Newark, DE

This garden was built by a graduate student at the University of Delaware to reduce flooding in the area and to promote education on rain gardens water quality practices.

• Funded by:
• Cost:
• Designer: Elaine Grehl
• Size: 3200 square feet
• Drained area: runoff from roofs and parking lots that total an area of 1.42 acres
• Completed: 2005

Construction:

• Depth: 6 inches below grade at its deepest point
• Fill: 300 cubic yards of soil was excavated and the topsoil replaced; the rest was packed into aesthetic mounds around the garden.
• Overflow: A storm drain, which all the runoff used to flow through directly, is still there on a small mound in the middle of the garden
• Plant Material: Only native plant species were used in the garden

Problems Encountered:

• The soil is largely clay so infiltration is slow and standing water results. To mend this, holes were bored through the clay and filled with gravel to initiate faster percolation.
• Some buried utilities were found during excavation, so to avoid complications and delays be sure to check thoroughly for these exact locations

PROJECT CONTACT: Elaine Grehl, Longwood Fellow, University of Delaware

ACCESSIBLITITY: Open to the public at all times.

DIRECTIONS: Take I-95S, Exit 1B, go north on 896 across train tracks, right at first light on East Park Place, left on Academy. Rain garden located on right behind Penny Hall.