Orange Memorial Park, South San Francisco
Orange Memorial Park (City of South San Francisco) / Photo Credit: www.ssf.net
Project Description
Orange Memorial Park is the site of an underground rainwater collection project that collects rain from a large area while providing significant public benefit. Before the project, the site was an underused and outdated athletic field. Now the athletic areas have been renovated and use artificial turf to make them usable year-round. In addition, the fields now include enhanced planting areas.
The Project will return as much as 78 million gallons of water to the groundwater basin each year. Rainwater is diverted from Colma Creek, collected, stored and treated then used for irrigation in the Park and along Centennial Trail. Fifteen million gallons of water collected by the Orange Memorial Park system irrigates three local parks, which reduces potable water consumption for a savings of some $140,000 a year. In addition to the hard number savings, the benefits from the added urban greenspace and improvement to community health have an estimated value of $47 million annually.
Techniques Used
Water harvesting features
Underground collection and filtration
Revived recreation area/playing fields
Rain Ready Benefits
Improved water quality
Flood control
Groundwater recharge
Increased recreation opportunities
Public greenspace creation
Restoration of wetlands
Improved community health
Offset of potable water consumption
Case Studies
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![County of LA’s Safe Clean Water Program]()
County of LA’s Safe Clean Water Program
This one-of-a-kind program invests approximately $280 million annually into multi-benefit rainwater collection projects and programs.
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![Earvin Magic Johnson Park]()
Earvin Magic Johnson Park
The rainwater collection system at this popular park collects up to 85% of the water that was flowing away and brings community health benefits to a disadvantaged area.
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![East Los Angeles Sustainable Median Stormwater Capture Project]()
East Los Angeles Sustainable Median Stormwater Capture Project
The project collects more rainwater, while also adding much-needed greenspace to a couple of parched and barren medians in East Los Angeles.
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![Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District Stormwater Basin System]()
Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District Stormwater Basin System
The system collects and channels rainwater that once caused flooding. But is now channeled safely to recharge the water supply, while adding green space and places for rest and recreation.
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![San Mateo County Sustainable Streets Master Plan]()
San Mateo County Sustainable Streets Master Plan
The Plan includes multi-benefit projects designed to improve street conditions for walkability, cycling, urban greening, climate resiliency and water quality.
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![Elk Grove Rain Garden Plaza]()
Elk Grove Rain Garden Plaza
This one-acre site incorporates a wetland, surrounded by swales and native plants/trees, a large rain garden, examples of pervious paving material and rain barrels and rain chains.
