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JULY 2026
WATER PAGES eNEWSLETTER
| | New Rain Garden Installed at Weequahic Park in Newark | | |
A new rain garden has been installed at Weequahic Park in Newark, Essex County, helping to improve local water quality while showcasing the benefits of green infrastructure.
The 385-square-foot bioretention system was constructed in the turfgrass area adjacent to the parking spaces north of the track. Designed to capture, treat, and filter stormwater runoff from approximately 1,565 square feet of nearby roadway, the rain garden will help reduce pollutants entering local waterways while allowing stormwater to naturally infiltrate into the ground. To complete the project, 121 native plants were installed throughout the rain garden.
The design, construction, and installation was completed through a partnership with New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), bringing together organizations committed to improving environmental resilience and sustainable stormwater management.
| | [Photo credit: Brendon Opilac and Taline Kelly, RCE Water Resources Program] | | Watnong Park Rain Garden Takes Root in Morris Plains, Morris County | | |
Watnong Park in Morris Plains is now home to a newly constructed rain garden that will help capture and treat stormwater while adding native vegetation to the park landscape. Situated near the parking lot and storage shed, the rain garden is designed to intercept runoff from the parking lot, building roof, and adjacent turf areas, reducing the amount of stormwater entering the local drainage system.
During construction, the design was modified in the field to preserve the roots of a mature tree and maintain the nearby soccer field. As a result, the rain garden was reduced by approximately 200–250 square feet while still providing meaningful stormwater management benefits. More than 400 native plants were installed throughout the site, creating habitat for pollinators and wildlife while enhancing the park's natural beauty. This project was completed through a partnership with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program, NJ Highlands Coalition, Pinelands Preservation Alliance, Drake's Landscaping and Excavating, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
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[Photo credit: Drake's Landscaping and Excavating]
| | [Photo credit: Dylan Medici, NJ Highlands Coalition] | |
New Rain Garden Installed at Hammonton Branch - Atlantic County Library to Improve Stormwater Management | |
A new green infrastructure project has been completed at the library, transforming a section of turfgrass into a functional and attractive rain garden that will help improve local water quality and reduce stormwater runoff.
The project features a 360-square-foot rain garden that would be installed along the west side of the library. The rain garden is designed to capture runoff from approximately 935 square feet of roof area. During rain events, runoff from the library's roof will be directed into the rain garden, where soil and native plants work together to slow water flow, remove pollutants, and allow water to soak naturally into the ground. This process helps reduce localized flooding, improve groundwater recharge, and protect the health of downstream rivers and streams.
The project was made possible through a partnership between the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program, the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, Britney O'Donnell Garden Design, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Beyond its environmental benefits, the rain garden also serves as an educational resource for library visitors and the surrounding community. Native plants selected for the garden will provide seasonal color while supporting pollinators such as bees and butterflies, showcasing how landscaping can be both beautiful and environmentally beneficial.
| | | | Mulching newly constructed rain garden prior to planting | | [Photo credit: Taline Kelly, RCE Water Resources Program] | | Fox Chase Pond Shoreline Restoration and Rain Garden Expansion in Hillsborough, Somerset County | | |
Restoration work at Fox Chase Pond began on June 23, 2026, with the installation of turbidity barriers to protect the pond during construction. The project included shoreline improvements, expansion of existing rain gardens, and native planting to reduce erosion and help capture and filter stormwater runoff. This project was proposed because eroding shorelines can carry soil and pollutants into the water, reduce water quality, and damage aquatic habitat.
The original design called for about 700 linear feet of shoreline restoration. After much of the shoreline naturally recovered following the initial site visit, the restoration area was reduced to approximately 200 linear feet. The existing rain gardens were expanded by 1,375 square feet, and the project included 2,645 shoreline plugs, 365 shrubs and perennials, and 30 trees.
The project was completed on Thursday, July 9th, with the final planting, mulching, and watering activities. Crews also installed protective fencing and tree-watering bags and removed the turbidity barriers. As the plants become established, they will help stabilize the shoreline, improve stormwater treatment, and provide habitat around the pond.
This project was made possible through a partnership between the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program, the Borough of Hillsborough, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
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Project staff installing soil erosion control blankets along
the restored shoreline to stabilize the soil before planting
[Photo credit: Benny Roe, RCE Water Resources Program]
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Fully planted shoreline section with native 2-inch plugs
[Photo credit: Brendon Opilac, RCE Water Resources Program]
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Completed expansion of the Fox Chase Pond rain garden
with newly installed native plants and protective fencing
[Photo credit: Benny Roe, RCE Water Resources Program]
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Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program
water@envsci.rutgers.edu
www.water.rutgers.edu
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