Rainscaping
Conservation in Action Page
This page grew out of our successful Oct 4, 2009, Conservation in Action Tour. The intent here is to highlight homes with energy saving features, yards with rainbarrels or rainscapes, and to document other examples where people from Garrett Park and its surrounds are taking action to conserve. Shown below is an expanded version of the brochure that was provided to people who took the tour in Oct 2009. Now you can take the tour on line. Our hope is that the list will grow as more people catch the Conservation bug. If you know of some examples that should be included, please contact us.
| 10701 Kenilworth – Jack Wilpers wanted to preserve open space on his side lots. He did so by giving a conservation easement to GPCTrust. The easement restricts future development to the rear of the existing building. |  |
|
| 10707 Kenilworth – Rather than conventional demolition, Don Gibbons chose to "deconstruct" the old Payne house. About 60% of the old materials including siding, studs, flooring, tile, bricks, windows and doors were carefully dismantled and donated to a charitable organization. This resulted in a tax deduction that came close to covering the added expense of this approach. (more photos) |  |
|
| 10706 Kenilworth - Here's an example of a house whose various zones can be heated independently. Ask Karen Anderson or Bob Reinhardt to show you the plumbing! | ||
|
 |
|
| 10807 Montrose – Randy Auerbach & Jean Campbell considered demolishing and rebuilding (or moving) but chose to renovate instead. The new design makes the house feel more spacious with no change in footprint. Extra insulation and tighter openings reduced their energy use. Outside, a rain barrel, compost bins and a champion beech tree. Ask Randy to demonstrate his fancy “flip” gutters. |  |
|
| 10801 Keswick – Have you ever considered an energy audit? Nancy Floreen and David Stewart got one and are happy to share their experience. | ||
| 4515 Strathmore – Barbara Shidler is anxious to show off her rain barrels and new interior floor surfaces made from recycled & renewable materials ordered through Amicus Green Building Center in Kensington. | ||
| 10908 Clermont Ave – this family epitomizes the green life style. Pat Aufderheide and Steve Schwartzman have a rain barrel, a clothes line, a vegetable garden, minimal turf, compost piles, energy saving windows, thermal blinds and more. They keep shopping bags on the porch and their bikes are equipped with panniers for car-free grocery shopping. | ||
|
4525 Cambria – Kay and Gordon Hager enjoy a self-designed rain garden populated with a wide variety of recycled plants rescued from various yards around town. |
||
|
10934 Clermont Ave – Ever wanted to sit behind the wheel of a Smart Car rated by EPA at 33/44 mpg? Suzanne Grefsheim has made hers availabe for that purpose. Stop by and try it on for size. |
||
|
Porcupine Woods – this lovely green space is the result of conservation action by the Town of Garrett Park several decades ago. Efforts are ongoing to remove invasive and restore native plants. |
||
|
4600 Waverly – Penn Place. Owned by the Town, this building is powered 100% by wind. You can do this too; see gpcan.org/energy. |
||
|
Waverly-Schuylkill Park. Recently completed stream restoration project that controls runoff and provides wetland habitat. Wouldn't it be nice if this could be done in Porcupine Woods and Wells Park? |
||
|
4708 Argyle – Harry & Christa Gordon recently installed two catchment pools and a permeable driveway to minimize runoff. |
 |
|
|
Wells Park – made possible through the generosity of Mable and Alton Wells who gave this land to Park & Planning in 1932. |
||
|
11308 Rokeby Ave – What's a Trombe Wall? Stop by Ken & Glenda Ingham's house to find out about this passive form of solar heating. |
 |
|
|
11321 Kenilworth – Laetitia Yeandle gifted her and Stephen's entire property to the town of Garrett Park, which then gave an easement to GPCTrust to preserve it as open green space. |
 |
|
|
11008 Waycross Way – A green roof, a rain garden, rain barrels, raised fruit & vegetable gardens, permeable pavers, a cold frame under construction – Lorrie Hartwell is serious about this conservation business. Check it out. |
Conservation: the Quickest Route to Sustainability