Rain Gardens: Your Neighborhood Superhero

January 31, 2025

By: Stephanie Kozak, Community Outreach Interpreter  

Can Rain Gardens Be the Superhero Your Neighborhood Needs?  

To answer this, we need to start at the root of the problem: climate change.  

Climate change is caused, in part, by the man-made blanket of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is building up around the Earth and trapping in heat. As we burn fossil fuels for energy, we release CO2 into the atmosphere. This CO2 acts like a heat trapping blanket, trapping in some of the Earth’s heat that would otherwise escape to space. As we burn more and more fossil fuels, we are trapping more and more heat, causing our planet to warm. This warming trend causes more water to evaporate into the atmosphere, leading to more intense precipitation events. 

Severe rainstorms not only increase the risk of flooding but also increase the amount of polluted stormwater runoff. Rain or snowmelt flows over streets, parking areas, lawns, rooftops or other developed land, picking up sediments, chemicals, oil, and trash. This untreated stormwater can flow down a storm drain and directly into the nearest stream, river, or lake. During intense storms, overwhelmed sewer systems may even overflow into lakes and rivers, threatening beach safety and drinking water supplies.  

So how can we make a difference? One solution is rain gardens.  

What Are Rain Gardens? 

We can make a difference by helping to divert and filter this stormwater BEFORE it reaches the storm drains by diverting it into a rain garden. Rain gardens are small, shallow, sunken areas of plantings that collect stormwater runoff from roofs, lawns, streets, and sidewalks. Also called bioretention cells, these gardens mimic nature by slowing, filtering, and absorbing stormwater before it reaches the storm drain.  

Native plants are the key ingredient for a successful rain garden. Their deep root systems allow water to penetrate deeper into the soil. This helps for better, slower filtration, removing pollutants such as: 

• Hydrocarbons: ethylene, methane, propane, and oils  

• Trace metals: copper, cadmium, lead, mercury, and zinc 

• Pathogens: From birds and other animals 

• Chemicals: Adhesives, dyes, detergents, pesticides, and rubber residues 

• Nutrients: Fertilizers and organic waste 

Why Rain Gardens Matter 

Rain gardens don’t just fight pollution – they offer a host of advantages: 

• Flood prevention: By slowing and absorbing stormwater, rain gardens can help reduce flooding. 

• Wildlife habitat: They attract beautiful butterflies, bees, and birds to your space.  

• Curb appeal: Rain gardens are a beautiful addition to your space, adding color and life while serving a vital purpose.  

A Ripple Effect of Change 

Installing a rain garden isn’t just about improving your own space – it can help to inspire your community. One rain garden can lead to conversations, which can lead to more rain gardens, creating a collective impact. Together, we can reduce stormwater pollution, improve water quality, and protect our neighborhoods from flooding.  

Interested in learning more about rain gardens and helping bring this superhero to your neighborhood? Be part of the change and join us for one of our upcoming Rain Garden classes. Learn more at https://www.metroparks.com/climate-classroom/