Chandler Park Marshland

1. General information

Location and description of the intervention

City or FUA

Detroit (FUA)

Region

Northern America

Short description of the intervention

Chandler Park, a historic park in Detroit constructed in the 1800s, underwent multiple expansions from 1922 to 1950 to include amenities such as a pool (later converted into a water park), a golf course, and public green spaces. In 2013, an expert panel recommended constructing a 2.5-million-gallon marshland within the park to provide a unique recreational and educational feature and incorporate green infrastructure principles for improved stormwater management. Completed in December 2019, the Chandler Park marshland was a collaborative project between The Greening of Detroit and the Chandler Park Conservancy, designed to enhance Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) across 200 acres.
The marshland manages 2.5 million gallons of stormwater, substantially reducing the load on Detroit’s combined sewer system and minimizing basement flooding during heavy rains. Engineered with rain gardens, bioswales, and a pump system circulating up to 4 feet of water, the marshland fosters a balanced ecosystem with higher oxygen levels, benefiting local flora and fauna.
With 4,500 native plants, the marshland supports diverse wildlife, including migrating birds, turtles, frogs, pollinators like bees and butterflies, and natural mosquito predators. This project not only contributes to flood mitigation but also improves water quality by capturing stormwater and allowing pollutants to settle.
Additionally, the marshland provides a foundation for future environmental education, with plans to add an outdoor classroom and public learning spaces. The use of native plants ensures low maintenance and sustainability, requiring minimal water and fertilizers. By creating new habitats and recreational areas, the Chandler Park Marshland promotes biodiversity, environmental education, and community engagement, while alleviating urban runoff’s impact on Detroit’s sewer system.
(Ref.1-3)

Website of the intervention

https://www.chandlerparkconservancy.org/marshland-1

Principal problems

Climate-Related Hazards

Urban flooding (stormwater)

Environmental Degradation

Biodiversity loss

Health, Well-being and Social cohesion

Disconnection from nature

Poor community engagement

Implementation area characterization

Climate

Continental (Cold-summer humid continental, Cold-winter dry continental, Cold-summer dry continental)

Ecosystem

Fresh water wetlands

Urban or built environment

Address

12831 Frankfort St.
Detroit, 48213
United States

Location

The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).

Area boundary (map-based)

NBS area image

Source of NBS area image

https://eu.freep.com/story/news/columnists/rochelle-riley/2015/02/15/chandler-parks-million-makeover/23471197/

Total area

809371.00m²

NBS area

809371.00m²

Area description

Urban (main city)

Type of area before implementation of the NBS

Public Greenspace Area

Timeline of intervention

Start date of the intervention (planning process)

2013

Start date of intervention (implementation process)

2019

End date of the intervention

2019

Present stage of the intervention

Completed

2. Objectives of the intervention

Objectives of the intervention

Goals of the intervention

The project aims to promote GSI by managing 2.5 million gallons of stormwater on-site, reducing strain on Detroit’s combined sewer system and preventing sewer overflows caused by heavy rains and flooding
To create a sustainable, healthy ecosystem that fosters wildlife habitats and pollinators .
To enhance biodiversity by establishing essential nesting and resting areas for migrating birds, while supporting pollinators and natural predators of mosquitoes.
To improve water quality by capturing stormwater pollutants in the marshland and maintaining water circulation to prevent stagnant water and reduce mosquito breeding.
To create opportunities for environmental education and provide environmental solutions to low-income African American communities living in the area and that are at risk of flooding
To provide a low-maintenance, sustainable solution for stormwater management by incorporating native plants that require minimal water and no fertilizers.
To update the park and ensure it provides outdoor activities, exercise and interaction opportunities and recreational activities
To involve local communities in the decision making process
(Ref.1,2,4,7)

Key Priorities

Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation)

Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)

Social Justice and community

Sustainability challenge(s) addressed

Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)

Climate change adaptation

Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)

Green space creation and/or management

Habitat and biodiversity restoration

Water management (SDG 6)

Flood protection

Stormwater and rainfall management and storage

Improvements to water quality

Health and well-being (SDG 3)

Creation of opportunities for recreation

Enabling opportunities for physical activity

Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)

Inclusive governance

Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)

Social justice and equity

Social interaction

Environmental education

Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?

Implement sustainable urban drainage schemes to manage stormwater

What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?

Species-focused

Ecosystem-focused

What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?

Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems

Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)

Implementation activities and NBS focus

Implementation activities

The Chandler Park marshland project, implemented by TSP Environmental, involved several key phases. TSP Environmental began by preparing the site, clearing a designated 5-acre section of Chandler Park and removing 32 trees. Nearly 5,000 cubic yards of topsoil were stripped and stockpiled for later use. For the marshland pool, TSP excavated 13,000 cubic yards of soil, which was repurposed onsite to create a sled hill, maximizing resource efficiency.
Once the site was ready, the stockpiled topsoil was spread along the pond’s banks and planted with wetland vegetation, including 4,500 native plants and trees to establish a thriving ecosystem. TSP then installed over 1,000 feet of new piping, two catch basins, and three pumps, all designed to handle stormwater. This infrastructure diverts approximately 5 million gallons of stormwater per year away from Detroit’s wastewater treatment system.
A recirculation pump was added to keep the water moving within the marshland, with the additional benefit of creating a waterfall feature that enhances the pond’s ecosystem. To further support local wildlife, TSP incorporated limestone walls, ledges, decorative cobblestone, and built four specialized habitats: rock, log, snake, and sand turtle.
Helical piles were driven into the ground to support the foundation of a new boardwalk over the pond, providing safe pedestrian access and enhancing visitor engagement. Finally, the entire marshland area was seeded with native plants. (Ref. 1, 2)

Type of NBS project

Creation of new green areas

Creation of any other green urban spaces

Maintenance and management of urban nature

Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks)

Creation of semi-natural blue areas

Creation of lakes or ponds

Implementation of green areas for water management (e.g. rain gardens)

Creation of artificial wetlands

Protection of natural ecosystems

Habitat restoration

Knowledge creation and awareness raising

Educational and awareness raising programs

Improved governance of green or blue areas

Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities

3. NBS domains, ES and scale

NBS domain and interventions

Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented

Blue infrastructure

Lakes/ponds

In-land wetlands, peatlands, swamps, and moors

Green areas for water management

Rain gardens

Swales and filter strips

Parks and urban forests

Large urban parks or forests

Amenities offered by the NBS

Benches and drinking water stations

Sports areas and equipment

Educational and research amenities (nature protection centre, monitoring stations)

Viewing and outlook points

Design elements for well-being

Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation)

Auditory elements (e.g., birdsong, water features, quiet areas, rustling leaves)

Olfactory elements (e.g., floral scents, earthy smells)

Services

Expected ecosystem services delivered

Regulating services

Flood regulation

Pollination

Habitat and supporting services

Habitats for species

Cultural services

Recreation

Mental and physical health and wellbeing

Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)

Social and community interactions

Scale

Spatial scale

Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)

Beneficiaries

Demographics in implementation area

Population of the Chandler Park neighborhood in 2022: 1,824. This is a majority black population (98%). Median household income in 2022: $23,702. (Ref.5)

Socio-economic profile of the area

Low-income

Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts

Non-government actors

Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches

Primary Beneficiaries

Local government/Municipality

Citizens or community groups

Young people and children

Specify primary beneficiaries

Local community: The project enhances Chandler Park as a recreational space, providing new opportunities for leisure, exercise, and environmental education. The addition of a marshland, boardwalk, and diverse habitats improves the park's aesthetics and offers visitors a chance to engage with nature.

Detroit residents: By managing stormwater on-site, the project reduces the risk of flooding and basement backups for nearby residents, particularly during heavy rain events. It also lessens the load on Detroit's sewer system, which benefits the broader community by reducing combined sewer overflows.

Educational institutions and environmental groups: The marshland provides a foundation for environmental education, offering a space for outdoor learning and community engagement. Schools, environmental organizations, and conservation groups can utilize the site for educational programs and awareness campaigns.

City of Detroit: The project helps the city achieve its green infrastructure goals by reducing the volume of stormwater entering the wastewater treatment system, ultimately saving resources and contributing to more sustainable urban planning.
(Ref.1-4)

Marginalized groups

Children, young people or youth groups

Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups

Environmental Education Opportunities: The project lays the foundation for the development of an environmental education plaza, which will include an outdoor classroom, a shade structure, and seating. This space will be used for educational programs, allowing schools and community groups to engage children in hands-on learning about ecology, wildlife, and sustainability.

Interactive Learning Spaces: The marshland, boardwalk, and diverse wildlife habitats offer a natural, interactive environment for children to explore and observe native species such as birds, frogs, turtles, and pollinators like butterflies and bees. These spaces provide opportunities for informal learning through nature observation.

Community Engagement: The project aims to foster a connection between local youth and the environment by creating a park that supports outdoor activities, exercise, and environmental stewardship. By involving the local community, including youth groups, the project encourages young people to take an active role in preserving and appreciating their local environment.
(Ref.4,8)

Other beneficiaries

Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators)

Native plant vegetation

Natural habitats (e.g. wetland, forests, coastal areas)

City infrastructure (e.g., reduced flooding, improved water quality)

4. Governance and financing

Governance

Governance arrangements

Led by non-government actors

Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative

The Chandler Park marshland project was a collaborative effort involving multiple organizations. The Greening of Detroit assisted in designing and installing native vegetation and the Chandler Park Conservancy partnered in the planning process and took a lead role in overseeing the project’s execution.
TSP Environmental, as the primary contractor, managed the project’s physical implementation, including excavation, the installation of stormwater infrastructure, habitat creation, and landscaping. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department played a role in designing the stormwater management infrastructure. Community groups like Friends of Chandler Park and Eastside Community Network were also involved in supporting the initiative by reviewing the plans, and advising on what suits best the community. The project received financial support and land from: the Kresge Foundation, the Erb Family Foundation, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the City of Detroit. (Ref. 1, 2, 4)

Key actors - initiating organization

Non-government organisation/civil society

Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)

National government

Local government/municipality

Citizens or community group

Private sector/corporate actor/company

Private foundation/trust

Stages of citizen and community engagement

Planning and design (e.g. site selection, identification of key priorities)

Feedback during project implementation (e.g. review sessions)

Level of citizen and community engagement

Moderate

Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives

Implementation of educational programs, workshops or trainings

Creation of collaborative decision-making processes that actively involve community members

Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)

Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)

Dissemination of information and education

Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)

Co-management/Joint management

Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")

Community & Social Groups

Activist groups (e.g. climate, environment, justice, etc)

Infrastructure & Management

Utility companies: water, sewage, etc.

Land owners

Public space owned by the city

Policy drivers

NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy

Unknown

NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan

Unknown

NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan

Unknown

Mandatory or voluntary intervention

Voluntary (spontaneous)

Enablers & Barriers

Type of enablers

NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation

Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)

Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives.

The city of Detroit provided funds for the project. (Ref.1)

Governace and decison-making instruments

Economic and fiscal instruments (e.g. subsidies or grants, charges or fees, payments for ecosystem services (PES))

Educational and knowledge sharing instruments (e.g. science/ living labs, awareness raising campaigns, specific educational programs, green hubs)

Arrangements for governance cooperation

Unknown

Barriers

Unknown.

Financing

Total cost

€500,000 - €2,000,000

Please specify total cost (EUR)

The project implementors spent over one million dollar (898.700eur) on the project that they received from funding. Funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: $161,000 (144.720eur) (Ref.4,6)

What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?

898.700 euros

Source(s) of funding

Public local authority budget

Public national budget

Private Foundation/Trust

Type of fund(s) used

Earmarked public budget

Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)

Non-financial contribution

Yes

Who provided the non-financial contribution?

Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)

Citizens (e.g. volunteering)

Type of non-financial contribution

Provision of land

Provision of expertise

Co-finance for NBS

Yes

Co-governance arrangement

Unknown

Entrepreneurship opportunities

Unknown

Business models

Risk reduction model

Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water)

Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?

Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation)

5. Evaluation and learning

Impacts, benefits

Environmental impacts

Water management and blue areas

Improved water quality

Expected improved water quality

Increased protection against flooding

Expected increased protection against flooding

Improved stormwater management

Expected improved stormwater management

Green space and habitat

Increased green space area

Achieved increased green space area

Increased number of species present

Expected increased number of species present

Enhanced support of pollination

Achieved enhanced support of pollination

Description of environmental benefits

-Expected improved water quality: "Stormwater management structures included more than 1,000 feet of new pipe, three pumps, two catch basins, and associated underground structures. TSP installed 2 pumps to convey storm water runoff into the pond and separated the sanitary sewer from the storm system. This saves approximately 5 million gallons of storm water per year from being sent to the Waste-water Treatment Plant. TSP also installed a recirculation pump to keep the water moving and to provide a waterfall feature."(Ref 3)
-Increased protection against flooding/-Improved stormwater management: "The stormwater, water that originates during rain events and snow/ice melt, will run into the marshland and allow pollutants to settle to the bottom. Some of the water will be absorbed by plants, and some will evaporate into the air. The marshland will also reduce the amount of stormwater entering the City's sewer system. This will reduce street flooding, basement backups, and sewer overflows to the Detroit River." (Ref.2)
-Increased green space area: "the project included the installation of 4,500 native plants and trees". this is the size that have been greened ~81 ha. (Ref.2)
-Increased number of species present: "The marshland will provide a healthy habitat and attract numerous beneficial animals such as frogs and toads.
The marshland will provide vital nesting and resting places for migrating birds.
The tees and rocks in the water will provide habitat for birds, ducks, turtles, and frogs and toads. Insects will also be attracted to the water." (Ref.2)
-Enhanced support of pollination: " Native plants in and around the marshland will provide habitat and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies who are essential to a healthy environment." (Ref.2)

Environmental impact indicators

Total number of vascular plant species protected or introduced

4500

Green space area created (in ha)

Economic impacts

Unknown

Description of economic benefits

Unknown.

Evidence for use of assessment

Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process

Unknown

Presence of indicators used in reporting

No evidence in public records

Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

Name of any specific impact assessment tools

Unknown.

Use of GIS in mapping impacts

No evidence in public records

Cost-benefit analysis

Unknown

Transparency

Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in project governance processes (e.g. planning, implementation, monitoring, etc.)

Public disclosure of project funding sources and/or budgets

Justice

Community satisfaction

Positive: The majority of feedback and reports indicate high levels of satisfaction and appreciation for the NBS project within the community.

Description of locals satisfaction with the project

"people still [at covid times] want to come out, we get a lot of good feedback about what the park used to be and how it is now, people really enjoy the changes." (Ref.4)

Trade-offs & Negative impacts

Unknown

Please specify Trade-offs & Negative impacts Selected

Unknown.

Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement

No initiatives or policies were implemented

High-quality & Transformative NBS

Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)

Goal setting and impacts delivery

In the planning phase, the project aimed to address issues in all 3 key priority areas, but impacts were not delivered in all three key areas.

Reaching original project goals

Most of the project goals were achieved

Please specify the achievements of the project goals

Climate action and biodiversity Goals:
-Expected improved water quality: "Stormwater management structures included more than 1,000 feet of new pipe, three pumps, two catch basins, and associated underground structures. TSP installed 2 pumps to convey storm water runoff into the pond and separated the sanitary sewer from the storm system. This saves approximately 5 million gallons of storm water per year from being sent to the Waste-water Treatment Plant. TSP also installed a recirculation pump to keep the water moving and to provide a waterfall feature."(Ref 3)
-Increased protection against flooding/-Improved stormwater management: "The stormwater, water that originates during rain events and snow/ice melt, will run into the marshland and allow pollutants to settle to the bottom. Some of the water will be absorbed by plants, and some will evaporate into the air. The marshland will also reduce the amount of stormwater entering the City's sewer system. This will reduce street flooding, basement backups, and sewer overflows to the Detroit River." (Ref.2)
-Increased green space area: "the project included the installation of 4,500 native plants and trees". this is the size that have been greened ~81 ha. (Ref.2)
-Increased number of species present: "The marshland will provide a healthy habitat and attract numerous beneficial animals such as frogs and toads.
The marshland will provide vital nesting and resting places for migrating birds.
The tees and rocks in the water will provide habitat for birds, ducks, turtles, and frogs and toads. Insects will also be attracted to the water." (Ref.2)
-Enhanced support of pollination: " Native plants in and around the marshland will provide habitat and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies who are essential to a healthy environment." (Ref.2)
Social justice and community:
-Increased opportunities for social interaction: "several events held at the area provide opportunities for social interaction." (Ref.2)
-Increased support for education and scientific research/-Increased knowledge of locals about local nature: "The marshland will increase opportunities for environmental education and exercise for all ages." (Ref.2)" we use the marshland as a place to teach environmental education right now, currently we have environmental education classes virtually for young people and we're going to be teaching about the birds and the bees and the plants and how all that works together. "(Ref.4)

Long-term perspective

Yes

Cost-effective solutions

Yes

Equitable impacts

A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project

Transformative capacity

Social change (e.g. social relationships, networks and dynamics within them)

Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution)

Magnitude of change

Incremental: shallow; that is, mostly maintaining business-as-usual approaches to adaptation

Application of lessons learned

The NBS has been shared or used as a good practice to trigger transformative change

Perception of Environmental Change

Yes

NBS Supports ecological or environmental anxiety

Unknown

6. Sources

References

Greening of Detroit (n.d.). Chandler Park Marshland. Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Chandler Park Conservancy (2020). Marshland Information. Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

TSP Environmental (2020). Chandler Park Marshland Construction. Accessed on September 17, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Alex Allen (2020). Chandler Park Marshland/Wetland Project Oct 2020. Accessed on September 18, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

city-data (n.d.). Chandler Park neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan (MI), 48213 detailed profile. Accessed on September 18, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

NFWF (2021). Michigan. Accessed on September 18, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Share Detroit (n.d.). Chandler Park Conservancy. Accessed on September 18, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Comments and notes

Public Images