Post-Construction Sitework Begins

Yes, the rainstorms continue to batter us. A nice day yesterday – a welcome reprieve that permitted us to squeeze in some boating during my niece’s visit — but by this afternoon the inundation had resumed. Not super helpful on the same day that post-construction sitework begins…

It’s a welcome site to have Bob Kaleita tackling final phase of drainage, grading, and grass planting. As often on this project, we are once again slightly out of sync. It would be ideal to tackle the dirt work *AFTER* the stonework is complete, but necessity is the mother of invention. That said, when post construction site work begins, I get excited. It’s like putting the final touches on a painting. The image that has been mostly conceptual up until now begins to emerge from the construction debris, gaping holes, and dirt piles.

In the two photos above the volleyball / bocce / croquet court is being fine tuned for topsoil and grass. And between the soon-to-be grassy court and the north elevation of the boathouse is a swale complementing the original grade of the icehouse (varied for many decades). Drainage has just been directed under this area, and topsoil plus grass will integrate this into the broader lawn shortly. On the east end of the icehouse — in the footprint of the old dovecote — the ground will be graded, topsoiled, and hydroseeded with grass as well.

And preliminary site work between the icehouse and carriage barn was completed today before the deluge arrived. The next step will be to incorporate another gravel drainage bed that runs along the west elevation, and a planting area between the two buildings.

Congratulations to Bob for getting this final phase underway. And congratulations to Supi for tackling some last minute masonry where mechanicals enter the south east corner of the building. such a productive day. And then… The deluge!