Parkside Neighborhood
Median of Park Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue, Camden, Camden County, New Jersey 08103

Median of Park Boulevard and Vesper Boulevard, Camden, Camden County, New Jersey 08103

Google (TM) Map	Site Contact(s)	History	Runoff Managed
Installation	Plant Layout	Maintenance	Photographs

 

Google (TM) Map:

 

View New Jersey Demonstration Rain Gardens in a larger map

Site Contact(s):

Mike Haberland, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Camden and Burlington Counties
    

History:

The Parkside Neighborhood rain gardens were installed to beautify the sites and to intercept, treat, and infiltrate stormwater runoff from Park Boulevard. Stormwater runoff will enter the rain gardens situated in the medians through curb cuts.

These rain gardens help mitigate nuisance flooding in the area and reduces nonpoint source pollution and stormwater runoff that would otherwise discharge into the City of Camden’s combined sewer system.

These rain gardens are part of the Cooper River Watershed. The Cooper River watershed is characterized by extensive residential and commercial development, and as a result its streams are severely impacted by increased stormwater runoff. To address the water quality issues associated with increased stormwater runoff, demonstration projects like these rain gardens are essential.

Type of Runoff Managed:

These rain gardens, situated in the medians, manage stormwater runoff from Park Boulevard via curb cuts.

Installation:

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program staff, Parkside Business and Community in Partnership (PBCIP), Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Camden County, Camden County Soil Conservation District, New Jersey Tree Foundation (NJTF), and volunteers from Campbell's Soup Company participated in the installation of the rain garden at the median of Park Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue in April 2011, which was approved by the City of Camden. With assistance from Fleet Construction & Remodeling Co., Inc. a backhoe and operator were provided. The existing soil was excavated and used to create shallow berms. The remaining soil was hauled away and disposed off-site. Approximately 11 cubic yards of a 50% sand and 50% compost soil blend was tilled into the remaining soil.  These amendments were added to improve both the rain garden’s infiltration rate and soil nutrient capacity. The native plants that were installed in the rain garden were purchased from Popes' Garden.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program staff, Parkside Business and Community in Partnership (PBCIP), Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Camden County, Camden County Soil Conservation District, New Jersey Tree Foundation (NJTF), and community volunteers participated in the installation of the rain garden at the median of Park Boulevard and Vesper Boulevard in October 2011, which was approved by the City of Camden. With assistance from Fleet Construction & Remodeling Co., Inc. a backhoe and operator were provided. The existing soil was excavated and used to create shallow berms. The remaining soil was hauled away and disposed off-site. Approximately 4 cubic yards of a compost soil blend was tilled into the remaining soil.  These amendments were added to improve both the rain garden’s infiltration rate and soil nutrient capacity. The native plants that were installed in the rain garden were purchased from North Creek Nurseries, Inc.

These rain gardens were funded by a 319(h) grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Plant Layout:

Rain Garden Maps 

Plant List:

Median of Park Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue Rain Garden Plants

Black-eyed Susan
Blazing Star
Blue False Indigo
Butterfly Weed
Great Blue Lobelia
Joe-Pye Weed
Phlox
Purple Coneflower
Sweet Pepperbush/Summersweet
Switchgrass
Wild Bergamont

Median of Park Boulevard and Vesper Boulevard Rain Garden Plants

Blue Vervain
Broomsedge
Butterfly Milkweed
Fireworks Goldenrod
Foxglove Beardtongue
Iron Butterfly Ironweed
Purple Coneflower
Short-toothed Mountain Mint

Click here to download Adobe Reader to view the rain garden map and the plant list fact sheets.

Maintenance:
   
These rain gardens are maintained by the Parkside Business and Community in Partnership (PBCIP).

Photographs & Videos:

Click here for photographs of the Parkside Neighborhood rain garden at the median of Park Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue.

Click here for photographs of the Parkside Neighborhood rain garden at the median of Park Boulevard and Vesper Boulevard.

Click here for a documentary video about this rain garden. This video was prepared by students at Urban Promise Academy in Camden, New Jersey.