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By
Victoria D. Kirby
University News
December 14, 2010
Home
Depot Funds Rain Garden Project
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Howard
University was
selected as one
of only 10 HBCUs
to be funded
by Home Depot
with a $10,000
grant to construct
a rain garden
on campus. |
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| Howard
University recently completed
a rain garden funded by
a $10,000 grant from the
national Home
Depot Retool Your School
competition.
The University was among
10 Historically Black
Colleges and Universities
selected by a Home Depot
selection panel as well
as online voting.
The
proposed project had
to provide lasting impact
on the campus and be
“green.”
The University’s
proposal was for the
construction of “rain
gardens” at strategic
locations on campus.
The first installation
was completed during
the fall earth day festivities
and is located behind
the Blackburn Center.
“The
location was selected
because it would have
lasting aesthetic impact
which can be appreciated
by the student body
as they visit the Blackburn
Center, particularly
the dining areas,”
said Alfonzye Chisholm
Jr., AIA, director of
Capital Planning
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It
is designed in an area
that collects a substantial
amount of rainwater
run off. Four
large perforated 10-gallon
water collection containers
were installed underground
within the area of the
garden in addition to
the gravel sub-bed.
This allows increased
water collection capacity
and minimizes flooding
of the garden during
heavy rainstorms.
The water collected
will also enhance the
growth of the native
plants in the garden.
New solar lighting and
benches constructed
of recycled material
will soon be installed
to complete this truly
“green project.”
To
learn more about rain
gardens please visit:
http://www.raingardennetwork.com/about.htm |
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