MWRD-Niles partnership yields resilient Golf Mill stormwater park
Trees and plants provide numerous benefits, including a natural solution to absorb stormwater. In commemoration of Arbor Day, officials with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) joined the Village of Niles to cut the ribbon on a new park facility with trees planted along the perimeter to incorporate green infrastructure elements and permeable pavement to capture more stormwater, mitigate flooding and improve area water quality.
MWRD Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos and Commissioner Patricia Theresa Flynn joined Niles Mayor George D. Alpogianis and the Village of Niles Board of Trustees last month to celebrate the completion of the Golf Mill Park stormwater project at 9101 Greenwood Ave. in Niles. Officials also commemorated the day with a tree dedication to the late Fred Kudert, a Niles resident, engineer and stormwater management advocate.
The approximately $11 million project, for which the MWRD committed $2 million, will provide flood relief for nearly 100 structures in a 200-acre area lot on Niles’ northwest side. The new park will store 4.5 million gallons of stormwater, while also expanding and improving Golf Mill Park.
“I commend the Village of Niles for their leadership, vision and commitment to protecting local water quality and the community from flooding,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “As we know, the unpredictable nature of climate change has challenged us to rethink the way we manage water. This investment by the Village of Niles should be applauded, as it will spur more communities to action and protect future generations to come.”
The project called for construction of a relief storm sewer and surface and underground stormwater storage areas near Greenwood Ave. to provide flood relief to nearby residential and commercial properties. In addition to permeable pavers along Church Street and the park, the project incorporates new landscaping, lighting, an electric vehicle charging station and water feature connected to the stormwater detention facility.
“I am so proud to be here today to celebrate this multi-faceted project,” said MWRD Commissioner Spyropoulos. “It is great to see the stormwater improvements, but the new, improved landscaping, lighting, electric vehicle charging station and water feature will be a true community asset for many decades to come.”
The project came into fruition through the MWRD’s Local Stormwater Partnership Program. Each year, the MWRD holds a call for governmental entities to apply for assistance on local stormwater management projects that are conceptual or shovel ready. In 2018, the Village of Niles stepped forward with the Golf Mill Project and an intergovernmental agreement was signed between the MWRD and Niles.
Since the MWRD’s initial call for projects in September 2013, more than 50 have been approved by the MWRD Board of Commissioners. The resulting projects are located across Cook County and include localized detention, upsized critical storm sewers/culverts, pump stations, and established drainage ways.
“This is a prime example of partnerships that can be made between government agencies to improve the lives of local residents,” said Commissioner Flynn. “Taking these steps to implement green infrastructure will help combat the effects of climate change and provide needed flood relief for this community. We are grateful to the Village of Niles and Mayor Alpogianis for their ongoing partnership and environmental stewardship.”