Installed in the fall of 2015—with adjustments made in 2016—the latest of numerous Highland Beach environmental projects is the installation of the Highland Beach RainScaping Park.
View the web album—Fall 2015 and Spring 2016, Installation of the RainScaping Park.
Project design and installation management was provided by the Chesapeake Ecology Center (CEC). Minority contractors chosen for site preparation, planting, and beautification, include Darnell’s Contracting Co., Marvin’s Landscaping, and Alvin Brown Paving and Landscape. Contractors also donated services; and countless hours were donated by the CEC and Highland Beach Mayor William Sanders.
The RainScaping Park includes all native species trees and shrubs, a rain garden, and a large circular teak bench surrounding a River Birch tree. The circular bench is set on permeable pavers, and two additional teak benches are provided for expanded seating opportunities. Over 50 native trees and shrubs were planted, including: Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis), River Birch (Betula nigra), Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana), Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Inkberry (Ilex glabra), Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica), Red Chokeberry (Photinia pyrifolia), and Winterberry (Ilex verticillata).
The pocket park also includes a compost and rain barrel demonstration area, two solar street lights for illumination, several educational signs, and individual plant signs. Parking at the front of the site accommodates ten vehicles to provide overflow parking for events at Highland Beach’s LEED Platinum Green Town Hall, located nearby.
The RainScaping Park is a place to relax, meditate, recreate and enjoy. And it’s a place to learn about the value of native plants, rain gardens, permeable pavers, rain barrels, and other RainScaping practices—all Beautiful Solutions to Water Pollution!
This project was made possible by a grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Program Open Space, Community Parks and Playgrounds Program.