At a Glance
Restoration of the riparian buffer and removal of invasive species and concrete rubble will provide the basis for establishing an ecologically rich and sustainable greenway corridor along the Delaware River.
Project Description
The Delaware River Riparian Buffer Restoration project was performed as a part of the North Delaware Riverfront Greenway project, a pilot effort kicking off a plan to convert industrial riverfront to an ecologically rich and sustainable greenway corridor spanning more than 10 miles along the Delaware Riverfront. Biohabitats was retained by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council to design and implement a riparian forest planting project adjacent to Lardner’s Point in Philadelphia.
The project involved aesthetic improvements to the river bank which was once contained by a concrete and steel bulkhead. Over time the bulkhead had deteriorated and fallen into the river, thereby leaving large pieces of concrete and steel along the shoreline. Several of the larger pieces of debris were removed prior to planting the riparian buffer. The buffer planting was performed in a grassy meadow area that is part of a memorial garden site. The landowner entered into an agreement with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council to allow them to plant the buffer as a part of the development of the greenway.
In addition to the removal of debris and the planting of a riparian buffer, the project included management of invasive vegetation on the site. Japanese knotweed had taken over a large portion of the property and was threatening plans for native vegetation along the greenway. Invasive species management was, and still is, being performed to control the reestablishment of knotweed at the site.