Local Partners Celebrate Completion of Stormwater Restoration Project at Southern District Police Station

EDGEWATER, MD (June 9, 2026) — Arundel Rivers Federation, Anne Arundel County officials, and project partners gathered on Thursday, June 4, at the Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Southern District station to celebrate the completion of a stormwater restoration project that will improve local water quality, reduce flooding issues on site, and create new habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.

The project transformed underperforming stormwater management features on the property and removed a defunct helipad, replacing impervious surface with practices that better capture and treat runoff before it reaches Glebe Creek and the South River.

The project was a collaborative effort in partnership between Arundel Rivers Federation, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, Anne Arundel County’s Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration, Chesapeake Bay Trust, Severn Grove Ecological Design, and Maryland Reentry Resource Center’s Greenlift program.

"One of the most gratifying accomplishments during my time in office is that we've been able to complete so many environmental restoration projects with the support of our residents," said County Executive Steuart Pittman. "Because the public supports our work to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, that work will continue and we will create a healthier environment for all of us to live in."  

The project originated after Arundel Rivers staff visited the site in 2024 to evaluate its potential for a Unity Gardens project. During that visit, police personnel shared concerns about recurring stormwater issues on the property. The station’s large rain gardens had filled with sediment and were no longer functioning as designed, while deteriorated drainage swales caused stormwater to pool in the rear parking lot, creating safety hazards and damaging pavement during winter freeze-thaw cycles.

To address these challenges, contractors excavated and restored approximately 2,630 square feet of rain gardens to their original depths, removed roughly 1,800 square feet of impervious surface associated with the former helipad, and repaired or installed drainage swales to direct runoff into the restored treatment areas. More than 1,160 native plants were added to the site to improve habitat and enhance the performance of the rain gardens.

Funding for the project was provided through the Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration Grant Program, administered by the Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration, with support from the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Construction was completed in early 2025 by Severn Grove Ecological Design, with additional planting and maintenance support provided by Maryland Reentry Resource Center’s Greenlift program and community volunteers.

Beyond its environmental benefits, the project also creates opportunities for community engagement and environmental stewardship. The restored rain gardens have been planted throughout 2025 with native species by volunteers working alongside Arundel Rivers Federation. The site is also intended to support participation by youth in the Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Juvenile Justice Diversion Program, known as Fresh Start, which provides community service opportunities for young people accused of low-level or victimless offenses.

"Sometimes the most successful restoration projects spring to life organically from a simple idea," said Matt Johnston, Executive Director of Arundel Rivers. "What started out as a small wildflower planting project with our partners at Southern District Police Station quickly blossomed into a full-scale stormwater restoration project for the entire property. Now this project serves as an example of what's possible when community partners step up with the ideas, funding, and willingness to tackle big stormwater problems and protect our rivers and the Chesapeake Bay." 

A recording of the event can be found on the Anne Arundel County Youtube page at https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV.

Visit the project webpage to learn more about this project.