From a press release
The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership gathered on Wednesday, May 31, to commemorate and unveil the installation of R-Tank Stormwater Models at Alverthorpe Park.
The tanks, which are used to filter water during a storm and subsequently reduce contaminants in drinking water, are the result of $175,000 in state funding devoted towards benefiting Alverthorpe Park’s stream restoration project.
The R-Tank Stormwater Module, also known as the subsurface infiltration basin, will manage and clean stormwater runoff in an underground storage system before slowly releasing it into Alverthorpe Lake.
To achieve this, the park’s parking lot was reconstructed to install and direct stormwater runoff into subsurface infiltration basins.
State Rep. Ben Sanchez (D-Abington), Project Manager Susan Harris, and volunteers and leaders from the Tookany/Tacony- Frankford Watershed Partnership were among the attendees that recognized the installation of the subsurface infiltration basins.
(From left to right) Thomas Johnston, Principal Landscape Architect and Construct Manager at ThinkGreen LLC, Ryan Neuman, Upstream Conservation Leader at Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Julie Slavet, Executive Director of Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Rep. Ben Sanchez, Susan Harris, Timothy Clark, Director of Engineering Construction Services Manager for the Abington Township, Maria Kernan, Streamkeeper and Scott VanCleave, park supervisor, climbed inside the basins to celebrate the installation of stormwater management tanks at Alverthorpe Park.
“Restoration along headwater creeks, such as the Jenkintown Creek, provides us with the greatest opportunity to reduce impacts downstream,” said Harris.
Harris spoke about the long-lasting benefits of the project, including protecting the park’s sports fields, nearby roadways, and local biodiversity.
“The objective of this project is to reduce the volume and velocity of runoff and pollutants being discharged to our waterways. These rain tanks are an open system which allow water to be slowed down and infiltrated into the ground to reduce discharge to the waterway. The feature will provide 36,000 CF of storage for stormwater runoff. This is equivalent to 276,000 gallons or 7500 bathtubs full of water,” said Harris.
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development funded the grant, and was used to install stormwater management measures by intercepting an existing stormwater pipe, which directly discharges 21 acres of uncontrolled stormwater runoff into Alverthorpe Lake.
“This is very personal to me. This is my backyard, my stomping ground,” said Rep. Sanchez. “This park holds a special place in my heart, and it feels good to do something that I will know will positively benefit and educate the community.”
Tookany/Tacony-Frankford watershed is a 30-square-mile area located in southeast Pennsylvania, both within and just outside the city of Philadelphia. It is one of Philadelphia’s five main watersheds, all of which flow into the Delaware River. Any rain that falls on the white area of the map will eventually flow into the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Creek.
The group’s mission is to improve the health and vitality of our watershed by collaborating with our municipalities and leading our communities in education, stewardship, restoration, and advocacy. They work with neighbors, volunteers, schools, municipal governments, local businesses, and other community members to restore our watershed and strengthen our communities.
