Celebrating 40 Years of Protecting Northern Michigan's Water Resources
​​Protecting Northern Michigan's water resources since 1979.
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Project Rain Garden
Protecting Little Traverse Bay, One Rain Garden at a Time

Project Rain Garden will aid in the installation of 12 residential rain gardens within the City of Petoskey as a means to increase community awareness about stormwater and to protect the water quality of Little Traverse Bay.

A rain garden is a planted depression that receives and absorbs rain and snowmelt runoff, also known as stormwater, from impervious surfaces like roofs, driveways, walkways, parking lots, and compacted lawn areas. Rain gardens help filter out pollutants such as lawn fertilizers and pesticides, oil and other fluids from cars and machinery, and debris and litter. 
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Rain gardens are designed to fill with a few inches of water after a storm and the water slowly filters into the ground rather than running off to a storm drain. Once stormwater enters the city’s stormwater sewer system, it is piped to Little Traverse Bay and the Bear River, pollutants and all. Pollutants that end up in the Bay or the River can affect water quality, aquatic habitat, recreation, and public safety. 

Rain gardens are a very effective and low-cost way to protect water quality. Additionally, they can be a good source of food and shelter for butterflies, songbirds, and other wildlife if the right plants are used. Deep-rooting native plants are best as they tend to encourage more infiltration and absorb more nutrients. Native plants also tend to require less maintenance than non-native species. ​

Program Overview:
Project Rain Garden is a cost-share program that helps offset costs associated with the installation of new residential rain gardens. The Project will cover up to 40% or $1500, whichever is lower, toward each rain garden.  In total, twelve residential rain gardens within the City of Petoskey limits will receive assistance. A rain garden that is funded by this will help others learn about rain gardens and encourage people to create their own rain garden. Therefore, grant recipients must agree to following educational efforts.

Promote the Petoskey rain garden project by allowing the Watershed Council to:
  • Photo document your rain garden at various stages that may include before, during, and immediately after installation, as well as subsequent years to monitor its progress. 
  • Allow the rain garden details and photos to be published on Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council’s website (www.watershedcouncil.org), Facebook, or other publications. 
  • Place a Protecting Little Traverse Bay, One Rain Garden at a Time sign in the rain garden as provided by the Watershed Council.
Project Rain Garden is made possible with support from the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation’s Little Traverse Bay Protection and Restoration Fund.