Ambler, PA — Ambler Borough received two grants to restore and expand the natural forested area along the banks of Rose Valley Creek where it flows through Borough Park. Out of six parks in Ambler, Borough Park is the only natural park. TreeVitalize and Merck & Co. Inc. funds are supplying trees, contractors and engineering, while the community is supplying the majority of the ideas and volunteer labor.
“The first phase of the project is almost completed – removing the invasive species,” said Susan Curry, volunteer coordinator for the project. “Now, we want to gather ideas from people who live near or visit the park about how the park should look, what features it should have, and how it can be used and maintained,” she continued. A meeting for collecting community input is scheduled for Saturday, February 20 at Borough Hall from 9:00 AM to noon. Anyone who cannot make the meeting may phone their input into 215-591-1551.
“They were unstoppable,” said Ms. Curry of the nearly fifty volunteers late last October who removed a third of the invasive plants that were choking parts of a 4-acre area of the park. The most common invasive plant species removed were Japanese knotweed, multi flora rose, Empress tree, Tree of heaven, privet and Norway Maple. Invasive species tend to crowd out native species and do not provide the same amount of food and shelter or habitat for native insects, birds, fish and other animals that native plants provide.
The community effort was organized by the Ambler Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), and involved volunteers from Wissahickon High School Key Club, Ambler Tree Tenders, the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association, VolunteerMatch, Briar Bush Nature Center, and neighbors of the park. “Eventually we see a rain garden, new wildflower meadows, benches, and meandering paths on both sides of the creek. This will really expand the area that residents can enjoy,” said Ms. Minich.
Phase three starts April 9, 10 and 11, when over 100 community volunteers will be needed to dig holes, then plant 300 trees and shrubs, apply mulch and water, and erect deer fencing. “Trees are especially important to help hold the soil and slow down storm waters that are flooding the park more frequently,” said Nancy Minich, landscape architect of NAM Design and Planning who is overseeing all phases of the work to be done in Borough Park. Trees will be planted in a pattern that will widen the riparian buffer along the stream. A riparian buffer is a vegetated area between the banks of a stream and the land area back from the banks.
In Borough Park, the existing buffer is often less than 10’ from the banks. This project will expand the buffer to a width of 50’ or more wherever feasible. According to Ms Minich, “Wider riparian buffers help to improve water quality by filtering pollution before it reaches the creek, and also improve flood management by slowing down runoff. Those are the primary benefits in the eyes of our funders. We imagine that the park will be more aesthetic while providing more natural services when the project is finished.”
A parallel initiative of Ambler Environmental Advisory Council is currently encouraging Ambler Borough to adopt four new ordinances that will be more protective of steep slopes, wetlands, floodplains, wood lands and riparian buffers.
Rose Valley Creek begins in Upper Dublin, and flows through Borough Park before it eventually joins the Wissahickon Creek. The recently increased frequency of high volume storms has increased erosion in the park. “We hope to prevent further erosion which causes sediment problems further down stream with our new plantings,” offered Ms. Curry.
A group called the “Friends of Borough Park” is forming to continue the care and stewardship of the park in the future. On-going efforts will be needed to keep the park clear of invasive plants and to continue to improve amenities. If interested in joining “Friends of Borough Park”, contact Susan Curry, 215-591-1551, or suscurry@comcast.net.
