Poricy Park will soon feature a rain garden, thanks to a $10,000 grant from New Jersey American Water, according to a release from the utility company.
The purpose of the rain garden is to help reduce pollutants in water run-off from buildings near the 250-acre nature reserve off of Oak Hill Road in Middletown, NJAW explained.
The funds are part of NJAW's fifth annual Environmental Grant Program, which provides support for community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds, surface water or groundwater supplies.
“Rain gardens like this are a great demonstration of what people can do to conserve water and protect our water supply from the contamination of storm runoff,” said Anthony Matarazzo, the company’s senior director of water quality and environmental management, in the release.
The rain garden project will accept rain water run-off from nearby buildings, allow the run-off to flow back into the ground and reduce the loading of nutrients and pollutants in the run-off, according to NJAW.
“The rain garden will also serve as a teaching tool for park visitors on how rain gardens can be employed to improve the environment and help recharge the groundwater table,” said Middletown’s Assistant Public Works Director Vic Wymbs in the release.
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