Silver Lake Rain Garden - Belmar, NJ

Description

The rain garden is situated in a park that surrounds Silver Lake, which is adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean in Belmar. The rain garden is near a walking trail that is frequented by citizens of the surrounding residential community. Street runoff is diverted to the rain garden through a curb cut. This prevents the runoff from directly flowing into the lake through the storm sewers and ultimately to the ocean. It also allows for removal of pollutants. Native New Jersey plants such as coastal sweet pepperbush and joe pye weed are featured in the planting. The rain garden serves as an example for homeowners in the area to replicate on their own properties.

The Belmar rain garden was a collaborative project between the Belmar Borough Environmental Commission and Master Gardeners of Monmouth County. Technical assistance was provided by faculty and staff from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County.