Marshall Circle Basin Naturalization

Background

The Marshall Circle 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:

• Marshall Circle
• Glen Drive
• New Galena Road

Stormwater is filtered and slowed and ultimately makes its way to the Neshaminy Creek. Prior to this project, the basin was colonized by plants in the Typha genus. Commonly known as Cattail, these plants are aggressive colonizers of constantly wet areas and often form a monoculture. A monoculture limits the types of insects and animals that can benefit from the area in the basin.

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 April 2022, 50 native trees and shrubs were planted in the parcel. Trees were caged to protect from deer browse. In addition, many native herbaceous plants were installed along the edge of the basin and in "mother" zones in the existing turf grass area. Signage  explaining the benefits of basin naturalization was also installed to ensure neighbors and passers-by understand what is going on in the parcel.

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 transition the turf grass area to short grass meadow.

Partners

• New Britain Township
• Master Watershed Stewards
• Giant Supermarket (Grantor)

Ways to get involved

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