North Lakeland Discovery Center Master Plan
Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin
Analysis & Planning
Purpose of Project
The goal of the North Lakeland Discovery Center’s “Beyond Boundaries: Creating a Natural Destination for
Discovery” is to create a visionary, implementation oriented document to guide the Center’s future. The document
creates a guiding site plan, recommendations, phasing plans and sustainability management approaches that serve
to support the overall operating mission – to connect nature, people and community while providing expressive
form to the Center’s defining relationships. The plan incorporates the desires of its members, and attempts to
organize existing and future elements in a manner that matches structure and cognition with the mission, vision and
values of the Center. With an understanding that environmental “entry” occurs from; multiple portals, a variety of
experience levels, and wide range of knowledge bases, the proposed recommendations are planned to take
advantage of opportunities and activities aimed at user experiences
in
and appreciation
of
the natural world.
Ultimately, authentic experiences that facilitate diverse opportunities in nature will solidify the site as the premier
Northwood’s Discovery Destination.
The enhanced direction and design philosophy for the Center was inspired, in part, by Richard Louv’s book,
Last
Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder (2004)
.
The master plan program will:
- Identify and enhance existing and proposed site features.
- Promote visitor driven discovery that is open-ended, meaningful and enduring.
- Integrate experience-based places and exhibits.
- Reliably and creatively provide discovery at a variety of levels.
- Envision phasing implementation strategies to grow the Center.
Role of Landscape Architect
The LA was the lead consultant and worked with Center staff, executive board, affiliate groups and local
contractors throughout process. Contractors retained due to location of facility and assisting in feasibility
recommendations. (i.e. building remodeling, winterization)
Facilitated charrette style work sessions with Center staff and executive board.
Performed extensive site inventory ranging from regional impacts to micro-level climatic impacts.
Appropriately surveyed, researched and applied information and knowledge provided by staff. Staff is
comprised of graduate level members in the fields of: Environmental education, research, botany, conservation
biology, fisheries management, natural resources and ecosystem management.
Organized and defined strategic roles for various stakeholders at the Center as well as created an
‘Implementation Framework’ to guide future site work and planning efforts.
Improved connectivity between the Center and its adjacencies within the context of seasonal transportation
methods and regional trail networks.
Prepared design concepts, evaluated costs, presented alternatives and assembled final documents.
Special Factors
The Center (63 acres) is a 501c3 organization set within Wisconsin’s largest forest, the Northern
Highland-American Legion (NH-AL) State Forest, which covers 232,000 acres in northern Wisconsin. An education and
stewardship based land agreement currently exists between the entities and dictates land use, which must run
through state Department of Facilities Development (DFD). This agreement has proved limiting for a nature
center that has seen substantial financial donorship and programming demand from users. With the current
political climate of program cuts and limited environmental funding the Center has repeatedly been constrained.
A single large donor (currently funds multiple positions at the Center as well as ‘suggested’ projects) has at times
handcuffed Center and decision making abilities of the executive board and staff.
Discovery of a privately owned parcel adjacent to the Center for purchase/acquisition. This land holding would
enhance the Center’s offerings, including water access to the larger context, as well as the ability to limit DFD
regulation and public process requirements. Plan identifies opportunities and constraints of this parcel-including a
potential negative decentralization of the Center.
Northwood’s location with an extreme user demographic separation. (i.e. Grandparents and grandchildren)
Landscape architect working with the science end of the spectrum, distilling that knowledge and promoting
functional, aesthetic, interesting recommendations for an authentic environmental experience.
A change in the current staff thinking of piece meal, season oriented projects to broad level visioning that places
emphasis on strategically implementing tasks that will achieve the goals of the larger mission of the Center.
Plan View of Project
Master plan graphic integrated as a pull-out 11x17 sheet within the document for ease of reference while reading the plan recommendations.
Existing Conditions
The Center is a 63 acre campus located on the shores of Statehouse Lake. Formed in 1996 the site was historically a YCC summer camp.
Analysis - Regional
Above, the Center is shown in the context of Wisconsin’s largest forest, the Northern Highlands-American Legion State Forest.
Left, the regional analysis locates the site within the area and identifies opportunities for connection and interaction. Wayfinding and signage areas are also identified to allow ease of navigation to the Center.
Analysis - Site
An extensive set of analysis maps were created to inform
recommendations and ensure a heightened level of site understanding
Analysis - Site
A hand sketched site analysis was performed to both identify existing conditions and graphically bring user understanding to a complex site.
Project Schedule & Coordination
Meeting #1
Kick-off with staff, hopes and concerns, roles in project, tour
Meeting #2
Analysis review, visioning charrette and design character images
Meeting #3
Concept A, B, C review
Meeting #4
NLDC Board, review to date, Main Lodge, E-Pods
Meeting #5
Presentation of Master Plan
Meetings with affiliate groups, touring a Minnesota nature center on a weekend and compilation of survey data heightened the engagement of this project.
Concept Development
A series of concepts were developed throughout the process that responded to staff/board concerns. Precedent imagery visually delivered concept intent.
Sub-Area Concepts
Areas were identified to create specific site plan approaches. The concepts show a gradation of complexity for staff/board decision making.
Special Areas
Throughout the planning process existing areas and elements that were repeatedly mentioned became the basis for further concept development. Where precedent imagery could not effectively convey the design intent, postcard style graphics were produced. These small vignette graphics were cost effective to produce and
‘Tower’ Site
The ‘Tower’ site is a corner parcel of land for sale located 600’ south of the Center’s southern boundary. Due to the unique land ownership agreement for the Center proper, this parcel would afford many opportunities related to private land use and river access (just south of the ‘Tower’ site). In an effort to present a non-biased decision making tool, the consultant team created three (3) scenarios to aid in the decision making process. Multiple access routes were also identified if the parcel was determined as an appropriate acquisition.
E-Pod Experience
E-Pods are best defined as stations designed for enrichment, exploration and education. Their presence enables visitors of all ages and abilities to experience the natural world in a way that engages the senses and focuses on technology and hands-on experience. The Center’s
programmatic focus on Citizen Science Monitoring (CSM) is one of the prime means to highlight the ‘E-Pod Experience.’ The best way to learn about something is to monitor and study it. E-Pods will allow visitors a variety of ways to assist and experience the Center’s activities – and at the same time provide valuable data to agencies and scientists. E-Pods support the mission of lifelong learning.
Recommendations
Recommendations are organized between site features and site structures. Precedent imagery and /or sketches reference the recommended narrative.
Recommendations
STRUCTURES:
Main Lodge
Bunk Houses
Nature Nook
Retail Store
Director’s House
Log Sauna
Storage Facilities
Wayfinding Kiosk
Grow Camp and Greenhouse
Wildlife E-Pods
Administrative Trailer
Programming Office
Recommendation topics included the following ‘features’ and ‘structures.’ These include both existing and proposed elements.
FEATURES:
Sitting Reflection Area
E-Pods/Passive Exploratory Space
Demonstration Gardens
Meadow
Septic Mound
Parking Lot
Arrival Drive
Beach
Understory Planting Island
Donut Dock
Rock Nook Overlook
Forest Classroom
Signage
Trailhead Location
Lighting
Sustainable Management Guidelines
Six sustainable management topics were created with recommendations listed.
Limit Land, Water and Cultural Resource Degradation
Institutionalize Rain Water as a Resource
Utilize Natural Processes to Manage & Restore
Planning and Policy to be Green
Vegetation Management
Promote a Stewardship Ethic
Graphics derived from:
Dramstad, Wenche E., James D. Olson, and Richard T.T. Forman. Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land-use Planning. Washington D.C.: Island, 1996. Print.
Implementation & Phasing
The consultant provided a twelve (12) year implementation schedule with associated probable costs as well as an organizational structure to assist in taking projects from inception to completion.
Make Ready Phase
Solidify Phase Movement Phase
