From Helipad to Habitat!

Arundel Rivers Staff plants natives in one of the two station rain gardens.

This winter, the Arundel Rivers Restoration team tackled a project to improve stormwater management at the Southern District Police Station in Edgewater, bringing new life—and function—to the landscape.

The first big change? We removed an unusable, impervious helipad that was nearly three feet thick in some places. In its place, we created a grassy area that not only supports the Police Station’s seasonal events but also allows stormwater to soak into the ground instead of running off into nearby waterways.

But that’s just the beginning. On either side of the Station sit two rain gardens that had quietly filled with sediment over the past 20 years. To restore them to their original depth and effectiveness, we removed a significant amount of material—just the right amount to fill in the space left by the helipad removal. A win-win for sustainability!

Now that warmer weather has arrived, both rain gardens have been replanted with native herbaceous perennials and shrubs. These gardens are more than just beautiful—they play a vital role in capturing and filtering stormwater before it reaches Glebe Creek. They also provide important food and habitat for local pollinators and wildlife.

Ultimately, this project does more than improve the local landscape—it helps protect our oyster reef sanctuary in Glebe Bay by reducing the sediment and pollutants that might otherwise wash into the water. A greener, cleaner future starts right here in Edgewater!