County Council helps to “Treevitalize” Kent Park

Council and volunteers plant streamside buffer along Darby Creek

A streamside buffer of 100 native trees and shrubs now enhances the landscape at Kent Park in Upper Darby, thanks to a joint project by Delaware County Council and several partners.

The planting, protection and establishment of the trees, along with the removal of invasive plants, was launched Friday, Sept. 27, within a portion of the Darby Creek floodplain in Kent Park, also home to Delaware County’s dog park.

County Council, the county’s Conservation District, Parks and Recreation and Community Corrections workers joined volunteers from various organizations, shovels in-hand, to implement the “riparian” buffer planting project.

The project is designed to help manage storm water runoff, reduce soil erosion, protect water quality, improve the wildlife habitat, reduce impact associated with flooding, enhance passive recreational opportunities and provide educational benefits for park users.

Several community organizations, including the Darby Creek Valley Association, Natural Lands Trust, PECO Energy and Villanova University provided volunteer assistance. The planting area for the native trees and shrubs is approximately three-quarters of an acre.

The project complements a dam removal and stream bank stabilization project completed on Darby Creek at Kent Park in 2012 and complies with the “County Open Space, Recreation and Greenway Plan” that is under development by the Delaware County Planning Department.

Funding for the project was provided by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s TreeVitalize Watersheds program and the Plant One Million campaign. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener program also provides funding toward the TreeVitalize Watersheds program, as well as Aqua PA for projects located within its source water protection zones.

The Tree Vitalize Watersheds grant in the amount of $4,880 was awarded to the Delaware County Conservation District in February 2013 to complete the project.

“This is a project that benefits our watershed, our park and our overall environment in Delaware County,” said County Council Vice Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr., shovel in hand. “It’s also great to see so many volunteers, including students, come out and work side-by-side to complete the plantings.”

Kent Park is a beautiful 10-acre area of green that runs along the Darby Creek under the historic Lindbergh Bridge in Upper Darby Township. The park has traditionally been used for hiking and fishing and now features many new renovated areas, a playground, dog park, pavilion, and plenty of protected space that enhances the environment and gives residents a place to enjoy exercise, nature and build a community.

The Delaware County Parks and Recreation Department has planned another tree planting project, scheduled for 9 a.m., Saturday, September 28 at Glen Providence Park in Media. The project is funded in part by a Delaware County Conservation District Mini-Grant of $500 that was awarded to the Friends of Glen Providence Park. The native tree and shrub plantings will be installed along Broomall’s Run, a tributary to Ridley Creek which flows through the Park.