This document shows before and after photos of Maple Ave taken over the course of 2 years. The photos were taken in different seasons and depict the street transforming from its original state to one that is more green and sustainable. The photos are credited to Lenni Armstrong but permission is required to use them.
51. Photo credits: Many, but not all photos are by Lenni Armstrong. Please contact
Lenni at informmotion@comcast.net to ask permission to use any of the photos.
Editor's Notes
TITLE
Lenni introduces Cador
Cador introduces Lenni
CADOR
The homeowners dreamed of a community garden. But what to do about all that asphalt?
Maple St. BEFORE
CADOR
Maple St. ONE YEAR AFTER
CADOR
Maple St. TWO YEARS AFTER, MAY
CADOR
Maple St. TWO YEARS AFTER, AUGUST
LENNI
Arctic Sea Ice Volume over 30 years.
LENNI
Precipitation of rising in the Boston area, as well as Massachusetts. We’re getting storms of greater frequency and intensity, and seeing changes in plant flowering and plant hardiness
LENNI
Nature’s way of purifying water.
LENNI
Urban stormwater runoff
LENNI
Soil building in nature
LENNI
Degradation of urban soil
Wayne doesn’t want to see anything with storm drains. THIS IMAGE NEEDS EDITING
LENNI
Water purification in nature
LENNI
Urban stormwater runoff
CADOR
Initial meeting
Take measurements – calculate area
Do an asphalt thickness test – how many dumpsters will the asphalt fill?
Take “before” photo
Ask the homeowner what they plan to do with it
Talk about the possibility of lead in the soil
CADOR
One dumpster or two?
Dumpster rental costs
Convert area to volume
CADOR
Thin, brittle asphalt – break it up
CADOR
Thin, brittle asphalt – then pry it up
Tools &Techniques
CADOR
Thin, brittle asphalt – break off manageable pieces
CADOR
Thin, brittle asphalt – score a line
CADOR
Thin, brittle asphalt – haul in a wheelbarrow
CADOR
Thin, brittle asphalt – carry in a bucket
CADOR
Thin, brittle asphalt – haul into dumpster
CADOR
Thin, brittle asphalt – load up a wheelbarrow
CADOR
Full dumpster
LENNI
Organizing the event – the release form – table at entrance for signing
LENNI
Organizing the event – educational posters
LENNI
How to involve kids – establish a cut-off age for on the work site?
LENNI
Roles – depave boss
LENNI
Roles – depave boss
LENNI
Roles – safety queen (or king)
LENNI
Safety – helmets and gloves
LENNI
Safety – helmets, gloves & goggles – helmets & goggles generously donated by Home Depot
LENNI
It’s all about community building – make it a party!
Good food – time to connect – schmooze with friends – make new friends
CADOR
What to do with newly depaved area?
Direct planting or raised beds
If you want to plant vegetables, test your soil for lead first. Send soil samples to UMass who will test it for you for $10/sample - http://soiltest.umass.edu/
If your soil has high levels of lead, you can install raised beds and fill them in with good soil. The biggest danger of lead in the soil is to small children. Lead is a neurotoxin, and the developing nervous systems of small children are highly vulnerable to lead poisoning. If your soil has high levels of lead be sure your children don't get the dirt on their hands and then put their hands in their mouths.
CADOR
What to do with newly depaved area?
Rain garden
CADOR
What to do with newly depaved area?
Bushes and plants
CADOR
What to do with newly depaved area?
Perma turf
CADOR
What to do with newly depaved area?
Permeable pavers
BOTH
Victory photos are important!
Rewards
Homeowner – improved space
Volunteer – community, they are a part of improving the neighborhood ecosystem
Neighborhood community – improved water, air etc.
In collaboration with the homeowner and the depaving crew, I get to be a part of making lasting improvements to the Somerville ecosystem.
I believe that together we can create sustainable neighborhood ecosystems. I'd like to see the same attention that's commonly put into home interior spaces also directed toward outdoor spaces which collectively become the city's ecosystem.
I'm interested in a new way of viewing and valuing nature. If we look to see how natures does things, and we see that nature fits form to function, demands local expertise, rewards cooperation and banks on diversity. (If time permits, I'll mention LURC, the League of URban Canners, who takes on tree pruning and maintenance, as well as harvesting, for interested homeowners.)
After the depaving the homeowner faces the much larger challenges of working with the soil that is now uncovered, and finishing the job to result in a functional and beautiful yard. This part of the project happens over a much longer time span requiring dedication to the task and perseverance to see it though to completion.
The Somerville Garden Club generously gives newly depaved residents a free membership for a year, which gives them access to local gardening experts.
I'd like to see homeowners get the help they need for this part of the project.
BOTH
Victory photos are important!
Rewards
Homeowner – improved space
Volunteer – community, they are a part of improving the neighborhood ecosystem
Neighborhood community – improved water, air etc.
In collaboration with the homeowner and the depaving crew, I get to be a part of making lasting improvements to the Somerville ecosystem.
I believe that together we can create sustainable neighborhood ecosystems. I'd like to see the same attention that's commonly put into home interior spaces also directed toward outdoor spaces which collectively become the city's ecosystem.
I'm interested in a new way of viewing and valuing nature. If we look to see how natures does things, and we see that nature fits form to function, demands local expertise, rewards cooperation and banks on diversity. (If time permits, I'll mention LURC, the League of URban Canners, who takes on tree pruning and maintenance, as well as harvesting, for interested homeowners.)
After the depaving the homeowner faces the much larger challenges of working with the soil that is now uncovered, and finishing the job to result in a functional and beautiful yard. This part of the project happens over a much longer time span requiring dedication to the task and perseverance to see it though to completion.
The Somerville Garden Club generously gives newly depaved residents a free membership for a year, which gives them access to local gardening experts.
I'd like to see homeowners get the help they need for this part of the project.
BOTH
Victory photos are important!
Rewards
Homeowner – improved space
Volunteer – community, they are a part of improving the neighborhood ecosystem
Neighborhood community – improved water, air etc.
In collaboration with the homeowner and the depaving crew, I get to be a part of making lasting improvements to the Somerville ecosystem.
I believe that together we can create sustainable neighborhood ecosystems. I'd like to see the same attention that's commonly put into home interior spaces also directed toward outdoor spaces which collectively become the city's ecosystem.
I'm interested in a new way of viewing and valuing nature. If we look to see how natures does things, and we see that nature fits form to function, demands local expertise, rewards cooperation and banks on diversity. (If time permits, I'll mention LURC, the League of URban Canners, who takes on tree pruning and maintenance, as well as harvesting, for interested homeowners.)
After the depaving the homeowner faces the much larger challenges of working with the soil that is now uncovered, and finishing the job to result in a functional and beautiful yard. This part of the project happens over a much longer time span requiring dedication to the task and perseverance to see it though to completion.
The Somerville Garden Club generously gives newly depaved residents a free membership for a year, which gives them access to local gardening experts.
I'd like to see homeowners get the help they need for this part of the project.
BOTH
Victory photos are important!
Rewards
Homeowner – improved space
Volunteer – community, they are a part of improving the neighborhood ecosystem
Neighborhood community – improved water, air etc.
In collaboration with the homeowner and the depaving crew, I get to be a part of making lasting improvements to the Somerville ecosystem.
I believe that together we can create sustainable neighborhood ecosystems. I'd like to see the same attention that's commonly put into home interior spaces also directed toward outdoor spaces which collectively become the city's ecosystem.
I'm interested in a new way of viewing and valuing nature. If we look to see how natures does things, and we see that nature fits form to function, demands local expertise, rewards cooperation and banks on diversity. (If time permits, I'll mention LURC, the League of URban Canners, who takes on tree pruning and maintenance, as well as harvesting, for interested homeowners.)
After the depaving the homeowner faces the much larger challenges of working with the soil that is now uncovered, and finishing the job to result in a functional and beautiful yard. This part of the project happens over a much longer time span requiring dedication to the task and perseverance to see it though to completion.
The Somerville Garden Club generously gives newly depaved residents a free membership for a year, which gives them access to local gardening experts.
I'd like to see homeowners get the help they need for this part of the project.
BOTH
Victory photos are important!
Rewards
Homeowner – improved space
Volunteer – community, they are a part of improving the neighborhood ecosystem
Neighborhood community – improved water, air etc.
In collaboration with the homeowner and the depaving crew, I get to be a part of making lasting improvements to the Somerville ecosystem.
I believe that together we can create sustainable neighborhood ecosystems. I'd like to see the same attention that's commonly put into home interior spaces also directed toward outdoor spaces which collectively become the city's ecosystem.
I'm interested in a new way of viewing and valuing nature. If we look to see how natures does things, and we see that nature fits form to function, demands local expertise, rewards cooperation and banks on diversity. (If time permits, I'll mention LURC, the League of URban Canners, who takes on tree pruning and maintenance, as well as harvesting, for interested homeowners.)
After the depaving the homeowner faces the much larger challenges of working with the soil that is now uncovered, and finishing the job to result in a functional and beautiful yard. This part of the project happens over a much longer time span requiring dedication to the task and perseverance to see it though to completion.
The Somerville Garden Club generously gives newly depaved residents a free membership for a year, which gives them access to local gardening experts.
I'd like to see homeowners get the help they need for this part of the project.
LENNI
SCA is cheering Arlington on to DePAVE the WAY!!!