The Old North Rain Garden can divert approximately 31,000 gallons of stormwater in a one-inch rain event from this area’s combined sewer system, reducing the likelihood of basement backups and sewer overflows. It manages almost all the stormwater runoff that falls on this block, 1.72 acres, by holding back the stormwater so it can soak into the ground, be used by plants, or slowly drain out after the storm has passed. The Old North Rain Garden was part of a five-year, $3 million rainscaping pilot program for MSD Project Clear that ran from 2010-2015.  More about this project >