Apologies if those words bring back memories of the old Tom Jones earworm song. In the meantime, just what is new there these days?
Residents and visitors of Springs have been wondering what is going on around Pussy’s Pond Park, and why. Fencing kept people out, except for class visits with hands-on planting involvement, water testing, and learning which inspired the 2016 student opera theme at Springs Elementary School. Earthwork and materials for erosion control re-shaped the ragged landscape. Strange flagging flapped in the wind to ward off hungry birds who would otherwise consume carefully selected native seeds and plants. Winter gales harshly toppled some fencing more than once. These important elements protect emerging vegetation from its infancy to maturity. But soon enough, likely in June, the park will be ready for its big reveal…
After weeks of closely watching the ground, it finally happened in mid-March: a sprig of life broke through the soil to say spring is upon us. Hooray! The first fuzzy gray catkin, symbol of spring’s arrival, popped open. Many more pussy-cat-soft catkins will follow. Though they don’t outwardly look it, they are flowers of the willow group, and the queen of them all is the catkin of the species fondly called Pussy Willow. This and several other willow species, plus dozens of other native plants, now inhabit other formerly bare or sparse zones in the park. Willow catkins provide valuable early nectar sources for bees during their leanest season. They are also solar-energy-fueled powerhouses for strengthening shorelines and cleansing pollutants that affect Accabonac Harbor.
Carlson Design & Planning was hired by the Town to implement this project last August. Based on a previous study documenting Pussy’s Pond as a high priority site threatened by water quality problems, the Town had received grant funds to design and implement measures to restore a resilient shoreline zone in the park. Specifically, nutrient and bacteria levels in the pond posed human health concerns, and also problems to aquatic life. Though many families visited there, the water was unsafe for human contact, and the many treading feet of kids and ducks had obliterated plants which bind and secure the shoreline. The site had literally lost a lot of ground over the past 20 years.
What is restoration, and why do it? The important questions to begin with are:
• “What are the inherent ecological forms and functions of this landscape?”
• “What were the existing conditions of the site prior to human impact?”
• “How have intentional modifications and unintended impacts affected the site and its natural processes?”
Restoration strategies address the gap between what currently exists, and what can be healthy and resilient in the future, basically helping the site to repair and continuously regenerate itself. Using natural system strategies, it is possible to manage the landscape so it is not only a beautiful and people-friendly place, but also one which supports thriving biodiversity and healthy water quality. In the case of Pussy’s Pond, the eroding shoreline, invasive species, abundant waterfowl activity, and stormwater runoff from the roadways all contributed to poor water quality. Also, single-family septic systems are never very efficient and often are poorly maintained, resulting in bacteria-laden groundwater seeping towards and breaking out in the park. Situated on a sliver of land nestled between housing-lined roads and Pussy’s Pond, the park was simply being asked to do too much with too little. How could it be helped?
Pussy’s Pond lies at the head of Accabonac Harbor, a crown jewel of East Hampton for its beautiful salt marsh habitats and abundant birds, fish, and shellfish. Close to Springs Elementary School and visited (and loved) by many, it is perfectly positioned to embrace and demonstrate modern practices for coastal land stewardship. With that in mind, the Town chose four targeted restoration measures for use at Pussy’s Pond:
1. Stormwater bioswales slow and filter water so it can’t carry contaminants to the pond. Intercepting runoff close to the road, these low-lying pathways are densely vegetated to allow biological cleansing and infiltration of water. Simultaneously they control erosion which previously caused soil loss throughout the park.
2. Buffers of native plants with strong root systems stabilize, secure, and protect the shoreline, providing habitat for numerous species including bees, butterflies and birds. In most areas the plants are low, colorful, and seasonally quite beautiful. In targeted spots, taller and tougher trees and shrubs were chosen with care to solve the problems without blocking special views.
3. Shoreline stabilization using biodegradable coir fascines, brush fascines, and brush mattressing put the power of plants to work repairing eroded areas. They needed extra help after major events, including Superstorm Sandy, pushed floodwaters high up the estuary. Tidal marshes regenerate on their own, however, science has revealed that they regenerate at a slower rate than our current sea level rise and increasing storm intensities, thus these strategies of trapping sediment helps give marshes a level playing field in the face of climate change.
4. Natural measures were used to control the invasive Common Reed, Phragmites, which has encroached and will continue to dominate and reduce plant diversity of the pond. Efforts to minimize its growth included applying salt (not chemical pesticides) and planting trees to outcompete and shade it.
As spring continues to bring new signs of life to Pussy’s Pond Park, the important work there will become more visible and more lovely. While the exact date fences and flags will come down is uncertain, the goal is for late June. Evaluating plant growth and vulnerability will guide this decision. In the meantime, thank you for your patience, your interest, and a big thank you to the students and teachers who helped plant the buffer. Your eagerness in becoming ecological stewards of local waterfronts is admirable. Using your elementary school opera project to spread the word that ducks and other birds are best to admire without feeding them was awe-inspiring.