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Rain Gardens
Essex County Environmental Center
621 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, Essex
County, New Jersey 07068
| Google (TM) Map | Site Contact(s) | History | Runoff Managed |
| Installation | Plant Layout | Maintenance | Photographs |
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Site Contact(s):
Jan Zientek, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Essex County
History:
The Essex County Environmental Center rain garden was installed as part of a
rain garden educational workshop program that trained Master Gardeners of Essex
County and homeowners. The workshop was conducted in two parts: a two-hour
classroom session and a half-day installation of the rain garden with guided
instruction.
Type of Runoff Managed:
This rain garden manages stormwater from the Essex County Environmental Center building. This building is unique in that it has a green roof with planter boxes. Runoff from the rooftop is generated only after the planter boxes are beyond their capacity for water. The Environmental Center is built along the floodplain of the Passaic River and provides a great learning opportunity for visitors interested in river ecology and recreation. However, the water table is high and, thus, stormwater management is of great concern because of the potential for flooding. A swale and berm were
installed after the construction of the building. It allowed stormwater from the
property to be conveyed to a nearby wetland. Several downpouts from the rooftop
discharge into the swale at various points along its path. One of the downspouts
was chosen to be retorofitted with a rain garden to receive water from the rooftop.
Installation:
Approximately
twenty-five participants
from the Essex County area were present for
the installation of the rain garden in April 2008. Staff from the Environmental Center,
Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and Master Gardeners of Essex County assisted with
the installation. Sand was added to the soil during the rain garden installation,
which was donated by the Essex County Parks Department. The native plants that
were installed were donated by Pinelands Nursery & Supply.
the installation of the rain garden in April 2008. Staff from the Environmental Center,
Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and Master Gardeners of Essex County assisted with
the installation. Sand was added to the soil during the rain garden installation,
which was donated by the Essex County Parks Department. The native plants that
were installed were donated by Pinelands Nursery & Supply.
Plant Layout:
Rain Garden Map Coming Soon!
Plant List:
Blue Flag Iris
Blue Lobelia
Inkberry Holly
Marsh Marigold
Red Chokeberry
Sweet Pepperbush/Summersweet
Virginia Sweetspire
Winterberry Holly
Click here to download Adobe Reader to view the rain garden map and the plant list
fact sheets.
Maintenance:
The rain garden is maintained by the Master Gardeners of Essex County.
Photographs:
Click here for photographs of the Essex County Environmental Center rain garden.
