Michigan Avenue Rain Gardens

The rain gardens along Michigan Avenue are not just going to be beautiful; they are going to help protect our rivers. How is this possible? The gardens are actually engineered bioretention areas (commonly known as rain gardens) that can help remove pollutants from stormwater before it is released to the river. Stormwater easily picks up contaminants such as sediment, automotive fluids, fertilizer, and debris as it travels over streets and sidewalks. This polluted runoff typically enters the storm sewer system, which drains directly to our rivers without treatment.

Hibiscus moscheutos Potentilla fruiticosa

This project will direct stormwater flows on Michigan Avenue to the rain gardens, where native plants and engineered soil will absorb pollutants. The treated stormwater that is not absorbed by the plants will be discharged to the river through a drain that runs under the gardens.

Construction of the rain gardens is being completed in conjunction with sewer separation work and will also provide streetscape beautification elements such as brick pavers, benches, and kiosks.  Interpretive educational signage will be posted in the gardens, which will draw visitors from near and far interested in this urban solution to stormwater pollution.

As intriguing as these rain gardens are, everyone can easily prevent stormwater pollution. Here are three easy ways:

  1. never dump anything down a storm drain;
  2. never fertilize before it rains; and
  3. wash your car at a commercial car wash or on your lawn.

Remember, only rain belongs in the storm drain!

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To see photos of the rain gardens, click here (PDF, 965KB)

 

 

 

 

Technical Documents

Public Education

Links of Interest

For more information on this project, please contact the City's consultant Anne Thomas at anne.thomas@tetratech.com.