Children planting.
Trench drain under construction.
Illustrations by Jessica Wolff.
Raingarden and Stormwater Project
We are pleased to announce that we were awarded Schuylkill River Restoration Fund grants for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of raingardens and stormwater management in our parking lot. These grants allowed us to improve water quality in the Pickering Creek watershed, create new native plant and animal habitat, make our parking area safer, and educate our students, families and the public. We now have a wonderful new area for Outdoor Learning!
Donald Pell Gardens constructed Phase 1 in November 2021. Phase 1 included a large trench drain to intercept water along the top of the site, and two series of raingarden basins to slow water, increase absorption, and create new habitat. Phase 2 in December 2022 added another large trench drain along the edge of the lower parking lot, with more new plants and other small fixes planned for later in 2023.
The basins are beautiful and will be a learning resource for our community and students for years to come. A parent gardening group is learning all about native plants and caring for the gardens. Two informative signs will be installed in Spring 2023.
