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IAFSM Project Awards Competition
2015 Entry Submittal Application
Applicant(s):
Tom Price
Conservation Design Forum, Inc.
[email protected]
Name (Primary Contact)
Organization
e-mail
Julie Smith
Chicago Public Schools
[email protected]
Name
Organization
e-mail
John Watson
MWRDGC
[email protected]
Name
Organization
e-mail
Project Location:
The project covers 4 elementary school locations. Grissom (12810 S.
Escanaba), Schmid (9755 S. Greenwood), Morrill (6011 S. Rockwell), and Leland (512 S. Lavergne).
Award Category:
Project Summary:
Flood Reduction
Sustainability
Stormwater Master Planning
Public Education and Outreach
Innovation
In 300 words or less, provide a project summary, highlighting the
unique aspects of the project.
Space to Grow: Greening Chicago’s Schoolyards
Space to Grow exemplifies the promise of government and NGO collaborations to achieve multiple objectives with
coordinated projects and funding. Funding brought to the project through MWRD’s and Chicago Department of Water
Management’s (CDWM) desire to reduce combined sewer overflows and neighborhood flooding made possible
improvements to CPS sites that would otherwise have been financially infeasible for CPS.
Exemplification of 3 indicators: The diversity of the project partners clearly demonstrates the environmental and social
equity goals of this project. The economic efficiency of the project derived from the adaptation of each of the surface types
to not only meet educational and cultural needs but also provide stormwater storage. Further, student vegetable gardens are
included at all four sites. Stormwater integration: Stormwater is integrated into every element of the project, including
permeable paving parking, a pervious asphalt basketball court, artificial turf and porous rubber play surfaces underlain with
gravel storage, and bioretention landscapes. To maximize performance of the systems, undisturbed areas such as adjacent
school roofs and asphalt areas were routed to the storage areas. Future value: The project provides a model for interorganization cooperation as well as innovative strategies for integrating green infrastructure into tight, multi-functional
urban spaces. Perception by the Public: The improvements to the schools have been embraced by the surrounding
community- surrounding residents are using the track on off hours, the exposed runnel helps students and teachers
understand movement of stormwater. Maintenance Considerations: Each of the sites were designed to minimize
maintenance needs of the limited school custodial staff through use of native and adapted species as well as artificial turf
that require no mowing and permeable brick pavers that require no seal coating that is both harmful to the environment and
maintenance intensive. Fulfillment of Client/regulatory requirements: The success of the first 4 sites is demonstrated by the
decision to move forward with 26 more schools over the next five years. Further, the principals, children, and parents have
been thrilled with the improvements. The projects well exceeded the Chicago stormwater requirements, using lower release
rates (0.15 cfs/acre), higher rainfall amounts (Bulletin 70 vs TP40), and managing runoff from adjacent undisturbed areas.
Schmid Elementary
Chicago, IL
Aerial view of Schmid Elementary - before.
Aerial view rendering showing permeable paving parking lot,
pervious rubber playgrounds, and bioretention landscapes.
Schmid Elementary schoolyard - before.
Schmid schoolyard - after. Community planting of bioretention
landscape.
Schmid Elementary alleyway between buildings - before.
Schmid Elementary alleyway converted to outdoor classroom with
permeable pavers, multi-purpose seating, and native perennial bed.
2015 IAFSM Project Awards Competition
Grissom Elementary
Chicago, IL
Aerial view of Grissom Elementary - before.
Aerial view rendering of Grissom Elementary - after.
Perspective view of Grissom Elementary schoolyard - before.
Grissom Elementary schoolyard - after. New running track,
basketball court, native landscape, and play areas.
Perspective view of Grissom Elementary schoolyard - before.
Grissom Elementary schoolyard - after. Pervious asphalt
basketball court, bioretention landscapes, porous rubber
playground, pervious artificial turf play area, and permeable
paver gathering space.
2015 IAFSM Project Awards Competition
Morrill Elementary
Chicago, IL
Morrill Elementary deteriorating asphalt playground.
Permeable paving gathering area with raised vegetable planters
and permeable rubber playground (background).
Morrill Elementary schoolyard - before.
Morrill schoolyard - after. Pervious artificial turf soccer field,
porous rubber playground, and new running track.
Morrill Elementary mural - before.
Morrill Elementary mural - after.
2015 IAFSM Project Awards Competition