Harvest Fields Detention Pond Refurb

This summer, the Township will begin retrofitting, or naturalizing, the detention pond that services the Harvest Fields community.  The detention pond is most visible from East Texas Road; the nearest intersection is East Texas Road, Lamplighter Drive, and Shiloh Road.  This project is a requirement of our National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, which requires the Township to address water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge potential pollutants to waters of the United States.  The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) requires the Township to maintain an NPDES permit as the owner and operator of a small MS4 (municipal separate storm sewer system).

The retrofit will consist of renovating the existing rip-rap aprons and the introduction of Ernst Conservation Seeds Rain Garden Grass Mix (ERNMX-180-1), which is specifically designed for stormwater management areas.  The mix will promote the infiltration of stormwater runoff, as well as assist in the filtration of pollutants and sediment.  Site preparation and grading will conclude by late summer; planting and seeding will occur in late summer/early fall.

Anticipated Dates

• The Board of Commissioners awarded the bid for this project at their June 1, 2023 BOC meeting. 
• Construction is expected to begin this July—the project will take approximately 90 days to complete, not including final stabilization. 
• If final site stabilization has not occurred, the contractor will return in the spring of 2024 in order to reseed.

For More Information

We appreciate your patience during the construction of this project. For additional details, please email Zach Graves, Water Resources Specialist, or call him at 610-966-4343, extension 121.

Wild Cherry Lane Swale

As a requirement of the Township’s NPDES permit, the Township will be retrofitting a mowed earthen swale adjacent to the Wild Cherry Knoll community.  The swale is located between the tennis courts and the bridge at Wild Cherry Lane.  The purpose of a swale is to direct and/or manage stormwater runoff.   This particular swale will be revegetated in order to slow runoff, promote increased infiltration, and remove or filter pollutants and sediment.  The work is scheduled to begin this summer.

Currently, the swale is planted with conventional turf grass, which generally features shallow root systems.  The plug plantings and the Ernst Conservation Seeds Rain Garden Grass Mix (ERNMX-180-1) will allow the Township to meet its sediment reduction goals, while also fostering improved infiltration.  Site preparation and grading will conclude by late summer; planting and seeding will occur in late summer/early fall.

Anticipated Dates

• The Board of Commissioners awarded the bid for this project at their June 1, 2023 BOC meeting. 
• Construction is expected to begin this July—the project will take approximately 90 days to complete, not including final stabilization. 
• If final site stabilization has not occurred, the contractor will return in the spring of 2024 in order to reseed.

For More Information

We appreciate your patience during the construction of this project. For additional details, please email Zach Graves, Water Resources Specialist, or call him at 610-966-4343, extension 121.

Winding Brook Park Swale

As a requirement of the Township’s NPDES permit, the Township will be retrofitting a vegetated swale located in Winding Brook Park, adjacent to the Little Lehigh Creek.  The swale is located in the western portion of the park, which can be accessed from the path at the intersection of Princeton and Woodbarn Road.  The purpose of a swale is to direct and/or manage stormwater runoff.  This particular swale will be revegetated in order to slow runoff, promote increased infiltration, and remove or filter pollutants and sediment.

Currently, the swale is mowed once or twice a year and has been allowed to propagate naturally.  The risk of natural propagation is that it may allow the introduction of unwanted plant species.  As a result, the Township is proposing plug plantings and an Ernst Conservation Seeds Rain Garden Grass Mix (ERNMX-180-1).  The plantings and seed mix will allow the Township to meet its sediment reduction goals, while also fostering improved infiltration.  Site preparation and grading will conclude by late summer; planting and seeding will occur in late summer/early fall.

Anticipated Dates

• The Board of Commissioners awarded the bid for this project at their June 1, 2023 BOC meeting. 
• Construction is expected to begin this July—the project will take approximately 90 days to complete, not including final stabilization. 
• If final site stabilization has not occurred, the contractor will return in the spring of 2024 in order to reseed.

For More Information

We appreciate your patience during the construction of this project. For additional details, please email Zach Graves, Water Resources Specialist, or call him at 610-966-4343, extension 121.

Pickleball, Tennis Courts & Skatepark at the Municipal Campus

Upgrades continue to the outdoor recreation area at the municipal campus! The tennis courts are being converted to pickleball courts and are currently closed. We expect this project to be completed September / early October. The skatepark is currently open. We will send a notification when the skatepark will close for resurfacing. 

Please visit our other outdoor pickleball courts, as well as the indoor courts located at the Community Center gymnasium. 

For More Information

We appreciate your patience during the construction of this project. For additional details, please email Stan Cupp, Director of Projects, Parks & Facilities or call him at 610-966-4343, extension 103.