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PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE AGENDA June 13, 2011 - 12:00 Noon - City Hall Conference Room - City Hall - City of Dover Public comments are welcomed on any item and will be permitted at appropriate times. When possible, please notify the City Clerk (736-7008 or e-mail at CityClerk@dover.de.us) should you wish to be recognized. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS 1. Silver Lake Revitalization - Phase III /tm S:\AGENDAS & MINUTES\Committee-Agendas\2011\06-13-2011 PR&CE Revised.wpd THE AGENDA ITEMS AS LISTED MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED IN SEQUENCE. THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION OR THE DELETION OF ITEMS, INCLUDING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS.

Park Drive Resident Opinions of Proposed Plantings St. Jones Watershed Coordinators, Brittany Benson and Jennifer Bowman, visited the homes of several residents along Park Drive to inquire about their opinions of the proposed plantings. The following is a summary of their feedback: General consensus among all surveyed residents was that the planting is very welcomed. o The constant presence of goose refuse in Memorial Park was and continues to be a major concern. Thus, majority of residents have completely stopped using the park. All residents had a positive response to planting the buffer along the lake, especially if it helped deter the geese from using the area. Increasing the amount of vegetation was desired by all; with particular interest in year-round color because of the visual interest that the buffer will offer. Strong responses concerning a [mulched] pathway: o Some residents were very apprehensive to create a walkway. There were particular concerns about redistribution of mulch in times of flooding. o Other residents desired a pathway as a way to enjoy the park and vegetation up close. A few residents commented that gaps should be left in the vegetation to allow room for fishermen and park visitors to access the water. Mirror Lake sedimentation and dredging was also a common concern. There will be a public workshop to discuss this separate issue in the fall.

Silver Lake Park Revitalization Project Phase III – Park Drive City of Dover Silver Lake Commission DNREC

Background • Silver Lake is located in the St. Jones River Watershed in Kent County, Delaware • DNREC established a level of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), as mandated by the Clean Water Act, for the St. Jones River Watershed in 2006 because of the impaired status of the water • The Silver Lake sub-watershed contained the most opportunities to control pollution out of the entire watershed • The St. Jones Tributary Action Team developed a pollution control strategy to reduce pollutant loads to the TMDLs

The Clean Water Act 303d List indicates that the St. Jones River Watershed impairments include: • Nutrients (elevated nitrogen and phosphorous) • Bacteria (pathogens) • Low dissolved oxygen • Habitat degradation

The Silver Lake Park Revitalization Project came from St. Jones Tributary Action Team recommendations Tributary Action Teams St. Jones River watershed

St. Jones TAT recommendations: • A 100 foot vegetated or forested riparian buffer zone should be required within the watershed for all water bodies • Vegetation within the buffer should be made up of “recommended plantings” of native species • Buffers should be maintained in perpetuity and should be managed to maintain water quality benefits

Total acreage that has been planted in Phase I and II thus far Location Acres East side of St. Jones 0.525 West side of St. Jones 0.145

Vision of SLPR Project Area • 100-foot buffer area targeted for planting • Mix of native plants for all-year interest • Large lawn areas for group activities, plus smaller areas for readers, “lunchers” and sunbathers • Fishing locations • Mowed grass strip between sidewalk & planting beds

Buffer will be for water quality as well for the aesthetics

Silver Lake Park popular fishing areas* *We’re looking for input of other fishing spots, especially along Park Drive

Some Known Problems/Issues of Memorial Park & Mirror Lake: • Water quality • Poor habitat value • Canada Goose waste • Sedimentation of Mirror Lake • Periodic flooding Picture of direct discharge of stormwater into the St. Jones

Flooding of the St. Jones River along Park Drive in April 2007

We’re not only creating buffers… • Removing invasive vegetation • Restoring the banks of the St. Jones near the dam • Retro-fiting some stormwater discharges • Creating some wetlands within the Park Photo of biolog that will help establish wetland vegetation

Proposed Planting Locations

Proposed Planting Plans

Progress to date • 3 plantings have occurred (65% done) in Phase I • Started working on Phase II and Phase IV (Central Middle School) • For Phase II, the design has been completed and the project is currently being bid out to contractors • Started to plant phase III

Next Steps • Tweaking of planting plans based on feedback o Planting to resume in the fall • Volunteers very much appreciated to help plant! o Sign-up sheet available at end of meeting

Satellite Image: Proposed Landscape

Satellite Image: Proposed landscape

Satellite Image: Modified Landscape: Less trees

Satellite Image: Proposed landscape with less trees

All trees Less

More Trees Less Trees

Park Drive Resident Opinions of Proposed Plantings St. Jones Watershed Coordinators visited the homes of several residents along Park Drive to inquire about their opinions of the proposed plantings. • General consensus among all surveyed residents was that the planting is very welcomed.  All residents had a positive response to planting the buffer along the lake, especially if it helped deter the geese from using the area.  Increasing the amount of vegetation was desired by all; with particular interest in year-round color because of the visual interest that the buffer will offer.