story by Kay Shamalla

 

What began in 1989 as a large stormwater management site will soon include a park and wetland education center. Planned and supervised by State College Borough, this new addition to State College public space is scheduled to open in the spring of 2012.

 

Located between the Parkway Plaza Apartments and Westerly Parkway, the six-acre site includes a two-and-a-half-acre runoff retention basin that used to be surrounded by chain link fence topped with barbed wire.

 

In repurposing the site to become more attractive and functional, the borough will also create a hands-on resource for nearby State College High School students studying the environment.

 

State College Borough Arborist and Environmental Coordinator Alan Sam began submitting grant applications to develop the concept 10 years ago. In 2008, funding sufficient to initiate the Westerly Parkway project was awarded by Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Skelly & Loy, Inc., a Harrisburg engineering and environmental consultant firm, was selected to design the site. Work began in the spring of this year. 

 

The Community Conservation Partnership Program, through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, funded additional site development—regrading site contours, altering soil type and adding seed mixes.  When completed, the center will feature native plants in an upland and lowland wetland scheme, circulating paths, benches, signs and a butterfly garden. 

 

Stormwater retention will continue to be a function of the design. Stormwater inflow and basin outflow is fenced off. When a significant weather event is forecasted, the borough’s Public Works crew will close the park to the public.

 

The project got an assist over the summer from Penn State students volunteering their time through Fresh START (Students Taking an Active Role Today) Day of Service on Aug. 27. In one day, the students mulched over half of the trail, removed brush and painted fencing. 

 

The borough’s Public Works employees continue to improve the site, but volunteers will be needed as the Westerly Parkway Wetland Education Center prepares for its official opening in the spring of 2012. Contact the Public Works office at (814) 234-7145 or email publicworksdept@statecollegepa.us for more information.