The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released the locations of over 300 bioswales and seven Stormwater Green Streets (SGS) throughout the areas of Community Board 5 (CB 5).
The bioswales are part of the DEP’s plan to help reduce the levels of combined sewer overflow (CSO) going into the Newtown Creek. These curbside gardens are designed to capture stormwater runoff before it can enter the sewer system and contribute to CSO runoff.
Each curbside garden, which consists of a city tree, flowers and plants on top of 5 feet of soil specially engineered to absorb water naturally, has a large holding tank beneath it. The holding tank will help to retain water during heavy rainstorms, while the plants above use the collected water, reducing CSO levels.
Some of the specific bioswale locations within CB 5 include:
- 58-02 Maspeth Ave. in Maspeth;
- 59-87 Grand Ave. in Maspeth;
- 58-58 Grand Ave. in Maspeth;
- 64-29 Woodbine St. in Ridgewood;
- 60-52 Gates Ave. in Ridgewood;
- 62-16 Eliot Ave. in Middle Village; and
- 63-23 Metropolitan Ave. in Ridgewood.
The specific SGS locations within CB 5, all of which are in Maspeth, include:
- 53-66 61st St.;
- 63-27 55th Ave.;
- 66-36 54th Ave.; and
- 66-59 Perry Ave.
According to the DEP, all 300-plus locations have undergone a detailed design and acceptance process to ensure that they comply with the city requirements for pedestrian access and safety, as well as not interfere with the existing utility lines.
