Build a rain garden under the downspout at St. Mark's Episcopal Church

A downspout on the north side of St. Mark's dumps roof runoff straight onto the churchyard lawn, pooling and running toward the sidewalk during Cheyenne's sudden summer storms. The church has invited a shallow rain garden at that spot to soak the water in instead. Standard: EPA Green Infrastructure program Proof: Photo of the finished basin and planting plus GPS tag. Method (EPA Green Infrastructure program): 1. Mark the rain garden footprint below the downspout the host has pointed out. 2. Shape a shallow, saucer-like basin by hand with rakes and shovels, no deep digging. 3. Amend the basin soil with compost and sand for drainage. 4. Plant water-tolerant native plants across the basin and mulch around them. 5. Direct the downspout into the basin and photograph the finished garden. Done when: Photo of the finished basin and planting plus GPS tag.

Where

St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1908 Central Ave, Cheyenne, WY

Pay

$380 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

Photo of the finished basin and planting plus GPS tag.

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

intermediate

Open until

2026-09-03

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 30–75 minutes. Method of record: EPA green-infrastructure inspection (bioretention / bioswale / permeable pavement function + maintenance)

Bring

• measuring tape
• GPS phone
• camera
• trowel / probe
• data sheet
• gloves

Steps

1. 1. Locate the GI asset; record GPS; identify the type (rain garden / bioswale / permeable pavement / tree filter).
2. 2. Photograph the asset, its inlet, and its outlet/overflow.
3. 3. Check the inlet and outlet for blockage (sediment, trash, mulch) and note whether flow can enter/leave freely.
4. 4. Check for standing water and estimate whether it drains within the design window (typically <24-48h after rain); probe media if dry.
5. 5. Assess vegetation/media condition and estimate sediment/trash accumulation depth.
6. 6. Note erosion, bypass, or structural damage and list the maintenance needed.
7. 7. Enter asset type, condition, inlet/outlet status, drainage observation, sediment level, maintenance needs, GPS, photos; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Standing water persists > 48h after rain -> flag failed infiltration (clogged media) for rehab.
• Inlet or outlet blocked -> flag for cleaning; the asset isn't capturing runoff.
• Erosion, undercutting, or flow bypassing the asset -> flag for repair.
• Documentation only — no digging out media or altering structures.

What counts as done

• Asset type + overall condition recorded
• Inlet + outlet clear/blocked status recorded
• Standing-water / infiltration observation recorded
• Sediment/trash level + maintenance recommendations + GPS + photos

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.