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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRiverwalk Park Site Inspection_2025-10-27_Optimized MEMORANDUM BETA GROUP, INC. www.BETA-Inc.com BACKGROUND On October 27, 2025, BETA staff visited the Yarmouth Riverwalk Park Site located at 669 Route 28 in Yarmouth, MA to perform environmental monitoring during construction and to monitor the establishment 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 construction. CURRENT CONSTRUCTION Construction of the site is underway, and the following approved site elements have been constructed or partially constructed prior to this inspection:  Invasive species management has been conducted 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;  Some site elements including light fixtures, bikes racks, and benches have been installed;  Pavement has been installed where proposed and the topcoat of pavement has been installed in various locations (Photo 3);  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 work to construct the restroom facility was occurring (Photo 5) and mulch was being installed in planted beds in various locations throughout the site (Photo 6). SALT MARSH RECOVERY During the previous site visit on September 19, 2025, BETA staff oversaw Chase Landscaping (Subcontractor to Robert B Our) installation of plug plantings consisting of 850 saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens) plugs and 1,200 smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) plugs into areas of exposed soil within the salt marsh. Date: November 10, 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 Visit 10/27/2025 Yarmouth Riverwalk Park and Boardwalk Yarmouth, MA November 10, 2025 Page 2 of 3 During this Site visit plugs were observed to be in good condition and were exhibiting fall color (Photos 7 and 8). Plugs installed throughout the salt marsh will continue to be monitored periodically in the months ahead. It is expected that the success of the planting will be evaluated during the Spring 2026 growing season. Additional restoration of these areas is not anticipated at this time based on the present conditions observed. SALT MARSH/BOARDWALK APPROACH AREAS Areas of salt marsh outside of the locations where grass plugs were being installed have become fully revegetated. Vegetation was observed to be in good health, now showing fall colors (Photo 9). In the boardwalk approach areas, grass plugs and seed were previously installed within the areas of exposed soil on both the eastern and western boardwalk approaches. These areas are upgradient of the salt marsh. Plugs in these areas were observed as being in good condition, however seed should be applied to the area on both sides of each of the boardwalk approaches to more fully stabilize the exposed soil (Photo 10). Frost seeding (in dormancy) of these areas may provide a jump-start on grass establishment in the spring. The sections of erosion controls upgradient of the salt marsh was observed to be in good condition (Photo 11). EROSION CONTROLS The 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. Both compost filter tubes and silt fence were observed as degraded and damaged in areas throughout the Site (Photo 12). Erosion controls adjacent to the kayak launch were observed to be in good condition (Photo 13). Erosion controls near the upweller adjacent to the Parker River were observed to be damaged (Photo 14) with exposed, loose compost. The area upgradient of the damaged erosion control is partially stabilized. The erosion controls showing damage - closest to the upweller - should be replaced to limit compost from the filter tube entering the river. This location should be monitored to ensure no sediment enters Resource Areas. RIVERWALK PARK UPLAND AREAS Currently, the Riverwalk Park is under construction. Multiple small stockpiles of soil were present during the site visit that are associated with active construction of the restroom facility (Photo 5). 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 various locations (Photos 5, 10, 11, and 15), including adjacent to the trailers, upgradient of the woodland path, on either side of the path, and various other locations. Soil should be stabilized if work has concluded in these areas. Erosion controls downgradient of exposed soil were observed in various states and should be replaced or maintained. During this inspection, minimal invasive plant species pressure was observed within the limits of work; however, the site should continue to be monitored for success of the invasive species removal plan. Some invasive species were exhibiting fall color and die-back. Species including bush honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellate), black swallowwort (Cynanchum louiseae), tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), and bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) were observed in small populations within the landscaped beds along the entrance road and directly adjacent to the limits of work and erosion controls (Photos 16 and 17). A small population of bittersweet was also observed adjacent to the erosion controls in back of the trailers. Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is present within the landscaped November 10, 2025 Page 3 of 3 beds along the entrance where a large population was removed (Photo 18). Additionally, a population of bittersweet was observed within the boulders adjacent to the walking path (Photo 19). 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 and one additional plant was observed in a planted bed adjacent to the entrance road (Photo 20). SUMMARY Currently, work on the Yarmouth Riverwalk Park and Boardwalk Project is underway. Generally, installation of site features is complete and stabilization of the remainder of exposed soil is required. Observations made during the October 27, 2025, site inspection include the following:  Restoration plantings installed into the salt marsh appear to be in good condition, further monitoring of these plantings should be conducted in the Spring of 2026,  Erosion/sediment controls throughout the site are in varying condition and are generally degraded. Erosion controls upgradient of the Parkers River adjacent to the upweller require replacement,  Areas of exposed soil that require stabilization are present throughout the site and should be stabilized if work has been completed in these areas,  All soil stockpiles at the site are associated with active work and should be temporarily stabilized if not in use for 14 days or more,  Invasive plant species presence /pressure was observed within the landscaped beds adjacent to the entrance driveway, directly adjacent to erosion controls, and within a naturalized area near the kayak launch. Treatment of invasive plant species present should be conducted as part of the Invasive Plant Management Strategy. Attachments: - Attachment A Photographic Documentation - Attachment B Site Aerial Image w/ Photo Key PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented October 27, 2025 Photo 2 View of the playground—facing south. View of the current conditions of the boardwalk—facing south. Photo 1 Site Monitoring Report Attachment A PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented October 27, 2025 Photo 4 Typical view of the stabilized field internal of the site—facing south. View of the location where the top coat of pavement has been installed—facing south. Photo 3 Site Monitoring Report Attachment A PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented October 27, 2025 Photo 6 View of mulch being installed in the southern portion of the park—facing east. View of active work on the restroom facility– facing south. Photo 5 Site Monitoring Report Attachment A PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented October 27, 2025 Photo 8 View of plugs installed within Area C-1—facing east. View of the plugs installed within Area W-1—facing north. Photo 7 Site Monitoring Report Attachment A PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented October 27, 2025 Photo 10 View of the plugs and exposed soils upgradient of the western side of the boardwalk—facing south. View of a fully vegetated area adjacent to the boardwalk —facing north. Photo 9 Site Monitoring Report Attachment A PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented October 27, 2025 Photo 12 View of the silt fence along the path near the kayak launch requiring repair—facing northeast. View of the plugs, erosion control, and exposed soil upgradient of the eastern side of the boardwalk — facing north. Photo 11 Site Monitoring Report Attachment A PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented October 27, 2025 View of erosion controls adjacent to the Parker River under the kayak launch in good condition – facing south. Photo 13 View of the erosion controls adjacent to the upweller that require replacement —facing east. Photo 14 Site Monitoring Report Attachment A PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented September 19, 2025 View of a location of exposed soil adjacent to the trailer —facing west. Photo 15 View of tree of heaven and bittersweet within the planted beds adjacent to the entrance road —facing west. Photo 16 Site Monitoring Report Attachment A PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented October 27, 2025 View of autumn olive, bittersweet, and black swallowwort adjacent to the limits of work —facing west. Photo 17 View of Japanese knotweed within the landscaped bed adjacent to the entrance road—facing west. Photo 18 Site Monitoring Report Attachment A PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION Yarmouth Riverwalk Yarmouth, Massachusetts Photographs Documented October 27 , 2025 View of the population of bittersweet exhibiting fall color within the boulders adjacent to the walking path—facing east. Photo 19 View of the cypress spurge observed within a planted bed adjacent to the entrance road—facing east. Photo 20 Site Monitoring Report Attachment A Yarmouth Riverwalk Park — October 27, 2025 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 偨潴漠ㄹ 偨潴漠㈰ 卩瑥⁍潮楴潲楮朠剥灯牴⁁瑴慣桭敮琠䈠 Yarmouth Riverwalk Park — October 27, 2025 偨潴漠㄰ 偨潴漠ㄱ 卩瑥⁍潮楴潲楮朠剥灯牴⁁瑴慣桭敮琠䈠