Gilmore City Community Rain Garden
Gilmore City, Iowa
JBC Landscape Architects partnered with the City of Gilmore City and the Hometown Pride team to design and implement a community rain garden education and demonstration project in Sunset Park. This project marked Gilmore City’s first rain garden and was envisioned as a highly visible example of best management practices for stormwater runoff reduction, sustainable water management, and water quality protection. By transforming a portion of Sunset Park into a functional landscape feature, the project demonstrates how natural systems can be integrated into public spaces to address environmental challenges while enhancing community amenities.
The approximately 2,000-square-foot rain garden is planted with more than 1,000 native plants and is designed to capture and infiltrate up to 5,000 gallons of stormwater runoff during rain events. Beyond its hydrologic function, the garden serves as a hands-on educational resource for residents and visitors.
JBC Landscape Architects worked closely with local elementary school students throughout the design and installation process, incorporating age-appropriate learning opportunities that introduced concepts such as watershed health, native plant communities, and the role of green infrastructure. This collaborative, community-centered approach ensured the project functioned not only as a stormwater solution, but also as a lasting educational and civic asset for Gilmore City.
