Stormwater runoff on the clay swale created a muddy area that was an eyesore. During the winter, the runoff frequently froze on the walkway creating hazardous conditions for the students.

"Before" photo taken in February 2007

The teachers at Northwood and FoSC agreed that it was important to get the students involved with designing and installing landscaping in their courtyard. To get the student's input, a series of charrettes (collaborative sessions in which the public helps draft a solution to a design problem) were held in the winter and spring of 2007. As part of the charrette, FoSC members and Master Gardeners helped lead the students in developing a landscaping plan for the Courtyard.

Beth Chaisson, an urban planner from the city of Bowie, and her husband Shubhankar Sanyal, an architect with DMJM in Arlington, led the first day of the charrette with discussions on design elements for the project.

Beth Chaisson from FoSC and Carol Hall with Master Gardeners discussed landscaping ideas with one of the student groups developing plans for the student entrance. The students were provided landscaping manuals and plant books for ideas. Drawing paper and colored pencils were also supplied to the students.

The final product from the charrette: a concept landscaping plan for the student entrance.
The rain gardens are to the right. The permeable walkway is to the lower left.

On May 19, 2007, students, teachers and parents attended a work day to implement the first phase of the landscape plan.

The first task was to dig out about 12" of clayey subsoil. Buried construction debris slowed down the excavation. A rain garden soil mix (sand, compost and good top soil) was used to fill in the excavation. A rotor-tiller was used to loosen the soil at the bottom of the rain garden.

Time was set aside on the workday for a rest break. During the break, the volunteers learned about why stormwater runoff is a serious problem and how rain gardens work.

Students and parents helped out on the May 19 workday.

Teachers Jill Coutts and Clay Proctor admire the new rain garden,