HOCO ECO

Welcome to the rain garden at the Church of the Holy Comforter! A year and a half in the planning, the idea began with the Rain Water Assessment done by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, who also trained some of our members. After reviewing the assessment, the HoCo Eco committee recommended to Vestry that two of the rain spouts on the Monument side be directed into a 250 sq. ft. rain garden of native plants. Water shed from the roof enters the garden at two inlets, passes through layers of growth medium, sand, and gravel and then into subsoil. Overages are handled by an under-drain and outlet, accessible through two clean-outs. Two bay-scapes of native plants also capture rain water. These gardens serve several purposes. They prevent overflow into storm sewers, treat water by filtration, decrease lawn area, and provide native plants for bees. wasps, butterflies and other pollinators, decrease storm sewer tax, provide a information source about the church and creation care, and serve as a source of recycled plastic bags for dog-walkers. The natural setting is also a place for us and our neighbors to enjoy. Professional assistance in design came from Lorne Field, Kip Mumaw (EcoSystem Services), and Jacob Bauckman (Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay). Excavation of the site was done by F.I.R.S.T. Contractors, managed by Larry Lindsey. Read more about them in the HoCo Eco Newsletter 1.3. The information center was built by Jim Koren and painted by Emily Herr. Garden plants were provided by Martha Burford and the excavated site prepared by HoCo Volunteers on March 21, 2015.