Montgomery County has set its sights on rejuvenating an 11-acre floodplain along Wissahickon Creek in Whitemarsh Township, struck by Hurricane Ida. With a generous $1 million boost from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED), this initiative aims not just at ecological revitalization but at mitigating the recurrent nightmare of localized flooding, improving water quality, and enriching local biodiversity. According to a statement obtained by Montgomery County, the Wissahickon Trail will see enhancements, giving residents more opportunities for recreation and environmental learning.
"Thanks to a $1 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, we're going to bring this land back to its former glory," exclaimed Neil K. Makhija, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. His confidence echoes through the project's blueprint, which details a tactical lowering of the creek bed to better accommodate surging floodwaters, and crucially, circumventing the spread of pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus into the community's lifeblood—its drinking water.
Beyond the practicalities of flood and pollution control, the initiative reflects a deeper appreciation for green spaces as communal touchstones. "Vibrant natural spaces are essential to the bond our residents feel with their community," Jameela H. Winder, Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, elucidated, highlighting the multiplicity of gains, from safeguarding residents' well-being to fostering familial and educational engagements with nature.
With a $3.8 million construction budget, it is structured into three distinct phases. Surveying commenced last year, while 2025 is reserved for intensive project design and permit reviews. Come Spring 2026, the construction is set to break ground and will span approximately 6-9 months to reach fruition.
