| "We were able to show that these sites would not only have tremendous value as wildlife habitats, but also how they have the utilitarian function of protecting the economic interests of the community." | |
| Marc Matsil, New York Natural Resource Group |
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Coastal resource managers around the country are working to restore wetlands that were filled in the earlier part of this century, before their value was fully understood and appreciated. Returning two baseball fields to duck habitat is just one of the projects the City of New York has undertaken in its efforts to restore thousands of acres of natural lands.
"A lot of what we are doing with our restoration is compensation for the foibles of early 19th century man," says Marc Matsil, chief of Natural Resources Group, City of New York Parks and Recreation. "Restoring these ball fields is really a small boutique restoration compared to some of our larger projects, but because it is relatively high profile, it helps us market our mission. If there is one thing I have learned, it is you've got to market your mission."
The mission of the Natural Resources Group and many of the city and state conservation agencies is protecting and restoring the city's natural resources. What surprises most people, Matsil says, is the range of natural lands in such an urban area. "We have more than 28,000 acres of parkland in the city, which is the largest amount of municipal parkland in the country. We are really unique."
Matsil says the first step in restoring the baseball fields was to decommission them, which required going to the community. "We received a lot of support and encouragement," he says. "We were able to show that these sites would not only have tremendous value as wildlife habitats, but also how they have the utilitarian function of protecting the economic interests of the community," such as helping protect the area from storm runoff.
With the community support in hand, the Natural Resources Group applied for and was awarded a $275,000 State Bond Act grant and a $275,000 match from the city to restore the ball fields, Matsil says. The project reestablishes natural drainage patterns in the area, and adds three acres of freshwater wetland habitat and an additional four acres of restored watershed. When the project is complete in the winter of 2000, the site will feature an educational interpretive trail.
While restoring the ball fields is a relatively small project in the city's multi-million dollar efforts to restore thousands of acres of natural lands, Matsil says it's been important. "It sends a message to the community that the natural systems are providing protection from storm events; are decreasing amounts of dredging required in the New York harbor, which is helping to keep us a competitive harbor; and are absorbing the super abundance of pollution and nutrients.
"It's easier to do our other restoration projects when the public understands that we're protecting the economic interests of a community."
For more information on the City of New York's efforts to restore urban wetlands, contact Marc Matsil at (212) 360-1405, or e-mail raptor@parklan.ci.nyc.ny.us.
