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Earth Day is more than a date on the calendar! It’s a gentle nudge to reconnect with the natural world around us, and a reminder that everyday actions can shape a more sustainable future. Whether you’re tending a garden, removing invasive plants, or picking up litter while out on a walk, these small steps add up to a healthier, more resilient planet. This year, our team found a few fun and meaningful ways to mark the occasion, and we hope this inspires you to get outside and get growing, too.
Spring is the perfect season to take action in your yard or community green space. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, here are a few tips from our team to help your garden thrive:
Looking for more tips? Princeton Hydro landscape architects Jamie Feinstein, RLA and Cory Speroff, PLA, ASLA, CBLP shared their top spring gardening tips in an "Ask Me Anything" Facebook live Q&A session, including:
To welcome spring and celebrate Earth Day, members of the Princeton Hydro team spent an afternoon outside tending the native garden bed at the Trenton headquarters. Located at the front of the building, the perennial planting area features climate-adapted, drought-resistant native species chosen for their ecological benefits and aesthetic appeal.
Although perennials return year after year, they still benefit from seasonal care. Tasks like weeding, pruning, and loosening the soil support strong root systems, encourage healthy growth, and help maintain a thriving, sustainable garden ecosystem. Recognizing the garden's significance and the value of collaboration, our team united to accommodate and nurture this year's growth.
Feeling inspired? Organizing a gardening day is a fun, low-cost way to give back to your environment and bring people together. Celebrate Earth Day 2025 by starting a garden, volunteering with a local environmental group, or organizing your own mini planting day with friends, family or coworkers.
Rain gardens are a beautiful, low-maintenance green infrastructure solution for managing stormwater, reducing erosion, and improving water quality by filtering pollutants before they reach local waterways. They also provide valuable habitat for pollinators and other beneficial wildlife.
Princeton Hydro President Geoffrey M. Goll, P.E. led a free public workshop on how to build a rain garden of your own. Hosted in Yardley, PA by the Lower Makefield Township Environmental Advisory Council as part of their Environmental Lecture Series, the session offered practical, approachable guidance for managing stormwater at home.
Using photos from his own yard, Geoffrey walked attendees through how he designed and installed a rain garden to reduce runoff and eliminate pooling water. He shared ten easy-to-follow tips and answered questions on plant selection, drainage strategies, long-term maintenance, and when and why to amend soil before planting.
Want to learn more? Watch Geoffrey’s full presentation and get inspired to create your own eco-friendly solution to stormwater management:
The real spirit of Earth Day lies in our ongoing commitment to care for the natural world, not just once a year, but in everyday choices and community actions. As Geoffrey quoted in his rain garden presentation, "Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world." – Howard Zinn.
In developed watersheds, stormwater behavior is fundamentally altered by impervious surfaces and aging infrastructure, which can result in erosion, localized flooding, and nutrient pollution in surrounding waterways. These challenges rarely have simple or universal solutions, particularly in communities where natural systems, critical infrastructure, and public safety intersect within constrained landscapes.
How practitioners navigate these challenges and decide when to rely on green, gray, or hybrid stormwater solutions was the focus of a recent educational session at The Watershed Institute’s 9th Annual New Jersey Watershed Conference. The session, led by Princeton Hydro Water Resources Engineer Sean Walsh, PE and Landscape Architect Jamie Feinstein, RLA, alongside the Mayor of Lambertville (NJ) Andrew Nowick, explored how context‑driven design informs effective stormwater and erosion control strategies in developed environments.
Drawing from three real‑world case studies, the presenters examined how surrounding land use, physical constraints, risk tolerance, and stakeholder priorities shape decision‑making and why the most effective stormwater solutions are rarely one‑size‑fits‑all. This blog summarizes key lessons from that presentation, highlighting how site‑specific conditions ultimately determine whether green infrastructure, gray infrastructure, or a hybrid approach is the most appropriate tool for managing erosion, sediment, and flooding in settings shaped by competing land‑use and infrastructure demands.
Green infrastructure is designed to manage stormwater by mimicking natural hydrologic and geomorphic processes that are often altered or suppressed by development. Practices such as floodplain reconnection, step pools, riparian buffers, naturalized detention basins, and restored stream channels slow runoff, promote infiltration, and moderate sediment transport, while also improving water quality. When implemented at appropriate scales, these approaches can increase green space within built and urban environments, enhance habitat and biodiversity, and enrich the surrounding landscape by integrating stormwater management with ecological and recreational functions. However, the feasibility and performance of green infrastructure are highly dependent on site‑specific conditions, including available space, slope, and flow regimes, which are frequently constrained in urban environments.
Gray infrastructure, by contrast, is designed to prioritize conveyance, control, and predictability. Systems such as pipes, culverts, and engineered structures are well‑suited to managing high‑capacity flow rates, centralizing stormwater runoff, and conveying water safely through constrained environments. These approaches typically require smaller physical footprints than nature‑based alternatives and often involve lower long‑term maintenance demands. In developed settings, gray infrastructure can also provide critical structural support for roads, utilities, and other built infrastructure, offering a level of reliability and risk management that green infrastructure alone may not be able to achieve.
Determining the appropriate balance between green and gray infrastructure requires a clear understanding of site‑specific constraints, risks, and performance needs, an approach illustrated in the case studies that follow.
To explore how context drives design decisions, we recently examined three real‑world case studies, each involving active erosion, sediment transport, and downstream impacts, and each arriving at a different solution.
In Lambertville, New Jersey, stormwater runoff from Music Mountain, a steep, wooded hillside, was causing repeated flooding at the Fire Department below. What appeared at first to be a small drainage issue turned out to be a much larger challenge. During heavy rain events, uncontrolled runoff carved deep erosion gullies downslope, destabilizing trees and transporting sediment directly into city infrastructure. While green infrastructure options such as step pools were initially considered, feasibility limitations became evident. The steep slope, limited footprint, and extreme peak flows made a fully nature-based solution impractical and risky in this location.
Instead, the selected design centered on gray infrastructure, including a piped stormwater system aligned with the existing flow path to minimize disturbance, along with redesigned and expanded inlet and outlet controls to safely convey peak flows and better capture surface runoff. This approach stabilized the hillside, reduced downstream sediment transport, and eliminated flooding impacts at a critical municipal facility. Given the severe spatial constraints and elevated risk associated with the site, gray infrastructure represented the most responsible and effective solution.
At Holcombe Park, ongoing erosion and a disconnected floodplain were impairing stream function and contributing sediment and debris to downstream infrastructure. Unlike the Lambertville Fire Department site, where steep slopes, limited space, and public safety risks necessitated a primarily gray solution, Holcombe Park offered greater physical flexibility and a different risk profile. The site included more available space for in‑channel and floodplain interventions, while the contributing drainage system extended more than 1,000 feet beneath roadways before releasing flows downstream, adding jurisdictional and infrastructure considerations to the design process.
Given these conditions, the project team pursued a hybrid strategy that leveraged the strengths of both green and gray infrastructure. Green infrastructure measures, including floodplain reconnection, step pools, and naturalized channel features, were incorporated where space allowed to slow flows, reduce erosive forces, and restore ecological function. At the same time, existing gray infrastructure continued to convey stormwater through developed areas where open‑channel solutions were infeasible. By allowing floodwaters to spread out and attenuate within the park, the project reduces peak velocities and limits the transport of debris and sediment to downstream culverts and roadways. This case study illustrates how, when site conditions permit, integrating green and gray infrastructure can address erosion and water quality concerns while protecting downstream assets and enhancing recreational space, achieving outcomes that neither approach could deliver on its own.
The third case study shifts to a more open, rural setting on a residential and agricultural property in Pennsylvania, where channel incision and bank instability had become a growing safety and land‑use concern. Unlike the urban conditions present in the Lambertville Fire Department and Holcombe Park projects, this site offered sufficient space for stream and floodplain processes to function, making it well‑suited for a predominantly green infrastructure approach.
Initially, the landowner attempted to address the erosion by installing a large‑diameter pipe to rapidly convey water through the affected area. While this strategy appeared to resolve the immediate problem on site, it ultimately transferred impacts downstream. Concentrated discharges from the pipe destabilized channel banks, accelerated erosion, and created new problems beyond the property boundary, while also violating local waterway regulations. This outcome illustrated how applying gray infrastructure to a system experiencing watershed‑scale hydrologic change can unintentionally amplify downstream risks.
The final design focused on restoring natural stream function rather than accelerating conveyance. The project realigned the channel to an appropriate slope and sinuosity, reconnected the stream to its floodplain, incorporated step pools and stabilization features to dissipate energy, and added riparian plantings to strengthen bank stability and ecological resilience. Limited sections of pipe were retained only where necessary to accommodate crossings, ensuring compatibility with existing land uses without compromising system function.
With adequate space, funding, and regulatory drivers in place, natural green infrastructure proved to be the most effective and resilient solution for this site. By treating water as a resource rather than a waste product, the project reduced erosion and sediment transport, improved water quality, and restored stream and floodplain processes that benefit both the landscape and downstream communities. This case study also demonstrates that successful stormwater and erosion control requires solutions that respond to both local conditions and the larger watershed system.
Across all three projects, the lesson is clear: green or gray decisions must be driven by site context, not preference alone. Surrounding land use, physical constraints, risk tolerance, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder priorities all shape what “success” looks like.
Improperly sized or poorly applied infrastructure, whether it be green or gray, will fail. Effective stormwater management requires looking beyond the immediate problem and designing solutions that reflect the realities of the entire watershed system.
Princeton Hydro’s participation alongside Mayor Andrew Nowick in leading the educational session at the 2026 NJ Watershed Conference reflects a long‑standing partnership with the City of Lambertville and the City’s active role in applying context‑driven stormwater solutions in a constrained, developed watershed. Our team has supported Lambertville’s stormwater management initiatives for many years, working collaboratively with City leadership to design projects that mitigate flooding while enhancing the natural environment.
In September 2024, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette presented the City of Lambertville with the NJDEP “Our Water’s Worth It” award. The award ceremony, held at a stormwater infrastructure improvement project site behind the Lambertville Fire Department, recognized the City’s commitment to improving stormwater management, addressing flooding, protecting local waterbodies, increasing storm resilience, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Click here to learn more.
Welcome to the latest edition of our “A Day in the Life” blog series. Today, we explore the vibrant and creative world of landscape design through the eyes of Angelica Diaz, one of Princeton Hydro's talented Landscape Designers.
Landscape design is the discipline of organizing and modifying the features of a landscape to achieve a functional, biodiverse and visually appealing outdoor space. This process considers various factors such as climate, soil, topography, existing vegetation, and the intended use of the area. By integrating artistic and scientific principles, landscape designers develop plans that create harmonious and practical environments. These plans serve as a blueprint for projects, guiding the installation and maintenance of outdoor spaces while aiding in material selection and cost estimation.
Join us as we accompany Angelica on a day dedicated to the Trenton South Ward Community Garden project. This journey highlights her dedication to transforming natural spaces and her integral role in bringing our clients' visions to life. From client meetings and visioning sessions to detailed site analysis and creative design, Angelica's expertise showcases the diverse services and innovative solutions that Princeton Hydro offers in landscape architecture.
Let’s dive into the roots of her day!
This morning, Angelica begins her day at the Trenton Headquarters Office, preparing for a kickoff meeting with the Trenton South Ward Neighborhood Association (TSWNA) board, a voluntary organization of residents who work together to improve and maintain the quality of life of the south ward district of Trenton, New Jersey. This initial meeting is crucial for understanding the client’s goals and visions. Angelica is particularly excited about this community-driven project because she enjoys the inclusivity and creativity it fosters.
“Community projects are fantastic because they help people realize their creative vision and foster a sense of ownership,” says Angelica. “It’s important to have a visioning meeting to gather a wide range of thoughts and ensure everyone feels included.”
During the kickoff meeting, Angelica and the Princeton Hydro project team listen attentively to board members, taking notes and asking questions to clarify the client's vision. Together with the client, the project team brainstorms ideas, establishes clear deliverables, and discusses expectations for the project ahead. The team shared ideas for two sites in the neighborhood; one existing community garden and one undeveloped site across the street. At the Community Garden site, TSWNA has several vegetable garden beds and hosts community workshops that encourage residents to get outside and learn the ins and outs of urban gardening. To make the space even more inviting and useful for the community, they discussed options like planting flowers, replacing the fence, and adding a storage shed.
Securing grant money can be the key to bringing your innovative project to life, but navigating the complex world of funding can be daunting. Princeton Hydro's Director of Marketing and Communications Dana Patterson Grear stumbled upon an ideal grant opportunity to kick-off the first phase of the TSWNA's vision for the exisiting Community Garden site. Facing a tight deadline, Angelica collaborated with Tyrell Smith, TSWNA Co-Founder/Board Chair, to submit an application to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation's Mid-Atlantic Monarch And Pollinator Habitat Kit Program. This program distributes habitat kits containing native milkweed and various nectar plants to project partners ready to dedicate time, labor, and land for developing pollinator habitats in the Mid-Atlantic and New York City areas.
This year, the kits were tailored specifically for urban farms, community gardens, and other communal and educational spaces in urban settings, with a focus on benefiting historically underserved communities—a perfect match for TSWNA, which was selected to receive over 500 native plants to enhance their space and create a habitat for monarch butterflies.
With a clear, collective vision in mind, Angelica heads to a project site in Trenton’s South Ward Neighborhood to conduct a comprehensive analysis in preparation for the Community Garden.
Angelica arrives at 475 Lamberton Rd, ready to assess the critical physical and environmental factors necessary for the landscape design project. She meticulously observes sun exposure and soil characteristics to understand how these conditions could affect plant growth. She evaluates water availability, considering both natural sources and potential irrigation needs to ensure the sustainability of her design. The topography of the site is mapped out, identifying slopes, elevations, and natural drainage patterns that will influence the placement of features and the overall layout. All of these components help curate the overall aesthetic experience of the space throughout the day. Angelica takes photos, makes detailed notes of these observations, gathering essential information that will inform her design process and help create a harmonious and functional outdoor space.
“Site analysis is more than just understanding the immediate environment,” Angelica explains. “It’s about considering the broader context, including the surrounding neighborhood and city. This helps identify the project's needs and how it can best integrate with the local community. By working together, we can create a beautiful and sustainable space that benefits the Trenton community.”
Now it’s time for Angelica to draft initial concepts. Using a combination of AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite, she begins to translate her site analysis and the client's feedback into visual designs. For the Trenton South Ward project, Angelica starts with a basemap created from field measurements and Google Earth imagery, evolving it into three distinct concepts.
“I aim to keep the concepts relatively loose at this stage,” she explains. “This helps get a reaction from the client and see which design they gravitate towards.”
Balancing aesthetics and sustainability, Angelica always prioritizes using a native plant palette, recognizing the seasonal characteristics and ecological benefits of native plants. She aims to create landscapes that are both beautiful and sustainable, supporting local wildlife and promoting biodiversity.
For this project, the plant selection came from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. The Xerces Society supplied carefully chosen native and regionally appropriate plants from Pinelands Nursery in Columbus, NJ, one of the largest native plant nurseries in the US, supplying millions of plants for environmental restorations throughout the Mid-Atlantic states. Some of the native species selected for the community garden include Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). These perennial, drought-resistant plants not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the area but also offer crucial habitats for pollinators and birds, fostering a healthier and more balanced ecosystem.
“The final design is a refinement of the concept with more detailed planting plans and site measurements,” Angelica notes. “I often visit the site again to confirm measurements and document conditions to ensure accuracy.”
Of the three concepts Angelica and the Princeton Hydro team developed, TSWNA chose design concept three, which is pictured below:
The planning and design work culminated in a vibrant Community Garden, volunteer-powered planting event, which kicked off this initial phase of the revitalization of this space. Members of TSWNA, Princeton Hydro, and local volunteers came together to bring the collective landscape design vision to life, creating a thriving green oasis for the community to enjoy. Together, the group planted 550 native flowers and shrubs generously provided by the Xerces Society. Despite the heat, they worked collaboratively to turn the area into a beautiful, sustainable garden that benefits the entire Trenton community.
During the planting day, Angelica demonstrated proper techniques for preparing the ground for planting, installing plant plugs, and maintaining the space once all of the planting is complete. In the video below, Angelica demonstrates how to plant a plug in the ground:
Angelica always dedicates time to staying updated on the latest trends in landscape architecture, attending industry conferences, and connecting with colleagues to share insights and ideas. This continuous learning helps her bring innovative solutions to her projects.
“I’m excited about the growing trend of sustainability in landscape design,” she says. “Incorporating green infrastructure and eco-friendly practices is essential for a sustainable future.”
Reflecting on her day, Angelica acknowledges the unique challenges (and opportunities) of landscape design, from site constraints to fulfilling client expectations. She finds great satisfaction in overcoming these obstacles and seeing designs come to life.
“There’s no such thing as the perfect site,” she admits. “Each project comes with its own challenges, but it’s incredibly rewarding to see a space transformed and to know that it will thrive and bring joy to the community for years to come.”
Angelica's journey in landscape design began at Temple University, where she pursued her graduate studies. Her professional path includes valuable experience at a small residential landscape architecture firm that also owned a native plant nursery, providing her with extensive knowledge about plant names, identification, and growth habits. Prior to this, she worked at a landscape restoration company focusing on invasive species removal and management, enriching her understanding of both native and invasive plants.
With a lifelong artistic inclination and a profound appreciation for ecology and biology, Angelica found her perfect career blend in landscape design and architecture. Although she wasn't initially exposed to landscape architecture as a career option, her graduate program welcomed individuals from diverse backgrounds, helping her realize her passion for this field.
Angelica is particularly excited about the growing trend of resilience and sustainability in landscape architecture, especially in response to climate change. She looks forward to continuing her work on projects related to green infrastructure and stormwater management, and the multidisciplinary approach to restoring ecological function.
Princeton Hydro is an expert in engineering, ecological restoration, and landscape architecture, and we’ve been incorporating green stormwater infrastructure and nature-based solutions into our designs for decades. Recently, Princeton Hydro partnered with Congregation Kol Emet to design and implement a sustainable 10-acre campus transformation, providing green infrastructure engineering, landscape architecture, and construction services to enhance the synagogue's usability and welcoming atmosphere, reduce flooding, improve water quality, and augment biodiversity. Read more.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), project partners, and elected officials broke ground on the interior cleanup of Liberty State Park in Jersey City (Phase 1A), marking a significant milestone in the history of New Jersey’s most visited state park.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, participants heard presentations from Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette, USACE New York District Commander Colonel Alex Young, Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, and Assemblyman William B. Sampson IV.
As quoted in the press release distributed by the Murphy Administration, Commissioner LaTourette said, “Today’s groundbreaking is a critical step toward building a future at Liberty State Park that brings people and communities together to enjoy the environment we all share. Through the cleanup and restoration of nearly 235 acres, we will reckon with the industrial pollution of our past and from it, create a world-class outdoor urban environment that will be enjoyed by many future generations.” Click here to read the full press release.
A long history of industrial contamination (also called legacy pollution) has left 235 acres of Liberty State Park fenced-off and inaccessible to the public for decades. The groundbreaking ceremony marks the official start of Phase 1A of the clean up and restoration project.
Princeton Hydro was contracted by USACE New York District in partnership with the NJDEP Office of Natural Resource Restoration to design a resilient coastal ecosystem within 235 acres of this highly urbanized setting that provides both ecological and social benefits. This includes the restoration of over 80 acres of tidal and non-tidal wetlands and creation of several thousands of feet of intertidal shoreline and shallow water habitat hydrologically connected to the Upper New York Bay. When constructed, this will be one of the largest ecosystem habitat restoration projects in New Jersey.
Angelica is a recent graduate of Temple University, where she obtained her Master Degree in landscape architecture with a focus on ecological restoration. She received the 2023 American Society of Landscape Architects Merit Award for her academic work, which culminated in a graduate thesis that explored and integrated creative solutions to flood resilience in New Castle, Delaware. This work unlocked a desire to discover the unique ways in which landscape architecture can be realized through the lens of ecology and sustainability.
Before joining Princeton Hydro, Angelica was employed at a small-scale landscape architecture firm focusing on public and residential design. She had the opportunity to use her previous experience in invasive management to help ensure longevity by developing long-term maintenance manuals for clients. Through this work, she also gained invaluable experience in design development, preparation of proposals and construction documentation packages, and client communication.
In her free time, Angelica loves to paint, read, bake bread, and maintain her tiny Philadelphia backyard.
Lexie received a B.S. in Environmental Engineering with a concentration in Air Quality from Rutgers University. During her studies, she was part of the Rutgers Water Resources Program where she helped design and construct rain gardens to address flooding and stormwater runoff impacts. After graduation, Lexie began her professional career in the wastewater engineering sector designing decentralized wastewater treatment plants.
During her free time, Lexie enjoys hiking, exercising, and being outside. When the weather is bad, she likes making rugs and trying out new recipes.
Our staff is composed of individuals with academic training and extensive project experience in stormwater management, geotechnical investigation, hydrology and hydrogeology, aquatic and wetland ecology, fishery biology, population and community ecology dynamics, GIS, environmental design, and landscape architecture. Click here to read more about the Princeton Hydro team.
Exciting changes have unfolded at Kol Emet, a Reconstructionist Congregation in Yardley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The campus’ exterior lands have undergone a remarkable transformation, blossoming into an enchanting and peaceful place for community member gatherings, and a wildflower meadow.
Princeton Hydro partnered with Congregation Kol Emet to design and implement the synagogue's 10-acre campus transformation. The Princeton Hydro team provided green infrastructure engineering, landscape architecture, and construction services aimed at enhancing the usability and welcoming atmosphere of the synagogue, and creating a sustainable outdoor solution in the event of future pandemics, and a place to connect with the natural environment that surrounds the property. The design provides a net positive impact by reducing flooding in the community and improves water quality by augmenting stormwater management and biodiversity throughout the property.
"Our vision surpassed mere construction of a gathering space," said Geoffrey M. Goll P.E., President of Princeton Hydro, a congregant of Kol Emet, Executive Board Member, and point person for the project. "We wanted to create a harmonious union between the synagogue campus and the surrounding preserved woodlands, cultivating a serene haven where congregants can unite, celebrate, and worship, while also enhancing the ecological functionality and biodiversity of the landscape. This was a realization of the vision of the Founders of Kol Emet and the labor and financial support of many members of the Board, past and present, and a generous donation by a longtime supporter of the community. The outdoor sanctuary was named in honor and memory of a founding member and former President, Geri Shatz, who was a staunch supporter of the Jewish community and advocate for the mission of Kol Emet. She lived the ideals of community and contribution. I am proud of the extraordinary transformation that’s been achieved."
The Kol Emet Reconstructionist Congregation, is a 501(c)3 religious organization, founded in 1984. While a center of worship for its members, it is much more than that. Kol Emet is a community of people who care about improving the world around them through social action and environmental protection.
The sentiment of "Tikkun Olam" is embodied by Kol Emet and the committee that spearheaded the project, working directly with the Princeton Hydro team to bring the project goals to fruition. The modern interpretation of the Hebrew phrase “Tikkun Olam,” is “action intended to repair and improve the world.” The campus restoration project brings the concept of “Tikkun Olam” to life.
Princeton Hydro Landscape Architect Cory Speroff, PLA, ASLA, CBLP is the project’s lead designer. The project included landscape design and planting that incorporates native and sustainable trees and shrubs; significant upgrades to the existing stormwater management basin, including the conversion of low-flow channels, impervious surfaces, and turf-covered areas to native grassland and wildflower habitat; and the development of the “Geri Shatz Outdoor Contemplative Space."
Cory’s design inspiration for the Geri Shatz Outdoor Contemplative Space is modeled after the Hebrew term “etz chaim” or “Tree of Life.” In Judaism, the Tree of Life has a number of meanings, both literal and figurative. In the Kabbalah, the Tree of Life represents the connection between heaven and earth, wisdom and knowledge, and the interconnectedness of all living things. It is visually represented as a diagram that looks much like a tree with 10 nodes and 22 lines. Cory’s design for the community space uses strategically placed trees to mimic the Tree of Life and aims to promote community connection and a connection to the surrounding natural landscape.
The contemplative space consists of a bimah, seating to accommodate at least 80 people, and a beautiful array of native trees and flowering shrubs, including black gum, silver birch, and Virginia sweetspire.
Cory’s design for the land surrounding the contemplative space improves flood resilience; controls stormwater runoff volume and promotes groundwater recharge; boosts safety features of the campus; and enhances habitat for pollinators, native plants, and other important species. The wildflower meadow was seeded with a variety of native plants, including purple love grass, common milkweed, wild bergamot, and blue wild indigo.
“During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it felt like the only way to see our loved ones was to be outside, and during these backyard and front porch gatherings many people re-discovered their love for the outdoors,” said Cory. “In talking with the Committee, there was a desire to create an outdoor sanctuary where the congregation could gather and continue that re-discovery. I believe that through the careful consideration of symbolic elements and thoughtful design choices, we’ve created a space that can inspire introspection, connection, and a sense of harmony with both nature and faith.”
Funding for the project came from the Congregation Kol Emet’s “Our Heart. Our Home” capital campaign, a $750,000 campaign focused on upgrading four key aspects of the synagogue: social hall, HVAC upgrades, indoor sanctuary, outside school, and the new outdoor sanctuary. The outdoor sanctuary and ecological uplift to the 10-acre campus is a primary piece of the campaign and was made possible by the generous donations of several Kol Emet members.
Stan Shatz bestowed a bounteous donation in memory of Geri Shatz, which made possible the creation of the “Geri Shatz Outdoor Contemplative Space.”
The following families also contributed to the funding of the Geri Shatz Outdoor Contemplative Space: Laurel & Kevin Bloch, Barbara & Debra Fogel and Family, Jill & David Gordon, Annie & Ryan Kubanoff and Family, and Teddi & Josh Matisoff and Family.
The Princeton Hydro team is honored to have worked with Kol Emet on this important and inspirational project.
Congregation Kol Emet came together on Sunday, June 4, 2023 for a celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the outdoor sanctuary project. Here are a few photos from the joyous event:
Princeton Hydro is an expert in engineering, ecological restoration, and landscape architecture, and we’ve been incorporating green stormwater infrastructure and nature-based solutions into our designs for decades. Click here to read about the landscape restoration and stormwater management project we designed and implemented in Thompson Park, a 675-acre recreation area in Middlesex County, New Jersey.
Liberty State Park is located on the west bank of Upper New York Bay and is one of the most visited state parks in the nation with over 5.1 million visitors. Princeton Hydro was contracted by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Office of Natural Resource Restoration (ONRR) to design a resilient coastal ecosystem within 235 acres of this highly urbanized setting that provides both ecological and social benefits. This includes the restoration of over 80 acres of tidal and non-tidal wetlands and creation of several thousands of feet of intertidal shoreline and shallow water habitat hydrologically connected to the Upper New York Bay. When constructed, this will be one of the largest ecosystem habitat restoration projects in New Jersey.
NJDEP held an open house on May 24, 2023 at Liberty State Park announcing the next steps for the Revitalization Program. During the open house, Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette and USACE Colonel Matthew W. Luzzatto shared details of the multi-phase revitalization program for the park.
The public was presented with a video that showcases detailed engineering design renderings and simulates the expected visitor experience. The video was created using renderings by Princeton Hydro's Landscape Architect Cory Speroff PLA, ASLA, CBLP and produced in-house by our Marketing & Communications Department in collaboration with NJDEP ONRR. Watch it now:
Once constructed, this project will expand public access, improve water quality, restore native plant communities, and improve coastal resilience for urban communities who are vulnerable to storm events. The site design includes a trail network for the park interior that will provide access to the newly established habitat zones and views of the Statue of Liberty and New York City skyline. This trail network will enhance pedestrian connectivity between the existing portion of Liberty State Park, Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, and local public transit hubs.
Project partners for the interior restoration design include USACE, NJDEP ONRR, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, HDR, and Princeton Hydro.
Over the next year, NJDEP will provide the community with updates on revitalization program activities, which will include multiple points of continued public engagement and opportunities for community input to inform further design work. The initial groundbreaking is anticipated to take place in Fall 2023.
Please stay tuned to our blog for more project updates. To read more about Princeton Hydro’s robust natural resource management and restoration services, click here.
Spring is here! We kicked-off the new growing year with a live "Ask Me Anything" Spring Gardening conversation via Facebook.
Princeton Hydro Landscape Architects and Expert Green Thumbs Jamie Feinstein, RLA and Cory Speroff, PLA, ASLA, CBLP provided participants with all sorts of gardening tips and tricks, including:
Our Communications Intern Andrea Rojas led the Q&A conversation, and Jamie and Cory fielded a variety of questions from the audience, including some about soil testing, installing a rain garden, choosing the best mulch, and general tips for using compost.
If you missed it, have no fear - we recorded the session. Roll up your sleeves and get ready for gardening!
If you're interested in learning more about installing a rain garden in your yard, please check out our recent blog: How To Build a Rain Garden in 10 Steps.
Thousands of native flowering plants and grasses were planted at Thompson Park in Middlesex County, New Jersey. Once established, the native plant meadow will not only look beautiful, it will reduce stormwater runoff and increase habitat for birds, pollinators, and other critical species.
The planting was completed by community volunteers along with Eric Gehring of Kramer+Marks Architects, Middlesex County Youth Conservation Corps, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County, South Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council, and Princeton Hydro Landscape Architect Cory Speroff, PLA, ASLA, CBLP.
All of the plants that were installed are native to the north-central region of New Jersey. Volunteers planted switchgrass (panicum virgatum), orange coneflower (rudbeckia fulgida), blue wild indigo (baptisia australis), partridge pea (chamaecrista fasciculata), Virginia mountain mint (pycnanhemum virginianum), and aromatic aster (symphyotrichum oblongifolium). In selecting the location for each of the plants, special consideration was given to each species' drought tolerance and sunlight and shade requirements. The selected plant species all provide important wildlife value, including providing food and shelter for migratory birds.
The planting initiative is one part of a multi-faceted Stormwater Treatment Train project recently completed in Thompson Park. The project is funded by a Water Quality Restoration 319(h) grant awarded to South Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council by the NJDEP.
Middlesex County Office of Parks and Recreation and Office of Planning, NJDEP, South Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council, Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission, Freehold Soil Conservation District, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Enviroscapes, and Princeton Hydro worked together to bring this project to fruition.
To learn more about the Thompson Park Zoo stormwater project, check out our recent blog:
Princeton Hydro is proud to announce that Cory Speroff, PLA, ASLA, CBLP, Landscape Architect for the firm, has become a Licensed Professional Landscape Architect in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, enabling our firm to now offer professional landscape architect services in those states.
This achievement demonstrates an advanced level of skill and competency in providing landscape architecture services that protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and natural environment as well as in-depth knowledge of stormwater best management practices, green infrastructure, and sustainable planning and design.
In order to apply for a landscape architect license in the state of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, applicants are required to:
“The process to become a Professional Landscape Architect is not an easy one. I spent a lot of late nights studying technical manuals covering everything from the most obscure contents of construction contracts to the components and design of irrigation systems. Achieving this license and being able to offer this service to current and future clients has been a goal of mine since graduating. With this license, Princeton Hydro can now bring our wide range of expertise into an entirely new sector and I am very excited about our prospects.”Cory Speroff, PLA, ASLA, CBLP
“The process to become a Professional Landscape Architect is not an easy one. I spent a lot of late nights studying technical manuals covering everything from the most obscure contents of construction contracts to the components and design of irrigation systems. Achieving this license and being able to offer this service to current and future clients has been a goal of mine since graduating. With this license, Princeton Hydro can now bring our wide range of expertise into an entirely new sector and I am very excited about our prospects.”
As a Landscape Architect for Princeton Hydro, Cory is responsible for the creation of designs, renderings, graphics, planting lists, planting plans, and construction documents associated with various aspects of environmental restoration, habitat creation, and stormwater management. Working closely with the firm’s senior management team, Cory develops creative design solutions that achieve the most socioeconomic value from a space while also achieving high environmental function.
For the Dunes at Shoal Harbor, a coastal residential community in Monmouth County, New Jersey severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy, Princeton Hydro was contracted to provide site design and construction for shoreline restoration, erosion prevention and protection from future storm events, wave attacks and flooding.
Cory worked on the project team to provide site design plans for the following initiatives:
The construction was completed in September 2020.
Princeton Hydro worked closely with the American Littoral Society (ALS) to acquire SFY2014 319(h) funding to implement green infrastructure and Non‐Point Source (NPS) Pollution Control Projects within the Metedeconk River Watershed.
One of the projects entailed the removal of two sections of deteriorating bulkhead from Ocean County Park’s Duck Pond and replacing them with living shorelines, which were designed by Cory. The focus of the project was two‐fold: reduce the NPS loading that compromises the Metedeconk River’s water quality, as well as restoring littoral habitat within the Ocean County Park waterbodies.
The Duck Pond living shorelines contain a variety of native plants that filter rainwater runoff, create and improve habitat for aquatic animals, improve water quality, and protect the shoreline from erosion.
All of us here at Princeton Hydro extend our warmest congratulations to Cory for his remarkable achievements!
To learn more about Princeton Hydro’s environmental design and restoration services and check out recent projects, visit us here.
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