Chicago to Use Vacant Lots to Capture Stormwater

Ground water storage, rainwater runnels, and permeable pavement will be some of the features included in new stormwater parks in Chicago. "The eight lots are scattered across the Humboldt Park and North Lawndale community areas. Building permits were issued last week," Steven Vance writes for Chicago Cityscape.

These parks aim to serve two purposes: turning vacant lots into park space and lessening the burden sewers take on during big storms. "When there is a lot of rain, water enters some parts of the sewer too quickly, and combined with sewerage from buildings, overflows the system. Water can back up into people’s houses, or flood streets," Vance reports.