Overland Park Launches Sustainable Median Pilot Project

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The City of Overland Park, Kansas is launching a Sustainable Median Pilot Project this spring, replacing traditional grass medians along a section of 95th Street with native plant species. The project aims to reduce carbon emissions from mowing, enhance sustainability through improved soil health and pollinator habitats, and lower maintenance demands compared to turf grass.

Why it matters

This pilot project serves as a test case for Overland Park to explore sustainable alternatives to traditional grass medians, which can be harsh environments subject to heat, salt, and wind. The findings will guide future median designs across the city, potentially leading to reduced emissions, lower maintenance costs, and increased safety for maintenance crews.

The details

Crews will remove existing turf grass and replace it with native plant species along eight medians on 95th Street, beginning near Hardy Street and stretching east to Glenwood Street. The project is made possible by a grant from the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) administered through the Kansas Department of Transportation and funded by the Federal Highway Administration's Carbon Reduction Program.

• The Sustainable Median Pilot Project will launch this spring.

What’s next

The City will monitor which native plant species thrive in the median conditions and use those findings to guide future median designs across Overland Park.