Highland Vista Park

LOCATION: Tucson

AREA: 1.1 ac

CLIENT: City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Department

COMPLETION DATE: 2008

The Highland Vista Park project in Tucson was conceived by residents of the Highland Vista Neighborhood who were concerned about stormwater management on the east side of the site. The residents recognized the opportunity to reduce ponding and to demonstrate a variety of techniques for harvesting stormwater. The landscape consists of walking paths and stormwater harvesting basins to direct runoff water to planting areas, which showcase native vegetation. The design also reduced the mosquito presence in the neighborhood, pollutants flowing into the Arcadia Wash, and erosion and sedimentation downstream. Highland Vista is visited often by design professionals to view successful implementation of green infrastructure. Key features include "boomerang berms" with micro-catchment basins for on-site water harvesting, and infiltration basins with check dams.