Rain barrels offered at discounted price in Naperville
Following a successful sale of rain barrels in 2011, the Naperville Park District and The Conservation Foundation are collaborating again this year to offer rain barrels for sale at a discounted price through April 11.
Rain barrels are simply large containers that capture rainwater at the end of a downspout and store the water for later use, for example in watering plants or washing cars. Using water from rain barrels lowers water bills, helps reduce flooding, and can have a dramatic impact on water quality in our rivers and streams.
“We are happy to work with the park district again this year to make rain barrels available to homeowners and businesses in our community,” said Brook McDonald, president and C.E.O. of The Conservation Foundation. “We join with the park district in encouraging the community to get involved in protecting our environment.”
In 2011, 248 rain barrels were sold through this special offer.
“We estimate that these rain barrels will divert 13,640 gallons of stormwater from the storm sewers for each average rainfall,” said Peggy Pelkonen, park district project manager.
In response to requests from the community, the Naperville Park District and The Conservation Foundation are offering two free, identical training sessions demonstrating how to install and use a rain barrel. The first session takes place from 7 to 8 p.m. p.m. April 11 and the second session is from 8 to 9 a.m. April 21. Both sessions will be held at Seager Park, 1163 Plank Road, Naperville. Attendees are asked to register in advance by contacting napervilleparks.org or by calling (630) 848-5000.
The 55-gallon rain barrels are being sold for $70 each and may be purchased online at the park district website, by phone at the above number, or in person at the Park District Administration Building at 320 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville.
The barrels will be available for pick up from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 14, at the Naperville Park District South Maintenance Facility, 3415 Book Road.
The rain barrels are made from reused plastic and come equipped with a spigot, a screw off lid, a garden hose threaded overflow, and screen in the top to help keep out bugs and debris. For more information about the benefits of rain barrels, visit theconservationfoundation.org.