Community-Focused Solutions

As part of KC Water’s Smart Sewer program, the Blenheim Park Green Infrastructure project was designed to improve the stormwater and wastewater system in the neighborhood and reduce the volume of combined sewer overflows. Blenheim Park is directly east of Forest Hill and Calvary Cemetery in the Town Fork Creek watershed near the intersection of E Gregory Blvd and The Paseo. The Parks & Recreation Department manages Blenheim Park and has a summary of the history of the park, which first came under City ownership in 1921. 

Prior to this project, residents in the area noted the use of some of the flat terrain for recreational activities and many residents have expressed fond memories of playing baseball in the ball diamond at the south end of the park.

To support compliance with the City’s Consent Decree and reduce the volume of combined sewer overflows, KC Water constructed bioretention basins, installed new storm sewer inlets, and improved drainage infrastructure within Blenheim Park. By using green solutions, this project helps manage stormwater the way nature intended by capturing and utilizing rainwater where it falls. Much of the park was not impacted by the KC Water project, including the baseball field, but residents will enjoy improved pedestrian connectivity to the park, as well as improved lighting.

A Green Solution to Sewer Overflows

By separating the stormwater system from residential streets to the east and directing flows into green infrastructure installations in the park, this project redirects thousands of gallons of flow away from our combined sewer system each year.

Why is this important? When our combined system reaches capacity during rain events — sometimes less than .25 inches of rain — it will, by design, overflow a mixture of wastewater and rainwater into nearby creeks, streams, and rivers. Every gallon of rainwater that green infrastructure keeps out of our combined sewer system leads to a cleaner environment, less stress on our infrastructure assets, and long-term savings on rising utility costs.

Beauty Above & Wonders Below

The bioretention basins in Blenheim Park are filled with native plants that have been carefully selected to help absorb excess stormwater from rooftops, sidewalks, and streets in the surrounding neighborhood. Layers of rock and a specially designed soil mix store the water, while a buried underdrain system drains any excess water away to nearby waterways and Town Fork Creek.

The native plants in these basins act as natural filters, capturing pollutants before they can enter our environment. In addition to being acclimated to our climate and conditions, native plants often have deeper and more extensive root systems that prevent erosion, provide extra filtration, and improve stormwater infiltration into the soil.

Keep this Amenity Flowing Smoothly

Beyond adding solutions to manage stormwater, the Blenheim Park Green Infrastructure site also improved the park itself. Portions of the walking trail were extended to the north and widened to allow for a better pedestrian experience, to meet ADA standards, and allow maintenance vehicles to enter the park and properly care for the newly constructed bioretention basins.

The community at large plays an essential role in keeping green infrastructure working properly. Just like a garden or lawn, green infrastructure requires regular upkeep to keep it working and looking beautiful. With proper planning and maintenance, green infrastructure is designed to grow and become more resilient over time. If you notice a green infrastructure site that is not draining properly or has experienced vandalism or illegal dumping, please call 311 or (816) 513-1313.

Improvements to 51st Street

Another major portion of this sewer improvement project took place a few miles northeast of Blenheim Park. Crews separated the existing combined sewer system into stormwater sewers and wastewater sewers along 51^st Street between Agnes Avenue and Indiana Avenue, west of Satchel Paige Stadium.

This portion of the project included new storm sewer and curb inlets, the installation of a hydrodynamic separator targeting the removal of trash and debris from the sewer system, and the resurfacing of 51^st Street. KC Water invested a total of $2.4 million in wastewater improvements as part of the Baseline Improvements - Town Fork Creek project.

Coming Soon: Daniel Morgan Boone Park Green Infrastructure Project

Blenheim Park is a small preview of what is expected to be the largest green infrastructure investment in Kansas City through the Green Infrastructure Project 2-1: 63^rd Street and Daniel Morgan Boone Park project. KC Water is working with an engineering firm to design a major multi-year, multi-phase project to help reduce the volume of sewer overflows into Town Fork Creek and protect our natural environment.

The area in and around Daniel Morgan Boone Park has been identified as a prime candidate for green infrastructure in addition to plans for significant sewer separation work within the surrounding neighborhood. Like Blenheim Park, this project will largely utilize green infrastructure and native plants to help absorb excess stormwater and collect, treat, and infiltrate stormwater runoff in the area.

To stay up to date on community engagement opportunities and future information related to the Daniel Morgan Boone Park green infrastructure project, visit the project webpage and sign up for email updates. The project is a long-term effort with preliminary design scheduled to be complete in 2024.