Rain Garden

BACKGROUND | FIRST OF ITS KIND IN NAMPA

• The Educational Rain Garden concept at Lakeview Park began in 2016. 
• Designs were developed with feedback provided by the Nampa Stormwater Advisory Group (NSWAG) and finalized in 2017.
• In 2019, the Environmental Compliance Division proposed the construction and materials costs for the garden as a budget request, during Fiscal Year 2020 budget season and was approved for construction by City Council on August 3, 2020. 
• A combined effort from two City departments (Public Works and Parks Department)- Parks Department, Streets, Engineering and the Environmental Compliance Division.
• Memorial for Cheryl Jenkins, former ECD Superintendent, who started the educational rain garden project.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The goal of this garden is to educate community members on water quality and exhibit different methods one can incorporate into personal residences to reduce contaminated stormwater runoff. 

• Demonstrate to citizens how to build their own Rain Garden.
• Save water by using a rain barrel, which can lower utility bill.
• Reduce stormwater pollution, runoff is absorbed in garden instead of flowing into Mason creek or other nearby surface waters.
• Greener solutions, cleaner community, healthier families.

The garden will include a variety of native, drought-tolerant plants, a pavilion with a rain barrel, and educational signage on how rain gardens reduce stormwater runoff in residential settings.

RESOURCES

How to Build a Rain Garden at Home