Demonstration Rain Garden

Rain Gardens are shallow basins planted with native plants that catch storm water before it flows into storm sewers during a rain storm. They allow rain water to soak into the ground (rather than flowing over roads, roofs, driveways and lawns directly into the river), and they filter pollutants that would otherwise run directly into the rivers. If numerous rain gardens were installed in Worthington, we could prevent storm water from overflowing the capacity of our storm sewers.

Demonstration Rain Garden

On September 6, 2008 a demonstration rain garden was installed at the City of Worthington Public Service Complex at 380 Highland Ave. We encourage you to visit the rain garden! Click here for large map.

The purpose of this garden is to educate the public about rain gardens and encourage their installation throughout Worthington - at your home, your place of business, your church, your school...

Franklin Soil & Water provided expertise for this garden and would be happy to advise you on your Worthington rain garden as well. Visit their website at www.franklinswcd.org for extensive information about rain gardens.

This rain garden is 300 square feet and collects rain water from Worthington-Galena Rd., Highland Ave., and the Worthington Service Complex. The plants in the garden are all native to Ohio, and some were locally grown and donated. Part of the soil used in this garden is recycled from local mulched playground areas.

This demonstration garden is a cooperative effort of:

Rain Gardens are Natural Storm Water Solutions

What are rain gardens?

Rain gardens are attractive landscaped areas in low spots. They catch runoff from rooftops, driveways, sidewalks, roads, and other impervious surfaces. Rain gardens are planted with deep rooted, water and drought tolerant plants. They can be installed on residential lots (urban and rural), commercial lots, and community areas.

How do they work?

Rain gardens allow rainwater and snowmelt to seep naturally into the ground. They function to slow and reduce storm water runoff. The deep roots allow for infiltration of water. Pollutants carried from runoff are collected in the rain garden and are filtered through the root system and soil.

Benefits:

  • Reduce amount of storm water
  • Improve water quality of streams
  • Low-cost conservation practice
  • Provide wildlife habitat
  • Simple installation
  • Aesthetically pleasing landscape feature
  • National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) compliant—postconstruction practice

More Information

For more information on rain gardens, visit Central Ohio Raingardens at www.centralohioraingardens.org and Franklin Soil & Water Conservation District at www.franklinswcd.org.

Photos from installation of the demonstration garden

1. Spray-painted outline of garden:

2. Cutting sod around the garden:

3. Removing sod:

4. Removing sod with bob cat:

5. Loosening soil with sod cutter:

6. Shoveling loose soil into bob cat:

7. Four truck loads of soil were removed:

8. Donated plants from Don Humphrey's garden:

9. Purchased plants from Scioto Gardens:

10. Plants laid out in garden:

11. Boy scouts get instructions:

11. Planting:

12. Planting:

13. Watering after planting complete:

12. Garden with signs:

One page flyer about the demonstration rain garden

Please print and distribute this flyer about the demonstration rain garden to help inspire other rain gardens in Worthington.