Hampton - Rain Garden Installation Cost-Share Grant

The Hampton Conservation Commission is awarding a cost-share grant to at least one residential home owner and one business owner for the installation of a rain garden. Grants will be awarded to the highest ranking projects. The property owners will be responsible for 25% of all the out-of-pocket expenses (plants, mulch, compost, etc.) up to a maximum of $50. This program is available to all property owners in Hampton.

Creating a rain garden is a great way for homeowners, schools, businesses, churches, and other organizations to help protect our rivers, streams, ponds, salt marshes, and ocean. A rain garden is a shallow depression planted with native plants and grasses. These gardens are sustainable, affordable, and particularly effective at capturing rain water, preventing flooding, creating habitat for local wildlife (birds and butterflies), and filtering up to 80 percent of pollutants (household fertilizers, pesticides, oils, etc.) from our stormwater runoff. According to the Center for Watershed Protection, 30 percent more water soaks into the ground from a rain garden than from the same size area of lawn. So if you have flooding issues in your yard, rain gardens may be a valuable tool in helping to resolve those problems.

Application forms are available at the Hampton Lane Library, Hampton Town Hall, or online at http://hamptonnh.gov/?page_id=5803. Applications are due on Wednesday, April 22 by 3pm to the Conservation Commission Office located in Hampton Town Hall (100 Winnacunnet Rd). Applications can be either hand delivered, mailed or emailed. There will also be an application help session on Monday, April 20th from 7pm to 8pm in the Hampton Town Hall lobby. This is a great opportunity to have any questions answered or make sure your application is complete. If you have any question please contact Rayann Dionne at rdionne@town.hampton.nh.us or call 603-929-5808.