Urban greenway networks improve water quality

An article on KMSU's web site discusses how Springfield has been addressing the urban runoff problem after a recent flood:

Linear parks benefit the community in many ways: they offer opportunities for recreation, help to relieve traffic congestion by encouraging people to ride bikes, they increase awareness of the environment and play a crucial in stormwater management. But they can also help to control the pollution entering our water supply. Terry Whaley says that recently Ozarks Greenways has been exploring ways to use the trails themselves as a method of cleaning the storm runoff.