Centennial Park Rehabilitation Information

Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions

2020 Open Space Stewardship Grant for Metuchen Environmental Commission

Centennial Park Rehabilitation and Invasive Species Project

This is both a work project and a demonstration project.

A. The goals of the work project are to: improve the entranceway and the walking path; restore the trail surface at the Park entranceway; and combat the explosive spread of invasive species.

This work will include removing trash, invasive species, and fallen trees. It will also spread gravel on the entrance road and spread wood chips on the trail and on areas cleared of invasive species, around native replacement plantings.

This involves both "heavy" and "light" work. The former would involve removing large items like fallen trees, hauling and spreading gravel, using a chain saw to cut up any large items, and pounding in posts for the fencing around the newly planted trees. The latter includes cutting and pulling vines, brush and weeds; picking up litter; "tagging" items for DPW pickup; and spreading wood chips on trails and around new native plantings.

The work will be performed by the Department of Public Works with the assistance of volunteers, as allowable with public health precautions.

Identify and reach out to contacts at volunteer groups: Local residents, students (Metuchen and St. Joe's high schools?), organizations like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Shade Tree, Garden Club and Environmental Commission members.

If it is safe to organize an event, we also hope that the Recreation Commission could assist as they have typically been involved in past Earth Day organizing efforts.

B. The demonstration project will involve educating the public about invasive species (what not to plant and what to remove), native species worth planting, and basic landscape maintenance. The education will occur in person, as allowable with public health precautions, and by videotaping the activities to show in the schools, post on the Borough's web site and social media, and at public outreach events.

Questions and Tasks:

What time frame works best for DPW to participate in this project?
Which tasks are realistic for DPW, and which are for volunteers?
Can the Borough get a better price than Environmental Commission buying retail? (Gravel; steel fence and posts; trees; wood chips; work gloves and tools needed for the number of participants.) The Environmental Commission has a $1,500 grant from ANJEC. The detailed budget, which can be seen in the grant application, includes:

Native bushes (3) and trees (3): $50 each for one-gallon native holly bush from Nature Hills Nursery; $42 for a 2.25-gallon pin oak from Home Depot; 3 of each Total approx. $300

Steel posts and fencing: 18 posts (3 per tree or bush) and 150 feet of wire (24 feet per tree or bush): Everbilt painted steel 8 feet long fence posts, 18 posts @ $7 each ($126); Everbilt 5 feet tall X 50 feet long roll, 14 gauge galvanized steel welded wire garden fence, 3 rolls @ $66 each ($196): $126 + $196 + 6.25% sales tax, approx. total $350.

Gravel: 4" to 6" coverage (area?); approx. $250.

Wood chips: Does DPW have a large and free supply?

Hand tools: 4 pair goggles, $52; 24 pairs gloves, $63; 4 two-pronged weeder hoes, $64; 4 loppers, $88; 4 spades, $108: $375 + $24 tax, approx. $400 total.

Do we need to buy all of these, or can DPW and volunteers bring their own?

How much advance time does the Borough need to order or purchase items, such as hand tools and gravel?
Identify and reach out to contacts at volunteer groups
Decide upon agenda and schedule:

One day or several?
Possible components: educational walk of the park and description of the project; removal of invasives; removal of trash and debris; spreading of wood chips and gravel; planting of new bushes and trees.

Arrange to videotape the event. Identify camera person(s). Will Borough videographer do filming, or assemble video clips submitted by volunteer(s)?
Advertising on Borough web site, social media; in the press; environmental groups; native plant societies.
Is printing educational brochures needed? If so, can it be done for less than $250 for 250 brochures?

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