A sign at Seattle’s High Point Development explains what happens to rainwater here: “Native plants and grasses on gently sloped parkways cleanse rainwater from streets and sidewalks”.

This 130-acre site is engineered so the built environment mimics a natural drainage system. Sidewalks, driveways and even one street are porous pavement. Everything slopes toward the roadside swales and ultimately to the pond in order to naturally filter the water. The result: improved water quality and protection for the salmon habitat.

In this video, High Point developer Tom Phillips took us for a walk where the water flows.