Mesker park Zoo & botanic garden

Rain Garden Project

Mesker Park Zoo planted a rain garden to reduce silt and pollutants in runoff water coming from their gift shop roof. Native plants were used in this rain garden because they don’t require fertilizer and are more tolerant of the local climate, soil, and water conditions. These plants also have deep root systems which help replenish groundwater.

The Zoo also created buffer strips, grassed waterway, and pasture in what was the Asian Wild Horse exhibit. The project allows more sediment and water to be absorbed and filtered, resulting in reducing water pollution and preventing rain from causing the manure to run off.