Runoff Now Feeds Prairie Rain Garden at Center for Urban Horticulture
by UWBG Communication Staff
Malcolm Howard standing in the prairie rain garden in its first spring after planting, looking west across the Union Bay Natural Area.
What to do about muddy puddles caused by rain runoff in the middle of a trail used by hundreds of people every day? Could a garden solve the problem?
Masters of Environmental Horticulture graduate student Malcolm Howard choose this problem area as his MEH project. He explains how the site was chosen: “The rain garden was placed along the trail to intercept runoff from the nearby parking lot. Instead of water ponding on the trail after rains, the rain garden helps retain this runoff and convey the remaining water under the trail.”
The prairie rain garden was installed just south west of the parking lot that is on the west side of Merrill Hallat the Center for Urban Horticulture. The trail leads to the popular Union Bay Natural Area where visitors enjoy watching birds and feeling immersed in a wild place.
What does Malcolm expect to accomplish with the Prairie Rain Garden? “I hope that the garden can help improve trail conditions, while displaying some interesting native prairie plants for people to enjoy and learn about.”
The Prairie Rain Garden received a small project grant from the UW Sustainability Fund in January 2015.
Prairie Rain Garden Summary with plant list.
- The site before the prairie rain garden was installed.
- Close-up of one of the wet swales that allows the rain to collect and slowly disperse.
- Looking north to the source of rain runoff: the field and parking lot
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