Make a Difference Day town wide clean up on October
25, 2008 co-sponsored with Wheelabrator Resource Recovery Facility and the
Gloucester Improvement Authority warmed up the community for the productive
year the Westville Environmental Commission had in store. One hundred volunteers collected
approximately .5 tons of recyclables and 2 tons of trash. Wheelabrator also waived the tipping fees for
disposal which made the project even more cost effective for the town, a double
benefit. Success was attributed to
providing Lunch and Recycle bracelets to the volunteers.
An ANJEC storm
water presentation at the Eco Center in Bordentown inspired an eco-concept that
mushroomed into a multi-faceted project for the Environmental Commission and
the Borough of Westville. Sandwiched
between the Delaware River and Big Timber Creek, Westville is an established
waterfront community plagued by storm water runoff, soil erosion and sporadic
flooding.
In the fall of
2008 (November 3-7), the Borough lowered the depth of the pond in Thomas West
Park. That action sparked an opportunity
to demonstrate alternative ways to control stormwater runoff on the pond bank
and provide native habitats for honey bees and monarch butterflies. Activity in the pond also brought to light the
lack of respite areas for the resident turtles. The park was also plagued by ridged runoffs on
the upper side adjacent to the flat roofed Parkview Elementary School. Integrating the School into a remedial ground
project could offer educational opportunities with potential involvement by the
children fostering future environmental interest. The final concept included the following
elements:
- Turtle Ramp Basking
Deck
- New Jersey
Council on Arts Grant
- Rutgers Rain
Garden Assistance Grant
- Pond Side
Butterfly Garden
I.
The pond has a large turtle population of
assorted sizes that cling to any object in the pond for their daily solar
rejuvenation. Some of their places for
sunning had been removed in the process of the pond lowering.
The remaining rocks and shoreline were
their primary basking points though not the safest.
The Commission submitted plans for a 3ft. x
5ft. cedar Turtle Ramp Basking Deck and Borough Public Works provided the materials
to Boy Scout Troop 40 who constructed the project. It was installed in the pond on June 19,
2009.
II.
The Commission
submitted an application to the Gloucester County Cultural & Heritage
Commission for a New Jersey State Council on the Arts Grant. A Community Public Art Project grant was
awarded on November 25, 2008 for completion in 2009 as an elementary school
mural project. We asked the children to
describe the wildlife they observed at the pond and they had a rather creative
interpretation of our local flora and fauna.
Then artist Karen Stone designed two large wooden freestanding, double-sided
vignettes for the students to paint that would stand as focal points of entry
for a Butterfly Garden. An environmental
lecture to the students preceded the completion of the eco-mural event at Parkview Elementary School during the week of June 9th to 13th
under the expert guidance of Karen Stone, an environmental muralist.
The owner of a local auto body shop
volunteered to clear coat the murals to protect the student’s efforts. Public Works employees installed them during
the week following July 4, 2009.
III.
Commission
members attended a “How to” Rain Garden Seminar on October 25, 2008 followed by
hands-on training sessions on February 19 and March 19, 2009. Successful installation of two rain gardens
at the “Dream Park” in Logan Township validated the commission as Certified
Rain Garden Installers.
To secure a Rain Garden Assistance
Grant, three sites in Thomas West Park were tested for soil type, slope analysis
and infiltration with results submitted to Rutgers on May 11, 2009. The
preferred location was beside Parkview School between the Atrium and the Tennis
Courts. The site had dense clay soil and
severe erosion caused by storm water runoff from the Atrium roof. Required approvals were received from the
Board of Education, Borough Council and Rutgers.
The excavation of 20 inches of clay soil
and insertion of 10 cubic yards of compost donated by a local developer on June
24, 2009.
The 11 x 22 (242 sq. ft.) area contains
sixteen native plant species and is watered by two downspouts from the Atrium
roof. Plants were donated by Rutgers and members of
their Master Gardeners Program.
The Rain Garden was completed on June 25th
through the efforts of Master Gardeners, local citizens, commissioners and
Public Works employees who spent two days excavating and planting.
The garden provides a natural habitat
for birds, butterflies and bees, reduces storm water runoff and soil erosion,
and provides an educational opportunity for residents of all ages. A series of lectures on storm water
management and rain gardens will be conducted at a later date. It is our hope that eventually Parkview’s
Environmental Club will share garden maintenance with the commission.
All
We Need is Rain!!
IV.
The previously
mentioned Pond lowering left the west bank of the pond barren and stump-laden,
not a very welcoming sight for passersby.
On November 17, 2008, the Commission met
with Mike Hogan, a naturalist with the South Jersey Land & Water
Trust. Mr. Hogan provided
recommendations for replanting the pond shore line and adjoining stream to
control runoff and soil erosion. Alan
Koch, a Landscape Architect, volunteered to design the garden. Public Works employees prepared the land and
as afore mentioned, mounted the Eco-murals to denote the entrance points.
On July 16, 2009 Commission members started measuring out and staking the four foot wide path that wanders through the 20 ft. x 100 ft. Butterfly Garden. Weed pulling and the planting of shrubs and perennials followed all the way through August.
Locating the 32 native plant species was
tedious, causing the planting season to be elongated and the final plants were
added on September 7, 2009. The
Commission secured the plant purchases at 50% of the original cost estimate and
involved a local industry to fund those purchases. The Commission is still seeking benefactors
for additions of pavers and fencing to protect the perimeter boundaries.
The initial hope
of this project was to provide habitat for Honey Bees, all butterfly species
especially Monarchs, and Humming Birds. Caterpillars
currently occupy the fennel plants, bees and butterflies circle and land on the
plants and the on-lookers are amazed. As
we tend the gardens we are flooded with volunteers from the very young on up
and we are rewarded by experiences such as the accolade by an older fisherman,
“Thank you for making things beautiful, it is appreciated.”; and the nodding head
of an elderly woman as she walks past.
October 14, 2009
These pictures represent the current
status of Butterfly Garden in Thomas West Park, Westville, N.J.
