Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station [Water Resources Program]

Rain Gardens

New Jersey Demonstration Rain Gardens ~
Cherry Hill Public Library

 



Cherry Hill Public Library
1100 Kings Highway North, Cherry Hill, Camden County, New Jersey 08034

Google (TM) Map Site Contact(s) History Runoff Managed
Installation Plant Layout Maintenance Photographs

Google (TM) Map:

View New Jersey Demonstration Rain Gardens in a larger map


Site Contact(s):


Mike Haberland, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Camden and Burlington Counties
    


History:

The Cherry Hill Public Library rain garden was installed to beautify the site and to intercept, treat, and infiltrate stormwater runoff from a portion of the libray's roof.

This rain garden is part of the Cooper River Watershed. The Cooper River watershed is characterized by extensive residential and commercial development and as a result its streams are severely impacted by increased stormwater runoff. To address the water quality issues associated with increased stormwater runoff, demonstration projects like this rain garden are essential.


Type of Runoff Managed:

This rain garden manages stormwater runoff from a portion of the libray's roof via a redirected downspout.



Installation:

The rain garden was installed July 2011 by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program staff, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Camden County, Camden County Soil Conservation District, and the Camden County Master Gardeners. Staff from the Cherry Hill Department of Public Works assisted with the labor of the rain garden by excavating and hauling away a portion of the native soil. Next, topsoil was added and mixed in with the remaining native soil to add nutrients and to help promote infiltration. A three inch layer of triple shredded hardwood mulch was spread throughout the rain garden, followed by planting.

A flexible corrugated PVC pipe was attached to the downspout located behind the libraray building and was redirceted into the rain garden to serve as the inlet. The native plants that were installed in this rain garden were purchased from Popes' Gardens.

Approval to install the rain garden was granted by the Cherry Hill Township Engineer and the Cherry Hill Department of Public Works. This rain garden was funded by a 319(h) grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.


   



Plant Layout:

Rain Garden Map

Plant List:

Bayberry
Black-eyed Susan
Blue Flag Iris
Joe-Pye Weed
Purple Coneflower
Switchgrass


Click here to download Adobe Reader to view the rain garden map and the plant list fact sheets.
 


Maintenance:
   
This rain garden is maintained by the Cherry Hill Department of Public Works.


Photographs:


Click here
for photographs of the Cherry Hill Public Library rain garden.

 


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