Red Oak Rain Garden

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Urbana, IL
Red Oak Rain Garden

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Stormwater management demonstration at the University of Illinois. Managed by University of Illinois Extension and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant staff. 🌱💧

The Red Oak Rain Garden is managed by University of Illinois Extension and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant staff. It is a demonstration landscape that soaks up rainwater, enhances the campus and community aesthetic and educational experience, and promotes well-being for everyone who visits. Originally constructed in 2006 by Prof. Tony Endress and his NRES 420 class, a 2019 garden renovation honored this original effort and gives it a future. The new planting palette has earned recognition from several conservation organizations. As part of Illinois Extension, the Red Oak Rain Garden Team believes in providing excellence in educational programming and providing accessible programs that help people solve problems. The rain garden does both! The Team creates service-learning opportunities for students and community volunteers and inspires visitors to find out how they can create healthier landscapes where they live. The Team sees the Red Oak Rain Garden as an opportunity for growth, not just for the plants, but also for our community. We seek collaborators from a variety of organizations and University departments to bring an array of talents. Care for the garden is provided in partnership by Champaign County Master Gardeners and East Central Illinois Master Naturalists in coordination with Facilities & Services.

10/28/2026

🎃🚗 Illuminating Art in Nature: Event Parking Details 🚗🎃

We're so excited to welcome everyone to the rain garden this evening! Thanks to our partners at University Parking, FREE parking will be available after 4:00 PM at the F28 Turner Hall Parking Lot and the F29 Parking Garage, both located just across the rain garden on Dorner Drive.

Metered spots along Dorner Drive are enforced until 6:00 PM.

For more information, see https://redoakraingarden.org/visit/

University of Illinois Extension Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant University of Illinois College of ACES Facilities & Services

10/27/2026

One more day until Illuminating Art in Nature! Thanks, The Daily Illini, for the great article! 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

According to Eliana Brown, director of the Red Oak Rain Garden, this is its third year putting together this event.

Brown said that the event is free and open to the community, combining topics like nature, creativity and sustainability.

“We want people to visit the garden and discover something new about the connections between art, culture and the environment,” Brown said. “It is a little different at night, and then it’s even more different on this particular night because of the illuminated part of the event.”

✍️ Written by Shalini R Manchi
📷️ Photo courtesy of Amber Helm Photography

10/21/2026

Just one more week until Illuminating Art in Nature! 🎃🌱

Need the details? Check out our blog!
https://redoakraingarden.org/2026/09/22/illuminating-art-in-nature-2026/

It's back! 🎃The Red Oak Rain Garden's annual autumnal event, Illuminating Art in Nature! Visit our blog, or read below for more details. Join us on Wednesday, October 28 to celebrate art, culture, and sustainability! 🍂🕸️👻

SCHEDULE
4:30 PM – Event begins, Education Fair opens
6:00 PM – Jack-o’-lantern lighting and judging
8:30 PM – Event concludes

EVENT DETAILS
Enter a creative space where manga art meets nature and sustainability. Guided by Professor Lindsey Stirek, students in ARTJ 301: Manga, the Art of Image and Word and ARTJ 301 CHP: Anime, Manga, and the Margins of Culture will transform the Red Oak Rain Garden with temporary outdoor art installations and interactive activities inspired by manga. Families can enjoy create-your-own manga station, caricatures, and live music. An environmental education fair welcomes you to learn about campus and community organizations brining environmental awareness to life!

Meet Kuhu Shukla, the Asian American Cultural Center's Artist in Residence as she discusses her work drawn from Warli art, an ancient visual tradition of the Warli people of Maharashtra, India. Eat candies from around the world as you judge Jack-o'-lanterns carved by Unit One-Allen Hall students. Learn from professionals on the importance of wellness activities, and sustainable practices in your own yard!

A big thank-you to our partners iSEE, illinois Housing, Unit One/Allen Hall, Illinois Art & Design, Asian American Cultural Center, McKinley Health Center, Berries and Flour, and Garden Grove Floral!

Learn more about the event here! https://redoakraingarden.org/2026/09/22/illuminating-art-in-nature-2026/

📷: Fred Zwicky, University of Illinois

10/19/2026

Do you know how to plant a native plant? 🌱🌱Watch this video to find out!

RORG Volunteer Coordinator, Maddy Craft, shows the steps to a successful fall planting 🍁

It's back! 🎃The Red Oak Rain Garden's annual autumnal event, Illuminating Art in Nature! Visit our blog, or read below f...

10/08/2026

10/07/2026

Fall is here at RORG! 🍂 Assistant Director, Layne Knoche, shows how beautiful I am this time of year 🍂🪾🍄‍🟫 which is your favorite?

10/01/2026

It's here! 🎃 We invite you to Illuminating Art in Nature, our annual autumnal event! Visit our blog, or read below for more details. Join us on Wednesday, October 28 to celebrate art, culture, and sustainability! 🍂🕸️👻

SCHEDULE
4:30 PM – Event begins, Education Fair opens
6:00 PM – Jack-o’-lantern lighting and judging
8:30 PM – Event concludes

EVENT DETAILS
Enter a creative space where manga art meets nature and sustainability. Guided by Professor Lindsey Stirek, students in ARTJ 301: Manga, the Art of Image and Word and ARTJ 301 CHP: Anime, Manga, and the Margins of Culture will transform the Red Oak Rain Garden with temporary outdoor art installations and interactive activities inspired by manga. Families can enjoy create-your-own manga station, caricatures, and live music. An environmental education fair welcomes you to learn about campus and community organizations brining environmental awareness to life!

Meet Kuhu Shukla, the Asian American Cultural Center's Artist in Residence as she discusses her work drawn from Warli art, an ancient visual tradition of the Warli people of Maharashtra, India. Eat candies from around the world as you judge Jack-o'-lanterns carved by Unit One-Allen Hall students. Learn from professionals on the importance of wellness activities, and sustainable practices in your own yard!

A big thank-you to our partners iSEE at U. of I. University Housing, Unit One - Allen Hall, University Of Illinois, Asian American Cultural Center, McKinley Health Center, Berries and Flour, and Garden Grove Farm!

Learn more about the event on our website: https://redoakraingarden.org/2026/09/22/illuminating-art-in-nature-2026/

📷: Fred Zwicky, University of Illinois

09/22/2026

Something spooky is headed RORG's way 🎃👻🍂

Stay tuned in for the reveal!

09/15/2026

We asked the real experts what they think of the rain garden... who's your favorite? 🪲🕷️🦋

🔊 Voiced by some our AMAZING volunteers and team members!

Thanks to for the inspiration!

07/04/2026

❤️🤍💙 Happy Fourth of July from the Red Oak Rain Garden!

Nature has its own way of celebrating, too. As you enjoy the holiday with family and friends, we hope you'll also take a moment to appreciate the landscapes that support clean water, pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Every rain garden helps create a healthier environment for our communities.

Wishing everyone a safe, joyful, and relaxing Independence Day!

Address

1005 W Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL
61801

Website

https://linktr.ee/redoakraingarden

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