North Branch Park River Project Partners Meeting #5

North Branch Park River Green Infrastructure Design & Watershed Plan Update

Project Partners Meeting #5

March 8, 2024

Meeting Agenda

9:00 – 10:00 AM

• Consultant Team Update

• Project Partner Updates

• Next Steps

• Discussion

30 min

15 min

5 min

10 min

Project Schedule

Consultant Team Update

Task 3 – Green Infrastructure Design Development

Project Selection and Concept Phases

1. Data Gathering & Review

• Compile GIS mapping

• Inventory public and institutional properties

• Identify existing GI

• Identify planned capital improvements

2. Project Screening & Selection

• Desktop screening

• Property owner interviews

• Field inventories (20 to 40 sites)

• Green infrastructure concepts (up to 15)

• Technical Memo

3. Preliminary Design

• 5 projects

• Field survey

• Test pits & infiltration testing

• Wetland delineation

• Preliminary layout

• Opinion of cost

• Technical Memo

3. Permit Level Design

• 3 projects

• Level of detail to support local/state permitting

Consultant Team Update

Green Infrastructure Screening

• Public & institutional properties, 98 potential parcels identified

• Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI)

− 0.5 acre or more of impervious area

− All soil types considered

• Riparian Corridor Green Infrastructure

− Parcels within 300-foot riparian corridor

Consultant Team Update

Green Infrastructure Field Work

• Field inventories completed on 12/14/23 and 12/15/23

OVERVIEW CONCEPT

A REVITALIZED URBAN RIVER CORRIDOR

DESIGN STRATEGIES

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Retrofit existing impervious surfaces with bioswales, rain gardens, infiltration systems, green roofs, and other stormwater practices. Implement GSI on public and institutional properties, along roads and sidewalks (green streets), and below existing athletic fields and other developed areas.

Riparian & Floodplain Restoration

Restore riparian areas and floodplains currently occupied by parking lots and other flood prone development to re-establish natural ecological system processes and functions (water quality, habitat, flood reduction, etc.). Consider related stream restoration and road-stream crossing upgrades to address flooding, erosion, water quality, wildlife passage, and connectivity.

Land Conservation

Protect or preserve land in a natural or undeveloped state through acquisition and/or restriction. Target existing undeveloped parcels along riparian corridors and in headwater areas, areas proposed for riparian and floodplain restoration, and wooded steep slopes.

Recreational Trails & Connectivity

Create recreational trails within restored riparian areas and floodplains to connect area schools, institutional facilities, and landscapes

FARMINGTON AVENUE TO ASYLUM AVENUE

ASYLUM AVENUE TO ALBANY AVENUE

NORTH OF ALBANY AVENUE & MARK TWAIN DRIVE

CRONIN PARK, GRANBY STREET, & BLUE HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD

UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD

WEST HARTFORD

Consultant Team Update

Task 3 –

Design Development (Remaining Work)

• Distribute proposed GI concepts/strategies for review and comment

− Project Partners

− Advisory Committee Members

− Private/Institutional Land Owners

• Develop estimated costs and pollutant removal estimates for up to 15 concepts

• Select 5 concepts for preliminary design

− With input from upcoming Town Hall style meeting

• Prepare preliminary designs

• Select 3 projects for permit level design

− Need support of property owners

Consultant Team Update

Task 5 – Public Outreach & Community Engagement

• Bioblitz - Kirsten Martin, Univ of St. Joseph Professor of Environmental Science

− Friday, April 26 & Saturday, April 27

− Volunteers

• 2010 Plan Goals and Park Watershed Assessment survey has been developed and distributed

− Need input from stakeholders

• Two other specialized surveys will be developed

− Property owners

− Evolution of Park Watershed / Non-Profit Stewardship

Project Partner Updates

• MDC

− North Branch Park River Drainage Study & Sewer Separation Design (Granby Street and Blue Hills)

• City of Hartford

− Granby Street Green Infrastructure Demonstration Project (with EPA)

− North Branch Park River debris removal efforts

− Citywide flooding/climate resiliency assessment (CT DEEP Grant)

− City of Hartford Planning Department

−

City of Hartford Development Services

Project Partner Updates

• CRCOG

− Stormwater Authority Feasibility Assessment (CT DEEP Grant)

− Natural Hazard Mitigation & Climate Adaptation Plan

− Climate Pollution Reduction Plan

− Transportation planning in NBPR watershed?

− Brownfields planning in NBPR watershed?

• CT DEEP

−

Rain garden project with City of Hartford (Long Island Sound Futures Fund grant)

Next Steps

• GI Design Development

− Feedback on GI concept materials from Project Partners and Advisory Committee

−

Complete GI concept designs

−

Select five (5) concepts for preliminary design

• Stakeholder Engagement

− Advisory Committee Meeting (March 22)

− Property managers walkshop (April)

−

BioBlitz (April)

−

Town Hall style meeting with Project Partners, Advisory Committee, and the public (April/May)

• Watershed Plan Update

Project Schedule

Questions and Discussion

Contacts:

Joanna Shapiro jshapiro@conservect.org

Erik Mas emas@fando.com

Mary Rickel Pelletier maryp@parkwatershed.org

Brian Martin Brian.Martin@tpl.org

Walker Holmes walker.holmes@tpl.org