Small Public Spaces

Madison Lewis Woodlands
Village of Warwick, New York

Heritage Landscape worked with the Village of Warwick to study the historic landscape encompassed by the Madison Lewis Woodlands.  Once part of Belair, the 38-acre Fowler family estate, today the 10-acre the public parkland, Madison Lewis Woodlands, remains as a vestige of the former summer retreat. To complete the cultural landscape report, Heritage Landscapes investigated and assessed project goals, historic documentation, field conditions, surrounding context, community use, and maintenance.  From this diverse basis historic and current conditions and character were compared.  While landscape changes have occurred over time, a level of integrity and legibility remains within the Madison Lewis Woodlands landscape. This remnant portion of Belair still conveys aspects and details of the historic estate.

Heritage Landscapes provided recommendations to address identified issues and enhance recreational opportunities, management, and interpretation. An illustrated narrative with annotated plans and images presented the origins, evolution, existing conditions, and proposed rehabilitation of the estate-turned-public park landscape.  A number of landscape issues were identified related to preservation of historic character and features, access, educational potential, vegetation management, and safety. These aspects hindered optimal use, experience, functionality, and maintainability of the Madison Lewis Woodlands.  To resolve these issues, Heritage Landscapes outlined an overall approach to rehabilitation and defined specific landscape projects for future efforts.  Proposed projects included enhancing public entry; improving and interpreting the former garden space, bridge crossing, and playhouse site; interpreting and managing historic-era vegetation; creating scenic overlooks; delineating public-private interface; interpreting the historic drive and tree allée; and planning for woodland ecological diversity.  Renaming the site “Belair” to reflect its history and origins was suggested as a component of interpretation. Together these projects provided clear direction, within a limited scope and budget. The report will aid the Village of Warwick in creating a public park that encompasses a range of recreational opportunities while providing a clear understanding of the unique historic landscape.  

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