We will increase stormwater infiltration & decrease run-off by caring for new street trees and creating a rain garden.
Leader
Judy Janda
Location
207 4th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11217
Our new GreenThumb community garden proposes:
1) to tend four just-planted oak street trees edging the garden to avoid soil compaction (a block from a subway stop) and to enhance stormwater infiltration (along with supporting the health of the trees), and
2) to construct and plant a rain garden on sloped land, in the garden space toward the Fourth Avenue fence, to reduce rain run-off into the sewer.
Garden members will care for the tree beds, construct the rain garden, tend to the native plants being grown out in our nursery, and plant them in the rain garden and tree beds at the end of the summer. Excavated gravel and soil from the rain garden preparation will be applied to the 20’ wide driveway arc easement to grade it to better direct stormwater run-off into the rain garden.
The trees and rain garden will be regularly watered from the hydrant during heat and drought and when the native perennials are planted.
In addition to community involvement (garden members are almost entirely nearby residents), neighborhood beautification, healthier trees and reducing stormwater run-off into the sewer, we anticipate a ripple effect of more and improved tree bed care as members bring home their better understanding of dos and don'ts of tree care and how green infrastructure can work to decrease street flooding and CSO into the nearby Canal.
Tree care will continue through summer into fall. An initial workday with 5-10 volunteers will loosen soil and add compost and water. Another workday of 5-10 volunteers will focus on fall bed planting and watering. The native plant propagation will need at least 2 workdays, with 5-10 volunteers for repotting and watering once after plugs are purchased and once a few weeks later. Rain garden preparation could take 2-3 workdays with 5-10 volunteers for this approximately 500 sq’ area –plus another 1-2 workdays for fall plant installation and watering. Garden members will provide additional watering as needed throughout the project.
We are caring for the new street trees outside the garden and creating a rain garden inside to aid in abating the serious environmental and health issue of heavy rain run-off on paved and compacted surfaces into the sewer. Stormwater mixes with regular building waste and roof run-off, which then overflows the sewer system and the contaminated water is then directed into the Gowanus Canal. In our opinion, it is better to create many means of storm water infiltration (various green infrastructure projects), than to construct giant underground holding tanks which would permit the rainwater to more slowly enter the sewer lines, avoid the overflow situation and be treated. NYC's treated drinking water, from the hydrant, contains added fluoride and chlorine that are deadly to the beneficial bacteria and elements of the living soil. Direct or collected rainwater used for all vegetation results in a healthier ecological system.