Combined Efforts Restore Deep Brook In Dickinson

By Kendra Bobowick

Residents visiting Dickinson Park’s pavilion will now find a large rock bearing a bronze plaque recognizing the groups that made possible a bank restoration project along a portion of Deep Brook running through the park.

But that is not the end of the project. Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited President James Belden explained that of the several phases of Deep Brook restoration in and near Dickinson, the plaque marks a milestone. “It commemorates the partnership of all those involved,” he said. Maybe no one necessarily notes the new plantings along the bank or the reinforced stream banks that no longer turn to mud and slide into the water, but the large stone with a plaque catches the eye.

“It memorializes the efforts of those who have given to the partnership for the benefit of the community,” Mr Belden explained.

Those efforts include to stop erosion and stabilize the banks in the area where a footbridge spans the narrow stream and families have lunch alongside the sounds of rushing water. A handful of environmental-minded individuals gathered Tuesday, May 13, to commemorate the effort, which began last June.

As the group of conservationists, both governmental and nonprofit, local and federal, gathered around the plaque across from the bath house between the tennis courts and pavilion, they looked back on the past 12 months that started with just the hopes of raising enough funds and volunteer support to begin bolstering the eroding banks in the public park. Soon after, the core group of environmentalists and supporters found themselves digging into the soil alongside Deep Brook and setting new plantings in place once grant funds were secured.

Watch your step, Mr Belden advises guests to the park who may not realize that young plantings have yet to strengthen their hold on the soil during the growing season. “Streamside vegetation needs a chance to take root,” he said. “We are trying hard to keep the area open for use, but we may need to do something to give the plants a chance to take hold,” he said.

Citing an example of the critical shape Deep Brook’s Dickinson portion was in, Mother Nature sent a warning last year as the project was in its early planning stages. Mr Belden had visited the park following days of heavy rain and was distracted by the thorough damage to the brook with its banks of loose soil slipping into the stream. Flooding had rolled back the grass like a carpet leaving large portions of the ground exposed.

Tuesday’s plaque acknowledged the months of work, and found Roots for Newtown founder Patricia Barkman settling down beside the marker, squeezing into a photo with Conservation official Joseph Hovious, US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service representative Todd Bobowick, who helped acquire Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program grant funds, Ruth Parkins with Iroqouis Gas Company, which provided Land Enhancement and Acquisition Fund grant money, and others critical to making the restoration possible.

Representing other groups or departments that added either services or funding to the larger grants also got into the picture. Smiling for the shot were Parks and Recreation Department Assistant Director of Parks Carl Samuelson and Parks Operations Supervisor John Moore, Candlewood Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited President James Belden, and Dan Holmes and Sarah Middeleer with Holmes Fine Gardens, which provided some of the plantings. Ms Middeleer organized the plant design and placement.

Those stopping to play tennis, enjoy a picnic, or cut through the pavilion to get to swing sets can read the new plaque recognizing the 2007 restoration, which nods to Roots for Newtown, Newtown Parks and Recreation, Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited, the USDA, Iroquois Gas, the Newtown Tree Project, and the town, which all contributed funds to the project. Mr Belden reveals the reason for the order of the names that appear to be randomly listed: The plaque sends an environmental signal at first glance. Names and dates listed from top to bottom form a triangular tree with 2007 on top, and the names of groups from shorter to longer beneath the date.

With remaining grant funds, Mr Belden looks ahead to the second phase of work — a story that began when Dickinson pond was built more than 50 years ago, and filled in recently per the health department’s orders. A tributary feeding Deep Brook had “disappeared” when the town’s favorite swimming hole had been created.

“The wetlands were dug out for the pond, and the stream was put into a pipe,” Mr Belden explained. Essentially the stream had been pushed below surface to make room for the manmade pond. His next goal is to resurface and restore that waterway.