Lower Columbia River Field Guide to Water Quality Friendly Development
  IntroductionWhy Is This Important?Techniques and ExamplesIntegrated Site ExamplesResourcesSubmit a Site
             
 

Reduced Impervious Surfaces

Narrow or shared driveway
Narrow parking lot spaces
Narrow travel lanes


Permeable Surfaces

Permeable pavement
Permeable pavers
Turf block
Gravel
Cobbles

Roof Systems
Ecoroof
Roof garden

Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Rain Barrels
Cisterns

Landscape Systems
Trees
Contained planter box
Infiltration planter box
Flow-through planter box
Vegetated/grassy swale
Vegetated filter strip
Vegetated infiltration basin
Sand filter


Subsurface Systems

Soakage trench/dry wells/French drain

Conveyance
Downspout disconnection
Curb alternatives


   

Turf Block

Site:
Washington School for the Blind
Owner:
Washington School for the Blind
Address:
2310 E. 13th Street
Vancouver, WA 98661
Contact:
Rob Tracy
360.696.6321

 

Comments:
Many types of turf block exist. The Washington School for the Blink uses a plastic hexagonal type to provide a fire lane in front of their newly landscaped SW Washington school.



 




Site:
Columbia Springs Environmental Learning Center
Owner:
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Address:
12208 SE Evergreen Highway
Vancouver, WA 98336
Contact:
Jane Van Dyke
360.882.0936

 

Comments:
The Columbia Springs Environmental Learning Center choose to practice what they preach when they installed a turf block parking lot in 2001. The turf block required less off site stormwater treatment and provides an important educational opportunity for visiting students. When the grass is in good shape, the staff occasionally get questions from people wondering where to park. Future plan's include installation of an interpretive sign explaining the site's benefits and instructing people to “Please Park on the Grass.”






Site:
Dosha Building
Owner:

Address:
2281 NW Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97210
Contact:
503.244.2537

 

Comments:
A winner of the Mayor's Design Award, the Dosha Building in Portland incorporates a cement type turf block product in its small driveway/parking area.





Site:
Eastbank Esplanade
Owner:
Portland Parks and Recreation
Address:
Willamette River bank near Steel Bridge
Contact:

 

Comments:
Another cement based turf block. This small access area keeps it green along the Willamette River by incorporating turf block.