Cow Creek cont’d Introduction the problems publicly. The etween 1940 and 1970, towns and cit engineers presented differ- ies across the nation grew and ex ent approaches to the B panded rapidly. Often these communi- problems at the meetings, GIVING NEW LIFE TO ties were nestled alongside a stream or river. As and listened to the the towns grew, so did a number of problems as- community’s suggestions. What is sociated with the nearby rivers. For instance, if a The folks of Hutchinson STREAMS IN RURAL “daylighting”? town’s industrial and human wastes were dumped liked the daylighting idea. Many communities into a river, public health risks grew along with the When they heard that the CITY CENTERS are confronting the town. If a nearby stream flooded its banks easily, costs for daylighting the problems associated construction near the stream was difficult. stream and creating a new with the streams Many communities dug trenches to contain park in the downtown area buried under their were less than the costs of downtowns. One these streams during flooding, or buried the option they have is streams in pipes underground to avoid associated unearthing and replacing to return these health risks. Once the streams were buried under- Until 1997, Cow Creek the underground pipes and bridge, they supported streams to a more ground, the towns also found it easier to grow. was buried under the the daylighting project. The Cow Creek design even- natural, open state. They built streets, housing, and industrial plants streets of Hutchinson, tually included a water play area, a merry-go-round This is often referred over the buried streams. And the public health Kansas. Now it provides and a festival site. a park setting enjoyed to as “daylighting” a problems also disappeared--at least for awhile. Three city blocks of Avenue “A” were exca- stream. by tourists and Today many towns and cities are beginning to residents alike. vated for the project. Four commercial buildings think differently about the streams buried under were also moved, and Cow Creek now flows though their streets. Several reasons account for this. For 800 feet of frontage in a park-like setting. Today, instead of declining property some towns, the pipes that encase the streams values and diminishing business activity in Hutchinson’s downtown, property val- have rusted and must be replaced. For other ues have increased by 10% in the area. Concerts and music festivals are held towns, the volume of water flowing into the under- regularly, and public use and business activity has increased. ground pipes has increased, and now, during Is the City of Hutchinson glad it daylighted Cow Creek? A local bank has winter storms, the pipes back up and water over- been so pleased with the change in the area, and the increased business and flows onto streets and other places. And in some civic use, that it now sponsors a “brown bag in the park” concert series in the The communities cities, people are asking whether the stream bur- summer with musical groups performing during the lunch hour. profiled here have ied underground could be excavated and turned experienced a revival of into a park setting that may attract new business their downtown and and activities to declining and poorly used down- FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE RIVERS & TRAILS business districts as a town areas. Often communities are struggling with PROGRAM A former parking lot is now a Festival Site at the end of the recently daylighted Arcadia Rivers & Trails Program result of daylighting a combination of these factors. Creek in Kalamazoo, Michigan streams that were National Park Service Many communities are finding that the costs formerly underground. 909 First Avenue They are excited by the associated with “daylighing” a stream (see new look of their sidebar) can be less than designing new pipes and Seattle, WA 98104 downtown areas and re-burying the stream. They are also discovering Phone the renewed interest of that their communities can gain other benefits (206) 220-4113 local citizens, tourists from a daylighted stream. Website: http://www.nps.gov/rtca and businesses since Here is the story of two communities that cho- they daylighted these se to daylight their streams. You’ll learn why they THE RIVERS & TRAILS PROGRAM'S MISSION streams. is to advocate and assist community based conservation action. We build excavated streams that were buried underground The National Park Service cares for the special places saved by the and support partnerships that conserve natural and cultural resources, provide for decades. You’ll also learn where you can get American people so that all may experience our heritage. more information about daylighting streams and recreational opportunities, and contribute to economic and social well-being. whether it’s a good choice for your community. construction along Arcadia Creek. The city also offerred to renew the leases at $1.00/ year after Cow Creek the initial leases expired. Downtown Hutchinson, Kansas experienced a To gain public support, the city passed out host of problems in the 1980s and early 1990s. booklets in local schools explaining the Arcadia The underground pipes that encased Cow Creek Creek project, as well as the reasons why the busi- below the city’s streets were deteriorating. The ness district needed rennovating. City staff downtown streets flooded during heavy winter discussed the problems at public meetings and storms, and a major bridge into downtown needed workshops as well as the proposal for how to ad- replacing. The general public avoided downtown’s dress them. The community learned how Avenue A in Hutchinson, vacant, abandoned buildings and run-down envi- daylighting Arcadia Creek could revive the down- Kansas with Cow Creek’s ronment, allowing crime and other problems to town area and address the increasing flooding streambed outlined develop. problems. They also learned about the costs of the project, as well as the expected benefits. The The city’s engineers worried about the rusting citizens of Kalamazoo soon rallied behind the idea. underground pipes and decaying bridge. They looked at two different approaches to the prob- Today, Arcadia Creek drives an economic re- Arcadia Creek after lems: excavate the old pipes, encase Cow Creek in Arcadia Creek as it flows into the stormwater pond/fesitval site in Kalamazoo vival in the business district. Five festivals are dayligfhting as it runs new un- through Kalamazoo’s scheduled at the amphitheater site each year, and derground Why do Buried business district. new businesses continue to locate in the Arcadia pipes, and Streams Cause Creek district. Flooding? Think of a Arcadia Creek then seek For Kalamazoo, gaining firm commitments city’s streets and state and Over a century ago, Kalamazoo, Michigan bur- from local businesses and public institutions be- rooftops as a big wash ied Arcadia Creek underground. By the 1980s, federal tub that catches all of fore starting to daylight Arcadia Creek was key to grants to downton Kalamazoo had become a depressed area the project’s success. As Ken Nacci, director of the the rainwater falling Avenue A in Hutchinson, replace the on the city. The hard with boarded up, vacant buildings, high crime and downtown development agency said, don’t pro- declining public use. The streets also flooded of- Kansas before daylighting bridge. surfaces prevent the Cow Creek. This area ceed on a “build it and they will come basis.” He The other water from soaking ten, because the underground pipes backed up as fequently flooded during advised that, “Getting commitments from local option into the ground. a result of the city’s growth (see sidebar). In winter storms. businesses and institutions early is critical.” Instead, the rainwater 1986, Kalamazoo began a major rennovation of was to dig runs down the city’s the downtown area. “Daylighting” Arcadia Creek up the streets and rain (see introduction) gained support as a way to re- pipes and gutters and eventually store the declining downtown area, as well as create a flows into the pipes address the flooding problems. park with buried under the the re- Kalamazoo daylighted five blocks of Arcadia streets. As a city stored creek running through it. The city could Creek. To address the flooding problems the city Daylighting Cow Creek grows, the “wash tub” then re-route traffic and eliminate the need for the created a large retention pond that holds the high created an attractive place also grows, catching bridge. The city found the costs of excavating, re- winter flows and releases the water gradually into for residentsand tourists more rain and placing and re-burying the pipes, plus replacing channeling it into the the stormwater system. In the summer, the city to enjoy. the bridge were higher than daylighting the stream underground pipes. uses the pond area as an amphitheater for outdoor and creating a park along its banks. The city’s en- Eventually, more concerts. The amphitheater is popular with local gineers also designed a stormwater pond to water is directed into residents and out-of-town tourists. The summer absorb the high winter storm flows and stop the the pipes than they festivals generate about $12 million annually. can carry, and the flooding. To ensure a strong economic base for the excess water spills out Hutchinson prides itself on having a high level project, the city encouraged local businesses to in- in unexpected places- of public involvement in its community affairs. vest in the area before daylighting and rennovation -such as backed up City staff held a number of town meetings to share storm drains and began. The city offerred 30-year leases at low in- flooded city streets.