The walkways through Hunter’s Point South Park are lined with diverse species of native vegetation. However, these plants serve many more purposes than solely beautifying our paths! This vegetative border is actually a landscape feature called a bioswale. Hunter’s Point South Park is rimmed almost entirely with a continuous bioswale. Bioswales capture and filter stormwater runoff from surrounding streets and sidewalks. Bioswales help alleviate pressure from New York City’s sewage system by allowing water to slowly infiltrate the ground over a period of 24-48 hours, rather than causing overwhelming runoff into the East River. New York City uses a Combined Sewer System (CSO) which collects stormwater runoff, domestic sewage and industrial wastewater in the same pipes. Heavy rainfall can easily overwhelm the system and cause flooding, bioswales help alleviate this issue by diverting stormwater. Bioswales also reduce the amount of standing water that attracts insects such as mosquitoes, and replaces sewage drains with beautiful and easy to maintain wildlife habitats, supporting biodiversity in the area.
The use of native vegetation allows for low-maintenance landscaping that conserves resources and is more environmentally friendly. Native plant species require less water usage and there is no need for synthetic fertilizers because they are naturally resilient and have adapted to local conditions, having developed defenses to many diseases and insect pests. Native vegetation also provides vital habitats for native birds and other species and helps prevent soil erosion due to their extensive root systems.
