The purpose of the project was to stabilize, naturalize, and improve ecosystem function along Sandy Run Creek at Roychester Park and Grove Park in Abington Township, Pennsylvania. Specific objectives were to enhance and restore aquatic, wetland, and riparian habitat; improve infiltration of flood waters; stabilize stream banks and reduce erosion; control invasive species; and reconnect floodplains.

In Roychester Park, the banks in the above ground sections of the creek were severely eroded and disconnected from the surrounding floodplain. Furthermore, invasive species and other factors reduced the quality of the habitat. In Grove Park, the main section of the creek was channelized with concrete, which reduced the aquatic habitat value and increased water velocities during storms. 

Construction within Roychester Park and Grove Park were similar but included different features in each park.  

In Roychester Park, the Army Corps of Engineers and its contractor performed:

• Bank Stabilization: Regraded, stabilized, and planted stream banks to reduce erosion and sedimentation in this stretch of Sandy Run.
• Culvert Replacement: There would be a Contract Option to replace two culverts with prefabricated steel footbridges.
• Sanitary Sewer Relocation: Installed a new sanitary line comprising roughly 827 feet of 10-inch PVC sewer pipe along with four precast reinforced concrete manholes due to ongoing erosion.
• Riparian Enhancement: Placed around 990 square feet of riprap to stabilize eroded banks.
• Upland Native Planting:  Cleared and grubbed approximately 1,979 square yards of land, regraded and stabilized 900 linear feet of the stream bank using native live stakes and seed. With the option of plant a native wildflower meadow near Corinthian Avenue on a hill that has little recreational value.

In Grove Park, the Army Corps of Engineers and its contractor performed: 

• Stream Naturalization and Stabilization: Removed existing gabion baskets, regraded banks with stream benches to better connect the main channel with the forested riparian buffer. Removed 350 linear feet of concrete channel bottom and replaced with stream substrate of riprap choked with smaller stone. Provided additional stream stabilization using large woody debris.
• Riparian Enhancement: Planted riparian area from the top of bank to a width of approximately 70 feet on both sides of the stream with native tree, shrub, and herbaceous species. Planted upland areas with native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants to expand the riparian buffer into open high ground and connect the riparian buffer to the existing adjacent forested floodplain.
• Forested Floodplain Enhancement: Excavated a tributary channel in a low-lying area of the forested floodplain. Filled the stormwater channel at the east end of the park and redirected the storm water outfall into the excavated channel to utilize the filtrating and storage capacity of the forested floodplain and wetlands in the park. Excavated small areas in the forested floodplain to enhance wetland functions. Removed multiflora rose from this section of the park.

1. All major construction is complete, and final planting is scheduled to commence throughout October.
2. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 16 October 2025.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has managed the overall project. A contractor (Luciano's Excavation, Inc. is responsible for physical construction. Abington Township is the non-federal sponsor for the project. Construction is cost shared between the federal government (75%) and the Township (25%).