Choosing the Site

Tyson Kemper, the facilities supervisor, took the Capstone Project student and advisor on a tour of potential sites for a demonstration rain garden that could be placed on the campus. The Truly House was chosen because it is at a prominent spot along a path used by students, faculty, neighbors, and visitors. It is between the Cascadia College campus and University of Washington Bothell, and it is behind a historical building, which enhances the positive association between rain gardens and residential lawns. This should promote the idea that rain gardens enhance the appearance of a property. It was also on a spot that has had a flooding problem due to compacted clay soils and needed a green infrastructure solution. It was possible to locate the garden near a downspout that drains stormwater from the roof while keeping it far enough from the building's foundation, and it was also possible to install it without disturbing the landscaping already present, which were other important considerations.

Before the installation could begin, the site plan need to be approved by all the stakeholders at both campuses, and utilities had to check the site for buried lines. There were no buried lines, but there was a buried irrigation pipe that leads to the rose garden on the other side of the house. This is one reason that excavation had to be done manually rather than with earth moving equipment.