Mill Creek MetroParks to Improve Lily Pond Parking Lot
Mill Creek MetroParks is commencing a project to rehabilitate the existing Lily Pond parking lot. The project goals include reducing impervious pavement areas, adding natural habitat, and improving water quality before stormwater reaches Lily Pond and Frog Pond.
The project will introduce permeable pavers and a bioswale within the parking lot and a biofiltration area adjacent to the Frog Pond. Adding permeable pavers, swales and ponds, organic soil material, gravel areas and native plant species to this facility will enable the site to absorb and reduce the volume and velocity of stormwater. Sediments and pollutants will also be filtered from the stormwater. These new areas will significantly improve water quality, increase native species and wildlife habitat, and create an appealing feature within a prominent area of Mill Creek Park.
Mill Creek MetroParks has been awarded a Surface Water Improvement Fund (SWIF) grant through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) for this project. The SWIF grant will cover 100% of the costs for the rehabilitation of the parking lot and construction of the biofiltration areas. Mill Creek MetroParks has committed various in-kind services to further enhance the project.
Construction is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 25, 2016, with the project expected to be completed within forty-five (45) days. The Lily Pond will be closed throughout the duration of the project.
Additional information can be obtained by calling Mill Creek MetroParks at 330-702-3000.