Greetings Residents:
As our plans for this years 2011 Renaissance Project get closer to submission, thought it a good idea to post the general outline of everything here on this blog. If you have any questions, please give Sherwood a call at (845) 693-4513. Deadline is fast approaching as everything has to be submitted to the Sullivan Renaissance folks no later than Wednesday March 23rd.
Mountaindale Community Development Project (MCDP) 2011 Sullivan Renaissance Project-Grant Proposal Information Sheet/Project Guide
Our goal in this years proposed project is multifaceted, and touches on some keystone areas of our community which need to be enhanced and better presented…our specific area, in which we will be making significant improvements, is the area known and identified as the “Mountaindale Rails too Trails” wherein we will be doing two large projects, and two smaller ones.
Sign enhancement and beautification of the Rails too Trails entrance-it is our goal here to improve upon work done in previous years by rearranging some of the landscaping elements (IE-moving a spruce), and adding additional elements to the area to enhance the pre-existing signage, and make the entrance to the Mountaindale Rails too Trails really stand out. Existing flower boxes which were built and installed by the city of Fallsburg will be replanted, and additional landscaping elements added as more clearly delineated in drawing titled, “Rails To Trails Entrance.
With the first two hundred or so feet of Mountaindale’s Rails too Trails are several historical elements we wish to emphasis by incorporating them as a part of the bones of one large, and two smaller projects. The first of these historical bones from days long gone is an original O&W Mounting Block…we will be clearly the ground around this old concrete block, adding some taller landscaping materials behind it, then letting the block itself act as a back drop for shorter bedding plants which will be arranged in front of it.
Our Third Project involves two O&W Railways elements…the first is an old O&W Battery box (40”x52”) which will be cleaned out and turned into a planter as a part of the larger part of this project. The second O&W element here is the actual location…we will be working in what was the Mountaindale Siding where cars were placed for temporary storage and/or unloading…the lumberyard routinely had cars left there for a period of time to be unloaded, the goods moved over the rails and down to the lumber yard site located opposite the siding.
This area is going to be cleaned up significantly, and after prep work is completed (we have opened discussion with the town of Fallsburg to get help in grooming of this area, as well as in the task of brush removal) we will be using (as much as possible) items from nature, and found goods (IE…four 55 gallon drums) to construct a sculptural interpretation of an old O&W Locomotive (said locomotive will be built at close to half scale). Said sculptural element will bear a resemblance to the old number 33, which is significant in that said Locomotive and its train cars crashed at the exact location of our new train station here in town back in 1904. Once the sculptural element is built, it will receive numerous landscaping additions as can be more fully understood in the drawing titled, “Montaindale Renaissance Main Project”.

One of the interesting goals of this project from an environmental stand point is our plan to use the 55 gallon drums used to recreate the steam producing section of the locomotive as a rain water collection and storage facility, thus allowing us to water much of the project with water collected from nature, rather than relying upon water carted in, or hosed in…we have made inquiries about the possibility of accessing water from the well/pump house which located across the road from the entrance to Rails Too Trails.
The last location we will be working with for 2011 is another O&W element located some 50 up the bike path from the locomotive and on the opposite side of the bike path. It was one of the blocks used to mount up switching lights and the like. We plan on placing barrels here, beautifying the area, and turning it into a collection point for both litter and recyclables that those using the trail are looking to dispose of. We will be moving signage that is currently mounted to a tree to this area. Three cans will be painted and labels and placed here for this purpose, holes drilled into the bottoms of said cans to allow rain water to train out.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center-Species Identification Resource
http://www.wildflower.org/collections/collection.php?collection=NY
Fiddle Head Creek
http://www.fiddleheadcreek.com/
Mountain Valley Growers
http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/mvv2-94.htm
Native Plants…Plants being considered:
What plants we will be considering too some degree will depend on A) Budgetary restraints as the project unfolds, B) changing light conditions as we clear out and thin the surrounding woodland area around the main project area. It is our goal to include as much as possible native plants to our area…to accomplish this goal, some considerable time was spent looking for a fairly comprehensive list of plants native to our area, and the inventory list from Fiddle Head Creek (which specializes in native New York plants, as well as plants specific to the Adirondacks) provided us with a good model list from which to work from. Said list is copied below, and where possible, selections from this list based upon availability from our local nurseries will be used in making our final plant selections, and as these native species are added into the project, our original plant list will be supplemented to reflect these more appropriate selections in the landscape plan.
Rails Too Trails Entrance…Plant Inventory
A) Ornamental/Native Grasses (6) The types chosen depend a lot of local availability. Purple Moor Grass, Japanese Silver Grass (nice fall bloom), or Northern Sea Oats (seeds heads and bronze foliage provide excellent winter visual interest) would be varieties considered. All three of these are multi-zone (4-8) grasses that would do well in our garden plans.
B) Ornamental Tree (1) Considering the Eastern Red Bud. It grows well in full sun, or in partial shade, flourishes in zones 4-9, and provides multiple season eye appeal with it’s blooms in spring, and changing leaf colors. George Washington spent a great deal of time uprooting this tree from the local forest to transplant into his garden if rumor is too be believed.
C) Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) (2) These will flank either side of the currently existing sign located in the entrance area, chosen for their ability to draw in the hummingbirds which Mountaindale is so well known for, as well as acting as a magnet for butterflies. This selection will act as a great anchor on either side of the sign, and should begin blooming about a month after the Eastern Red Bud has lost it’s spring blooms, thus providing an additional flowering element for the summer season, and bringing movement and sound into this area as the visitors arrive, or perhaps settle onto one of the two benches for a break before traveling further down the Rails Too Trails path. This is a Zone 5 selection that will grow in full too partial sun, so is well selected for the area, and requires low maintenance once established.
D) Dwarf Lilacs (2) This is supposedly a Zone 3 plant, however I have had very good luck in having them adapt too and florish in Zone 5 landscaping projects, including at my own home in Peekskill NY. This selection is made for several reasons. First, the bushes bloom at a young age, and the blooms are long lasting. Secondly, the scent is a wonderful tease to the senses, and the leaves of this bush are very resistant to disease. They do well in full sun, or partial shade, and once established do not have to be watered.
E) Landscaping Stones (2) Maintenance free, do well in sun or shade, and require no water.
F) Iris (2 Clumps ) We are looking to get these donated through taking rhizomes of various varietals that people in the community are letting us pinch stock from.
G) Wild flower seed mix…please seed seed mix particulars.
Mountaindale Renaissance Main Project
A) Ornamental/Native Grasses (6) The types chosen depend a lot of local availability. Purple Moor Grass, Japanese Silver Grass (nice fall bloom), or Northern Sea Oats (seeds heads and bronze foliage provide excellent winter visual interest) would be varieties considered. All three of these are multi-zone (4-8) grasses that would do well in our garden plans.
B) Ornamental Tree (3) Considering the Eastern Red Bud or Flowering Dogwood (white). Both grow well in full sun, or in partial shade, flourishes in zones 4-9, and provides multiple season eye appeal.
C) Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) (3) These will flank either side of the currently existing sign located in the entrance area, chosen for their ability to draw in the hummingbirds which Mountaindale is so well known for, as well as acting as a magnet for butterflies. This selection will act as a great anchor on either side of the sign, and should begin blooming about a month after the Eastern Red Bud has lost it’s spring blooms, thus providing an additional flowering element for the summer season, and bringing movement and sound into this area as the visitors arrive, or perhaps settle onto one of the two benches for a break before traveling further down the Rails Too Trails path. This is a Zone 5 selection that will grow in full too partial sun, so is well selected for the area, and requires low maintenance once established.
D) Dwarf Lilacs (3) This is supposedly a Zone 3 plant, however I have had very good luck in having them adapt too and florish in Zone 5 landscaping projects, including at my own home in Peekskill NY. This selection is made for several reasons. First, the bushes bloom at a young age, and the blooms are long lasting. Secondly, the scent is a wonderful tease to the senses, and the leaves of this bush are very resistant to disease. They do well in full sun, or partial shade, and once established do not have to be watered.
E) Landscaping Stones (1) Maintenance free, do well in sun or shade, and require no water.
F) Iris (2 Clumps ) We are looking to get these donated through taking rhizomes of various varietals that people in the community are letting us pinch stock from. These will be used to soften/naturalize as available.
G) Azaleas (3)
H) Morning Glory Seeds…using a mixed variety of seeds from commercial seed company…already in house.
I) Black Eyed Susan (7) A Biennial, the Black Eyed Susan requires almost no maintenance, grows well in full sun, or partial shade along a woodland edge. Though the plant dies back every two years, the pollination/seed process should allow this to be an ever blooming source of pleasure in the garden area.
Historical Mounting Block Bedding Project
A) Ornamental/Native Grasses (3) The types chosen depend a lot of local availability. Purple Moor Grass, Japanese Silver Grass (nice fall bloom), or Northern Sea Oats (seeds heads and bronze foliage provide excellent winter visual interest) would be varieties considered. All three of these are multi-zone (4-8) grasses that would do well in our garden plans.
C) Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) (3) These will flank either side of the currently existing sign located in the entrance area, chosen for their ability to draw in the hummingbirds which Mountaindale is so well known for, as well as acting as a magnet for butterflies. This selection will act as a great anchor on either side of the sign, and should begin blooming about a month after the Eastern Red Bud has lost it’s spring blooms, thus providing an additional flowering element for the summer season, and bringing movement and sound into this area as the visitors arrive, or perhaps settle onto one of the two benches for a break before traveling further down the Rails Too Trails path. This is a Zone 5 selection that will grow in full too partial sun, so is well selected for the area, and requires low maintenance once established.
Wild Flower Seed Mixtures
Deer Resistant Wildflower Seed Mix
Fast Facts:
50/50 Perennial/Annual Mix
Deer Resistant
Suitable for planting in all 50 states
Coverage is 2000 Square Foot per pound…we have one pound.
Seed Mix Includes:
Yarrow (perennial), Columbine (perennial), Bachelor Button/Cornflower (Annual), Godetia (annual), Lance Leaf Coreopsis (perennial), Fox Glove (biennial), Purple Coneflower (perennial), California Poppy (annual), Blanket Flower (perennial), Candytuft (perennial), Lupine (perennial), Forget Me Not (perennial), Black Eyed Susan (Annual-self seeding)
*note…we have secured adequate enough seeds to do multiple plantings through the spring and summer, which should allow us to STRETCH the bloom.
Burst of Bloom Wildflower Mix
Fast Facts:
50/50 Perennial/Annual Mix
Will tolerate full sun, or part sun environments
Plant in all 50 states
Seed Coverage is 500 Square Feet per ¼ Pound, and we have 1 ¼ pounds of this seed.
Seed Mix Includes:
Dwarf Bachelor Buttons/Cornflowers (annual), Baby’s Breath (annual), Tall Cornflower/Bachelor Buttons (annual), Red Corn Poppy (annual), Lance Leaf Coreopsis (annual), Shirley Poppy (annual), Cosmos (annual-reseeds if lucky), California Poppy (annual), Blanket Flower (perennial), Black Eyed Susan (biennial) Wild Lupine (perennial), Purple Coneflower (perennial), Russell Lupine (perennial), Plains Coreopsis (annual), Siberian Wall Flower (biennial), Blue Flax (annual), Scarlet Flax (annual), Drummond Fhlox (annual), Sulfur Orange Cosmos (annual), Gloriosa Daisy (perennial)
Morning Glory Seed Mix (for growing up into the train)
Fast Facts:
50/50 Perennial/Annual Mix
Full Sun or Partial Shade
Plant in all 50 states
Seed coverage is 500 square feet per ¼ and we have ¼ pound of seeds.
Site Prep Work
The areas to be worked on this year require some preparation work before the landscaping and construction work can begin on the site.
Woodland clean up and debris removal.
As you look at the entrance to the Rails too Trail area, the road gracefully curves off to the right, with a track of woods that has a width of around 75 feet which fronts the road. It is our goal and plan to work with the town of Fallsburg to clean up this woodland area to a depth of about 150 feet, taking down scrub trees, thinning the woods, and pulling out much of the dead fall, as well as human dumped junk such as abandoned chairs. This will first provided a much more groomed look, and secondly by thinning the woods, and cleaning up the ground, more native woodland plants should thrive because of the increased filtered light making it’s way down to the woodland floor.
Entrance Area to Rails too Trails
Again, we will clean up and carry out brush and garbage removal in this area on both sides of the trail going into said trail about 150 foot on both sides giving it a more manicured look.
A spruce tree that is now about eight foot tall will be located further up from it’s current location by about ten feet, thus nestling said tree up against the corner of a pre-existing chain link fence. The already placed planting containers will be repaired, and freshly painted.
Areas for new landscaping will be prepared. Additionally, while we have equipment there, it is hoped that we can pre-stage some landscaping stones close to where they will be needed, thus allowing us to use a spud bar latter on to move them into their final positions.
Main Project Area
Again, clean up and junk tree removal is planned to make room for our sculptural element. Additionally, we would like to grade the area a bit to make the installation and landscaping project for this area less problematic.
One thought is to take some of the dead wood from the clean up of woodland area, and create a large pile of wood by the train to look as if there had been fuel at the ready for the locomotive…especially since the history of the O&W had the crews carrying with them the necessary tools to go out into the woods when necessary to find fuel to keep the trains running.
Community Buy In/Involvement and Inclusion
We so far have involved the community in various ways as we seek both support and buy in for this project. There have been two meetings for all interested parties, both of these publicly notified in both the Mountaindale News Blog, and the Mountaindale Renaissance Project Blog.
Our first meeting was well attended, and several of the suggestions from that roundtable discussion have been implemented into our forward vision.
Additionally, numerous private discussions and mini-meetings have been held with our local business owners such as Radiant Yoga, Upstate Karate, Mountaindale Inn and others with support expressed from each of these sources.
We have also presented our plans to the local O&W Railway Historical Society, and they are behind our project, and have offered to lend whatever assistance they can…this help has already included providing us with historical photographs and plans of the locomotives we are going to be using to model our own project after.
We are in contact with a local runners group, the Girl Scouts and other organizations as we work to line our volunteers for this year’s project. We have tentative commitments from two sources for work days that will involve the children of the local area, and are considering a fund raising project that would be catered to the talents and skill sets of our kids under 16.
The 2011 Sullivan Renaissance Centerpiece…Creation of a Sculptural Interpretation of Engine 33 which wrecked here in Mountaindale back in 1904 at the location of our new Train Station.
After doing some historical research on the subject, our goal is too build a representative sculptural installation piece which will resemble old Engine 33 inside the entrance to Mountaindale‘s Rails too Trails at the location of the old siding which used to hold cars waiting to be off loaded by the lumber yard. The location was chosen for it’s historical significance to our community, and Engine Number 33 is being used as a model, as that is the Locomotive involved in a spectacular train accident back in 1904 at the location of our newly built train station.
The train sculpture will be approximately half scale, with a finished length of around 20-22 feet and a height of around six feet tall. The basic sculptural element will be created using treated lumber, refurbished 30 and 55 gallon drums, and 6x6 landscaping timbers which will be used for structural stability. Dead wood and other found materials will be used to begin adding and creating detail on the train. Current plans envision bending and strapping together small green saplings to create the train’s wheels, and fallen birch limbs will be used to build the front cowl and the side iron pieces that drove the locomotive. The back cab area will be built in such a fashion as to allow for locked storage for small tools, hoses and other maintenance items such as watering buckets.
Four barrels will be welded together to create the primary steam canister of the train…envisioning cutting slots of drilling holds into the tops of the barrels which would then allow us to catch/collect rain water that could then be pulled off from said barrels as a means to meeting at least a part of our watering needs. Additional barrels strategically places will be used to store water that will be carted in, unless we are able to secure permission to tap into the well/spring building located across the street from these projects…efforts are now under way to secure said permissions. If granted, hose would be used to water the gardens on and as needed basis.
Once the train is in place, the remainder of this garden will be bedded and landscaped with appropriate plantings.
