About This Project

In 2020, we partnered with the Southeast Como Improvement Association to restore and add a rain garden to the traffic diverter at the intersection of Talmage Ave SE and 15th Ave SE in Minneapolis. The new planting collects runoff from the surrounding roads, provides habitat for pollinators and birds, and beautifies the neighborhood! Stormwater runoff is intercepted from a storm drain via an underground pipe into the rain garden. There, over half a million gallons of stormwater each year soak into the ground and pollutants are filtered by the soil and plant roots. Drought and salt tolerant native plants were selected to withstand the sunny conditions and proximity to the road. This project was funded by a grant from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization with additional support from the City of Minneapolis Public Works and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.