Low Impact Development Manual for Michigan - OSEH - University ...

Case Study: Nankin Mills Interpretive
Center Grow Zone Project
Wayne County, MI
The grow zone demonstration along Edward Hines Park shows many benefits
and opportunities that the use of native plants can create along a riparian
buffer area. For this project, the turf grass was removed, the soil properly
prepared, and native plantings installed and established to eliminate the
maintenance required by turf grass and also, to improve water quality.
Wayne County received a grant through the Clean Michigan Initiative to
convert 13 acres of turf grass into native landscape. This area is prone to flooding
and soil erosion during storm events and has shallow rooted grass, which
allows most of the stormwater to drain directly into the river with little or no
infiltration. The existing turf grass was eliminated through use of herbicides
and tilling. Areas of the grow zone were hand broadcast seeded and planted.
Riparian buffer grow zone around Nankin Mills Pond, Wayne County, MI
Source: Wayne County Department of Environment
Planting native trees and shrubs along with grow zone signage helps delineate
the grow zone as a managed, important part of the Edward Hines Park.
An interpretive kiosk explains the grow zone’s purpose and function.
Occasional mowing and managing for invasive species is the only maintenance
procedures anticipated. Research on native landscapes suggest
the maintenance cost for 4.6 acres of grow zone will be approximately 80
percent less than managing the previous turf grass land cover.
Case Study Site Considerations
Project Type Riparian restoration, native revegetation
Estimated Total
Project Cost
Maintenance
Responsibility
$18,119
Wayne County Department of Environment
Project Contact Noel Mullett, 734-326-4486
Materials Used
• Herbicide, tractor, and seed
drill
• Shovels, rakes, landscape
mulch
• 59 trees and shrubs and 52 lbs.
of native plant seed
• 11 large grow zone signs w/
logo decal and 22 small grow
zone boundary signs.
LID Manual for Michigan – Chapter 7 Page 268