A rain garden is a depressed area in the landscape designed to capture rainwater and return it slowly to the ground. Rain from roofs and hard surfaces like parking lots typically runs across the ground as runoff. Runoff can cause erosion and damage as it runs quickly across fields and forests. Water captured by a stormwater system does not return to the ground to replenish water in the soil (called the water table). A rain garden slows moving water so it seeps into the ground, replenishes the water table, and reduces damage from erosion and flooding.

Rain gardens along the exterior of the Outdoor Center capture water shedding off the roof and terraces. Planted with native grasses and flowering perennials, rain gardens are a beautiful way to capture rainwater and create a connection to nature. Rain gardens also filter pollutants, reduce erosion, and provide habitat for pollinators, songbirds, and other wildlife resulting in a cleaner, more biodiverse ecosystem.