Letter: Rainkeep will benefit environment, beautify Bristol

Posted 8/17/17

To the editor,

The Bristol Garden Club is hoping to reach its fundraising goal toward the creation of an exciting project, the “Rainkeep,” which will be dedicated to “the …

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Letter: Rainkeep will benefit environment, beautify Bristol

Posted

To the editor,

The Bristol Garden Club is hoping to reach its fundraising goal toward the creation of an exciting project, the “Rainkeep,” which will be dedicated to “the children of Bristol: our future.”

The Rainkeep is both an artistic sculpture and a functioning rain barrel. It will be installed adjacent to Mrs. Perry’s Garden, within Thomas Park on Hope Street. The garden is not served by any municipal water source. Rain collected by the sculpture will be used to water the garden during dry weather. As a visually attractive demonstration of water conservation, the Rainkeep will also stimulate and enhance a wide range of educational opportunities for Bristol’s children and adults.

Exploring the purpose and function of the Rainkeep will complement the learning of sustainability, conservation practices, environmental science and climate change. Located near Guiteras School, the Rainkeep will constitute an educational resource for STEM learning there, as well as for other community schools. The Rainkeep will also inspire programming for children’s groups such as scouts, 4-H clubs, camps and more.

Helping to focus public awareness, the Rainkeep will be integrated into Bristol Parks and Recreation Department’s campaign to develop understanding and usage of rain barrel technology for water conservation and environmental improvement. Rain barrel distribution events held at Thomas Park will celebrate improvements already made there. Once a polluted, storm damaged eyesore, the park contains a recently restored salt marsh estuary at the mouth of Silver Creek.

Installation of the Rainkeep at Thomas Park represents the next phase of this area’s ongoing revitalization. In this historic location, near Bristol’s oldest house, and along Bristol’s well-known parade route, the Rainkeep will link Bristol’s past with current opportunities, and with our community’s hope for an environmentally sustainable future.

The Rainkeep project has received support and approval from the Bristol Town Council; Bristol Parks & Recreation; Bristol’s director of Community Development; and the Bristol Historic Commission.

To date, the Bristol Garden Club has raised funds through plant sales and flower shows; and has secured grants from Roger Williams University, the Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs, the Harmon Fund, and Rhode Island State Council on the Arts.

We do, however, need an additional $3,000 to be sure the project can be completed. It is our hope that Bristol businesses and community members will also consider supporting this project financially. For details or questions regarding the project, contact Laurel Curtis at 401-569-0989.
Tax deductible donations may be made to either the Bristol Garden Club or to the town of Bristol (with “Bristol Garden Club” in the check memo line); and addressed to Bristol Garden Club, c/o Walter Burke, Bristol Parks and Recreation, Quinta-Gamelin Community Center, 101 Asylum Road, Bristol, RI, 02809.

Bristol Garden Club greatly appreciates whatever support our community can give toward completing this project that we believe provides so many benefits to our town.

Pamela Bishop
66 Franklin St.

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.