You are cordially invited to join us for the groundbreaking of Boone Park West in the English Avenue neighborhood!

English Avenue, situated within the Proctor Creek Watershed, has long suffered from damaging combined sewer overflows related to stormwater runoff, economic disinvestment, social and educational challenges, and lack of greenspace. Since 2009, Park Pride and The Conservation Fund have worked collaboratively with English Avenue neighbors and stakeholders to transform neglected spaces into vibrant public parks that benefit the community, the environment, and the economy.

Boone Park West is the third in a series of a network of parks proposed in the Proctor Creek North Avenue Green Infrastructure Vision (Park Pride, 2010) to address stormwater runoff. The park is expected to help manage up to 3.5 million gallons of stormwater a year by capturing runoff from adjacent streets and routing the water into a series of rain gardens, stormwater swales, and underground chambers. These features will clean and detain the stormwater before it is slowly released into the city’s stormwater system, helping mitigate combined sewer overflow events and reduce local flooding.

Through an eight-month, community-directed process facilitated by Park Pride, a park master-plan was created through a community steering committee and with the input of hundreds of area residents.

This new community park is also a part of The Conservation Fund’s national Parks with Purpose Program, centered on equitable development ideals. These new parks provide more than just a safe place for kids to play and families to gather. These parks also provide workforce training and employment for area residents; reduce flooding by capturing and absorbing stormwater; support environmental education opportunities; and even grow healthy food by incorporating edible landscaping.

We hope you’ll join us to recognize this milestone and celebrate with the English Avenue Community, and Boone Park West funders and partners.