With 42 acres of land with no drainage, RBJ Schlegel needed a drainage design that was cost effective and aesthetically pleasing
The RBJ Schlegel (RBJS) Park is a standout example of how the City of Kitchener is leading Ontario municipalities in its handling of stormwater runoff. Their goal for this park was to maintain existing gravel infiltration conditions, support their low impact development (LID) policy, and have a stormwater runoff design that allowed for free play within the park. The City reached out to us for help.
Our team came up with a plan for storm events, using large informal spaces for stormwater infiltration. We designed a rock trench to keep the pond area dry and included rain gardens in the parking lots to prevent surface infiltration designs from impacting park enjoyment. Instead of removing trees from the park’s play sites, we removed parking spaces and enlarged the gardens. This resulted in more trees planted and better-looking stormwater runoff areas. These areas are dry ponds when not affected by storm events, acting as open space that can be used for informal play, picnicking, and other park activities.
While the project is still under construction, the LID design for RBJS Park reflects a reality that will save the City money. It replaces a costly water outlet with an expansive stormwater pond and beautiful rain gardens that meet—if not exceed—water infiltration requirements without obstructing play.
At a Glance
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- City of Kitchener
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