August 2015 – The first Low Impact Development (LID) demonstration project of the Glen Cairn Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan (SNAP) was installed at YFC London on June 22. Two connected bioswales were designed to capture and treat runoff from the YFC London rear parking lot. A bioswale is an open, vegetated channel that can store water for up to 24 hours after a rainfall, so the water can infiltrate into the soil as it flows through. At YFC London, runoff from the parking lot will flow through both bioswales as it soaks into the ground, and any overflow from a large storm is directed to a storm sewer. The bioswales have been planted with a selection of plants that thrive in alternately wet and dry environments, and which act to stabilize the soil, slow water flow, assist in water infiltration, and create a beautiful landscape feature.

Community business partners, youth participants from YFC London, and students from Princess Elizabeth Public School helped plant and mulch the bioswales. The project was funded by the RBC Bluewater Project, London Community Foundation, Environment Canada, Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, City of London, and the UTRCA.

Click for more information on LID, as well as videos and photos of the demonstration site.

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