Detroit, Detroit (FUA), United States
City population: 4048421
Duration: 2015 – 2015
Implementation status: Completed
Scale: Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)
Project area: 464.5 m2
Type of area: Public Greenspace Area
Last updated: October 2024

In 2015, The Greening of Detroit and the Joy-Southfield Community Development Corporation collaboratively installed a bioswale in Stein Park, Detroit, as part of a broader effort to mitigate flooding in the Cody Rouge neighborhood. The area, particularly affected by heavy rains and flooding due to its proximity to the Rouge River, suffered significantly during the 2014 Great Flood, highlighting the need for improved stormwater management. The bioswale, a Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) feature, was designed to capture and infiltrate up to 6,000 gallons of stormwater, diverting it from the city’s aging combined sewer system. By reducing the risk of sewer overflows, this installation also decreases the flow of untreated water into local waterways. Funded by an $83,000 Kresge Foundation grant, the bioswale incorporates a mixture of native plants, prairie wildflowers, and ornamental grasses to filter sediment and pollutants. In addition to stormwater management, the project aims to enhance community engagement and economic revitalization. Students from Cody DIT High School's Green Team participated in the planting and design process, learning valuable skills in landscape architecture and green infrastructure. The project also ties into the Joy-Southfield CDC's vision of establishing a "green zone" to promote community safety, economic growth, and environmental stewardship. Future plans include further green infrastructure development, such as additional bioswales and a parking lot with pervious pavers, contributing to Cody Rouge’s transformation into a model neighborhood for green development. This project not only addresses urgent environmental concerns but also fosters community pride, safety, and economic opportunities, positioning the neighborhood as a leader in Detroit’s green infrastructure movement. (Ref.1-4)

Bioswale at Stein park
Bioswale at Stein park
Ref.1

Overview

Nature-based solution

  • Green areas for water management
  • Swales and filter strips

Key challenges

  • Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
  • Climate change adaptation
  • Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
  • Green space creation and/or management
  • Habitat and biodiversity restoration
  • Water management (SDG 6)
  • Flood protection
  • Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
  • Improvements to water quality
  • Health and well-being (SDG 3)
  • Creation of opportunities for recreation
  • Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
  • Environmental education
  • Sense of community and community engagement

Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)

  • Climate-Related Hazards
  • Urban flooding (stormwater)
  • Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
  • Disconnection from nature
  • Poor community engagement

Key priorities

Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Social Justice and community

Focus

Maintenance and management of urban nature, Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks), Creation of semi-natural blue areas, Implementation of green areas for water management (e.g. rain gardens), Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs

Project objectives

To improve stormwater management and mitigate flooding by capturing and infiltrating up to 6,000 gallons of stormwater, reducing street and basement flooding risks and preventing combined sewer overflows, which will help minimize untreated water and pollutant flow into the Rouge and Detroit rivers. To enhance the local environment by establishing a functional, attractive landscape with native and ornamental vegetation that filters stormwater, removing sediment and trash before it reaches natural water systems. To contribute to community revitalization by transforming Stein Park into a welcoming space for recreation and public use. To engage local youth through hands-on experience in green infrastructure and environmental stewardship with the Cody DIT High School’s Green Team. To promote long-term sustainable development in the neighborhood by expanding green infrastructure through additional bioswales and eco-friendly features. (Ref.1-4)

Implementation activities

The project commenced with site preparation, where construction crews dug trenches and created curb cuts to effectively direct stormwater flow into the bioswale. This initial step was essential for allowing water to gravity-feed into the filtration system, setting the stage for successful stormwater management. Next, a three-foot filter strip was installed using ornamental grasses, designed to filter out sediment and trash from the incoming stormwater. This feature ensures that only clean water passes through to the infiltration system, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the bioswale. The bioswale itself was constructed as a bowl-shaped landscape, purposefully designed to collect and infiltrate stormwater. The trough of the bioswale was filled with a mix of prairie wildflowers, while the surrounding areas were planted with native trees and shrubs. These additions not only support stormwater filtration but also enrich the local ecosystem. Students from Cody DIT High School’s Green Team were actively engaged in the planting process, helping to install the native vegetation while learning about green infrastructure design. This hands-on experience was part of an educational initiative aimed at involving local youth in environmental projects, fostering a sense of stewardship for their community. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the bioswale, ongoing maintenance planning was integrated into the project from the outset. (Ref.1-4)

Climate-focused activities

Climate change adaptation:

  • Implement sustainable urban drainage schemes to manage stormwater

Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities

Biodiversity restoration:

  • Restore native species

Main beneficiaries

  • Citizens or community groups
  • Young people and children
  • Marginalized groups: Children, young people or youth groups

Governance

Management set-up

  • Led by non-government actors

Type of initiating organisation

  • Non-government organisation/civil society
  • Private sector/corporate actor/company

Participatory approaches/ community involvement

  • Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
  • Dissemination of information and education
  • Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
  • Co-management/Joint management

Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project

Giffels-Webster Engineering designed the bioswale, ensuring it met environmental and stormwater management goals. The Greening of Detroit co-led the installation with the Joy-Southfield Community Development Corporation, which actively oversaw maintenance and engaged the local community. The Joy-Southfield Community Development Corporation was crucial in co-implementing the bioswale as part of broader neighborhood revitalization efforts. Funding of $83,000 from the Kresge Foundation supported improvements, including solar-powered LED lights and sidewalk repairs. Cody DIT High School contributed to the project's educational aspect by having students from the Green Team participate in hands-on planting activities.(Ref.1-4)

Project implemented in response to ...

... an EU policy or strategy? Unknown
... a national policy or strategy? Unknown
... a local policy or strategy? Unknown

Type of enablers

NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation

Financing

Total cost

€50,000 - €100,000

Source(s) of funding

  • Private Foundation/Trust

Type of funding

  • Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)

Non-financial contribution

Type of non-financial contribution
  • Provision of land
  • Provision of labour
  • Provision of expertise
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
  • Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
  • Citizens (e.g. volunteering)

Impacts and Monitoring

Environmental impacts

  • Water management and blue areas
  • Improved stormwater management
  • Expected improved stormwater management
  • Green space and habitat
  • Increased green space area
  • Achieved increased green space area
  • Increased number of species present
  • Expected increased number of species present
  • Increased spread of native/heirloom/open-pollinated seed
  • Achieved increased spread of native/heirloom/open-pollinated seed

Economic impacts

  • Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
  • Achieved generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
  • Attraction of business and investment
  • Expected attraction of business and investment

Socio-cultural impacts

  • Cultural heritage and sense of place
  • Increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
  • Achieved increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging
  • Increased appreciation for natural spaces
  • Achieved increased appreciation for natural spaces
  • Education
  • Increased support for education and scientific research
  • Achieved increased support for education and scientific research

Type of reported impacts

Presence of formal monitoring system

Unknown

Presence of indicators used in reporting

No evidence in public records

Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs

Unknown

References

1.
The Greening of Detroit (n.d.). Stein Park Bioswale - Cody Rouge Neighborhood. Accessed on September 13, 2024, [Source link];
2.
detroit stormwater hub (2023). Stein Park bioswale. Accessed on September 13, 2024, [Source link];
3.
Sands, D. (2015). How Cody Rouge is becoming Detroit's leading neighborhood for green infrastructure. modeldmedia, Accessed on September 13, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Allnutt, B. (2016). Detroit high school students learn how to build green infrastructure in Cody Rouge's Stein Park. modeldmedia, Accessed on September 13, 2024, [Source link];
5.
Data driven Detriot (2012). Cody Rouge Neighborhood Profile. Accessed on September 13, 2024, [Source link];
6.
The Kresge Foundation (2015). Kresge initiative backs 18 Detroit neighboood revitalization projects. Accessed on September 13, 2024, [Source link];
Construction of the bioswale at Stein park
Construction of the bioswale at Stein park
Ref.1
Stein Park
Stein Park
https://www.greeningofdetroit.com/stein-park-bioswale
Stein Park
Stein Park
https://www.greeningofdetroit.com/stein-park-bioswale
Stein Park
Stein Park
https://www.greeningofdetroit.com/stein-park-bioswale
Stein Park
Stein Park
https://www.greeningofdetroit.com/stein-park-bioswale
naturescapes bannerInformation about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.