All I can say is wow. First, some terminology I just learned. A "greenway" is a a shared-use path, often in the form of a linear park, located along a strip of undeveloped land, typically set aside for recreational use or environmental protection (in this case it's both). A "daylighted" stream is a formerly buried watercourse that has been restored to more natural conditions.
In this instance, urban areas of Cincinnati (like lots of cities) have a problem with combined sewer overflows (CSO's). In certain areas stormwater is diverted into the same sewer lines as domestic sewage and industrial waste. During periods of heavy rain or snowmelt, the water volume in these combined sewer systems can exceed the capacity of the sewer system or the water treatment plant. When that happens, the combined sewer system sends the overflow, which includes untreated raw sewage and industrial waste, directly into nearby streams and rivers.
For the park opened today in Cincinnati, the stormwater was previously directed into a giant underground creek (i.e., a sewer pipe) that ran under the South Fairmont neighborhood and emptied into the Mill Creek (which feeds into the Ohio River). This new park now includes an above ground stream that always has flowing water but will also receive stormwater, thereby keeping the stormwater out of the sewer system. It eliminates 400 million gallons of CSO's from flowing untreated into the Mill Creek. But they also included a beautiful park, walking path, and recreational areas along with it. In my opinion, they knocked it out of the stadium.
In this instance, urban areas of Cincinnati (like lots of cities) have a problem with combined sewer overflows (CSO's). In certain areas stormwater is diverted into the same sewer lines as domestic sewage and industrial waste. During periods of heavy rain or snowmelt, the water volume in these combined sewer systems can exceed the capacity of the sewer system or the water treatment plant. When that happens, the combined sewer system sends the overflow, which includes untreated raw sewage and industrial waste, directly into nearby streams and rivers.
For the park opened today in Cincinnati, the stormwater was previously directed into a giant underground creek (i.e., a sewer pipe) that ran under the South Fairmont neighborhood and emptied into the Mill Creek (which feeds into the Ohio River). This new park now includes an above ground stream that always has flowing water but will also receive stormwater, thereby keeping the stormwater out of the sewer system. It eliminates 400 million gallons of CSO's from flowing untreated into the Mill Creek. But they also included a beautiful park, walking path, and recreational areas along with it. In my opinion, they knocked it out of the stadium.
Lick Run Greenway flows in South Fairmount. Cincinnati shows off $100 million stormwater project and park
For most of the 20th Century, Lick Run creek ran under a Cincinnati neighborhood in a giant sewer pipe.
www.cincinnati.com