As the initial step in the master plan process, the Switchyard Park Master Plan team conducted a thorough inventory of the site, its surroundings and those factors that might influence its development. The purpose of the inventory phase was two-fold. First, it is essential to understand the physical, environmental, ecological, social, economic and development influences of the site in order to develop a concept for the park that will function efficiently and effectively at each stage of its development and use. Equally important is the need to understand in detail the cultural characteristics, history and significance of the site. Discovering these distinctive qualities of place and celebrating them through imaginative design will result in a community park that is unique to Bloomington.

1. Indiana Bryan
University Park
Campus
Bloomington
South Highschool
DOWNTOWN
BLOOMINGTON Clear Creek
Clear Creek SWITCHYARD PARK
STUDY AREA
Indiana
University Bloomington
Hospital Country Club
RCA Community
Park
SWITCHYARD PARK MASTER
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www.switchyardpark.org www.facebook.com/switchyardpark

2. I N TRODUC TI O N
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
Design Team....................................1
Master Planning Process................2
INVENTORY MAPS
Study Area........................................8 Tree Inventory.................................27
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Site Photography..............................9 Stream Inventory...........................28
Site Photography............................10 USGS Soil Survey...........................29
Ta b l e
Site Photography............................11 USGS Soil Survey Information......30
Figure Ground Study......................12 Environmental Assessment ..........31
Nearby Parks..................................13 Environmental Impacts.................32
Neighborhood Associations...........14 Previous Studies............................33
Historic Districts & Properties.......15 Land Use Themes..........................35
Utilities............................................16 Trade Area Demographics.............36
Sidewalks & Bike Routes...............17 Trade Area 1...................................37
of
Thoroughfare Plan.........................18 Trade Area 2...................................38
Transit Routes................................19 Trade Area 3...................................39
Water Bodies & Flood Plain ..........20 Economic Development Areas......40
Conten ts
Topographic Model........................21 Existing Land Use Plans................42
Natural Resources.........................22 Growth Policies Plan......................43
Natural Resources.........................23 Zoning............................................44
Habitat Inventory...........................25 Pending Projects............................45
Invasive Species........................... 26
CASE STUDIES
Südgelände Nature-Park...............46
Discovery Park...............................46
Circus Square Park........................47
Robert Beutter Park......................47
Common Elements of Success .....486
APPENDIX
A | Growth Policy Districts ..........50
A | Growth Policy Districts ..........51
B | Zoning Districts.....................52
B | Zoning Districts.....................55
C | Environmental Studies.........56
C | Environmental Studies.........57
D | Growth Policy Districts.........58
SWITCHYARD PARK MASTER PLAN 1/27/12

3. I N TRODUC TI O N
PREPARED FOR:
CITY OF BLOOMINGTON
|
Desi gn
PROJECT TEAM:
R U N D E L L
ERNSTBERGER RUNDELL ERNSTERGER ASSOCIATES
PROJECT LEAD, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE & URBAN DESIGN
ASSOCIATES
URBAN DESIGN + LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE | www.reasite.com
Tea m
Butler Fairman and Seufert
Civil & Structural Engineering, Hyrdralics & Utilities
Eden Collaborative
Redevelopment Planning & Implementation
Green Street
Market Feasiblity & Development Financing
Bledsoe Riggert Guerrettaz
Survey & Utility Coordination
Bruce Carter Associates
Environmental Remediation
Eco Logic
Ecological Analysis & Restoration
SWITCHYARD PARK MASTER PLAN 1/27/12
1

4. MASTER PLANNING PROCESS Phase One: The Inventory Process • Bicycle & Pedestrian Transportation Plan
I N TRODUC TI O N
As the initial step in the master plan process, the Switch- • MPO Long Range Transportation Plan
yard Park Master Plan team conducted a thorough inven- • 2003 Switchyard/CSX Corridor Master Plan
DESIGN PROCESS tory of the site, its surroundings and those factors that • Peak Oil Task Force & Environmental Commission
The process involved in the creation of the Master Plan includes four phases of work to be conducted over might influence its development. • Redefining Prosperity: Energy Descent and Commu-
nity Resilience
the course of eleven months with many opportunities for community involvement and participation.
The purpose of the inventory phase was two-fold. First, • Comprehensive Green Space Plan
it is essential to understand the physical, environmental, • Environmental Assessments
PHASES OF MASTER PLANNING PROCESS ecological, social, economic and development influences • Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments
PHASE ONE | Inventory and Assessment of Existing Conditions | October 2011- January 2012 of the site in order to develop a concept for the park that • B-Line Trail Remediation Completion Report
will function efficiently and effectively at each stage of its • Switchyard Phytoremediation Study
development and use. • Switchyard Ecological Risk Assessment
PHASE TWO | Analysis of Opportunities and Constraints | January - April 2012 Equally important is the need to understand in detail the Stake holder Groups
cultural characteristics, history and significance of the site. • City of Bloomington
Discovering these distinctive qualities of place and cel- • Utilities Department (CBU)
PHASE THREE | Design Charrette for Workshop | May - June 2012 ebrating them through imaginative design will result in a • Utility Providers (Duke Energy and Vectren)
community park that is unique to Bloomington. • Transit
• Parks and Recreation
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PHASE FOUR | Preliminary and Final Master Plan | June - September 2012 During the four-month inventory phase of the master plan, • Planning
the project team conducted study area assessments, re- • Schools
viewed past studies and current regulations and plans, • Housing
Ma s ter
and conducted initial interviews with stakeholders. These • Neighborhood Development
Included: • Public Works
• Economic Development
Study Area Assessments • Indiana Department of Environmental Management
• Historical • Indiana Department of Natural Resources
• Land Use and Zoning • Indiana Brownfield Program
• Economic Development Areas • CSX/Arcadis
• TIF, CRED, BEAD, Character and Enterprise Zones
• Adjacent Business and Housing The information gathered during the inventory phase will
Pl a nni n g
• Nearby Parks and Greenways enable the team to make informed design decisions as the
• Neighborhood Associations master plan moves forward. The project team will explore
• Local Interest Areas these inventory findings further in the Analysis Phase of
• Utilities the project in order to identify the opportunities and con-
• Traffic Patterns straints to park development. This next phase will include
• Vehicular, Pedestrian, Transit additional opportunities for stakeholder input as well as
• Site Conditions public input.
• Soils
• Floodway/Hydrology
• Topography
P r o c e s s
• Tree/Invasive Species Inventory
• Habitat
Existing Studies/Reports/Plans
• City of Bloomington
• Parks & Recreation Community Interest Survey
• Growth Policies Plan
• Unified Development Ordinance (Zoning Code)
• McDoel Gardens Neighborhood Plan
• Broadview Neighborhood Plan
• South Rogers Streetscape Identity Study
SWITCHYARD PARK MASTER PLAN 1/27/12
2

5. Monon Railroad - The Hoosier Line
H I S TORI CAL
The railroad line associated with the McDoel Switchyard was owned by a series
of companies including, initially, the New Albany and Salem Railroad Line. The
original company was organized in 1847 by James Brook. Construction of the
initial track north from New Albany followed an existing dirt road, and incorporated
some of the road’s layout and grades. As a result, the railroad line was built for
low speed operation.
Over time the line was acquired by other companies, eventually becoming the
Monon Railroad and later the CSX Railroad. The railroad line operated almost
entirely in Indiana, linking major communities such as New Albany, Bloomington,
Lafayette, Indianapolis, and Chicago, as well as numerous smaller communities
and six Indiana universities/colleges. The name “Monon” derived from a stream
near Bradford Indiana. Potawatomi Indians named the stream “Monong” which
means “to carry or swift running.” It is the most familiar name associated with
RESE ARCH
the railroad line.
The rail line transported students to Indiana University in Bloomington, Wabash
College in Crawfordsville, DePauw University in Greencastle and Purdue University
in Lafayette. Colors for the locomotives and passenger trains were Red & White
on Grey for Indiana University, and Gold on Black for Purdue University. However,
some accounts attribute the color scheme not to I.U. and Purdue, but to Wabash
College and DePauw University, respectively. Those colors were used until the
Monon merged with the L & N Railroad.
McDoel Switchyard
McDoel Yard was one of the largest facilities on the railroad line, second only
to the shops in Lafayette, Indiana. Trains working locally out of McDoel trav-
eled to Bedford, French Lick, Orleans, Gosport, Ellettsville and to Wallace Junc-
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tion to pickup or deliver freight. At its peak, McDoel yards could hold 700 rail
cars which served the businesses and industries in Bloomington and other
towns along the line. Cars in the yard were sorted and placed in long haul
Intr o du c ti o n
freight trains and were delivered to Lafayette, Chicago, Indianapolis, Michigan
City or Louisville and other destinations.
The 105-foot diameter McDoel roundhouse had 17 bays, and a central turntable.
It was tunneled with drains. Today the concrete pad that remains has several
collapsed drains that may follow the pattern of those found in the 1913 and
1927 Sanborn maps. The roundhouse was surrounded by mechanics shops
and a lumberyard, which no longer exist.
The neighborhood surrounding the McDoel Switchyard included a mix of
residential and commercial business, including the Showers Brothers Company.
For many years, the railroad was a major employer in the neighborhood, until
the mid-1940’s when the automobile brought about greater mobility.
SWITCHYARD PARK MASTER PLAN 1/27/12
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6. 1850 1900 1950 2000
H I S TORI CAL
1847 The New Albany and Salem Railroad, precursor to 1910 McDoel retires in 1909 and the following year the 1956 The railroad nickname “The Monon Route” leads to 2000 CSX Railroad begins to phase out its operations
the Monon Railroad, is organized. switchyard is named in his honor. Yard capacity reaches an official corporate name change to the Monon Line
702 cars when a new roundhouse, turntable and water and 2001 City of Bloomington begins discussions to acquire
1853 The NA&S line reaches Bloomington. coal stations are built. 1961 New warehouse is constructed. segments of abandoned rail corridor and the switchyard.
1854 The line inks the Ohio River (to the Great Lakes. 1919 The Showers Brothers Company builds a new kitchen 1967 The last passenger run occurs. 2005 City of Bloomington purchases 3.1 mile of abandoned
cabinet factory on the former Dodds farm west of Rogers. rail corridor from Adams Street to Country Club Dr.
1859 The railroad line is reorganized as the Louisville, New 1971 The Monon merges with the L & N Railroad.
Albany, and Chicago Railroad. 1923 A new turntable is added to the switchyard. 2008 Ground-breaking for B-Line trail
1976 Dismantling of the switchyard begins.
1892 A ten stall roundhouse is built at the switchyard, cre- 2009 City of Bloomington purchases five switchyard par-
RESE ARCH
ating a south central Indiana regional hub. cels totaling 27.7 acres.
1897 The line becomes The Chicago, Indianapolis and Lou- 2011 B-Line Trail construction completed.
isville Railroad
1899 Controlling interest in the railroad is obtained by J.P.
Morgan. W. H. McDoel is named president.
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Ti meli n e
Nothing remains of the accessory structures,and shops,visible Showers Building, date unknown. Courtesy the Dick Bowen/Tom McDoel roundhouse turntable, 1971. Courtesy Gary Dolzall. The B-Line Trail crosses through the park site.
in this early photograph from the Wiles Drug Collection. Rankin Collection
Switchyard roundhouse, date unknown. Courtesy Steve Dolzall. McDoel workers at office, circa 1927. Courtesy Tanice Hinson. McDoel Yard office, 1960’s. Courtesy Lloyd J. Kimble B-Line Trailhead at north end of park.
SWITCHYARD PARK MASTER PLAN 1/27/12
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7. H I S TORI CAL
Roundtable, 1971. Courtesy Gary W. Dolzall McDoel Yard, date unknown. Courtesy of Tom Rankin
RESE ARCH
Postcard featuring McDoel Switchyard. Courtesy MRTHS McDoel Yard, date unknown. Courtesy of Ron Marquardt
|
Sources:
The following sources were used to obtain the historical
Ima ge s
information and photographs found herein.
Monon Railroad Historical-Technical Society, Inc.
http://www.monon.org
Bygone Places
http://www.monon.monon.org/
Wanatah Historical Society
http://www.wanatah.org/railroad.php Switchyard office, circa 1917. Courtesy John Stigall
Rick’s Monon Railroad Site
http://mononrr.com/
SWITCHYARD PARK MASTER PLAN 1/27/12
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8. H I S TORI CAL
SWITCHYARD PARK
STUDY AREA
RESE ARCH
1949 Aerial
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Aer i al
P ho to g r a phs
SWITCHYARD PARK
STUDY AREA
1967 Aerial
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9. H I S TORI CAL
SWITCHYARD PARK
STUDY AREA
RESE ARCH
1975 Aerial
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Aer i al
P ho to g r a phs
SWITCHYARD PARK
STUDY AREA
1998 Aerial
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10. I N V ENT O RY
Indiana Bryan Multi-Family
Park Residential Multi-Family
University
Residential
Campus
Bloomington
South High School
Single Family
Residential
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Commercial
Stu dy
DOWNTOWN Clear Creek
Commercial
BLOOMINGTON Switchyard Park
Clear Creek
(58 Acres)
SWITCHYARD PARK
Ar ea
STUDY AREA
Commercial (308 Acres)
Single Family Bloomington
Indiana Residential Country
University Club
Hospital Single Family
Single Family
Residential
Residential Cook
Pharmica
Industrial Multi-Family
RCA Community Residential
Park
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11. I N V ENT O RY
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Park Site/Downtown are Linked by B-Line Switchyard Trailhead from Bridge B-Line Bridge at Grimes Lane
Si te
Ph otogr a phy
View North of Trailhead and Bridge View South of Switchyard Park from Bridge View SW To Adjacent Commercial Building
Clear Creek Runs Along East Edge of Park Informal Trail Adjacent to Clear Creek Park has Several Bridge Remnants
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12. I N V ENT O RY
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Remnants of Track Adjacent to Creek View West Across Park Culverts at Clear Creek
Si te
Ph otogr a phy
Building Remnant/View Across Park Commercial Building Along B-Line
East Edge of Park Near Clear Creek
Second Rail bed at West Edge of Park B-Line at Southern End of Park View North from Southern End of Park
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13. I N V ENT O RY
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CSX Site at SE Edge of Park View from Park Towards Country Club Dr. Clear Creek/Park Site from Country Club Dr.
Si te
Ph otogr a phy
Retail Area at Country Club Dr./Walnut St. Rogers Street Transit Stop and Housing Residential Housing Typical West of Park
View East Across Park from Hillside Drive Walnut Street Commercial Area Bloomington Transit Facility on Grimes Lane
SWITCHYARD PARK MASTER PLAN 1/27/12
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14. I N V ENT O RY
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F i gu r e
SWITCHYARD
PARK STUDY
AREA
G r ou nd
Stu dy
Industrial
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15. I N V ENT O RY
Bryan Park
(33 Acres)
Frank Southern
Ice Rink
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The Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park -
Third Street Park (3.50 Acres) SWITCHYARD
Nea r by
PARK STUDY
Seminary Park (1.2 Acres) (58 Acres Total) AREA
Switchyard Park
B-Line Corridor (18 Acres) (28 Acres)
Pa r ks
Rail Corridor
(12 Acres)
Building and Trades Broadview
Park (3.15 Acres) Park (.75 Acres)
RCA
Community
Rose Hill Park
Cemetery (47.6 Acres)
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16. I N V ENT O RY
Elm Heights
Barclay Gardens
Timber Ridge
Pinestone
Sunny
Bryan Slopes
Park
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Nei gh b or h ood
SWITCHYARD
PARK STUDY
AREA
McDoel Broadview
Gardens
Asso c i a ti o n s
Broadview
Prospect Evergreen
Hill Village
Autumn
View
R
Rockport
Hills
West
Pointe Southern
Pines
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17. I N V ENT O RY
Old Crescent District
Elm Heights
Legg House
East
South Second
Dunn Street
House Laundry Company Building
Andrew Wylie House
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Bryan
Park Monon
Coca-Cola Building
Hi s tor i c
Railroad
Seminary Park SWITCHYARD
PARK STUDY
AREA
Westside Historical District
Di s tr i cts
McDoel
Prospect Hill
Steele Dunn
&
West Side
P r o pe r ti e s
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18. I N V ENT O RY
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Uti l i ti es
SWITCHYARD
PARK STUDY
AREA
LEGEND SUMMARY
Sanitary Utility service to the study area is provided by the City of Bloomington Utilities,
Vectren, and Duke Energy. Each has adequate infrastructure to support
Water existing conditions and there appears to be sufficient capacity for further
development.
Storm
• The City of Bloomington Utilities has water and sanitary sewer mains
paralleling the east and west limits of the switchyard.
Hydrants
• Duke Energy has overhead lines surrounding the switchyard with several
Data crossing the switchyard at Hillside Drive and south of the warehouse across
from the Rogers Street substation. Duke indicted that the lines that cross the
Gas switchyard can be relocated underground. As we would anticipate, there would
be a charge for Duke to perform that work.
Electric
• Vectren also has natural gas distributed surrounding the switchyard. N
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19. I N V ENT O RY
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Si dewa l ks
SWITCHYARD
PARK STUDY
AREA
&
Bi ke
Ro u te s
LEGEND SUMMARY
The Bloomington Bike, Pedestrian and
Bike Lane Routes
Greenways Plan is broken into high,
medium, and low priority projects. The
Trails and Paths high priority planned projects that are
within the vicinity of the Switchyard
Proposed Bike Lane Routes are “B-line Trail: Central City,” “Walnut
Street Bike Lanes,” “Rogers Street
Proposed Bike Lane Routes Side-path.” The Plan also includes
the near-by medium and low priority
Sidewalks
projects “Black Lumber Path” and
“Rogers Street Sidepath.”
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20. I N V ENT O RY
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Th or ou gh fa r e
SWITCHYARD
PARK STUDY
AREA
Pl a n
LEGEND SUMMARY
The map shows the existing and anticipated roadway thoroughfares within the City.
Primary Collector
The map designates each roadway as a specific functional classification (e.g. arterial,
collector and local street).
Primary Arterial
Roadways serve two functions: facilitating through traffic movement and providing
land access. The functional classification indicates the primary function of a
Proposed Secondary Arterial
particular roadway. The primary function of higher classified roadways (arterials) is
to facilitate through traffic movement while the primary function of lower classified
Secondary Arterial roadways (local streets) is to provide land access.
The feasibility of a proposed Hillside Drive extension through the Switchyard Park site
Secondary Collector is under review and will be analyzed as part of the Park Master Plan.
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21. I N V ENT O RY
|
Tr a nsi t
SWITCHYARD
PARK STUDY
Transit Facility
AREA
Rou tes
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22. I N V ENT O RY
Estimated
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Flood Zone 2010 Flood Boundary Estimated
Flood Zone
Wa ter
Clear Creek
SWITCHYARD
PARK STUDY
AREA
Bodi es
Indiana Watershed Map
2010 Flood Boundary
Estimated
Flood Zone
&
Fl o o d
Lower East Fork -
White River
P l a i n
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23. I N V ENT O RY
SWITCHYARD
PARK STUDY
AREA
|
Topogr a ph i c
LEGEND
EGEND
667 - 693’ 745 - 771’ 822 - 850’
693 - 719’ 771 - 796’
719 - 745’ 796 - 822’
Elevation Model N
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4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
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Model s
SWITCHYARD
PARK STUDY
AREA
LEGEND
EGEND
0 - 22.5° 112.5 - 157.5° 247.5 - 292.5°
22.5 - 67.5° 157.5 - 202.5° 292.5 - 337.5°
67.5 - 112.5° 202.5 - 247.5° 337.5 - 360°
Aspect Model N
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24. NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY OVERVIEW Another section of Forested Floodplain is located on more shallow topsoil, and deeper subsoil. Water con-
I N V ENT O RY
A site assessment was performed to determine the the western side of the B-line Trail, running the en- ditions are the same.
state of the natural resources at the Switchyard Prop- tire length of the property with a large section drifting
erty. In order to do this, an ecological inventory was out of the property boundary on the southwest end Habitat: Forested Riparian
conducted for both the intact and disturbed plant toward the Broadview Neighborhood. Wetland Habi- The forested areas within one hundred feet of Clear
communities. This ecological inventory included a tats are located throughout the property with the two Creek are fairly mature and have a higher percent-
habitat assessment, an invasive species inventory, a most significant of these habitats being located in the age of native canopy trees than most areas within the
tree inventory and stream erosion evaluation. The in- southwestern corner and in the northeast spur which switchyard. These trees are playing an important role
vasive species inventory was conducted for the entire goes to Rogers Street directly south of the large ware- in the health of the Clear Creek stream by stabilizing
property to catalog on site threats posed to the natu- house. Scrub Shrubs and Trees Habitats are scat- stream banks, and providing shade, both of which im-
ral systems. The tree inventory maps all canopy trees tered throughout and Disturbed Open dominates the prove water quality. These trees are also providing
over 6 inches in diameter. A stream erosion map was central areas of the property. Specifics for each site habitat for aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Char-
created to show the varying levels of streambank ero- are described below. acteristic overstory trees are Catalpa, Silver Maple,
sion along the Clear Creek stream. The information Beech, Sycamore, Hackberry, Tulip and Red Maple.
gathered during the ecological assessment will aid in Habitat: Forested Floodplain One major threat to the health of the native canopy
|
understanding both the constraints and the opportu- There are small fragments of floodplain forest through- trees is the proliferation of invasive vines, especially
nities inherent with this property. out the Switchyard property which are not in the Clear Japanese Honeysuckle, Oriental Bittersweet, Purple Forested Floodplain
Creek corridor. The largest forested floodplain parcel Wintercreeper and Asian Clematis.
The land has been highly disturbed, and has experi- is located towards the southwest part of the property
Na tu r a l
enced much invasive weed pressure, due to the rail and is west of the park boundary in the Broadview The understory shrub layer is dominated by invasive
industry and flooding. The greater than a century long neighborhood area. This area has some of the health- shrubs such as Bush Honeysuckle, Privet,and Mult-
pattern of disturbance at the Switchyard property has iest forest community on the entire property. The for- filora Rose. The herbaceous understory consists of
created an Eden like environment for invasive plants. est overall is again maple-hackberry-sycamore as with several aster and goldenrod species, Indian Tobacco,
The invasive plant inventory identified over 25 spe- the riparian areas. Other species such as Sassafras, Boneset, and a variety or grasses and sedges. Black-
cies of invasive plants growing in the various habi- Black Walnut, Wild Cherry, and Shagbark Hickory are berry thickets are also present in areas of open can-
tats. These invasives range from small herbaceous also found. Invasive plant pressure is somewhat less opy.
plants like Garlic Mustard and Spotted Knapweed to here, when compared with the riparian forested ar-
a large 60 feet tall Tree of Heaven. There are inva- eas. Both Udorthents loam and Haymond silt loam soils
Resou r ce s
sive trees, shrubs, groundcovers, broadleaved herbs, are identified on the soil maps. Udorthents have been
grasses and vines present. On either side of the gravel trail running north to greatly altered by man and are associated with park-
south and parallel to the B-line Trail are ditches, the ing lots, shopping centers, and subdivisions. They
There is a healthy stand of native riparian trees run- one on the west is long and narrow, while the area are found in upland disturbed areas and flood plains.
ning most of the length of Clear Creek through the between the old trail and the B-line is a low lying wide The water capacity is “moderate and permeability is
Switchyard property. In one area, the canopy trees had swale with more consistent moisture. Sensitive fern moderate or moderately slow. Surface runoff is slow
been cleared from the banks of Clear Creek, resulting and Christmas fern are established in one area, with to rapid. Organic matter content of the surface layer
in a major invasion of Japanese Knotweed which led Blackberry, Black Raspberry and woodland sedges is low. “Haymond silt loam has high water capacity Forested Riparian
to major streambank failure. This shows the impor- and grasses (including Silky Rye) grow consistently with moderate permeability. Surface runoff is slow
tance of conserving the healthy stand of trees in the through the area. There is one patch of sumac grow- and “organic matter content of the surface layer is
riparian corridor. There are also high quality native ing on the very northern end. moderate.”
canopy trees located in the floodplain forest and along
the old railway towards the west end of the property. This habitat is characterized by two soil types, Crid- Habitat: Wetland
There is a fairly high quality floodplain forest towards er-Urbanland Complex, 2-6 percent slopes and Crid- Several wetland habitats are located throughout the
the southwest part of the property with mature trees er-Urban land complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes. The site, and vary from open marsh-like wetlands to for-
and low levels of invasive plant pressure. Crider-Urbanland Complex, 2-6 percent slopes “con- ested riparian wetlands. The wetlands would be clas-
sists of gently sloping, deep, well drained Crider soil sified as low to medium quality with all areas experi-
HABITAT INVENTORY and areas of Urban land… The Crider soil in this unit encing considerable invasive plant pressure. Due to
Five habitats were determined to comprise the area has high available water capacicty, and permeability adequate hydrology and the presence of hydrophytic
within the Switchyards: Forested Floodplain, Forested if moderate. Surface runoff from is medium. The vegetation it is believed that the wetlands do have
Riparian, Wetland, Scrub Shrubs and Trees, and Dis- organic content of the surface layer is low…” Crider- high potential for restoration-enhancement, but would
turbed Open. The Forested Riparian follows the banks Urban land complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes soil has need a long term strategy for invasive plant control.
of Clear Creek with the Forested Floodplain border- similar characteristics as Crider-Urbanland Complex,
ing this habitat on the southern half of Clear Creek. 2-6 percent slopes, but has greater slopes, slightly Herbaceous species of interest found in the northern
Wetland
SWITCHYARD PARK MASTER PLAN 1/27/12
22

25. most wetland habitat include Blue Flag Iris, Swamp associated with parking lots, shopping centers, and inhibit any other seeds from germinating. The change
I N V ENT O RY
Aster, Dark Green Bulrush, Swamp Milkweed, Wool- subdivisions. The water capacity is “moderate and in forest structure that invasive plants cause, can ef-
grass, and Soft Stem Bulrush. Red Maple, Green permeability is moderate or moderately slow. Surface fectively eliminate habitat for many plants and ani-
Ash, Silver Maple and Cottonwood are the main trees runoff is slow to rapid. Organic matter content of the mals. Most invasive plants are also highly adaptable,
found in these wetland habitats. surface layer is low.” which is a cause for great concern with the changing
climate.
This habitat is characterized by Haymond silt loam INVASIVE SPECIES INVENTORY
soils. “The available water capacity of this Haymond The combination of disturbance and heavy weed pres- The inventory was conducted in late fall through early
soil is very high, and permeability is moderate. Sur- sure resulting from years of railway activity has cre- winter, and we suspect a few herbaceous species may
face runoff from cultivated areas is slow. The organ- ated a haven for invasive plants. The transportation have been dormant. Eco Logic will walk the property
ic matter content if the surface layer is moderate.” of seeds and roots on rail cars have brought invasive during the growing season of 2012, and will update
These soils are usually very level, deep, well drained, plants from far and wide. the invasive plant inventory if any new species are
but are flood prone due to clay content. Thus, these found to be present.
areas are not suited for building or development. The inventory finds over 25 species of invasive plants
on site, some of which are just starting to become TREE INVENTORY
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Habitat: Scrub Shrubs and Trees established in our area. It was no surprise to find • The tree inventory logged all trees in the Switch-
There are areas on the northern end and central sec- very common invasive plants such as Bush Honey- yard property over 6 inches in diameter at breast Scrub Shrubs and Trees
tion of the property that are Scrub Tree and Shrub suckle, Japanese Honeysuckle and Multiflora Rose height.
Habitat. As in the Disturbed Open, non-native spe- all of which have been well established in the Bloom- • Outside of park property, but within the study area
Na tu r a l
cies dominate including invasive bush honeysuckle, ington area for decades. However, the discovery of only large specimen trees were inventoried.
Japanese honeysuckle, and Multiflora Rose. Pampas Grass, Miscanthus Grass and Asian Clema- • total of 1321 trees were inventoried and ranged
tis were of more interest, because they are new in- in size from 6” DBH to a 62” Cottonwood
Few native understory woody plants have been noted vaders. Sites with industrial disturbance such as the • A total of 22 species of native canopy trees were
so far, only Flowering Dogwood and Gray Dogwood. Switchyard are usually the first points of invasion for identified in the inventory.
Gray Goldenrod, Aster species, Broomsedge, and new species. Both because the transportation net- • The trees were divided into the following catego-
sedges are the main herbaceous native species. work brings in new plants, and the site is disturbed ries by size class.
enough to allow them to establish without competi- • 6-10 “ DBH – 316 total trees
The Scrub Shrubs and Trees Habitats have Udorth- tion from native species. • 11-15 “ DBH - 512 total trees
Resou r ce s
ents, loamy soil. Udorthents have been greatly al- • 16 -22” DBH - 382 total trees
tered by man and are associated with parking lots, What is an invasive species? • 23- 32” DBH – 96 total trees
shopping centers, and subdivisions. The water ca- The official federal definition of an invasive species is, • 33” + DBH – 15 total trees
pacity is “moderate and permeability is moderate or “an alien species whose introduction does or is likely • The following data fields were captured for each
moderately slow. Surface runoff is slow to rapid. Or- to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to tree on the inventory-
ganic matter content of the surface layer is low.” human health.” • Common Name and Scientific Name
• Diameter at Breast Height
Habitat: Disturbed Open • Invading alien species in the United States • Single Stem or Multi Stem Disturbed Open
This is the predominant habitat of the project area and cause major environmental damages and losses • Quality Ranking (high, medium or low)
shows the legacy of industrial activity. This habitat adding up to almost $120 billion per year. • Vines – Noting trees which are threatened with
is characterized by non-native weedy species such as • here are approximately 50,000 foreign species invasive vines
Tall Fescue, Johnson Grass, Queen Anne’s Lace, Spot- and the number is increasing. • The canopy trees were predominately found in ei-
ted knapweed, Teasel, Mullein and Chicory. Native • About 42% of the species on the Threatened or ther the Riparian forest or Floodplain forest habitats.
herbaceous species include Wild Ryes, Broomsedge, Endangered species lists are at risk primarily be- • In areas where canopy trees were removed from
Potentilla, Primrose, a few sedges, white Heath As- cause of alien-invasive species. the banks of Clear Creek, invasive plants pressure is
ter, and a patch of Indian hemp on the southern end. high. These areas of clearing are directly correlated
Much of the scrub type growth that occurs sporadi- Negative Effects on Ecosystems: with massive stream bank failure.
cally throughout the open areas are invasive species Exotic invasive plants can dominate urban forests and • The very limited quantity of hard mast producing
such as Siberian Elm, Bush Honeysuckle and Multi- wetlands. Invasive plants alter ecosystem structure trees such as Oak and Hickory, should be addressed
flora Rose. A few smaller caliper trees are scattered and function by changing soil chemistry, which can in future restoration planning to increase wildlife hab-
lightly throughout including Sycamore, Eastern Red suppress or even extirpate most native competitors itat.
Cedar, and Black Walnut. by preventing recruitment. Evidence has shown that
invasive plants can alter soil ph, and slow nutrient cy-
Udorthents, loamy soil classifies this entire area. cling. Some invasive plants are allelopathic; i.e. they
Udorthents have been greatly altered by man and are
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26. STREAM EROSION INVENTORY
The area surrounding the switchyard is dominated by impervious pave-
I N V ENT O RY
ment, such as rooftops and parking lots, and turf grass, which leads to
a greater volume of runoff, velocity and sediment load. The removal of
trees from the riparian area has facilitated the invasion of exotic veg-
etation. This has dramatically increased stream bank erosion, and sig-
nificantly decreased the ability of the riparian area to filter pollutants.
The remaining riparian areas are experiencing pressure from invasive
species, which will eventually degrade this important habitat so that it
will no longer regulate water flow and temperature. Disturbance of the
stream corridor and channelization have significantly decreased the
quality of the water in clear creek, and the quality of habitat it provides.
Protection of existing riparian areas and wetlands, and restoration plan-
ning to address loss of habitat is key to the development of an effective
stormwater management program and a healthy stream corridor.
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Erosion: Low
Na tu r a l
Resou r ce s
Manmade Structure Erosion: Medium
Stable Streambank Erosion: High
SWITCHYARD PARK MASTER PLAN 1/27/12
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27. I N V ENT O RY | Habit at Inventor y
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28. I N V ENT O RY | Inva si ve Speci es
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29. I N V ENT O RY | Tree Inventor y
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30. I N V ENT O RY | Stream Inventor y
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SWITCHYARD PARK MASTER PLAN