Gulf Branch Green Streets

Location

Multiple locations in Gulf Branch watershed, Arlington, VA View Map

Status

Complete

About the Project

The Gulf Branch Green Street rain gardens capture and filter runoff to help protect Gulf Branch stream, the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. Learn more about the benefits of Green Street rain gardens.

Four Green Street rain garden projects have been installed in the Gulf Branch watershed.
These rain gardens capture runoff from 3.41 acres total drainage area, and treat 1.43 acres of impervious area and over 23,000 gallons of runoff. The rain garden soil and native plants act as a natural filter and sponge for stormwater runoff.
Through an innovative grant-funded partnership with the Center for Watershed Protection, the rain garden soil media includes biochar, a pulverized charcoal substance, to increase soil porosity, water holding capacity, infiltration rates and carbon capture.

The Green Streets are located in the Gulf Branch watershed:

N Piedmont Street cul-de-sac (Bellevue Forest)
Corner of 36th Rd N & N Nelson St (Rivercrest)
Corner of N Nelson St & N Oakland St (Rivercrest)
36th Rd N near intersection with N Nelson St and stairs to Gulf Branch trail (Rivercrest)

How the Gulf Branch Green Streets Design Incorporated Community Feedback

Community Priorities	Incorporating Community Feedback
Capturing Runoff in Gulf Branch Watershed	Arlington residents, commissions and stakeholders have asked the County to do everything we can to reduce runoff to protect Gulf Branch stream. In addition to the Green Streets, the County will install a stormwater practice with a sand and mulch filter bed that slow down and absorb stormwater downstream of Madison Community Center.
Design Preferences	Nearby homeowners strongly preferred gently sloping sides and removing weir walls in rain gardens on street corners. Staff reworked design and engineering of rain gardens on N Nelson to remove weir wall and add gentle slopes on sides adjacent to sidewalks, while also retaining sufficient stormwater capacity for water quality benefits.
Intersection Visibility, Plant Palette	Plant species, height and location were planned to limit impacts on street sight lines. Plant selection input from immediate neighbors was incorporated together with project goals.
Maintenance	Rain garden maintenance program includes monthly visits through the 10-month growing season. We also respond to maintenance requests as needed between visits.
Neighborhood Aesthetic, Positive Influence on Nearby Properties	Adjusted structural and plant components to accommodate community members’ preferences, and to ensure that the design fits within the neighborhood aesthetic, while providing required coverage. Yard and rain garden extension complements adjacent properties.
Intersection Changes	A disadvantage of wider streets and intersections is that they tend to encourage speeding. While it may be counterintuitive, County data shows that curb extensions provide a visual cue for cars to slow down, promoting overall safety. Shorter street crossing widths can benefit walkers and joggers. The new stop sign will provide clearer direction and right of way.
Street Width/Curb Extension	Concerns were expressed about driving space that will be available near the rain garden curb extension on N Oakland St. The driving space currently available between two cars parked opposite each other is similar to the space that will be available between a parked car and the curb of the rain garden.
Parking	Overall, there will not be a large change in the available parking in the N Nelson - N Oakland - N 36th Rd area. By extending the curb, the projects will add a couple of new parking spots on N Nelson near N Oakland, N Nelson near 36th Rd, and on 36th Rd. Near the trail entrance, there will be a couple fewer parking spaces.
Creating a Win-Win	We appreciate how community engagement and input has strengthened the project.

Meeting Materials

Date	Location and Description	Meeting Materials
December 18, 2024	Rivercrest Pre-Construction Meeting	Dec 18 Meeting Handout Slides(PDF, 5MB)
December 6, 2024	Pre-Construction Mailing to Rivercrest Neighborhood Residents	December 2024 Letter(PDF, 128KB) Project Plans(PDF, 64MB) Fall 2024 Video Update
October 29, 2024	N Piedmont Pre-Construction Meeting	Onsite, meet & greet
January 9, 2024	Rivercrest Civic Association Meeting	Rivercrest Gulf Branch Green Streets(PDF, 4MB)
October 5, 2023	Piedmont Streetside Meeting	N Piedmont Gulf Branch Green Street(PDF, 3MB)
Spring-Summer 2023	Immediate Neighbor Meetings	N Nelson Green Streets(PDF, 3MB)
November 2, 2022	Gulf Branch Green Streets Initial Neighbor Meetings	N Piedmont Green Street N Nelson Green Streets