A New Rain Garden Blooms in Sudbury

June 20, 2025

OARS River Log | By Sarah Kwan, OARS’ Director of Communications and Development | Published June 20, 2025

On June 6, 2025, a new rain garden and pollinator garden took root along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in Sudbury at its intersection with Morse Road next to the Broadacres Farm Parking Lot—bringing together community members, native plants, and a shared vision for cleaner water and healthier habitats.

Hands in the soil, hearts in the work—members of the Thursday Garden Club and A Yard and a Half team up to bring the new rain and pollinator garden to life.

Designed by A Yard and a Half and planted by dedicated members of the Thursday Garden Club of Sudbury, the garden transforms a once-plain trail intersection into a living example of how nature-based solutions can help protect the rivers we love. With support from the Sudbury Conservation Commission and generous funding from The Sudbury Foundation, the garden was made possible through strong local partnerships and the belief that small actions add up.

Members of the Thursday Garden Club of Sudbury, A Yard and a Half, and the Lori Capone from the Sudbury Conservation Commission—celebrate the planting of the new rain and pollinator garden along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail.

Why a rain garden?

Rain gardens capture and filter stormwater runoff before it reaches nearby rivers and streams. This garden improves local water quality, supports native pollinators, and recharges groundwater—all while brightening the rail trail with color and life.

Freshly planted and full of promise—the new rain garden may look small now, but these native plants will soon grow into a thriving, blooming habitat for pollinators and a powerful tool for cleaner water.

Native plants at work

The garden features resilient plants like swamp milkweed, blue flag iris, joe-pye weed, and winterberry, chosen for their ability to thrive in wet and dry conditions without fertilizers. Across the trail, the pollinator garden blooms with anise hyssop, New England asters, and butterfly milkweed, creating a haven for bees, birds, and butterflies.

The beginnings of a pollinator haven—these young native plants will soon burst into color, offering food and shelter for bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators right along the rail trail.

OARS will install educational signs at the site later this summer, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to follow. For now, keep an eye out for bright blooms—and the pollinators they support—next time you’re out on the trail.

River Log

~30%

of the SuAsCo rivers watershed is wetlands, crucial for wildlife habitat and water quality

~30%

of water samples in the SuAsCo rivers watershed contain PFAS, leading to increased monitoring and remediation by local authorities and environmental groups

~70%

of dams in the SuAsCo watershed are over a century old, requiring extensive upkeep and presenting obstacles to river restoration and fish passage

>40%

of the land within the watershed is publicly accessible, offering recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating, and birdwatching to the community

~15%

of the land in the SuAsCo rivers watershed is covered by impervious surfaces such as roads, rooftops, and parking lots. This contributes to stormwater runoff and water pollution issues

>40%

of the land within the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers watershed is publicly accessible, providing endless opportunities for paddling, hiking, and wildlife exploration.