Join us for a ribbon cutting for the Outdoor Learning Activity Zone and Rain Garden at Melville Elementary School! The ribbon cutting will take place at 4:30PM, please arrive early to park.

This project, completed in 2020, was made possible by a partnership between ERICD, Thrive Outside, Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and Melville School.

The installation at Melville Elementary School in Portsmouth takes up 1/3 of the school’s back field. It collects polluted stormwater that would normally flow into Melville Pond, an integral water source in the Narragansett Bay Watershed.

It is also a wonderful resource for our community! While it is working to absorb excess water, it is a beautiful place to take a stroll and enjoy nature.

In addition to the environmental benefits, this stormwater mitigation project serves as an Outdoor Learning Activity Zone with an outdoor classroom. The outdoor space allows students to learn safely while adhering social distancing protocols. Uniquely, anyone can enjoy this garden because it is fully handicap accessible!