Reid  Coffman, Associate Professor, Kent State University

Mehdi Shahidi-Anvar, Graduate Student, University of Oklahoma

Track: How-to

Abstract

Greenfield suburban development can load public reservoirs with sediment and pollutants perpetuating the need for innovative practices that are both functional and acceptable to community residents. Trailwoods Greenstreet, a project in Norman, Oklahoma, utilizes dryland rain gardens designed to improve stormwater quality while providing an aesthetic amenity for the community.  The project aims to reduce stormwater runoff while simultaneously providing a sense of place.

Inspired by the dryland prairies and riparian forests of Oklahoma, the project echoes the surrounding natural context, calling attention to the beauty and movement of the hydrological process through showy dryland forbs, grasses, and trees on a neighborhood scale.  The gardens contain over seventeen native and non-native drought tolerant species planted through three different themed areas: prairie, parkland and forest. Highly successful dryland plants include Russian Sage, Artemisia, Cedar Elm, Daylily and Mexican Primrose, which thrive in the garden’s engineered rain garden media.

During the establishment period, the gardens were stewarded by a graduate assistant for weeding and pruning. In its transition to homeowner stewardship the community has been encouraged to become involved with maintenance. A homeowner survey is underway and workshops are being conducted to educate homeowners about low-impact development techniques through rain garden maintenance.