Koontz Park. Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County. Site Photos. Site
Context. Koontz Park is a 3.9 acre park located at. 2391 Harts Lane within a mile
of.
Koontz Park
Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County Site Photos
Site Context
Sustainable Practices
Koontz Park is a 3.9 acre park located at 2391 Harts Lane within a mile of Philadelphia. The park is surrounded by homes on three sides and a cemetery. Koontz Park was once the site of a landscaping business and stored vehicles, lawn care chemicals, and other hardscape materials. The property had been prioritized for preservation in the township’s open space plan and was acquired in 2006 with a grant from DCNR and the Township Open Space funds. The Park was developed in 2008 with the interest of finding ways to make the park an example of conscientious design.
Water- Porous asphalt is used on all trails, parking stalls, and the basketball court. The water is contained in stone beds below the asphalt and then infiltrates back into the ground water. A stormwater basin within the park has been naturalized using native plants, reducing maintenance costs and enhancing natural stormwater infiltration. The site contains rain barrels that are utilized by the Whitemarsh Horticultural Society to water plants during drought conditions.
Project Overview Koontz Park serves as an example of how handicap accessibility, environmentally sound design, and traditional park elements can be combined to achieve a municipal vision. The overall design was to maximize the ability of residents to walk to the site from the surrounding neighborhood and to improve current storm water issues that faced the neighbors. A recreational need was met with the installation of an ADA accessible playground, walking path, building and a ¾ size basketball court. The design maximized unused areas for stormwater collection and infiltration back to the ground water along with an expansive use of native plants in the landscape to promote better stormwater control and native habitat.
Natural Landscaping- Koontz Park has become the Township’s example of natural landscaping. An existing greenhouse on the property became a crucial part of the planning process and has since become the nursery for native grasses, shrubs and flowers planted throughout the park and public spaces throughout the Township. The Whitemarsh Horticultural Society has planted nearly 3500 plants throughout the Park to reduce turf grass areas, minimize mowing, and enhance habitat. These plantings included a variety of sun loving warm season plants, shade loving plants, a meadow and butterfly garden. Educational signage helps park visitors identify the plants and learn about the best location for each plant. In 2012 approximately 500 additional plants were planted in the stormwater basin to reduce the maintenance and compaction of the basin. Invasive plants are eradicated from the Park.
Sustainable Practices Cont. Materials Selection and ConstructionMaterial from site grading was taken to the Township Public Works site and later used to construct stormwater basins in other parts of the Township. Materials brought to the site came from a quarry within the Township. Structures were designed using natural colors, the playground placement utilized the existing topography and trees were planted throughout the park to enhance wildlife habitat. The Township reused granite curbing material and fit an amphitheater into the existing topography for parents to sit and overlook the playground. Energy efficient induction lighting, and LED lighting was used to reduce energy costs. Connecting People to NatureAlthough Koontz Park is a developed planned park it brings residents back to nature in a number of ways. The Park has direct connections to the surrounding neighborhoods via walking, or biking eliminating the need to drive to the site. The playground is integrated into the site topography and existing trees. By utilizing the existing topography the playground area is ADA accessible on all levels. The Whitemarsh Horticultural Committee has offered educational sessions to students explaining the importance of native plants. The site contains signs identifying the plants and the best growing conditions for the plants. In October 2010 the Park was awarded the Montgomery County Land Trust, Green Futures Achievement Award for ADA accessibility. Operations and Maintenance- Koontz Park requires minimal maintenance throughout the year. LED bollard lighting is located around points on the walkway and illuminate only when passer-bys are close enough. Motion sensored induction lighting is used for security in the parking area. The induction lights use less electricity due to the wattage of the light being lower but still providing the same amount of light as a higher wattage metal hali light. With a reported 100,000 hour life, induction lights should only need to be replaced minimally. The Park contains a maintenance plan, and is checked on a weekly basis for efficiency of lights and
other mechanical systems. The permeable asphalt is maintained by vacuum two times a year to ensure the asphalt does not become clogged with debris which would reduce the infiltration of stormwater. The native gardens and meadows are monitored for weeds; as the native plants have matured the amount of weeding has reduced. Overall, with the design of the park the maintenance required per acre is about an 1/8th of the time spent at other all turf parks in the Township. All compostable materials from the greenhouse are put into composters and later utilized in the transplanting of plants from the greenhouse to other sites. Environmental Stewardship Messaging- Educational signage is strategically placed throughout the Park to educate park visitors about the various plants found within the Park and how/where to plant them at home. A number of programs have been created since the inception of the Park. The “Greenmarsh Series” are programs on recycling, rain barrels, composting, importance of native pants, enhancing bird habitat, tree maintenance, etc. The Parks and Recreation Department will be starting programs in the spring of 2013 designed to educate young children and families on the importance of native plants, gardening, and other garden benefits.
Information provided by: Douglas Knauss, CPRP, Director of Parks and Recreation, Whitemarsh Township (2013)
Project Partners/ Consultants
Whitemarsh Horticultural Society Natural Lands Trust PA Environmental Council CMX Engineering
http://www.stormwaterpa.org/neighbo rhood-parks.html
