Green Skatepark: Bringing Flood Prevention and Urban Rejuvenation to an Underserved Community
Team Members Heading link
- Angelo Blanche
- Ruth (Lu De) Ni
- Chris Schaal
Advisors: Dr. Christopher Burke, PE; Oksana Zurawel
Project Description Heading link
Chicago neighborhoods are at risk of basement flooding and other costly damage from above-average rainfall events because of poor infiltration and a lack of stormwater retention. Complicating factors include the lack of large parks and open spaces in many areas, which makes providing stormwater detention facilities without removing amenities a challenge.
This project’s goal is to battle the issue of urban flooding in the South Side area. For example, in the Parkway Gardens area on the South Side of Chicago, there have been at least 84 NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) claims made since 2000, totaling $1.1 million. The low-income population of this area, and the inordinate level of flood claims in this area compared to more affluent areas of the city, makes this an issue of environmental equity.
In order to mitigate this issue, a stormwater detention facility has been designed. Using LiDar data and municipal geographic information, a facility site was located that utilized natural terrain and maximized catchment area. Using StormCAD, SewerGEMS, and AutoCAD Civil 3D, a detention pond and separate stormwater sewer system were designed and assessed for cost and flood protection. A detention basin within a local park with a skatepark and other green infrastructure has been strategically designed to respond to this concern. The desired outcome is to reduce the likelihood of flooding in the local area with stormwater detention and infiltration.
Utilizing a novel design concept from Norway, the dry-bottom detention pond was designed to have a second purpose: that of a skate park for the enjoyment of local skateboarders. The idea has been presented to a local concrete design firm, Ozinga, to seek further development of a permeable concrete mix to fill in the non skating designated areas, by creating a detention pond that allows significant infiltration while still retaining its quality as a skate park. The design allows for the introduction of a unique park amenity in the South Side of Chicago while providing stormwater detention consistent with Chicago’s Stormwater Management Plan design criteria. This park’s design has the ultimate goal to serve its local community, making a lasting yet positive impact by alleviating flooding.