Shoreline restoration project at Thomas West Park

You may have noticed the depleted shorelines at Thomas West Park.
You may also have noticed the new addition of coir logs.
The brown (serpent looking) objects in the banks are coir logs.

In conjunction with Public Works, the Westville Environmental
Commission is currently working to control and prevent erosion on the shores of the stream and pond at Thomas West Park. Coir logs were delivered and installed. Then native plants were planted into the logs.

The coir logs act as an anchor for the erosion. However, once the native plants are established on the shoreline, the plants will take over the task of controlling erosion. This is an ongoing project with several stages planned.

If you would like to help with this project, please email us at
GreenWestville@westville-nj.com or stop by speak with anyone you see
working in the gardens at Thomas West Park. We are always looking for
volunteers and new members! Working at the park and gardens is a
great way to give back to the community and the environment.

As always, meetings are welcome to the public.

The next meeting is October 6th, 7:00 p.m., 114 Crown Point Rd.

Native Plants

Native plants are classified as plants that have been growing in our region since before European settling.

Natives are beneficial to birds and to butterflies because wildlife prefer to feed on natives. Many non-native ornamental plants have no food value to our wildlife. Also, native trees, especially evergreens, provide cover for birds. Our community garden at the Thomas West park pond is filled with native plants. We are in the process of having the habitat certified as a Monarch waystation. Waystations provide resources for Monarch butterflies throughout the breeding season and fall migration.

Some commonly found native plants are
~American Holly
~Red Maple
~Winterberry
~Black Eyed Susans
~Coreopsis
~Common Blue Violet
~New England Aster
~Switch Grass
~Lobelia (Cardinal Flower)


A full list of native plants can be found at New Jersey Native Plant Society.
www.npsnj.org