Come see the swale garden at Euclid Beach State Park!

The group poses for a quick photo and then heads back to work on the swale garden! Over 300 plants were planted in one day!

View Image Gallery

Thanks to a Small Scale Storm Water Demonstration Grant from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD), volunteers from the Euclid Beach Adopt-a-Beach Team planted Ohio native plants in two grass swales along the front entrance to Euclid Beach State Park. The demonstration project is part of a $50,000.00 small grant initiative by the NEORSD to help raise awareness about storm water management issues in our region. More information about the NEORSD demonstration grant program can be found at: http://www.neorsd.org/watershedgrants.php. 

A swale garden works by absorbing water through extensive root systems laid down by water tolerant plants. Water stays in the soil and out of the storm sewers and Lake Erie, reducing runoff, flooding and improving water quality. The plants, all Ohio natives courtesy of Great Lakes Natives Plant Nursery, will take root over the winter and blossom next spring and summer. With New England Aster, Purple Cone Flower, Orange Cone Flower and many more, it is sure to be a colorful summer at the park! So next time you are driving along Lakeshore Boulevard admiring the new Collinwood Recreation Center, look across the street at the entrance to Euclid Beach State Park! While it does not look like much more than some mulch and sprouting plants today, it is actually a storm water management project in progress! 

For more information about the Euclid Beach Adopt-a-Beach team, future volunteer events and pictures of the swale garden, search The Euclid Beach Adopt-a-Beach Team on Facebook or email stephen.love20@gmail.com.

Please consider joining us for our next beach cleanup Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon at Euclid Beach State Park. We will provide volunteers with gloves, rakes and trash bags. Area food establishments Cafe Arts Collinwood, Chili Peppers and Giorgio's Pizza are graciously providing refreshments.