On one of the happiest days of my long membership at Christ the King New Brighton, MN, after an inspirational outdoor worship, members of all ages put on their gloves and picked up their spades to plant hundreds of plants in our new Rain Garden This project will improve stormwater management at Christ the King Church through the installation of two curb-cut raingardens in the church parking lot. Currently, stormwater runoff from the church’s large parking lot and roof flows untreated into the storm sewer system, contributing to water quality issues in Long Lake. The new raingardens will capture and treat runoff before it enters the storm drain system, significantly reducing the volume of water and pollutants entering the lake.

The project will treat approximately 26,074 square feet of drainage area and is estimated to reduce annual runoff by over 20,000 cubic feet, total suspended solids (dirt in water) by 69 pounds, and total phosphorus by 0.38 pounds. The church community is actively engaged in the effort, contributing labor and native plants to the installation, and the project will also support pollinator habitat through native plantings.

This rain garden isn’t being planted by a contractor, it’s being planted by the community. Ricecreek Watershed District (RCWD) and Growing Green Hearts are coordinating a major community planting event where church members, local students from nearby schools, and neighbors helped install hundreds of native plants. These plants will help slow down and soak up stormwater, provide habitat for pollinators, and beautify the church grounds.

Earlier this year, Growing Green Hearts led educational workshops with the church to teach participants about native plants and water stewardship. Church members started growing native plants from seed, learning firsthand how these plants support healthy soil, pollinators, and clean water. These plants will now find a home in the new rain garden and other areas across the campus.

An educational sign, designed by RCWD, will be installed near the sidewalk and parking lot to share the story of this project with people walking by.

More Stories from Christ the King's Rain Garden

https://www.ricecreek.org/a-community-grown-rain-garden/

https://www.ricecreek.org/project/christ-the-king-church-rain-gardens/

More information about Rain Gardens:

https://www.lifeatctk.org/blog/why-a-rain-garden

https://www.lifeatctk.org/blog/the-ctk-rain-garden