Project Overview
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Problem and Constraints
The goal of this project is to design a system which can contain dog waste at Coldstream Dog Park due to the growing concern of contaminants from the park entering nearby creek Cane Run. The project constraints are mainly the physical restraints of the landscape such as soil type, depth to bedrock, and existing fences, parking lots, and utilities. These constraints impact the size, location, and type of containment system that can be implemented at the project site. Other constraints the team considered include cost, maintenance, and overall aesthetic of the design which are important to the client, the Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government Department of Parks and Recreation.
Cold Stream Dog Park entrance. Photo by Katie Emmett
Design Solution
The team proposes the use of weep berms along with a French drain to catch runoff from the dog park and reduce the amount of dog waste entering the stream. Although weep berms are a relatively recent development in best management practices, they have shown to be effective at reducing runoff entering the stream and improving water quality. (Warner, 2012). The weep berm is flexible in size and location, mainly requires above-surface construction, is relatively low maintenance and cost, and can easily blend in to the landscape, making it an effective design option for the project site. The French drain can easily blend into the landscape and effectively convey the design flow from the dog park.
Weep Berm Cross-Sectional View (Warner, 2012)
Weep Berm Aerial View (Warner, 2012)
French Drain Cross-Section View