Very Popular and Beneficial

A rain garden is a depressed area in the landscape that collects rain water from a roof, driveway or street and allows it to soak into the ground.  Planted with grasses and flowering perennials, rain gardens can be a cost effective and beautiful way to reduce runoff from your property.  Rain gardens can also help filter out pollutants in runoff and provide food and shelter for butterflies, song birds and other wildlife.

The Rain Gardens for Rock Island Program is intended to enhance neighborhoods and educate the citizens of Rock Island on the benefits of rain gardens.

City Reimbursement

The City will reimburse citizens based on the total square footage of the rain garden at the rate of $4 per square foot. If a rain barrel can be incorporated into the rain garden, the City will supply one free of charge.

How to Participate in the Program:

Part 1

• Carefully review the application materials.
• Complete the application with a sketch of the proposed rain garden.
• The City will review the application and meet with the property owner to discuss the proposed garden.
• The City will send an approval to begin building the garden.

Part 2

• Build the rain garden that was approved by the City.
• Contact the Public Works Department if there are any questions about the rain garden.

Part 3

• Notify the Public Works Department when the garden is completed and ready for an inspection.
• A member of the Public Works Department will meet with the property owner to inspect the completed garden.