Horsley Witten Group Completes Roger Williams Park Zoo Stormwater Master Plan
Plan will improve water quality across zoo pond and connected park pond system
Sandwich, Mass., July 8, 2026 - Horsley Witten Group, an environmental consulting firm specializing in sustainable and resilient design solutions, announced the completion of the Roger Williams Park Zoo Stormwater Master Plan - a comprehensive, multi-year effort to guide future stormwater planning, design, implementation, maintenance, and monitoring across the zoo campus and within Roger Williams Park in Providence.
Funded through a 2023 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Watershed Implementation Grant secured by the Stormwater Innovation Center (SIC), the initiative was developed over three years through ongoing collaboration among Restore America's Estuaries and a broad partner team that included Ray Dunetz Landscape Architecture, Roger Williams Park Zoo, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, the Providence Parks Department, and the City of Providence. The master plan addresses long-standing water quality impairments in one of Rhode Island's most notable public parks and supports coordination with existing stormwater and combined sewer overflow (CSO) infrastructure in the surrounding urban environment.
The Roger Williams Park pond system - which includes a total of seven bodies of water - has experienced elevated levels of nutrients, sediment, and bacteria that contribute to algae blooms and reduced water clarity. The zoo campus is a part of this interconnected watershed, and in keeping with the zoo's commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship, the master plan sets out a framework of strategies aimed at helping to reduce long-term impacts and improving ecological conditions across the system.
The project evaluated drainage patterns, water quality conditions, and stormwater infrastructure across the zoo campus through field assessments, water and sediment sampling, and GIS-based spatial analysis, along with a collaborative design process to identify priority areas for future stormwater improvements. The plan outlines structural and non-structural strategies, with an emphasis on nature-based solutions and improved maintenance practices. It also emphasizes integrated public education and community engagement opportunities that connect visitors more directly to water resource stewardship and the zoo's conservation mission.
"The Roger Williams Park Zoo Stormwater Master Plan was developed through a collaborative process with the project partners and provides a clear, science-based roadmap for improving water quality while supporting the zoo's mission of conserving wildlife and wild places," said Brian Kuchar, PLA, P.E., Principal at Horsley Witten Group. "The plan seeks to balance water quality goals with operational realities while identifying practical ways to reduce stormwater impacts to the pond system, enhance the surrounding habitat, and improve the visitor's experience."
"The Roger Williams Park Zoo is proud to be part of this partnership. The zoo has a long history of contributing to the conservation of many species and habitats worldwide. This initiative will give us the opportunity to have a great impact right here in our own backyard, to improve the quality of our urban wetland and the wetlands in the greater park system," said Lou Perotti, Director of Conservation Programs at Roger Williams Park Zoo. "This project will serve as a model and example of partnering to support wildlife conservation and healthy habitats."
"This Stormwater Master Plan builds on the earlier Roger Williams Park Ponds Water Quality Management Plan and gives the Stormwater Innovation Center, Roger Williams Park Zoo, and Providence Parks Department a coordinated set of priorities for restoring the park's connected pond system," said Ryan Kopp, Stormwater Director, Stormwater Innovation Center. "We are already putting the plan into action through a carp management project designed to reduce the invasive carp population in the Zoo Wetland and improve water quality, aquatic habitat, and the overall health of the connected pond system."
Horsley Witten Group brings more than three decades of experience in stormwater management, ecological restoration, and climate resiliency planning. The firm has offices in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
About Roger Williams Park
Roger Williams Park is a 435-acre historic public park owned by the city of Providence, Rhode Island, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by renowned Landscape Architect Horace W.S. Cleveland, the park features seven interconnected ponds, the Roger Williams Park Zoo, Botanical Center, Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, miles of walking paths, gardens, and other recreational and cultural attractions. The park serves as one of Rhode Island's premier public destinations, welcoming residents, and visitors year-round.
About the Stormwater Innovation Center
The Stormwater Innovation Center (SIC) is a collaborative initiative between the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, The Nature Conservancy, and the City of Providence Parks Department. We are dedicated to improving water quality and stormwater management across Rhode Island. By integrating research, education, outreach, and practical solutions, SIC addresses stormwater challenges through green infrastructure projects, professional training, and community science programs. Working in partnership with government, non-profits, and industry, the Center connects science and real-world implementation to create cleaner, more resilient waterways for Rhode Island's future.
About Horsley Witten Group
Horsley Witten Group develops environmental solutions that help people, businesses, municipalities, and the environment flourish together through a holistic approach to sustainable design. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Sandwich, Massachusetts, Horsley Witten Group currently employs more than 80 dedicated staff members specializing in engineering, science, design, planning, remediation, training, and client support. The company has offices in Boston, Massachusetts; Exeter, New Hampshire; Providence, Rhode Island; and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Additional information is available at horsleywitten.com.
