DEP Rain Gardens (Postponed)
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is building rain gardens and other types of green infrastructure to help manage stormwater and improve water quality in local waterways. Green infrastructure is a cost-effective way to help create a sustainable New York City. Benefits include neighborhood beautification, cleaner air, reduced temperatures during hot weather, improved street drainage and a reduction of puddles and ponding conditions after storms. For more information, continue reading below or click here to view the DEP Rain Garden brochure. Note: Other languages are available on the DEP website at this link.
How Rain Gardens Work: A rain garden may look similar to a street tree pit or a small garden, but there are some key differences. Here’s how you can tell the difference:
- Curb inlet – The inlet allows water to flow into the rain garden as it flows down the curb toward the catch basin.
- Outlet – Larger rain gardens also have an outlet. If the rain garden fills to capacity, water can exit through the outlet and continue into the catch basin on the street corner.
- Stone Strip – The stone strip allows people to step out of their cars without damaging the plants.
- Plants – All rain gardens have plants and grasses which have been carefully selected to ensure they can survive on busy New York City streets.
- Soil – The soil is graded so that water ponds in the center of the rain garden.
- Tree Guard – All rain gardens have tree guards around them that protect the plants and keep people and dogs from walking inside of it.
- Tree – DEP plants trees in rain gardens as often as possible. Trees benefit neighborhoods by lowering temperatures in hot summer months, improving air quality, and providing habitat for birds and butterflies.
Additional Project Information: Please click the links below to learn more about DEP Rain Garden & other Green Infrastructure Projects.
What to Expect: This resource will explain what to expect if a Rain Garden is planned for your neighborhood. (Click for website.)
Did You Receive a postcard from DEP about Rain Gardens Coming To Your Area?: If you received a letter from DEP regarding a possible Rain Garden planned for your block, visit this website to find out what happens next and what you need to know as a homeowner or tenant. (Click for website.)
DEP Green Infrastructure Program Map: This interactive map allows users to receive updated information about green infrastructure projects. Users can enter any address and the a map will zoom in to that location. (Click for Map.)
Questions? Visit DEP’s Rain Garden Project website at www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/stormwater/rain-gardens. If you have additional questions, please call Brooklyn Community Board 14 at 718-859-6357 or contact DEP by calling 311 and asking for more information about the Rain Garden program. You can also contact the DEP Rain Garden Project Team directly at (718) 595-7599, or by emailing raingardens@dep.nyc.gov.