Rain Gardens
Long Pond School
707 Limecrest Road, Newton, Sussex County, New Jersey 07860
Google (TM) Map | Site Contact(s) | History | Runoff Managed |
Installation | Plant Layout | Maintenance | Photographs |
View New Jersey Demonstration Rain Gardens in a larger map
Site Contact(s):
Jeremiah Bergstrom, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program
History:
The Long Pond School rain garden was installed to provide an outdoor learning opportunity for students and to intercept, treat, and infiltrate stormwater runoff from a portion of the school's roof.This rain garden is part of a pilot Green Infrastructure Program sponsored by the Sussex County Division of Planning. The project was conducted throughout Sussex County to reduce impacts to waterways and communities from aging sewer infrastructure, flooding, and to promote groundwater infiltration and recharge in support of the Water Supply planning goals of Sussex County. The program included a series of Green Infrastructure educational seminars, a Build a Rain Barrel Workshop, a Rain Garden Training for Professional Landscapers Program, and the installation of four demostration rain gardens.
To address the water quality issues associated with increased stormwater runoff, demonstration projects like this rain garden are essential.
Type of Runoff Managed:
This rain garden manages stormwater runoff coming from a portion of the school's roof via an extended downspout.
The rain garden was installed in July 2011 by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program staff and undergraduate student interns, attendees of the Sussex County Rain Garden Training for Professional Landscapers Program, and volunteers from the school. Staff from the Building and Grounds Department of the Andover Regional School District assisted with the labor of the rain garden by excavating and hauling a portion of the native soil. Native stone was used to line the inlet, and brick pavers were used to serve as the overflow. A three inch layer of triple shredded hardwood mulch was spread throughout the rain garden. The native plants that were installed in this rain garden were purchased from Kuperus Farmside Gardens & Florist.
Approval to install the rain garden was granted by the Superintendent and the Building and Grounds Department of the Andover Regional School District. This rain garden was funded by the Sussex County Division of Planning.
Plant List:
Bayberry
Black-eyed Susan
Blazing Star
Blue Flag Iris
Blue Lobelia
Joe-Pye Weed
Indiangrass
New England Aster
Purple Coneflower
Softrush
Switchgrass
Turtlehead
Wild BergamotClick here to download Adobe Reader to view the rain garden map and the plant list fact sheets.
Maintenance:
This rain garden is maintained by the Building and Grounds Department of the Andover Regional School District.
Photographs:
Click here for photographs of the Long Pond School rain garden.