Raingardens!

Solving drainage problems, increasing groundwater recharge, eliminating run-off to sewers, and enhancing the curb appeal……! It is time to put in some raingardens!!! This garden was installed last fall in association with the Center for Neighborhood Technology.

CNT’s Rain Garden ……. Education Component…

This is the beginning of a larger effort to initiate educational programming at the CNT garden on Western Avenue.  Check it out! More videos here.

CNT-West Garden…. ready for plants

Getting Ready for Water……. The Raingarden Conveyance Channel  is being lined with river rocks.  The water from the roof will be piped to this lined channel, then will travel to the raingarden basin.  The conveyance channel is steeply pitched away from the building  to encourage the water to travel away from the building. The ChannelContinue reading “CNT-West Garden…. ready for plants”

CNT-West Garden – almost ready for plants

Center for Neighborhood Technology’s new garden on Western Avenue is almost ready for plants. Most of the hardscape work is done. Some work is still required to get the pergola finished.  Plants should arrive this week and will be installed this weekend by Chicago Conservation Corps!

CNT’s New Raingarden Education Facility at CNT- West

Please check out the Studio’s exciting project at the Center for Neighborhood Technology’s website. In addition to the raingarden, the garden also showcases materials re-use and re-purpose. CNT was able to purchase used lumber from the ReBuilding Exchange for the pergola, tables, and benches. Construction is scheduled for the end of the month.  More picturesContinue reading “CNT’s New Raingarden Education Facility at CNT- West”

RAIN!!! —–> raingarden

Raingardens and Right-of-Way stormwater gardens slow and hold stormwater so that it has a chance to percolate into the soil.  If the water is slowed and held, and if the soil is permeable and planted with the right plants, this valuable water can recharge our groundwater. 6.91 inches last night at O’Hare….. Water is a resource.

Conveyance….

Getting the water from the downspout to the raingarden will require a lined runnel.  Seems like an old piece of steel culvert sliced lengthwise will do the trick here.