New Jersey Demonstration Rain Gardens ~
Sparta Public Library

Sparta Public Library
22 Woodport Road, Sparta, Sussex County, New Jersey 07871

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):

Jeremiah Bergstrom, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program
    

History:

The Sparta Public Library rain garden was installed to beautify the site and to intercept, treat, and infiltrate stormwater runoff from the sloped lawn and a portion of the library's rooftop.

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's planning goals for 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 demonstration 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 the sloped lawn and a portion of the library's rooftop.

Installation:

The rain garden was installed in October 2011 by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program staff. Staff from the Sparta Department of Parks and Recreation assisted with the labor of the rain garden by excavating and hauling away a portion of the native soil. River stone was used to line the inlet and overflow. A three inch layer of 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 Sparta Township Council. This rain garden was funded by the Sussex County Division of Planning.

Plant Layout:

Rain Garden Map

Plant List:

Black-eyed Susan
Blue Flag Iris
Blue Lobelia
Boneset
Inkberry Holly
Joe-pye Weed
New York Aster
Softrush
Switchgrass
Wild Bergamot

Click 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 Sparta Department of Parks and Recreation.

Photographs:

Click here for photographs of the Sparta Public Library rain garden.