Dunwoody-based Oldcastle, Inc. assists Dunwoody Nature Center with Community Service Project

Faced with stormwater and erosion control challenges at its rain garden, the Dunwoody Nature Center needed to look only two miles away for a community-minded solution.  Dunwoody-based Oldcastle, Inc., provided the Nature Center with enhancements to its rain garden and a new retaining wall, built from the company’s Belgard® hardscape product, along with a team of Oldcastle employee volunteers to install it.

“Recent wet weather events presented several stormwater and erosion control issues at our rain garden,” said Alan Mothner, Director of the Dunwoody Nature Center.  “We knew we needed a way to address the heavy flows but never thought our needs would be answered by a company right here in our backyard. This became the perfect grassroots, corporate and community solution.”

A team of volunteers from Oldcastle, the Nature Center and the City of Dunwoody helped setup, construct and host a dedication ceremony for the enhanced rain garden and new Belgard retaining wall.  The new retaining wall will help control stormwater runoff allowing for slower percolation of the water in the rain garden before it gradually drains into Wildcat Creek.

Oldcastle is North America’s largest manufacturer of building products and materials; the company strives to be an engaged partner in the communities where it operates and emphasizes environmental responsibility. The company reached out to the Nature Center to offer a creative solution that would incorporate its products and give employees an opportunity to give back to the community that Oldcastle headquarters calls home.

“The Dunwoody Nature Center is a community gem.  Their work in educating children, families and adults about the natural world and our place in it really struck a chord for many of us here at Oldcastle,” said Mark Towe, CEO of Oldcastle.  “The volunteers today not only helped build the Belgard retaining wall but also helped sow plants in the rain garden and in the main meadow area.  It was a rewarding experience for them and a chance for us to express our gratitude for the warm welcome that Dunwoody has extended to us.”

The rain garden was created in August 2012 as a tool for teaching the community and a way to collect and control stormwater runoff. Unfortunately, heavy rainfall last fall and winter caused stormwater to spillover and erode the original barrier.

“This was truly a community effort – from the materials to the hands that helped build it,” said Dunwoody Mayor Mike Davis. “Dunwoody is home to a number of companies who share Oldcastle’s commitment of being a good community partner. I’m pleased they could share their expertise and resources to help the Nature Center.”