The Challenge
West Manor Park, located within the Utoy Creek watershed in southwest Atlanta, experienced recurring nuisance flooding caused by unmanaged stormwater runoff from surrounding residential areas and adjacent roadways, including Benjamin E. Mays Drive and West Manor Circle. During moderate rainfall events, stormwater would pond along roadways and within the park due to limited inlet capacity and underperforming drainage infrastructure. These conditions impacted park usability, pedestrian safety, and nearby transportation corridors. In addition, untreated runoff—particularly from roadways with higher pollutant concentrations—contributed to water quality concerns downstream, as North Utoy Creek is identified as an impaired waterbody.
As part of the City of Atlanta’s Green Infrastructure Strategic Action Plan and Green Infrastructure Design Challenge, the project aimed to address flooding while improving water quality, enhancing park aesthetics, and creating a solution that could be integrated into an active community space.
The Solution
R2T developed an integrated stormwater strategy combining green infrastructure with targeted drainage improvements. A key feature was a bioretention system designed to capture and treat runoff from the park and nearby roadways using engineered soils and vegetation, with custom forebays to trap debris and sediment for easier maintenance. Conveyance was improved by upgrading drainage infrastructure with larger catch basins and new inlets along West Manor Circle. Additional repairs reduced localized ponding. The design also prioritized community integration through accessible features and virtual public engagement during the COVID 19 crisis.
The Results
The final design delivers a comprehensive stormwater management solution that reduces roadway and park flooding while improving water quality within the watershed. By capturing and treating runoff at the source, the project decreases pollutant loading to downstream systems and supports broader watershed restoration goals. Increased inlet capacity and improved conveyance reduce ponding during storm events, enhancing safety and functionality of adjacent roadways and park spaces.
The project successfully integrated green infrastructure into a community setting, creating an aesthetically cohesive and interactive feature within the park. The result is a resilient, maintenance-conscious solution that not only meets the City’s stormwater management objectives but also enhances the surrounding neighborhood and demonstrates the practical application of green infrastructure in urban environments.
Award
The Green Infrastructure Design Challenge at West Manor received a Merit Award as part of the Engineering Excellence Awards at the 2025 Georgia Engineering Awards, presented by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia. This recognition underscores the project’s positive community impact and its effective use of green infrastructure practices to enhance stormwater management and promote sustainable environmental solutions.
