The document provides a conceptual design for Lovett Library Park located at 6945 Germantown Ave in Philadelphia. It was prepared by volunteers from the Community Design Collaborative for Mt. Airy USA. The design aims to transform the underused park into a vibrant community space. It includes proposed site plans, renderings, and a maintenance plan broken into phases. The design capitalizes on existing assets like historic walls and trees while adding new programmed spaces, plantings, and amenities to better serve the library and neighborhood.
4. About Us
Board of Directors The Community Design Collaborative is a community design
center that provides pro bono preliminary design services to
Mami Hara, ASLA, AICP, Co-Chair
nonprofit organizations, offers unique volunteer opportuni-
Paul Sehnert, Co-Chair
ties for design professionals, and raises awareness about the
Alice Berman, AIA
importance of design in community revitalization. Founded in
Brian Cohen
1991 as a program of AIA Philadelphia, the Collaborative is an
S. Michael Cohen
independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a network of
Cheryl Conley
more than 1,000 volunteers.
Tavis Dockwiller, ASLA
Patrycja Doniewski, AIA The Collaborative awards grants of preliminary design ser-
Daryn Edwards, AIA vices to over 30 nonprofit organizations each year. Its service
Eva Gladstein grants are tailored to meet the specific facility and community
Jeff Goldstein, AIA development needs of each nonprofit recipient. Through these
Eric Larsen, PE service grants, design professionals—volunteering their ser-
Paul Marcus vices pro bono—help nonprofits communicate their goals for
Joe Matje, PE rebuilding their neighborhoods through smart, innovative de-
Darrick M. Mix, Esq. sign. The Collaborative also brings together diverse partners,
Michael J. Paul, PE stakeholders, and design disciplines to investigate important
Kira Strong themes in the revitalization of communities through its Infill
Paul A. Vernon Philadelphia initiative.
Richard W. Winston, AIA
The Collaborative relies on a variety of resources to achieve
Pam Zimmerman, AIA
its goal of assisting nonprofits in need of preliminary design
John Claypool, AIA, AICP Ex-officio
services. Our programs are supported through grants from
the William Penn Foundation, City of Philadelphia’s Office of
Staff
Housing and Community Development, City of Philadelphia’s
Elizabeth K. Miller
Department of Commerce, PNC Bank Foundation, Wells Fargo
Linda Dottor, AICP
Foundation, Connelly Foundation, and AIA Philadelphia.
Robin Kohles, AIA
Heidi Segall Levy, AIA The Collaborative also relies on the generous support of indi-
Christopher Mohr vidual and corporate donors for operational support. The Col-
laborative’s signature annual event is the Bowling Ball, which
raises funds through a night of bowling fun for firms, friends,
and fans. In addition, the Collaborative’s volunteers donate
hundreds of hours of in-kind services each year. To learn more
about the Collaborative, visit our website at www.cdesignc.
org or contact us at info@cdesignc.org.
The Community Design Collaborative’s products are intended to provide visu-
alconcepts and to assist in the preliminary phase of project design and planning.
All drawings and construction budgeting figures are limited to conceptual de-
sign and are neither intended nor may be used for construction. The Community
Design Collaborative and our project volunteers assume no responsibility or li-
ability for our services including the recommendations of our volunteers, the
technical accuracy of our work product or for any unauthorized use.
5. Table of Contents Lovett Library Park
Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan
2011-11
Introduction
Overview
Project Location
Context
Existing Conditions
Site Plan and Photos
Conceptual Design
Proposed Drawings
Proposed Maintenance Plan
Opinion of Probable Cost
Preliminary Options
Description of Services
Value of Services
Letter of Agreement
Client Application
6.
7. Introduction Lovett Library Park
Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan
2011-11
Overview
The Lovett Library on the corner of Germantown Ave and Sedgwick Streets serves the community of Mt. Airy and sits
on just over an acre of open space. Throughout the library’s history, which has included various expansions in facilities
and shifts in neighborhood dynamics, this space has remained part of the public domain and is dear to many long-time
residents. However, in recent history, the landscaped area of mostly lawn and mature trees and the plaza on the corner
have gone largely unnoticed and unused mostly due to lack of activity programmed for the space.
Although Lovett Library Park currently is underutilized, it does possess many assets and unique features that lend the
space a great deal of potential. The Library has a rich history beginning in 1887 when the original library building was
constructed. Many of the historic landscape features remain including schist walls that enclose and frame the park, a
large boulder in memoriam of Mt. Airy residents who fell in WWI, and several massive oak trees that are over one hun-
dred years old. The library addition constructed in 1961also has architectural interest and and was designed to highlight
rain events by cascading stormwater into splash pads on the ground but this feature no longer operates as designed.
The design team worked to retain, restore and capitalize on these assets.
One of the biggest assets to both the library and park is the Friends of Lovett Library. Many of the members of this or-
ganization made up of Mt Airy residents have been active since its founding in 1982. Since that time the group has im-
proved the grounds by creating gardens and planting native trees and has been the parks primary advocates.
Most recently, the potential of this underused park has come to the attention of Mt. Airy USA (MAUSA), a nonprofit com-
munity development corporation whose mission is “is to revitalize Mt. Airy through community development that is re-
sponsive to local needs”. A placemaking and streetscape study, comissioned by MAUSA in the spring of 2008, identified
opportunities for improving the Germantown Avenue Corridor and singled out the Lovett Library green space as a “Prin-
cipal Special Project” holding transformative potential for improvement of the neighborhood and community by provid-
ing a passive public space which links the two more vibrant areas of the Germantown commercial corridor. MAUSA
laid the ground work for the rejuvination of this space by organizing a series of successful public events that proved that
the park could become a vibrant community hub. This visioning project is a testament to MAUSA’s commitment to the
neighborhood and it’s guidance toward making better places for the community.
The Community Design Collaborative (the Collaborative) provided a service grant to Mt. Airy USA for this project. The
Collaborative’s design team’s proposal, as laid out in this document, is the distillation of the imagination and desires of
a community. The design team gathered information and insight through an initial meeting with a task force of com-
munity leaders and then through two public community meetings. Through these interactions and through analysis of
the site and context, the design team was able hone a clear concept of a versatile destination park that serves the current
and potential future needs of the library and the neighborhood. The Collaborative has provided MAUSA and the com-
munity with a document that will help gain support to realize this vision that includes conceptual site plans, illustrative
renderings, a long term maintenance plan, and an opinion of probable costs broken into four phases.
With this document MAUSA can continue to illicit excitement over this project and identify potential funding partners
to help make the vision a reality. The next milestone in the project will be to secure funding to hire a design team that
should include a Landscape Architect and Civil Engineer to generate construction documentation. The conceptual
design of the park provides an opportunity to implement the park in phases so that aspects of the design can be con-
structed while fundraising for the remaining improvements can continue.
8. Introduction Lovett Library Park
Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan
2011-11
Project Location
$
Lovett Library Park
6945 Germantown Ave | Philadelphia, PA 19119
Upper Northeast, Philadelphia, Mt. Airy
Client Category: Housing and Community Development
Project Category: Open Space
9. Introduction Lovett Library Park
Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan
2011-11
Context
View looking southwest towards Germantown Home at intersec- View of Acme on west corner of Germantown and Sedgwick
tion of Germantown and Sedgwick Avenues
View looking northwest on Germantown Avenue View looking north toward Mt. Airy Playground
View looking northeast on Sedgwick Avenue View looking southeast on Germantown Avenue
10.
11. Legend
Park
Lovett Library
Bus H Boyer St
Pleasant
Mount Airy Ave
Bus 18
Playground hew Av
e
C
t
Bus 23
Sedgwick S
Regional Rail
Slocum St
Train Station
Downtown
Cresheim Valley Dr
Mt. Airy Ger
man
Acme tow
sant Ave
n Av
e
Bryan St Commercial
Mount Plea
Center
Pelham Rd
d
eim R
Cresh
250 ft 750 ft
CONTEXT MAP 500 ft 1000 ft
12.
13. Legend
Lovett Library
Park
Bus Route
Building
Land Use
Residential
Commercial
Civic
250 ft 750 ft
500 ft 1000 ft
DOWNTOWN MT AIRY- 5 MINUTE WALK
17. Existing Conditions Lovett Library Park
Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan
2011-11
Existing Site Plan and Photos
18.
19. SEDGWICK STREET
Vehicular Access
Boulder memorial and
engraved bricks
Historic schist wall
Flowering trees planted by
friends of Lovett Library
Historic horse trough
Mature oaks
Concrete paving
Short site wall
GE
RM
AN
TO
WN
AV
E.
NTS
20.
21. Conceptual Design Lovett Library Park
Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan
2011-11
Proposed Drawings
Proposed Maintenance Plan
Opinion of Probable Costs
Preliminary Options
22.
23. V H C L RA C S
E IU A C E S
S D WI K
E G C
H S O I LB A Y
IT RC IR R
B ID N
UL IG
A HT E T R
MP I H A E
MA N LB A YB I I G
I IR R U D N
T E“ O C ”
H PRH
S O YR N
T R IG
G E TL WN
RA A
R A IG
E DN
G R E
AD N
GE
RMA
NT T EP A A
H LZ N T R PA
AU E LY
OW
N
24.
25. Existing trees at park perimeter
Existing mature oak trees
Wild flower meadow
Proposed canopy trees
Shade plants planted in linear pattern
Bioretention planting
Wild flower meadow and
flowering shrubs
Existing young trees Lawn
Proposed flowering trees
Existing flowering trees
Trees Ground Level Planting
Building mounted security lighting
Loading and back stage access with
security lighting
Raised stage
Stabilized turf vehicular access
Schist retaining wall with
Repave existing access drive sconce lighting
Engraved brick paving Terraced lawn amphitheater
Existing concrete Satellite nature play area
Stone dust path Relocated sculptural benches
Gapped ashlar stone bridge Moveable adirondack chairs
Alternating stripes of Moveable cafe tables and chairs
natural stone pavers Chess Main nature play area with
tables security lighting
Concrete curb
Relocated
memorial Existing historic horse trough
Bench Existing historic schist wall
Paving Site Features
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35. Conceptual Design Lovett Library Park
Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan
2011-11
Maintenance Plan Maintenance Plan
Lovett Library Park
Potential Responsible Parties
Con- Vol- Library /
Item tractor unteer City Staff Frequency Annual Cost
Grounds General
Pick up litter and trash X X 1 Weekly $1,040.00
Check for hazards X X 1 Weekly $260.00
Inspect all site furniture, light fixtures and portico; make X X 1 Monthly $960.00
repairs
Check for graffiti and remove ASAP X X X As needed $200.00
Pull weeds from pavement joints X X 1 Monthly $240.00
Check and repair pavement X X Once every 5 $200.00
Snow removal X X years
As needed $400.00
Rake leaves in fall -shred for plant bed mulch and compost X X 2 Weekly in $800.00
Fall
Stormwater Features
Check all inlets and outlets for potential debris clogs X X 1 Monthly $80.00
Remove trench drain grates and clean silt from trench X 2 Yearly $240.00
drains
Check and clean water conveyances to maintain positive X X 4 Yearly $240.00
flow
Planting Beds
Initial establishment (first 3 years only)
- hand watering X X 2 Weekly* $500.00
- establishment weeding X X 1 Weekly* $800.00
Ongoing weeding X X X 3 Monthly $640.00
Water (in drought conditions only) X X As needed $200.00
Cut dried grasses to the ground before spring X X X 1 Yearly $60.00
Remove dead seed and flower heads of desired aesthetic X X X 1 Weekly in $60.00
late summer
Replenish composted leaf mulch to 2" depth X X X 1 Yearly $160.00
Rain Gardens
Initial establishment (first 3 years only)
- hand watering X X 2 Weekly* $900.00
- establishment weeding X X 1 Weekly* $1,500.00
Ongoing weeding X X X 3 Monthly $1,280.00
Water (in drought conditions only) X X X As needed $300.00
Check for and Remove debris and litter X X 1 Weekly $400.00
Check riser pipes/outflow devices X X 2 Yearly $80.00
Check for excessive sediment buildup; remove sediment X 1 Yearly $240.00
as needed
Check plant health; replace plants as needed X X 4 Yearly $240.00
If water remains for more than 72 hours check for silting X X As needed $200.00
and
amend soils as needed
Lovett Library Park, Philadelphia PA Page 1
February 2012 Maintenance of 2
36. Conceptual Design Lovett Library Park
Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan
2011-11
Maintenance Plan Maintenance Plan
Lovett Library Park
Potential Responsible Parties
Con- Vol- Library /
Item tractor unteer City Staff Frequency Annual Cost
Trees
Initial establishment (first 4 years only)
- Install and fill tree gator slow release waterers X X 2 Monthly* $400.00
- Prune to guide growth X X X 4 Yearly* $600.00
Conduct hazard assessment X X Every 10 $20.00
Conduct visual hazard check X X Years
1 Monthly $120.00
Water in extreme drought (20 days or more of 90+ deg. X X As needed $200.00
Fahrenheit with no rain)
Maintenance Cost Per year $13,560.00
Establishment Period Only (Potentially Donated) $3,700.00
Projected Yearly Ongoing Maintenance $9,860.00
Value of Potential Labor Donations $5,680.00
Annual Cost After Establishment (Less Labor Donations) $4,180.00
Note: All costs are calculated on a wage per hour basis whether the tasks are performed by staff, hired contractors, volunteers
or members of outside organizations. The total yearly cost therefore reflects the value of the work associated with
Lovett Library Park, Philadelphia PA Page 2
February 2012 Maintenance of 2
37. Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate
Conceptual Design Lovett Library Park
Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan
2011-11
Opinion of Probable Cost
Summary
Summary Sheet
Site Development & Amenities
Phase 1 "Porch" 28,400
Phase 2 Story Ring / Reading Garden / Nature Play 68,300
Phase 3 Plaza 136,200
Phase 4 Amphitheater & Access 105,300
Construction Total 338,200
Design Fees 60,000
Project Total 398,200
Contingency Work / Replace Addition Roof 3,375 SF 58,000
Lovett Library Park, Philadelphia PA Page 1
February 2012 Summary of 1
38. Conceptual Design Lovett Library Park
Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan
2011-11
Opinion of Probable Cost
Detail Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate
Item Quantity UM Unit Cost Total Div Total
$
A. "Porch"
A.1 Misc. Clearing / Cleanup 1 LS 250.00 250
A.2 Pavement Demo / Sawcut / Haul 1 LS 1,500.00 1,500
A.3 Relocate Memorial & Brick Paving 1 LS 3,000.00 3,000
A.4 Mulch / Plantings at Tree Wells 1 LS 1,000.00 1,000
A.5 Benches 8 EA 600.00 4,800
A.6 Chess Tables / Chairs / Per Set 3 EA 1,500.00 4,500
A.7 Lighting / Bldg. Mt. Floods 8 EA 800.00 6,400
A.8 0
A.9 0
A.10 0
Subtotal 21,450
General Conditions, OH & Profit 15% 3,250
Design / Estimating Contingency 15% 3,700
Construction Total 28,400
B. Story Ring / Reading / Nature Play
B.1 Clearing / Demolition / Hauling 1 LS 5,750.00 5,750
B.2 Stockpile / Spread Topsoil 132 CY 5.00 660
B.3 Sidewalk Demolition 40 SF 5.00 200
B.4 Stone Dust / Gravel Paving 1,140 SF 0.65 740
B.5 Stone Paving 740 SF 20.00 14,800
B.6 Concrete Curb 100 LF 25.00 2,500
B.7 Splash Blocks 4 EA 450.00 1,800
B.8 Fine Grading 1,430 SY 2.00 2,860
B.9 Seeding 1,430 SY 2.50 3,580
B.10 Canopy Trees 7 EA 800.00 5,600
B.11 Flowering Trees 8 EA 500.00 4,000
B.12 Beds / Plantings / Rain Garden 200 SY 15.00 3,000
B.13 Adirondack Chairs 8 EA 175.00 1,400
B.14 Logs / Allow 1 LS 1,000.00 1,000
B.15 Posts 30 EA 125.00 3,750
B.16 Willow Tunnel 1 LS - By Others
B.17 0
B.18 0
B.19 0
B.20 0
Subtotal 51,640
General Conditions, OH & Profit 15% 7,760
Design / Estimating Contingency 15% 8,900
Construction Total 68,300
Lovett Library Park, Philadelphia PA Page 1
February 2012 Detail of 3
39. Conceptual Design Lovett Library Park
Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan
2011-11
Opinion of Probable Cost Cost Estimate
Preliminary Construction
Detail
Item Quantity UM Unit Cost Total Div Total
$
C. Plaza
C.1 Clearing / Demolition 440 SY 5.00 2,200
C.2 Sidewalk Demolition 60 SF 4.00 240
C.3 Stone Paving 4,000 SF 20.00 80,000
C.4 Flowering Trees 7 EA 500.00 3,500
C.5 Tables & Chairs / Per Group 10 EA 1,000.00 10,000
C.6 Lighting / Pole Mounted 2 EA 3,500.00 7,000
Subtotal 102,940
General Conditions, OH & Profit 15% 15,460
Design / Estimating Contingency 15% 17,800
Construction Total 136,200
D. Amphitheater & Access
D.1 Clearing / Demolition 730 SY 5.00 3,650
D.2 Stockpile / Spread Topsoil 180 CY 5.00 900
D.3 Asphalt Paving / Topping 150 SY 15.00 2,250
D.4 Stabilized Turf Paving 715 SF 12.50 8,940
D.5 Meadow Plantings / Seeding 340 SY 7.50 2,550
D.6 Canopy Trees 2 EA 800.00 1,600
D.7 Amphitheater - Excavation / Hauling 260 CY 15.00 3,900
D.8 - Stockpile / Spread Topsoil 80 CY 8.00 640
D.9 - Fine Grading 310 SY 2.00 620
D.10 - Seeding 310 SY 2.50 780
D.11 - Retaining Wall Footings 150 LF 30.00 4,500
D.12 - Walls / Concrete 80 SF 20.00 1,600
D.13 - Walls / Schist 340 SF 50.00 17,000
D.14 - Concrete Steps / Per LF Nose 40 LF 25.00 1,000
D.15 - Railings 100 LF 125.00 12,500
D.16 - Stone Dust / Gravel Paving 300 SF 0.65 200
D.17 - Concrete Pad 400 SF 5.00 2,000
D.18 - Stage Framing & Flooring 400 SF 15.00 6,000
D.19 - Area Drain 1 LS 2,000.00 2,000
D.20 - Lighting / Pole Mounted 2 EA 3,500.00 7,000
Subtotal 79,630
General Conditions, OH & Profit 15% 11,970
Design / Estimating Contingency 15% 13,700
Construction Total 105,300
Lovett Library Park, Philadelphia PA Page 2
February 2012 Detail of 3
40.
41. Conceptual Design Lovett Library Park
Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan
2011-11
Preliminary Options
49. THE PORCH READING GARDEN STORY RING NATURE PLAY
EXISTING TREE
FLOWERING TREE
SPLASH PAD
BRANCH BENCH
PLANTED TROUGH
FIXED CHESS TABLE
FIXED BENCH
EXISTING TREE
FIXED BENCH STEP STONE BRIDGE
STUMP SEATS BRANCH BALANCE
PAVERS IN LAWN
TANGLED BRANCH CLIMB
STEP STONE BRIDGE WILLOW TUNNEL
RAIN GARDEN
RELOCATED
MEMORIAL
STUMP HOP
READ/REFLECT
PARTICIPATE
EXPERIENCE
NATURE
PLAY
WORK
MEET
PERFORM
PROCURE
2011-11
LOVETT LIBRARY PARK
11/10/11
PLAN ENLARGEMENTS AND USE MATRIX
NTS
50.
51. THE ORCHARD THE FARM THE PLAZA PICNIC AREA
TABLE AND CHAIRS
TREE IN STONE DUST
PAVERS IN STONE DUST PAVERS
RAISED
AGRICULTURAL BED
CANOPY TREE PICNIC TABLE
PAVERS IN LAWN
FRUIT TREE
READ/REFLECT
PARTICIPATE
EXPERIENCE
NATURE
PLAY
WORK
MEET
PERFORM
PROCURE
2011-11
LOVETT LIBRARY PARK
11/10/11
PLAN ENLARGEMENTS AND USE MATRIX
NTS
52.
53. GREAT LAWN PAVILION AMPHITHEATER CONCESSIONS
PAVERS IN STONE DUST MEADOW
ROOF VALLEY VEHICLE ACCES TRACKS
PICNIC TABLE RETAINING WALL FOOD TRUCK
MEADOW
“BACKSTAGE” PATH
STAGE STONE DUST PLAZA
TERRACED LIFT PAVERS
AERIAL GUTTER
MOVEABLE TABLE
AND CHAIRS
READ/REFLECT
PARTICIPATE
EXPERIENCE
NATURE
PLAY
WORK
MEET
PERFORM
PROCURE
2011-11
LOVETT LIBRARY PARK
11/10/11
PLAN ENLARGEMENTS AND USE MATRIX
NTS
54.
55. Description of Services Lovett Library Park
Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan
2011-11
Value of Services Donated
Letter of Agreement
Client Application
56.
57. Value of Services Lovett Library Park
Conceptual Design for a Placemaking Plan
2011-11
VOLUNTEER PROFESSION HOURS RATE* VALUE
Ari Miller Sr. Landscape Arch Designer 156 $100 $15,600
Alexa Bosse Sr. Artchitectural Designer 62 $100 $6,200
Ashton Jones Planner 33 $90 $2,970
Taylor Boyd Cost Estimator 12 $125 $1,500
STAFF
Robin Kohles, AIA, Project Associate Senior Architect 50 $100 $5,000
Heidi Segall Levy, AIA, Project Manager Senior Architect 13 $100 $1,300
TOTAL VALUE OF DESIGN SERVICES $32,570
Billable Hourly Rates in the Philadelphia area for 2008
Principal ($125 to $220)
Senior Architect/Designer ($100 to $135)
Architect/Designer ($70 to $90)
Intern Architect/Designer ($50 to $65)
Senior Landscape Architectural Designer ($100 to $135)
Landscape Architectural Designer ($70 to $90)
Intern Landscape Architectural Designer ($50 to $65)
Planner ($90 to $115)
Historic Preservationist ($90 to $115)
Engineer ($100 -$150)
Cost Estimator ($100 to $135)
Senior Interior Designer ($90 to $135)
Interior Designer ($50 to $80)
Billable hourly rates are based on the 2005 American Institute of Architects
Compensation Report and a survey of a representative sample of local design
professionals. Revised in January 2008.
