Newtown Common

PROJECT

Newtown Common & Creek Restoration

The Newtown Creek Coalition led the restoration of Newtown Common, a 0.18-acre park designed by William Penn, which involved landscaping with native plants, improving accessibility, and highlighting the park’s history and environmental aspects. The project received the 2019 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.

Newtown Common Treevitalize Wildflower Grant

Newtown Common

Treevitalize

Wildflower Grant

The Newtown Creek Coalition oversaw the award-winning Newtown Common and Creek Restoration project on behalf of Newtown Borough from initial design in 2014 to completion in 2018. The NCC obtained and managed funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Bucks County Municipal Open Space Program, the TreeVitalize program, and private donations, and oversaw the awarding of contracts, design, and construction. The project was awarded the 2019 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.

2019 PA Governors Award for Environmental Excellence

Historical Context

The 0.18 acre Newtown Common is the last remaining public lot of the approximately 43 acre public Common along both banks of Newtown Creek designed by William Penn in 1684. Over time, the park fell into disrepair and the banks of Newtown Creek were damaged by a high volume of stormwater run-off from adjacent properties and streets, incursion of invasive plant species, and man-made alterations of the stream channel.

The Goals

To restore and protect the banks of Newtown Creek.

The entire park was landscaped with native plants. The east bank was restored using soil lifts and both creek banks were replanted with native “understory” trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers. Rain gardens were established to help reduce stormwater run-off and porous pavers were installed in the park entrance and patio.

To increase accessibility of the park and creek.

A new ADA accessible park entrance was created, with an accessible patio, picnic table and benches. To create natural seating and a step-down to the creek, large boulders of local stone were embedded in the creek bank, enabling park visitors to access the water.

To highlight historic and environmental aspects of the park.

An educational sign notes the park’s history and explains how the environmental features incorporated into the park’s design can also be utilized at home. To encourage sustainability, the park lighting is solar-powered and bike bollards and trash recycling receptacles are provided.

Project Design & Construction

The project was designed by NAM Planning & Design, LLC of Lahaska, PA, and constructed by Flyway Excavating, Inc. of Lititz, PA.

Treevitalize Project

In October 2017, the Newtown Creek Coalition received a $2500 TreeVitalize Grant to replant the west bank of Newtown Creek within the Newtown Common with native trees, shrubs and grasses. Over three days, volunteers provided 113.5 hours of work, including site preparation, planting trees, shrubs and grasses; and installing deer fencing. This restoration project was made possible by the TreeVitalize Watersheds Grant Program, and the Plant One Million campaign, managed by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, with funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener program.

Newtown Creek Coalition in Action

October 19, 2017

Cleaning the bank and digging the holes

October 20, 2017

Installing deer fencing

October 21, 2017

Planting day

Volunteers preparing to plant trees along creek

October 21, 2017

Project completed

Bowmans Hill Wildflower Preserve Grant

With the assistance of the Newtown Creek Coalition, Newtown Borough was awarded a grant of 100 native shrubs and plants for planting in the Newtown Common in 2021. Newtown Creek Coalition members and friends planted them on October 9, 2021.