To celebrate Earth Day, our Climate Corps Fellows work at the Mary Ellen Welch Greenway to improve the rain garden.
The greenway is prone to flooding in the low-lying areas, preventing commuters from using the path after a storm. To help mitigate the risk of flooding, Climate Corps worked on 3 projects with the City of Boston’s Office of Green Infrastructure.
1. Improving a rain garden on the greenway
Rain gardens are located in low-lying areas where water tends to collect after storms. The rain garden on the greenway was in need of more plants and rocks to absorb water. The fellows planted water-loving, flood-tolerant plants and leveled rocks to slow down water.
2. Landscaping on the side of the greenway to catch more storm water
The fellows planted water-loving, flood-tolerant plants in the rain garden, leveled rocks, dug a trench, and helped to design a landscaping project.
3. Removing eroded soil from the greenway path
Because of the frequent flooding, the soil on the sides of the greenway is exposed. A large amount of soil, branches and leaves are blown onto the greenway path. The fellows cleaned the greenway path by sweeping away these eroded soil, branches and leaves.
Many fellows said that this was their favorite day in program so far because they get to see the immediate positive impact they are making. They’re looking forward to more greenway projects during the summer!
Thanks to the City of Boston Office of Green Infrastructure for leading us through this successful project. We are proud to contribute to making the Mary Ellen Welch Greenway more resilient and accessible for all.