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fOrT wAyne’s green infrAsTruCTure iniTiATiVe And rAin gArden prOgrAmA.M. SMrchek And M.J. SlAton: Fort WAyne city UtilitieS • J. trypUS And S. FAirFAx: BlAck & VeAtch corporAtion

CatChing Rain in YouR CommunitY Effectively marketing a Voluntary Rain garden ProgramAlthough this project started as a “Rain Garden Demonstration and Incentive Program,” our project team helped to develop the City’s overall green infrastructure initiative. A Rain Garden is typically defined as “sunken areas planted with native perennials that are specially designed to collect storm water runoff and return it to the ground naturally and safely.” Our project team hopes this initial Rain Garden program will be a springboard for the city to look at the overall sustainability component of their wet-weather control and conveyance infrastructure, in addition to a broader marketing effort of the communities involved in cleaner and safer water. Our goal is that the “typical” rain garden will quickly become the basis for future green infrastructure, and become the leading example for other city-funded sustainable programs.

The project team developed marketable residential rain garden standards to address guidelines on sizing, location, placement, routing water to the rain garden, and the suggested plantings list. The colorful and interactive brochures, web contact and direct mailers were helpful in getting the community involved and supporting the program. A graphic was developed by the project team that has become the branding logo for the city’s Green Initiative.

this PostER was PREsEntEd at wEFtEC.10FoR moRE inFoRmation wRitE weknowwater@bv.com oR Visit www.bv.com

Simply using previous materials developed for other cities was determined to not be enough to capture this city’s style in unveiling its rain garden program campaign. Our team worked with the city and the public to integrate what matters to them, and help spur overall ownership in the success of the program. We developed materials that included a general brochure for the overall program, and a “how-to” manual for constructing your rain garden and receiving the $175 incentive from the city. An appropriate rain garden design brochure considering plant options, various layouts, and photographs of previously completed rain gardens was also developed. Improvements and redevelopment of the city’s existing rain garden website was also completed.

In addition, our team supported and participated in several media events with city staff to promote the rain garden program and green infrastructure initiative. We supported the city’s goals at informational events with developed materials and recommended discussion items. Our team also provided input to the city on promotional activities and “give-aways” to draw more attention to the events and foster public participation.

Beyond just developing the program, our team provided information for city staff describing the overall rain garden program, and ways that the city can incorporate rain gardens and other green infrastructure into city and private-development projects. Our effort included a special training series of presentations for developers, business owners and city staff on reviewing, planning, assessing and implementing various types of green infrastructure. The events were supported with handout materials, technical support, delivery of all or parts of the presentation and addressing the question and answer segment.

Additionally, as part of the marketing effort, our project team developed a rain garden incentive program to include an application for the incentive, homeowner’s agreement form, criteria for application evaluation, rain garden inspection checklist for use by City inspectors and a training program for rain garden inspectors. Our team developed a straight forward application for the $175-incentive agreed to by the city. The application included information for the homeowner to provide regarding their property, runoff sources and suggestions for the location of a rain garden.

Our team also developed criteria for evaluating applications to construct residential rain gardens. The criteria was based on information provided by homeowners in their incentive application. Critical information was requested from residential homeowners on the proposed rain garden property, which was illustrated in a drawing provided by the homeowner. The city added information on their website for the program including a general location map and pictures sent in from residential rain garden owners.

The city’s staff embarked on a series of educational and training session for residents to learn how to plan and construct their own rain garden. The training sessions attracted several hundred residents, and so far almost 100 residents have constructed or are planning to build their own rain garden. A colorful advertisement developed by the city helped to draw the interest of residents.

Overall, development and branding the rain garden program has been successful. The program also includes the design of 20 demonstration rain gardens. The marketing effort and staff

dedication helped to gain interest and community trust, and our project team is monitoring the results and revising the program on a continual basis.

ConClusions and KEY mEssagEsn Incorporating low-impact development and green

infrastructure is important to the City of Fort Waynen City is working with all stakeholders in developing

“Sustainable” Green Infrastructure Standardsn Continue our educational approach and rain garden programn Consider further incentives during the development of

Green Infrastructure Standards

initial dEmonstRation Rain gaRdEn sitEs PRogRam ChallEngEsn Overcoming skepticism of officialsn Staffing resources for the program (weekend workshops,

night meetings, etc)n Maintenance of rain gardens (who/what/when/how)n How to capitalize and depreciate future rain gardens as a

stormwater assetn Offering water quality credits for rain gardens

CitY oF FoRt waYnE Rain gaRdEn initiatiVEn Consent Decree commitment to invest $420,000 in a rain garden program to be complete

by December 31, 2014n Construct 20 demonstration rain gardensn Residential incentive program with guidelines for homeowners (goal of 1,000)n Education modules for local schoolsn Supplemental to the City’s Stormwater Standards to support rain gardens

REsidEntial Rain gaRdEn inCEntiVE PRogRamn Creation of a rain garden public website and brandingn Development of a “How-To” Manual, incentives program and “How-To” Training

Sessions for homeownersn Incentive program with cash reimbursement up to $175 or plant matchingn More than 500 residents have taken a rain garden training sessionn Almost 100 have agreed to plant one