Mill Creek Watershed Council of Communities' Rain Gardens
The Mill Creek Watershed Council of Communities has partnered with several local municipalities and organizations to install rain gardens and bioswales over the past four years. Here is a listing of Rain Garden sites with MCWCC involvement.
Schools Parks & Government Nonprofit Organizations Private Businesses
Schools
Winton Woods Elementary Land Lab
Location: 1501 Kingsbury Dr Cincinnati, OH 45240
The rain garden here, planted in August 2008, was one of 4 outdoor interactive learning sites for students. The other 3 sites included composting, planting beds and a wooded site.
In partnership with: Forest Park Environmental Awareness Program, Wal-mart, WH Shroyer Nursery and
Winton Woods School District
Link to website
Miami University Hamilton Rain Gardens
Location: Miami University Campus
1601 University Blvd Hamilton, OH 45011
Both rain gardens were planted by over one hundred 4th, 5th, and 6th graders during the Butler County Waterfest. The first rain garden was planted in October 2007 and the other in October 2008.
In partnership with: Butler County Ground Water Consortium, Butler County Master Gardeners,
Greenacres and Miami University
Hilltop Elementary Rain Garden
Location: 2236 Bolser Dr Reading, OH 45215
This is the very first rain garden that Mill Creek Watershed Council constructed, planted in April 2006. The 5th grade students who planted it won first place in a state competition.
In partnership with: City of Reading, Hilltop Elementary School. Funded by members of MCWCC.
Parks & Government
Forest Park Rain Gardens
Location: Senior Center
1201 West Kemper Road, Forest Park, OH 45240
The first of 3 prospective rain gardens was planted in October 2008 outside of Forest Park’s Municipal Building and Senior Center. One more will be planted in June 2009 during a homeowner’s workshop.
In partnership with: Forest Park Environmental Awareness, WH Shroyer Nursery, JF New and Marvin’s Organic Gardens.
Elmwood Place Square
Location: Corner of Vine and Township Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45216
This site was converted from an empty lot into a community gateway and public gathering space. Installation was completed in October 2008. We have partnered with the local school district to incorporate the rain garden into classroom curriculum. 5th and 6th graders helped plant this rain garden.
In partnership with: Village of Elmwood Place, Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission, and Elmwood Place Elementary.
Amberley Village Rain Garden
Location: Amberley Park, Walking Track
7149 Ridge Rd Cincinnati, OH 45237
Amberley’s rain garden is actually a series of 3 bioswales, separated by stepping stone pools, which finally broaden out into a large constructed wetland. The municipal building’s roof, parking lot, and surrounding area drains into the rain garden.
In partnership with: Amberley Village, Amberley Village Beautification Committee, Hamilton County Storm Water District and JF New
City of Springdale Rain Gardens
Location: Intersection of Peach and Walnut St. Springdale, Ohio 45246
These two rain gardens, planted in May 2008, are designed to capture storm water runoff from a business parking lot. Both Rain Gardens are planted with all Native Local Genotype plants and are Monarch Waystation certified.
In partnership with: CDS Associates, Inc, City of Springdale, Keystone Flora and Marvin’s Organic Gardens.
Colerain Rain Garden
Location: Colerain Township Park (Service Building)
4725 Springdale Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45251
This rain garden collects storm water from 3 main areas: the roof top of the Parks Department offices and garage; the surface area of the Parks Department parking and storage area; and the entry drive leading into Colerain Park (from Springdale Road down to the rain garden). Cub Pack 660 helped plant the rain garden for their last requirement to earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award.
In partnership with: Alvis Materials, Colerain Township, Cub Scout Pack 660, Hamilton County Storm Water District and White Oak Garden Center
Link to website
Nonprofit Organizations
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Location: Schott Education Center
3540 Beldare Ave Cincinnati, OH 45220
This series of rain gardens and contour plantings are located just outside of the LEED Silver Certified Schott Education Center. Another rain garden is located in the parking lot of the Education Center. Rain gardens were planted in June 2008.
In partnership with: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Hamilton County Storm Water District, Ohio River Foundation and OSU Extension- Hamilton County Master Gardener Volunteers Program
Businesses
Coney Island Rain Garden
Location: 6201 Kellogg Ave Cincinnati, OH 45228
This rain garden was constructed for the Flower show in April 2008 with the help of about 20 volunteers from US Bank. Roof runoff from Moonlight Gardens is directed to the garden.
In partnership with: Coney Island, Green City Resources and US Bank.