Last summer, a group of natural drainage ways known as bioswales was created in the town of Ohiopyle as part of a "green" infrastructure project.

Covering 5,000 square feet along Sherman, Sheridan and Lincoln streets, the bioswales were designed to provide an alternate route for storm water runoff.

Storm water that would normally enter the town's drainage is collected in the bioswales, where it is naturally filtered, removing contaminants such as oil, salt and gasoline. The filtered water then slowly makes its way to the Youghiogheny River, entering the river in a much cleaner state.

The bioswales contain gardens with specially selected native and adaptive plants to filter pollutants. Now planted and in full growth, the gardens are in bloom, adding lovely touches to the town.

Recently, a group of volunteers weeded the gardens, carefully removing unwanted plants and flora that had made their way into the gardens.

Volunteers were given instructions and plant booklets, showing which plants were to be removed.

"You have to take care of the weeds so they don't become too abundant," said Janie French of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. "We want the plants to take over and not the weeds."

Volunteers branched out to tackle the work, weeding the beds to give them a more tailored look.

"We want to teach people about the bioswales and show them what they are supposed to look like once they are weeded," said Stacie Hall, assistant manager of Ohiopyle State Park. "We wanted an overgrown look, but we don't want the weeds."

Volunteer Emma Strong said some of the residents of the town asked if the gardens could be taken better care of.

"We heard that a lot of the people in town thought that they looked kind of shabby and that they needed some work," Strong said. "We got some volunteers together and went out and did it."

Hall said many of the town's visitors now comment on how pretty the gardens are and what a nice touch they are.

"We have heard several comments from people who walk through the town and see the bioswales," Hall said. "People really seem to appreciate them."

The gardens will need to be maintained, and the park invites businesses and organizations to adopt an area of the garden, pledging to maintain that section in the future.

Read more: Ohiopyle drainage project in full bloom - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_752650.html#ixzz1VrYY6kOw