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Community Preservation Committee Application: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History:
Lee Baldwin South Trail Observation Platform July 1, 2018
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CAPE COD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
SPRING 2018 APPLICATION:
LEE BALDWIN SOUTH TRAIL
OBSERVATION PLATFORM & BRIDGES RESTORATION
OVERLOOKING THE STONY BROOK VALLEY
Community Preservation Committee Application: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History:
Lee Baldwin South Trail Observation Platform July 1, 2018
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APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT FUNDING
Date Application Submitted: July 1, 2018
Name of Project Applicant: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History (CCMNH)
Name of Co-Applicant(s), if applicable:
Name of Contact Person: Robert Smith
Contact Person’s Mailing Address: 869 Route 6A, Brewster, MA 02631
Contact Person’s Daytime Phone Number: 508-896-3867 x131; Home-508-896-6333/Cell -978-618-6709
Contact Person’s email Address: bobmsm@earthlink.net
Proposed Project Name: Lee Baldwin Trail Observation Platform & Bridges Restoration
Project Address (or assessor’s parcel ID): 869 Route 6A Brewster, MA 02631 Map 20, Parcel 27
Project Synopsis:
As both a wildlife sanctuary and a walker's delight, the Stony Brook Valley Preserve, owned by the Cape Cod
Museum of Natural History, is a Cape Cod treasure. Balancing recreation and conservation presents challenges
and CCMNH's Land Stewardship Committee is always busy solving problems, protecting wildlife, and enhancing
habitats with careful study and stewardship. The Museum is surrounded by 300 acres of Museum, Town and
Conservation–owned land with nature trails meandering through woodland, salt marsh and over Wing Island to
the shore of Cape Cod Bay. The Lee Baldwin Trail starts across Route 6A from the Museum and winds through
the famous Stony Brook Valley. It travels through a brackish salt marsh across the Stony Brook into a unique
beech forest. There is a wooden observation platform at the start of the trail and a number of small bridges on the
walk through the marsh.
The Museum wishes to rebuild and restore the observation platform, located at the beginning of the Lee Baldwin
Trail. The platform was built in 2010 and is in need of restoration. In addition, two of the small bridges on the
Lee Baldwin Trail that were originally built in 2010, need to be re-built. Three such bridges have already been
rebuilt by the Museum.
Category: X☐ Open Space ☐ Historic Preservation X☐ Recreation ☐ Community Housing
CPA funding requested up to$ 12,000.00__Total Cost of Proposed Project $ 17,500.00
Community Preservation Committee Application: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History:
Lee Baldwin South Trail Observation Platform July 1, 2018
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1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION;
The goals of this project encompass a number of the Community Preservation general criteria areas for
Community Preservation and Enhancement serving the purposes of Open Space and Recreation; preserving
access to resources that would not otherwise be easily observed; leveraging public and private funds and
enhancing existing Brewster resources; all contributing to the preservation of Brewster’s unique character.
The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History (CCMNH) was founded in 1954, with a mission to inspire
appreciation, understanding and stewardship of our natural environment through discovery and learning. The
Museum is housed in a 17,000 square foot building on its own 4-acre site. It has two floors of exhibits explaining
the coastal change creation of Cape Cod, Native American presence; archaeology showing 8,000 years of human
activity; native animals and habitats; films, lectures and workshops on a variety of topics are offered year round
along with special programs for children especially during school vacation; our KidSummer nature program; an
impressive display of indigenous and migratory preserved birds, an aquarium that is a microcosm of the Cape
with salt, brackish and freshwater specimens; the Eldridge Arnold bird-carving exhibit; examples of biomimicry
and learning through nature to solve 21st century problems; and special, temporary exhibits to enhance the
permanent collection. The Museum is surrounded by 300 acres of Museum, Town and Conservation–owned land,
with nature trails meandering through woodland, salt marsh and over Wing Island to the shore of Cape Cod Bay.
(ATT. 1a.)
Most of the land in the Stony Brook Valley Preserve was acquired for the Museum by John Hay, the eminent
natural history writer and principal founder and benefactor of the organization, and other public-spirited citizens.
To ensure this land is forever preserved, the Trustees of the Museum gave a Conservation Restriction on the land
to the Brewster Conservation Trust (BCT). The Museum retains ownership and the right to use the land for
education, passive recreation, and scientific research. The two organizations work together to maintain trails for
the public; to protect wild areas from human intrusion and invasive species; and to consider joint projects in
environmental education, research, habitat enhancement, and public programming. Sensitive stewardship helps
protect these critical habitats for state-listed Threatened/Special Concern species, and maintain a landscape of
historic and scenic importance.
The Lee Baldwin Trail (1 mile) starts across Route 6A from the Museum and meanders through the famous Stony
Brook Valley. It travels through a brackish salt marsh across the Stony Brook into a unique beech forest. Between
mid-April and early-June, Stony Brook becomes a herring run, connecting these ocean -dwelling alewives with
their freshwater spawning grounds.
The observation platform on the Lee Baldwin Trail was originally constructed in 2010. The design and
construction was part of a Town of Brewster Project funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Restoration Center and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that enlarged the
Stony Brook culverts under 6A and restored tidal flow to the marsh on the south side. The total construction cost
of the platform, the five (5) small bridges/ramps to cross newly cut swales, and reconstruction of the earthen path
crossing the marsh was $33,000. The platform and trail are entirely on museum property and any ongoing
maintenance and repair has been the responsibility of the Museum. (ATT. 3a.)
Since the platform was opened, it has been used by trail-walkers, wildlife observers, school and camp groups and
anyone just wanting to sit and relax, surrounded by nature. The platform commands outstanding views south up
the Stony Brook Valley. The platform contains several informational signs that inform the visitor about the habitat
and physical surroundings of the Valley.
Community Preservation Committee Application: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History:
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At the time the platform was being designed, there was discussion about which materials to use for the floor
platform and the sitting bench deck. The choice was between wood (yellow cypress, Cupressus nootkatensis, was
specified) and plastic composite (e.g. Trex). A decision was made to use the wood, although the price difference
from the low bidder was only $500, with the wood being the higher.
Since 2011, the wood decking material, the stairway material and deck of the round sitting bench have
deteriorated, especially in the last two years, and the rate of the rot appears to be increasing. All of this material
is yellow cypress. The Museum has made a decision that the only practical and safe solution is to replace all of
the yellow cypress materials on the platform with a Brazilian sustainable hardwood Ipe (commonly called Epay).
The Epay material will provide a longer term, maintenance-free solution. Another reason for using Epay rather
than composite is that there are a large number of cut edges due to the design of the bench and deck. This leaves
the edges of any composite material, now no longer sealed, exposed to the elements. We feel a solid wood material
is the better choice. The Epay is also a more attractive solution. (ATTs. 3 b.-g.)
It should be noted that the structural frame of the platform is in good condition. The frame was constructed of
cedar. Since the summer of 2016, the Museum has replaced many sections of wood, some on the walking deck
and stairs and some on the sitting bench. Two of the pieces on the walking deck were so rotted that they could
have collapsed under a person’s weight. Museum staff is regularly monitoring the condition. When the project
was permitted in 2011, the Brewster Conservation Commission specifically rejected the use of any chemically-
treated wood, so that is not an option. (ATT. 2a.)
Also constructed in 2010 were five small bridges/ramps on the section of the trail that crosses the marsh. These
ramps provide a dry crossing over the small swales under most tide conditions, in addition to the four major trail
bridges that have existed for many years over the major swales and over Stony Brook itself. Three of these small
ramps were lost during storms in 2016 and 2017, most likely because they were not properly anchored to the
concrete footings that had been set into the marsh. All three of these were replaced by the Museum in late 2017,
using different materials (Epay frame and composite deck) and better anchoring systems. The Museum would
now like to replace the two remaining ramps from the 2010 period. (ATT. 3h. & i.)
2. CPA GOALS/CRITERIA:
The goals of this project specifically relate to the Recreation and Open Space areas of Community Preservation;
enhancing and contributing to the preservation of Brewster’s unique character.
Open Space Criteria:
Provide opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education.
Enhance or protect wildlife corridors, promote connectivity of habitat and prevent fragmentation of
habitats
Provide connections with existing trails or potential trail linkages
Preserve scenic views or border a scenic road.
By providing an accessible view point the Observation platform allows visitors to view the marsh and its wildlife
without physically entering the marsh area and disturbing the environment, habitat and wildlife.
This contributes to the preservation of one of Brewster’s most popular scenic marshes and
accompanying vista, while providing access and a view to the Stony Brook Valley that does not impact
or disturb wildlife and habitats.
Provides a scenic view of the Stony Brook Valley and the Stony Brook Herring Run.
Provides an observation point along the Lee Baldwin Trail, which is part of the Brewster Pathways
Trail program
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Lee Baldwin South Trail Observation Platform July 1, 2018
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Provide interpretive signage that informs residents and visitors about the habitat and physical
surroundings of the Stony Brook Valley.
Recreation Criteria:
Support multiple active and passive recreation uses.
Serve a significant number of residents and visitors.
Expand the range of recreational opportunities available to all ages of Brewster residents and visitors.
Benefit other Brewster Committees providing recreational resources to residents
This project supports multiple passive recreation uses, ranging from picnicking, walking, bird/wildlife
observation.
Provides for continuation of an opportunity for recreation in NW Brewster within the Stony Brook
Valley, available to all ages of Brewster residents and visitors.
Provides an enhancement to the Lee Baldwin South Walking Trail experience. Over the years the
Town and the Museum have increased the number of walking trails for environmental education by
working with the Department of Natural Resources, Museum Staff and the Trails Committee.
Serves a significant number of Brewster residents and visitors
Benefits the Brewster Pathways Committee by enhancing connections with existing trails and
conservation areas (e.g. Stranahan Conservation Area and Trail)
Every Town survey that has been done indicates that residents and visitors alike want more walking trails and
enhancements to these trails. The Observation Platform allows residents and visitors viewing access to an
unfragmented marshland, as well as a view of the Herring Run, for nature observation.
3. COMMUNITY BENEFITS:
Restoration of the Observation Platform will provide benefits to numerous populations. The general current
population of Brewster (9,360) will benefit, as will Brewster’s 30,000+ annual visitors, many of whom will be
able to enjoy this area. The Town will be expanding the range of recreational opportunities available to all ages
of Brewster residents and visitors by restoring this popular asset.
The Brewster voters have been approving land acquisition for over 45 years, accumulating over 1,100 acres to
protect their drinking water and surface waters, wildlife corridors, rare and endangered species habitats and
passive recreation areas. Both the Town of Brewster and the Cape Cod Museum have purchased lands in the Stony
Brook Valley, creating a large 300-acre Conservation Area.
The 1991, 1999 and 2013 Town of Brewster surveys, done for the Town Open Space & Recreation Plans, found
that residents value the preservation of public lands for accessible peaceful recreation. The Stony Brook Valley
Preserve provides for such passive recreation and is an important part of Brewster’s unique character.
Since the platform was opened, it has been used by trail-walkers, wildlife observers, school and camp groups and
anyone just wanting to sit and relax, while surrounded by nature. Walking trails and this observation platform
allow residents and visitors access to this important wildlife habitat area. The platform commands outstanding
views south up the Stony Brook Valley and of the Stony Brook Herring Run. The platform also contains several
informational signs that informs the visitor about the habitat and physical surroundings of the Valley.
Brewster is currently engaged in a Visioning Project to learn what people value most about the Town, what the
challenges are, and the Town’s direction into the future. The Vision Advisory Group has identified the most
common themes—the building blocks for the vision—and goals for each of them. The building blocks included
Community Character, Open Space, Housing, the Local Economy, Coastal Management, Water Resources,
Community Preservation Committee Application: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History:
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Governance, and Community Infrastructure. Visioning meetings, coupled with the Vision Advisory Group’s
January 2018 survey results, indicated that residents valued Open Space, Water Resources Protection and Coastal
Management/Protection most highly. Residents prioritized Open Space/Habitat Identification/ Protection along
with Protection of Water Resources. Coastal Management was deemed critical to the protection and restoration
of coastal resources such as salt marshes.
The Museum was established based on stewardship of such natural environments. It strives to preserve and protect
critical habitats, maintain landscapes of historic and scenic importance; all the while balancing recreation with
conservation of these lands. This protection allows residents and visitors alike to enjoy passive recreation such as
walking and hiking on the Stony Brook Valley Preserve.
4. COMMUNITY SUPPORT:
The Observation Platform restoration work itself will be undertaken by a licensed contractor, with additional
labor provided by Museum volunteers, and with community partners, including members of the Brewster Friends
of Lands, Aquatics, Trails, and Shellfish group (FLATS), volunteers from the Cape Cod Museum of Natural
History, the Brewster Conservation Commission, and the Brewster Conservation Trust (BCT).
5. TIMELINE:
Lee Baldwin South Trail Observation Platform:
ACTION START INTERIM ACTIONS COMPLETION
Permitting and Design
Summer 2018
Construction
Fall 2018 Spring 2019
Completion Fall 2019
The permitting process will start in the summer of 2018. This would include application to the Community
Preservation Committee, Historic District Committee, Building Department and Conservation Commission. If
the application is supported by the Community Preservation Committee, and then approved at fall 2018 Town
Meeting, the renovation could start immediately thereafter, weather permitting. Final work would be done during
spring 2019.
6. CREDENTIALS:
The restoration project will be performed by Building Dreams, Inc., a licensed contractor, who will obtain all
necessary construction permits. The Museum will be responsible for all future maintenance of the platform, once
the restoration is complete.
7. BUDGET:
The estimated costs of the project are as follows:
Restoration of the observation platform:
Contractor $8,755.00 (June 2018 estimate)
Volunteer Labor $3,000.00 (60 hours @$50.00/hour)
$11,755.00
Community Preservation Committee Application: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History:
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Reconstruction of the two (2) small bridges/ramps:
Materials $1,500.00
Labor $2,400.00 (three individuals, working for 6 hours to do each bridge/
$3,900.00 ramp @$100 for primary, $50/hour for two helpers)
TOTAL $15,655.00 with possible increased costs=$17,500.00
The observation platform restoration cost is based on an estimate received on 6/4/18. This estimate included
permitting by a licensed contractor, material purchases and construction supervision by the contractor. That
estimate did not include the 60 hours of volunteer time that will be provided assisting the contractor in the
restoration project. Volunteer resources are calculated at $50/hour
The cost of reconstruction of the two bridges includes material only, with labor being provided by Museum
volunteers, as indicated above. Any cost overruns will be borne by the Museum of Natural History.
With the recent increases in permitting and materials costs, the museum is requesting a new quote from
Building Dreams, Inc., factoring in the increased material and labor costs for a spring 2019 construction.)
The project that was originally proposed in 2010 included an ADA compliant elevated boardwalk from the south
parking lot to the observation platform. Because of higher than expected costs of other parts of the project, the
boardwalk was eliminated and only the observation platform was constructed. The intent at this time is to restore
just the platform to prevent further deterioration, and, at a later date, pursue the construction of the boardwalk as
was originally proposed. That cost would be significant ($75,000 to $100,000), and CPA funds may be requested
for a percentage of the cost.
Public funding to restore the platform and the bridges is being requested because, even though they are on private
land owned by the Museum, they, and the entire Lee Baldwin trail, are available to all and are part of the Brewster
Pathways Trails system. Museum membership or admission is not required to visit the Stony Brook Preserve or
other Museum Trails.
The Museum’s 2016 IRS form 990 is available if needed. (Att. 2b.)
8. MAINTENANCE:
The Observation Platform is under the custody and control of the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. The
Museum is responsible for the maintenance and management of the Platform.
9. SITE CONTROL:
The Observation Platform is on land that is part of the Stony Brook Preserve. Approximately 70 acres on the
south side of route 6A is owned by the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. The land is all under permanent
conservation restrictions. The Observation Platform is located on Museum property. It is under the custody and
control of the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and is open to residents and visitors alike.
Community Preservation Committee Application: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History:
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Town of Brewster Community Preservation Committee
CATEGORY SPECIFIC CRITERIA
(Identify which of the following criteria apply to your project.)
BOLD and Underlined
Open Space Proposals
Permanently protect important wildlife habitat, including areas of significance for biodiversity, diversity
of geological features and types of vegetation, contain a habitat type that is in danger of vanishing from
Brewster or preserve habitat for threatened or endangered species of plants or animals.
Provide opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education.
Enhance or protect wildlife corridors, promote connectivity of habitat and prevent fragmentation
of habitats.
Provide connections with existing trails or potential trail linkages.
Preserve scenic views or border a scenic road.
Protect drinking water quantity and quality.
Provide flood control/storage.
Preserve important surface water bodies, including wetlands, vernal pools or riparian zones.
Preserve priority parcels in the Town’s Open Space Plan/maximize the amount of open land owned by
the Town of Brewster.
Historical Preservation Proposals
MANDATORY: Must be on the State Register of Historic Places or have a letter from the Brewster
Historical Commission indicating that the resource has been determined to be significant in the history,
archaeology, architecture, or culture of Brewster.
MANDATORY: Project must meet Secretary of the Interior Standards for rehabilitation and/or
restoration of Historic Preservation Properties.
MANDATORY IF REQUEST IS FROM A CHURCH/RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION: The
project must satisfy the analysis outlined by the SJC’s Caplan vs. Town of Acton decision.
Protect, preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate historic, cultural, architectural or archaeological
resources of significance, especially those that are threatened.
Protect, preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate town-owned properties, features or resources of
historical significance.
Protect, preserve, enhance, restore and/or rehabilitate the historical function of a property or site;
Demonstrate a public benefit and/or public access, or
Otherwise provide permanent protection for maintaining the historic resource.
Project site should not be privately owned unless there is demonstrable public access and benefit.
Community Housing Proposals
Increase the supply of year-round affordable rental housing for all types of households, such as young
singles and couples, families, and seniors.
Build support for addressing housing needs through partnerships with conservation groups and non-profit
and for-profit developers.
Create housing that is affordable and appropriate for very low-income seniors and people with
disabilities.
Increase local capacity to plan, advocate for, and create affordable housing, preserve the affordability
and condition of existing affordable units, and monitor affordable housing restrictions.
Increase the variety of mixed-income housing choices in Brewster, particularly in or near commercial
areas in order to support Brewster’s economy and accommodate household growth.
Community Preservation Committee Application: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History:
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Provide at least 10% of Brewster’s year-round housing units as affordable housing in order to meet local
and regional needs.
Ensure long term affordability.
Give priority to local residents, town employees, employees of local businesses, and households with
children in Brewster school’s as allowed by law.
Recreation Proposals
Support multiple active and passive recreation uses.
Serve a significant number of residents and visitors.
Expand the range of recreational opportunities available to all ages of Brewster residents and
visitors.
Benefit other Brewster committees providing recreational resources to residents.
Promote the use of alternative corridors that provide safe and healthy non-motorized transportation.
Community Preservation Committee Application: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History:
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LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: MAPS
a. Aerial View of Stony Brook Valley Conservation Area
b. Brewster Walking Trails, Lee Baldwin (South Trail) Map
Attachment 2: BUDGETS
a. Proposal #18086903 from Building Dreams, Inc., dated June 4, 2018
b. 2016 IRS Tax Form 990
Attachment 3: PHOTOS
a. Observation Platform: New - 11/16/2010
b. Entrance to Observation Platform: Showing Condition of Supporting
Structure - 12/27/2016
c. Observation Platform: Showing Deteriorating Condition of Deck - 12/27/2016
d. Observation Platform: Showing Deteriorated Condition of Center
Bench - 12/27/2016
e. Observation Platform: Showing Further Deterioration of Platform and Bench -
5/18/2018
f. Observation Platform: Showing Temporary Patches -6/29/2018
g. Observation Platform Understructure- 5/18/2018
h. Older Ramp, to be replaced
i. Completed New Style Ramp over Small Swales
Attachment 4: LETTERS OF SUPPORT
a. Brewster Conservation Trust
b. Brewster Pathways Committee
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ATT. 1a: Aerial View of Stony Brook Valley Conservation Area, showing location of
Museum, Stony Brook and the Observation Platform (red arrow)
Community Preservation Committee Application: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History:
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ATT. 1b: BREWSTER WALKING TRAILS, LEE BALDWIN (SOUTH TRAIL) MAP
Community Preservation Committee Application: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History:
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ATT. 2a: BUILDING DREAMS, INC. OBSERVATION PLATFORM PROPOSAL #18086903
Community Preservation Committee Application: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History:
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ATT. 3a: OBSERVATION PLATFORM: NEW- 11/16/2010
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ATT.3b: ENTRANCE TO OBSERVATION PLATFORM- SHOWING CONDITION OF
SUPPORTING STRUCTURE – 12/27/2016
Community Preservation Committee Application: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History:
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ATT.3C: OBSERVATION PLATFORM- SHOWING DETERIORATED CONDITION OF DECK -
12/27/2016
Community Preservation Committee Application: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History:
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ATT. 3d: OBSERVATION PLATFORM- SHOWING DETERIORATED CONDITION OF CENTER
BENCH- 12/27/2016
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ATT. 3e: OBSERVATION PLATFORM SHOWING FURTHER DETERIORATION OF PLATFORM
AND BENCH -5/18/2018
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ATT.3f: OBSERVATION PLATFORM SHOWING TEMPORARY PATCHES – 6-29-2018
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ATT. 3g: OBSERVATION PLATFORM – UNDERSTRUCTURE- 5-18-2018
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ATT. 3h. OLDER RAMP, ONE OF TWO, TO BE REPLACED
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ATT. 3i: COMPLETED NEW STYLE RAMP, CONSTRUCTED OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL