Rain Garden
What is a Rain Garden?
Rain gardens are a simple, yet effective way to filter excess pollutants from storm water before it flows into storm sewers and into our creeks and rivers. Rain gardens also promote infiltration of rain water into the ground thus increasing local ground water supply and reducing the amount of water that needs to be carried by our storm sewers.
Rain Gardens are shallow depressions planted with native perennial species of flowers and shrubs. Rain water run-off from a rooftop or driveway is diverted into the garden to clean and retain some of the water.
Diverting water from your downspout into rainwater catchment systems has several advantages:
- Reduces the volume of water flowing to the sewer treatment facility
- Lowers the percentage of roof top rainfall as a component of urban runoff
- Backup source of water during times of drought or between rain showers
- Helps to keep our creeks and beaches clean
- Naturally softened water - great for delicate houseplants, auto cleaning and window washing
- Saves money by lowering your water bill
- Reduces the need for additional tax dollars earmarked for sewer expansion
- Chlorine-free water helps maintain a healthy biotic community in the soil
- Educational tool for teaching residents about water conservation
Rain Garden Brochure- Licking County Soil & Water
Check out Kansas City's "10,000 Rain Gardens"
Rain gardens can also be turned into a hub for wildlife. Find out how:
National Wildlife Federation
Monarch Watch
Licking County Rain Gardens
There are seven known Rain Gardens in Licking County.
- Five are at the Agricultural Service Center (771 East Main Street, Newark, Ohio 43055)
- One at the Hartford Fair Natural Resources Area (Hartford Fairgrounds - 14028 Fairground Road, Croton, Ohio 43013)
- One at Flory Park (650 West Church Street, Newark, Ohio 43055)
Register your Rain Garden by contacting Licking SWCD.
Rain Garden Construction Workshops
Rain Garden Construction Workshop
Learn How: Rain Garden Manuals
It's easy to add a rain garden to your landscape! Just decide where it will work best to collect and process rainwater. It’s time to take the next step and build one! Find out how in these Rain Garden Manuals:
Rain Garden Manual for Homeowners – Protecting our water, one yard at a time
Rain Gardens – A how-to manual for homeowner
Rain Gardens – South Eastern Way
