LightScape Rain Garden

LightScape Rain Garden is a proposed educational and community space for the 1,500-resident Carroll Avenue Quebec Terrace (CAQT) apartment community in the Long Branch area of Silver Spring. As one element of a 2010 community master plan, LightScape Rain Garden fulfills a community wish for a gathering space at the community center operated by YMCA Youth and Family services.

Both day and night, LightScape Rain Garden infuses the community with a sense of connection, ownership and pride. This project is aimed to become a CAQT landmark and a catalyst for ongoing community investment, fostering meaningful engagement, safety and connection. The garden is a custom sculptural structure that defines a seating and passive play area by day and illuminates the area at night. Benches surrounding a new rain garden encourages relaxation, reflection and conversation. The temporary benches built in the Community Center garden received great responses from the community.