Eco Park
Driven by a passionate commitment to sustainable design and operation, the Conservancy retained PageSoutherlandPage to manage the LEED certification process for Discovery Green. LEED credits are earned based on site sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources used in construction, indoor environmental quality and innovation in the design process. Discovery Green’s high performance green buildings were built to adhere to the strict LEED standards set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council at the Gold Level. Discovery Green has also achieved Corporate Lands for Learning (CLL) certification from the American Wildlife Council for the establishment and documentation of site-based education programs through providing exemplary conservation education experiences for the community.
Enhanced HVAC refrigerants and air conditioning units are also factored into the park's LEED status, and the Conservancy has committed to securing 100% of its power from "green" sources.
The park's location in a dense urban center and access to public transportation, as well as complete remediation of a brownfield site, provision of facilities for cyclists, and prevention of pollution during construction all earned LEED credits.
Lighting and air conditioning levels in all buildings are consistently monitored, and all buildings allow maximum access to daylight and views for natural sources of light to create healthy indoor environments. And, finally, the Conservancy has committed to an education program and use of green housekeeping and landscape maintenance products.
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Solar arrays donated by BP are visible on the verandas on The Lake House (foreground) and Alkek Buildings.
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Solar panels sponsored by BP, along with other efficient technologies, are being used to heat water and to generate electricity on-site. Two arrays totalling 256 solar panels, added to the Alkek Building and The Lake House buildings generate enough power for the park office.
The park's efficient irrigation system, recycling groundwater from the garage to help fill Kinder Lake, and use of high tech, highly-efficient restroom fixtures are important green features as well.
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Recycled ground water fills Kinder Lake making
it an oasis in the middle of downtown.
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Discovery Green saved massive, mature Live Oak trees, rescued from a nearby building project (One Park Place) and transplanted into the park. They were added to Discovery Green’s stately Brown Foundation Promenade, expanding the path’s leafy Live Oak canopy.
Mature Live Oak trees were rescued and transplanted into the park, providing a shady trail along the Brown Foundation Promenade for visitors to enjoy.
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Construction materials for the park have been recycled for use in future projects. Additionally, 20 percent of the materials used came from regional sources, and more than 60 percent of Ipe the wood used to construct the park came from sustainably-harvested forests. Ipe wood is a safe choice for children and adults, because it is amazingly strong and dense and naturally resistant to rot, insects and fire. The exposed structural elements on the buildings were included to conserve construction materials by eliminating the need for additional surface covering.
The Discovery Green gardens are themed, and visitors to the park can enjoy Texas Natives, Scent, Tropical, Mixed Bulbs, Lily, Rose, Butterfly and Hummingbird. The gardens are designed to have interest year-round with different blooming cycles, fall color for trees and ornamental grasses and winter berries for birds. Spring should be particularly beautiful, however, with the large number of azaleas, Coppertone Loquats and spring-flowering trees. Encore Azaleas will also bloom in fall. The majority of the plants are native and do not require chemical treatments or excessive irrigation.
Beautiful sustainable gardens enhance the beauty of the park
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There are 5 different varieties of lawn grass at Discovery Green. There is MiniVerde (hybrid Bermuda) on the putting green and AmeriShade (hybrid St. Augustine) under the large live oaks along the Brown Promenade. The large lawn (Jones Lawn) in the middle of the park and the event lawn, behind The Grove, have Tiffsport (hybrid Bermuda). The performance slope and the waterside landing have Palisade Zoysia.
(L) With no standard baselines in place for restaurant buildings, The Grove and The Lake House must adhere to the guidelines for office buildings in order to earn LEED credits. The amount of required energy savings at the two restaurants alone would support two-and-a-half typical homes in the United States. (R) Herbs and spices growing on the Grove's green roof.
Recycle Here! Discovery Green, in partnership with the City of Houston and Waste Management, is a recycling center every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Downtown residents can drop off paper, glass, plastic and cans. There are periodic be environmentally friendly product demonstrations and artist workshops as well as hands on recycling activities.
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Recycle every Saturday at the park, a great way to help the environment!
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Get your local produce every Thursday at the Green Market
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Central City Co-op’s Downtown Green Market MOVES to Sundays at Discovery Green beginning January 18, 2009. From noon to 4 p.m. every Sunday, enjoy the year-round weekly co-op market offering organic produce and locally grown products. On January 18, sign up at the Central City Co-op tent for a chance to win a basket of goodies!
Ipe wood was used as material for constructing the bandstand on the Event Lawn.
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Bike racks offer a a convenient place for cyclists to store their mode of transportation
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