Bioswale Improves Stormwater Management at Giampietro Park

A park in Vineland, NJ has been subject to flooding after rain storms. A culvert connects the park to impervious surfaces outside its boundaries and the park is in a low-lying area. These are only a few of many reasons that make it more susceptible to flooding.

Recently, the American Littoral Society has completed a project designed to address the flooding and help improve the water quality of the park.
During the week of November 10th, the Littoral Society, in collaboration with local partners, installed a bioswale at Giampietro Park in Vineland, NJ. The new bioswale aims to address these flooding issues while safeguarding the park’s natural ecosystems, including Memorial Pond and the Cedar Branch stream.

Stormwater runoff from flooding events can carry sediments, chemicals, and litter into the pond and creek. The standing water left from these flooding events can limit access to park amenities as well. Native plants within the bioswale help pull water into the ground, reducing the standing water. 

Stormwater in Vineland's Giampietro Park.

Beyond damaging the local watershed, these issues also hinder the park’s full recreational potential for Vineland residents. Healthy watersheds provide critical ecological services, including water purification, carbon capture, and wildlife habitat. Protecting and restoring these systems is essential not only for local communities but also for the broader health of the Delaware Bay.
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The Solution: installing a bioswale funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). The project involved constructing a bioswale along the east-to-west edge of the park.

A bioswale is a sloped, vegetated channel designed to collect and manage stormwater runoff.
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The process included:

1. Excavation: The channel was carefully dug to the correct slope to ensure efficient water capture and drainage.
2. Filling: The trench was lined with with mulch, as well as and strategically-placed river rocks to prevent erosion, then finished with native plants.
3. Native Vegetation: Eastern Redbud trees and other native plants were added to filter pollutants, stabilize the soil, and enhance the park's aesthetics.

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The bioswale slows down and absorbs stormwater runoff, reducing flooding and filtering pollutants before they can reach Memorial Pond or the Cedar Branch tributary. Sediments and litter are also captured, protecting water quality and wildlife habitats.

This project was made possible by the combined efforts of several key partners:

• The Vineland Environmental Commission, especially Diane Amico who acted as a liaison between the Society and City Engineers, and Lisa Fleming who was instrumental in developing the final planting plan.
• Matt Leconey and Allison Nevulis from the Water Resources Program at Rutgers University ensured the bioswale’s slope was accurate, using specialized tools like laser levels.
• Ernie Davis and his team from West Jersey Lawn Care LLC handled the heavy lifting, including excavation, mulching, and planting.

The American Littoral Society is grateful for the expertise and dedication of these teams, whose work ensures the project will have lasting benefits for the park and the surrounding environment.

Far-Reaching Benefits
While the bioswale directly benefits Giampietro Park by reducing flooding and improving water quality, its impact extends far beyond. By managing stormwater more effectively, this project also contributes to the health of the Delaware Bay. Pollution and runoff from inland areas ultimately flow downstream, affecting coastal ecosystems.

This initiative aligns with the Littoral Society’s broader mission of protecting the Delaware Bay and coastal environments. Improving inland water quality directly supports these efforts, benefiting both local communities and marine ecosystems.

With the bioswale in place, Vineland residents can look forward to reduced chances of flooding, cleaner waterways, and a healthier park environment. The addition of native plants not only enhances the park’s natural beauty but also reinforces its role as a haven for wildlife and a cherished community space.

The Littoral Society is proud to play a part in creating resilient, sustainable landscapes that benefit both people and nature.

Learn more about our water quality and coastal restoration work.

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