Before

A defunct and unusable helipad, sediment filled rain gardens, and dysfunctional swales - this is what Arundel Rivers staff observed upon their first visit to the Southern District Police Station in Edgewater. Officers expressed particular concern over the regular flooding of their back parking lot, creating sheets of ice and hazardous conditions for those at the station. Over the 20 years that the rain gardens stood at the station, they had filled in with soil, with little stormwater storage and treatment capacity left.

The two large rain gardens were excavated and restored to their original depths. The defunct helipad was removed and filled in with the material taken from the rain gardens. To enhance the flow of stormwater into the rain gardens, swales leading from the back parking lot were installed and/or repaired.

The grassy area that resides where the helipad once was now allows stormwater runoff to soak into the ground naturally. The rain gardens catch stormwater runoff, encourage the water to soak into the ground, and filter out pollutants before the water can continue flowing toward the South River. These practices are great ways to promote cleaner water entering our waterways while enhancing the habitat value of the site for local pollinators and wildlife.

After