The Ruby Harvey Memorial Rain Garden is a focal point of the recently renovated courtyard, which contains the play area for the childcare center. Ruby Harvey was enrolled at the center at the time she and her family were killed at their home on January 1, 2006.
The rain garden blends the latest thinking in sustainable landscapes with the historic setting of the church, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The rain garden works by catching rainwater from the church roof and temporarily holding it. This reduces the amount of runoff entering the city’s storm water system, while filtering most pollutants from the rainwater before it flows toward the James River.
In addition to planting the garden, the children will be shown how it works to keep the James River and Chesapeake Bay clean and healthy.
