In early 2011, with the support of the Heinz Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Grant, Stormwater Irrigation and Management (S.W.I.M.), GTECH partnered with the Millvale Borough, SEEDS and community partners to create a demonstration Rain Garden on Butler Street in Millvale Borough. As part of our Vacant Land Reclaimation programs, we started the project by hosting community educational sessions about rain gardens and storm water management in the spring, and in the fall, broke ground. The Millvale Rain Garden was completed in November, 2011. This Rain Garden can capture 113,000 gallons of runoff annually, diverting it from an already overtaxed sewer system infrastructure. While one rain garden won’t solve the problem, it will help inform individuals of the situation, and demonstrate one piece of the solution.

 

 

The Millvale Rain Garden project is in a parking lot owned by the Borough of Millvale. This is the site of the Millvale Farmers Market, as well as a parking lot used frequently by Mr. Smalls, a very popular music venue. 

 

 

  

 

Thanks to the Heinz Endowments funding, 15 residents received training on how to design and build rain gardens in their yards and other open spaces. Additionally, there is now a rain garden in the center of the community – next to the farmers’ market, and between the Community Center and the Community Gardens. The rain garden, complete with educational signage, is a demonstration of what can be done in other spaces throughout the community and the region. The Millvale community is incredibly enthusiastic about greening their neighborhood – we’ve found they are a great group to work with!