5.14.2009

Pringle Creek's green streets mentioned as model in OEC's spring newsletter

Oregon Environmental Council, the state’s oldest environmental organization, has an article in their most recent "One Oregon, One Environment" newsletter. The article, titled "Depaving Paradise," is on page seven and features the following photo and caption:

Pringle Creek Community in Salem has one of the largest installations of pervious asphalt in the country. The green streets are narrower than conventional streets, using less materials to build and calming traffic. They have no curbs, which reduces construction costs and allows vegetated swales to capture, absorb and clean stormwater runoff.

The article does a good job explaining water quality issues. Water quality and conservation are key aspects of the Pringle Creek Community plan, along with renewable energy, beautiful, durable and energy-efficient homes, community gardens and commitment to local foods, and having a diversity of ages, lifestyles and incomes for our residents while fostering a sense of community.


Go to the Oregon Environmental Council website and consider joining, donating, volunteering for this organization that is a major player in advocating policy in the Oregon Legislature. OEC's strategic plan is:

  • Protect kids' health from toxic pollution

  • Improve stewardship of Oregon's rivers

  • Slow global warming

  • Build a sustainable economy

  • Create a sustainable food and farm system

  • Strengthen support for effective environmental policy in the Oregon Legislature

5.01.2009

Photo log

Springtime at last.


While the housing market has slowed and our economy has become more fragile, Pringle Creek Community is moving forward with key projects that support our goal of creating a unique community that can serve as a model of sustainable development.

Our innovative geo-thermal system is up and running and saving Pringle Creek Community homeowners on their utility bills; we expect to complete the LEED-Platinum restoration of Painter's Hall--as a community center and home of the Sustainable Living Center--in early June; the fully restored Lord & Burnham glasshouses have blossomed into the Pringle Creek Conservatory; two green roofs have been installed to demonstrate their benefits (protecting water quality, cooling and as habitat); and every day we see more visitors walking, bicycling, and skating about Pringle Creek Community.

Feel free to stop by and see what’s growing at Pringle Creek Community. We are also scheduling visits and tours daily. For more information please contact us.

Tony Nielsen


Pictures and captions below from santiago.



Painter's Hall


Deconstruction.


All materials are sorted and recycled.


New interior framing.


New metal roof, windows and doors.


Green roof: doing the planting