Native Plant Installation at Smedley Park Clean Water Basin

Stormwater detention basins are designed catchment areas meant to collect and temporarily store stormwater runoff after a rain, snow, or other precipitation events. Although these basins should allow runoff to slowly infiltrate into the ground and drain stormwater at a steady rate, the original design of Delaware County's Smedley Park Clean Water Basin no longer functioned properly causing delayed drainage of stormwater into adjacent Crum Creek.  As a result of the slow drainage, the roadway encircling the basin flooded frequently, and the basin collected excess sediment and debris. Therefore, Delaware County applied for, and was awarded, a Low Volume Road grant from the Delaware County Conservation District in 2022 to redesign the basin, allowing it to function properly again.

The redesigned basin was seeded with grass which would be cut back frequently. Mowed turf grass only allows a small percentage of water infiltration compared to deep-rooted native flowering plants, grasses, trees, and shrubs. Furthermore, motorized equipment consumes county resources for upkeep and can compact the soil, further decreasing infiltration.

Therefore, in honor of Earth Day, Penn State Extension Delaware County, Delaware County Conservation District, and Delaware County Park and Recreation strategically planted 620 deep-rooted native perennials and 90 shrubs in the redesigned basin. These native plants have longer root systems which greatly improves stormwater infiltration onsite, thus reducing stormwater runoff. This will indirectly reduce the amount of pollutants entering our waterways via the basin overflow and lessen the damage to streambanks from stormwater runoff. The larger leaf surfaces of native plants provide more evapotranspiration than turf and the native basin plants will naturally improve the onsite soil through the addition of organic matter when they decompose. Rich, organic soils play a vital role in climate resiliency as they hold both more moisture and carbon than poor soils. The additional biodiversity of plants will create native habitat, attracting butterflies, birds, and other beneficial wildlife.

The basin is in a popular area of Smedley Park with sports fields and walking trails. It is also surrounded by parking spaces which are frequently filled with the many activities that the park supports. The naturalized stormwater basin will be visually appealing with flowers, pollinators, and beloved wildlife. An educational sign will also help people understand the importance of green infrastructure, such as a naturalized stormwater basin.

This project was made possible by funding from the Healing the Planet grant from Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, supported by The Giant Corporation, which was awarded to the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, in partnership with the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward program. Previous funding to redesign the Clean Water Basin was awarded to Delaware County through the Delaware County Conservation District’s Low Volume Road Grant Program. The planting project was a collaboration between Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards of Chester & Delaware Counties, Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Delaware County, Delaware County Conservation District, Delaware County Parks and Recreation, and the County of Delaware.