Project Scope/Team:
Leadership Somerset Class of 2014 was charged with the challenge of identifying a community need and then, working as a team, to design and implement a project that will address that need. Team Rain Garden, a team of twelve members of the Leadership Somerset Class of 2014, chose as its project to install a rain garden in a public park in Somerville, NJ.
1. Taran Connelly
2. R
ajani Flynn
3. Janice Haggerty
4. Chris Hart
5. Paul Hatrak
6. Linda Kragie
7. Mayra Martinez
8. Elise Marucchi-Soos
9. Elizabeth Staehle
10. Tara St. Angelo
11. Fran Varacalli
12. Alaysha M. Walker
Members of the Leadership Somerset Class of 2014 worked on the installation of the rain garden at Exchange Field, Somerville, during the week of October 13, 2014. Planting took place on Friday, October 17, 2014 between 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. What is a Rain Garden?:
A rain garden is essentially a garden planted in a depression in the ground so that it allows the garden to be fed by water runoff from impervious surfaces such as driveways, roads, roofs, and parking lots. Benefits of a Rain Garden:
Rain gardens are designed to reduce runoff, and when planted in areas that feed into waterways, can reduce pollution flowing into the waterways. Storm water runoff from Somerville feeds into Peters Brook, which eventually feeds into the Raritan River which is a primary source of drinking water for millions of New Jersey residents. The NJ Water Supply Authority has been working with towns in Somerset County, like Somerville, to encourage residents to install rain gardens on their property. They offer workshops and planning assistance and, eventually, a reimbursement of a portion of the cost of installation. Community Partners/Donors:
The NJ Water Supply Authority was a primary resource for the Rain Garden Team. The Authority connected us with a landscape architect at Rutgers Cooperative Extension who designed the garden and helped to identify a suitable site in Somerville. The Somerville Environmental Commission, the Somerville Town Council and the Somerville Parks and Recreation department supported the effort to install the rain garden and provided substantial assistance to the Rain Garden Team. Somerset County Park Commission donated equipment and excavated the ground. Duke Farms, Somerset Union Soil Conservation District and Grand Rental Station also donated materials. Leadership Somerset 2014 Team Rain Garden members was assisted with the installation by the Somerville Public Works Department, the Somerville Parks and Recreation Department, staff from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and staff from the NJ Water Supply Authority. Several generous donors provided plants and materials. These include Greenscape Landscape and Pinelands Nursery as well as members of Leadership Somerset 2014 Team Rain Garden. Do It Yourself Rain Garden/Recommended Maintenance Schedule:
For more information, contact the Leadership Somerset 2014 Rain Garden Team at [email protected]. Mission of Leadership Somerset:
To prepare diverse citizens for civic leadership, through education and engagement on issues and resources of the Somerset County community. Description:
Leadership Somerset helps community-minded people improve their awareness of key issues in Somerset County, NJ, and make informed choices about getting involved on their own terms. Leadership Somerset is our core program for adults who live or work in Somerset County. We also offer Youth Leadership Somerset for young people in grades 8-12. General Information:
The goal of Leadership Somerset is to create an active network of informed, concerned citizens to guide the future of their communities. Working and learning together, participants enhance their leadership skills while broadening their knowledge of community issues. Leadership Somerset encourages people to become trustees of their communities, and to become leadership resources as they work for the common good. General Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadershipSomerset/info
