These six rain gardens, covering more than 5,000 square feet, collect and infiltrate stormwater from two-thirds of the site's surfaces.
A rain garden is a planted depression in the ground that forms a "bioretention area" by collecting water runoff from impervious areas and storing it, which allows it to be filtered and slowly absorbed by the soil, rather than flowing into storm drains. This helps prevent erosion, water pollution, and flooding.
Rain gardens also improve water quality through a nutrient removal, or "filtering" process, which takes place as the water comes in contact with the soil and roots of the surrounding trees, shrubs, and vegetation.