Lemoyne Adds Rain Gardens to Streetscape

A bump out and rain garden in front of the post office in Lemoyne. Phtoo by Laura Mathews

You might have noticed the beautiful new sidewalks, curbs and planter beds lining Market Street in Lemoyne, PA.  But have you noticed the similarity between Lemoyne, PA and Portland, OR?  What could a scrappy small town in PA share with the Eco-Friendly capital of the US, Portland Oregon?  Let’s see. Portland’s population is over 500,000.  Lemoyne’s population is almost 5,000.  It’s not that….

Actually, Lemoyne, PA, joins Portland in proactive storm water management.  Lemoyne’s recent streetscape revitalization project includes eco-friendly rain gardens with retention basins and storm water management techniques that are first in the state and in the forefront in the nation.

Lemoyne sits on a hill sloping gently in some places, steeply in others, toward the Susquehanna River.  When it rains, all sorts of pollutants – oils, chemicals, salts – wash down the streets and into the river.  The design of the new curbs, catch basins and bump-outs along Market street, channel water into sewers and into rain gardens.  This allows water treatment facilities and Mother Nature to do their thing to improve the quality of the water.

Mock up of finished plantings along Market Street in Lemoyne.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation senior scientist Harry Campbell said the use of rain gardens for storm water management in the context of revitalization in older organized communities is very new to the state.  We do have rain gardens in the area but typically they are part of new construction or in green spaces and parks.

A perfect storm – if you will – of talented and forward thinking people brought this gift to the West Shore.  Lemoyne Borough Councilwoman and Penn State Master Gardener Lori Hegedus, Craig Bachik of Kairos Design Group and Lemoyne borough council deserve kudos. Lemoyne was able to earn grant money to cover the expense of a lot of the construction of the first phase of the streetscape revitalization project; but the rain gardens have been supported entirely by the council.  Lemoyne borough applied for a grant through Pennvest but when the funding was not approved, the borough council stepped in and unanimously approved spending for the rain gardens.

As well as appreciating Lemoyne borough, Lori Hegedus is thankful for the roles folks had in the project.  She thanked Craig Bachik and Kairos Design Group who spent countless hours, much energy and much talent on the design and implementation of the project.  She thanked Harry Campbell for his support and for his presentation to the Lemoyne Revitalization Committee that gave council a thorough informed look of storm water run off on the Chesapeake and noted the rain gardens are a best management practice for storm water management.

Hegedus, while praising everyone involved in the project, I believe, down plays her role in the project.  But her excitement of bringing improvements to the livability of Lemoyne and the health of environment was clear.  She’s happy Lemoyne will be more walkable and pedestrian friendly.

Catch basins will aide in collecting storm water.

“We’re really doing this for the next generation,” she said.

The project extends benefits to the community beyond adding beauty and helping the environment.  The plantings, bump outs, paver paths and trees will have a traffic calming effect.  When drivers observe a scene with less space they judge the scene to be residential and slow down.  The trees planted in the bump outs will lower the line of sight to further create intimacy and slow drivers down.

Wow.  Plants do such great things.  On top of giving off oxygen and feeding everything, plants can just look pretty and increase property value by improving the appeal of an area.  Even more, plants filter storm water AND plants slow down traffic.

Lemoyne is just in the first phase of revitalization.  And other nearby boroughs are joining in and planning to spiff up their public spaces.

Hegedus said, “Camp Hill, Lemoyne and Wormleysburg have a Tri-Borough street scape plan that runs from the Harvey Taylor Bridge to Market Street and then up Market to 21st Street in Camp Hill”

There is still time to help with this phase of Lemoyne’s project.  You can help the borough by purchasing needed items.  I just may. More info here.

Also, they are still in the process of wrangling up plants for the rain gardens.  If you’re a professional nursery interested in donating plants, preferably native plants, contact me and I will facilitate. They also have 11 huge gigantic flower pots in need of plants.

Lemoyne has started something here in Central Pennsylvania.  I have a sense it will spread.  Watch out Portland.

Some ways you can help with the project?  Here are some tax deductible contributions available.

Street Light $ 4,500 Street Tree $ 500
Bus Shelter $ 3,500 Trash Can $ 450
Bike Rack $ 2,000 Banner $ 250
Signage $ 1,500 Rain Garden $ 250
Bench $ 1,500 Hanging Basket $ 150
Planter $ 750 Paver $ 100

The Susquehanna River near Lemoyne.