Big changes are coming to the Village Green at Methodist Lane in East Hampton!
Work is currently underway to transform this green that receives large volumes of stormwater and road runoff into an oasis of native plants that will soak up the rain for the benefit of the entire community.
The Methodist Lane Bioswale will includes a low-lying swale area with wetland species that can withstand the flooded conditions in the lowest elevations of this parcel, and a native pollinator garden along the Methodist Lane roadside. Nearly 17,000 square feet of the current turf lawn will also be replaced by a native meadow with 24 native trees. The project was designed to maximize water absorption and retention functions of the site and create wildlife habitat with native plant and tree species important for local bird and pollinator populations. Once the plants in the bioswale are established they will work to reduce the flow of polluted stormwater into Hook Pond and reduce inputs of nutrients, pathogens and sediment into this waterway.
The Methodist Lane Bioswale garden will be a community showcase to help shift public perceptions of appropriate and desired landscaping practices for both public spaces and residential yards that can improve local water quality conditions and add beauty to the community. Educational programming will be developed to demonstrate how anyone can adopt sustainable landscaping practices at home by planting more native plants and foregoing synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to help protect clean water locally.
Special thanks to our supporters and community partners for helping to plan and implement this ambitious project!
Piazza Horticultural
Mahoney Farm
The Ladies' Village Improvement Society of East Hampton
Suffolk County Soil & Water Conservation District
The Garden Club of East Hampton
East Hampton Town
Clean Water East Hampton Community Preservation Fund
Learn more about this exciting project and how it relates to Hook Pond's water quality in this presentation. Any inquiries, please contact mdias@surfrider.org.