Paerdegat Basin Natural Area Park and Ecology Park

Jamaica Bay Task Force Meeting

May 6, 2014

John McLaughlin

Director, Office of Ecological Services

Bureau of Environmental Planning and

Analysis

New York City Department of Parks and Recreation

Project Location

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South Natural Area

Park

North Natural Area Park

Ecology Park

CSO Facility

Project History

• Paerdegat Basin CSO Facility (30MG

storage tank and 20MG in-line storage)

• Online May 2011 ($404M)

• CSO Facility included the natural area

restoration and designates project area

as parkland.

• Restoration of significant tidal wetlands

and coastal uplands which further

augment water quality and ecological

improvements.

• Development of the Natural Area Park

and Ecology Park Involved numerous

stakeholders:

– DEP/DPR

– Community Board 18 (Bergen Beach,

Georgetown, Canarsie)

– NYSDEC Natural Resources

– ACOE.

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Natural Area Park - Objectives

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Background Information

• Project was partially funded under American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) - $15M

• Approximately 40% of remain construction cost was picked up by DEP

• Project bids received in October 2009.

• Notice of Award issued December 16, 2009.

• Notice to Proceed issued March 15, 2010.

• Status – Substantial Completion of grading, landscaping and other work completed

in fall 2013

– Small contract planting remaining this spring

– Replacement plantings

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Overview of Natural Area Park

• Tidal Wetland Restoration: 4.5 acres

• Upland Natural Area Park: 21 acres North NAP

20 acres South NAP

• Ecology Park: 5 acres

(supervised public access)

• Perimeter Treatment

– Fencing and

sidewalks

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Sand Reuse

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Stockpiling of Sand

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Sand Placement on North Side

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Project Design Intent – North NAP

• Creation of tidal salt marsh

wetlands

• Spot removal and clearing of

invasive vegetation with no

excavation/fill activities. Re-

vegetated with native species.

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Project Design Intent – South NAP

• Excavation of historic fill along

shoreline to create tidal salt marsh

wetlands

• Excavated material graded to

create undulating topography

typical of coastal grassland

• Clean sand cap up to 2’ thick over

fill and excavation areas

• Stabilize area through native

coastal plant communities

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Ecology Park Layout

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Transformation of Site

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Restoration of cleared areas with maritime grassland

habitat; water views

Debris and garbage to be removed

Placement of upland sand and tidal wetland planting

Invasive vines and vegetation to be cleared

Protection and preservation of native vegetation

Example of previously completed upland planting.

Entrance

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Signage

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Perimeter Fence

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Signage

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Thank You

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