Wilson’s Landing Bioretention Garden

Wilson’s Landing Park is located in northwest Seminole County, adjacent to the Wekiva River. It is a part of the Wekiva River Recharge Area, Wekiva River Riparian Habitat Protection Zone, and Wekiva River Protection Area. The park includes a large pavilion, a canoe launch, and a boardwalk along the river. The area adjacent to the shoreline and boardwalk was designated to remain native vegetation during the original park design and construction. This area receives runoff from the concrete sidewalk that connects the parking area and the boardwalk. The sidewalk was cut into the natural grade to maintain a safe pedestrian and ADA accessible slope; however, the runoff from the sidewalk caused ongoing erosion and scouring of the boardwalk/shoreline area. Therefore, the original vegetation could not establish and continued erosion caused sedimentation in the canoe launch area.

"Up-slope" view of the construction of a swale and two infiltration basins to direct, retain and slow surface water run-off.

"Up-slope" view showing completed rock swale and infiltration basins with fresh plantings.

This project created a "bioretention" area that reduces erosion and also collects and treats the stormwater runoff from the park. The bioretention area consists of two small stabilized sediment basins that collect the runoff from the park, allowing it to infiltrate into the ground. Both basins are planted with native vegetation that helps uptake nutrients while also controlling erosion. A rock stabilized flow path safely conveys runoff into the two basins and ultimately to a stabilized outfall. This small demonstration area is intended to provide stormwater runoff education to the public while providing a benefit to the river. Seminole County is a project partner on the Wekiva Wild and Scenic River Advisory Management Committee. The County brought the above project to the committee for funding consideration and the committee granted an initial $10,000 for the project in FY 17/18 and an additional $10,000 in FY 18/19 while the County contributed $25,000.

Construction of a swale and two infiltration basins to direct, retain and slow surface water run-off.

Educational sign onsite describing the purpose and function of the Bioretention Garden.

Wilson's Landing Park, 100 acre passive use park located on the banks of the Federally designated Wild Scenic Wekiva River, Seminole County.

Pavilion at Wilson's Landing Park overlooking the Wekiva River, a State designated "Outstanding Florida Water" and the Bioretention Garden

by Shannon Wetzel, Bob Miller, and Jim Dubyare

Shannon Wetzel, Bob Miller, and Jim Dubyare are affiliated with Friends of the Wekiva River, Wekiva River Wild and Scenic Advisory Management Committee, Seminole County Watershed Management and Greenways and Natural Lands Divisions.

Wilson’s Landing Park created a “bioretention” area which reduces erosion and also collects and treats the stormwater runoff from the park. It is located in northwest Seminole County, adjacent to the Wekiva River. It is a part of the Wekiva River Recharge Area, Wekiva River Riparian Habitat Protection Zone, and Wekiva River Protection Area.

Wilson’s Landing Bioretention Garden

by Shannon Wetzel, Bob Miller, and Jim Dubyare

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