More than 100 visitors explored rain gardens, living shorelines, bioswales, tree plantings, and other green infrastructure projects throughout Norfolk Saturday during a garden-style, self-guided tour offered by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
For three hours, homeowners opened up their doors and visitors stopped by schools and parks to receive their one-of-a-kind look at the ten private and public projects throughout the city transformed by green infrastructure. These projects create beautiful, natural solutions to flooding and pollution, tying in closely to the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay by reducing pollutants flowing into streams and rivers.
“Each of these projects builds up our community’s protection against flooding in our vulnerable region. But it’s also about beautifying the space for people,” said CBF’s Hampton Roads Grassroots Coordinator Lisa Renee Jennings, organizer of the Green Infrastructure Tour. “As Bay restoration goals near 2025 deadlines, we are thrilled the public was able to see how they can get involved at a pivotal time when we all need a recommitment to Bay restoration. Together we can build on the momentum to make a more resilient Virginia.”
CBF and partners were on hand at each site to offer expertise and resources. CBF partners included the City of Norfolk, Teens with a Purpose, Garden Club of Norfolk, the Elizabeth River Trail, Elizabeth River Project, and Norfolk Master Gardeners.
Residents in various stages of implementing these projects in their own homes and communities were common visitors to the sites Saturday. Jennings fielded questions on the steps to build a living shoreline and rain garden while she was stationed at Purpose Park. The youth empowerment organization Teens with a Purpose established Purpose Park, which provides a safe environment for local teens to express themselves creatively and reconnect with their community. Teens weeded the rain and pollinator gardens as well as read their poetry from Purpose Park’s stage Saturday.
At around the same time, Kati Grigsby, CBF’s restoration coordinator, answered questions from a backyard dock full of interested tour participants. At this private residence, CBF and the Elizabeth River Project built a living shoreline and buffer that employed a more holistic approach to restoration that allows wetlands to shift inland, promotes sustainability as well as the well-being of nearby ecosystems.
All the conversations aimed at giving the public a better understanding of how these natural solutions improve water quality and increase protection from the impacts of climate change.
“Having seen firsthand how these projects bring the community together and benefit the environment, we were so excited to offer this tour and inspire others who are interested,” Grigsby said. “The power of urban restoration with the public was on full display Saturday.”
Other sites included Lafayette Park’s stormwater wetland, Linwood Elementary’s Green Campus, Sherwood Forest Elementary’s rain garden, Pocket Park along Lovitt Avenue, The Hague, a private residence’s wetland buffer, Jeff Robertson Park, and the Ryan Resilience Lab.
“These projects have brought life, beauty, and educational opportunities to our schools,” said Norfolk Tree Commission Treasurer and Norfolk Public Schools basketball coach Steve Dolly. “Areas that were once bare, flooded, and even causing safety concerns are now flourishing sustainable spaces to learn from and admire.”
Virginia Communications & Media Relations Manager, CBF
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804-258-1567
