Neighborhood Rain Gardens are Something to Talk (and Walk) About
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Last month, Penny Crispin and Haly Rylko of our Community Conservation Team hosted a walking tour of four rain gardens in the Fobes Hill neighborhood. Sixteen homeowners came out on a sunny evening to visit the rain gardens we recently installed on three residential properties.
During our tour, we discussed what rain gardens are and how they can reduce stormwater runoff volume and filter water from both road and roof runoff, improving water quality for areas lower in the watershed. These recently-installed rain gardens will address drainage concerns the homeowners had. They will also leverage the work we are doing in Swans Trail Slough to reduce flooding for agricultural lands and improve water quality for fish habitat.
Our tour showed examples with a few different features, including one rain garden connected to multiple rain barrels (which the homeowner will use to water her garden in the summer) and another with a check dam on a small slope.
Curtis Hinman, a Green Stormwater Infrastructure Specialist, also gave a presentation on updates recently made to the Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington and discussed how it can be a valuable resource for homeowners interested in installing their own rain garden.
Are you looking for creative ways to manage your stormwater? For information on rain gardens, natural yard care, our rain barrel program, and to request assistance, visit our Urban Stormwater Program page.
