Green From the Ground Up

NEW GREEN FROM THE GROUND UP SEMINAR: SWALES, RAIN GARDENS AND THE NEW LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT APPROACHES HANDBOOK

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 8:30 to 11 a.m. Portland Community College Rock Creek Campus Event Center 17705 NW Springville Road, Portland $10 registration fee

The Home Builders Association (HBA) Green Building Council, Clean Water Services and Metro have brought together speakers to present a balanced perspective and complete spectrum of information on swales and rain gardens.

estacada library rain garden

Carrie Pak, engineering division manger from Clean Water Services will be introducing their new Low Impact Development Approaches (LIDA) Handbook for the Tualatin Basin. Other presenters include Paul Dedyo, PE, KPFF Engineering, Mike Faha, Landscape Architect, Green Works and Alan Hipolito, Executive Director and business manager, Verde. The presenters will share experience-based insights and lessons learned about swale and rain garden design, installation – from sizing to plant selection – and operations, maintenance, project examples and case studies.

Register online now! Find out more about this seminar Find out more about nature-friendly – or low impact – development

Join Us for PARK(ing) Day 2009

Come see the 1 day park at NW 2nd and Couch... 9am to 5pm

  GreenWorks is proud to work with Metro as they participate in the annual, one-day global PARK(ing) Day event.  More from Metro:

"Artists, activists and communities will collaborate to transform metered parking spots in cities everywhere into temporary public parks or “park(ing)” spaces. Park(ing) Day is a powerful and creative way to re-imagine the potential of our public places by demonstrating the value of parks and natural areas, rethinking the way greenspace can happen, and helping to improve the quality of urban wildlife and human habitat. This year, Metro is tapping into the creative energy and celebrated momentum of this excellent event to educate our region’s residents about The Intertwine (the ever-growing regional network of integrated parks, trails and natural areas that will one day soon be the world’s greatest system of its kind!) and its web site launch.  Come check out our space at NW 2nd and Couch (or other Intertwine locations in Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Gresham and Vancouver, Washington) and learn more…"  

:: Visit the PARK(ing) Day Network - Portland  :: View PARK(ing) Day 2009 - Portland Metro Area regionwide map here.

 

Regenerative Design in Urban Land

The August 2009 issue of Urban Land (the publication of the Urban Land Institute - ULI) featured an article on 'Regenerative Design' authored by GreenWorks Senior Associate Jason King, along with Ankrom Moisan Principal Scott Thayer.  The article discussed our transition from sustainability to regeneration of communities, and included projects such as Independence Station, Tanner Springs Park, and the Headwaters at Tryon Creek.

Images copyright (ULI) - Click here to read the entire issue online (and jump to pg. 48 for the specific article).

GreenWorks = Green Streets

From our recent emailer:  "Green streets provide many benefits such as creating a more pedestrian friendly street, addressing stormwater in a more environmental and economical way, and improving water quality.

GreenWorks has designed over 30 green street projects in Oregon, Washington and California.

Beavercreek Green Street recently received an American Public Works Association 2009 National Project of the Year Award."

Green Streets in American Nurseryman

The article 'Green Streets for Green Cities', was recently published in the August 2009 issue of American Nurseryman magazine.  The article outlines GreenWorks' work with the City of Portland - taken up the challenge of converting gray pavement to green oases, protecting the region’s ecosystem through more efficient — and more aesthetic — management of stormwater.

An excerpt from the article.  Check out the AN website for online version of the article (by subscription):

"Using soil and vegetation, Green Streets mimic natural conditions to manage runoff on the surface, at the source. The plants absorb water, and their roots help water soak into the ground. Plant roots and soil bacteria help break down stormwater pollutants. Roots, insects and worms increase the space between soil particles and increase stormwater storage. Green Streets can be attractive neighborhood amenities, and a variety of plants can provide a range of looks."

Russellville Gets More Ink

A short blurb from the DJC on Sept. 3rd on the Russellville Phase III project. See here for more on the project grand opening.

"Phase III of the Russellville Commons residential and assisted-living project in Southeast Portland is completed. The Russellville Park West assisted-living and Alzheimer’s facility has 140 units in the four-story building at the corner of East Burnside and 103rd Avenue. One of the building’s prominent features is the interior courtyard with its tree-covered dining space, sculptural walls and small private meeting spaces for families and friends. The central element of the courtyard is a circular vegetated swale that handles rainwater runoff. The project was built by general contractor Yorke & Curtis Inc. from a design by MCM Architects. The courtyard and streetscape improvements were designed by GreenWorks PC and constructed by Landscape Management."