Portland, Firsthand

So, I finally made it out to Portland, aka Heaven on Earth for Planners. The city also happens to be ground zero for LID stormwater management. The LID interventions - planters, rain gardens, artistic downspouts - were so prevalent that they just seemed to be part of the urban fabric. They were at once beautiful and par for the course. As San Francisco is still in the demonstration/novelty phase, Portland has advanced to the integrate-LID-into-the-urban-design-fabric phase. Here are a few photos to whet your whistle. More to come soon, I promise.

Coming Very Soon - Resources Page

In the coming days, I will be putting together a "Resources" page for all kinds of stormwater reference materials, including fact sheets, design/technical manuals, and whatever other interesting things of which I catch wind. Hold tight, it's a'comin!

Sunset Circle in the Rain (Yay!)

I made it out to Sunset Circle (intersection of Sunset Blvd and Lake Merced Blvd) at about 3 PM on 12/17/10 to get some live-action pics in the rain. The rainfall was a constant drizzle.
You can see Juncus patens and Ribes sanguineum in all their glory.

Glen Park and Islais Creek

A little bird chirped in my ear...

Community planning and stormwater management enthusiasts - don't look now, but we might see creek daylighting resurface in the public conscious in the Glen Park community. The opportunities there - with a free-flowing creek still partially surviving - are endless. If community interest remains strong in support of daylighting and the concerns of a minority of residents can be alleviated, we could really have something, right here in San Francisco.

To find a creek daylighting FAQ and remain abreast of the community planning process in Glen Park, check out this LINK.

Beautiful Day for a Stormwater Aficionado

With the light and steady rain, today is a beautiful day for stormwater enthusiasts. I'm sure San Pablo Avenue (El Cerrito), Brisbane City Hall, Mint Plaza (San Francisco), and the Sunset Circle (SF) are all loving it. The stormwater flows entering our streetside storm drains are reduced just a bit because of them. I've got to get some wet weather photos of these local sites. When I do, I will be sure to post them.

Great LA Times Article: Eco-living, What Works and What Doesn't

Here is a well-written article detailing one eco-conscious LA Times' writer's revelations after two years of incorporating green. Written from the every-person's perspective, this is a must read!
Read the article HERE.