Great article about our neighborhood rain garden project! Click here to read

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the Brook Run dedication – Franklin Soil and Water has dedicated our neighborhood rain garden project as their first Water Quality Partnership Neighborhood. Check out this link to read a Westerville article about it.

In preparation for the 2010 Parade of Homes, Franklin Soil and Water worked with M/I Homes to incorporate a rain garden into their parade home. Tom McNutt features the landscaper who installed the rain garden, as well as the other gardens, in this video: Tom McNutt at Parade of Homes 2010

Eleven Grove City residents came out to Gantz Farms on Saturday to be part of a rain garden workshop and planting day with the City of Grove City and Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District. The residents learned about rain gardens, then the group planted and mulched a large rain garden that captures storm water runoff from the adjacent home, garage, and parking lot. Educational signage will be incorporated into the rain garden.

 Another rain garden workshop is being planned for Sept. 25th at Henceroth Park in Grove City with the same format. Grove City residents can call 614-277-3050 to register!

The Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed invite you to join them in helping plant, mulch, and water a new rain garden! This rain garden is being installed at the Columbus Mennonite Church at 35 Oakland Park Ave. Columbus 43214. The first rain garden day is August 28th from 9am to 2pm, and the second day to help is September 11th from 9am to noon. (Sept. 11th will serve as a rain date if it rains on Aug. 28th.) Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring shovels and gloves. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. Contact Kim Williams at 614-267-3386 or kwilliams@olentangywatershed.org to RSVP.

Click here to view or pass along flyer –  Soak It In_FLOW_flier

This project is funded through Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc.

Canal Winchester is changing up their storm water management code and design manual. Read this article to find out what they say about rain gardens:

http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/canalwinchester/stories/2010/07/28/updates-suggested-for-stormwater-code.html?sid=104

The CDC has a project in Muncie to eliminate standing water in a poorly drained neighborhood by installing rain barrels that overflow to rain gardens.

http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20100726/NEWS01/7260324

The City of Upper Arlington opened their newest park this weekend, the Sunny 95 Park. There are 25,000 square feet of rain gardens within the park. Four rain gardens have been adopted by the Central Ohio Rain Garden Initiative, Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, Franklin County Board of Commissioners, and the Franklin County Economic Planning and Development Department. We welcome you to visit UA’s new park and see the rain gardens!

Check out the link below to read about Fairfield County’s plan to incorporate rain gardens in Violet Township.

http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/pickerington/stories/2010/05/19/violet-township-rain-garden-aims-to-filter-water-runoff.html?sid=104

On Thursday May 6th from 6:30pm to 8pm, the Central Ohio Rain Garden Initiative will present information on rain gardens at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center in Columbus. Homeowners, businesses, and local organizations are invited to attend this workshop to learn about the benefits, design, and installation of rain gardens. Sierra Club Ohio Chapter will provide 10 rain garden kits as door prizes for attendees! An Audubon Center staff member will be available to talk about the Center, and there is a wonderful rain garden example on-site.

If you have ordered a rain garden kit through Franklin Soil and Water’s Tree Sale (www.franklinswcd.org), this would be a good chance to get some more information on planning and last minute ideas before you plant your plants.