West Virginia Success Story

DuPont Soccer Complex Green Parking Lot

Program or Category: Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)

Overview: The Martinsburg–Berkeley County Parks and Recreation Commission (P&R) began development of the DuPont Soccer Complex in 2001. Plenty of open space provide ample opportunity to build fields. A lack of money made parking facilities a low priority. But, soon P&R realized that the parking situation needed to be addressed. Simultaneously the USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) began conferring with P&R about erosion and stormwater management concerns. The idea to develop a parking area that used green technology instead of the standard impervious paved surface came up and was warmly received by P&R, but funds were lacking. The Potomac Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D) was asked to help. Soon a proposal was developed and a $25,000 grant was awarded by the Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Program. NRCS began design work while RC&D solicited partners. Eventually a local engineering company, Campbell Associates – Legion Design became involved and provided engineering data at a cost of over $50,000.  Legion provided the data for only a $4,500 fee and contributed the remaining $45,500 as an in-kind contribution. Next the Eastern Panhandle Conservation District (EPCD) agreed to provide $42,000 in cash. P&R was able to raise almost $10,000 cash, the RC&D paid Legion’s fee and provided an additional $550. Finally the Conservation Fund provided $500 cash. NRCS, EPCD, and RC&D provided over $13,000 of technical assistance for design, layout, and construction. P&R was able to provide volunteers from its own ranks and the community service program worth over $4,400. The final aspect of the project is an educational component that will provide passive education about groundwater recharge to the more than 500 soccer players and their parents that use the complex each spring and fall.

Accomplishments: A four-acre green parking facility was developed. The parking area includes four swales and accompanying grass filter strips on each side of the swale. Each filter has turf reinforcement, as the vehicles will actually be parking on the filters. It is predicted that the conservation work performed will result in the following average annual benefits of seven acre-feet of groundwater recharged and 45 tons of soil saved from erosion.

Program Benefits to Community:

• 7 acre-feet of groundwater recharge (annually)
• 45 tons of erosion prevented (annually)
• 4 acres of land treated
• 10-acre recreational area improved
• 1,000 citizens (youth and adults) benefiting (annually)

Contact:
Rebecca MacLeod, District Conservationist
304-267-8953 Ext 3323
rebecca.macleod@wv.usda.gov

Potomac Headwaters Resource Conservation & Development Office, Inc.
151 Aiken Center, Suite 6
Martinsburg, WV 25404-6211
http:// www.potomacheadwatersrcd.org/

	The parking area includes four swales and accompanying grass filter strips on each side of the swale.
	P&R was able to provide volunteers from its own ranks and the community service program worth over $4,400.

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