica-tions for native upland and wetland plants were provided.  The plan has been implemented and EEA staff has been con-ducting follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the NYSDEC requisite of 85 percent coverage of desired wetland plants.
 

  

 

 

 
Staten Island Corporate Park (SICP)    
Client: The Nicotra Group/NYC Economic Development Corporation    
EEA was requested to submit a Conceptual Master Plan for the SICP under the direction of the Bloomfield Conservancy and NYC Economic Development Corporation.  The conceptual plan was utilized to formalize the final design, which has recently been installed    

 

 

Fresh Kills Landfill Wetland Creation  - Landscape Design
Client: NYS Department of Sanitation  
     
 
  Over three acres of tidal wetlands and adjacent area plantings are proposed for a wetland mitigation associated with construction of a proposed railway crossing and installation of stormwater filtration devices for the Staten Island Water Transfer Facility.  Landscape plans, drawings and specifications were developed,  along with a 5-year monitoring plan to ensure success of the installation.    

 

 

Landscape Buffer Plans and Details  
Client: Mitropoulos Architects  
   
EEA’s LA staff was requested to formulate a landscape buffer plan and detail drawings for a proposed 12-bed residence in Rocky Point, NY, targeted for health related services.  Final design drawings were submitted and approved.
  		 

 

 

The Memorial Garden at the Mount Sinai Congregational Church
Client: Mount Sinai Congregational Church
  Ms. Laura Schwanof , EEA's Registered Landscape Architect,  completed a conceptual landscape design for The Memorial Garden at the Mount Sinai Congregational Church located in  Mount Sinai, NY. The "tree-of-life" design  incorporated numerous  sanctuary reflection areas branching off the main trunk, flowering trees and shrubs and an entrance arbor. The parishioners will be installing the project over time through both
monetary and material donations.   Groundbreaking was held in Fall 2003.
 

 

 

Babylon Landfill Remediation and Final Closure Plan
Client: William J. Huff Engineering, Town Engineer for the Town of Babylon

EEA conducted inspections of the final vegetative cover on the closed portions of the Babylon Landfill, and developed a memorandum detailing the remedial measures necessary to ensure:  a) adherence to project plans and specifications, and  b) long-term stabilization of the final capping materials. Remedial actions included landscape treatments and stormwater control improvements. This work was conducted as a follow-up to previous landscape design work performed byEEA’s Landscape Architect while at another firm.

 
 

 

 

EEA Landscape Design Contact:
Laura Schwanof, RLA (lschwanof@eeaconsultants.com)

     

EEA, Inc.