Relationship Between Parks and Green Infrastructure A typical park already contains open space areas that absorb stormwater and offer water quality, habitat, and aesthetic benefits. Park infrastructure—parking lots, roads, buildings, playing fields, courts, and other man-made surfaces—can be built or retrofitted to treat stormwater or drain to enhanced pervious surfaces. The following are some opportunities to enhance park features using green infrastructure. Parking Lots • Bioretention in landscaped areas, medians, and roundabouts • Permeable pavement in parking stalls, overflow parking, and walkways • Trees in landscaped areas • Amended soils to improve infiltration, pollutant removal, and plant health Visitor Centers • Bioretention demonstration gardens • Pollinator gardens that treat stormwater • Green roofs • Rainwater barrels and cisterns • Planter boxes in space-limited areas Playing Fields • Temporary detention storage • Permeable pavement in parking stalls, overflow parking, and walkways Wetlands and Drainage Systems • Natural areas along stream channels • Constructed wetlands created in existing drainage areas • Wildlife habitat areas that serve as stormwater runoff areas Paved Trails, Walkways, and Roads • Permeable pavement walkways, parking, and fire lanes • Trees planted along roadsides and pathways Renderings by Heather Conn and Nicole Chapman, Tetra Tech. Playing field photo by Alisha Goldstein, USEPA. Cistern photo by Jason Wright, Tetra Tech. 4
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