“我们见到过许多同类项目都希望将水质还原到其原初的自然状态，而该项目完美地实现了这一愿景。”——2015年ASLA专业奖评语
"We've all seen projects that aspire to return water to its natural condition. This seems remarkably believable." - 2015 Awards Jury
项目概述
米尔河的滨河区曾经是一片遭受严重污染的废弃区域，经过相应的改造和治理后，如今的米尔河公园及林荫道呈现出草木葱郁、生机盎然的景象，是理想的市民活动公共空间，其所在的康涅狄格州斯坦福德市的生态环境及社会环境也得到了有力地改善。景观设计团队与工程师及生态学家取得通力合作，旨在通过修复渠道化滨河区域及引进数以百计的全新原生植物，有效改善该区域内的水生和陆生生境，减少洪泛灾害，营造出景致宜人的滨河景观。该滨河公园景观设计的变革性影响在于其生态可持续性发展有效带动了社会可持续性及社会法制的积极发展。一系列滨河步道的建立重新将周边住区与这片充满生机的景观带连于一体，这是这片滨河区近百年来的首次对外开放。滨河公园理想的景观设计为周边民众的日常休闲提供了良好的活动空间，园中葱郁的大草坪及大型阶式平台则为举办大型公众活动提供了充足的场地。米尔河公园的成功打造重新定义了原本喧杂的都市生活，它已然成为了生活、工作、商业发展及经济可持续发展的一剂有力催化剂。
项目描述
长斯筑坝、筑渠等梗阻河道的破坏性建设行为，以及污染物和淤泥的严重堆积，使得原本潮汐规律的半盐化米尔河形成了康涅狄格州斯坦福德市中心极具威胁的洪灾隐患。为了减缓这种威胁，美国陆军工程兵部队和斯坦福德市政部门曾联合拆除河道内的两个混凝土大坝，使河流实现了自17世纪河道开通以来的首次自由流动。该绿色基础设施项目不仅有效修复了生态生境，降低了洪灾隐患，同时也为周边公园空间的发展提供了良好的机遇，并将城市中心与滨河区域连于一体，形成综合性的区域振兴整体。
近百年来，斯坦福德市一直梦想着能够在城市中心建造一座中央公园，并在历史悠久的米尔河沿岸建立起相应的林荫道。在市、州及联邦各级社会团体和一些当地企业与个人的大力资助下，该项目的设计团队正式组建，拟定相应总体规划，旨在对一个28英亩（约11颂）的公园地块及其长达3英里（约4.8公里）的林荫道进行合理化景观设计。在美国陆军工程兵部队的紧密配合中，设计团队负责设计和实施项目的总体规划，该项目的成功将促进持久性生态生境规模的稳步扩展，并将有助于未来10年内的城市自然生态建设。城市规划师赫伯特·斯旺早在1929年便设想，遵循弗雷德里克·劳·奥姆斯特德的城市规划理念，规划出一处城郊区域，着重于城市环境中的公园空间建设，而该项目的成功施行正是印证了这一设想的可行性。
米尔河林荫道的总体规划中，涉及一系列的生态建设，其中之一便是利用其固有的生物多样性潜能，替代已拆除的大坝功用，以打造出形态多样的生态生境，确保本土野生动植物群落的健康发展。在生物生境方面的生态学家紧密协助中，各种浅滩、深潭和曲流都得以重新治理，使其形成近似河流的自然形态。本土树种、灌木、草种及禾本植物所组成的规模庞大的植栽带，有效稳固了滨河区域，并为周边的野生动物提供着所需的食料、栖息地和筑巢场地。经过重新治理的河漫滩为溯河鱼在大都市里营造出理想的盐沼栖息地，并成为它们从咸水区向淡水区迁移的良好过渡带；1200只内河鲱鱼也正经历着360年来的首次产卵；一个开放型的潮交水区正以其全新的面貌迎接着各种各样的陆生及水生动植动。米尔河两岸满是依据客观滨河条件及水深条件而设计的各式生态生境。
如今，层次分明的米尔河沿岸呈现出自然、安逸的河漫滩景象，从而有力地为周边街道和住区消除了雨洪隐患。米尔河曾经引发邻近街道接连不断的洪泛灾害，而今在雨洪发生时，它能够自如地掌控水量的波动，有效避免了灾害的发生。事实上，在最近发生的两次飓风灾害中，雨洪就并未对公园或周边区域造成严重的灾害。现在，米尔河的河水蜿蜒地流淌在人行步道、休憩空间和其它各式公园设施间，为人类和野生动植物营造出一处宁谧而充满生机的滨河环境。
该项目在第一阶段的植栽中，就种植了400多棵本土树种和灌木。此外，各类原生草种和野花种子都混合播撒于水生带、湿地区以及地势较高的区域内。春天播种会受到强降雨侵蚀而冲走一部分的种子，但大部分的种子还是得以顺利发芽。更值得一提的是，全新的河漫滩正如当初设计时所预想的那样，并未对公园及周边步道造成损害，也不会侵蚀周边的滨水草坡。第二阶段的种子播撒则是在第一阶段的基础上，更为注重花草的色彩搭配及植栽布局，以期在一年之内完成原定的植栽计划。野花、草地、灌木和树木的植栽组合为这里的生物营造出全新的理想生态生境。周边的民众都自发地积极参与到公园的环境维护中去，而训练有素的公园志愿者们则负责及时清除偶尔侵入的物种。学生们有组织地前来参观这里的原生植物，对这些植物有了更为直观的认识与理解。已前往公园游览的游客们都在米尔河互动网站上纷纷发布了各式各样的游览照片，其中包括如水獭和地巢鸟这样繁华都市中难得一见的稀有动物。米尔河互动网上被证识的已发芽单株植物物种就达50余种，它们正在不断为周边的动物提供着食物和理想的栖息地。
该项目中的各种设计元素都以项目场地的历史脉络为考量，且十分注重其耐久性。在公园步道沿边及坡地上，长椅和大型再生巨石景观装置的精心置放，为游人们打造出多处宜人的休憩空间。精心挑选的地面铺装材料则具备着较强的御洪性。历史悠久的石墙得以重新修复，而从附近废弃建筑中拆卸下来的大石块也都在公园中得以充分再利用，与周边的绿化景观相互应衬，以这样的方式为当地历史及区域地质状况留下可考痕迹。一条起始于城市入城口的宽阔的香槐林荫步道贯穿整个滨河公园，直通向毗邻的城市中心区，成为公园的地标性景观步道。这条林荫步道沿路景观区还包括大草坪和大型阶式平台，这里为举办大型公众活动及滨水游乐活动提供了充足的场地。此外，设计团队还积极响应周边民众的要求，在施工期间，尽可能地保护好已种植多年的樱桃树种植区，进而将其移植到大草坪及大型阶式平台的沿边步道两侧。
项目的设计方案中还为史蒂芬与亚历山德拉科恩滑冰馆及喷泉水景、布朗斯坦/瑟尔克维茨展示馆、尼森旋转木马游乐设施、米尔河公园绿廊、探索中心公园大楼等未来公园景观、游乐、建筑设施预留了充分的建设场地。
自对外开放以来，米尔河公园及其林荫道备受民众青睐，游客常年络绎不绝，园中还有数百名的工作人员及志愿者对其中的景观、绿化设施进行维护与管理。河道的科学设计与有效清理，使其污染状况和随意向水中丢弃垃圾的现象发生了根本性的改变。公园所在社区对于公共环境连续持久的有效保洁，也为这一滨河公园自然美景的保持创造了良好的客观条件。
项目总体规划中对于未来各阶段的景观建设也拟定了相应的具体规划，这些规划内容均以城市与生态发展共存为必要宗旨，为城市建设与周边的环境建设创造出双赢的建设发展局面。该项目实质上是一个自行再生的景观项目，原生植物和野生动物也都陆续回归到这处繁华的城市中心区域中。在如此本就具备生态多样性的葱郁环境中，注入一系列的可持续性、休闲、市政、文化及教育等综合设计，这样完美的绿色基础设施建设必将造福这座城市的子孙后代。
左图：总平面图——米尔河原先污染严重的渠道化滨河区域，如今却是康涅狄格州斯坦福德市区内草木葱郁、生机盎然的公共活动空间。凭借着与工程师和生态学家的通力协作，设计团队对米尔河河道进行了有效治理和修复，使其周边的水生及陆生生态生境重新焕发生机
Left: ILLUSTRATIVE SITE PLAN - Formerly a polluted and channelized riverfront, Mill River Park is now a vibrant and verdant community space in downtown Stamford, Connecticut. Working closely with engineers and ecologists, the design team rebuilt the river and revitalized aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
Image by: ? OLIN
右图：蜿蜒的步道与河流相行而置，为人们漫步、慢跑、骑行或者驻足观景提供了理想的滨河空间
Right: Sinuous paths parallel the river and allocate space for walking, jogging, and bicycling as well as providing opportunities for resting and viewing.
Image by: ? OLIN / Sahar Coston-Hardy
原先的贮水池地块经改造后，如今已形成与米尔河相行而置的蜿蜒步道。水中、湿地、城市山地，无处不及的原生植被营造出路堤周边的美丽景致
The site of a former millpond has been replaced by the rebuilt and gracefully meandering Mill River paralleled by sinuous paths. A native vegetation palette follows the contours rising up the embankments from hydric to mesic to urban upland.
Image by: ? OLIN / Sahar Coston-Hardy
河滨这座建于1922年的工厂建筑在其荒废后，残留的墙体阻断了城市与沿河居民之间的联系。随着城市化进程的不断加剧，日渐渠道化的米尔河成为了市区洪泛灾害的主要隐患来源
Once the mill was abandoned, the remnant walls–built in 1922–severed the city and residents from the river. With increased urbanization, the channelized river became the source of major flooding throughout the downtown.
Image by: Courtesy of Mill River Collaborative
如今河景大有改观。自然随性的石铺滨河走道俨然形成天然砾石河岸，并与经过精心铺砌的滨河步道相连，为人们亲近河水提供了便利
Today that has all changed. Paved paths lead to informal stone walkways that become gravel banks inviting access to the river's edge.
Image by: ? Olivier Kpognon
2000年，美国陆军工程兵部队曾提案：对河流廊道结构重新进行深入研究，进而修复滨河区域以恢复河流廊道的自然属性，最终减缓由城市化而引发的洪泛灾害。该方案的治理措施具体包括移除河道中所有的障碍物与积水
In 2000, The Army Corps of Engineers developed a proposal to naturalize the river corridor with a new understanding that restoring the river's edge would prevent flooding due to urbanization. This included the removal of all obstructions and impoundments. Image by: Sue Sweeney
该项目的有效改造实现了米尔河自17世纪河道开通以来的首次自由流动。如今这里纯净的河水流经斯坦福德市区，潺潺流向长岛海峡
The restoration allowed Mill River to flow freely for the first time since the 1600s. The river is now pristine as it flows through downtown Stamford on its way to Long Island Sound.
Image by: ? Olivier Kpognon
连绵不绝的春雨过后，米尔河水位升高，与河岸齐平，但对周边的城市街区却未造成任何危害
After copious spring rains, the river flows high on its banks but poses no risk of flooding to the surrounding city.
Image by: ? KJ Klopstock
该项目中的植被布局迎合了天然河道的诸多生态需求，同时也营造出一处理想的城市绿化公园。多样化植被和可持续性生态系统与周边的都市景致和谐地融于一体。种类繁多的植被系统形成大片生态生境，进而造就了一处风景宜人的大型绿化公园景观
Planting blends the needs of a natural riparian corridor with the demands of an urban park. Diversity and sustainable ecosystems are balanced with urbanity. Vegetation is used to provide habitat, maintain visibility, and provide a spatially rich and maintainable park.
Image by: ? OLIN / Sahar Coston-Hardy
周边居民在河滨游憩，这里成为他们远离城市喧嚣的咫尺静地。街道的嘈杂被啁啾的鸟鸣、吱喳的虫鸣与潺潺的水声所取代
Residents reunite with the waterfront and are offered respite from the commotion of a city only steps away. The hum of the street succumbs to chirping birds, noisy insects and rippling water.
Image by: ? OLIN / Sahar Coston-Hardy
禾本草、野花、灌木、下层植被等本土植物，经过合理的植被布局，使得早已荒废的水生及陆生生境恢复了应有的生机
The native plants, including grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, understory trees and canopy trees, were carefully coordinated to revitalize degraded aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
Image by: ? OLIN / Sahar Coston-Hardy
站立于大草坪前的大型阶式平台上，人们可远眺河流美景，在夏日里，这里亦是举办电影之夜等公共活动的理想场所
Along the steps in front of the "Great Lawn" people overlook the river and gather for movie nights and other events during the summer.
Image by: ? OLIN / Will Belcher
毗连大草坪的加勒多尼亚花岗岩步道与通向河滨的阶式步道，为各式演出活动的举办提供了良好的场地
Caledonia granite paving adjacent to the "Great Lawn" and stepping down toward the river provides space for a variety of programmed activities.
Image by: ? Olivier Kpognon
滨河公园的建造为周边住区的居民带来了无尽欢乐。孩子们正欢快地奔向园中举办的万圣节活动区
The community has whole-heartedly embraced its new park. Here children are on their way to a Halloween celebration in the park.
Image by: ? Olivier Kpognon
岩石硬景元素的精心置放形成形态各异的石景、浅滩、瀑布与水池。每个景观元素都发挥着各自的功用：减缓水流，调节水位，为鱼儿和其他两栖动物提供安逸的产卵环境。此外，这些硬质景观还能够营造出活跃的学习性游乐场
Careful placement of rocks creates veins, riffles, falls, and pools. Each element has a function: slowing water flow, accommodating grade change, and creating still areas for spawning fish and amphibians. These hardworking features also double as an active learning playground.
Image by: ? OLIN / Will Belcher
该项目设计有力减少了环境污染与废弃物堆积现象，为本土野生动植物打造出了近接的原生态自然河景。诸如野鸭、水獭及地巢鸟这样的稀有动物都自由地栖息于这处多样化的城市生态生境中
The design led to a significant drop in pollution and debris resulting in an immediate influx of indigenous wildlife. The mallard, river otter and ground nesting birds are just some of the animal species now integrated into this diverse urban setting.
Image by: ? OLIN / Sahar Coston-Hardy
Project Statement
Formerly a polluted, derelict riverfront, Mill River Park and Greenway is now a verdant, animated civic space that mends the ecological and social fabric of downtown Stamford, Connecticut. Working closely with engineers and ecologists, the team conceived of a landscape designed to revitalize aquatic and terrestrial habitats and reduce flooding by restoring the channelized river's edge and introducing hundreds of new native plants. The transformative effect of this park builds on ecological sustainability into social sustainability and social justice. A series of walking paths along the river reconnect neighborhoods to this vibrant landscape, granting access to the river's edge for the first time in a century. The design provides much needed park space for active and passive recreation and a flexible "Great Lawn and Overlook" for large programmed events. A model for redefining active urban life, the park is a catalyst for residential, corporate and commercial growth and economic sustainability.
Project Narrative
Obstructed by damming, channeling, pollution debris and silt buildup, the tidal and partially brackish Mill River posed a significant flood risk to downtown Stamford, Connecticut. To mitigate this threat, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Stamford executed a project resulting in the removal of two concrete dams, allowing the river to flow freely for the first time since the 1600s. This green infrastructure project not only provided habitat rehabilitation and reduced risk of flooding, but an opportunity to develop surrounding park space and unite the downtown with the waterfront, offering revitalization to the area as a whole.
For nearly 100 years, Stamford had dreamed of a Central Park in the heart of its downtown and a greenway along the banks of the historic Mill River. Thanks to the funding efforts of a community collaborative of city, state, and the federal government, along with local corporations and private citizens, a design team was hired to envision a master plan and create a landscape design for a 28-acre park and 3-mile greenway. Collaborating closely with the Army Corps of Engineers, the design team was tasked with designing and implementing a master plan that would facilitate sustained habitat growth and work towards the project's nearly decade-long mission to reconnect the city to nature. The realization of this project is a tribute to the legacy of city planner Herbert Swan who in 1929 was inspired to follow the vision of Fredrick Law Olmsted to "Plan a Metropolitan Suburb," focusing on the importance of park space in the urban environment.
One of the ecological components of the Mill River Greenway Master Plan was to capitalize on the potential for increased biodiversity that would result from the removal of the dam, helping to create a variety of habitats to support native wildlife communities. Working closely with bio-habitat ecologists, riffles, pools and meanders were recreated to mimic the natural morphology of the river. A robust palette of native trees, shrubs, grasses, and forbs were planted to stabilize the river's edge and to provide food, habitat and nesting places for wildlife. The reintroduced floodplain offers crucial salt marsh habitat in the heart of an urban metropolis—anadromous fish, migrating from salt to fresh water, have been granted passage to the watershed; 1,200 river herring have returned to spawn for the first time in 360 years; an open tidal exchange welcomes amazing diversity on land as well as in water. A refuge for other species resulted from the design of a variety of riparian edge conditions and water depths.
Today, the regraded river's edge resembles a natural, protective floodplain thereby eliminating the damaging effects of stormwater in the surrounding streets and neighborhood. The river that once posed a continual threat of flooding to nearby streets, is now capable of handling the fluctuation of water volume in storm events. In fact, there was no significant damage to the park or surrounding area due to flooding during the two most recent hurricanes. Today, the meandering flow of the river winds its way through walking paths, rest areas and park amenities creating a peaceful and stimulating environment for humans and for wildlife.
In the first phase of planting, more than 400 native trees and shrubs were installed. In addition, seed mixes comprising native grasses and wildflowers were sown in three distinct zones: hydric, mesic and urban upland. The spring following seeding brought unusually strong storms that washed away some seed, but the majority of the seed germinated. More importantly, the new floodplain performed exactly as it was designed to with no damage to paths or erosion of grading. A second planned over-seeding of color blended wildflower swaths was added that year to complete the planting design. A composition of wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees bring an entirely new habitat environment to terrestrial species. The community is actively involved in maintaining the park and volunteers are trained to remove invasive species that pop up occasionally. Student groups are introduced to native plants and gain a critical understanding of stewardship. Visitors to the park have posted pictures of wildlife on the Mill River Collaborative's website, such as river otters and ground nesting birds that are rarely seen this close to a bustling city center. The Mill River Collaborative has identified images of over 50 individual plant species that have germinated and continue to provide food and habitat in the park.
Elements of the design pay homage to the history of the site, and were selected for their durability. Well placed benches and large reclaimed boulders create rest areas along pathways and overlooks on the site. Paving materials were selected for their ability to withstand flooding events. Historic stone walls were restored, and local stone boulders were unearthed from a nearby construction and incorporated into the project as a celebration of local history and regional geology. A Grand Allee of yellowwood trees now proceeds from the city entrance and is an example of the park's link to the adjacent downtown. The corridor leads to the "Great Lawn and Overlook," a flexible open space for large events and waterfront entertainment. The design team also responded to the community's love of historic cherry trees by saving as many as possible in a holding nursery during construction. Afterward, all were replanted along with new cherry trees lining the paths leading to the Great Lawn and Overlook.
The design holds place for future amenities that will include the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Skating Center & Fountain, Brownstein/Selkowitz Pavilion, Nissen Carousel, Mill River Park Pergola, and the Discovery Center Park Building.
Since its opening, the community has embraced Mill River Park and Greenway with year-round visitation, in addition to hundreds of programs and volunteer efforts. The design and clearance to the waterway has resulted in a drop in pollution and debris, altering previous littering habits. The community cleanup efforts continue to maintain the site's natural beauty.
Plans to implement future phases of the master plan confirm the recognition that urban and ecological cohabitation is necessary to provide mutual benefits for the city and surrounding environment. This is a self-regenerating landscape. Native plants and wildlife continue to return to this downtown area. With a design that emphasizes sustainability, recreation, civic engagement, culture and education within an ecologically diverse and lush environment, the green infrastructure will serve the city for generations to come.
项目信息：
露辛达·桑德斯（美国景观设计师协会理事、美国注册景观设计师、项目合伙人、首席设计师）
凯特·约翰-阿德尔（美国景观设计师协会会员、项目总体规划合伙人）
E·艾伦·斯普勒基（美国景观设计师协会会员、项目合伙人、项目经理）
总体规划：杰兰·贝莱克（美国景观设计师协会会员）、安妮·达顿、大卫·艾略特、杰西·弗雷斯特、毛利西奥·戈麦斯（美国景观设计师协会非正式会员）、洛里·约翰逊、谋扎严·阿尔·卡利尔、达尼洛·马尔蒂奇
设计团队：艾丽丝·盖林、朱迪·文诺斯奇（美国景观设计师协会会员）、萨莉·雷诺兹、威尔·贝尔彻、蒂芙尼·比默（美国景观设计师协会会员）、马修·布莱克本（美国景观设计师协会会员）、马特·舒、凡妮莎·艾柯夫（美国景观设计师协会会员）、艾里逊·哈维、布里顿·琼斯（美国景观设计师协会会员）、布拉德·马克哥特、雅文·冈、迪伦·萨尔蒙斯、埃里克·舒哈特（美国景观设计师协会会员）、安德鲁·德霍特
生态设计：Habitat By Design
土木工程：Nitsch Engineering
结构工程：Fay, Spofford & Thorndike
岩土工程：GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc
照明设计：Tillett Lighting Design
灌溉设计：Northern Designs
米尔河廊道规划设计：Sasaki & Associates（于1998受托于城区改造委员会）
另：该项目还与美国陆军工程兵部队取得通力合作，进行水坝拆除及环境整治。
Project Credits:
Lucinda Sanders, FASLA, RLA, Partner, Lead Designer
Kate John-Alder, ASLA, Master Plan Partner
E. Alan Spulecki, ASLA, Associate, Project Manager
Master Planning: Ceylan Belek, ASLA; Anne Dutton; David Elliott; Jesse Forrester; Mauricio Gomez, Associate ASLA; Lori Johnson; Mouzayan al Kalil; Danilo Martic
Design Team: Elise Geyelin; Judy Venonsky, ASLA; Sally Reynolds; Will Belcher; Tiffany Beamer, ASLA; Matthew Blackburn, ASLA; Matt Chu; Vanessa Eickhoff, ASLA; Allison Harvey; Britton Jones, ASLA; Brad McGuirt; Masafumi Oka; Dylan Salmons; Eric Schuchardt, ASLA; Andrew Tetrault
Ecologist: Habitat By Design
Civil Engineer: Nitsch Engineering
Structural Engineering: Fay, Spofford & Thorndike
Geotechnical Engineer: GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc
Lighting: Tillett Lighting Design
Irrigation: Northern Designs
In conjunction with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (dam removal, environmental remediation)
Mill River Corridor Plan (commissioned by the Urban Redevelopment Commission in 1998): Sasaki & Associates
