By J.M. Rayburn, Planner, City of Dublin
The City has long considered sustainability an important strategy that has both short and long-term benefits to the community. Dublin has modified its fleet to run on compressed natural gas. Our 100 miles of bike trails, 1,300 acres of parkland, and tree preservation and landscaping requirements ensure a “green” future for generations.
Dublin is green, from our Irish roots to our abundant green space. But our green infrastructure is sometimes less obvious.
Take for example one of our most popular parks, Indian Run Falls. Most visitors wouldn’t think twice about the parking lot. But look closely and you’ll see it’s actually permeable pavement, a sustainable material that absorbs and slows the movement of storm water through the surface into the underlying water table. This protects water quality in nearby streams.
And then there’s the green roof at the new Exchange at Bridge Park. This environmentally friendly approach is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also improves water and air quality by reducing storm water runoff into the City’s sewer system. And it brings a sense of nature to an urban environment and creates a place to enjoy.
Similarly the Dublin Methodist Hospital boasts over 1,200 feet of multiple retention ponds, rain gardens and bioswales, which filter run-off before reaching underground storage. This helps lessen the strain to our storm water management system which in return, prolongs the life of the infrastructure.
When it comes to street trees, Dublin has also been a “green” leader. The City is home to 26,000 street trees, comprised of 90 different species, which covers an impressive 30.9 percent of Dublin. These trees provide a multitude of economic, environmental, and social benefits, conservatively valued at more than $22 million.
