BUFFER
RESTORATION
GUIDE

Proposed Project Examples

PROPOSED BUFFER RESTORATION PROJECTS

The following renderings were created for two potential buffer restoration projects being considered by public or private property owners. These case studies can help you envision possibilities for your site.

  • Middleborough, MA – Former DPW facility
  • South Kingstown, RI – Peacedale Village Green

Middleborough, MA

Former DPW facility

When the Town of Middleborough relocated its Public Works facilities, they decided to repurpose the old property, which abuts the Nemasket River, as a public park. The town plans to provide active and passive recreational opportunities for the community on the site, while restoring and protecting the river’s buffer area. These renderings will help the town incorporate habitat and water quality improvement goals into future plans for the site.

Site Renderings: 

Below are photos of the current site and the proposed project rendering. To compare the existing vs. proposed photos, click on the vertical sliding bar and drag the bar left and right. 

South Kingstown, RI

Peacedale Village Green

The Town of South Kingstown’s Peacedale Village Green is the site of a well-loved playground and recreational area located in the heart of Peacedale’s historic district, along Indian Run Brook. A pedestrian bridge over the river connects South Kingstown’s Neighborhood Guild with the Village Green.  The river draws many young visitors to play along its shores.  

The park is located downstream of a highly urbanized area of town with little opportunity for rain and stormwater to be absorbed into the soils.  As a result, high volumes of runoff are discharged into the river which has resulted in streambank erosion and sediment deposits along its length including in the reach through the park.  Indian Run Brook is a tributary to the Saugatucket River which flows into Point Judith Pond; all of which are identified as impaired by RIDEM.

Currently, most of the Village Green shoreline is mowed to the river’s edge. The Town is interested in taking measures to stabilize the shoreline through the park and manage stormwater from town-owned parking lots located next to the river.  The proposed buffer restoration design includes the planting of shrubs and other vegetation that would help to stabilize the shoreline and treat runoff from the adjacent park area and parking lots. The design intentionally includes “pockets” of mowed areas to allow continued access to the river’s shore.  The two buffer restoration renderings depict the streambank “looking”  up and downstream from the pedestrian bridge.  

OPPORTUNITIES

Town-owned property provides:

  • Opportunity to improve stormwater management and streambank stabilization, and enhance habitat and water quality of an impaired river 
  • Excellent educational opportunities to demonstrate buffer restoration 

GOALS

  • Stabilize streambank by planting shrubs, trees and other deep rooting vegetation within the buffer area
  • Catch and provide treatment of a portion of the runoff from adjacent parking lots and grassed areas 
  • Maintain pockets of mowed areas to allow continued access to the river
  • Establish low-maintenance buffer plantings 

Site Renderings:

Below are photos of the current site and the proposed project rendering. To compare the existing vs. proposed photos, click on the vertical sliding bar and drag the bar left and right.