SUSTAINABLE URBAN LANDSCAPES Alternative Development Standards for Sustainable Communities
TRADITIONAL PATTERN WITH ECOLOGICAL UNDERLAY Community Recreation and Drainage Systems	Back
This "bird's-eye" view illustrates how community recreation and the preservation of natural drainage systems can be achieved concurrently.  Residential neighbourhoods are shown in the background and a stream channel is shown in the foreground.  Storm water flowing off of surrounding residential streets (suggested by a culvert emerging from under the road) is collected and held at a recreation area by a small dike.  The dike, which runs parallel to the stream, serves as a recreational walkway and water held here slowly percolates through the soil, gradually rejoining the main stream in a cleaner, filtered form.  Note that the bridge crossing the stream has been designed to allow for the easy migration of fish and animals along the stream channel.