A rain garden will be the product of the Office of Public Engagement’s grant to Robeson Elementary School in Champaign.
The office announced last week that it will grant the public school $8,700 to build the self-sustainable garden, said Steve Sonka, interim vice chancellor of public engagement.
Heather Livengood, principal of Robeson Elementary School, said construction on the garden is planned to begin in September.
Livengood said the University approached her about the possible addition of a rain garden, and the school welcomed the idea.
“I thought it sounded like a really good idea,” Livengood said. “(The University) explained it was not only for the environment, but a way to have an outdoor classroom for the children.”
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Even though the University is functioning with a financial deficit, Sonka said the office “has been conserving funds” to help fuel the rain garden and 29 other community projects this year.
“We’re choosing (to do this project) among many competing goals and challenges that we have,” Sonka said. “Doing things that enhance the environment is part of our mission.”
Richard Warner, director of the University’s Office of Sustainability, explained that a rain garden is perfect for placement near the school’s chronically flooded playground because it is designed to suck up a large amount of water during rainfall. Robeson’s future rain garden will include plants that can handle various moisture levels and trap enough water to be sustainable.
“It’s important to the University of Illinois because we’re thinking about how youth can learn about the natural world,” said Warner. “It’s a great teaching tool for the youth to get hands-on involved with the environment.”
Warner added that since the different plants in the garden can handle different moisture levels, the garden is expected to last throughout dry and wet weather conditions.
Staff at Robeson have created a “Green Team” composed of teachers and students who will work aside the University to help plan and build the garden. In addition, parents and members of the community are expected to get involved in the project.
