The Town of Ashland will begin reconstruction of the second half of the Municipal Parking Lot (adjacent to 113 Hanover Ave) the week of March 20th. Construction is expected to last 4 to 6 weeks but will be complete before Ashland Train Day. During construction, the rear asphalt portion of the parking lot will be closed, but the portion already reconstructed (along the train mural) will remain open for use.
In 2012, the Town of Ashland reconstructed most of the Municipal Parking Lot with permeable pavers. This was done not only to improve the attractiveness of that lot, but also because permeable pavers help protect the Chesapeake Bay. How?
When it rains, stormwater runoff from the parking lot and the nearby roofs infiltrate between the pavers. The water is filtered through the stone beneath the pavers and the soil media in the landscaped island (also known as a bioretention area) before it flows into the storm drainage system, then into Ashland's streams. This filtration system via stone removes contaminants that the runoff picks up such as sediment, oil, and grease from cars, animal waste, etc.
Stormwater runoff quantities are much greater in Towns and Cities because there is a greater density of roads, sidewalks, parking lots, and buildings. In addition to filtering the stormwater runoff, the permeable paver system also reduces the amount of water discharging to the storm drainage system, which flows to our streams. The amount of runoff is reduced to a level similar to that in a natural environment. Less flow to streams means less potential for erosion in the streams.
Ashland's drainage system drains to local streams, which in turn drain to the rivers, which ultimately drain to the Chesapeake Bay. Less contamination and less erosion mean cleaner streams, rivers, and the Bay.
If you have any questions please contact Ingrid Strenbjørn or Viktor Rovner with the Town's Engineering Department at (804) 752-6875.