Environmental Services staff are completing the Spring Garden Park Project to daylight a tributary of Tryon Creek by planting native trees, shrubs and wetland species.

This part of the tributary was put into a pipe over 75 years ago, but neighbors of the park envisioned a natural area. Since the storm pipe was failing, Environmental Services designed a series of wetland pools to slow and evaporate stormwater on its way to Tryon Creek. The daylighted stream and stormwater runoff from the park now flow through five connecting rain gardens that allow water to soak into the ground as soil and plants filter pollutants. The orange construction fence will be left in place until spring 2014 when the grass regrows.

The wetland pools after heavy September rains, prior to planting. 

Native trees and shrubs being planted in wetland. 

Staff work to plant native species.

The approach is a cost-effective way to manage stormwater while also providing a natural area that can provide access to nature and habitat for wildlife. You can learn more about Spring Garden Park Project here, and more about the Tryon Creek Watershed projects here.