Construction Has Started on the River Restoration Construction is starting on the river restoration. This phase of the project involves four locations. The biggest is the Mill Pond area which is now fenced off for heavy construction from West Broad to Main Streets and where the dam and walls of the Mill Pond will be removed and a new river channel and flood plain will be created. The first step will be the creation of a bypass channel on the east side of the river so the reconstruction of the new channel can take place to the west of it. Parallel to the east wall of the pond, a wall of steel sheet piling will be installed. The river will be directed to flow between the east concrete wall and the sheet piling. Click here for construction sequence diagram.		Photo Credits: Sue Sweeney

Then the main part of the pond will be dredged, the dam and west wall will be demolished and the new channel will be constructed featuring a series of six pools separated by riffles (rocky stretches where the water moves faster). The other sites involve two small salt marsh restorations near Richmond Hill Avenue and Pulaski Street and the removal of invasive knot weed along the river between Scalzi Park and Cloonan Middle School. An old dam structure under the Pulaski Street Bridge will also be lowered to improve passage for migratory fish that require access to fresh water to lay their eggs such as river herring.

Park Design Status Following completion of the river restoration contract, park construction can begin on the east and west sides of the restored river. Olin Partnership has completed design plans that will result in a dramatically changed landscape. No longer flat, the new park will feature a hill that rise(S) 10 ft. above street level and a descent 10 ft. into the wooded flood plain of the river. Over 400 trees between West Broad and Main Streets will create a Downtown woodland with paths and river overlooks and access points. The new cherry tree promenade, now planned for the east side of the river, will feature three varieties of cherries including Autumn Higan cherry, which blooms in both spring and fall. With different bloom times, the tree varieties will extend the cherry blossom season from 2 to 4 weeks each spring. Work is now starting on completing design plans for the area from Main Street to the West Stamford Cemetery and new 9/11 memorial just south of Richmond Hill Avenue. While we have no guarantees, we will pursue stimulus funding for this part of park construction.

“Pitching In!” It’s time for spring cleaning on the Mill River. Are you ready to roll up your sleeves? - The sounds of spring have definitely returned to Mill River Park. Birds are chirping, children are laughing, construction work is humming, and the phone continues to ring with volunteers anxious to be part of the most exciting park restoration project in Stamford history. Since early march corporate and school based volunteer groups have been busy meeting and planning five ambitious spring cleanup projects with the Mill River field staff. Projects will include trash and brush removal from the banks of the river near Scalzi Park and from Tresser Blvd. to the Metro North overpass. Photo Credits: Sue Sweeney The map shows you all locations. Land based projects include organic lawn and garden care at the Mill River playground and the Main St. park. To date, spring cleanup projects for April and May have been planned with partners from West Hills High school, Trailblazers academy, RBS, GE, Gen Re, and Towers Perrin. More partner projects are in the works for June. July will mark the 3^rd year the SCA student conservation corps will return to help restore our waterways and it will also mark our first open invitation to join an education based “River Walk” work party (stay tuned for details). If you are ready to lend a hand, have some fun with friends, and learn a little about the natural history of Stamford’s primary watershed – contact Vincent or Jessica today.

Playground Summer Program We have another summer of Fun Saturday Mornings lined up for kids throughout Stamford. Some of last year’s favorites such as the drumming workshop and Cool Cat Jazz are returning, plus we’ll have an exciting new Hip Hop program where kids will learn moves that are strictly not for parents and other oldies. Here’s the schedule. Mark your Calendar for the Playground Birthday Party, Saturday June 13th Mill River Playground is three years old!! Come celebrate the great fun the playground has brought to Stamford. Kids will enjoy face painting, balloon animals and a giant birthday cake. An interactive Japanese Taiko drumming performance will be provided by Taikoza. Bring your kids to the party and kick off Fun Saturday Mornings with a big bang on June 13th at 11:00 AM. Rippowam Water Quality Study A major engineering study is underway to develop a program for improving water quality throughout the Stamford portions of the Rippowam (Mill) River watershed. With three quarters of the watershed inside Stamford, we have a unique opportunity to impact the quality of the water, the conditions for living resources and the tendency for flooding in Stamford. The Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority has hired the engineering firm CDM to conduct water and sediment tests throughout the watershed, to assess the conditions of the land and stormwater systems within the watershed and to make recommendations for improvements. The Collaborative supports this study because we are “all in this bathtub together”.

Come to the Sustainable Gardening Expo May 28th
One thing is increasingly clear – what we do on our own property has a direct effect on water quality and the ability of fish and other life forms to thrive in the river. The sustainable gardening expo will present the most progressive ideas for managing your own property to maximize its vitality and beauty while also improving our collective experience of the natural waters that ultimately collect and concentrate everything we put on our land.

The expo will feature lectures and exhibits by providers of sustainable gardening products and services. Lecture seating is limited, so register today.