An innovative rain garden is being created in Solidarności Avenue, right behind the Independence Museum. This project is unique in that it departs from traditional solutions by introducing a new type – the so-called Danzig type. This innovative system allows for much greater water retention, which will benefit both the new plantings and the ecosystem of the urban landscape. The project draws on the work of Alina Scholtz, a well-known landscape architect who designed the greenery accompanying the W-Z route in the 1950s and participated, among other things, in the reconstruction of the Saxon Garden.
Until now, rain gardens in Warsaw were established on flat land with drainage sumps and several layers of soil. Water was delivered to them through narrow slots, which was an effective, if somewhat limited, way to manage water. Meanwhile, a Danzig-type rain garden uses a completely different approach. The area underneath the garden is lowered, allowing natural, gravity flow of water from the street into the garden. Thanks to the wide, lowered kerbs, the garden’s water retention capacity is significantly increased, making it more efficient than traditional solutions.
The new rain garden, which will be lowered by 40 cm in relation to the surrounding area, will continue her vision of urban greenery. In addition, a mounded low earth embankment 60 cm high will help to collect water. The garden will feature, among others, water mint, marsh cranesbill, European creeper and ‘Anzac’ lilac – a total of 40 square metres of new greenery. The rain garden will not only consist of low vegetation. The square will also feature three balsam ambrosia trees, which will delight the residents with their colourful foliage in autumn. Although trees are usually planted in spring or autumn, these particular seedlings have been specially prepared for summer planting. By growing them in pots beforehand, these trees could be planted now, which will ensure that they will grow stably in their intended location.
The project contractor was able to find suitable seedlings in the nurseries, despite the time constraints involved in signing the contract, making it possible to introduce these trees into Solidarności Avenue later this summer. The design for the changes to Solidarności Avenue also includes the removal of a long-closed car park, allowing the square to be widened. The new greenery and rain garden will not only improve the aesthetics of the space, but will also contribute to better water retention and drought protection.
Source: ZDM in Warsaw
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