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Stormwater Projects

Orient Avenue Raingardens:Potted plants on sidewalk, ready for planting in rain garden

Three separate raingardens were installed along Orient Ave. in June of 2021. The raingardens are Best Management Practices (BMPs) under the City’s EPA NPDES MS4 stormwater permit. The structures are designed for optimal stormwater filtration to remove pollutants from street runoff and to reduce flooding. Hardy plants native to NeNewly-planted rain garden between sidewalk and streetw England, such as coneflower and aster, were used.

 

 

 

 

 

 

City Hall Parking Lot Redevelopment:Large puddle in City Hall parking lot covering more than one parking space

The City Hall parking lot redevelopment will consist of installing green infrastructure in order to remediate flooding in the lot. Currently, the lot floods frequently, catch basins overflow, and ponded water collects oils and other pollutants. The project will regrade the parking lot area so that it drains more efficiently. Raingardens and pervious pavers will be installed to capture and treat stormwater. Excess stormwater will be discharged via an overflow pipe to the City’s drainage system. The project will also include a public education component, allowing those using or passing through the parking lot to learn about green infrastructure and its purpose. The City has applied for a Section 319 grant from MADEP to partially fund this project.

Puddle covering large area of City Hall parking lot

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ell Pond Feasibility Study:

The Ell Pond Feasibility Study includes a site analysis, layout options, and preliminary costs for a comprehensive renovation of the recreational facilities in and around Ell Pond Park. Work began in March 2020.

The overall scope of improvements studied include the following:

  • Add lights to the tennis courtsEll Pond Park Tennis Courts surrounded by green lawn
  • Install synthetic turf to playing fields
  • Add parking
  • Install new water services to the East Knoll, Memorial Knoll, and West Knoll complexes
  • Install a well for irrigationSummer view of Ell Pond with lush green trees, shrubs, and lily pads
  • Construct an ADA-accessible trail around Ell Pond
  • Construct a new bike path parallel to Lynn Fells Parkway from Tremont Street to Melrose/Crystal Street
  • Construct green infrastructure improvements
  • Install an outdoor workout area and a locker/storage area
  • Provide water bottle filling stations

 

 

 

 

Ell Pond Tree Filters:

The Ell Pond Tree Filters project is a proposal to install seven (7) tree box filters with new trees to capture and treat run off to reduce pollutants from entering Ell Pond. The tree box filters would be installed on streets that drain towards the pond. In recent years, the decline in water quality in Ell Pond has been directly linked to untreated stormwater discharge from surrounding streets in the watershed. Specifically, the spread of European Water Chestnut in the pond has become a concern.

Tree box filter with newly-planted trees and plants, nestled between sidewalk and stone curbThis project would provide stormwater infiltration, effectively reducing the flow of contaminants such as salt, sand, pet waste, oil, and trash into the pond. The proposed tree filters are an innovative design used in another community which provide infiltration for an affordable cost. This project promotes social cohesion through improvements to a public space that is enjoyed by many Melrose residents. The City applied for a grant to fund this work, but it was not awarded. The City is currently investigating other funding opportunities.