The Adena Brook Community rain garden idea began over lunch in November of 2006. Elayna Grody, Natural Resources Manager from Columbus Recreation and Parks; Stephanie Suter, habitat conservationist with Franklin Water and Soil; Heather Dean, FLOW coordinator; and Cyane Gresham from the Sierra Club met at the Barrett home to guide our group on the “things to do” list for the 2007 season. We were concerned about stormwater runoff.We walked around on a rainy day to find places for rain gardens. Cyane recommended Vinnie Tremante, a landscape designer with Williams Creek Consulting, as a person who could install the rain garden. Vinnie came out and drove around the neighborhood with a few of us, looking for sites that would work well. We agreed the best site for the rain garden was on park land in a visible area.The High/Overbrook site was selected. Susan Michael Barrett contacted Laura Young Mohr, Public Utilitlies public relations officer, to ask about city interest in partnership on this project. Laura contacted Tom Russell in Sewerage and Drains. Over the course of several months, a series of meetings took place with key partners Maureen Lorenz, Columbus Recreation and Parks, Tom Russell, Columbus Sewerage and Drains, and Terry Dull, Columbus Transportation, and Vinnie Tremante, Williams Creek Consutling. A catalyst grant was written by Adena Brook Community and awarded by ComFest, The Community Festival Grant program. Other funding help came from proceeds from the McCain’s house concert, Frankin Water and Soil Conservation District, Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed, Friends of the Ravines, CURB Recycling, and from many area individuals. Columbus Recreation and Parks donated the plants; Columbus Sewerage and Drains and Columbus Transportation put in a new sidewalk, curb, and inlet. Com-Til donated the amended fill for the garden. In early September work began with framing a new sidewalk and installing an inlet that would capture storm water running off High Street. Overflow would go into the storm sewer.Pouring the sidewalk. Excavating and preparing the soil for the garden bed.Sorting plants. Just a week after the sidewalk was put in, we’re planting – Adena Brook Community volunteers with direction from Vinnie.Good luck piece found while planting.There’s more to the story, like the 2 inches of rain that fell within hours of planting the garden, but these are the highlights getting Columbus’ first community rain garden planted on city property.