Nature Park & Rain Garden Fletcher Hall at Chautauqua Institution

Transforming Parking Lot into Natural Landscape Setting

Transformation of a former large asphalt parking lot into a beautiful, natural and highly functional project site, including one of the largest and most innovative rain garden projects in the region.  The site includes a series of filtration basins wrapping around the new building, with connecting stream (bioswales) and stepped waterfalls which take advantage of the site elevation changes (more than 12 feet) as water flows from top to bottom. Stormwater run-off from both the building itself and the remaining uphill parking areas feeds this large rain garden feature during rainy periods.  Native plantings have transformed this space into a popular natural garden teeming with wildlife during the four seasons of the year.  A permeable pathways allows people to walk alongside the creek feature and escape into the natural setting. The Chautauqua Fletcher Hall Rain Garden has become a major environmental and educational feature for this world-renowned cultural destination, with regular tours during the year.