Stillmeadow Park Watershed Climate Resiliency Development Project Announcement
Construction will begin soon on a unique public, private collaboration between Manchester Township, Stillmeadow Farms HOA, and Stillmeadow Church of the Nazarene. This three-phase, multi-year project is aimed at resolving stormwater management and flood events in the area that encompasses the Stillmeadow Farms HOA property, the Church of the Nazarene campus, and Sillmeadow Park.
The proposed work will determine how to address the roadway flooding along Stillmeadow Lane and Susquehanna Trail, retrofit non-functioning stormwater facilities, address active streambank erosion, and reconnect floodplains in Stillmeadow Park. The project will also include the installation of a new public walking trail that will connect the Stillmeadow Farm HOA property with the church and park property. New native landscaping and a riparian buffer will also be installed.
During the planning and design process for the project, it was brought to the township’s attention that the Callery Pear (Pyrus Calleryana) trees planted in Stillmeadow Park as part of the Manchester Township’s Gift of Life program, have recently been banned from selling in Pennsylvania and have been included on the PA’s Noxious Plant list since 2021. The pear trees initially believed to be sterile, were later discovered that when different cultivars of callery pears cross-pollinate, produce viable seeds. This has led to the proliferation of invasive offspring in the wetlands and meadows. The resulting tough woody thorns spread aggressively and out compete native plant species.
As part of the Stillmeadow Climate Resiliency project, these pear trees will be removed and replaced with native tree varieties throughout the park. Understanding the sensitivity with the removal of these pear trees, the Gift of Life program will erect a memorial structure that will include the names of all that had trees dedicated or memorialized with the previous pear tree plantings.
If you have any questions regarding the project, please call the township at 717-764-4646 extension 101.
