Rain Garden Project

We see it year after year, Houston is hit with torrential rains, and several areas of the city suffer from devastating flooding. The cost is millions of dollars in damages and sometimes, loss of life.  While many debate that a solution to flooding isn’t clear, there are simple alternatives that every Houstonian can take part in. Leadership Houston Class XXXV, successfully completed the Rain Garden project in Memorial Park on April 1; and held a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 9th. Rain gardens are shallow landscaped depressions that capture, clean, and absorb storm water runoff. The depression in the earth, 6 to 9 inches deep, is filled with a mixture of sand, top soil, bark mulch, and compost that filters water. Native plants and grasses also help filter pollutants, evaporate moisture, and provide food and a habitat for birds and butterflies. Ultimately, the storm water runoff that rain gardens absorb mitigates flooding in Houston.  

Rain gardens are a low-cost way that the city and Houstonians can contribute to decreasing the impact of flooding in Houston. Rain gardens improve water quality by filtering out pollutants and help beautify the city and its neighborhoods. Leadership Houston Class XXXV’s Rain Garden project is one collective effort to sustainable social, economic, and environmental impact on Houston, a legacy that will resonate into future generations!