Rain Garden at Intermediate School Starts With a Redbud

Ten students who scored highest on a recent science assessment helped plant the first tree in the school's new courtyard rain garden on Tuesday.

In honor of national Arbor Day (April 27), the Ocean City Shade Tree Committee purchased the tree — a redbud — to help start the project. 

The city recently received a Sustainable Jersey Grant from the Wal-Mart Corp. to develop the Rain Garden Project — an eco-friendly mix of indigenous trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses planted in a courtyard surrounded by the halls of the Intermediate School.

The city is partnering with the Intermediate School, the Shade Tree Committee and the Environmental Commission to complete the project.

Representatives of each of the groups was on hand Tuesday for the ceremonial planting of the tree.

While the grant will cover the cost of creating the rain garden, the city is still looking for groups or donors interested in helping to replace a large deck that will allow students to work in the courtyard. For more information, call Ocean City Intermediate School Principal Geoffrey Haines at 609-399-5611 or District Business Administrator Tom Grossi at 609-399-4161.