North Wales park could see trees removed in 2026

 Just months after a major upgrade to Ninth Street Park in North Wales, another project could kick off soon.

Council members heard an update this month about streambank restoration work planned in that park, including tree removal that could happen next year.

“We were so lucky to receive a grant for the streambank restoration, to help offset some of the requirements of our permit,” said borough Manager Christine Hart.

“This is only taking place within the right-of-way and property that the borough owns,” she said.

Last summer, that same park saw the completion of a project that had been on the drawing board as far back as 2022, using state funding to pave a gravel path running through the 2.2-acre park just east of Church Street, which currently features a gazebo, boardwalk and driveway running through a grassy area covered with trees, and a small stream running east-west through the park and behind the neighboring homes.

After a grant was awarded in early 2023, council heard more in May 2024 about additional projects at Ninth Street that could include streambank restoration meant to remove sediment, adding native plants to create a bioretention area, and more pervious paving, all of which could help the town meet sediment removal requirements set by the state Department of Environmental Protection. In late July 2024 council awarded a $102,000 contract to pave the path, and that work was done last fall; the manager gave an update on the next phase of the park work during the July 8 council meeting.

“DEP does require that we notify the five stakeholders that surround the park: one is on Ninth, and the rest face Tenth (Street). We have done that, as of July 2,” Hart said.

“We have received a couple of inquiries: most of them were curious as to when it’s going to start,” she said.

As she spoke, the manager showed a draft of the streambank restoration plan, with about 20 trees running along the stream highlighted as slated for removal, and proposed contours to be added along the stream channel that runs parallel to the path and underneath a wooden observation deck.

    A newly-paved path runs through Ninth Street Park in North Wales in early Oct. 2024.
 By Dan Sokil | The Reporter   

“Some of those trees are not indigenous, some of them are not in good health, and some of them are not helping the erosion,” Hart said.

“We have to go through the state permitting process in order to do this, and submitting the plan is part of it. And making sure they have proof [neighbors] were notified is also part of it,” she said.

On council’s agenda on July 8 was a discussion on the latest plan, and the manager said barring any major questions or objections, she and staff would proceed with notifying the nearby neighbors, posting info on the borough’s website, and having the town’s engineer finalize plans for submission to DEP.

Council President Sal Amato asked if the town had any deadlines required to complete the project, and Hart said once done it should help the borough meet its state-required sediment removal reduction targets.

“Our five-year permit is coming up, and this project will actually check that box, for our permit,” she said.

Mayor Neil McDevitt said he lives within sight of that park, and keeps a close eye on it, especially during storms: “Every time it rains, I look down the street, and there’s water.”

“I see the kids playing, catching frogs and whatever else, which I love to see instead of sitting at a screen. But how would this affect the wildlife for that area?” he said.

    A newly-paved path runs through Ninth Street Park in North Wales in early Oct. 2024.
 By Dan Sokil | The Reporter   

Hart answered that recent erosion in that park has caused stormwater to flow through much faster than in prior years, thus causing storm drains to flood, and the streambank restoration and channel enlargement should reduce flooding and add safe space for that wildlife.

“Over time, this has become wider and more shallow, so the water is flowing much quicker,” she said.

“The goal is to capture the water coming down, and retain it naturally, before it goes into our (drainage) infrastructure at the corner of Ninth and Church,” she said.

North Wales borough council next meets at 7 p.m. on July 22 at the borough municipal building, 300 School Street; for more information visit www.NorthWalesBorough.org.

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