The Green Team is undertaking a project being grant funded by Sustainable Jersey and PSE&G and will involve removing the existing layer of turf grass from the median strips in the parking lot of Harrington Fields and replacing them with vegetated bio-swales, which are a variation of the much more commonly known rain gardens you sometimes see installed at libraries and private residences. This project has been approved by the Township Committee, Recreation Committee, and DPW.
The swales will take on stormwater from the parking lot that would otherwise be directed into the storm drains and pass untreated to the nearest body of water, in this case our Electric Brook. Their hope is that by installing these basins, they can catch any potential pollutants from entering the streams, discourage folks from driving and parking in the medians, and also improve the local aesthetics and pollinator habitat in the process by planting native perennials in the place of the turf grass.
To this end, the Green Team is organizing a large volunteer workday on Sunday September 27th at 9am at Harrington Park. On that day they will be moving and raking a large amount of topsoil for planting substrate and then spreading mulch on top of that to prevent it from eroding or washing away. This will be the primary focus of the day, but they would also welcome anyone that wishes to join them when it comes time to plant the basins as well!
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Valerie Walsh via e-mail (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and bring with them a face covering of their own, work gloves and their own rakes/ tools.