The City of Boulder has taken a creative approach to environmental education with the recent installation of a new 3D art piece at Valmont City Park. Designed by Colorado artist Gregory Fields, the artwork aims to educate park visitors about the importance of rain gardens and their role in maintaining the health of local waterways. According to the City of Boulder, the public art seeks to connect the rain garden's utility to the community's appreciation of nature and recreation.

Addressing the perils of urban stormwater, pollutants such as chemicals, vehicle spills, and animal waste are routinely swept up by the rain and directed into local streams, largely untreated. To combat this, the City of Boulder is partnering with the Keep It Clean Partnership to emphasize the impact of simple actions, like reducing chemical use and properly disposing of pet waste, on preserving creek cleanliness. "Simple actions like cleaning up after pets and reducing the use of lawn and garden chemicals can make a huge difference in helping keep our creeks clean," said Kevin Koryto, the Stormwater Quality Program Manager, as obtained by the City of Boulder.

Beyond its educational message, the rain garden showcased by Fields' artwork is part of Boulder's broader initiative to establish green infrastructure. These rain gardens utilize specialized soils and indigenous plantings to filter out pollutants before they can reach vital water streams, inadvertently offering a serene haven to local wildlife and beneficial insects alike.

"The installation of this public art piece demonstrates the power of art to creatively tell complex stories," said Public Art Program Manager Brendan Picker-Mahoney, as per the City of Boulder. By featuring what is usually an invisible environmental process through vibrant sculpture, visitors gain insight into eco-friendly mechanisms at work beneath their very feet.

Enthusiasts for art and ecology alike are invited to attend the dedication ceremony for the new installation, "Water Trail" by Gregory Fields. Scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Valmont Park (5100 Valmont Rd.), the event is an opportunity to meet the artist and delve deeper into the significance of rain gardens. More information about the City of Boulder's public art program will be available during the ceremony.