Design Observed:Reclaimed Wetland in Jamaicaby Tonia Fleming
Now, almost three years later, the transformation is stunning. A winding path through a birch grove connects the residence with the pond. A finished lawn provides a staging area for swimming in the summer and skating in the winter. The contrast between the geometrically planted trees and shrubs and the "wildness" in the wetland meadow work together to seamlessly meld natural and man made beauty.
Looking back on the project, Wunderle adds, "It was demanding, but we completed it on time and budget, and all the project goals were accomplished. It’s gratifying to see that the wildlife and native wetland plants have naturally seeded amongst the purposeful plantings, and the landscape surrounding the pond has matured into the Shangri-la world both the owner and I first envisioned." Jamaica Pond Project
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A stroll around the pond located at the base of a private residence in Jamaica, Vermont is one you won’t forget. With hills in the background and handsome plantings of trees and shrubs surrounding it, the pond invites a visitor to lunch, swim, or simply daydream. It is difficult to imagine that only a few years earlier, this now idyllic spot was littered with ramshackle cabins and outbuildings, broken pavement, fuel tanks, underground septic tanks, and other detritus of modern life—in this case, the remains of a long-closed children’s summer camp.
In 2006, the owner of the 140-acre property contacted Rhode Island School of Design-trained Landscape Architect Scott Wunderle to see if there was some way to re-establish the pond for swimming and atttracting wildlife. Wunderle, co-founder of Terrigenous Land-scape Architecture, knew it was a unique challenge that was perfect for the 12-year old design build firm. Wunderle notes, "the project presented a real challenge because of its scale and complexity." A mere 19 months later, the new pond was reshaped, and the depth was increased. The west end of the pond was re-established as a wetland for wildlife.
One of the first steps was to remove the man-made materials and repurpose the materials with help from the Brattleboro firm Renew Salvage. Because the construction work was scheduled primarily in the winter, extensive permitting was needed. In addition, Terrigenous needed to provide assurances to the state that the resulting wetland would be equivalent or superior to the existing one. Other challenges included phasing the project so the materials being stock-piled on the site remained viable for use, and making sure that the non-native species living in the existing pond were not released into the nearby brook.
At the west end— the re-established wetland area—wildflowers bloom and waterfowl frequent the water’s edge. A sturdy footbridge with rough-hewn railing adds charm and functionality —a place from which to spot wildlife and watch trout swimming lazily in the shallows.⌘Two whimsical sculptures, cast in bronze, complement the natural elements.