AMHERST - A small pond with an observation deck overlooking it. A landscape filled with trees, park benches and visually interesting path. A park sectioned off into specific areas based on the property lines of the homes that once stood on the property.

These are some of the ideas for Kendrick Park included in 10, 1/8-scale-models designed by University of Massachusetts Landscape and Architecture students and presented to the Kendrick Park Committee last week.

The conceptual plans for the 3.3-acre wedge of land bounded by East Pleasant, North Pleasant and Triangle streets from the students in Frank Sleegers' sophomore design studio could be incorporated into the park's future appearance.

"It's fun to see the different ideas for what the park might look like," said committee chairwoman Peggy Roberts. "This gets people to think more broadly about what is possible."

Many of the plans called for having space for an ice rink in winter, a farmers market in the summer and the Boy Scout Christmas tree sale in the fall, which has been a tradition since the 1950s.

The students also liked the idea of a water feature at the park's southern end, near where Tan Brook runs below the surface in a drainage pipe. These concepts would call for "daylighting" Tan Brook.

Even though a small pond was included in the design she completed with classmate Tanya Chesnell, Rebecca Krutsky noted that this would require dealing with issues of smell and pollutants in the water, as Tan Brook acts as a sewage drain for parking lots in downtown Amherst.

Sam Lichter's plan uses trees to shield the sound of cars from the park. But he also allowed open space to remain toward the middle of the park for such things as the Christmas tree sale, and added a long bridge extending on the edge of the pond.

His plan offers ways for people to enjoy the park without venturing into it. "We also provided benches on the outer perimeter so people could sit," Lichter said.

The plan from Joey Silveira offers large open space at the northern end, the park's widest point, with a reflection pool toward southern end, surrounded by seating. "It could be a great place to meet friends before going into town," Silveira said.

Jane Alexanderr and Tomer Soran's scale model used several different "rooms," including one featuring space for children with a swing set for children to play on and benches on which parents could sit.

Alex Peterkin and Robert Nute presented their idea of retaining history by connecting with the park's residential past.

Peterkin said the model shows different spaces created by artistic facades, resembling miniature homes, to help keep in mind how Amherst has changed.

Lichter said he gained new appreciation and understanding for the landscaping work. "You really start to look at land a little different," Lichter said.

Some of the models will remain on display at Town Hall, while others will be shown at the wunderarts gallery on Main Street, likely for a couple of weekends.

"I figured it would be fun to show at the gallery in the same way A.P.E. in Northampton showed Notre Dame," said wunderarts gallery director Tony Maroulis, referring to the showing by visiting graduate students from Notre Dame University's Urban Design Studio.

"The Kendrick Park Committee has enjoyed our contact with this class at UMass," Roberts said. "Really interesting ideas have come out of their work."

Sleegers said it could prove useful to the town. "We hope we can help the Kendrick Park Committee develop a program for Kendrick Park," Sleegers said.