A Blending Of Nature And Play Suggested For Dickinson’s Future

By Kendra Bobowick

A botanical playscape, educational playground, nature center, or a combination of these elements is part of one resident’s vision for the future of Dickinson Park.

Billie Cohen of Billie Cohen Ltd, landscape design studio, grabbed Parks and Recreation Commission members’ attention as she flipped through her posterboard renderings of the park now in its post-pool period represented by gray areas for fields and parking lots, and how it could be — an embellished and interactive space for both leisure and learning — a “teaching garden,” she had mentioned.

She pictures a park that “integrates nature and play,” she told the Parks and Recreation Commission Tuesday evening, October 24. “This could be built upon as a nature center. It’s already an incredibly beautiful wetland.” Even the park’s surrounding fence contributed to her imaginings.

“I always looked through that chain link fence and thought, ‘Instead of keeping nature out, embrace it,’” she said.

Brimming with ideas about transforming Dickinson, Ms Cohen said, “I had the idea for tying this all together and start integrating the stream into wetlands — [the park] is for people, it’s for nature, for the environment and could be such a wonderful place as a camp…” With her imagination piqued since the pool was closed and filled this spring due to health code violations, she admitted to Parks and Recreation members that she had put thought into Dickinson’s potential.

“It’s so beautiful there and with the pool filled in it’s an opportunity to take our resources and connect the dots,” she said. Ms Cohen spoke about bird walks and educational gardens — a familiar project for her firm. She believes the town can “take the beauty and show it off,” she said.

During Tuesday’s Parks and Recreation meeting, she explained, “One idea is a habitat garden where the pool used to be.”

Already grappling with the decline in camp attendance attributed to the pool’s closing and facing the need to replace Funspace, recreation commissioners have concerns about Dickinson Park.

“I think it’s time to refresh the park in general,” said Acting Chairman Edward Marks. Regarding the pool closing, he said, “We haven’t come up with anything yet and we’re looking for a solution.”

After listening to Ms Cohen’s presentation Mr Marks said, “This is something creative and opens possibilities for Dickinson that we had not thought of…” Ms Kasbarian said that she saw areas of potential in Ms Cohen’s ideas, and has also been pondering what will take place at Diskinson.

“We think it’s starting to look like there is never going to be another water facility there…” she said. As far as revamping the park, as Mr Marks had noted, she said, “We are thinking of doing it on our own or hiring someone to do a master plan.”

In past months the commission has been considering replacing Funspace with something similar, something rustic, she said, but wants to maintain Dickinson primarily as a park.

She stressed, “We don’t want to get rid of the playground or basketball court.” Ms Kasbarian considered the ideas Ms Cohen presented, and did see some opportunities the commission may consider.

“The plan was great, there was a lot of thought in it,” she said. “I loved the ideas for the pond area...those could be a consideration.” She feels that some ideas can be incorporated into the park’s future.

Mr Marks and others including Ms Kasbarian wish to learn more about Ms Cohen’s ideas, although the commission took no action on these proposals.

Billie Cohen Ltd was formed in 1978. The firm’s work has transformed sites with innovative and environmentally sensitive design solutions, according to its website.

The firm has worked extensively with nonprofit organizations in New York City in partnership with the City Parks Foundations and The New York City Parks Department to develop teaching and community gardens to enhance the quality of life in urban environments. Billie Cohen, Ltd is a New York State certified WBE, Women’s Business Enterprise.