Culver City Council authorized the construction of the Ballona Creek Rain Gardens. The project is a continuation of the Ballona Creek Bikeway and Landscaping Project that started in September 2010. Both projects were started with the goal of improving Culver City and its bike path on both an aesthetic and environmental level.
Construction for the rain gardens, being done by JDC Inc., is currently in phase two, which consists of the installation of four filtration catch basins that will filter rainwater run-off from Culver City Unified School District parking and playground areas. This water will then pass into the two rain gardens that are currently being constructed.
The gardens themselves are being built into the existing sloped landscape along the bike path, between Overland Avenue and the pedestrian bridge north of Ocean Drive and Westwood Boulevard.
Being filled with native plants the rain gardens allow for water to naturally infiltrate into the ground; thus improving water quality. It is estimated that costs for this phase of construction will be about 30 thousand dollars, in addition to a year of maintenance charges.
Culver City Mayor, Andrew Weissman, expressed support for the project saying, “Aesthetically the project will improve the environment by providing a pleasant site to view while using the bike path. Then physically this site will filter storm water runoff and further enhancing the creek and wildlife here in Culver City that we have all come to enjoy.”
While the gardens are under construction locals might experience minor inconveniences ranging from noise to dust, but the biggest being the closing of the bike path between Overland and the pedestrian bridge. Construction is scheduled to be end in late July.
Though the rain gardens promise to be well worth the wait for both local residents and the environment.
“With the improvements and increased ridership, the bike path is an enjoyable and safe place to exercise, commute, and ride to the ocean bike path, school, or other destinations,” said Weissman. “This site will be a point of interest to our bicycling and greater environmentally-minded community.”
Productively using water runoff, enhancing the natural beauty of our city, and providing a sanctuary for locals to enjoy are just some of the positive contributions people can look forward to with the completion of the rain gardens. The rain gardens are an addition to the bike path that the entire community can appreciate.
