An initial land plan
This weekend the sisters met to discuss the land we purchased. Much of what we will do is in the future. But I decided that in the next year or two, I’ll
1. Use the existing felled trees to build terraced steps
The steps I have in mind are similar to the ‘cliff steps’ to the lagoon at the end of the Landbank Ramble Trail Preserve
I’ll pay someone to cut them as long as it is possible to split the logs in half - I think they will be small enough for me to pick up (3-4 feet long?)
Here’s an article about building terraced steps down a slope with felled trees
Below is a diagram of how to install and stabilize the logs from this article
Here’s a blog post with other ideas for upcycling felled trees and branches
Here’s another way to use logs to make steps [1/2021 edit]
2. Build a 10 x 10 foot deck at the bottom of those stairs. - midway down the slope away from the road
This platform would be used for short visits, probably pitching a tent.
Here’s how to make a deck using logs as support
A much less elaborate version of Setsumasa and Mami Kobayashi’s weekend retreat outside of Tokyo
Here’s an article on building an elevated deck - including materials lists.
Here’s an instructable on how to do this. = maybe I should build a bigger deck?
Because of the slope, open storage would available underneath - for stuff like logs,
Maybe the goats would enjoy walking and laying on/under this deck.
3. Move an existing shed to a platform or foundation adjacent to the deck. [Jan 2021 edit - this shed is no longer available, E is looking into buying another shed]
Someone with a crane working nearby gave a quote of $1000 to do this.
Building the foundation onto which it goes is also an expense. Here’s a post about building a platform for a shed on a slope
This would hold a composting toilet, and store other supplies for visitors. Here’s a DIY Composting Loo video and here’s a store bought version.
Shed is currently not insulated - might be worth adding sheets of insulation to the floor and walls.
4. In May when the first poison ivy shoots come out, build a fence around the area to allow the goats to graze this area to keep it clear of poison Ivy. [Jan 2021 edit - Ellen, Philipp, Lee and Sara spent a hot day getting this done in September]
Goats require special fencing, the easiest to install is goat fence panels, which are around $30 each. [And that’s what we did - cost more like $700 for the panels and stakes]
In riverside park they used a roll of fencing on stakes, but I think it required a lot of equipment to set up.