Cedar Beach Suggestion/Rain Garden Update

In the past year, as we all know very well, there have been countless ideas and projections regarding future development at Cedar Beach Parkway.  Today, I offer one more.

This idea is different considering the project at the park is nearly completed now.  The future of Muhlenberg Lake has begun to loom on the horizon and the paths are all paved. 

So, What’s next?

First, a Rain Garden update.  By the time you have read this I will have met a botanist at Cedar Beach to review a plant list I have complied based on stormwater management recommendations by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.  Below are pictures of the site following heavy rain, but not a flood of Cedar Creek.  In all  likelihood, this water will be standing here for days, maybe a week or two.  Our Rain Garden will change this situation.

Now, for those unfamiliar with Rain Gardens, the picture below is an example:

Now, for my Cedar Beach suggestion.

The area of mowed grass behind the mirror ponds between the edge of the paved walkway and the silt fence needs addressing.  Take a look at this pictures that I took yesterday afternoon in the rain.

It is quite apparent that this area of grass is flat out begging to be the wetland it is meant to be.  I hear often of this area being a floodplain, and it undoubtedly is; however, this floodplain suggests that given the opportunity of growth, a wetland will develop.

Let’s give it that opportunity.  It would serve to enhance the visual contrast so often spoken highly of around here regarding the aesthetics of our parks.  It would not limit the open expanses of grass so highly valued in our parks.  This area cannot be used frequently for grassy recreation because of how frequently it is either underwater or is a great mass of mud. 

Let’s see it grow.  Let’s see what plants develop and next year, let’s have a team of volunteers ready to remove invasives and keep up maintenance on this area.  This is an awesome place to start a program of environmental education, community involvement and most importantly, a place to facilitate compromise.

Let it grow!