The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) builds and maintains rain gardens (also known as right-of-way bioswales) to manage stormwater runoff from streets and sidewalks and improve water quality in local waterways.
Rain gardens are planted areas that may look similar to a street tree pit or small garden. You can identify a rain garden by the following features:
- Black metal fence with a bright blue rain garden decal along the fence post
- Tree and/or a variety of plants
- Curb inlet and outlet that allow stormwater to enter the rain garden
- Low area in the center to collect stormwater
Rain gardens are identified with blue DEP stickers.
You can report a drainage or maintenance issue with a Rain Garden.
