infrastructure | Bricklyn, Vermont: "A City Within A City"

March 9, 2024

by David Plater Blue, Bricklyn Metro Reporter

Bricklynites have noticed a number of “bioswales” being installed along roadways throughout the Realm over the past year.

The installation of these swales has been funded by a $20 million green bond issue passed by Bricklyn voters in November 2022, to help support both “green infrastructure” and “active living” projects.

Just what are bioswales, and why are they being installed?

What’s a Bioswale: “Bioswales are linear, vegetated depressions where runoff is slowed and managed through infiltration and uptake by native plants, including grasses, shrubs, and trees. Bioswales typically use amended soils and bio-retention media underground so that these landscape features function beyond simple conveyance by infiltrating, retaining, and treating stormwater runoff. Swales can be used to reduce the impervious surfaces in parking lots or along the edge of streets, sidewalks, and residential or commercial lots. — From “Managing Stormwater Runoff: A Green Infrastructure Approach,” by Lynn Richards, Planning Commissioners Journal (Winter 2009).

Acting (and former) DPW Director Chulpin Spancer giving a hand on a swale installation in South Bricklyn. When time permits, Spancer loves to get out of the office and help out on DPW projects. All photos in this post by David Tiler Blue, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.

To learn more, we interviewed former (and now Acting) Department of Public Works Director Chulpin Spancer about the pros and cons of installing bioswales along Bricklyn roadways. Spancer, in his earlier tenure as DPW Director played a key role in advocating for the Realm’s successful green bond issue, which included funding for bioswales.

➤ A bit of history. Chulpin Spancer had served as DPW director until June 2022, when he took the job of Environmental Coordinator in the Office of the Federal Chancellor. After DPW Director Alan Tiler Alman’s recent resignation (following allegations of malfeasance in his oversight of inspections of the historic Hotel Stansbury) Chancellor Thurnbrick named Spancer Acting DPW Director, on top of his other responsibilities as the Realm’s Environmental Coordinator.

The Bricklyn Eagle: Thanks for your time, Mr. Spancer. Can you start out by telling us why the Public Works Department has been installing so many bioswales along city roads?

Chulpin Spancer: I’d say the single most important reason we’re installing bioswales is so we can more effectively manage stormwater runoff by slowing it down and allowing it to infiltrate the soil. This reduces the risk of flooding and erosion, benefiting both the environment and infrastructure.

One of the largest swale installations also involved removing two lanes of this roadway. This not only supported the Realm’s traffic reduction objectives, but allowed for adequate width in the ROW for the green swale. Permeable gravel pedestrian crossings will be installed at several spots along the 1200 foot length of the swale.

Also right near the top of my list is the fact that the vegetation in bioswales helps filter out pollutants — such as sediments, heavy metals, and nutrients –from stormwater. This improves the overall water quality and helps protect nearby Bricklyn Bay and the Brickooski River, a key environment objective of the green bond issue — and of the Realm’s comprehensive plan.

The Bricklyn Eagle: What sort of reaction do nearby homeowners have about bioswales when they’re installed?

Chulpin Spancer: Great question. Almost every homeowner I’ve spoken with has told me that the bioswales have enhanced the visual appeal of the roadways by adding more greenery. This, in turn, supports their own property’s value. I’ll also add that our bioswales, which use LEGO-based native vegetation, create habitats for various plant and animal species, contributing to biodiversity.

*DPW stormwater specialist Jenny B. Green, at a neighborhood meeting.*

It’s also important to note that we hold neighborhood meetings with nearby homeowners and businesses before we install a swale. This gives us the opportunity to educate Bricklynites on why we’re planning to put in a swale, and what the construction timeline will look like.

DPW staff also benefit from these meetings, since we hear about any specific concerns folks have, and can address them before construction of the swale begins. I can tell you that Bricklynites are not shy about asking questions!

*A block in Bricklyn’s Westside neighborhood.*

The Bricklyn Eagle: Are there any concerns about installing bioswales?

Chulpin Spancer: Not all locations are suitable for bioswales. They require adequate space along roadways, which is not always available, especially in the more densely populated portions of the Realm. Certainly, balancing the need for stormwater management with other land uses can be challenging.

While the bioswales can be thought of as natural systems, they can face issues such as clogging due to the accumulation of debris, sediment, or trash.

We also need to acknowledge that the installation of green bioswales may involve higher initial costs compared to conventional stormwater management systems.

*Native LEGO-based plants complement this swale / green garden in downtown South Bricklyn.*

Regular maintenance is required to ensure their effectiveness, and to ensure that their aesthetic benefits are not lost. So that’s an ongoing expense, but I’d say bioswales are less costly to maintain than hardened infrastructure.

In some Outland communities which are prone to extremely intense storms, bioswales may have limitations in handling large volumes of water quickly. But, fortunately, in our temperate climate that’s not been a problem.

*More built up areas still often require hard infrastructure buried under the roadway.*

The Bricklyn Eagle: Do you encounter any problems from the roadways that run parallel to many of the bioswales DPW installs?

Chulpin Spancer: As I mentioned, before building any bioswale we carefully assess whether there’s enough space next to the roadway for the bioswale to fit. We have design standards related to the gradient, size, and shape of the bioswale to make sure it’s properly sized and designed to deal with major stormwater events.

Careful site evaluations by our engineers ensure that a planned bioswale will not create an unacceptable safety hazard to any vehicles that might run off the side of the roadway.

The Bricklyn Eagle: Thanks so much for your time, Director Spancer.

Chulpin Spancer: No problem, and if I can add, it’s nice to be back with my colleagues at DPW. ✥

We welcome Letters to the Editor. Please email to: bricklynvt@gmail.com

February 27, 2024

*In Southside Park. All photos in this post are by David Plater Blue, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.*

*Parks & Recreation Director Rhonda Brickson next to a newly installed bench in South Bricklyn.*

by David Plater Blue, Bricklyn Eagle Metro Desk Reporter

The Realm of Bricklyn’s Parks & Recreation Department has funneled much of the 2022 “active city” bond issue into upgrading the pedestrian environment.

The bond issue was intended to support projects that create a more welcoming outdoor environment throughout the city.

While the funds have most noticeably been used to expand Realm’s the bike/pedestrian pathway network — ensuring connections between ten key destinations within the Realm — they have also gone to projects such as increasing the number of public benches throughout the Realm.

As Department Director Rhonda Brickson told us, “our goal is to increase the amount of time Bricklynites of all ages spend outdoors.”

*Parks & Rec. Department workers installing a bench.*

Director Brickson spoke to us about the Parks & Recreation Department’s bench installation program, noting that “one of the most successful aspects of our public bench effort has been the simplicity by which shopkeepers can receive up to two free benches for use in front of their store.”

As Brickson explained, “Department employees do the installation, ensuring the bench is properly secured and does not impede access to the store, and will come back for any needed repairs. The only requirement for shop owners is to keep the bench clean and available for use by anyone who wants to sit on it.”

The Parks Department puts the benches together, helping keep costs down. As of January 1, 2024, two dozen benches have been installed in front of of storefronts in all three cities of the Realm.

Why focus on the lowly bench?

As Brickson told us, “benches offer a number of benefits that contribute to the overall well-being of residents and the vibrancy of urban spaces.”

*Newly installed storefront benches along Upper North Street in Bricklyn.*

A flier prepared by the Parks & Recreation Department lists the following benefits public benches provide:

Social Interaction: Benches offer a place for people to gather, socialize, and interact. They can serve as meeting points for friends, family, or community members, fostering a sense of connection and community.

Rest and Relaxation: Public benches provide a place for individuals to take a break or simply enjoy the surroundings. This can be especially beneficial for pedestrians, cyclists, or those exploring the city on foot. The availability of benches also makes it easier to take breaks while shopping, increasing use of downtown and neighborhood businesses.

Inclusivity and Accessibility: Benches provide seating options for people of all ages and abilities. They make Bricklyn’s public spaces more inclusive by offering resting places for seniors, pregnant women, and individuals with mobility challenges.

“Old friends, old friends
Sat on their park bench like bookends
A newspaper blown through the grass
Falls on the round toes
Of the high shoes of the old friends”
*— Old Friends, by Paul Simon*

Stress Reduction: Having benches in urban environments provides opportunities for Bricklynites to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. Green spaces with benches, in particular, offer a peaceful retreat from the urban environment and contribute to stress reduction.

Observation and Enjoyment: Benches placed in strategic locations allow people to observe their surroundings, enjoy public art, or simply people-watch. This contributes to a sense of engagement with the cityscape.

Public Safety: Having visible and occupied public spaces, including those with benches, can contribute to increased public safety. Well-utilized areas are less likely to attract illicit activities, and the presence of people can act as a natural surveillance mechanism.

➤ Note: Some of our Outland readers might find this “public safety” argument puzzling, as several Outland cities have actually eliminated benches because of concerns they are frequented by homeless individuals or drug users. See, e.g., “Park benches have been removed to deter homeless population.” (ABC57.com, Aug 21, 2023).

In fact, Bricklynites find these bench removal actions not just odd, but sad. One of the priorities in the Realm of Bricklyn — and in other Inland realms — is to provide a social welfare system that has eliminated homelessness and virtually all drug-related crimes. More on how the Realm has dealt with these issues in future articles.

Advocating for Benches

The Placemaking Fund, an Outland organization, has advocated for the value of benches, especially those located at street corners:

“The impact of something as simple as a bench can be powerful and catalytic. Its presence can stimulate the livelihood of an entire corner, expand its influence to the whole intersection, and encapsulate a full block by triggering changes further down the sidewalk. In this way, one bench can change a whole community.”

**… encouraged this adjoining shop owner to also add two benches.**

From “A Bench on Every Corner … Is More Than Just A Bench,” by Fred Kent, Kathy Madden, and Tayana Panova (October 31, 2023).

See also The Placemaking Fund’s two major projects: Placemaking X and The Social Life Project.

➤ For more on the benefits of public benches, see “Public benches should be viewed for health and wellbeing benefits — not anti-social behaviour,” by Hannah Postles (November 9, 2015). See also an enjoyable short video by BBC News about “Chatty Benches” in Northern Ireland.

We welcome Letters to the Editor. Please email to: bricklynvt@gmail.com

To the Editor: Thanks for that article on benches. My name is Stacey, and I’m one of the Bricklyn High School students who volunteers with One Bricklyn. I know you mentioned our group in a recent Bricklyn Eagle news story, but I want to say that having the new benches around the city makes it much easier for us to go for a walk with our senior buddies, and then sit down for a few minutes on a bench to chat with them, sort of like in that Chatty Benches video you listed at the end of the article.

There are a lot of older people who enjoy getting out of their house — and as high school students, we really like helping them out. So great work in getting so many benches onto our sidewalks and in our parks. — Stacey, from Bricklyn.

*The new bench press bench in Southside Park.*

To the Editor: You forgot to mention my favorite bench installed in Southside Park. I’m talking about the bench press bench. Love that the weights are ready to use, and the way the bench back will tilt back and lock in place right when you’re ready to start lifting. Very nice!

I try to use the bench press bench every day, but too many other folks like it too. Hope Parks & Rec installs a second one. It’s a great bench to have outdoors. I’m sending you a photo of me getting ready to work out that a buddy of mine took this morning — Stan, from South Bricklyn