Fisher Hill Reservoir Park Planning

On June 16 the Fisher Hill Reservoir Park Design Advisory Committee met with the Klopfer Martin Design Group, the team that has been selected to design the new 10-acre park on Fisher Hill. After the design team’s presentation of a broad outline of site potential, committee members, neighbors and park advocates discussed a wide range of issues, concerns and desires for the park, reminding the team of specific goals of the Master Plan; these include playing field, Great Lawn, preservation of wooded area and walking paths. One park advocate observed that the sloping, stone-faced walls of the reservoir form a natural amphitheater, leading to the possibility of its use for performances, as well as sports. The team’s architect pointed out that the Richardsonian-style gatehouse is in very poor condition but that every effort will be made to restore it to use.

The first preliminary design plans were reviewed by the Design Advisroy Team, which includes a representative from BGSA, and the public, at a meeting on September 22. Four designs were presented, all of which included retaining major sections of the reservoir walls. At the October meeting two of the concepts were chosen for further developemnt. When it met on December 15, 2011, the DAT voted for one plan, the "Kite Hill" scheme for the designers to develop. The next meetingis scheduled for February 9.

Photo at left by Frances Shedd Fisher shows the gatehouse and the stone walls of the reservoir.