On The Drawing Board: Walking Trails & Meadows-by Landscape Ideas

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You're reading : On The Drawing Board: Walking Trails & Meadows-by Landscape Ideas

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Article corporate design, Article on-the-drawing-board, Article sustainability, Article The Institutes,

The Dining Patio will be connected to the walking trails. This space was
designed by Danilo Maffei in 2009.

The Institutes in Malvern, Pennsylvania is working with Maffei Landscape Design, LLC to reduce their demands on natural, human and financial resources while improving employee health and productivity, in this the next phase of their multi-year landcape master plan. The company, which produces and administers educational materials and professional certifications for the insurance and risk management industries, occupies a 60-acre site in the rural, equestrian heartland of Willistown Township and has 200 employees and tenants in three separate buildings.

Walking Trail and Meadow Sketch Plan (aerial photo by Google)

Orphaned stairs to be
reunited in the trail plan

As part of their corporate culture, the employees take pride in their campus and enjoy the opportunity to take walks around the grounds on their lunch breaks. Knowing that exercise and spending time outdoors promotes healthy, happy and productive employees, Danilo Maffei suggested that the existing 1/3 mile trail (which is disconnected from any other walkway and can only be accessed via busy driveways and parking areas), be expanded and linked to the existing system of walkways to allow access and enjoyment of the entire site. This design adds more than half a mile of dedicated walking trails and, when linked with the existing walkways, creates the opportunity to walk nearly 1.5 miles without leaving the property.

Lawn to be converted to meadow

The plan also includes the replacement of 10 acres of lawn with warm season meadows. Once completed and established, these meadows will not only provide seasonal beauty and interest, but will save the company as much as $6,000 per year in maintenance costs. Another benefit will be reductions in pollution. According to the EPA, one hour of lawn mowing produces the same amount of pollution as driving your car 350 miles. Using this data, the new 10 acre meadow will save the pollution equivalent of driving a car 50,400 miles per year!

The Dining Patio will be connected to the walking trails. This space was
designed by Danilo Maffei in 2009.

The Institutes in Malvern, Pennsylvania is working with Maffei Landscape Design, LLC to reduce their demands on natural, human and financial resources while improving employee health and productivity, in this the next phase of their multi-year landcape master plan. The company, which produces and administers educational materials and professional certifications for the insurance and risk management industries, occupies a 60-acre site in the rural, equestrian heartland of Willistown Township and has 200 employees and tenants in three separate buildings.

Walking Trail and Meadow Sketch Plan (aerial photo by Google)

Orphaned stairs to be
reunited in the trail plan

As part of their corporate culture, the employees take pride in their campus and enjoy the opportunity to take walks around the grounds on their lunch breaks. Knowing that exercise and spending time outdoors promotes healthy, happy and productive employees, Danilo Maffei suggested that the existing 1/3 mile trail (which is disconnected from any other walkway and can only be accessed via busy driveways and parking areas), be expanded and linked to the existing system of walkways to allow access and enjoyment of the entire site. This design adds more than half a mile of dedicated walking trails and, when linked with the existing walkways, creates the opportunity to walk nearly 1.5 miles without leaving the property.

Lawn to be converted to meadow

The plan also includes the replacement of 10 acres of lawn with warm season meadows. Once completed and established, these meadows will not only provide seasonal beauty and interest, but will save the company as much as $6,000 per year in maintenance costs. Another benefit will be reductions in pollution. According to the EPA, one hour of lawn mowing produces the same amount of pollution as driving your car 350 miles. Using this data, the new 10 acre meadow will save the pollution equivalent of driving a car 50,400 miles per year!

The Dining Patio will be connected to the walking trails. This space was
designed by Danilo Maffei in 2009.

The Institutes in Malvern, Pennsylvania is working with Maffei Landscape Design, LLC to reduce their demands on natural, human and financial resources while improving employee health and productivity, in this the next phase of their multi-year landcape master plan. The company, which produces and administers educational materials and professional certifications for the insurance and risk management industries, occupies a 60-acre site in the rural, equestrian heartland of Willistown Township and has 200 employees and tenants in three separate buildings.

Walking Trail and Meadow Sketch Plan (aerial photo by Google)

Orphaned stairs to be
reunited in the trail plan

As part of their corporate culture, the employees take pride in their campus and enjoy the opportunity to take walks around the grounds on their lunch breaks. Knowing that exercise and spending time outdoors promotes healthy, happy and productive employees, Danilo Maffei suggested that the existing 1/3 mile trail (which is disconnected from any other walkway and can only be accessed via busy driveways and parking areas), be expanded and linked to the existing system of walkways to allow access and enjoyment of the entire site. This design adds more than half a mile of dedicated walking trails and, when linked with the existing walkways, creates the opportunity to walk nearly 1.5 miles without leaving the property.

Lawn to be converted to meadow

The plan also includes the replacement of 10 acres of lawn with warm season meadows. Once completed and established, these meadows will not only provide seasonal beauty and interest, but will save the company as much as $6,000 per year in maintenance costs. Another benefit will be reductions in pollution. According to the EPA, one hour of lawn mowing produces the same amount of pollution as driving your car 350 miles. Using this data, the new 10 acre meadow will save the pollution equivalent of driving a car 50,400 miles per year!

On The Drawing Board: 1958 Contemporary-by Landscape Ideas

sustainability Hallo Landscape Idea Lover, In sharing this time entitled sustainability,I have provided the most complete information may also be what you're looking for, with the latest information and also something different,hopefully posting content that I can write you understand. Okay, this is it.

You're reading : On The Drawing Board: 1958 Contemporary-by Landscape Ideas

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Article on-the-drawing-board, Article residential design, Article sustainability,

The disfunctional circular driveway will be replaced with a smaller
parking court, shade trees and low shrubs. A rain chain and
urn will receive water from the small roof above the front door.

Not far from Winterthur in northern Delaware this architectural gem, with Prairie and International influences, was built in 1960 and is being nursed back to vibrancy by its current owners. The landscape will feature a redesigned driveway that will slash impervious surface by 25% while increasing its capacity and functionality. A new allee of trees will screen views and provide a shady entrance, accented by a square fountain and bluestone walkways set at a subtle angle that suggest movement and space.

The driveway entrance will receive a pair of stone piers to
match the details of the house. Broad cap eaves will
hold recessed light fixtures to illuminate the ground only.

An allee of trees will frame the bluestone walkway and a
small square fountain.

The back yard will receive a new patio to support a larger table for entertaining dinner guests al fresco with a large grill set in a counter top positioned for casual conversation while cooking. The utmost sensitivity will be given to the mature trees, such as the Scarlet Oak with its 42" diameter trunk, and managing storm runoff water quality with recharge trenches on the virtually pancake-flat lot.

Currently in design development, we will be exploring options for construction materials and methods, such as pervious concrete or exposed aggregate concrete driveway surfaces, LED bollard lights, rain chains, art objects, native groundcovers and canopy trees with multi-season interest.

The disfunctional circular driveway will be replaced with a smaller
parking court, shade trees and low shrubs. A rain chain and
urn will receive water from the small roof above the front door.

Not far from Winterthur in northern Delaware this architectural gem, with Prairie and International influences, was built in 1960 and is being nursed back to vibrancy by its current owners. The landscape will feature a redesigned driveway that will slash impervious surface by 25% while increasing its capacity and functionality. A new allee of trees will screen views and provide a shady entrance, accented by a square fountain and bluestone walkways set at a subtle angle that suggest movement and space.

The driveway entrance will receive a pair of stone piers to
match the details of the house. Broad cap eaves will
hold recessed light fixtures to illuminate the ground only.

An allee of trees will frame the bluestone walkway and a
small square fountain.

The back yard will receive a new patio to support a larger table for entertaining dinner guests al fresco with a large grill set in a counter top positioned for casual conversation while cooking. The utmost sensitivity will be given to the mature trees, such as the Scarlet Oak with its 42" diameter trunk, and managing storm runoff water quality with recharge trenches on the virtually pancake-flat lot.

Currently in design development, we will be exploring options for construction materials and methods, such as pervious concrete or exposed aggregate concrete driveway surfaces, LED bollard lights, rain chains, art objects, native groundcovers and canopy trees with multi-season interest.

The disfunctional circular driveway will be replaced with a smaller
parking court, shade trees and low shrubs. A rain chain and
urn will receive water from the small roof above the front door.

Not far from Winterthur in northern Delaware this architectural gem, with Prairie and International influences, was built in 1960 and is being nursed back to vibrancy by its current owners. The landscape will feature a redesigned driveway that will slash impervious surface by 25% while increasing its capacity and functionality. A new allee of trees will screen views and provide a shady entrance, accented by a square fountain and bluestone walkways set at a subtle angle that suggest movement and space.

The driveway entrance will receive a pair of stone piers to
match the details of the house. Broad cap eaves will
hold recessed light fixtures to illuminate the ground only.

An allee of trees will frame the bluestone walkway and a
small square fountain.

The back yard will receive a new patio to support a larger table for entertaining dinner guests al fresco with a large grill set in a counter top positioned for casual conversation while cooking. The utmost sensitivity will be given to the mature trees, such as the Scarlet Oak with its 42" diameter trunk, and managing storm runoff water quality with recharge trenches on the virtually pancake-flat lot.

Currently in design development, we will be exploring options for construction materials and methods, such as pervious concrete or exposed aggregate concrete driveway surfaces, LED bollard lights, rain chains, art objects, native groundcovers and canopy trees with multi-season interest.

Better Landscapes for Better Air Quality-by Landscape Ideas

sustainability Hallo Landscape Idea Lover, In sharing this time entitled sustainability,I have provided the most complete information may also be what you're looking for, with the latest information and also something different,hopefully posting content that I can write you understand. Okay, this is it.

You're reading : Better Landscapes for Better Air Quality-by Landscape Ideas

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Article corporate design, Article institutional design, Article residential design, Article sustainability,

For the cultivated landscape to be truly successful it must pass the Triple Bottom Line test (also known as "People, Planet, Profit"): 1. will it provide benefits to its human users? 2. will it provide benefits to the environment? 3. is it economically viable? See some examples on our Facebook page.

Lets consider these points and in particular how air quality is important to humans and our quality of life. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average human inhales over 3,000 gallons of air each day and along with the vital oxygen we need to live comes all of the other things mixed with it, both good and bad.

"Clean" outdoor air naturally has certain things in it that we would consider harmful, such as carbon dioxide, pollen, dust and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). When these things are at or below a certain level the human body can function normally and thrive, but when they are experienced above certain levels they can cause irritation at the least or severe health problems, even death, at the worst.

Poor air quality can cause these and other problems in humans:

1. Well-being is compromised
1. general sense of comfort or health is degraded
2. irritation to eyes, nose, throat or skin
3. allergies or impaired breathing
2. Productivity is reduced*
1. concentration on tasks is compromised
2. sick days result in lost wages
3. personal productivity or enrichment is lost due to "down time"
3. Long-term health is placed in jeopardy
1. reduced activity may lead to other health problems
2. asthma
3. cancer

When we are indoors, many of the things that cause these problems may be removed, filtered or diluted. But what about the quality of the air we are breathing outdoors and what of the fact that our indoor air is being supplied from the outdoors? It stands to reason that cleaner outdoor air is essential, but what can we do to improve it? Because air is a gas that seeks to fill its container and because wind and other environmental factors move this gas around constantly it is difficult to measure any kind of regional or global effect by what we do in our own back yards. However, small improvements there can result in measurable differences, especially at the neighborhood or local level.

1. Make your property more attractive and engaging
• creating places that you and others find appealing are more likely to be properly maintained
• properly maintained landscapes will continue to function the way they were intended (just like your roof or your car)
2. Reduce carbon
• carbon can be scrubbed from the air with with trees, shrubs and perennial plants, especially those indigenous to the region
• reduce energy consumption in the home (heating and cooling), and in the garden (lawn mowers, leaf blowers)
3. Reduce particulates
• less mowing and blowing not only means lower carbon emissions, it also means fewer dust, dirt, exhaust and organic particles that are sent flying through the air
• reduce the sources of dust and other airborne particulates by repairing worn or scalped lawn, exposed soil and low-lying areas by planting native shrubs and perennials as a groundcover
4. Reduce reflected heat
• cooler air does not hold airborne particulates as well as warmer air
• air can be made cooler by reducing the amount of solar energy that reaches pavements, walls and roofs
• consider placing shade trees at the south and southwest corners of your home, create a vegetated wall or retrofit with a green roof

Making these small changes can result not only in improved air quality, but also in monetary savings in reduced fuel costs, maintenance fees, water and energy bills. This was proven in a case study in the city of Santa Monica, CA, where a 68% savings in maintenance labor costs was realized when a "traditional" landscape was compared to one utilizing these and other practices.

Resources

• University of Delaware - Livable Ecosystems: A Model for Suburbia
• AIRnow - What You Can Do
• Chester County, PA - Discover the Future: creating a sustainable future for Chester County
• EPA - Air and Radiation homepage
• EPA - Greenacres: Landscaping with Native Plants

*Usually associated with indoor air quality, but cleaner outdoor can have an effect on this, especially when natural ventilation (open windows and doors) is part of the building design. NCBI Study | CBE Study

For the cultivated landscape to be truly successful it must pass the Triple Bottom Line test (also known as "People, Planet, Profit"): 1. will it provide benefits to its human users? 2. will it provide benefits to the environment? 3. is it economically viable? See some examples on our Facebook page.

Lets consider these points and in particular how air quality is important to humans and our quality of life. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average human inhales over 3,000 gallons of air each day and along with the vital oxygen we need to live comes all of the other things mixed with it, both good and bad.

"Clean" outdoor air naturally has certain things in it that we would consider harmful, such as carbon dioxide, pollen, dust and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). When these things are at or below a certain level the human body can function normally and thrive, but when they are experienced above certain levels they can cause irritation at the least or severe health problems, even death, at the worst.

Poor air quality can cause these and other problems in humans:

1. Well-being is compromised
1. general sense of comfort or health is degraded
2. irritation to eyes, nose, throat or skin
3. allergies or impaired breathing
2. Productivity is reduced*
1. concentration on tasks is compromised
2. sick days result in lost wages
3. personal productivity or enrichment is lost due to "down time"
3. Long-term health is placed in jeopardy
1. reduced activity may lead to other health problems
2. asthma
3. cancer

When we are indoors, many of the things that cause these problems may be removed, filtered or diluted. But what about the quality of the air we are breathing outdoors and what of the fact that our indoor air is being supplied from the outdoors? It stands to reason that cleaner outdoor air is essential, but what can we do to improve it? Because air is a gas that seeks to fill its container and because wind and other environmental factors move this gas around constantly it is difficult to measure any kind of regional or global effect by what we do in our own back yards. However, small improvements there can result in measurable differences, especially at the neighborhood or local level.

1. Make your property more attractive and engaging
• creating places that you and others find appealing are more likely to be properly maintained
• properly maintained landscapes will continue to function the way they were intended (just like your roof or your car)
2. Reduce carbon
• carbon can be scrubbed from the air with with trees, shrubs and perennial plants, especially those indigenous to the region
• reduce energy consumption in the home (heating and cooling), and in the garden (lawn mowers, leaf blowers)
3. Reduce particulates
• less mowing and blowing not only means lower carbon emissions, it also means fewer dust, dirt, exhaust and organic particles that are sent flying through the air
• reduce the sources of dust and other airborne particulates by repairing worn or scalped lawn, exposed soil and low-lying areas by planting native shrubs and perennials as a groundcover
4. Reduce reflected heat
• cooler air does not hold airborne particulates as well as warmer air
• air can be made cooler by reducing the amount of solar energy that reaches pavements, walls and roofs
• consider placing shade trees at the south and southwest corners of your home, create a vegetated wall or retrofit with a green roof

Making these small changes can result not only in improved air quality, but also in monetary savings in reduced fuel costs, maintenance fees, water and energy bills. This was proven in a case study in the city of Santa Monica, CA, where a 68% savings in maintenance labor costs was realized when a "traditional" landscape was compared to one utilizing these and other practices.

Resources

• University of Delaware - Livable Ecosystems: A Model for Suburbia
• AIRnow - What You Can Do
• Chester County, PA - Discover the Future: creating a sustainable future for Chester County
• EPA - Air and Radiation homepage
• EPA - Greenacres: Landscaping with Native Plants

*Usually associated with indoor air quality, but cleaner outdoor can have an effect on this, especially when natural ventilation (open windows and doors) is part of the building design. NCBI Study | CBE Study

For the cultivated landscape to be truly successful it must pass the Triple Bottom Line test (also known as "People, Planet, Profit"): 1. will it provide benefits to its human users? 2. will it provide benefits to the environment? 3. is it economically viable? See some examples on our Facebook page.

Lets consider these points and in particular how air quality is important to humans and our quality of life. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average human inhales over 3,000 gallons of air each day and along with the vital oxygen we need to live comes all of the other things mixed with it, both good and bad.

"Clean" outdoor air naturally has certain things in it that we would consider harmful, such as carbon dioxide, pollen, dust and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). When these things are at or below a certain level the human body can function normally and thrive, but when they are experienced above certain levels they can cause irritation at the least or severe health problems, even death, at the worst.

Poor air quality can cause these and other problems in humans:

1. Well-being is compromised
1. general sense of comfort or health is degraded
2. irritation to eyes, nose, throat or skin
3. allergies or impaired breathing
2. Productivity is reduced*
1. concentration on tasks is compromised
2. sick days result in lost wages
3. personal productivity or enrichment is lost due to "down time"
3. Long-term health is placed in jeopardy
1. reduced activity may lead to other health problems
2. asthma
3. cancer

When we are indoors, many of the things that cause these problems may be removed, filtered or diluted. But what about the quality of the air we are breathing outdoors and what of the fact that our indoor air is being supplied from the outdoors? It stands to reason that cleaner outdoor air is essential, but what can we do to improve it? Because air is a gas that seeks to fill its container and because wind and other environmental factors move this gas around constantly it is difficult to measure any kind of regional or global effect by what we do in our own back yards. However, small improvements there can result in measurable differences, especially at the neighborhood or local level.

1. Make your property more attractive and engaging
• creating places that you and others find appealing are more likely to be properly maintained
• properly maintained landscapes will continue to function the way they were intended (just like your roof or your car)
2. Reduce carbon
• carbon can be scrubbed from the air with with trees, shrubs and perennial plants, especially those indigenous to the region
• reduce energy consumption in the home (heating and cooling), and in the garden (lawn mowers, leaf blowers)
3. Reduce particulates
• less mowing and blowing not only means lower carbon emissions, it also means fewer dust, dirt, exhaust and organic particles that are sent flying through the air
• reduce the sources of dust and other airborne particulates by repairing worn or scalped lawn, exposed soil and low-lying areas by planting native shrubs and perennials as a groundcover
4. Reduce reflected heat
• cooler air does not hold airborne particulates as well as warmer air
• air can be made cooler by reducing the amount of solar energy that reaches pavements, walls and roofs
• consider placing shade trees at the south and southwest corners of your home, create a vegetated wall or retrofit with a green roof

Making these small changes can result not only in improved air quality, but also in monetary savings in reduced fuel costs, maintenance fees, water and energy bills. This was proven in a case study in the city of Santa Monica, CA, where a 68% savings in maintenance labor costs was realized when a "traditional" landscape was compared to one utilizing these and other practices.

Resources

• University of Delaware - Livable Ecosystems: A Model for Suburbia
• AIRnow - What You Can Do
• Chester County, PA - Discover the Future: creating a sustainable future for Chester County
• EPA - Air and Radiation homepage
• EPA - Greenacres: Landscaping with Native Plants

*Usually associated with indoor air quality, but cleaner outdoor can have an effect on this, especially when natural ventilation (open windows and doors) is part of the building design. NCBI Study | CBE Study

Anatomy Of A Weekend Project: Drainage Solution-by Landscape Ideas

sustainability Hallo Landscape Idea Lover, In sharing this time entitled sustainability,I have provided the most complete information may also be what you're looking for, with the latest information and also something different,hopefully posting content that I can write you understand. Okay, this is it.

You're reading : Anatomy Of A Weekend Project: Drainage Solution-by Landscape Ideas

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Article sustainability,

The uphill side of our house, built in 1940 and part of a neighborhood that is 100 years older than that, sits on a lot that does not benefit from modern storm water management practices. Because of that, the three parcels uphill from us drain all of their runoff into our side yard which is dammed by our house and a slight bowl shape to the topography. Rainfalls in excess of one half inch results in a large puddle near the foundation of the house. One inch or more and there is a real threat of water in our basement. After assessing a number of solutions to the problem, including regrading of the entire side yard, I decided to collect the water in a 12" catch basin, conduct it through a 4" PVC pipe and dispose of it in a subterranean gravel sump. This sump will allow the rainwater to slowly soak back into the earth rather than run down my sidewalk and eventually join all of my neighbors' water and flooding our creeks and streams.This is the anatomy of that project. Remember to call before you dig! http://www.call811.com/

Saturday

5:30 AM-8:30 AM Wake up, have coffee, check Facebook, pick up materials. Stop at ATM for cash to give to wife so she can go yard-sale-ing and stay out of my biz-niz.

8:40 Stretching exercises, put on sunscreen and gloves

9:00 Lay out the project according to plan

9:20 Begin excavation of first half of system inside the fence

9:40 Chat with neighbor, Heidi, over the fence. She is a landscape contractor, too, and interested in what I am up to.

9:50 Resume excavation

10:00 Chat with another neighbor. Rick lives across the street and loves projects. I negotiate with him to take some of the surplus soil off my hands.

10:10 Resume excavation

12:00 Complete excavation inside fence. Lunch. Done for today.

Sunday

8:30 Begin excavation outside of fence for the gravel sump

9:15 Chat with Cyndy. She walks her dog, Jacob, by our house every day and I sold her an Acer rubrum last year.

9:30 Resume and complete excavation

11:15 Drive to the hardware store and pick up a PVC connector not included in my pick-up yesterday morning.

12:15 Return home. Lunch.

12:30 Place heavy duty landscape fabric, gravel and pipe into the trench.

2:15 Begin backfilling soil into the trenches

5:30 Load excess soil into truck, rake out the trenches. Trim down the excess pipe at the low end of the system. Apply grass seed and straw mulch.

6:30 Put away the tools, drive the truck to our nursery to dispose of the surplus soil, sod, rocks and general debris.

8:00 Return home. Take pain relievers and cocktails (spare me the lecture). Tend to blisters.

The uphill side of our house, built in 1940 and part of a neighborhood that is 100 years older than that, sits on a lot that does not benefit from modern storm water management practices. Because of that, the three parcels uphill from us drain all of their runoff into our side yard which is dammed by our house and a slight bowl shape to the topography. Rainfalls in excess of one half inch results in a large puddle near the foundation of the house. One inch or more and there is a real threat of water in our basement. After assessing a number of solutions to the problem, including regrading of the entire side yard, I decided to collect the water in a 12" catch basin, conduct it through a 4" PVC pipe and dispose of it in a subterranean gravel sump. This sump will allow the rainwater to slowly soak back into the earth rather than run down my sidewalk and eventually join all of my neighbors' water and flooding our creeks and streams.This is the anatomy of that project. Remember to call before you dig! http://www.call811.com/

Saturday

5:30 AM-8:30 AM Wake up, have coffee, check Facebook, pick up materials. Stop at ATM for cash to give to wife so she can go yard-sale-ing and stay out of my biz-niz.

8:40 Stretching exercises, put on sunscreen and gloves

9:00 Lay out the project according to plan

9:20 Begin excavation of first half of system inside the fence

9:40 Chat with neighbor, Heidi, over the fence. She is a landscape contractor, too, and interested in what I am up to.

9:50 Resume excavation

10:00 Chat with another neighbor. Rick lives across the street and loves projects. I negotiate with him to take some of the surplus soil off my hands.

10:10 Resume excavation

12:00 Complete excavation inside fence. Lunch. Done for today.

Sunday

8:30 Begin excavation outside of fence for the gravel sump

9:15 Chat with Cyndy. She walks her dog, Jacob, by our house every day and I sold her an Acer rubrum last year.

9:30 Resume and complete excavation

11:15 Drive to the hardware store and pick up a PVC connector not included in my pick-up yesterday morning.

12:15 Return home. Lunch.

12:30 Place heavy duty landscape fabric, gravel and pipe into the trench.

2:15 Begin backfilling soil into the trenches

5:30 Load excess soil into truck, rake out the trenches. Trim down the excess pipe at the low end of the system. Apply grass seed and straw mulch.

6:30 Put away the tools, drive the truck to our nursery to dispose of the surplus soil, sod, rocks and general debris.

8:00 Return home. Take pain relievers and cocktails (spare me the lecture). Tend to blisters.

The uphill side of our house, built in 1940 and part of a neighborhood that is 100 years older than that, sits on a lot that does not benefit from modern storm water management practices. Because of that, the three parcels uphill from us drain all of their runoff into our side yard which is dammed by our house and a slight bowl shape to the topography. Rainfalls in excess of one half inch results in a large puddle near the foundation of the house. One inch or more and there is a real threat of water in our basement. After assessing a number of solutions to the problem, including regrading of the entire side yard, I decided to collect the water in a 12" catch basin, conduct it through a 4" PVC pipe and dispose of it in a subterranean gravel sump. This sump will allow the rainwater to slowly soak back into the earth rather than run down my sidewalk and eventually join all of my neighbors' water and flooding our creeks and streams.This is the anatomy of that project. Remember to call before you dig! http://www.call811.com/

Saturday

5:30 AM-8:30 AM Wake up, have coffee, check Facebook, pick up materials. Stop at ATM for cash to give to wife so she can go yard-sale-ing and stay out of my biz-niz.

8:40 Stretching exercises, put on sunscreen and gloves

9:00 Lay out the project according to plan

9:20 Begin excavation of first half of system inside the fence

9:40 Chat with neighbor, Heidi, over the fence. She is a landscape contractor, too, and interested in what I am up to.

9:50 Resume excavation

10:00 Chat with another neighbor. Rick lives across the street and loves projects. I negotiate with him to take some of the surplus soil off my hands.

10:10 Resume excavation

12:00 Complete excavation inside fence. Lunch. Done for today.

Sunday

8:30 Begin excavation outside of fence for the gravel sump

9:15 Chat with Cyndy. She walks her dog, Jacob, by our house every day and I sold her an Acer rubrum last year.

9:30 Resume and complete excavation

11:15 Drive to the hardware store and pick up a PVC connector not included in my pick-up yesterday morning.

12:15 Return home. Lunch.

12:30 Place heavy duty landscape fabric, gravel and pipe into the trench.

2:15 Begin backfilling soil into the trenches

5:30 Load excess soil into truck, rake out the trenches. Trim down the excess pipe at the low end of the system. Apply grass seed and straw mulch.

6:30 Put away the tools, drive the truck to our nursery to dispose of the surplus soil, sod, rocks and general debris.

8:00 Return home. Take pain relievers and cocktails (spare me the lecture). Tend to blisters.