Abington Friends School to replace trees as part of Abington-Jenkintown Connections project

Due to the recent construction of the Abington-Jenkintown Connections project, several trees around campus had to be cut down, however, the township has promised t plant twice as many in their place.

Students are now being asked for suggestions on which species to plant.

The Abington-Jenkintown Connections project is a pedestrian and stormwater improvement project that will improve connectivity and stormwater management along Washington Lane, Jenkintown Road, Greenwood Avenue and Meetinghouse Road. The Abington Township Board of Commissioners began the planning for this project in August 2017.

Key project goals include:

• Increased sidewalk connectivity
• Improved transit stop accessibility
• Improved pedestrian safety
• Provide stormwater facilities
• Increase intersection safety and operation along Greenwood Avenue, Meetinghouse Road and Jenkintown Road
  
  

For complete project details, click here.

Seventh grade students currently are researching trees that might fit the bill. Science teacher Virginia Friedman invited two landscape architects to share their perspective with the students.

"Landscaping is about more than just having cool buildings and pretty plants," Clara L. '31 wrote in a reflection. "You have to be aware of your surroundings and what kinds of trees and plants will do well in that environment. Landscapers work across science, art, history, technology, and education [research] to make sure their work is the best it can be. When choosing what trees to plant, we should take into consideration wildlife, erosion, color and size, pollution, noise, and other factors — all factors we need to consider when recommending trees for the Township project."

According to the project website, the construction project is as follows:

Phase 1: Washington Lane/Autumn Road

• Improvements: Sidewalk and Storm Drainage
• Install sidewalk and curbing along Washington Lane from Red Rambler to Fairy Hill Road
• Install storm drain pipes and inlets along Washington Lane and Autumn Road
• Install parallel stormwater pipe along Autumn Road
  
  

Phase 2: Washington Lane/Greenwood Avenue

• Improvements: Storm Drainage
• Install storm drain pipe and inlets along Washington Lane and Greenwood Avenue
• Connect storm pipes to existing stormwater collection system
• Install sidewalk and curbing along Greenwood Avenue
• Install pedestrian crossing with flashing warning device along Greenwood Avenue
  
  

Phase 3: Washington Lane- Newbold to Fairy Hill

• Improvements: Sidewalk and Storm Drainage
• Install sidewalk and curbing along Washington Lane from Red Rambler to Newbold Road
• Install storm drain pipes and inlets along Washington Lane to connect with Phase 2 improvements
  
  

Phase 4: Washington Lane, Greenwood Avenue, Jenkintown Road

• Improvements: Shared Use Trail connection Jenkintown and Alverthorpe Park
• Install shared use path along Washington Lane, Greenwood Avenue, and Jenkintown Road
• Connection to existing Alverthorpe Park Trail system
• Install path to connect Alverthorpe trail to Fox Chase Road Trail
  
  

Phase 5: Meetinghouse Road/Jenkintown Road

• Improvements: Intersection Improvements
• Install an eastbound left turn lane
• Install a westbound left turn lane
• Install a southbound channelized right turn lane
• Partial closure of Greenwood Avenue
• Traffic signal upgrade