New Green Stormwater Infrastructure for The Garage Youth Center in Avondale
February 2026
Protecting the East Branch of White Clay Creek while strengthening community spaces was at the heart of the Garage Youth Center Green Stormwater Infrastructure project. Through this effort, rainwater that once flowed from roof to pavement and carried pollution into the creek is now captured and absorbed into the ground under a paved multi-purpose outdoor space at The Garage Youth Community Center in Avondale. The project prevents nearly 200 pounds of sediment each year from reaching local waterways, directly improving water quality in a highly developed area, and reducing stormwater runoff from the facility.
Alongside this 'under-the-ground' improvement, White Clay Watershed Association supported the youth center with a beautification project in front of the building. Led by Proto Landscape Design this part of the project involved removing impervious concrete pavement and installing large planting boxes to allow for more infiltration, beautify the streetscape, improve habitat and provide additional onsite safety for students.
This project was undertaken as a demonstration project as part of the larger Greening Plan for Avondale Borough that identified opportunities for green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) throughout the community. Avondale experiences frequent and severe flooding, and green stormwater infrastructure is a piece of a multifaceted puzzle to help address the issue. This project, along with many more like it in the future, will not only help reduce flooding during minor storm events, but will also clean the air, provide habitat, and beautify the community.