Tollgate Drain Wetlands

The Tollgate Drain Wetlands is a constructed mini-park inside the City of Lansing designed as part of Ingham County's stormwater management system. It collects stormwater runoff, prevents flooding, removes toxins from the water using environmentally-safe materials, and releases clean, fresh water back into the environment. In addition, Tollgate serves as a nature sanctuary and wildlife refuge open to the public.

The Tollgate Drain was designed by Ingham County Drain Commissioner Patrick E. Lindemann to "work with nature" to prevent pollution from flowing into the Red Cedar River, and ultimately into the Grand River and Lake Michigan.

As stormwater runoff circulates through the three collection ponds at Tollgate, toxins are removed by environmental features such as limestone cascades and healthy bacteria from decaying trees. Lily pads and other aquatic plants further filter the water, and a specially constructed peat filter lining the bottoms of the ponds absorbs pollution. Thus, fresh, clean water evaporates back into the atmosphere or is used to irrigate the greens in Groesbeck Golf Course, which is located directly to the west of Tollgate.

Here is a video offering an overview of how it works to clean stormwater runoff and provide a beautiful natural wetland ecosystem that is also a public walking trail for the community.