Gall Farm County Park Master Plan
Northampton County, PA
Services
Master Planning
Public Engagement
Trail Design
Park Planning
Report Preparation
Sustainable Design Initiatives
Purpose
Creating a master site development plan for the 160-acre Gall Farm County Park and planning, site analysis and engineering for the 7-mile Plainfield Recreation Trail.
Client
Northampton County
Prime Consultant
Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson Engineering, Inc.
Preservation, conservation and environmentally sensitive development opportunities were the critical elements driving the master plan design process for the 160-acre Gall Farm. The design process focused on creating regional destinations and providing educational opportunities to visitors of all ages.
As a part of the master plan, EPD proposed a continuous trail network that linked meandering streams, broad floodplains, slate outcrops, dramatic rockfaces, rolling farm fields, and scenic vistas at the property’s highest point. At the park arrival area, a series of amenities were included to support park activities, inclusive of a renovated barn as the comfort station, outdoor classrooms, natural play spaces, a community garden, orchard, gathering and parking areas. Sustainability features such as rain water cisterns, permeable hardscape design, as well as preserved bird habitats were incorporated with educational interpretive signages.
The Gall Farm property is envisioned to be an important open space preserve owned and operated by Northampton County Parks and Recreation. This vision was partially funded through the PA DCNR.