65 The Bushkill Creek Greenway Plan also considers the non-human lens, ensuring natural systems support wildlife and provide migration pathways for animals escaping extreme heat and drought. We wanted to supercharge ecological restoration to enhance biodiverse habitat while at the same time supercharging spaces for people along the Creek for recreation. The plan introduces ecological typologies and strategies to ameliorate compacted soils, habitat loss, invasive or degraded tree canopy, erosion, and upstream pollution from agriculture and warehousing. The planning strategy for parks along the Greenway relates to these landscapes as they once behaved before being designed: as functional wetlands. Though many of these parks host athletic events, play, fitness use, and community gatherings, the community understands that these landscapes will likely be reclaimed by floodwaters in coming decades. The design integrates riparian buffers and plans for ADA-accessible elevated boardwalks, offering access while letting visitors be immersed in the changing wetland landscape. Small City Natural Environment • Respondents Bushkill Creek Greenway Master Plan. Ecology + Activity (Laura Stedenfeld)
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