Minimizing the negative impacts of stormwater is embedded in the DNA of our organization since our earliest days working on the Nine Mile Run stream restoration, and at homes throughout the watershed.
We plan and build projects that improve climate resiliency, reduce Combined Sewage Overflows (CSO’s)* and mitigate stormwater issues for cleaner streams and healthier communities.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) projects – such as rain gardens, stormwater tree pits, bioswales and large-scale tree plantings allow us to intercept large quantities of water, redirect it for useful purposes, and contribute to placemaking through beautiful, identifiable assets in a community.
UpstreamPgh will continue to identify opportunities, through our Ripple Watershed Plan, to initiate targeted projects that will do the most good for those residents of our watershed who are most in need of a healthier community.
*Learn about the City of Pittsburgh’s sewage system on the Pittsburgh Water website.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Projects
Dornbush (2024)
Completed in spring 2024, this project was built on two vacant lots at the corner of Dornbush and Bricelyn Streets in the East Hills. Two linked rain gardens and underground retention capture stormwater flowing down Dornbush – Pittsburgh’s second steepest street, and lessen flooding in the community.
Wilkinsburg Stormwater Resiliency Project (WSRP) (2023-2024)
In an effort to reduce stormwater runoff in the Wilkinsburg Business District, two large publicly owned municipal parking lots have been retrofitted with rain gardens and bioswales in place of concrete medians. Phase I – South Avenue was completed in 2023, and Phase II – Wallace Avenue in 2024.
Swissvale Hill (2021)
Completed in September of 2021 this project is located on 3 vacant lots owned by the Borough of Wilkinsburg. A catch-basin on Hill Ave captures and delivers water to the rain garden system.
Maple Avenue (2021)
A 75′ linear stormwater tree trench includes two trees planted in structural soils, surrounded by native plants. The project captures runoff from the street and infiltrates and cleans the water as it moves through the swale-style facility.
Rosedale Hill (2016 + 2022 update)
The Rosedale Hill Gardens were completed in the Fall of 2021 but began in 2017. Two once vacant lots were transformed into a community space that includes a pollinator garden, raised vegetable beds, a pavilion, and an ADA accessible pathway.
Oakwood Batavia (2016)
This project was completed in 2016 as part of the Rosedale Runoff Reduction Project. The site features a bioswale bumpout along with a green gutter on Oakwood and Batavia Streets in Homewood.
Crescent School (2015 + 2025 update)
The Crescent Early Childhood Center Rain Garden was built as part of the Rosedale Runoff Reduction Project. Runoff from Tokay Street enters the rain garden via a new cast iron curb inlet and a stormwater trench drain, completed in fall 2025.
Learn more about our GSI projects and explore an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap of these sites.
GSI Performance Monitoring Dashboard
Swissvale Hill Rain Garden
Dornbush Green Infrastructure Project
Wilkinsburg Stormwater Resiliency Project
Green Infrastructure Projects Storymap
Maple Avenue Tree Pits
Homewood North Family Reinvestment Center Rain Garden
Carnegie Parking Lots Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Oakwood-Batavia Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Rosedale Hill Gardens
Crescent Early Childhood Center Green Stormwater Infrastructure
