Low impact development is an approach to land development (or redevelopment) that incorporates natural features to manage stormwater and protect water quality. Low impact development minimizes runoff by promoting infiltration, evapotranspiration, and collection for use through natural landscape features and fewer impervious surfaces. The result is a functional and visually appealing development that treats stormwater as a resource, not as waste. 

Grass swales are depressions in the ground near impervious surfaces that collect stormwater runoff from streets, driveways, parking lots, and other hard surfaces. Once water is collected in the swale, infiltration helps remove contaminants before the water recharges ground water supplies. Grass swales also provide a place for snow storage in winter months.