SMITHSBURG, Md. – Roughly half of the Cold Spring Hills stormwater project area will turn brown this fall and remain that way through the winter as Smithsburg begins converting sections of turf into meadows, trees and other plantings.
The first herbicide treatment is expected in October after a contractor is selected. Contractors reviewing the project recommended two weed-control treatments instead of the single treatment originally planned.
“It’ll look much worse before it’s anything close to good,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources watershed forester Bob Schwartz told the mayor and Town Council during an update Tuesday.
Areas designated for meadow will remain brown through the winter. They will be treated again for cool-season weeds in the spring, then de-thatched and seeded with meadow grasses and wildflowers.
Schwartz estimated the meadow areas make up roughly half of the site. Town officials discussed installing temporary signs, possibly with QR codes, so people who encounter large areas of dead grass will know the appearance is an expected part of the project.
Town Manager Brian Brandt said information will also be distributed on social media before spraying begins. Officials discussed putting information on the town website and possibly holding an open house or other community event to explain the project.
Mayor Donnie Souders, who recently joined town officials and project partners for a review of the plans, called the retrofit a “great addition to our community” as he introduced Tuesday’s update.
Grants to fund project
The project has been awarded up to $50,000 through a Chesapeake Bay Trust grant, with the potential for dollar-for-dollar matching support through the Catoctin Land Trust for work aimed at improving the Antietam Creek watershed.
Engineering consultant RK&K is handling permitting for the project, including a sediment and erosion control permit required because turf will be removed and holes dug for trees. DNR is coordinating contractor site visits and soliciting bids, while the land trust will handle project billing rather than the town receiving and spending the grant money directly.
Contractors have recommended retaining the existing turf in the site’s main play area rather than replacing it with low-mow grass as originally proposed. Schwartz said contractors advised that the alternative turf would not hold up under heavy recreational use.
The planting plan calls for different meadow areas along with trees, shrubs and ornamental plantings around the existing stormwater facility. Project materials list more than 200 woody plants, including oaks, maples, serviceberry, dogwood, viburnum and holly, although the design remains subject to adjustments as contractors review the plans.
Volunteers to plant trees Nov. 7
Residents will be invited to help plant trees at Cold Spring Hills on Saturday, Nov. 7. A starting time has not yet been set.
Schwartz said the number of trees assigned to volunteers will depend on contractor pricing and how much of the work can be shifted to volunteers to conserve money for other portions of the project. He estimated volunteers would probably plant more than 20 trees but fewer than 100.
Some ornamental plantings may also be placed along the edges of the project, particularly near access points, to create a more gradual transition between sidewalks and naturalized areas. Those plantings could begin this fall.
Town officials said they will publicize the Nov. 7 planting once the time and other details are finalized.
