This is a quick mention of an impressive project that has been many months in the making in Clintonville. The Adena Brook Community Rain Garden is a progressive project for Columbus and as far as I can tell, the brainchild of Susan Michael Barrett.

As you may know, a Rain Garden is a relatively simple catch basin designed to lessen the impact of rainwater runoff on area streams and creeks. Without this natural reservoir stormwater runoff will flush the streets of contaminates and oil residues, run into stormdrains, flash small streams and eventually reach the area rivers.

The concept is that if the basin can capture the initial contaminants, the plants within will eventually work to filter the pollutants out of the water as it filters through the earth.The new Rain Garden has been designed (by Vinnie Tremante of Williams Creek Consulting) to accommodate the initial rush of rainwater off High Street. The basin involves a sidewalk curb-cut to allow the stream of water flowing along the curb to flush into the basin. The water flows over a small bed of stones and rocks to ease erosion and into an approximately 20′ by 50′ basin that at peak operation will hold about 18-24″ of water. Once the basin fills, after the initial “purge” of water from the streets, the water will backup to the curb-cut, effectively creating a backflow situation where no more water will enter until the already collected water absorbs into the soil.

Planted in the basin is an array of native water loving plants intended to not only help to detoxify the water, but also to help keep the basin intact over time. Although it has been dry since the final planting of the garden, when fully established the root structures of the plants will help to hold the soil in place when the basin is full of rain water.

The great thing about this project is that the neighborhood organizations, talented professionals, and City of Columbus divisions of Recreation and Parks, Sewerage and Drains, and Transportation all came together to pull off a terrific example of environmental stewardship.

Plus, now that all of these folks have “shown the way” homeowners all around the city can stop by to check it out. The concept of a rain garden is a simple, easy to implement addition to almost any landscape.

Thanks to all of those who volunteered, donated and otherwise helped to make this project a reality, this is a great addition to the city!

This entry was posted Monday, September 24th, 2007 at 5:25 pm and is filed under Food & Gardening. Both comments and pings are currently closed.