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A
seemingly simple project with far-reaching goals, Paradise Found—the
Paradise Creek Restoration Plan—made its debut in August of 2003 at the
Grand Opening of The Elizabeth River Information Center. The dream began
much earlier, though. Team Paradise
Outstanding partnerships are the secret to The Elizabeth River Project's
success and Paradise Found is a good case study. Throughout 2002 and 2003,
a diverse group of stakeholders and technical advisors was formed. From
that group, 50 key volunteers came forward to represent major creek-side
industrial interests, the US Navy, the City of Portsmouth, concerned
citizens, technical and scientific advisors, universities and regulatory
agencies. Together, they drafted a plan for the project. (See
map.)
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on photos of Paradise Creek below.
 Read about the
Big Boost from EPA. |
Exciting Beginnings
The US Navy's progress with its cleanup of "Black Beauty"—a
superfund site at the former New Gosport landfill—helped convince The
Elizabeth River Project and other creek supporters that a more concerted
partnership approach was needed to achieve maximum results on the creek.
The Southeastern Public Service Agency, operating the regional trash
collection station and a waste–to–energy power plant, implemented
stormwater improvements and planted one acre of urban buffer to the
creek's shores. Giant Cement of Virginia set aside a 22–acre
"no–mow" zone and invested over $25,000 on pollution
prevention. The Cradock community and other volunteers, over 200 total,
turned out for an Earth Day 2002 clean up and planting along the creek.
Peck Land Co. agreed to a 6.2–acre conservation buffer and wetland
restoration with the Elizabeth River Project. And as the Paradise Found
plan was headed to the print shop, the Portsmouth City Council voted
unanimously to create the Paradise Creek Park prescribed by Team Paradise
in the plan.
Paradise Creek Park
Progress continued for the creation of Paradise
Creek Park, to be operated by the City of Portsmouth as a regional park in
partnership with the Elizabeth River Project.
The work involved a long list of items including developing
initial funding sources, appraisals, surveys, assessments and purchase
agreements with the City of Portsmouth and the property owner.
It was obviously in the stars (RiverStars, no doubt). The
time was right for a return to Paradise, but even so, there was much work to be
done. And that's how it started.
You Can Help, Too!
Good things are happening in this five-year plan to make Paradise Creek a
model for the nation! To find out how your group or business
can be part of this exciting project and help bring back Paradise, call
(757)
399-7487.
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Paradise
Found
