Volunteers from Firestone Building Products Company, LLC and members of Sewickley Creek Watershed Association planted trees and shrubs to help stabilize the banks and prevent erosion along Jack’s Run this past weekend. 

The effort is part of a three-phase, three-year project to repair damage from previous floods and to prevent future damage at Lynch Field Recreation Complex in Greensburg, Pa.

Sewickley Creek is partnering with the City of Greensburg’s Department of Parks and Recreation and Firestone Building Products Company, LLC on the project.

(Photo: Volunteers include (foreground) Firestone Warehouse Manager Tom Molina and grandson Taylor Hall and (background) SCWA Board Member Dean Nelson and Firestone Plant Manager Michael McCrea plant trees along Jack’s Run.)

Last fall the group re-graded the stream banks, placed riprap to stabilize the banks, and planted trees, shrubs and grass to help prevent erosion.

The project benefits the park by minimizing damage from flood waters and makes the park even more aesthetically pleasing.  But, it also serves as a model for other communities and homeowners on how to deal with similar flood-prone areas. 

The group also repaired a jack dam that had been installed on the stream several years ago.  The dam helps channel the water away from the eroding banks and adds oxygen to the stream to support aquatic life.   

Phase III of the project will include an education kiosk between the walking trail and the stream, along with interpretive signs, to explain the function of the project components and how they can be replicated at relatively low cost elsewhere. 

As visitors walk along the trail, they can read the signs and see first-hand how each component, including the riparian buffer, serves to protect the area surrounding the stream.  

With two grants from The Bridgestone Trust Fund for materials, and matching donations in terms of manpower and heavy equipment from the City, two heavily damaged sections of stream bank have already been remediated. 

“We are happy to work with local groups on projects such as this as a way to express our Company’s support for the community”, said Michael A. McCrea, Plant Manager for Firestone’s Youngwood facility.  Jack’s Run is one of the tributaries to Sewickley Creek which flows directly past their plant. 

Larry D. Myers from Sewickley Creek’s Board of Directors noted, “The Watershed Association is very appreciative of the partnership efforts and the volunteers provided to help with the restoration efforts.  We hope visitors to the park will take the time to inspect the project and be inspired to try similar riparian buffer activities in their backyards.”

For more information, visit the Sewickley Creek Watershed Association website.

11/25/2013