North Kingstown Town Hall Rain Garden

Type: Rain garden

Use: Municipal

Installer: Out in Front Horticulture and URI Master Gardeners

Designer/Developer: Unknown

Installation Date: Approx. 2005

Address: 80 Boston Neck Rd., North Kingstown, RI 02852

The garden reduces runoff and potential water pollution, replenishes valuable groundwater resources and solved a flooding problem in a nearby intersection. Stormwater runoff from one of the Town Hall’s roof gutter downspouts (southwest corner) is directed to the rain garden through an underground plastic pipe. The garden was hand dug to form a depression with the excavated soil being used to make a berm around the low side of the garden. This creates a uniform depression that can temporarily hold runoff until it soaks into the ground. Perennial shrubs and herbaceous plants, specially selected for their ability to tolerate temporary pooling of water as well as dry periods, were planted and will aid in soaking up the runoff. The garden may temporarily pool water for about 4 to 6 hours after a rain event.

plants in a square in fresh mulch across from red and white house — Raingarden; the back edge of the garden contains red twig dogwood, the top of the berm contains Inkberry and Highbush blueberry.

water pooling in mulch — Water is run long enough to cause pooling for observation. May 2, 2005.

two people inspecting pooled water in mulched area — An underground pipe connects gutter water to rain garden.

Address: 80 Boston Neck Rd., North Kingstown, RI 02852