Description
The drainage swell that parallels the eastern boundary of the Providence Elementary and Kempsville Middle School properties has filled in and does not drain storm water run off. Water remains in many areas after rain stops. Mowing is not done in wet areas because the ground stays muddy. Mosqitos proliferate and pester students and sport spectators. The swell has filled in primarily from ball diamond resurfacing and poor grading/silt control during the air conditioning upgrade to Providence Elementary. Attached is an annotated picture which shows the swell location and water flow path.
also asked...
A. Use marked location
A. Stormdrain structure clogged
12 Comments
Acknowledged City of Virginia Beach (Registered User)
Closed City of Virginia Beach (Registered User)
Reopened dklj (Registered User)
Hello Council Woman Ross-Hammond,
I and my family have lived on Admiration Drive for 32 years. The rear of my house faces Kempsville Middle School property. My kitchen window is 35’ from a section of this swell. This email is about the swell that runs down the entire length of the eastern property line of both Kempsville Middle and Providence Elementary Schools.
Providence/Kempsville School Drainage.jpeg
Swell drain location.jpeg
The swell has virtually disappeared at the north end. It has filled in primarily from ball diamond run off and poor grading after the air conditioning upgrade at Providence Elementary. Rain water ponds in several area, days, even weeks after a storm. The areas that ponding occurs results in a marsh like condition which isn’t mowed and becomes mosquito breeding grounds and interferes with use of the athletic fields
Over the years I have reported my observations and asked that the school ground drainage be addressed. Many years ago I happened to be home when the KMS ball diamonds were being resurfaced. At the time it was common practice to leave the debris from resufacing dirt (wood, rock, concrete, shell, etc.) in a pile near by and left. Students lapping the field they would grab and throw the debris over the neighboring fences and at each other. I approached the crew supervisor to ask him to take away the debris and discussed the drainage issue. He (David Walker) used the ball diamond grading tractor and ran it up and down the swell a few times. That was well over two decades ago. The grate placed at the end of the swell where the run off enters the storm drain system at Providence Road was placed at my request roughly 15 years ago and I can no longer keep it wired together.
A neighbor and I who have yearly cleaned up and hauled debris to the land fill, and attended to fixing the the grate at the end of the swell drain. The condition has gotten to the point that it is beyond our means. The email I have attached was my latest attempt to get some attention to the school ground drainage problem and has been closed. As far as I can tell nothing has been done. Picture attached were take today: (starting at Providence Road going north)
Swell opening grate.jpeg
Swell drain opening.jpeg
KMS behind girls diamond.jpeg
PES water at side walk.jpeg
PES standing water.jpeg
The standing water in that swell has and will continue to pose a mosquitos hazard to the adjacent neighbors as well as the students, casual users and spectators using the school grounds. Coaches complain about how long it takes the outfields to dry out. Students run through the mud lapping the field during PE in expensive shoes and track it into school.
I feel I have exhausted all other means to bring attention to this problem. I would appreciate your help.
dklj (Registered User)
dklj (Registered User)
Parks and Recreation - SJH (Registered User)
Parks and Recreation - SJH (Registered User)
Jbkim (Guest)
Parks and Recreation - SJH (Registered User)
Thank you for your comments in regards to this issue. We as a department are committed to the health and well-being of the citizens of Virginia Beach and are working to address the concerns in this area.
Landscape Management is the division within Parks and Recreation responsible for the work needed to repair the swale. Repairing the swale should reduce or eliminate the standing water which in turn should reduce the health and mosquito concern.
If you have further questions regarding the plan to rectify this matter, please feel free to contact Landscape Management at 757-385-4461 and reference the See Click Fix Issue ID # 1623535 or the Service Request # 91430141 and we would be happy to assist you.
dklj (Registered User)
dklj (Registered User)
Closed Lori Marshall (Registered User)