Restoration and resilience-building in an infrastructure improvement project along Jamaica Bay, NYC: Making Lemonade Steven N. Handel, Christina M. K. Kaunzinger, Lea R. Johnson, Thomas J.Young, Kevin P. Corrigan Center of Urban Restoration Ecology, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey ABSTRACT The historic Shore Parkway section of the NYC Belt Parkway travels 16 miles from the East River, along the southern shoreline of Brooklyn, to JFK International Airport. This scenic drive had open views to the waters of Jamaica Bay, parallel systems of bicycle and pedestrian paths, and connections to a group of adjacent parks. Over time the views have be- come obscured, pathways have fallen into disrepair, and park connections made impassable due high volume, fast moving traffic. Reconstruction of the Parkway bridges presents an opportunity for landscape restoration, but is constrained by both ecological and administrative factors. Site assessment revealed maritime plant communities degraded by many non-native invasive vines, Phragmites reeds, and trees. The degraded plant communities follow a typical elevational gradient of low-lying beach and salt marsh plants bordering Jamaica Bay, transitioning to salt tolerant shrubs, then maritime forest. Construction activities removed plants primarily from the forest zone. Soil analysis revealed wide-ranging pH reflecting the sandy dredge soil base, past and present construction dumping, and high pH topsoil applied in medians and road banks where turf grass was then sown. The impact of Hurricane Sandy here in October 2012 is obvious, with debris fields, vegetation death and uprooting. Targeted invasive and hurricane debris removals and re-planting of coastal species in all zones will most effectively enhance site-wide ecological health and add resiliency to predicted increases in storm frequency and significant sea level rise. Implementation of these ecological recommendations is constrained by funding levels for invasive plant removal, concerns about maintenance needs, and different public agencies having regulatory control of adjacent parcels. Ecological restoration will require close collaboration among these municipal and federal agencies. CONSTRAINTS Ecological CANARSIE PIER ROCAKWAY PARKWAY SEAVIEW AVENUE CANARSIE PARK PAERDEGAT BASIN FRESH CREEK PARK BAYVIEW PLAYGROUND Maritime Beach Bioswale Salt Marsh Coastal Shrub Lawn Coastal Meadow Successional Maritime Forest Phragmites Restoration Area Hurricane Debris Construction CANARSIE PIER ROCAKWAY PARKW PAERDE EVERGREEN TREES AT BRIDGE ABUTMENTS EVE BRID Maritime Forest - North Evergreen Tree Groupings Maritime Forest - South Existing Bioswale/Salt Marsh Coastal Meadow Coastal Shrub Bicycle Paths Access Paths Future Bycicle/ Pedestrian Paths ROW Maritime Beach RESTORATION PLAN EXISTING SITE Administrative INVASIVES HIGH SOIL pH SEA LEVEL RISE TRASH / PATHWAYS HURRICANE SANDY DEBRIS FORMER MARSH/OPEN WATER soil origin largely dredge spoils JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES DOT MAINTENANCE RULES FUNDS LIMITED TO TREE RESTITUTION SOIL SPECS FOR ENGINEERING NEEDS HISTORIC DESIGN GUIDELINES HURRICANE SANDY DEBRIS GOLDEN ASTER MEADOW SALT MARSH PHRAGMITES COASTAL SHRUB ACKNOWLEDGMENTS SUCCESSIONAL MARITIME FOREST Plant for storm surge and sea level rise in the uplands Model: Maritime holly and coastal oak forests Plant for storm surge and sea level rise in the lowlands Model: Maritime red cedar forest and coastal shrub Modify species palette for these concerns: - High soil pH - Bacterial leaf scorch - Viburnum leaf beetle - Aesthetics - High biodiversity against future stresses Concentrate invasives re- moval around new plantings including DOT bioswales and other identified restoration areas Ensure car, bike, and pedestrian visibility with low growing coastal meadow plantings