Introduction

The Stephen Decatur Park is a 0.5 acre emergent wetland creation located in the Coastal Area - Newport Bay (02-13-01-05) watershed within Worcester County.    

Construction

In fall 1993, the Nontidal Wetlands and Waterways Division and the Town of Berlin converted this second growth disturbed area into wetland through construction and planting.

Status

While this site started off being too wet, it has developed a nearly complete cover of herbaceous wetland vegetation, dominated by patches of Nuphar luteum (Yellow Pond Lily)and Decodon verticillatus (Water Willow).  When MDE scored this site in 2009 using the newly developed Mitigation Site Scoring Method, the site received the score of 92/100.  Since the site is located within the park, it provides an excellent educational opportunity.  It also provides wildlife habitat, filters sediments and other pollutants and provides aesthetic qualities.

This site is open to the public.  Click here to see an aerial photo and directions.