Gipson Play Plaza

Gipson Play Plaza: Where a Stream is More than Just a Stream

The Gipson Play Plaza is a magical place for kids and their families. It’s also beneficial to our environment! 

You may have heard of the term Green Stormwater Infrastructure, or GSI. It’s at work here. 

 

Here’s one way to think of it: Areas of Gipson Play Plaza act as a “sponge” to hold stormwater runoff on site until it can slowly be sent downstream. A small stream runs along the plaza through a garden, under a pedestrian bridge, and to a stormwater wetland pond before  slowly releasing excess water downstream to Rocky Branch, which flows into Walnut Creek. 

 

“Raleigh is developing quickly and we have to be mindful of the impact to our environment” says Heather Dutra, City of Raleigh Water Quality Manager. “We are leading by example in using nature-based stormwater measures. Here at Dix, GSI is helping to reduce stormwater flooding, improve water quality and support wildlife.”

Gipson Play Plaza Picnic Grove

In addition to the stream and wetland, areas of the parking lot and picnic grove are made of permeable gravel. It slows water before soaking into the ground or entering rain gardens in the parking lot. This reduces runoff volume, removes pollutants, and recharges groundwater supplies. 

Raleigh Stormwater provided nearly $700,000 for these features. City staff partnered with Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates and McAdams to design the innovative concepts for stormwater management. Dean Perry, Senior Planner with Dix Park says this is only the beginning: “This collaboration between Raleigh Stormwater and Raleigh Parks is the first of many innovative stormwater management features Dix Park will use to be a good steward of the environment and be a good neighbor to downstream communities as the park grows.” 

Learn more about climate action and community resilience in Raleigh: Community Climate Action Plan

Associated Event

 

Contact

 

Julia Milstead
Public Information Officer julia.milstead@raleighnc.gov
919-996-3029

Dix Park

Lead Department:
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources

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