The Clarkton Watershed Group recently received a $250 grant from the Wildflower Association of Michigan to install native plants in the Depot Park rain garden.
The rain garden, an impression in the land utilizing compost, native plants and flowers, helps filter stormwater runoff.
‘The rain garden has been very successful,? said CWG co-chair Jim Brueck. ‘But the amount of rainwater running off the (city office) parking lot is beyond the current garden’s capacity.?
Brueck said the group plans to use funds from the grant to expand the rain garden by about 30 percent.
Representatives from the Clarkston Watershed Group (CWG) will accept the award Sunday, March 8 at the 22nd Annual Wildflower Association of Michigan (WAM) Conference, ‘Building a Web of Life? held at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Center.
Since the Watershed Group’s inception in 2006, the rain garden, along with a children’s garden were installed at Depot Park, and a native garden was planted along Mill Pond near the Washington Street parking lot.
The projects were funded in part by WAM, as well as by grants from the Oakland Native Partners Initiative (ONPI), and in-kind donations from local residents and businesses.
‘We were fortunate to get the WAM grant this year,? Brueck said. ‘Funds are more limited, and they had more requests than in previous years.?
As spring approaches, the CWG continues to work on objectives for the upcoming year.
‘River Day? plans for June include utilizing WAM funds for expansion of the existing rain garden at Depot Park. The CWG is also planning a project to stabilize portions of the eroded banks along the river at the south end of the park.
Brent Cousino, Clarkston resident, and Eagle Scout is spearheading the streambank stabilization project.
The Wildflower Association of Michigan, in a partnership with the Harold and Jean Glassen Foundation, awards grants annually to fund projects involving the creation of an outdoor classroom, the enhancement of an existing site, or other educationally directed projects that support the WAM Mission.
Those wishing to volunteer time or money to the Clarkston Watershed Group’s upcoming projects, can call Jim Brueck at 248-625-7597 or email mdbrueck@sbcglobal.net
For more information on the Wildflower Association of Michigan, visit www.wildflowersmich.org.
-Laura Colvin