Cohousing-L Mailing List: RE: Landscape Design/Pedestrian Paths

[Casey Morrigan (cjmorr]

Just a reiteration of what someone else noted in their post. These blocks 
have a big drawback if they are being used for kid's play surfaces. Their 
edges are rough and hard and will scrape and bruise. They are unforgiving 
in that way.  Also, if you don't keep grass growing in them, they become 
mud or dirt holders.

Casey M.
Two Acre Wood
Sebastopol, California

> -----Original Message-----
> From: James Kacki [mailto:jimkacki [at] mts.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 12:22 PM
> To: Cohousing-L
> Subject: Re: [C-L]_ Landscape Design/Pedestrian Paths
>
>
> I tried to find the name before sending the e-mail but the
> suppliers are
> closed today (27th Dec.) I'm not sure when the 'holiday
> season' finishes
> for them but I'll let you know more info. when I can contact them.
> Happy Holidays all!
> James
>
> joyce thorn wrote:
> > James--is there a name for that 25% concrete product?  I've
> never heard
> > of it and it sounds perfect for the parking our city,
> Denver, requires.
> >  Joyce
> > On Dec 27, 2005, at 10:20 AM, James Kacki wrote:
> >
> >> Karen, I'm not sure what decomposed granite is.  In my
> part of Canada
> >> (the prairies), we use what we call 'pea gravel' for this
> application.
> >> I used it around my own house for 'organic flowing paths' -a good
> >> idea, tends to look like a flowing river bed if the edges
> are treated
> >> as such, e.g. rocks, planting beds, etc. in an organic
> design.  The
> >> pea gravel is smooth round small pebbles, approx 1/4' to 1/2"
> >> diameter, often river washed granite.  In this part of the world
> >> another material used for paths and parking areas is '1/4" down'(
> >> presumably means the same as your '1/4" minus') limestone.
>  This is
> >> broken, not rounded, small limestone pebbles that go down
> in size to
> >> dust.  This tends to pack and harden after several rains
> (unlike pea
> >> gravel which stays loose and contains no dust).  This is a
> much harder
> >> surface but could track into the house a little (not a lot)
> >>
> >> Re/ your second question:  What is often used here for the
> purpose you
> >> describe (a drivable surface that looks like a lawn) is a concrete
> >> block made for that purpose. It is about 25% concrete and
> 75% voids
> >> that earth & grass can be planted in.  Viewed at an angle you see
> >> primarily grass but it is strong enough for trucks.
> >> Hope this helps
> >> James
> >>
> >>
> >> Karen Scheer wrote:
> >>
> >>> Hello cohousing friends!
> >>> Our cohousing group here in Ashland is getting very busy
> finalizing
> >>> the landscape plans.  In designing our pedestrian paths,
> we would
> >>> like to create organically styled (flowing around natural
> contours
> >>> and human movement, ie. not linear) pathways that would
> create areas
> >>> for gardening, privacy and play in our common outdoor
> space.  Our
> >>> landscape architect is suggesting 1/4 minus Decomposed
> Granite (DG)
> >>> for the pathways.  There is some concerns about this
> material and how
> >>>  well it will work.  Does it tend to track into homes and other
> >>> places?  Does it need a lot of repairs to prevent muddy
> spots?  Does
> >>> anyone have any experiences with this or suggestions for other
> >>> materials to consider?
> >>> Also, we are looking at ways to make the "driveway" past
> the parking
> >>> area pervious (rather than paved) so that water can flow
> through and
> >>> we can have an open grass lawn.  This area needs to be able to
> >>> support the weight of the occasional car or fire truck so we are
> >>> planning to reinforce it with a material that is being
> described as
> >>> "egg-crate" below the surface of the grass.  If anyone has any
> >>> experience with this type of pervious surfacing or other
> suggestion
> >>> we would love to know more about it.
> >>> I'd like to wish everyone a very peaceful holiday season
> filled with
> >>> presence, magical moments & laughter.  Reading the emails
> that come
> >>> in through this list everyday, I am inspired by who you
> all are and
> >>> your commitment to community.
> >>> Thank you for taking the time to read and respond!
> >>> -Karen Scheer
> >>> Fordyce Street Cohousing Community
> >>> Ashland, Oregon
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