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PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The City of Blue Island is faced with a high water table, numerous infrastructure challenges, and common surface flooding issues. The City, partnering with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, began the Blue Island Green Infrastructure Project in the summer of 2015 to alleviate the effects of flooding. The project included the installation of bio-infiltration systems composed of semi-permeable pavers, bioswales, and native plants. Native Landscape Contractors, LLC was awarded all of the vegetation installation and maintenance portions of the project as a subcontractor.

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PROJECT GOALS:

The main objective was to reduce stormwater runoff and basement flooding in the surrounding areas by capturing, retaining, and infiltrating rain water through a series of constructed rain gardens. The establishment of beautiful, well-maintained gardens throughout the community also serve to inform the citizens of Blue Island about the numerous benefits of native plants and green infrastructure.

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PROJECT SCOPE:

The project included the installation of several rain gardens throughout the city. Work consisted of planting over 8,400 native plugs, installing a custom bioswale native seed mixture, rain garden maintenance, and vegetation monitoring.