In early 2018, Edgewood Park was impacted by flooding due to heavy rains and a storm drain blocked by roots. The City of Knoxville’s Engineering, Public Service and the Parks and Recreation Departments researched the flooding issue to determine several methods to address future flooding events.

This project page provides the neighborhood the opportunity to review possible options, select an option(s) as well as provide comments in the online survey.

Please note the name / number of the option(s) below that you would select to improve the flooding issues in Edgewood Park. You will need this information when you take the online survey. This survey will be open until September 1, 2018.

OPTION #1 - MAINTENANCE & GRADING

• The City's Public Service Department will purchase a rotary head capable of clearing roots.
• When the pipe becomes clogged with roots again, a work order to clean / clear the pipe will be executed.
• The area will be graded as smooth as possible to try and create positive drainage and eliminate low spots. Seed and straw will then be added to encourage new grass growth.
• There will be no defined channel and the existing pipe will be the only conveyance.
• In the event the spring box overflows during high water table and / or minimized capacity due to root intrusion, the spring water will flow across the ground in an undefined path, but should not create large pools.
• This option requires ongoing action, monitoring, and maintenance of the existing pipe.
• The rock area currently located at the downstream termination of the park would remain open.

OPTION #2 - PIPE SLEEVE & WIDE SWALE

• Install a small diameter liner/sleeve in the existing pipe.
• The liner will be without joints to aid in discouraging future root intrusion.
• The lack of conventional digging and pipe replacement will minimize and/or eliminate any root damage to the existing Sycamore tree.
• Sycamore trees love water, so protecting the integrity of the trees also helps keep the water table down.
• A grassed swale will be created to provide a defined flow path in the event the spring box overflows due to a high water table.
• These grass swales will be wide, inconspicuous, walk-able, and mow-able.
• The rock area currently located at the downstream termination of the park would remain open.

OPTION #3 - NEW PIPE & SWALE

• Install a new pipe that would be the same diameter as the existing pipe.
• The joints of the pipe will be gasketed to try and prevent future root intrusion.
• Conventional digging and pipe replacement will pose more of a threat to the integrity of the Sycamore trees.
• The pipe / trench will follow the drip line of the trees as much as possible to minimize impact to the trees.
• A grassed swale will be created in the trench / pipe footprint as a defined flow path in the event the spring box overflows due to a high water table.
• The grass swale will be more pronounced than that of Option #2, but will still be walk-able and mow-able.
• The rock area currently located at the downstream termination of the park would remain open.

OPTION #4 - OPEN CHANNEL

• If you leave the existing pipe in place, eventually it will become overcome with roots and provide little to no capacity.
• Instead, build an open channel and allow the spring box to flow overland to the downstream limits of the park.
• This will create a water feature that may be similar to the Fountain City Park channel however it would be on a smaller scale.
• It would be a great amenity, learning opportunity, and would create a natural habitat.
• This option provides the most capacity and easiest maintenance.
• Several large stepping stones can be strategically placed along the channel to allow for easy access between the gazebo and play area.
• The channel will discharge into the rock area currently located at the downstream termination of the park and the rock area would remain open.



TAKE THE SURVEY

Please complete the online survey regarding your opinion on the changes proposed for Edgewood Park. This survey will be open until September 1, 2018.


CONTACT INFO

If you are interested in giving input on the proposed changes to Edgewood Park, please email your ideas to [email protected].