Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Michael A. Hall Park Stormwater Detention Basin Project?

A: The Town of Windsor’s 2020 Storm Drain Master Plan identifies Old Redwood Highway and Dawn Way as an area that typically floods during heavy rains. In 2021, the Town and consultant GHD identified Hall Park as an ideal location upstream of the intersection to build a detention basin, where it would collect rainwater before it reaches the Dawn Way area. The park is on the Starr Creek drainage corridor and is owned by the Town.

Q: Why is this project needed? How will it benefit the Windsor community?

A: Historically, the Dawn Way area near Old Redwood Highway floods when heavy rainstorms come through the area. Flooding can cause significant damage to homes and fixing those damages may cause an ongoing financial burden to impacted residents.

Q: Why isn’t this project being built closer to Dawn Way?

A: The Town and a consultant identified Hall Park because it is upstream of the Dawn Way area and is located in the Starr Creek drainage corridor.

Q: Why were trees in the park removed for this project? What trees were removed and will they be replaced?

A: Nine trees had to be removed to construct the detention basin: six small- and one medium-sized Valley Oak trees and two Ash trees. The trees were removed on January 31, 2023, prior to bird-nesting season. There are many more and similar trees in Hall Park that remain available for birds to nest.

All Valley Oaks will be replaced with saplings in a nearby location in the park. One ornamental Ash tree that is a sentinel at the northern entrance to the park will be replaced with a younger tree, which can grow better along with the terrain of the new detention basin, in nearly the same location. In the days prior to their removal, Town Public Works staff and Park and Facilities staff placed signs notifying the public and labeled the trees that were to be removed. 

Q:  What about mosquitos? Won’t the water in this detention basin attract them?

A: The rains typically come in the winter months, when it’s too cold for mosquitos. In addition, standing water is designed to drain within a few days at the most.

Q: What is the timeline for this project?

A: Construction of the stormwater detention basin is scheduled to take place during summer 2023, when school is not in session at neighboring Brooks Elementary. Construction of a new storm drain tie-in along Camelot Drive may commence any time after contract award, but will most likely start during the late spring or early summer of 2023.

Q: What is the cost of this project? How is it being paid for?

A: The Town Council approved $1.94 million for consultant GHD to design and a contractor to build the detention basin.

Q: How was the public notified of this project?

A: The Town and the consultant held a public open house in April 2022 at Hall Park to present information, including maps and images, as well as answer any questions from the community. This open house was publicized in the Town’s Insider newsletter and social media.

The project was then presented to Town Council on August 17, 2022, and was well received by Council and the public with a few concerns regarding construction nuisances. In addition, the Town notified the public of the tree removal in late January 2023.

Q: What will be done to lessen the impact to neighboring residents of the project construction?

A:  Working hours for the project will be 8 AM. to 6 PM, Monday through Friday. Our goal is to have the project construction completed over the school district summer break. That gives us about 10 weeks to get in and get out. Storm drainpipe installation in Camelot Drive will be completed using single-lane traffic control with flaggers. The roadway will be completely open at the end of every workday. Frequent dust monitoring is included in the project specifications, and the playground and grass areas on the southern end of the park will remain open for public use during construction.

Q: Where can I find out more information on this stormwater detention basin project?

A: Go to this link to watch a video presentation that Town Staff made to Town Council about the project on August 17, 2022. If you have further questions, you may call the Town of Windsor Public Works Department at (707) 838-1211 or email gbroughton@townofwindsor.com