HISTORIC BARTRAM’S GARDEN
WETLANDS RESTORATION DESIGN/BUILD PROJECT

PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Founded in 1728, Historic Bartram’s Garden, located on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, was the first botanical garden in the United States. This project entailed construction of freshwater tidal wetlands at this site in the City of Philadelphia.

The project included a tidal herbaceous wetland and required detailed design and specification development, construction, maintenance, and monitoring. The pre-design studies completed by A.D. Marble & Company included test borings, hydraulic and hydrologic studies, vegetation analysis, topographic site surveys, and cultural resource inventories.

The project site consisted of approximately two acres that were adjacent to recreational facilities and extended east toward the Schuylkill River. The entire wetland was planted to establish a diverse plant community reflecting freshwater tidal ecosystems, which existed in the Schuylkill River area prior to industrial development. A recreational trail and river walkway were constructed to allow the public to view these wetland communities. The improvements provided water-quality benefits, an increase in wildlife habitat, and expanded use by the community due to the wetland’s educational value.

Following the completion of this project in 1999, A.D. Marble & Company was awarded the Diamond Award for Engineering Excellence by the Consulting Engineers Council of Pennsylvania.

Contact Information
Historic Bartram’s Garden

City of Philadelphia
Fairmount Park Commission
Memorial Hall
P.O. Box 21601
Philadelphia, PA 19313-0901

(215) 729-5281