North Hempstead, NY – North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth and the Town Board are pleased to announce that Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson will soon unveil a brand new rain garden to the public, designed to take advantage of rainfall and storm water runoff in its design and plant selection. The new rain garden is a collaboration between the Town and Sustainable Long Island and will serve as a teaching tool.

“The installation of a rain garden at Clark Botanic Garden will further the educational mission of our garden,” said Supervisor Bosworth. “Rain gardens help to filter excessive nitrogen from storm water runoff and help to replenish our aquifers. I hope that this garden will plant a seed of inspiration in all who see it, so that they will think of planting their own rain garden at home.”

The rain garden at Clark Garden will be designed to withstand an extreme amount of moisture and high concentration of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which are found in stormwater runoff. It is scheduled to be planted from July 23 to July 30.

The rain garden will contain native, drought-resistant and deluge-tolerant shrubs and perennials and will be located on the south side of the main building at Clark Garden. The location was selected in order to accommodate water from the gutter system of the building, as well as other stormwater that drains there from adjacent uphill areas.

Public demonstrations will be held at the new garden and will illustrate the effectiveness, environmental benefits, and the specifics of how rain gardens work. It will also serve as a teaching element for the rain garden classes that are currently being offered at Clark.

Clark Botanic Garden is located at 193 I. U. Willets Road in Albertson, and the garden is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. For more information, please call 311 or (516) 869-6311.