Newtown Township Approves Residents’ Plan to Plant Native Trees

At the September 11, 2019, Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meeting, Elen Snyder, a resident of the Windermere development on Lower Dolington Road, and Joyce Ely, President of the Neshaminy Creek Watershed Association, presented a proposal to enhance the use, appeal and ecological health of Roberts Ridge Park and its watershed through native tree planting project(s).

Township Manager Micah Lewis – who was trained as a landscape architect – endorsed the plan, which the supervisors voted unanimously in favor of.

Donate & Dedicate

Donations will be collected from local residents, with an initial goal of planting 32 trees. “I am collecting donations from residents now and plan to start planting trees on Saturday, November 9, 2019,” said Ms. Snyder, founder of Friends of Roberts Ridge Park, a group of local residents.

The donation for each tree is $70, which includes deer protection, stakes, mulch, and a dedication plaque. [To find out more about making a donation, visit the Friends of Roberts Ridge Park Facebook group.]

“Education about native trees and how they help battle pollution and give a home to the insect community will be given to all of the kids (and grownups) at the time of planting,” said Ms. Snyder.

Ongoing maintenance of the trees is to be done by the Friends of Roberts Ridge Park with assistance from the Neshaminy Creek Watershed Association, an organization of volunteer citizens, scientists, restoration specialists, Penn State Master Watershed Stewards, Penn State Master Gardeners, and certified “Tree Tenders” dedicated to enhancing and protecting the water quality and ecology of the Neshaminy Creek and its surrounding watershed.

“I am very pleased that residents and local area environmentalists are supporting this plan,” said Supervisor John Mack. “Not only does it provide a much-needed boost to the Township’s Pollution Reduction Plan, it also enhances the open space of the park for recreational activities such as flag football organized by residents and children's ‘Super Soccer Stars’ classes organized by the Township’s Parks and Recreation Department. It's a win-win for the Township, proving that there is such a thing as ROE – Return on Environment.”

The proposed tree planting plan will decrease surface runoff, increase soil infiltration and porosity, increase soil structure and soil organic matter, recycle and retain nutrients in the system, sequester carbon, provide habitat (shelter and food) for our native animals and will provide shade for recreational use (such as picnics), once established.

“Native tree planting in drainage areas that are designated as ‘impaired’ is, in our opinion, an excellent approach to reducing sediment, nutrient, chemical, and pathogen-laden runoff into the Neshaminy Creek,” said Joyce Ely, President of the Neshaminy Creek Watershed Association.

For more information about this project, visit the “Friends of Roberts Ridge Park” Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/FRRPark

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References:

“Newtown Township's Pollution Reduction Plan: How Will It Impact Our Parks?”; http://bit.ly/PRPimpact