Lewes group proposes fixes for Blockhouse Pond shoreline

Dire warnings that the Blockhouse Pond shoreline was in danger of collapsing were exaggerated, and highly engineered solutions to fix erosion are not required. That was the finding of a working group led by Sally Boswell, formerly of the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays.

She discussed the panel’s findings and recommendations at the Dec. 15 Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.

“We’re looking for a balance between sustainability for the pond and allowing people to enjoy it,” Boswell said.

Blockhouse Pond is located in George H.P. Smith Park, between Beebe Healthcare and DuPont Avenue.

Boswell’s working group included environmental experts, members of the parks and recreation commission and city council, and Dr. David Tam, Beebe Healthcare president and CEO.

She said the panel concluded soil erosion that has exposed tree roots around the pond is mostly caused by foot traffic, or what she called enthusiastic anglers.

She said one solution is fishing platforms placed at strategic points.

“The anglers have voted with their feet, and it takes no expertise to see where the popular spots are,” Boswell said.

She said the group identified four places that are seriously impacted and would benefit from having platforms.

The group is proposing the first platform be installed opposite the playground parking lot.

The restoration plan also includes planting native trees, shrubs and grasses to prevent future scarring.

Boswell said stormwater runoff that flows from Savannah Road through the Beebe parking lot, buildings and impervious surfaces also impacts the pond.

She said the working group met with Dr. Tam and other Beebe officials in October to discuss solutions.

“A well-designed entrance from the hospital to the pond would enhance this natural amenity for Beebe and the city,” Boswell said.

Boswell said Beebe will be doing some development in the coming months that they are hoping will address some of the issues.

The working group’s findings were in contrast to solutions presented to mayor and city council by Todd Fritchman, president of Envirotech Environmental Consulting.

Fritchman proposed timber bulkheading, rip-rap stone or a living shoreline wall, or a combination of all three. The plan called for the removal of a large number of trees.

Envirotech marked many trees with red dots, which alarmed some residents, according to Boswell. But, she said, those red dots actually indicated trees that were not to be removed.

The Envirotech contract proposal would have cost more than $1 million, according to Boswell.

Mayor Amy Marasco said the Envirotech proposal is not on the table but could resurface in a different version.

Boswell did not have a timetable or cost estimate for her group’s proposed solutions.