Rain gardens at bus bulges soften urban landscape along the Lonsdale Corridor in City of North Vancouver
City Leads by Example in Applying a ‘Design with Nature’ Way-of-Thinking and Acting
The City of North Vancouver is committed to integrating sustainable practices into its daily business. Furthermore, the City is leading by example in demonstrating on-the-ground applications of a ‘design with nature’ way-of-thinking and acting. This is illustrated by drainage features recently constructed within the highly urban Lonsdale Avenue corridor near 19th Street.
Sustainability Context
“Rain gardens have been included in the new bus bulges on Lonsdale to minimize the impact of the built environment on the City’s small streams (in this case Wagg Creek). 
But this is just part of the picture,” reports Tony Barber, Manager of Engineering Planning and Design.
“The rain gardens also help to sustain the adjacent street trees and make the streetscape a more comfortable and attractive environment for walking,” continues Tony Barber. “Studies have shown that appealing streetscapes also improve the viability of adjacent businesses.”
“As far as the bus bulges themselves, they reduce transit dwell times and therefore help to make transit a more attractive alternative,” concludes Tony Barber. “So to sum it up, these bus bulges help to contribute to the social, economic and environmental aspects of the sustainability of the City of North Vancouver.”
Recognition of the City’s Leadership
The drainage features have been praised by Corino Salomi, A/Area Manager with the Department of Fisheries & Oceans. “Not only do the features appear functional, they are visually appealing and interesting. Installing features like these on a busy street like Lonsdale takes dedication and in my opinion demonstrates the kind of leadership needed to bring about improvements in how rainwater/stormwater is viewed and managed.”
Rain Gardens at Bus Bulges:
Posted September 2008