News release from the City of Fort Wayne:
Soaking Up Rain
April Brings Free, Popular Rain Garden Workshops(April 3, 2015) – Residents can add color to their yard while improving drainage and the quality of water runoff into our rivers by attending a Rain Garden Workshop sponsored by City Utilities.
Three, free, workshops are offered during the month of April where residents will learn how to plant a rain garden and receive detailed guidance on how the gardens can soak up water on their property.
A rain garden is a landscaped area that holds rain water runoff for a few hours to a few days. Rain gardens are planted with native plants that help the soil soak up more water. After a rain event, the water slowly soaks into the ground. The gardens help residents deal with drainage issues on their property such as standing water, and help reduce the amount of runoff that goes into combined sewers, which improves water quality in our rivers.
Compared with a grassed lawn area, a rain garden may allow 30% more water to be absorbed.For planning purposes residents are asked to call 311 to register for the free workshops.
Rain Garden Workshops:
Thursday, April 9th, 6:00-9:00 PM
Omni Room at Citizens Square- Room 045
200 E. Berry StreetSaturday, April 18th, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Dupont Branch Library
536 East Dupont RoadThursday, April 30th, 6:00-9:00 PM
Omni Room at Citizens Square- Room 045
200 E. Berry StreetResidents who own property in the City of Fort Wayne are eligible to apply for a cash incentive to help offset some of the costs of installing a rain garden at their home. The incentive is only available for those who attend a training session and fill out the application.
More information about rain gardens may be found at City Utilities’ rain garden website at www.CatchingRainFW.org.
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