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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRiverwalk Park Inspection 2025-09-24_Optimized MEMORANDUM BETA GROUP, INC. www.BETA-Inc.com BACKGROUND On September 19, 2025, BETA staff visited the Yarmouth Riverwalk Park Site located at 669 Route 28 in Yarmouth, MA to perform environmental monitoring during the Phase 1 construction period and to monitor the installation of restoration plantings within the salt marsh. The purpose of this inspection was to document the conditions of the salt marsh, erosion controls, and park during Phase 1 of construction. CURRENT CONSTRUCTION Construction of the site is underway, and the following approved site elements had been constructed or partially constructed prior to this inspection: • Invasive species have been removed throughout the site; • Construction of the boardwalk has been substantially completed (Photo 1); • Construction of the playground has been substantially completed (Photo 2); • Stormwater infrastructure has been installed; • Stabilized aggregate walking paths have been installed; • Plantings have been installed (Photo 3); • Some site elements including light fixtures, bikes racks, and benches have been installed; • Pavement has been installed where proposed (Photo 4); • Portions of the site have become partially stabilized (Photo 4); • Utilities have been partially installed; and, • The restroom facility has been partially constructed (Photo 5); During the site visit, irrigation lines were being installed in various locations throughout the site (Photo 6) and restoration plantings were being installed within the saltmarsh (Photos 7 and 8). SALT MARSH RECOVERY During this site visit, BETA staff oversaw three (3) staff members of Chase Landscaping installing restoration plantings consisting of saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens) plugs and smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) plugs into areas of exposed soil within the salt marsh (Photos 7 and 8). Restoration of these areas was requested and approved by the Town of Yarmouth Conservation Administrator at the Date: September 24, 2025 Job No.: 22.10056.00 To: Amanda Lima, PE Town Engineer Kathy Williams, PE, Town Planner Brittany DiRienzo, Conservation Administrator From: Arek Galle, RLA, AICP, Senior Associate, BETA Group Prepared: Anna Haznar, Staff Scientist Laura Krause, Senior Project Manager Subject: Site Monitoring and Restoration Oversight Yarmouth Riverwalk Park and Boardwalk Phase 1 Yarmouth, MA September 22, 2025 Page 2 of 3 August 5th, 2025 site walk, as formalized in Attachment A – Site Walk Outcomes of the August 22, 2025, inspection report. Salt marsh plugs were installed in four (4) distinct areas (W-1, W-2, C-1, and C-2) totaling approximately 3,950 square feet. Restoration plantings consisted of 850 saltmeadow cordgrass plugs and 1,200 smooth cordgrass plugs. Planting locations were determined by topography and by observing species growing in the general vicinity of the proposed plantings. Plantings were installed using a power planter drill into holes approximately 3 inches in diameter and deep enough to fully cover the roots when fully extended per NRCS guidelines1. Plantings will be monitored to document establishment. Additional restoration of these areas is not anticipated unless plantings fail. BOARDWALK/SALT MARSH Areas of salt marsh outside of the locations where plugs were being installed have become revegetated (Photos 1 and 8). Plugs and seed were previously installed within the area of exposed soil on both the eastern and western trail upgradient of the salt marsh (Photos 9 and 10). Portions of erosion controls upgradient of the salt marsh were recently removed; however, a section of erosion controls upgradient of the eastern side of the salt marsh was recently replaced (Photo 10). These areas will continue to be monitored to determine if supplemental seeding is necessary. EROSION CONTROLS A majority of the erosion controls have been removed due to successful establishment of vegetation throughout the site. Erosion controls consisting of silt fence and/or compost filter tubes are still present along areas that are not fully vegetated or directly adjacent to Resource Areas (Photos 11 and 12). Compost filter tubes were observed in varying stages of biodegradation in multiple locations throughout the site. The erosion controls in proximity to Resource Areas, including the Parker River, were observed in good condition (Photo 13), and no sedimentation was observed past the limits of work. To ensure no sediment enters Resource Areas, erosion controls should be maintained. RIVERWALK PARK Currently, Phase 1 of the Riverwalk Park is under construction. There are three (3) small soil stockpiles located onsite associated with active construction and stabilization (Photo 14). Stabilization of stockpiles should commence if active work is not occurring, or within 14 days of the cessation of work in the area. Exposed soil that requires stabilization is present throughout the site in areas where work is ongoing (Photos 3, 11, and 14). Erosion controls were found to be in good condition downgradient of all areas of exposed soil. During this inspection, minimal invasive plant species pressure was observed within the limite of work; however, the site should continue to be monitored for success of the invasive species removal plan. Species including bush honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellate), black swallowwort (Cynanchum louiseae), and bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) were observed in small populations within the landscaped beds along the entrance road and directly outside of the limits of work adjacent to erosion controls (Photos 15 and 16). Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is present within the landscaped beds along the entrance where a large population was removed (Photo 17). Additionally, 1 1 Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel.) Plant Guide September 22, 2025 Page 3 of 3 a population of bittersweet was observed (Photo 18) within the boulders adjacent to the walking path. The population of cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) – a species considered likely invasive by the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group (MIPAG) - is also present within the boulders adjacent to the walking path. SUMMARY Currently, Phase 1 of the Yarmouth Riverwalk Park and Boardwalk Project is near completion. The remaining work is primarily concentrated within Phase 2 (restroom facility) and work associated with installation of the kayak launch. Generally, installation is complete and stabilization of the remainder of exposed soil is required. Observations made during the September 19, 2025 site inspection include the following: • Restoration plantings have been installed in the areas of exposed soil adjacent to the boardwalk, • Erosion/sediment controls throughout the site are in varying condition, with all erosion controls upgradient of Resource Areas being in good condition, • Areas of exposed soil that require stabilization are present throughout the site but generally were found to have erosion controls downgradient, • Soil stockpiles at the site be temporarily stabilized if actively in use for 14 days or more, • Invasive plant species presence /pressure was observed within the landscaped beds adjacent to the entrance driveway, outside of the work area directly adjacent to erosion controls, and within a naturalized area near the kayak launch. Attachments: - Photographic Documentation - Site Aerial Image - Map of Invasive Species Observed 9/19/2025 - Map of Erosion/Sedimentation Controls Onsite as of 9/19/2025 PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented September 19, 2025 Photo 2 View of the playground—facing north. View of the current conditions of the boardwalk—facing south. Photo 1 PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented September 19, 2025 Photo 4 Typical view of the paved path and vegetated area within the northeastern portion of the site —facing south. View of plantings installed near the kayak launch—facing north. Photo 3 PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented September 19, 2025 Photo 6 View of irrigation lines being installed—facing north. View of the partially constructed restroom facility – facing south. Photo 5 PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented September 19, 2025 Photo 8 View of the final conditions of area W-1 after plugs have been installed—facing north. View of restoration plantings beings installed into the salt marsh—facing south. Photo 7 PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented September 19, 2025 Photo 10 View of the plugs, seed, and erosion controls installed upgradient of the eastern side of the salt marsh— facing west. View of the plugs and seed installed upgradient of the western side of the salt marsh—facing northeast. Photo 9 PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented September 19, 2025 Photo 12 Typical view of erosion controls in good condition at the Site—facing northeast. View of the silt fence along the woodland trail—facing north. Photo 11 PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented September 19, 2025 View of erosion controls adjacent to the Parker River under the kayak launch in good condition – facing northeast. Photo 13 Typical view of a soil stockpile associated with active work at the site —facing northwest. Photo 14 PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented September 19, 2025 View of bittersweet within the landscaped bed adjacent to the entrance roadway —facing west. Photo 15 View of bittersweet, black swallowwort, and autumn olive directly outside of the limits to work—facing west. Photo 16 PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented September 19, 2025 View of Japanese knotweed within the landscaped bed adjacent to the entrance roadway —facing southwest. Photo 17 View of the population of bittersweet within the boulders adjacent to the walking path —facing east. Photo 18 Yarmouth Riverwalk Park — September 19, 2025 偨潴漠ㄱ 偨潴漠ㄲ 偨潴漠ㄳ 偨潴漠ㄴ 偨潴漠ㄵ 偨潴漠ㄶ 偨潴漠ㄷ 偨潴漠ㄸ Yarmouth Riverwalk Park — September 19, 2025 偨潴漠㄰ Yarmouth Riverwalk Park — Invasive Species ObserveĚ — September 19, 2025 Japanese knotweed Bittersweet, Black Swallowwort, and Autumn olive Japanese knotweed and Bittersweet Japanese knotweed Bittersweet and Cypress spurge Bush honeysuckle Bittersweet and Autumn olive Yarmouth Riverwalk Park — Eƌosion Contƌ ols —September 19, 2025 Red= Erosion Controls Yarmouth Riverwalk Park — September 19, 2025