Water & Wastes Digest Editorial Director Neda Simeonova and Managing Editor Caitlin Cunningham recently toured the Chicago Park District’s new Mary Bartelme Park. The district worked with the West Loop Community Organization and landscape architecture firm Site Design Group to transform the site of a storage building and infirmary into a much-needed open space with playground equipment and a dog play area.
The 2.3-acre park’s design incorporates several storm water management features. Unilock permeable pavers with TX Active cement soak up rainfall, sending the water through underground piping and to a leach field. Native and adapted plant species cover the grounds, including in a maturing rain garden; site irrigation will not be necessary. Furthermore, the interesting topography was designed such that all soil is retained on site.
To date, there has been no rain event the park’s storm water management system could not handle. Overflow capabilities have been built in but have not yet been required.
Learn more about this editorial site visit in the January edition of SWS RunOff. To sign up for a subscription, visit www.estormwater.com.
Source: Water & Wastes Digest
