Stephenson Brook originates in the northern neighborhoods of New Rochelle, flowing through the Wykagyl Country Club golf course on its way to Long Island Sound. A well-fertilized fairway lawn flanking a pond on the golf course had been adding an excessive amount of nutrients to the pond before a restoration project was completed in 2000. A small dam across the brook formed the pond. To reduce the amount of nutrients flowing into the pond, brook and, ultimately, Long Island Sound, the County removed sediments and decaying leaves from the pond and created slightly submerged "shelves" around the pond perimeter using surplus sediment held in place by logs made of coconut fiber. The "shelves" were then planted with a variety of aquatic plant species, including yellow iris and buttonbush.
To help filter out nutrients being washed off the fairway by stormwater runoff, a vegetated buffer strip, or meadow, was established between the pond and fairway. The meadow largely consisted of grasses, sedges and wildflowers, although some shrubs and trees also were planted. The meadow not only filters out pollutants, it also provides habitat to birds and small animals. The meadow was designated an "environementally sensitive area" by the country club, meaning that golf balls landing in the meadow are considered "out of bounds."
To View The Site: The site is at Wykagyl Country Club next to Trenor Road in the City of New Rochelle. The country club is private property and permission must be obtained from the club prior to entering the site.