Veterans Memorial Park is a 20-acre public recreational hub that serves as a vital gathering place for Chester residents. Located near key community assets, its open space supports events, outdoor activities, and everyday use. The park’s southern half receives runoff from a 196-acre drainage area and has long faced chronic flooding due to limited conveyance and tailwater conditions from the Delaware River. These issues have caused frequent overflows of trash, debris, and sediment, degrading the landscape and limiting vegetation. Combined with a lack of adequate recreational facilities, these problems have reduced the park’s value to the community.
Project Scope
- 2.4-acre retention basin (4.4 million gallons capacity)
- 300 trees and 7,000 native plants
- Reduced flooding and improved water quality
- Enhanced park recreational amenities
- Local workforce participation
To address decades of flooding and improve water quality at Veterans Memorial Park, a new regional stormwater facility was built to manage runoff and enhance the park for public use. The project centers on a 2.4-acre retention basin designed to hold up to 4.4 million gallons of stormwater during major rain events, slowing and treating flow before it enters the drainage system. Around the basin, over 300 trees and 7,000 native plants were planted across 3.5 acres to restore habitat and improve the park’s ecology and appearance. Community-focused features include a boardwalk with an observation deck, a gazebo, and a walking trail. The project was funded through an approximately $9 million grant from PENNVEST and about $500,000 from the Stormwater Authority of the City of Chester (SAC) for the site amenities.
Results
The project transformed Veterans Memorial Park by resolving long-standing flooding issues, expanding recreational and educational features, and restoring natural habitats throughout the site. The park is now both a functional stormwater management system and a vibrant, accessible public space that will benefit the community for generations.
Partners
Stormwater Authority of the City of Chester
PENNVEST
HDR, AKRF, JMC Contractors
Timeline
2021 – 2025