Westfarms Mall
Grass Pavers in Overflow Parking Lot
Site
Description: Grasspave2
by Invisible Structures was installed at the Westfarms Mall off
of I-84 at exit 40 on New Britain Avenue (Route 71). It was installed
to handle overflow parking during peak seasons.
Design
Details: The Westfarms Mall planned on constructing a 310,000-square-foot
expansion. Originally the zoning boards of Farmington and West Hartford
denied approval of the project for environmental reasons. The use
of "green paving" was a major component in addressing
the environmental concerns. There was also a need to convince neighborhood
opposition that the proposed landscape for the Mall would be unique
and aesthetically pleasing.
Over 800 trees were added to the existing landscape to provide for
heavier canopy cover for visual interest, shade, and soften the
architecture and mass of the building. Existing trees were also
transplanted that would have to be removed for the new design. Over
four acres of reinforced turf was designed to accommodate 700 spaces
of overflow parking for the peak shopping seasons. The overflow
parking lot has space lines painted on it using athletic field paint
normally in the first week in November.
There are a few drains installed in the reinforced turf but are
only used during very heavy storms. Because the reinforced turf
works so well the existing storm drainage system did not have to
be enlarged for the additional parking.
Cost
Information: Cost information is not available at this time.
Maintenance:
The overflow parking area needs to be mowed on a regular basis and
treated like a regular lawn. The area also needs to be plowed as
any parking are would be. Rollers were fit to the bottom of the
snow plow so the reinforced turf would not be damage. Maintenance
is done by the Westfarms maintenance staff. Also there have been
areas of wearing at the entrances to aisles. These areas will need
to be replaced.
Notes:
After four years of living with a turf parking lot, Joe Leiberis,
Westfarms' facilities director, says that he doesn't worry much
any more. "We're really happy with it," he says emphatically,
after witnessing the durable, natural parking lot handle winters,
summers, hurricanes, heavy traffic and more. ("Green Versus
Grey" by Patrick White from North Region)
Contacts:
Richter & Cegan Inc., Landscape Architects and Urban Designers
rcinc@richtercegan.com
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