reuse, repurpose, make it green, do it smarter

Wherever possible, take a moment to see if a different choice can be made to reuse something heading for the landfill. Or take a second look to see there may be another way to accomplish something that is better for the environment, and perhaps less costly, too.

sustainability and resilience baked into public spaces

  • green roofs on reused shipping containers

    At PopUP Jackson Hill, the City bought less expensive used “one-tripper” shipping containers and turned them into storefronts.

    And on the roofs, modular green roofs were installed to absorb rainwater and better insulate the structures.

    Repurposed Belgian block was used to make a retaining wall on the site.

    Native wildflowers were planted, which don’t need to be watered, are extremely drought resilient, are perennial, and attract pollinators.

  • construction debris used to build a park

    Brick taken from debris from a demolished building was crushed into a permeable walking surface. Belgian block (AKA cobblestone) taken from a recent street repair was used to make a large planter and the curb for the foot path at Oak Street Park.

    Aggregate and railroad ties were used to make “rain steps” that retain rain water so the City’s combined sewer system doesn’t get as overwhelmed in a downpour.

    Native wildflowers were also planted, which don’t need to be watered, are extremely drought resilient, are perennial, and attract pollinators.

  • permeable pebbles replace concrete

    Instead of using impermeable and ecologically unfriendly concrete as a walking surface, permeable fine gravel was used in its place, making nearly all of Fairmount Park’s surface able to soak up rain water.

    All the trees on the property were kept, and several more were planted at the new park.