Bushkill Creek Greenway: Draft Master Planning Concepts

Bushkill Creek Greenway Ma

ster

Draft Master Plan Concepts December 9, 2025

n a Pl

Project Goals

Enhance

Support

Connection

Communicate

History

ate exem n st r plar o m y ac s cessibility, De ort trail ystem c h anges pp su

n i c a t e l o c a l hi u mm significanc storical & o e C ural t l cu

Create Resilient

Protect & Restore

Ecology h a b i t at & t c ote P r n c e re s i l i e n c e ha en

Hydrology Mi

t

te ig a

flooding

Activity facilities, e t da Up -user recreation exp lti erience u m

3/2

WE A RE HERE

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

2 MA R

2 2 F EB

15 F EB

8 F EB

1 F EB

2 5 JA N

18 JA N

11 JA N

4 JA N

2 8 D EC

2 1 D EC

14 D EC

7 D EC

3 0 NOV

2 3 NOV

16 NOV

9 NOV

2 NOV

2 6 OCT

19 OCT

12 OCT

5 OCT

2 8 SEP

2 1 SEP

14 SEP

7 SEP

3 1 AUG

PRESENTATION 2 4 AUG

17 AUG

10 AUG

3 AUG

2 7 J UL

2 0 J UL

13 J UL

6 J UL

WEEKEND

29JUN

PART Y

22JUN

M A R KET 15 J UN

EV ENT

8 J UN

CO MMUNI T Y

1 J UN

PARK PI ZZA

2 5 MAY

FA R M ER ’S

18 MAY

EA RTH DAY

11 MAY

8/14 PALMER

4 MAY

7/10 MI LL RACE

2 7 A PR

5/ 1 7 EASTON

2 0 A PR

4/ 1 9 PA LM ER

13 A PR

6 A PR

3 0 MA R

WE EKS

2 3 MA R

Planning Schedule

1/22

3/2

12/9

8/19 7/10

5/17

P OP-UP EVE N TS

8/14

5/19

P UBLIC M E E T IN GS

11/19

8/20

7/17 6/25

4/30

4/11

STE E RING C OMM IT T E E ME E T IN G

5/22

INTE RNAL PL AN N IN G T E AM M E E T IN G

10/16

TEAM MEETINGS

KE Y P E RS ON IN T E RVIE WS (1 1) 1/11

6/15

S URVE Y

100%

50%

100%

S EC UR IT Y AN ALYS IS

100%

100%

M AIN T E N AN C E AN ALYS IS

50%

ACT V ITIES & FAC ILIT IE S AN ALYS IS

50%

S ITE IN FOR MAT ION & AN ALYS IS

50%

BAC KGROUN D

100%

ANALYSIS

100% 100%

90%

100%

90%

100%

100%

90% 90%

75% 75%

90%

75% 75%

50%

S ECURIT Y R EC OMM E N DAT ION S

50%

75%

50% 50%

25%

50%

S I G N AGE & WAYFIND IN G R EC OMM E N DAT ION S

25%

GREENWAY / PA RK M AN AGE M E N T OP T ION S

25%

DES IGN PRO CE S S & R EC OM ME N DAT ION S

25%

D ES IGN C ON S ID E RAT ION S

25%

PL ANNING

FINAL REPORT

U P DATE D : 11/ 19/ 202 5

100%

100%

M A I N T ENA NCE , O PE RAT IN G C OSTS & R EVE N UE

50%

PH AS E D CA PITAL D EVE LOP ME N T P L AN

100%

C OST E ST IMAT E S

100%

IMPLEMENTATION

Regional Context

1 A1

Trail networks

10 G1

REGIONAL TRAIL NETWORKS:

•1

9/11 National Memorial Trail (1,500 miles)

•2

D&L Trail (140 miles)

•3

Delaware River Water Trail (200 miles)

•4

Forks Township Recreation Trail (2 miles)

•5

Karl Stirner Arts Trail (2.2 miles)

•6

Lehigh River Water Trail (75 miles)

•7

Palmer Township Trail Network (1.4 miles)

•8

Plainfield Township Recreation Trail (6.7 miles)

•9

South Bethlehem Greenway (2.4 miles)

•10

Stockertown Rail Trail (1 mile)

•11

Tatamy Trail (0.25 miles)

•12

Two Rivers Trailway (20 miles)

•

The LINK Trail Network (125 miles)

11 4

T1

3

T2 G2

G3

7

5 G4

A2

EXISTING TRAILS INCLUDED IN THIS STUDY: T1

•

Palmer Bikeway (3.0 miles)

•

Schoeneck Creek Trail A.K.A. Penn's Grant Path (0.7 miles)

T2

12

2 ADJACENT PARK TRAILS:

•A1

Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center Trails (19.7 miles)

A2

•

Louise W. Moore County Park Trails (2.7 miles)

•

Marlton Wildlife Sanctuary Trails (4.2 miles)

A3

6

REGIONAL TRAIL NETWORK GAPS: G1

•

Between Tatamy Trail & Stockertown Rail Trail

G2

•

Between Schoeneck Creek Trail & Trail at Fox Run Open Space

G3

•

Between Palmer Bikeway & KSAT at 13th Street

G4

Between KSAT & D&L Trail through the City of Easton

•

A3

9

Bushkill Creek Greenway

What parcels are included?

1

•1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 6 • 7 •

Mill Race Park & Morningside Tot Lot Penn’s Grant Open Space Two Fool's Island (Potential Future Acquisition) Keystone Park Penn Pump Park & Potential Future Open Space at Northwood Ave Binney & Smith Preserve (Binney & Smith Open Space) Hillcrest Open Space & Tot Lot

2

3

4

5

6

7

9

10

Community Engagement

In-Person Walks & Pop-Ups

Public Participation

Engaged with 700-800 people

Bushkill Creek Greenway Ma

ster Pl

Public Meetings

Other Feedback

an

What is happening?

Palmer Township recently began the process of developing a new, community-driven master plan for the Township-owned parks & trails along the Bushkill Creek Greenway Corridor. The primary goals of this plan are to: •

Mitigate flooding

•

Support trail system changes

•

Update facilities

•

Protect habitat & enhance resilience

•

Demonstrate exemplary accessibility

•

Communicate local historic & cultural significance

•

Enhance multi-user recreation experience

Palmer Township is leading the plan with Omnes (www.omnes.studio), whose consultant team includes Wildlands Conservancy and AKRF. This multidisciplinary team has expertise in landscape architecture & planning, resiliency, ecological restoration & engineering.

How can I get involved?

• Take the Bushkill Creek Greenway Community Survey at www.tinyurl.com/bushkillcreek or by scanning the QR code below!

• Join the first Public Presentation at the Palmer Township Muncipal Building on 5/19 at 7pm, when the planning team will share initial analysis & ways to get involved in the project process!

• Follow along for project updates and future opportunities to engage: www.palmertwp.com/bushkill-creek-greenway.html

Take the Survey now at www.tinyurl.com/bushkillcreek or scan the QR code!

Questions? Contact info@omnes.studio

Omnes

Landscape Architecture, Planning & Art

5/16/25 Steering Committee Site Walk

5/17/25 Easton Farmer’s Market Pop-Up 21 write-in responses

5/19/25 Public Meeting #1

May to July: 11 Key Person Interviews

7/10/25 Pizza at Mill Race Park Pop-Up 107 dot votes / 33 write-in responses

G

IN

M O C

UP

452 responses to Survey 1

8/14/25 Palmer Community Days Pop-Up 94 write-in responses

8/19/25 Public Meeting #2

12/9/25 Public Meeting #3

3/2/26 Board of Supervisors Meeting

Climate Change & Conservation Q10: How important is it to you for Palmer Township to invest in ecological restoration and conservation of natural lands?

Q11: How important is it to you for Palmer Township to plan for potential impacts of climate change (such as flooding, habitat loss, extreme heat, etc)?

398 total responses (54 skipped)

397 total responses (55 skipped)

All responses

All responses

Very Important

Very Important

75.88% (302)

74.06% (294)

Somewhat Important

Somewhat Important

Not at All Important

Not at All Important

20.85% (83)

Supercharge ecological restoration to enhance habitat, water quality flood mitigation, while at the same time supercharging spaces for people along the Creek for recreation.

17.38% (69)

3.27% (13)

8.56% (34)

Terrace Root-stabilized stream bank

Cut bank

Planting within the riparian landscape enhances infiltration as well as water quality for stormwater runoff

Upland forest & understory

*AVERAGE TEMPERATURE

*YEAR LONG PRECIPITATION

Stream Run

Woody debris log jam

COLD HARDINESS ZONE SHIFT** Riparian buffer

120°

+5.3°

100°

89.2°

80°

90° 70° 60°

Winter Low 23.2° 2000 30 year avg.

50°

+4.7°

40°

27.9°

20°

2050 30 year avg.

30° 10° 0°

4.5 4.0

Riparian forests shade & cool water

3.5 3.0

R

83.9°

Shaded pools provide optimal fish habitat

110°

2.5

un

Riffles

St re am

Summer High

Stream access

Forested Riparian buffer

5.0 in

2.0

Point bar & alluvial

J A N F E B M A R A P R M AY J U N J U L A U G S E P O C T N O V D E C 1986-2015

Pools

2036-2065

Thalweg (lowest point of stream) In PA, over the past 110 years the temperature has increased by 1.8° F***

In PA, over the past 110 years there has been a 10% increase in the amount of precipitation on average*** By 2050, we can expect an additional 8% increase in precipitation***

Plant hardiness zones shifting north at a rate of around 13 miles per decade based on the average of 20 different predictive climate models.

Northampton County is currently in zone 6A and 6B Predicted to shift into zones 7A and 7B by 2070

**https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/11/3/034001/pdf *https://www.vox.com/a/weather-climate-change-us-cities-global-warming ***https://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/climate/Pages/default.aspx#:~:text=In%20Pennsylvania%2C%20our%20climate%20has,amount%20of%20precipitation%2C%20on%20average

Bushkill Creek Greenway

Trail Amenities

Survey No. 1, Select responses related to trails

Q7: To enhance amenities & safety, which elements should be improved or added to the Bushkill Creek Greenway?

Choose up to 3.

396 total responses (56 skipped)

Public restrooms / 57.07% (226)

Water fountains & bottle-filling stations / 52.78% (209)

Signage / 42.17% (167)

Seating / 26.01% (103)

Dog-friendly spaces / 25.25% (100)

Better safety & security measures / 21.97% (87)

Bike repair stands and pumps / 18.94% (75)

Shade / 18.94% (75)

Public art / 14.9% (59)

Evolution of the Bushkill Historic Mills & Dams

Wagener Homestead & Dam Sourc e : M a r x Ro o m at t he E a sto n Pub lic L ib ra r y

WAGENER SPRING HOUSE

NEWLINS MILL, FORMERLY WAGENER’S MILL & DAM

STOCKER MILL & DAM Walter’s Mill & Dam S o urce s : Si g a l Mu s e u m , NC HG S Ma rx Ro o m at the E a sto n Pu b lic Lib ra ry

WALTER’S MILL & DAM (PENN PUMP)

Overholt Mill, 1944 Sourc e : N C H G S

OVERHOLT MILL & DAM

KELPER’S MILL

Kelper’s Mill So u rce: Sig a l Mu seu m , NC HG S

BINNEY & SMITH PIGMENT PLANT, FORMER MILL & DAM LEIGHTON MILLS HESTER FLOUR MILL & DAM

Bushkill Creek Greenway Signage & Wayfinding

P Sledding Hill Picnic Pavilion Trail Pickleball

Restrooms .......

Bushkill Creek Greenway

Tra i l R u l e

I

D

Baseball Fields

P

R

s

Palmer Bikeway

D&L Corridor

Two Rivers Trailway

9-11 National Memorial Trail

D

MILE 176

MILE 8

PALMER TOWNSHIP

MILE 60

MILE 5.0

Fairview Park

R

P

I D

I

I

2100 Northwood Ave

I I

P

I

Park Identification

R

Trail or Park Rules

Interpretive Signage Locations: Ecology Mill Race Park - riparian buffer Penn’s Grant Park - scrub/shrub at power lines Trout Unlimited Sign Updates Blue Easel Two Fool’s Island - wetland setting Wildland’s Conservancy Binney & Smith Preserve

M

Mile Marker System

D

Directional Signage I

I

P

Interpretive Signage Locations: History Penn’s Grant Park - Mill foundation wall at clearing Stocker Mill & Dam (Dam 7, Blue Easel) Proposed Fishing Pier (Dam 6) Wildland’s Conservancy Binney & Smith Preserve GJ Mills trail

R

I

P

R

D

I P

I

D

I P

R

Ecology + Activity Q9: To enhance ecology, what should be added or improved in the Bushkill Creek Greenway? Choose up to 3.

378 total responses (74 skipped)

All responses Biodiversity & restored wildlife habitat 60.58% (229)

Native planting restoration & pollinator gardens 59.26% (224)

Invasive plant removal / management 56.36% (213)

Reduced lawns, and more native wildflowers 39.15% (148)

Riparian edge buffer planting for water quality 38.36% (145)

Enhanced fishing spots along the creek bank 30.42% (115)

Rain gardens & infiltration zones 20.9% (79)

Rain barrels & reclaimed water use 17.72% (67)

Enhanced mussel & waterfowl habitat 17.46% (66)

Edible food forests 13.49% (51)

Other (please specify) 6.35% (24)

Restoration & Conservation Strategies

ECOLOGY

HYDROLOGY

POLICY

Dam Removal

Culvert Repair / Management

Upland rain gardens for water cleansing & infiltration

Remove invasive plants & replace with aggressive natives

Replant riparian buffers with native plants

Allow deadfall for logjams to create habitat for fish & invertebrates, and lessen sedimentation

Reconnect Floodplain Habitats

Crib logs to prevent erosional runoff

Live staking for root stabilization on slopes

Incentivize conversion to regenerative agriculture

Reduce impervious development and/or adapt with green roofs, upland meadows, rain gardens & microforests

Install fencing & interpretive signage at restoration areas

Mill Race Park & Tot Lot

Analysis

Villages at Mill Race

No trailhead amenities / signage

+ 355'

1 Soccer field after a heavy rain, 2019 Image courtesy of Dave Dumpel

2 Steep slopes >25% Sledding hill

Court surface needs repair No ADA access Bioretention area

+ 295'

12.5% slope

Outdated non-ADA bathrooms Recent ecological restoration

2 Soccer Field after flooding at elevation ~296, 2020

+ 302'

Image courtesy of Dave Dumpel

Flooding prevents soccer field use 55 x 80 yard field

+ 290'

1

60x100 yard field Recent ecological restoration 35 x 55 yard field

Enhanced creek buffer

Goals •

Enhance habitat

•

Perform floodplain restoration and enhancement

•

Locate new facilities out of the 100-year floodplain

Property Line 100-yr Flood 500-yr Flood GPU Easement Sanitary Easement History Connection Activity Ecology Hydrology Creek Access

1" =600'

Goose Use

Mill Race Park & Tot Lot

Q8: To enhance sports & fitness, which recreational elements should be improved or added to the Bushkill Creek Greenway?

Choose up to 3.

Concept 1

293 total responses (159 skipped)

All responses Fitness stations & walking loops 64.16% (188)

Pickleball courts

Add trees to hillside outside of gas easement area

18.43% (54)

Spectator seating 19.8% (58)

Convert lawn to meadow

Fitness station

Entry Meadow

Property Line

Convert lawn to meadow

Existing Detention Basin

100-yr Flood 500-yr Flood GPU Easement

ADA accessible bathrooms and storage Pavilion

Synthetic Sports Field with underdrainage & liner 50 X 100 Yards

Synthetic Sports Field with underdrainage & liner 30 X 50 Yards

Water refill station

Fitness station

Sewer Easement Power Easement Existing Ecological Restoration Proposed Ecological Restoration

Proposed Nature Play

Synthetic Sports Field with underdrainage & liner 50 X 100 Yards

Rain Garden Existing Tree Proposed Tree

Pickleball

Proposed Path

Continued enhancement of riparian buffer 1" = 400'

Fitness station

Proposed Trail Entry Signage Water Access

Mill Race Park & Tot Lot

What are the most important priorities for Mill Race Park? (3 votes per person)

Concept 2

107 total responses, Mill Race Park Pop-Up

Better access to the Bushkill Creek 25.23% (27)

Restoration of nature & habitat 14.95% (16)

ADA Path

Restroom improvements

Proposed Play OR seating

Community events and programming 11.21% (12)

ADA accessible walkways 9.35% (10)

Nature play

13.08% (14)

9.35% (10)

Places to sit, rest, or gather

More pickleball courts

13.08% (14)

3.74% (4)

Meadow Restoration

Property Line 100-yr Flood

Meadow Restoration

500-yr Flood GPU Easement

ADA Water Access & Overlook

Sewer Easement

ADA accessible bathrooms and storage

Pickleball

Pavilion

Proposed Nature Play Fitness Grove Synthetic Sports Field with underdrainage & liner 30 X 50 Yards

Boardwalk

Existing Ecological Restoration Proposed Ecological Restoration

Synthetic Sports Field with underdrainage & liner 50 X 100 Yards

Synthetic Sports Field with underdrainage & liner 50 X 100 Yards

ADA Water Access & Overlook

Rain Garden Existing Tree Proposed Tree

Continued enhancement of riparian buffer

1" = 400'

Power Easement

Water refill station

ADA Water Access & Overlook

Proposed Path Proposed Trail Entry Signage Water Access

Mill Race Tot Lot

Proposed Materials

Forest Springers

Hillcrest Tot Lot

Tree Climber

Stilts

Parkour 2

Boardwalks

Ground Murals

Crawling Pyramid

Natural Play

Ecological Restoration - Meadow

Balance Beam Robinia

Ecological Restoration - Floodplain restoration

Dip Bench Robinia

Parallel Bars Robinia

Fitness Loops Ecological Restoration - Riparian Buffer

Upgraded Bathrooms

Mill Race Park

Existing

Mill Race Park: 100-year flood event

Existing

Recreational Resources Amenities & Programming

LEGEND:

•

Hiking / Walking Trails

•

Play Areas

•

Live Music

•

Picnicking Areas

•

Baseball Fields

•

Basketball Courts

•

Disc Golf Courses

•

Football Fields

•

Soccer / Multi-use Fields

•

Tennis / Pickleball Courts

•

Volleyball Courts

•

Water Access Areas

•

Waterfowl Areas

•

Not Within Scope

Keystone Park

Site Entry (Pedestrian only)

Rain garden Existing sports field Proposed sports field 60 x 100 yards Regrade soccer pitches in partnership with EASD to allow for PTAA play and tournaments during floods

Fitness stations

g atin

h se

c Ben

Exst. concessions and restrooms

Proposed sports field 60 x 100 yards

Proposed play

B

34 Spaces

ng

eati

hs enc

102 Spaces (76 existing angled spaces)

136 Spaces total

Property Line Existing Ecological Restoration

Site Entry

Proposed Ecological Restoration Rain Garden Existing Tree Proposed Tree

Site Exit

1" = 190'

Proposed Path Proposed Trail Entry Signage

Penn Pump Park

Analysis

+ 255'

+ 265' Baseball field no longer in use

Dead end makes park feel unsafe & causes traffic to back up on Northwood Ave. at the bridge New ADA access to the bike path

Loose material washes out

+ 255'

Flooding at low points during heavy rain

Vehicle / bike traffic can block up traffic flow when busy

Flooding at low points during heavy rain

Dam is a safety concern, alters water flow and erosion, impacts water quality, and disrupts fish migration

Property Line 100-yr Flood 500-yr Flood History Connection

Enhanced creek buffer

Unsafe walking conditions from Lion's Park

Activity Ecology Hydrology

1" = 190'

Creek Access Goose Use

Penn Pump Park - Dam No. 6 PROS OF DAM REMOVAL 1. Restoring creek banks enhances water retention capacity, reducing both the frequency/severity of flood events.

2. Stream restoration improves water quality by reducing sedimentation and enhancing overall ecosystem health.

3. Restored fish passage & aquatic habitat for fish & freshwater mussels 4. Removing dams eliminates a public safety hazard & increased liability for the Township 5. The dam is a focal point for recreation, contributing to park congestion and increased law enforcement presence.

6. Funds are available through DRBC mitigation funds, NFWF, PA DEP, PA DCNR, and Northampton County

Image courtesy of Rudy Miller, Lehigh Valley Live

City of Easton (Dam #2) – Construction 1 After City of Easton (Dam #2) Construction Photos 1Day Dam #2 Case Study by Wildlands Conservancy Mill Race Park Ecological Restoration Month Removal City of Easton (Dam #2) – Dam Removal Process

1 Month After Removal

Photo by Princeton Hydro

Construction Day 1

Day 1: Notching & drilling

Month 1: Currents re-forming the stream bed

Construction Day 2

Day 2: Demolition & removal

Month 1: Riffles forming where dam once stood

Day 1: Riparian Buffer installation

Year 1: Native planting buffer

Expanding riparian native buffers riparian and buffers pollinator andhabitat pollinator along habitat the a Riffle forming Construction Daywhere 2 dam was removed• Expanding• native

Bushkill Creek Bushkill Creek • Continue•post Continue planting post invasive planting species invasive management species management & monitoring 14 & m

Fishing Pier at the former Dam 6 Q6: To enhance visitation, which offerings should be added to the Bushkill Creek Greenway? Choose up to 3.

176 Palmer Township responses (11 skipped)

All responses

Ecological education (trout, mussels, bird-watching, etc.)

39.9% (158)

Foraging & plant identification walks 34.85% (138)

Play, Nature-based 27.02% (107)

Fishing pier at Dam 6 with interpretive/historic signage Wood duck boxes (some existing) Narrower stream channel Native riparian corridor restoration

Existing

Seeded mussell beds

Invertebrates & expanded fish populations

Penn Pump Park

Q7: To enhance amenities & safety, which elements should be improved or added to the Bushkill Creek Greenway? Choose up to 3.

Concept 2

396 total responses (56 skipped)

All responses

Site Exit

Signage (historic, plants, educational, wayfinding, etc.)

42.17% (167)

Water fountains & bottle-filling stations

Pervious paving

52.78% (209)

29

te r

es

ac

Sp

W al

Flex lawn Amphitheater seating

57.07% (226)

Av e.

s om e ro g th ora Ba st &

Slide & climbing element

Public restrooms

Water refill Proposed Nature station playplay Property Line 100-yr Flood 500-yr Flood

or N

GPU Easement

oo w th

ADA access to bike path

d

E pa xst vil . io n

e.

Av

Stone riprap steps

Sanitary Sewer Easement Existing Ecological Restoration Proposed Ecological Restoration

Stormwater management rain gardens

Rain Garden

Picnic nooks

Existing Tree Proposed Tree

ADA accessible fishing pier & seating

1" = 130'

Remove Dam #6, restore riparian edge and restore riffle and pools within creek

Proposed Path Proposed Trail Entry Signage

Penn Pump Park

Q7: To enhance amenities & safety, which elements should be improved or added to the Bushkill Creek Greenway? Choose up to 3.

Concept 2

396 total responses (56 skipped)

All responses

Site Exit

Signage (historic, plants, educational, wayfinding, etc.)

42.17% (167)

Water fountains & bottle-filling stations

Pervious paving

52.78% (209)

29

te r

es

ac

Sp

W al

Flex lawn Amphitheater seating

57.07% (226)

Av e.

s om e ro g th ora Ba st &

Slide & climbing element

Public restrooms

Water refill Proposed Nature station playplay Property Line 100-yr Flood 500-yr Flood

or N

GPU Easement

oo w th

ADA access to bike path

d

E pa xst vil . io n

e.

Av

Stone riprap steps

Sanitary Sewer Easement Existing Ecological Restoration Proposed Ecological Restoration

Stormwater management rain gardens

Rain Garden

Picnic nooks

Existing Tree Proposed Tree

ADA accessible fishing pier & seating

1" = 130'

Remove Dam #6, restore riparian edge and restore riffle and pools within creek

Proposed Path Proposed Trail Entry Signage

Penn Pump Park Pavilion

Existing

Expanded picnic area & relocated bathrooms

Enhanced native planting to enhance root systems in forested zones

Penn Pump Park Floodplain Improvements

Existing

Existing bocce court Native plants & interpretive signage

ADA path

Enhanced native planting to preserve root systems for forested zones

Nature play Group picnic area

Floodplain improvement with ADA accessible pathways

Northwood Avenue Connectivity Clear brush to enhance signage visibility

Blinking signal pedestrian crossings

Bump-out crosswalks

Fill sidewalk gaps to enhance walkability

Native planting buffer to filter roadway runoff

1.

Existing

Penn Pump Park Connectivity

1.

Bump-out Crosswalks

Buffered Bike Lane

k wal Side

d re fe

uf B e ik B ne

La Forks Township's Lions Park Si d

ew alk

Bu sh

kill

Cr ee

kG ree

nw ay -

Bik e

Pa th

Greenway Access at Penn's Grant Open Space

Connectivity

Trailhead with seating & signage

th e Pa - Bik y a w reen ek G

e ill Cr

k Bush

1.

Entry to Penn's Grant Path bridge

g l: kin na r Pa ptio O

d re ffe

Bu

1.

ke Bi

A AD

de

ne

La

sig

Crosswalk with rapid flashing signal for crossing

d te a n

ot

sp

Buffered Bike Lane

Penn's Grant Open Space

Analysis

+ 350'

Good overstory, invasive understory

Existing seating at intersection of bike path and Shoeneck Creek

Healthy section of creek with many riffles & runs Entry for Penn's Grant Path

+ 290'

Dead ash stands

Steep slopes >25%

Invasive understory and lots of deadfall in stream

Dead ash stands No ADA trail access or parking

Informal parking on Bushkill Drive

Bridge access connection to Bushkill Drive Bridge over Shoeneck Creek

Shoeneck Creek dam structures Erosion at bottom of steep swale. Lots of Hydrophyllum virginianum in this area

+ 360' Dead ash stands

Property Line 100-yr Flood 500-yr Flood History Connection Activity Ecology Hydrology

1" =1000'

Creek Access Goose Use

Penn's Grant Open Space

Concept

Seating along trail

Increase railing height to 42”

Remove dead ash stands

l

n

io os Er

tro on

c

Get-down among riffles

Focus on upland erosion control

Ero si

on

con tro

Remove phragmites & invasives

l

b, m (scru cosyste e r e e u d iq n )u Un rassland shrub, g line ROW power

Enhance existing wetland ecology in this zone

Integrate seating & public art Property Line Power Easement Proposed Ecological Restoration

1" =1000'

Entry Signage Bench

Wildlands Conservancy Binney & Smith Preserve

Analysis

No ADA water access

Informal water access for fisherman

Trail parking area

Stiltgrass Dam has been removed & stream restoration is underway This area often mistaken for trailhead entry Catch & release area, to be utilized as parking by developer Wide area along Bushkill Drive used by bikers

Unclear trail integration within paving

Property Line 100-yr Flood 500-yr Flood

Informal trail along creek

History Connection Activity Ecology

Trail lacks signage

1" = 800'

Hydrology Creek Access Goose Use

Wildlands Conservancy Binney & Smith Preserve

Concept

Riparian forest restoration

Nature trail with signage

hes Benc

along

trail

Po te nt ia

lP en

nD

Ta ta Bu my Ac xm C ad o ree em nt k y

O T

Bu f

fe re d

Bi ke

La

ne

Property Line Existing Ecological Restoration Existing Tree Proposed Tree Proposed Trail Entry Signage Trail Signage Public Art

1" = 800'

New trail connection to GJ Mills Apartment Complex

Potential Historical Marker Location Water Access

Hillcrest Open Space & Morningside Tot Lot Analysis

Provide ADA parking at trailhead

Dead ash stand

Enhance crosswalk for bike trail connection?

Trash & dumping on site.

Blackflies & mosquitoes are present Erosion from intermittent tributary and hillside slopes

No sidewalk

Observed deer & ground-burrowing habitat

Dead ash & overgrown vines / invasive

Tot Lot with two benches Property Line

Culverts under driveway empties into Basin on Palmer Park Mall property

100-yr Flood 500-yr Flood History Connection Activity Ecology Hydrology

1" = 400'

Creek Access Goose Use

Hillcrest Open Space & Morningside Tot Lot Concept

Potential future onstreet connection to bike path at Wildlands Conservancy Preserve

Hillcrest Tot Lot

Forest Springers

Potential future sidewalk with connection from Hillcrest to Palmer Park Mall

Future crosswalk Potential future sidewalk

Future crosswalk

Stilts

Ecological restoration for water quality & habitat improvements Boulders or logjams on hillside to help with erosion

Tree Climber Parkour 2

Crawling Pyramid

Natural Play

Property Line Proposed Ecological Restoration Proposed Sidewalk

1" = 400'

Entry Signage

Bushkill Creek Greenway

NTS

Next Steps

Attend the next public event at Palmer Township Community Building: 3/2, 7 PM, Board of Supervisors Meeting Follow along for project updates: www.palmertwp.com/bushkill-creek-greenway.html Questions?

Email info@omnes.studio