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Preservation Brief 36: Protecting Cultural Landscapes: Planning, Treatment and Manag... Page 10 of 11
<br />In the past, there was rarely adequate record- keeping to fully understand the ways a landscape was maintained. This
<br />creates gaps in our research findings. Today, we recognize that planning for ongoing maintenance and onsite applications
<br />should be documented —both routinely and comprehensively. An annual work program or calendar records the frequency of
<br />maintenance work on built or natural landscape features. It can also monitor the age, health and vigor of vegetation. For
<br />example, onsite assessments may document the presence of weeds, pests, dead leaves, pale color, wilting, soil
<br />compaction —all of which signal particular maintenance needs. For built elements, the deterioration of paving or drainage
<br />systems may be noted and the need for repair or replacement indicated before hazards develop. An overall maintenance
<br />program can assist In routine and cyclic maintenance of the landscape and can also guide long term treatment projects.
<br />To help structure a comprehensive maintenance operation that is responsive to staff, budget, and maintenance priorities,
<br />the National Park Service has developed two computer- driven programs for its own landscape resources. A lvaintenance
<br />Management Program (MM)is designed to assist maintenance managers in their efforts toplan, organize, and direct the park
<br />maintenance system. An Inventory and Condition Assessment Program (ICAP) is designed to complement MM by providing
<br />a system for Inventorying, assessing conditions, and for providing corrective work recommendations for all site features.
<br />Another approach to documenting maintenance and recording changes over time is to develop a manual or computerized
<br />graphic information system. Such a system should have the capability to include plans and photographs that would record a
<br />site's living collection of plant materials. (Also see discussion of the use of photography under Preparing Existing Conditions
<br />Plans) This may be achieved using a computer -aided drafting program along with an integrated database management
<br />system.
<br />To guide immediate and ongoing maintenance, a systematic and flexible approach has been developed by the Olmsted
<br />Center for Landscape Preservation. Working with National Park Service landscape managers and maintenance specialists,
<br />staff assemble information and make recommendations for the care of individual landscape features.
<br />Each landscape feature Is inspected in the field to document existing conditions and identify field work needed.
<br />Recommendations include maintenance procedures that are sensitive to the Integrity of the landscape.
<br />Summary and References
<br />The planning, treatment, and maintenance of cultural landscapes requires a multi - disciplinary approach. In landscapes,
<br />such as parks and playgrounds, battlefields, cemeteries, village greens, and agricultural land preserves more than any
<br />other type of historic resource— communities rightly presume a sense of stewardship. It Is often this grass roots
<br />commitment that has been a catalyst for current research and planning initiatives. Individual residential properties often do
<br />not require the same level of public outreach, yet a systematic planning process will assist In making educated treatment,
<br />management and maintenance decisions.
<br />Wise stewardship protects the character, and or spirit of a place by recognizing history as change over time. Often, this also
<br />involves our own respectful changes through treatment. The potential benefits from the preservation of cultural landscapes
<br />are enormous. Landscapes provide scenic, economic, ecological, social, recreational and educational opportunities that help
<br />us understand ourselves as individuals, communities and as a nation. 'their ongoing preservation can yield an improved
<br />quality of life for all, and, above all, a sense of place or identity for future generations.
<br />Acknowledgements
<br />The author, Charles A. Birnbaum, Coordinator, Historic Landscape Initiative, Preservation Assistance Division, National
<br />Park Service would like to acknowledge the assistance of H. Ward landl and Kay Weeks. The Olmsted Center for Landscape
<br />Preservation at the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site Including Margie Coffin, Lauren Meier, Nora Mitchell, and
<br />Charlie Pepper provided invaluable support. In particular, the proposed rewrite on Preservation Maintenance and historic
<br />plant materials was written by Margie Coffin. Significant contributions were also made by Patricia M. O'Donnell, Linda
<br />McClelland, Ellen Lipsey, Christine Capella Peters, Robert Page, Ian Firth and Robert Melnick. Useful comments and
<br />technical assistance were provided by regional NPS staff (Mary Hughes, Lucy Lawilss, rill Cowley, Sherda Williams, Michael
<br />Crowe, Robbyn lackson) and staff at the Preservation Assistance Division (Cheryl Wagner, Michael Auer and Anne E.
<br />Grimmer).
<br />This publication has been prepared pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, which directs
<br />the Secretary of the Interior to develop and make available information concerning historic properties. Technical
<br />Preservation Services (TPS), National Park Service prepares standards, guidelines, and other educational materials on
<br />responsible historic preservation treatments for a broad public.
<br />September 1994
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