Page 10 - Vol40 No3 Sept-Oct2022

Congressional Medal of
McMinnville from page 9 Honor after giving his
in the form of the fields near Bobby life during the Vietnam
Ray Memorial Elementary School and a War.
McMinnville neighborhood. Education has already
The low-lying area behind the school become a big part of the
left nowhere for water to go when it project. McMinnville
accumulates. New pipes and traditional Stormwater and GIS
modes of infrastructure would be too officials gathered input
costly and likely not solve the flooding from elementary school
issues. Drawing on his background in teachers on ways they Drainage issues created flooding behind a local McMinnville elementary
stormwater management while in his role could use the park for school and in a nearby neighborhood. By taking a green infrastructure
of Community Development Director, outdoor education, approach to solving the problem, the city has been able to leverage more
resources and turn the flooding problem into an opportunity to bring the
Ming knew that using native plants which has led to plans community together.
and vegetation – such as those raised in for picnic tables and a
nurseries throughout the community community garden where both students donated from the local nurseries in the
– could both mitigate the flooding and and local residents can learn about how area.
stormwater run-off issues while creating a their food is grown. Engineering students What began as a stormwater mitigation
beautiful natural landscape in the heart of from UT have also been involved in project has evolved into a project that
McMinnville. the project, both benefiting their own is touching a myriad of aspects of life
The idea soon evolved into the creation education by helping with the design and for McMinnville residents including
of a new park featuring a wetland planning for the project as well as working food, education, outdoor recreation,
restoration that would serve not only with elementary students to education environmental conservation, and
for community recreation but also as a them about wetlands and conducting pH community involvement. The new Bobby
way to educate students and the public testing. Ray Wetland Project will provide a park
at-large about the importance of wetlands. The city is also partnering with local in an underserved area of the community
The project was dubbed the Bobby Ray FFA and 4H programs, the McMinnville and manage an ongoing environmental
Wetland Project both because of its Gardening Club, scouting organizations, issue in a way that is not only creative but
location near the school and in honor of and the local Rotary and Exchange clubs also bringing together different groups
McMinnville native Marine medic David to install plants and walkways in the from across McMinnville to make a
Robert “Bobby” Ray who earned the park while the plants themselves will be positive change in their city.

10 TPW September/October 2022