Executive Summary of this Project that is funded by United Water:

BRAG has had two successful pilot projects in planting swales along Binford Boulevard on Indy’s northeast side of town with Indiana native plants and grasses with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.  These swales have helped successfully alleviate the following environmental problems in the area:

1)    Poor drainage along Binford, resulting in back-up drains and motorists hydroplaning because of excess water on the Boulevard during rain storms.

2)    Because of lack of adequate draining, water sits on the side of Binford, making it difficult to maintain and providing breeding ground for mosquitoes.

In addition, these attractive swales serve as attractive entrances for 35,000 residents, 3,000+ local businesses, and 50,000 visitors and commuters who travel the length of Binford Boulevard every day.  They set a positive and environmentally friendly “tone” about Indianapolis and serve as a warming Gateway on the north east side of town. 

BRAG was successful during the spring of 2009 in securing a grant from United Water to extend native plantings along the Binford median, this 2,000 foot swale will be a model for other parkways and major roads around Central Indiana who do not have curbs or manmade storm sewer catch basins.  It has clearly demonstrated that they too can to be planted with native plants that provide color and interest throughout the year – in addition to serving vital environmental services. 

BRAG has received several major awards for its volunteer beautification efforts.  The Indiana Arbor Association awarded BRAG its 2005 Oak Leaf Award.  Keep Indianapolis Beautiful recognized BRAG as its 2006 Neighborhood Beautification award recipient.  And Keep America Beautiful honored BRAG one of its 2007 awards for community involvement and commitment to an improved environment. 

History of BRAG’s Beautification Efforts with Native Grasses & Plants:

Several members of INPAWS are active members in BRAG.  They brought to BRAG’s attention the opportunity to plant native grasses and plants in areas along Binford that have rough terrain, poor soil, and were subject to flooding.  INPAWS and KIBI both noted that Binford Boulevard was a perfect place for native grasses and plantings because gutters and curbs are not allowed along this Boulevard.  This has meant that storm ditches are often backed up due to run-off from heavy rains and run-off from the median that cannot handle the additional moisture. 

This year’s additional 11” of rain has been a case in point.  The 500’ section that has been planted with native plants and grasses, even though in the very early stages of its growth, has absorbed extra water from the roadway.  The remaining length of the median, planted only with regular grass, continues to fill up and remain water logged after the rain clears. 

INPAWS members pointed out that vegetated swales, commonly referred to as eco-swales and bio-swales, are an increasingly popular way of integrating a functional native community into the landscape.

Rather than utilizing curb and gutter to channel runoff into storm sewers, where there is no chance to mitigate its quality or quantity, runoff is funneled through swales planted to appropriate native vegetation. 

BRAG quickly responded and received a generous grant from INPAWS to pilot a bed on the northeast corner of Binford and Rucker Road.  Volunteers transformed this ugly swale with native plants in April 2007.  The results of these efforts can be seen clearly.  Already plants and grasses complement one another, even during their first year of life during the 2007 summer drought.  By 2009, they will be fully mature, providing visual delight and necessary drainage on what had been an ugly eyesore along Binford Boulevard. 

BRAG also partnered with KIBI to pilot a similar project of planting native grasses and plants in the natural swale of the median at Binford for a distance of 500 linear feet just south of the East 75th Street intersection.  After a bit of coaxing and a long summer’s drought last year, it is becoming clear that this tough section of median is yielding to new growth of Indiana plantings that will provide visual beauty.  More importantly, it is serving as an environmentally effective way to deal with storm water run-off that has been a problem to motorists hydroplaning during wet weather. 

Additional benefits of having vegetated swale beds along Binford Boulevard include:

• Removal of contaminant including nutrients and suspended solids
• Increased filtration
• An economical and environmentally friendly alternative to curbs and gutters
• The erosion control fabric of these new plants holds the soil while the bed is becoming established
• Densely rooted native grasses and sedges provide permanent stabilization

Here are samples of native grasses and plants that have already proven themselves on Binford Boulevard and that have been included in the median between East 75th down to East 71st Street: