NRC biologists partnered with the City of Menasha and East Central Regional Planning Commission to design a 250-square foot rain garden to treat urban storm water.  The design is located at the new office of the East Central Regional Planning Commission and adjacent to a major thoroughfare within Menasha.  The visibility at this public facility as well as being adjacent to pedestrian and vehicular traffic will bring greater awareness to the importance of managing urban storm water.  Greg Keil, Menasha Community Development Director, said “this project is a great example of community partnerships that will improve people’s knowledge about their impact on the land”. 

The benefits of rain gardens and their role in treating urban runoff include:

• remove total suspended solids
• promote infiltration to groundwater
• zero herbicide or fertilizer
• enhance beauty and habitat using native wildflowers 
• low maintenance

If you are interested in learning more about this project, contact Jon Gumtow in our Menasha, Wisconsin office at (920) 558-4393.

For more information, please visit NRC's web page about rain garden design and installation.