upos jan 10
TRANSCRIPT
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Why is Open Space Important?Upper Providence for Open Space
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Agenda
Why Is This an Issue For Upper Providence?- What do our residents want?
Comprehensive Plan resultsUPOS – Mission for Open Space
- Role in the communityCurrent Open Space and How It Is UsedRole of Scott Park as a Township Asset
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Open Spaces Are Our Treasures!
Residents value the “green” quality of the Township
Rose Tree Park and Ridley Creek State Park are the most-identified UP “treasures.” These treasures are cited as treasures by residents across all five districts.
10 of the top 15 treasures identified are “Open Space” type of facilities
Comprehensive Plan of 2005 – Public Survey Results p.15
Upper Providence Township Treasures
154
115
35
32
31
21
19
16
16
15
12
12
10
10
10
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Rose Tree Park
Ridley Creek State Park
Rose Tree Tavern
Open Spaces
Springton Lake/Resevoir
Crum Creek Resevoir
Lavin Tract
Glen Providence Park
Trees
Tyler Arboretum
Creighton
Cherry Street Field
Walden School
Martin Park
Historical Buildings
Number of Responses
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Willingness to Pay Additional Taxes for Various Initiatives
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Preserve/Protect Space
Improve/Maintain Parks, etc.
Biking/Hiking/Walking Trails
Property Acquisition for Parks
Road Improvements
Preserve/Protect Historic
Dev. Active Recreation
Public Sewer/Water Improvements
Economic Dev
Percentage of Responses
Unlikely
Neutral
Mean
Likely
Comprehensive Plan of 2005 – Public Survey Results p.11
Residents have already voted in favor of the $6M bond for Open Space
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Residents Recognize Sensitivity of Maintaining Open Space
Community Vision:“There was strong support for keeping permanent open spaces in a more or less natural condition, as formal recreational facilities attract more use and exacerbate the traffic problem.”
(Comprehensive Plan of 2005 Chapter 3, p.4)
Weaknesses:“There is increasing inappropriate development of environmentally sensitive lands: steep slope areas and lands containing or immediately adjacent to floodplain areas are of particular concern.”
(Comprehensive Plan of 2005 Chapter 5, p.2)
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Protection of Natural Resources“The natural resources noted by the Municipalities Planning Code are wetlands and other aquifer recharge zones, woodlands, steep slope areas, prime agricultural land, floodplains, and ‘unique natural areas.’ The MPC adds that municipalities are not limited by this list, but may provide for the protection of other resources of local importance.”
“Extensive loss of wooded area could lead to serious problems for the Township: woods are not only scenic, but provide tangible benefits by controlling stormwater runoff and the effects of erosion (critical in steep areas), modulating extreme temperatures, controlling windborne dust, and converting carbon dioxide into oxygen.”
(Comprehensive Plan of 2005 Chapter 10, p.2-3)
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Township Plan Recognizes Importance of Balancing Needs
• “The development of recreational facilities – for both active and passive use – will be designed to respect and to protect environmentally sensitive areas.”
• “The Township will pursue the development of additional facilities for active recreation (such as improved playing fields, courts, and other support infrastructure), seeking out opportunities to partner with like-minded public and private organizations, including the Delaware County Parks Department regarding utilization of Rose Tree Park.”
(Comprehensive Plan of 2005 Chapter 6, p.4-5)
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Policies to Protect UP Resources• “Township development regulations may include provisions to preserve,
protect, and enhance environmentally sensitive areas.”• “The Township may develop and enforce regulations that will assure that
development is executed in an environmentally sensitive manner.”• “The Township may seek funding to assist with the preservation and
protection of environmentally sensitive areas, including but not necessarily limited to funding to conduct studies supporting environmental preservation policies, site-specific plans, and acquisition.”
• “The Township desires to protect its water resources particularly and may implement regulations and/or seek funding as appropriate to develop plans and regulations to protect groundwater, wetlands, and stream corridors, as well as regulations to assure proper flood control, stormwater management, and maintenance of flood control and stormwater management facilities.”
• “Public access and recreational use of public open spaces will generally be subsidiary to the environmental preservation function.”
(Comprehensive Plan of 2005 Chapter 6, p.4-5)
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Agenda
Why Is This an Issue For Upper Providence?- What do our residents want?
Comprehensive Plan results UPOS – Mission for Open Space
- Role in the community Current Open Space and How It Is Used Role of Scott Park as a Township Asset
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Upper Providence for Open Space
Mission:To assist in preserving and protecting open space, including wetlands, watersheds, flora, and fauna. The primary goal of the group is the conservation of ecosystems and landscapes of regional and local value for the benefit of this and future generations.
We like the plan, and we expect the Township to follow it!!
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What UPOS Has Done Formed in 2001 – 100+ Concerned citizens/residents Prime mover in getting out the vote in support of ballot initiative
resulting in $6M for open space acquisitions Active involvement in the township acquisition of the Lavin Tract Monitoring the development of additional tracts to ensure resource
preservation and open space issues are considered fully Begun the process of site maintenance and improvement at Scott
Park Increased UP citizens’ awareness of open space issues Creek clean-up activities
- Working with CRC currently on Crum and Ridley Creek Clean-Up Day
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What UPOS Would Like to Do Work hand-in-hand with the Township to implement
the resource conservation and open space policies spelled out in the 2005 Comprehensive Plan
Help the township manage its open spaces through the acquisition of grants to develop and manage open space lands
Serve as a resource to the Township as stewards of our open spaces
Educate the citizens of UP and future generations regarding open space and conservation issues
Obtain needed environmental assessments of sensitive areas
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Agenda
Why Is This an Issue For Upper Providence?- What do our residents want?
Comprehensive Plan results UPOS – Mission for Open Space
- Role in the community Current Open Space and How It Is Used Role of Scott Park as a Township Asset
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Martin Park
Ridley Creek State Park
Thompson Park
Glen Providence Park
Scott Park
Rose Tree Park
Berman Park
Cherry Street Field
Ray Roche Park
Weldon Park
Houtman Park
Upper Providence Parks
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UP Township Parks & UsagePark Current Usage IssuesRidley Creek State Park
State Owned Park provides a range of recreational activities
Small portion of park is in the Township. Controlled by the State
Rose Tree Park County Owned Park – Concerts/Events/Gardens/ Kites/Dogs etc.
Limited use for environmental education. Controlled by the County
Scott Park ** Owned by the Township and Media Borough. Currently natural environment w/ limited use
Active versus Passive use and need to preserve its fragile ecosystem and educational use
Glen Providence Park
County Owned Park. Steep and wooded. Used for walking/hiking/picnicking
Limited use for environmental education. Controlled by the County
Martin Park County Owned Park. Steep and wooded. Local use for walking/hiking
Limited Access or use for environmental education. Controlled by the County
** Open Space Acquisition by UP Township
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UP Township Parks & Usage
Park Current Usage IssuesCherry Street Field Owned by the Township.
Used by numerous teams from across the county
Overuse puts strain on the field and neighborhood
Berman Park – Tot Lot
Owned by the Township.Playground usage
None – Neighborhood usage appears appropriate
Ray Roche Park Owned by the Township.Playground usage
None – Neighborhood usage appears appropriate
Houtman Park Owned by Media. Small picnic park
None – Neighborhood usage appears appropriate
Thompson Park Owned by the Township.Limited Access – Usage??
None – Neighborhood usage appears appropriate
Weldon Street Tot Lot
Owned by the Township.Playground usage
None – Neighborhood usage appears appropriate
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Balancing Usage Demands
Soccer
Hiking
Events
Fishing
Concerts
Kites
Lacrosse
Softball
Dogs
Nature
BirdingEducation
Each site has specific uses dictated by the nature of the site itself. Not all sites are appropriate for all uses!!
Scenic Vista
Baseball
Football
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UP As Part of a Larger Watershed
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Balancing Conservation Demands
Crum Creek Watershed
Crum Creek
Ridley Creek Watershed
Ridley Creek
• Watersheds do not recognize municipal boundaries
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Balancing Conservation Demands Currently ~ 60% of Upper Providence residents get their water
from Ridley Creek via the Media pumping station Ridley Creek water is rated “high quality” 2nd highest ranking;
Crum Creek is rated significantly lower Maintaining excellent water quality is closely related to
conservation practices regarding:- Storm water run-off- Ground water recharge and filtration- Erosion
Open Spaces contribute significantly to high quality aquatic ecosystems
For “High Quality” designated resources, DEP “requires that new or expanded activities do not degrade existing water quality”
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Pressure for Development• Anticipated need for an additional 390 housing units within the
next 15 years.“During the public participation stage, many residents expressed their objection to subdivision of existing residential lots, even when subdivision was clearly permitted by the zoning…even when such infill development was well designed – they objected to the increase in density.”
(Comprehensive Plan of 2005 Chapter 7, p. 5)
• More importantly, the plan highlights that, “Typically, residential uses do not generate sufficient tax revenue to pay for the municipal services that they consume. The preponderance of residential property suggests that the Township will find it increasingly difficult to sustain the current level and quality of municipal services.”
(Comprehensive Plan of 2005 Chapter 15, p. 5)
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Planning Implications• “The current extent of development in the Township leaves little
vacant land for new construction. As a result, new development must be accommodated on lots carved from existing developed parcels, on lands previously deemed unsuitable for development, and on developed property that has been cleared.”
• “If the demand for housing in the Township remains strong, developers will continue to maximize the yield of available land, erecting new homes wherever physically possible, and expanding the definition of what is considered ‘developable land.’ This is likely to result in increasing pressure upon the Township to raise allowable density and to relax restrictions based upon environmental considerations.”
(Comprehensive Plan of 2005 Chapter 15, p. 5)
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“The DEP's new guidance document will require that developers control the amount of storm water discharged when development is complete. To do so, DEP now requires real estate developers to construct less impervious surfaces than before and create more opportunities for storm water to soak into the ground - requirements that go beyond the federal requirements to control storm water.
The state also places even more regulatory restrictions on storm water discharges arising from new real estate developments that are located in watersheds with very high water quality, known as ‘special protection’ watersheds in regulatory parlance.”
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 19, 2007
DEP Issues Guidelines
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UPOS Concerns
Expand open space opportunities through acquisition
Retain “green” feel to the Township
Ensure environmentally sensitive areas are not compromised
Strictly enforce current codes and ordinances
Expand codes/ordinances to maintain aspects of the community which are so valued today.
Ensure protection of high quality aquatic ecosystem
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Agenda
Why Is This an Issue For Upper Providence?- What do our residents want?
Comprehensive Plan results UPOS – Mission for Open Space
- Role in the community Current Open Space and How It Is Used Role of Scott Park as a Township Asset
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Scott Park
Baltimore Pike
Route 1 By-Pass
Ridley C
reek Road
Upper Providence Township Water Supply
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The Media Wetlands Identified in the Delaware County Natural Areas
Inventory (1992) as “an area of local significance worthy of preservation.”
Found by the EPA’s Delaware Estuary Program to be of sufficient importance for inclusion in a list of worthy restoration and enhancement projects within the entire estuary.
Source: Media Wetlands Resource Conservation Plan, Natural Resources Conservation Service, December 1999
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The Media Wetlands “Supports a diverse assemblage of wetland plants, as
well as animal species increasingly uncommon in the Philadelphia suburbs.”
“Its location in the densely developed suburbs of central Delaware County is remarkable. …”
Source: Media Wetlands Resource Conservation Plan, Natural Resources Conservation Service, December 1999
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It is important to provide an appropriate setting for environmental education to occur.
Peter WilliamsonNatural Lands Trust
National Science Standards call for children to have skills to posit theories based upon direct observation and data collection. Education should be hands on, participatory and informed by a “more tender trotting upon the land.”
Lynn OberfieldHead, Media Providence Friends School
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Scott Park: Unique in Having the Five Major Ecosystems
Scott Park has the five ecosystems that are the subject of environmental studies in PA:- Meadow- Stream- Pond- Woods- Wetlands
Proposed legislation would mandate environmental study as part of science testing in 2007.
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Scott Park: Meadow
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Scott Park: Stream
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Scott Park: Pond
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Scott Park: Woods
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Scott Park: Wetlands
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A natural area with few improvements provides the best learning environment across a range of curricula.
Meg Barney, Ed.D.Research & Development SpecialistRose Tree Media School District, Education Center
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Signage
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Access to Protected Areas
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Access to Protected Areas
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Observation Posts for Wildlife Monitoring
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Outdoor Classroom
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Upper Providence Township has acquired a treasure. The environmental education of its children could be greatly enhanced through the study of many aspects of this property.
Steven Eisenhauer (Upon viewing Scott Park)Regional Director of Stewardship and ProtectionNatural Lands Trust, Peek Preserve, NJ (9,000 acres)
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Natural Areas Support Passive Recreation
Hiking Fishing Bird watching Wildlife appreciation
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Delco Anglers and preservationists are willing and ready to work with Upper Providence Township on improvements to Ridley Creek at the Scott Park to enhance recreational fishing, as they have in Ridley Creek State Park.
Steve KosiakDelco Anglers
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Scott Park Clean-Up Under Way
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“This park is a part of our future. …the next generation, the next five generations, will never imagine what it would have been like without this.”
Bill O’Donnell, former Township Councilman