A methodology for developing a preservation vegetation management strategy for a historic designed landscape : Dayton's Hills and Dale's Park

Vegetation management techniques have only recently been applied to the preservation of historic designed landscapes mainly because vegetation was not previously recognized as an important component of the historic sites. An example of a lack of vegetation management planning is seen as Hills and Dales Park in Dayton, Ohio. This Olmsted Brothers site design reveals several strong levels of historic significance. Resource managers predominately deal with budget constraints and maintenance priorities which emphasize public health and safety before preservation concerns. The purpose of this study was to develop a methodology to capture the historic character of the Hills and Dales Park and subsequently translate it into a preservation vegetation management plan (PVM). This strategy may be adapted by other researchers for use on additional sites.The primary data sources used in this study originated with historic photographs and digitally captured topographical and early 1900 survey maps. The data were appraised using previous verbal site descriptions documented by (Vernon 1987, 1988), and on site field reconnaissance. Analytical models were developed based on topography, soil, slope/aspect, disturbance, and boundary edge data. Random samples were taken using a variable plot method and a ten factor basal area prism. Field data were collected and used to determine plant species composition, forest types, tree basal area, tree diameter breast height, vegetation physical condition and aesthetic composition of plant groupings. Data were synthesized into recommendations for the Hills and Dales Park vegetation management strategy. Analysis and the proposed PVM scheme were undertaken using Intergraph's Geographic Information Systems spatial modeling software.The PVM strategy for Hills and Dales Park was developed from the above methodology for evaluating vegetation on historic landscapes. Once the site was inventoried and assessed, a sustainable vegetation management strategy was proposed based on proven ecological and silvicultural techniques. This scheme's main objective was to protect the park's historic integrity, sense of place, and historic vegetation composition.Department of Landscape ArchitectureThesis (M.L.A.