This rain garden was constructed in Stanley Still Park by Boy Scout Troop 2609 to improve stormwater infiltration. The park is located along Wappinger Creek, which has flooded the park in the past. The rain garden is a bean-shaped depression, approximately 35 feet by 15 feet. The existing soil was amended with topsoil and coarse sand to increase permeability. The garden was planted with an array of native wetland plants and finished with a layer of mulch and outlined with crushed stone. An overflow pipe adds drainage during periods of excessive precipitation. Signs at the site explain the rain garden and its purpose. The rain garden has significantly improved infiltration at the park.
Site Name: Stanley Still Park
Address: 48 Jackson Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Owner: Town of Poughkeepsie
County: Dutchess
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
Land use of site: Town park
Can this site be visited? Yes
Location on site: Lowland area adjacent to parking lot and playground
Intent of design: To improve stormwater infiltration at the site and reduce water collection on the surface, particularly during periods of heavy precipitation
Size of structure/capacity: 450 square ft
Size of drainage area: about 4,000 square ft
Plants or materials used: Zebra Grass, Red Switch Grass, Mardi Gras Parade Daylily, Bee Balm, Red Twig Dogwood, Anemone, Turtleheads, Golden Alexander, High Bush Blueberry, Black Lace Elderberry, Mountain Laurel, Cardinal Flower, Blue Flag, Common Rush, New England Aster, Blue Switch Grass, Hibiscus, Hydrangea, Rose of Sharon, Sweet Flag, Joe-Pye Weed, Cutleaf Bleeding Hearts, Buttonbush, Winterberry, Sweet Shrub, Echinacea, and Black-Eyed Susan
Maintenance: Periodic weeding, re-mulching and watering during extreme dry spells
Maintained by: Ray Bartolucci and the Town of Poughkeepsie Parks Department
Design: Ray Bartolucci
Installation: Ray Bartolucci, members of BSA Troop 2609 and community volunteers
Date of installation: June 2009
Zoning change or special permit required: No
Project cost: $1,500
Form of payment: Donations from local businesses
Contact: Tom Meyering, Town of Poughkeepsie Park Facilities and Programs Director or Ray Bartolucci, Project Designer and Coordinator/Eagle Scout BSA Troop 2609
Email: tmeyering@TownofPoughkeepsie-ny.gov or bartol@optonline.net
Phone: (845) 485-3628