Circle Drive Basin Naturalization

Background

The Circle Drive Basin is a stormwater retention basin in New Britain Township. The purpose of the basin is to capture stormwater runoff from the adjacent areas including:

• Circle Drive
• Airy Avenue

Stormwater is filtered and slowed and ultimately makes its way to the Neshaminy Creek. Prior to this project, the basin was largely a turf grass mown area. Turf grass is very ineffective at capturing and infiltrating stormwater.

The basin sits within a township owned parcel that is zoned for passive open space. The non-basin part of this parcel is turfgrass and mowed by the township.

Project Goals

• Reduce the runoff during storm events that flows to the Neshaminy Creek
• Increase the habitat potential of the parcel
• Improve the aesthetics of the basin and surrounding parcel

Project Description

In October and November 2022, 150 native trees and shrubs were planted in the parcel. Trees were either caged or tubed to protect from deer browse.

Future plans

Maintenance of this project will be ongoing through 2024. Maintenance involves watering trees during summer dry spells, weeding cages to reduce competition for young trees and reduce risk of rodent attack. Further plantings of herbaceous plants will occur as we introduce milkweed and other flowing native plants to support pollinators and other animals that depend on this habitat.

Partners

• New Britain Township
• Master Watershed Stewards
• Giant Supermarket (Grantor)
• 10 Million Trees for Pennsylvania (Grantor)

Ways to get involved

 If you are interested in getting involved with this project, please email us at  neshaminywatershed@gmail.com