In most areas of the country, brownfields redevelopment 

projects are becoming more common. As real estate and 

transportation costs continue to rise, it makes sense to redevelop 

brownfields sites close to urban centers or transportation 

corridors; this helps create new jobs, and commercial and 

residential opportunities. However, brownfields sites are not 

only suited to commercial or residential development; they can 

become parks and open space as well! The three innovative 

examples highlighted herein show that former brownfields can 

provide habitat, recreation and even contribute to the cleanup of 

the environment. 

Belle Isle Coastal Preserve, Boston, Massachusetts 

The Belle Isle Coastal Preserve was not always as pristine as 

the name might imply. The former salt marsh was the site of 

commercial and industrial uses for years; first as the location 

of the Belle Isle Fish Company and later a site for dumping 

and filling as the site fell further into disrepair. Eventually the 

site became littered with discarded construction and demolition 

debris, appliances and heavy equipment. Adjacent to the much 

larger Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, the 1.6-acre parcel provided 

the City of Boston with a unique opportunity for restoration. 

Brownfields developments can be challenging even when the 

target site will be redeveloped for a lucrative commercial, 

residential, or mixed-use development. Redeveloping a site for 

an ecological purpose often requires even more creativity when 

it comes to partnering and securing funding. In 2004, armed 

with a $200,000 EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant, the Boston 

Redevelopment Authority leveraged another $393,000 from the 

City of Boston to clean up contamination at the site. A group 

called Friends of the Belle Isle Marsh assisted with the cleanup 

and served as an advocate throughout the life of the project. 

The cleanup activities removed approximately 8,600 cubic 

yards of soil contaminated with petroleum, asbestos, lead and 

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To restore the salt 

marsh at the site, the City of Boston contributed $60,000 and 

received $55,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service. 

Ecological Restoration

continued 

JUST THE FACTS:

• Brownfields can be used for more 

than just construction of new 

buildings – they can become open 

spaces, parks and wildlife habitat. 

• Opportunities abound – the City 

of Boston used cleanup funds to 

jump start restoration of a salt 

marsh; the City of Rock Island 

created a riverfront park; 

and Kitsap County restored 

salmon habitat. 

• Benefits go beyond site 

boundaries – all three of these 

sites provide habitat for migratory 

fish or birds; two of the sites 

provided vital links in regional 

trails; and two of the sites help 

improve local water quality. 

“You’ve got to think long term. 

We divided the project into 

four phases and 

bit off small chunks.”

– Sally Heffernan, 

City of Rock Island

From Brown to Green: 

Restoring Ecosystems 

on Former Brownfields

Residents Enjoy the Belle Isle Coastal Preserve 

at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Brownfields Success Story Solid Waste EPA 560-F-10-210 

Ecological Restoration: and Emergency July 2010

Restoring Ecosystems on Former Brownfields Response (5105T) www.epa.gov/brownfields/

The Sylvan Slough Natural Area.

The restoration consisted of planting native marsh vegetation and restoring some of the tidal 

flow to the site. The city contributed the majority of the $92,000 to complete landscaping and 

pathways on the site. 

The cleanup and redevelopment turned this brownfield into a park, popular for taking walks and 

bird watching. In addition to creating new open space, the redevelopment is linked to Belle Isle 

Marsh Reservation, providing access to a 152-acre recreation area. This access to open space is 

especially important for this neighborhood of East Boston, which has limited access to natural 

resources. With the Belle Isle Coastal Preserve completed in 2006, the local population has a 

renewed opportunity to experience the diverse ecosystem that the Massachusetts Bay once was. 

Sylvan Slough Natural Area, Rock Island, Illinois

The City of Rock Island, Illinois, found itself faced with 

the challenge of what to do with a 5.5-acre brownfield, 

located on the banks of the Mississippi River. The Midway 

Oil site was a former bulk oil storage facility, fueling 

station and warehouse. However, along with many other 

properties in the city, industrial closures left the Midway 

Oil site and neighboring properties vacant or underutilized. 

What appeared to be just another example of industrial 

blight provided the city with an opportunity to reclaim a section of riverfront and create a 

demonstration project to reduce nonpoint source pollution to the Mississippi. 

The success of this project depended on a variety of partners for funding and technical support. 

The city received assessment funds from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s 

Brownfield Redevelopment Grant Program and oversight through IEPA’s Site Remediation 

Program. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources provided 50% of the funding to 

purchase the sites, through an open lands trust grant. This required the site to remain open 

space in perpetuity. In 2003, EPA awarded the city a Brownfields Cleanup grant in the amount 

of $97,750 to clean up petroleum contamination. Rock Island had support from River Action, 

a local nonprofit environmental organization which promotes the site through its “Retain the 

Rain” program. River Action paid for design of the Natural Area, the permeable concrete parking 

lot, and interpretive signage. Finally, $60,550 of stormwater reduction projects were funded by 

the City as a supplemental environmental project in lieu of paying a fine as agreed in a Consent 

Decree with EPA.

The cleanup involved demolishing existing structures on the site and remediating contaminated 

soil; however the city used some innovative approaches to both tasks. Materials from the 

buildings were salvaged and reused on the site, whenever possible. For example, bricks were 

processed to use in permeable walking paths. Inert materials (e.g., concrete) were used to fill 

basement spaces. Pre-cast concrete panels from former buildings were used for sidewalks and to 

delineate planting areas. Another innovative cleanup practice was using bioremediation to clean 

up contaminated soil. First, 400 cubic yards soils were excavated and mixed with wood chips 

and manure to break down the mostly petroleum-based contaminants. The mixture was wrapped 

in black plastic and hydrated as necessary. Within six months, the soil was clean and returned to 

the excavations to be used as compost.

continued 
Brownfields Success Story Solid Waste EPA 560-F-10-210 

Ecological Restoration: and Emergency July 2010

Restoring Ecosystems on Former Brownfields Response (5105T) www.epa.gov/brownfields/

CONTACTS:

For more information contact

EPA’s Office of Brownfields and Land

Revitalization: (202) 566-2777

Visit the EPA Brownfields Web site at:

www.epa.gov/brownfields/

Once cleanup activities were complete, the city replanted with native species to restore this section 

of riverfront. But they did not stop there – to further clean up water headed for the Mississippi, 

Rock Island used bioswales, permeable paving, a permeable parking area, water garden, and other 

best management practices (BMPs) to improve the quality of stormwater runoff from the site. The 

site also captures and filters run-on from an adjacent two-million square-foot industrial complex. 

These features have the twofold benefit of improving water quality and helping educate the visiting 

public about urban nonpoint source pollution through interpretive signs around the site. 

In addition to the built features on the site, the Sylvan Slough Natural Area provides a 

variety of recreational opportunities. The site features a Bald Eagle observation 

area, a picnic area and parking for an adjacent 64-mile riverfront trail and 

bicycle path. Interpretive signs describe the historic context of the site, the 

creative cleanup and bioremediation, the water quality features, and the 

natural resources present onsite today. 

Sinclair Inlet Restoration Project, Kitsap County, Washington

In Kitsap County, Washington, EPA partnered with the county 

government, local residents and other public agencies to turn a group of 

four contaminated properties into viable waterfront habitat for salmon 

and other native species. Kitsap County lies west of Seattle and has seen its 

population increase over the past quarter century, placing increased pressure 

on the area’s natural resources. 

Past activities on the sites included the Evergreen Auto Wrecking site, a concrete 

batch plant, lumber mills, a roofing contractor, and a sand and gravel plant, among other industrial 

uses. In the past, some of these operators filled portions of the Gorst Creek Estuary to increase the 

useable land on their property. In addition to the fill, soil and ground water on these parcels became 

contaminated with petroleum products, metals and PAHs. 

Around 2003, these areas were being eyed for potential restoration to benefit native salmon 

populations and help improve water quality; however, an assessment would have to be performed 

first. To get things moving, EPA awarded three Brownfields Cleanup grants, totaling $400,000. 

The assessment enabled the county to secure additional funding from EPA, Washington State and 

the Port of Bremerton to help with cleanup, community involvement, and restoration activities. 

In addition, the county was able to exchange surplus, county-owned property for one of the 

waterfront properties.

Taken together, these four sites were a catalyst for the restoration of nearly 11 acres of shoreline 

and salt marsh habitat. The new riparian and salt marsh areas provide recreational opportunities and 

habitat, and are helping to improve local water quality. In addition, the Sinclair Inlet area will be 

connected to a regional trail system called the Mosquito Fleet Trail, a bike and pedestrian trail that 

runs along the shoreline of Kitsap County.

As these three examples show, brownfields can be turned into more than buildings and parking lots 

– they can be used for waterfront recreation, natural stormwater treatment areas and wildlife habitat. 

As with most brownfields projects, partnerships and dedicated local support are crucial for project 

success. When combined with the vision to restore a site, these attributes can turn brown to green.