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UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM
<br /> Parking Lot Rainwater Gardens
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<br /> As the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum expanded its
<br /> facilities, stormwater runoff impacts from added parking lots was a
<br /> THE COMBINED BENEFIT OF
<br /> concern. Arboretum staff wanted to demonstrate how rainwater
<br /> PLANTS AND SOILS CREATES
<br /> gardens hold, clean, and filter stormwater, while being aesthetically
<br /> ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY pleasing.
<br /> STORMWATER FILTRATION SYSTEM
<br /> The gardens are planted with native plants that adapt to wet and dry
<br /> conditions. Sandy soil filters stormwater and removes sediments and
<br /> pollutants. Trees and shrubs along the edges distribute and slow the
<br /> flow. Ribbon curb along the edge indicates parking boundaries, but
<br /> also allows stormwater to sheet flow into the gardens.
<br /> Bonestroo designed the new parking lots and five rain gardens, which
<br /> treat runoff from at least the first 1.5 inches of rain. This"first flush"of
<br /> stormwater carries the majority of sediments and pollutants from the
<br /> parking lots. For heavy storms, a nearby holding pond receives excess
<br /> stormwater overFlow from the gardens, then treats and releases it into
<br /> nearby wetlands.
<br /> In addition to providing a scenic walk in from the parking lots, the
<br /> gardens improve water quality by preventing sediments and pollutants
<br /> from entering surface waters. They also help replenish groundwater
<br /> and prevent erosion. Even in their inaugural season, the rainwater
<br /> gardens successfully handled up to three inches of rain in a few hours.
<br /> �Bonestroo
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