Swan Creek Project
Swan Creek is the Junction neighborhood backyard water oasis! Once a thriving bastion whose site once was a neighborhood and City of Toledo social connection point. Over the years the creek fell into a state of ecological degradation due to the environmental contamination. A once vibrant waterway, whose waters brought community recreation, connectivity to nature, filtration and improvement to water quality, and whose surrounding vegetation, fauna, and rich tree canopy reduced the heat distressed impact the Junction neighborhood currently faces. These hazards exist in part due to urbanization and industrialization that have turned local marshes and wetlands into polluted waterways.
Challenges Facing the Junction Community:
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Heavy metal and chemical pollution in the water, air, & soil from over industrialization
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Over 50% of residents live below the poverty line.
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45% of land parcels in the area are vacant.
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Flooded streets and homes and unkept stormdrains
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Aging stormwater and drinking water infrastructure
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Lack of tree coverage to combat heat island impacts
Nature-Based Solutions
In response the aforementioned challenges, Junction has partnered with various organizations across the region to build restore the creek to its formal glory by implementing nature-based solutions, including:
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Wetland restoration through the planting of native plants to improve water quality and wildlife habitats.
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Shoreline clean up and removal of invasive plant-life
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Floodplain reconnection to reduce flood risks.
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Reforestation to restore natural ecosystems and strengthen the environment.
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Public access expansion to stimulate economic opportunity and recreation
To learn more about our work on Swan Creek check out our presentation on the work being performed.
Progress on rehabilitating Swan Creek is made possible because input and volunteerism contributed by Junction residents, Toledoans, and the services, support, and contributions from organizational partners and service providers. Organizational partners are pictured below.
What Swan Creek Webinars
