WILTON – At the western end of the Town Hall, a drainpipe extends over 12 feet onto the hillside that is known as Cooley Park. Run off has washed an unsightly sandy path down the hillside toward Main Street.

“It’s quite obtrusive,” Patrick Jackson said. He is working toward changing that.

Jackson is a student in environmental engineering at the University of New Hampshire, and is this year’s stormwater intern. Changing that drainpipe is part of his overall plan for the stretch of hillside.

“It’s a spot everyone sees from Main Street,” he said. “I want to see it to become something better.”

That “something better” is a rain garden. “Those are very specific plants that suck up the water,” he said. Plants used are mostly native kinds.

The drainpipe will be replaced by flexible tubing, “the kind with holes in the side to diffuse the run-off” and will be a lot less conspicuous., he said. It should be buried or under rocks. “The design has to be aesthetically pleasing. Hide the ugly pipe.”

The plan was formulated by former Stormwater Manager Michele Decoteau.

The proposed rain garden will measure approximately 12 by 24 feet, he said, starting about two feet above the Main Street wall.

He is working with Kim Stevens, of Kim’s Perennials on Lyndeborough Center Road. “She is very passionate about flowers,” he said.

Others involved in the project are Sandy Lafleur, Wilton Collaborative Space Coordinator who has hosted several events on rain gardens; Selectman Matt Fish; Mike Mcgonegal, Scoutmaster Troop 10; and Jackie Kahle, website coordinator for promotions. Also involved is the state Department of Environmental Services.

“We’d like to involve more kids,” Jackson said.

Using UNH’s “Native Plants for New England Rain Gardens” as a guide, the garden could include Joe Pye weed, blue lobelias, verbena, and yellow flags, as well as canna lilies and iris.

Townspeople interested in the project were invited to join in a workday on Sunday, Aug. 7.

Jackson said, “The more people we can show how easy it is to make a difference, incentivize people to get involved – it’s the best thing you can do.”

Jackson is usually in town on Monday and Tuesday and can be reached through the town office. He is also involved in several other stormwater projects around town.