FEATURE
C A S E S T U DY
Strategies for Environmentally Sustainable Water Management Site Conditions By Christopher McGinty, Superintendent, Parks Maintenance, City of Framingham, MA
Introduction As Superintendent of Parks, one of my critical responsibilities is to negotiate and partner with various city committees, accounting for a variety of viewpoints. When we begin to develop a project, we need to assess how the project will impact the surrounding environment of the area, as well as the most effective ways to work with groups in our city to support an environmentally sustainable approach. To construct and maintain the project, we work closely with the local Conservation Commission and strive to complete both an environmentally and economically responsible project. The needs of the city necessitated an increase in the footprint of our athletic facilities (e.g., football stadium, tennis courts). Working with the Conservation Commission, we determined that the only way we could increase our facilities’ footprint, while meeting wetland regulations, would be to install pervious pavement.
Pervious pavement at the football stadium parking lot.
22 • New England BLADE • Winter 2023
• School and park facilities are in close proximity to wetland areas. Existing tennis courts were approved and grandfathered in well before the current wetland regulations were enacted. • Roads are close to nearby waterbodies. The back of the high school property drops off into the Sudbury river. After a rain event, water often overflows into these sensitive areas.
Problem • Polluted water from impervious road surfaces leaches into the nearby waterbodies, presenting continual threats to water quality. • High levels of coliform bacteria (related to geese populations) and calcium chloride (related to snow removal) are an issue. • Litter accumulates and becomes both a pollutant and an ongoing maintenance challenge (e.g., clogged drains). • Runoff from fertilizers and other products used at city recreational facilities and residential properties near waterbodies is also a concern. • Cleaning the storm drains near the recreational areas, parking lots, and at the river edge is a challenge. Water from rain events needs to drain properly.
A repurposed buffer area to support water movement and drainage.
