Liberty Park Storm Water Grant Projects

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) Grant Projects

Liberty Township is home to a Storm Water Demonstration Site! This unique storm water demonstration project showcases a variety of green techniques to manage storm water runoff using visually appealing examples. Ten demonstration areas show how Low Impact Development techniques work and provide examples that developers, planners and land managers can see in action!

Signage

Park visitors can see the visual impact of the new, native plantings and are learning about the techniques used and their importance to the environment on ten different signs located throughout the park.

Protection of Restoration Area

To protect the stream restoration area, Liberty Township has placed 25 acres of stream-side woods into a permanent conservation easement to prevent development on this upstream area. A 5-acre deep rooted prairie was also created on a hill overlooking the stream, further exemplifying land conservation practices that promote water quality.

Reducing Storm Water Runoff & Overall Water Volume

This project shows multiple techniques that help reduce the overall volume of water running off of the site and help reduce nutrient and silt loading to natural waterways. The project reduces storm water runoff from impervious surfaces like ball courts and parking areas with the goals to decrease the volume of water runoff by 20%, the ability to provide on-site capture of water from up to a 3/4-inch rainfall event and a measurable reduction in sediment, phosphorus and nitrogen loads, which in elevated levels are harmful to habitat and aquatic life. Wildcat Run Tributary feeds into the Olentangy River which is classified by the OEPA in this area as "exceptional warm water habitat."

Channel Designs

The main stem of Wildcat Run was restored using a constructed "natural channel" design. The deeply incised channel was relocated and raised to better connect the stream with the surrounding floodplain, with meanders and stone "step-pools" to slowly drop water to the elevation of a culvert beneath Liberty Road. A streamside buffer of deep-rooted vegetation protects the restore stream.

The southern tributary to Wildcat Run was restored using a "self-forming channel" natural design. A 40-foot wide and nearly level floodplain was graded and seeded with native plans, and water is allowed to form its own channel over time. The new floodplain is broad and flat allowing rain water to spread out and soak into the ground.

Drainage Swale

The drainage swale from the Park pond was widened, with more meanders and stone check-dams to slow water velocity between the Park pond and the main channel of Wildcat Run. Vegetation along the swale was expanded to help soak water into the ground, trap sediment and nutrient pollution associated with storm water.

Techniques

Green storm water techniques demonstrated at Liberty Park include two types of pervious pavement systems, several configurations of bio-retention basins, infiltration trenches planted with trees and grasses, and a rain harvesting tank that supplies a drip irrigation system for a residential-style rain garden. Bio-retention basins are constructed using variations of native and engineered soil, some with underdrains for additional storage capacity.

Come out to Liberty Park and see our conservation efforts in action!!