Comments on: Pint-Sized Parks Make Safer Streets and Cleaner Rivers http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:43:57 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Whoa, Portland! http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-48092 Whoa, Portland! Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:39:13 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-48092 [NYC stands to get a piece of this R&D pie if it passes through full House and Senate...] http://www.commissionersam.com/node/3486 Posted Tue, 03/04/2008 Thanks to leadership by Congressman David Wu, a new bill has passed through the House Science and Technology Committee to expand funding for green streets research throughout Portland and the rest of the country. H.R. 5161, also known as The Green Transportation Infrastructure Research and Technology Transfer Act, will authorize research and educational programs on green infrastructure, such as bioswales, curb extensions, and sidewalk planters, which catch and filter runoff, naturally removing pollutants and recharging groundwater. This bill will fund research and educational programs at select University Transportation Centers, such as the Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium (OTREC), a partnership between Portland State University, Oregon State University, University of Oregon, and the Oregon Institute of Technology. Portland has won national praise for its innovative green streets designs that minimize the harmful effects of stormwater runoff and combined sewer overflows. Currently there are over 600 green streets facilities throughout the city. Congressman David Wu, chair of the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation for the House Science Committee, met with Sam in April to tour several of Portland's innovative green streets. Sam was invited by the Congressman to testify at a subcommittee hearing last May to share Portland's success with sustainable stormwater practices. [NYC stands to get a piece of this R&D pie if it passes through full House and Senate...]

http://www.commissionersam.com/node/3486
Posted Tue, 03/04/2008

Thanks to leadership by Congressman David Wu, a new bill has passed through the House Science and Technology Committee to expand funding for green streets research throughout Portland and the rest of the country.

H.R. 5161, also known as The Green Transportation Infrastructure Research and Technology Transfer Act, will authorize research and educational programs on green infrastructure, such as bioswales, curb extensions, and sidewalk planters, which catch and filter runoff, naturally removing pollutants and recharging groundwater.

This bill will fund research and educational programs at select University Transportation Centers, such as the Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium (OTREC), a partnership between Portland State University, Oregon State University, University of Oregon, and the Oregon Institute of Technology.

Portland has won national praise for its innovative green streets designs that minimize the harmful effects of stormwater runoff and combined sewer overflows. Currently there are over 600 green streets facilities throughout the city.

Congressman David Wu, chair of the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation for the House Science Committee, met with Sam in April to tour several of Portland's innovative green streets. Sam was invited by the Congressman to testify at a subcommittee hearing last May to share Portland's success with sustainable stormwater practices.

]]> By: daver http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-44724 daver Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:55:06 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-44724 That's a great idea. It hadn't occurred to me to actually build these pocket parks or greenstreets with the storm water runoff considerations built in. That's a great idea. It hadn't occurred to me to actually build these pocket parks or greenstreets with the storm water runoff considerations built in.

]]> By: Tommy http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-44723 Tommy Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:40:21 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-44723 The story does take rate of rainfall into account. Second paragraph, second sentence: " It can be triggered by as little as one tenth of an inch of rainfall IN ONE HOUR." (Caps are mine, obviously.) The story does take rate of rainfall into account. Second paragraph, second sentence: " It can be triggered by as little as one tenth of an inch of rainfall IN ONE HOUR." (Caps are mine, obviously.)

]]> By: Teresa http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-44596 Teresa Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:01:43 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-44596 City Council's passage of the resolution to create a citywide sustainable stormwater plan marks a significant win for Storm Water Infrastructure Matters (SWIM), a coalition of more than 50 organizations dedicated to ensuring swimmable waters around New York City through natural, sustainable storm water management practices in our neighborhoods. To learn more about SWIM or to get involved, check out www.swimmablenyc.org Great piece! City Council's passage of the resolution to create a citywide sustainable stormwater plan marks a significant win for Storm Water Infrastructure Matters (SWIM), a coalition of more than 50 organizations dedicated to ensuring swimmable waters around New York City through natural, sustainable storm water management practices in our neighborhoods.

To learn more about SWIM or to get involved, check out http://www.swimmablenyc.org

Great piece!

]]> By: dbs http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-44593 dbs Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:52:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-44593 Great piece. Stormwater capture has multiple benefits that deserve greater exploration. One additional benefit of improving stormwater capture is reduced flooding risk, not only on streets and in homes, but on our subterrain transportation network. As the August 8, 2007 Storm Report (http://www.mta.info/mta/news/releases/?en=070920-HQ65) points out, the following green technologies need to be explored to prevent future flooding: • Blue roofs/green roofs to capture and/or detain runoff from buildings adjacent to the identified sites • Tree pits designed to retain water for absorption by trees • Greening and use of porous pavement in area parking lots • Possible enhancement of nearby green spaces to retain more storm water Great piece.

Stormwater capture has multiple benefits that deserve greater exploration. One additional benefit of improving stormwater capture is reduced flooding risk, not only on streets and in homes, but on our subterrain transportation network.

As the August 8, 2007 Storm Report (http://www.mta.info/mta/news/releases/?en=070920-HQ65) points out, the following green technologies need to be explored to prevent future flooding:
• Blue roofs/green roofs to capture and/or detain runoff from buildings adjacent to the identified sites
• Tree pits designed to retain water for absorption by trees
• Greening and use of porous pavement in area parking lots
• Possible enhancement of nearby green spaces to retain more storm water

]]> By: Sam Clifford http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-44591 Sam Clifford Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:50:47 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-44591 This is a fantastic idea. Combining high-albedo pavement with these drainage programs would be perfect for tropical and sub-tropical cities. This is a fantastic idea. Combining high-albedo pavement with these drainage programs would be perfect for tropical and sub-tropical cities.

]]> By: ln http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-44576 ln Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:52:35 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-44576 There's training available from the parks dept that will make you legally able to garden in greenstreets. However, theres no help or support to actually carry it out, no way to have compost or woodchips delivered, no offers of plants, tools or seeds, and no easy way to make these greenstreets more green or facilitate a way to make these greenstreets 'belong' to community caretakers. Instead the parks dept hires outside contractors (over $2000 a tree!) to dump in soon to be rat infested ivy, toss in baby trees into some terrible dirt with no thoughts of follow up or maintainance. If this was done in partnership with communities, teaching them gardening and giving the materials to maintain the greenstreets, they could be success. Its next to impossible for a community group to green their neighborhood without corporate sponsorship, which isnt available to all 'hoods. There's training available from the parks dept that will make you legally able to garden in greenstreets. However, theres no help or support to actually carry it out, no way to have compost or woodchips delivered, no offers of plants, tools or seeds, and no easy way to make these greenstreets more green or facilitate a way to make these greenstreets 'belong' to community caretakers.

Instead the parks dept hires outside contractors (over $2000 a tree!) to dump in soon to be rat infested ivy, toss in baby trees into some terrible dirt with no thoughts of follow up or maintainance. If this was done in partnership with communities, teaching them gardening and giving the materials to maintain the greenstreets, they could be success. Its next to impossible for a community group to green their neighborhood without corporate sponsorship, which isnt available to all 'hoods.

]]> By: Mitch http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-44574 Mitch Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:37:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-44574 In my part of the world, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_garden" rel="nofollow">rain gardens</a> are pretty hot; they are green spaces that are specifically engineered to channel runoff into the soil. There is one <a href="http://www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/stormwater/Adams_street.htm" rel="nofollow">example</a> not far from my house where several gardens were put into the strip between the sidewalk and the street. I haven't gone out during a rainstorm to verify that the gardens divert rain from the storm sewers, but as far as I know, they do reduce runoff. In my part of the world, rain gardens are pretty hot; they are green spaces that are specifically engineered to channel runoff into the soil. There is one example not far from my house where several gardens were put into the strip between the sidewalk and the street. I haven't gone out during a rainstorm to verify that the gardens divert rain from the storm sewers, but as far as I know, they do reduce runoff.

]]> By: Carter Craft http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-44567 Carter Craft Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:21:45 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-44567 The numbers i've seen are a rate of "as little as 1/10 inch per HOUR." Obviously this varies according to what sewershed you are in. NYC has 14 different sewersheds-each feeding to one of the 14 sewage treatment plants in the 5 boros. Places like the north shore of Staten Island it may take a lot more to trigger an overflow becasue the landcover in that area may be 50-70% vegetation. In places like along the Bronx River it could be a smaller amount because so much of the surrounding area is a) rooftops and b) streets and sidewalks. A LOT of Manhattan actually sends its sewage over to Brooklyn, pumping it under the East River to the Newtown Creek facility.... Check out this guide at the Lower East Side Ecology Center: http://www.lesecologycenter.org/pdf/citizens_guide_CSO.pdf Also The Riverkeeper report at http://www.riverkeeper.org/campaign.php/pollution/the_facts/986 has more information too... The numbers i've seen are a rate of "as little as 1/10 inch per HOUR." Obviously this varies according to what sewershed you are in. NYC has 14 different sewersheds-each feeding to one of the 14 sewage treatment plants in the 5 boros. Places like the north shore of Staten Island it may take a lot more to trigger an overflow becasue the landcover in that area may be 50-70% vegetation. In places like along the Bronx River it could be a smaller amount because so much of the surrounding area is a) rooftops and b) streets and sidewalks. A LOT of Manhattan actually sends its sewage over to Brooklyn, pumping it under the East River to the Newtown Creek facility.... Check out this guide at the Lower East Side Ecology Center: http://www.lesecologycenter.org/pdf/citizens_guide_CSO.pdf

Also The Riverkeeper report at http://www.riverkeeper.org/campaign.php/pollution/the_facts/986 has more information too...

]]> By: ps http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-44566 ps Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:07:30 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-44566 thanks Jonathan. it's important not to miss the forest for the combined sewer overflow (CSO) thanks Jonathan. it's important not to miss the forest for the combined sewer overflow (CSO)

]]> By: Greg Raisman http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-44565 Greg Raisman Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:05:41 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-44565 For what it's worth, here's Portland's web page on Green Streets. It includes engineering drawings, site evaluations, photos, and everything else you'd ever want to know about Green Streets in Portland. http://www.portlandonline.com/BES/index.cfm?c=44407& Enjoy. Greg For what it's worth, here's Portland's web page on Green Streets. It includes engineering drawings, site evaluations, photos, and everything else you'd ever want to know about Green Streets in Portland.

http://www.portlandonline.com/BES/index.cfm?c=44407&amp;

Enjoy.
Greg

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-44563 Jonathan Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:55:31 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-44563 ps, excellent idea! ps, excellent idea!

]]> By: Ben Fried http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-44562 Ben Fried Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:33:08 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-44562 "Does a mere 0.1 inches of rain really trigger CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow)? And isn't it a question of *rate* as well as *volume*, thus making this statement problematic unless a time period is also specified?" Some of the literature I came across said that as little as 1/20th of an inch can trigger it. But I didn't take rate into account, so you're right, perhaps "every time" should be amended. "Does a mere 0.1 inches of rain really trigger CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow)? And isn't it a question of *rate* as well as *volume*, thus making this statement problematic unless a time period is also specified?"

Some of the literature I came across said that as little as 1/20th of an inch can trigger it. But I didn't take rate into account, so you're right, perhaps "every time" should be amended.

]]> By: ps http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-44560 ps Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:28:44 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-44560 greenstreets should go big and convert three parking spaces on every block in the city into pocket parks. and while we are on the topic, PlaNYC's 1 million new trees initiative is great, but since most of them are being planted on sidewalks, that is thousands of acres of precious sidewalk space lost. why not plant trees in parking spaces instead? greenstreets should go big and convert three parking spaces on every block in the city into pocket parks. and while we are on the topic, PlaNYC's 1 million new trees initiative is great, but since most of them are being planted on sidewalks, that is thousands of acres of precious sidewalk space lost. why not plant trees in parking spaces instead?

]]> By: Charles Komanoff http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-44559 Charles Komanoff Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:24:33 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-44559 Does a mere 0.1 inches of rain really trigger CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow)? And isn't it a question of *rate* as well as *volume*, thus making this statement problematic unless a time period is also specified? Does a mere 0.1 inches of rain really trigger CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow)? And isn't it a question of *rate* as well as *volume*, thus making this statement problematic unless a time period is also specified?

]]> By: rlb http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/comment-page-1/#comment-44557 rlb Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:14:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/#comment-44557 Greenstreets is admirable for their environmental efforts. Calling them pint-sized parks is inaccurate, however, as I can think of no greenstreets that allow for their use by human beings. On the contrary, they frequently occupy valuable sidewalk space and leave very little for the pedestrian. The most frustrating example of this which comes to mind is the large greenstreet on Houston between first and A. What would have been an ideal place for a plaza like setting is instead an oppressively fenced in mini jungle which leaves behind narrow isolating sidewalks on either side of it. It may be environmentally sound, but it mars the pedestrian experience. Let's see if we can do both, Greenstreets. Greenstreets is admirable for their environmental efforts. Calling them pint-sized parks is inaccurate, however, as I can think of no greenstreets that allow for their use by human beings. On the contrary, they frequently occupy valuable sidewalk space and leave very little for the pedestrian. The most frustrating example of this which comes to mind is the large greenstreet on Houston between first and A. What would have been an ideal place for a plaza like setting is instead an oppressively fenced in mini jungle which leaves behind narrow isolating sidewalks on either side of it. It may be environmentally sound, but it mars the pedestrian experience.
Let's see if we can do both, Greenstreets.

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