Rain Garden

Meanwhile, on the other side of our property…
The playground isn’t the only project making sustainable strides. This summer, our church added a rain garden in the middle of the parking lot.

What are rain-gardens:

Rain gardens are built as depressions and planted with native plants. They capture runoff and let it sink into the earth, instead of rushing straight into storm drains or waterways. This helps filter out pollutants, recharge groundwater, and slow down water flow to ease strain on local waterways.

In our new garden, we planted four red maple trees and a handful of native perennials. Here are just a few:

Pictured: Rose coreopsis

Rose coreopsis (tickweed): A cheerful, drought-tolerant perennial with sunny blooms that attract pollinators.

Pictured: Firewheels

Firewheel (blanketflower): A hardy favorite with fiery red-and-yellow blooms that thrive in a range of conditions.

Pictured: Orange coneflowers

And last but not least, orange coneflowers, a real fan favorite with its bright orange petals that are eye-catching and favored by bees and butterflies.

All three are low-maintenance and biodiversity-friendly choices that bring beauty and environmental value in equal measure.

Why does this matter?:

In addition to filtering stormwater and reducing flood risk, the rain garden brings a range of lasting benefits. It creates habitat for pollinators and birds, contributing to local biodiversity. Once established, native plants like those in the garden typically require less maintenance, no fertilizers, and more resilience.

This rain garden exemplifies Saint Peter’s ongoing commitment to care for creation and sustainably serve our community.

Check it out next time you’re here!