Demonstration Rain Garden will be dedicated on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.
Peoria, Ill. (September 12, 2012) – The City of Peoria will unveil a demonstration rain garden located on public property near MacArthur Highway and Richard Allen Drive, adjacent to Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Education Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 10 a.m. A $6,000 environmental grant from Illinois American Water is helping to fund the rain garden project. Through Illinois American Water’s Environmental Grant Program, funds are provided to initiatives that benefit watersheds, increase awareness and promote community participation.
Rain gardens are shallow depressions planted with native perennial vegetation located in an area used to collect storm water runoff to allow the water to infiltrate into the ground instead of entering the storm water infrastructure system. The native plants have deep root systems that help break down the soil to allow for more infiltration, reduce flooding, absorb pollutants and sustain wildlife in the particular area.
The Illinois River and many of its tributaries in the Peoria area are listed on the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s list of polluted waterways. Up to 70 percent of harmful pollutants are introduced by storm water runoff from local towns and municipalities. According to City Treasurer, Patrick Nichting, “This project will allow the citizens of Peoria to see first-hand how just one rain garden can improve our groundwater supply, while improving our community water source.”
The demonstration rain garden is built on public land in an area of approximately 500 square feet. The garden was built by volunteers from the: Farnsworth Group; Natural Resources Conservation Service/Natural Resources-Your Development Task Force; Heart of Illinois Sierra Club; Peoria Park District; Tri-County Regional Planning Commission; Peoria Public School District 150; Spring Grove Neighborhood Homeowners Association; and Peoria Public Works Department. Native plants have been donated by Simply Native.
According to Chris Johnson, Illinois American Water Operations Manager for the Peoria District, “The City of Peoria rain garden project stood out to our team because of the focus given to the importance of storm water management. Proper storm water management helps to protect our precious water source, ensuring quality water service today and for future generations.”
More information can be found on the website at www.ci.peoria.il.us/raingarden or contact Jane Gerdes, Peoria Public Works Civil Engineer II (309) 494-8800.