Restoration Project Before project implementation, Sherwood Park had low-lying swaths of turf grass that would be routinely mowed and experience frequent flooding from the Middle Rouge River. The project plan proposed to convert 7 acres of the maintained lawn areas to wtland, wet meadow, or upland habitat. Wetlands located north of Hines Drive were hydrologically reconnected to the habitat located south of Hines Drive next to the river using a flat-bottomed culvert. The maintained lawn areas converted to native habitat were planted with shrubs and grasses that provide food and habitat for pollinators. Additionally, invasive species were removed from the forested riparian area adjacent to the Middle Rouge River. These areas were reseeded with a native seed mix suitable for the riparian zone.
Funding and Parnters
This project was funded by the U. S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office through an approximately $4M Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant received by the Alliance of Rouge Communities for five projects (Lola Valley, Bell Creek, Riverview Park, Sherwood Park and Lower Rouge) Grant #GL-00E02896. The design was completed under an approximately $770,000 GLRI grant to Wayne County in 2019 (Grant # GL-00E02432) Partners in this project include the U.S. EPA, GLRI, ARC, and Wayne County Parks
Where and When
Sherwood Park is located in Westland in the Middle Branch of the Rouge River. Project design began in 2019 with construction starting in the summer of 2022 and completed in the fall of 2022. Maintenance of the vegetation planted as part of the restoration was done in 2023-2024.
Project Outcomes
Hydrologically reconnect wetlands to Rouge River through a culvert under Hines Drive 1.5 acres wetland reconnected and restored 3.9 acres lawn converted to wetland, wet meadow, or upland habitat 1.6 acres riparian habitat restored
Conditions Before Restoration
Photo Gallery of Restoration Activities
Site preparations
New culvert installed
Wetland creation
Seeded forested area
New path installed
Grading for wetlands
Wetland grading complete
Native plant installation