Redi-Rock Bioretention Solutions Tackle Stormwater in Sandy Springs, GA
Project Details
Project Name: Marsh Creek Bioretention Park Owner: City of Sandy Springs Manufacturer: Piedmont Precast Location: Sandy Springs, GA Wall Type: Gravity, Freestanding Texture: Ledgestone Year Built: 2015 - 2017 Wall Area: 9,000 sq ft (836 sq m)
The Challenge: Stormwater Containment Meets Budget Constraints
The City of Sandy Springs, Georgia, needed a reliable stormwater retention solution as downtown development increased. Initially, the city considered cast-in-place concrete walls with a stone veneer, but that approach came with a high price tag. It also introduced complexities for constructing curved features and integrating functional elements like pipe penetrations and stairs.
We caught up with Dusty McClure of longtime Redi-Rock producer Piedmont Precast and Redi-Rock business consultant Casey Meadows to walk through a standout project: the Marsh Creek Bioretention Park.
Why Redi-Rock? Turning Site Challenges into Long-Term Community Assets
Working with Piedmont Precast, the city transitioned to a precast Redi-Rock engineered retaining wall solution that met engineering and aesthetic goals while staying on budget. The final project featured:
- Robust retaining wall coverage including more than 9,000 sq ft (836 sq m) of gravity walls and freestanding walls, utilizing the 60 in (1524 mm) blocks.
- A smart, cost-effective alternative to cast-in-place walls, with significant savings on material and labor.
- Design flexibility with Redi-Rock’s accessory products to create corners, curves, and freestanding elements, allowing for the integration of cast-in-place stairs with Redi-Rock caps and corner blocks.
- Handicap accessibility with a poured-in-place ramp lined with Redi-Rock retaining walls.
- Aesthetic versatility featuring the intricate natural-stone-like details of the Ledgestone texture to meet the city’s design vision while featuring the strength of wet cast concrete to stand up to water conditions.
Today, Marsh Creek Bioretention Park not only efficiently handles stormwater but also serves as a visual asset for the community. The city got the best of both worlds thanks to Redi-Rock’s modular, integrated system: structural performance and landscape-friendly design.
“It all blends in nicely—whether you’re using double-sided caps or finishing with mulch or pine straw, Redi-Rock gives you options.”
Dusty McClure, Vice President of Sales, Piedmont Precast
Cast-in-place isn’t your only option—just ask the City of Sandy Springs, which found one of the most effective retaining wall solutions for municipalities using Redi-Rock. Explore how Redi-Rock compares to cast-in-place retaining walls in this practical guide: How do cast-in-place retaining walls compare to Redi-Rock? Further, discover the many applications of Redi-Rock for parks and municipalities.
Looking for real-world examples or design resources? Visit the Redi-Rock Knowledge Hub to find tools, case studies, and insights to help you confidently plan your next project.
