Project team

Head: Bellaire-Puritas Development Organization (BPDC)

Project description and goals

The project proposes enhancing a riparian area within the Chevy Branch of the Big Creek through the transformation of a vacant lot into a rain garden. Goals include decreasing the negative effects of storm water run-off, while simultaneously adding both ecological and aesthetic diversity into the urban area.

Existing conditions

The lot (parcel 023-11-054) measures 4,880 sq. ft, and sits along W. 131st St. in the Puritas-Longmead neighborhood. The site is residential, with a soon-to-be demolished structure existing on the lot.  The lot was chosen as it sits along the western edge of the Chevy Branch of the Big Creek.    

Proposed interventions

Through consultation with Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, a rain garden concept was developed to best serve the project’s goals of flood and erosion remediation.  Once the site’s structure is demolished, site preparation will commence along the highlands portion of the site with excavation of the rain garden to appropriate depth.  A berm will be built, with the strategic plantings coming next. The plants will be strategically chosen based on their native characteristics as well as their ability to thrive in wet areas.  With the installation of the site, the intent of the project is to help capture the storm run-off from nearby impervious surfaces before it enters the creek.    

Site maintenance

BPDC volunteers will be handling the majority of the maintenance, including weeding, organic mulching, and stabilizing the berm.  Watering—when needed—will be transported to the site from the creek.