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 Protection
and Restoration
Horsham Township
Horsham Community Rallies to Protect Precious Park
Economic vitality in Horsham Township has led to unprecedented residential
and commercial growth over the past 30 years. While providing many
economic opportunities, this growth also put a strain on the natural
environment, as destabilized streambanks, flooding and urban runoff
into streams have adversely affected water quality, vegetation and
wildlife.
Kohler Park is one affected area. The 72-acre municipal
park is home to Park Creek, a tributary of the Little Neshaminy.
Horsham Township, with support from a coalition of partners - including
local conservation agencies, businesses, senior groups, youth organizations,
students and residents - decided to focus cleanup efforts in this
area. The Kohler Park Streambank Stabilization and Riparian Buffer
Restoration Project is dedicated to protecting Kohler Park and the
entire Neshaminy Creek watershed.
The entire community mobilized to support the Kohler
Park project. Residents and volunteers contributed more than 950
hours and donated more than $12,000 toward the cleanup.
DEP Growing Greener grants helped cover the cost of
restoring streambanks, training township staff to maintain the restored
areas, holding a community education workshop and creating an educational
sign onsite.
The township and its volunteers were successful in
revegetating the area, removing invasive species, planting trees
and shrubs, building riparian buffers and re-grading creek banks.
Local middle school and high school students assisted with planting
and reestablishing native vegetation - later bringing proud parents
back to the park to view their handiwork! Even local businesses
and restaurants contributed by donating food and supplies for volunteers.
Local newspapers covered the story, and park visitors called the
township to express awe at the beautiful results of the cleanup.
The Kohler Park project's community-driven approach
serves as a great example of passionate people uniting to protect
and reestablish forest cover in an environmentally sensitive area.
"This project is one of several township
initiatives to 'Grow Greener.' The most important aspect of the
project is the involvement and education of the many volunteers
who helped on this worthwhile project, and hopefully they will implement
these same strategies throughout the entire township."
James F. Owens
Township Council President
Horsham Township
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