park river watershed revitalization initiative

Vision

Green infrastructure restores nature in urban and suburban watersheds. Waterways such as Trout Brook and Piper Brook carry stormwater run-off and its pollutants into the Park River. Municipal governments, institutions, and homeowners can improve local water quality by implementing “green infrastructure” to reduce run-off from parking lots, roadways, and rooftops that can flood the storm drain system. Green infrastructure, such as stream buffers, rain gardens, and green roofs can help control the cost of stormwater management with attractive landscape features. When urban landscapes are designed to absorb rain water on-site, the result is naturally cleaner waterways and a revitalized urban watershed. Green infrastructure can be employed at any level: state agencies, municipal governments, institutions, corporations, and even homeowners can help urban waterways with on-site stormwater management features. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/greeninfrastructure.

Recently the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) has developed a Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP) to reduce the impact of Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) discharges into the Connecticut River via the Park River and Wethersfield Cove. The fundamental purpose of the LTCP is to improve water quality by updating aged sewer infrastructure. The Ct Dept of Environmental Protection will oversee this historic project. Increased public awareness about the value of water; water conservation; the problem of nonpoint source pollution; the need to protect wetlands along waterways; and the role of urban design within the MDC LTCP will increase the success of the design and construction process. 

For more information about the MDC Long Term Control Plan contact: Melissa Bengtson, MDC Community Affairs Assistant, phone: 860.278.7850, ext. 3221 Email: mbengtson@themdc.com, website: www.themdc.com and http://www.thecleanwaterproject.com/

Working collaboratively over the past year, Eastern Ct RC& D, CRCOG, the Knox Parks Foundation City of Hartford, USDA-National Resources Conservation Service, Hartford Areas Rally Together, Behind the Rocks/Southwest neighborhood, and other partners have developed a proposal for the Park River Greenway, South Branch Trail.

Democracy and the Park River: an interpretation of the MDC LTCP: Gregory Tuzzulo
Through Bushnell Park: Lauren M. Todd UMASS LARP greenways studio autumn 2004