Volunteers sought for Harrison rain garden cleanup

A rain garden installed near Highlands Middle School has done its job of helping to eliminate a swampy lawn at the campus in Harrison.

But it needs help to remain effective.

“We pruned back a lot in the fall, but we need a group to go in there and really clean it up,” said Tom Cajka, chairman of the township’s tree committee.

Volunteers are encouraged to participate in a garden cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon April 30.

Leaves and litter will be removed, and plants will be pruned for spring growing, Cajka said.

The township will supply gloves, garbage bags and vests.

Installed nearly three years ago along California Avenue, the rain garden is a collaboration with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. It was part of a $125,000 project funded by The Pittsburgh Foundation.

“The garden has gotten rid of the swampy areas that have been a problem for 50 years,” Cajka said. “When we have heavy rains, the water flows slowly through the rain garden and into the sewer system.”

Nearly 2,000 plants were initially put in the ground, including native grasses, asters and iris.

Commissioner Chuck Dizard said the garden provides an exceptional learning opportunity for students at the middle school.

Students sometimes have outdoor science class in the garden, he said.

During the upcoming cleanup, volunteers also will tend to the township’s perennial garden that sits just a stone’s throw away, in front of the middle school along Broadview Boulevard.

Established in 2016, the space “provides a nice visual image for motorists all summer with many Stella D’Oro lilies and ornamental grasses,” Dizard said.

The pandemic put a damper on the number of volunteers at last year’s cleanup, and weeds overcame the site.

“It requires a serious heavy-duty cleanup,” Dizard said.

Cajka is hoping to draw a spirited group of volunteers who enjoy the satisfaction of giving back to the community.

“With enough volunteers, we will get a lot done and help beautify the space,” he said. “People really seem to enjoy it there. I can see it from my window, and there’s people there every day, walking their dogs or having coffee.”