O’Connor Park, Mississauga

O’Connor Park is located in northwest Mississauga and features a mix of wetland habitat and a variety of recreational uses. The parking lot soaks-up and treats rainfall through two low impact development (LID) practices – a bioswale (type of rain garden) with adjacent permeable pavement parking spots. The innovative bioswale and permeable pavement system collects urban runoff and filters out pollutants so cleaner water flows into Mullet Creek, the Credit River and Lake Ontario, our drinking water source.

Innovative Clean Water Technologies

Bioswale
Landscaped grass border with rows of black-eyed susans in the middle that absorb and release rain water slowly while filtering out pollutants.

Permeable Pavement
Specially designed paver stones with spacing bars that create gaps or joints between the stones, laid on top of engineered soil. Permeable pavement collects urban runoff from the surface filtering out pollutants through the engineered soil for cleaner water to enter our waterways.

Monitoring Goals

• Evaluating the movement of water of the LID practices through the use of rainfall data in combination with water level loggers or outlet flow loggers.
• Quantifying establishment and ongoing maintenance requirements for the bioswale and permeable pavement system with varying design features and drainage areas (area that rainfall drains into system).
• Evaluating the success of plant species used within the practice based on health, maintenance and urban aesthetic standards.
• Testing and developing protocols to ensure the contractor has properly constructed the innovative landscaped stormwater practices as designed before taking ownership and paying. This includes post-construction surveys, soil testing, plant surveys, and post-construction inspections.

Monitoring Progress

• Landscaping – The landscaping is simple, decorative grass border with rows of black-eyed susans in the middle.
• Maintenance – The design allows for easy maintenance.
• Water Levels – Initial results show the system is functioning as designed.

See the latest Monitoring Report for O’Connor Park below for more information on Monitoring Progress.

Project Partners