Arlington Heights students’ rain barrels displayed in park

Decorated rain barrels made an appearance in downtown Arlington Heights’ Harmony Park this month, thanks to students at Arlington Heights Elementary District 25.

The ecology club at each district school coordinated the project, called Rain Barrels on Parade, said Sue Klarner, assistant principal of Westgate School.

“The ecology clubs are working diligently to find ways to beautify the school grounds while staying true to environmentally safe solutions. Many of our schools have decided to plant gardens. What better than a rain barrel to assist in watering the gardens in an earth-friendly way?” said a flier issued by the district’s Green Team.

Most of the schools will be keeping the barrels for use in their own gardens, said Klarner, who also is a member of the Green Team. A few, however, will be auctioned May 6-13 through the district’s website, sd25.org.

The barrels were on display for a week to celebrate Earth Day.