(AP) — Work has begun on a rain garden that will beautify Cody Park in North Platte and help solve a water problem.

On Wednesday workers were preparing about 630 square feet of ground on the east end of the park.

The area has often held standing water after rainstorms, and pumping of nearby storm drains was sometimes required.

Officials say the plants that will be put in this coming spring will create more pore space for water to drain into the ground.