Lake Nokomis Blooming Alleys was a citizen-based, neighborhood-focused project to engage neighbors (including owners and renters) in efforts to improve water quality in Lake Nokomis by installing sustainable stormwater practices along alleyways (where the majority of runoff and most polluted runoff typically flowed off residential property). Practices included rain gardens and pervious pavement systems to collect and infiltrate runoff. We recruited alley ‘captains’ to engage their neighbors in the project and had alley parties to share information. The project resulted in 105 rain gardens, 71 new native plantings and 85 pervious pavement systems.
Partners and contractors: Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa, Borgert Products, JL Theis, Earth Wizards, Cummins, Blue Cross Blue Shield Center for Prevention, Nokomis East Neighborhood Association, Friends of Lake Nokomis, Minnesota Clean Water Fund, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.
Timeline: 2012–2017