A Rain Garden is More Than Just a Garden!
As Maiden Creek Township will soon find out! A rain garden uses native plants in a shallow, constructed depression to soak up stormwater that flows from hard surfaces, such as roofs, sidewalks and driveways. Stormwater is not typically treated at a wastewater treatment plant and can carry debris and pollutants directly to a stream or river. The goal of a rain garden is to prevent stormwater from entering a storm drain, stream, or river by allowing the stormwater to naturally seep into the ground.
Earlier this year we received an Environmental Education Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP). 
Through this grant we will install a rain garden and rain barrel at the Maiden Creek Township municipal building this September. The Township will learn about the many benefits rain gardens provide through first hand experience. We chose Maiden Creek Township because it is one of the fastest growing communities in our watershed. When we approached Maiden Creek with the project they were more than eager to help. Year after year, the Township’s parking lot is flooded with stormwater that carries pollutants to our streams and waterways. Not only is the stormwater an environmental issue, it becomes a safety issue in the winter when the water ices over. The rain garden will be strategically placed to allow the water to infiltrate into the ground before it has a chance to reach the parking lot. The Township’s engineers and employees are helping us every step of the way, from design to construction. Fleetwood High School and Kutztown University biology students, as well as members of the Lion’s Club of Blandon will help us with the native planting.
The rain garden will serve as an educational model for the entire community as citizens visit the building frequently. We will use this opportunity to promote the benefits of rain barrels and rain gardens to the surrounding communities. You never know, we may see rain gardens and rain barrels at every house in the watershed by the end of next year!
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