Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Commissioners were on hand as the first truckloads of MWRD biosolids were delivered to the future Maggie Daley Park in downtown Chicago recently.
Chicagoland soil can be too compacted for good root development, and it can lack the vital nutrients and organic matter that plants need to thrive. Heavy summer rains can wash fertilizers away, and long dry spells can leave grass parched. With improved soil quality, turf grass at the park will be healthier, more durable and will require less maintenance. Biosolids provide nutrients but also improve soil structure, help retain moisture and prevent erosion. MWRD biosolids will be mixed with soil to improve the quality of the fields at Maggie Daley Park.
“Maggie Daley was a passionate advocate for the children of Chicago,” said Commissioner Patrick D. Thompson. “The park will be a wonderful place for children and families to enjoy. It is an honor to play a part in the creation of this very special tribute to an amazing person.”
Maggie Daley Park’s total acreage is 25.2 acres, of which 16.9 acres will serve as a green roof to parking facilities. This will be the second largest green roof in the country, with the 24.5 acres of Millennium Park the largest. The park will provide 85,580 cu ft of detention volume storage across the green roof site and another 19,863 cu ft of detention volume storage in the area known as Peanut Park.
Source: MWRD
