In the summer of 2025, the City of Lowell started construction on renovation of Saint Louis Sponge Park and Riverview Park (SLSP) (Read all about the plan and learn about events here: https://www.lowellma.gov/1792/Saint-Louis-Sponge-Park-Phase-1). The park renovation plans will transform this underutilized 6-acre park into a regional destination and model of climate resiliency. Located in one of the City's urban heat islands and next to the Merrimack River, the renovation of this park provides an opportunity to help build for improved climate resiliency by integrating design features to help cool local temperatures and mitigate stormwater runoff to prevent urban flooding. The park has several design features planned to address these goals, including: upgrading the basketball courts with a low-albedo coating, installing a recirculating splash pad, bio-retention pond and bio swales, permeable parking areas, and extensive urban greening efforts. The Winbourne research group is partnering with the City of Lowell to track the efficacy of these efforts. Starting in the summer of 2025, we are making baseline measurements on the current conditions at the site using a combination of ground sensor network and remotely sensed measures using drones. We will track how temperatures (both air and surface) change over time as these nature-based solutions to urban heat are implemented. Additionally, we will be making measurements to track how soil hydrology at the site is changing over-time and in response to major rain events.
Coming soon.... Arc Story Map sharing more details about the project and will be a platform to see real-time data collection at the site.
Do you live near or visit Saint Louis Sponge Park? We would love to hear from you!