Rain Garden Project to Help Beautify Manorhaven

Going green is good and the Village of Manorhaven intends to become even greener by beautifying the main streets of the village through better landscaping, upgraded drainage and improved lighting.

"This project is on the cutting edge of what communities are doing to green-up their public space to attract business and pedestrians to their commercial areas," said Betty Stevens, president of the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District (GPWBID).

The Manorhaven Rain Garden Project, which is part of the New York State Main Street program, was presented to about 15 residents during an informational public discussion at Manorhaven Village Hall on Tuesday. The attendees took part in a presentation from the streetscape designers, RDA Landscape Architects, who will be handling the design and construction drawings. "This is an unusual and cutting edge project," said Steven Nieroda, an architect in the firm.

Although still in the preliminary design stage, the initial phase of the project will address the streetscape of Manorhaven Boulevard from the Shore Road intersection west to Edgewood Road. It will entail creating shallow planted gardens that will receive rainwater runoff from urban areas like roofs, driveways, walkways and parking lots. According to Nieroda, the objective of the project is not only to make the streets more attractive but to filter sediments that otherwise would flow into Manhasset Bay.

"As the project moves forward, we're seeking to create a synthesis between form and function," Mayor Michael T. Meehan said. "What was previously an environmental nightmare, in terms of runoff into the bay, can fuel a project that will be aesthetically pleasing."

The Manorhaven Rain Garden Project is an initiative of the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District, primarily being funded through grants from from New York State and Nassau County along with funds from The Incorporated Village of Manorhaven and the GPWBID.

"The rain gardens will make history on Long Island," said Roy Smithheimer, GPWBID's executive director, "because this concept has always been done along with a specific project, not just by itself. This will be a pioneering first."

Carmen Castro and Mark Scaramucci both said they attended the informational meeting because they're interested in sustainable design and environmental architecture. "We're excited because, as permaculture designers, we're glad to see our town getting on board with this movement," Carmen said.

Gail Wendt, a life-long Manorhaven resident, added, "I love gardening and I came tonight to see what this is all about."

It's anticipated that the construction drawings will be completed within the next few weeks and then the project will be put out to bid to landscape contractors during the spring of 2010. The project will be designed and bid out with the intent to have all landscaping installed and completed during the summer of 2010. Village officials said they are open to having another public meeting and that it will be announced when dates are known.

Meehan concluded, "We are extremely excited about this project and all it means to the residential and business communities of Manorhaven."

A newly formed Manorhaven Beautification Committee, spearheaded by Manorhaven's Commissioner of Environmental Affairs, Jeffrey Zeh, is looking for volunteers to help with plantings pertaining to the project on Saturday, April 24. If you are interested or want more information about the Manorhaven Rain Garden Project, contact Zeh at Village Hall at (516) 883-7000.