Restoring the use of an abandoned railroad corridor in Miami-Dade County, the Ludlam Trail extends from Dadeland North Metrorail Station to Miami International Airport. At a total length of 6.2 miles, the land the site resides on is a porous bed of limestone, where regional groundwater flows. Flooding is a key issue to the region due to the elevation being so close to sea level. Contamination also plays a large role in the regional hydrology due to the permeability of the land. Both issues are heavily predominant on the north end of the trail, where there is slight elevation change and high density of industrial land use.

The design process includes capturing stormwater to create a regional connection to Miami-Dade’s hydrology system. Stormwater mitigation techniques include sub-surface and above surface dictated by land composition. Residing on the Miami Rock Ridge to the south, above surface techniques are used including green roofs, permeable pavement, and overhang conditions to collect water. The Transverse Glades towards the north end is where subsurface techniques such as step-pool bio filtration, tree-box infiltration, drainage ditches, plant roots, and bio-retention swales occur. The contaminated soil is removed from the north end of the trail and is utilized and remediated in the south end in the form of berms, also providing privacy to residents.

The remediation of contamination through stormwater management aims to help flooding and preserve the natural qualities of the land. Capturing stormwater regionally will also benefit the quality of the region’s drinking water long term. The connection to the regional hydrology system also preserves a natural community, The Biscayne Bay.