Green Infrastructure
What is Green Infrastructure?
In natural landscapes, rainwater soaks into the ground or is taken up by plants and trees. In urban areas, hard surfaces such as rooftops, streets, sidewalks, and parking lots prevent water from soaking into the soil. Instead, rainwater flows over these surfaces, picking up pollutants like oil, trash, metals, and sediment before entering storm drains. Storm drains in East Palo Alto flow directly to local creeks and waterways without treatment.
Green Infrastructure (GI) is an approach to managing stormwater that uses natural processes to slow, capture, and treat runoff close to where it falls. GI uses vegetation, soils, and engineered features to help stormwater soak into the ground, filter pollutants, and reduce flooding. By mimicking natural hydrology, green infrastructure helps protect water quality while creating healthier, more resilient urban environments.
Common examples of green infrastructure include rain gardens, vegetated swales, permeable pavement, green streets, and landscaped curb extensions.
Why Green Infrastructure Matters
Green Infrastructure provides many benefits beyond managing stormwater runoff. When purposefully designed and maintained, GI can:
• Improve water quality in local creeks and downstream waterways
• Reduce localized flooding and strain on storm drain systems
• Enhance public spaces through landscaping and urban greening
• Reduce urban heat by providing shade and cooling paved areas
• Support habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife
• Improve pedestrian safety when integrated into street design
• Conserve potable water when stormwater is reused for irrigation or other non-potable purposes
Over time, green infrastructure can also be more cost-effective than traditional “gray” stormwater infrastructure by reducing the need for large pipes, vaults, and detention systems.
East Palo Alto’s Green Infrastructure Plan
The City of East Palo Alto has adopted a Green Infrastructure Plan to guide how GI is incorporated into public projects and planning decisions. The plan supports compliance with regional stormwater permit requirements and helps ensure that green infrastructure is considered early in the design of streets, parks, and other public improvements.
The Green Infrastructure Plan focuses on:
• Identifying opportunities to integrate GI into public projects
• Improving water quality and flood resilience
• Coordinating GI implementation across City departments
• Tracking GI projects over time to support maintenance and compliance
The City’s Green Infrastructure Plan can be viewed here
Examples of Green Infrastructure
Green infrastructure can take many forms and be adapted to different locations throughout the City. Examples include:
• Rain Gardens: Landscaped areas planted with native vegetation and engineered soils that capture and absorb stormwater from roofs, streets, or parking areas.
• Vegetated Swales: Shallow, planted channels that slow runoff and allow water to soak into the ground.
• Permeable Pavement: Pavement designed to allow water to pass through into underlying soil or storage layers.
• Green Streets: Streets designed to include curb extensions, planters, or other GI features that manage runoff while improving safety and aesthetics.
Insert photos of GI Examples around EPA
Local Projects and Community Partnerships
East Palo Alto participates in regional and community-based efforts to expand green infrastructure throughout the city.
• Rain Garden Program: Local nonprofit partners, including CRC, Grassroots Ecology, and Fresh Approach, are installing rain gardens at no cost to qualifying residents and providing training on installation and maintenance. Rain gardens use native plants and amended soils to absorb rainwater, reduce flooding, and create attractive landscaping. Residents interested in learning more or signing up can visit: East Palo Alto Rain Gardens – Fresh Approach
• RAIN GARDENS | Climate Resilient Communities
Maintenance and Inspections
Like all infrastructure, green infrastructure requires regular maintenance to function properly. Maintenance activities include removing trash and sediment, maintaining vegetation, and ensuring that water flows into and through GI features as designed.
The City frequently inspects publicly owned GI facilities to ensure they continue to provide water quality and flood management benefits over time.
If you see a storm drain, GI feature, or other public works infrastructure in the community that needs maintenance, contact public works here: maintenance@cityofepa.org or (650) 853-3100
Green Infrastructure for Residents and Businesses
Residents and businesses can also play a role in managing stormwater by incorporating small-scale green infrastructure practices on private property. These practices may include rain gardens, permeable paving, and rainwater capture for irrigation.
Resources and guidance for property owners interested in green infrastructure include:
• Regional stormwater education materials
• Design guidance and examples
• Information on local programs and partnerships
Flows to Bay
East Palo Alto is part of the countywide Flows to Bay program, which provides education and resources on stormwater pollution prevention and green infrastructure.
Flows to Bay offers:
• Educational materials for residents and businesses
• Information on stormwater impacts and solutions
• Regional coordination on green infrastructure outreach
Learn more here: Home Page - Flows To Bay
