North End Lower Trail Rehab

SRDC rehabilitated approximately 200 feet of the North End Lower Trail, which is an offshoot of the main trail between Vine Street and MLK Jr. Drive. Rehabilitation included the installment of gabion baskets beneath the trail surface, a new catch basin and inlet grate, and native landscaping on the lower bank to control erosion and better manage stormwater runoff. The Lower Trail is covered with a new layer of gravel, making it level and easier to use.

Design and engineering was completed by Michael Baker Engineers and construction was completed by Mark Shablin Landscape Contracting, LLC.

In 2018, additional gabion baskets were added to the Lower Trail to help stabilize another section that had eroded into the river. These tiered, rock-filled baskets (pictured below) allow the river's tide to wash up on the shoreline while keeping soil in place. Vegetation can also grow out of the baskets, creating additional stability to the riverbank while filtering nonpoint source pollution from stormwater runoff and providing wildlife habitat.