Lafayette Greens

Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community

Creation of new green areas, Creation of areas for food production (community gardens, allotments), Creation of semi-natural blue areas, Implementation of green areas for water management (e.g. rain gardens), Transformation of previously derelict areas, Transformation of vacant land into green spaces, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs

To implement sustainable practices throughout the garden, utilizing sustainable materials and methods to minimize environmental impact. To grow chemical-free produce annually, cultivating fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers without the use of chemicals. This will promote sustainable urban agriculture and provide fresh, healthy food to the community. To design the garden as an inviting public space, offering areas for relaxation, social interaction, and community engagement. To develop an educational and playful Children's Garden, fostering learning and connection with nature for younger visitors. To redefine the concept of a community garden by integrating it into the urban context as a sophisticated, multi-functional space that balances aesthetics, productivity, and public use. To create and maintain a certified pollinator habitat, supporting butterflies, bees, and birds. To offer educational classes and programs focused on pollinators, native plants, and urban agriculture. To demonstrate sustainable storm-water management and water conservation through bioswale, pervious surfaces, drought-tolerant plants, and efficient irrigation systems. (Ref. 1, 2)

The overall design of Lafayette Greens was shaped by a careful site analysis. To maximize sun exposure, especially crucial in a tall-building environment, raised vegetable beds were oriented based on sun angle studies. A wide Lavender Promenade now carries people along this desire line, allowing pedestrians to move through the space quickly or stop to rest on benches. The garden invites exploration with over 200 varieties of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. To encourage public use and provide respite from the surrounding busy city streets, the garden features a variety of seating options. An urban bioswale catches and slows stormwater runoff, while also serving as an educational tool through informative signage that raises awareness about water issues in the Great Lakes region. Between two gabion curbs, a hedge of Redtwig Dogwood is sheared into a clean architectural bioswale appropriate for a city street. To promote water conservation, 70% of the site’s surfaces are pervious, including gravel, lawn, and planting beds. Drought-tolerant Fescue lawns and a high-efficiency irrigation system, including adjustable driplines in the raised beds, further reduce water consumption. Bio-intensive raised beds with drip irrigation are highly productive, potentially increasing caloric production by 200-400% compared to conventional gardens, while utilizing less water and requiring minimal energy input.   (Ref. 1)

• Citizens or community groups
• Young people and children
• Marginalized groups: Refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, Socio-economically disadvantaged populations (e.g. low-income households, unemployed)