Rain Garden Kit Giveaway

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Want to grow your own Rain Garden?

On Saturday October 23, 2021, Akron Waterways Renewed! will be hosting a rain garden giveaway for the citizens of Akron in participation of Stormwater Awareness Week, October 17-23, 2021. The drive-up event will take place on the last day of Stormwater Awareness Week from 12:00pm to 2:00pm in the parking lot at Patterson Park at 800 Patterson Ave. Akron, OH 44310.

 The free rain garden kit includes a watering can, a pack of native seeds with information about the included varieties, a hand shovel, gloves, instructions on how to set up your rain garden, and seed starter trays. Akron residents will also have the opportunity to meet Eco, AWR!’s mascot.

The giveaway is a collaboration with local organizations, including Keep Akron Beautiful and Summit Soil & Water Conservation, in an effort to educate the public about the slow and soak method of reducing rainwater, absorbing and filtering the amount of water that reaches the sewer system, and ultimately, the Cuyahoga and Little Cuyahoga rivers. Stormwater can be great for lawns and gardens; however, it can wreak havoc on rivers and streams. 

Akron Waterways Renewed! is encouraging all Akron area residents to participate in Stormwater Awareness Week by picking up a rain garden kit at the giveaway, in addition to:

  • Planting native flowers and shrubs with deep root systems to soak up rainwater and provide food for bee and butterfly populations
  • Picking up litter in your neighborhood or at your local park
  • Checking the weather report before applying fertilizer to your lawn or any oil or chemicals to driveways and sidewalks
  • Installing a rain barrel to store rainwater for later use
  • Taking care to never flush anything hazardous, such as grease, pet waste, chemicals, medications, or personal hygiene products
  • Encourage and educate friends and family to participate 

To learn more about Stormwater Awareness Week: Stormwater Awareness Week - Franklin County Public Health (myfcph.org)

To learn more about Rain Gardens: BuildRainGarden.pdf (summitoh.net)

To participate in a free class: Online Master Rain Gardener Certification | Washtenaw County, MI