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On Friday, October 23, 2009 Greening|Greenfield celebrated with students, teachers, and staff along with new Greenfield School Principal, Dan Lazar, and a number of special guests. Special guests and speakers included Albert M. Greenfield III and Priscilla Luce, both grandchildren of Albert M. Greenfield; Glen Abrams from the Philadelphia Water Department Office of Water Sheds; PA State Rep. Babette Josephs; and John Bolaris, Meteorologist with FOX 29 News. Mr. Greenfield and Ms. Luce spoke about their grandfather's legacy and the important work that the Greenfield Foundation does in his name. Glen Abrams explained the importance of our project in reducing storm water run off. He touted Greening Greenfield as a model project for other schools to follow. John Bolaris, whose daughter is a Kindergarten student at Greenfield, talked with the kids about his dream when he was in 5th grade to be a meteorologist some day. He told the students that any one's dream can come true, if you put your mind to it. He also talked about the importance of "being green" and the great merits of the Greening Greenfield Initiative. His inspiring words were directed to all of the students of Greenfield. With the Game 1 of the World Series just days away, he ended by leading everyone in a cheer for our Philadelphia Phillies. In addition to our speakers, Ribbon Cutters included Nan Kelley of Conestoga Bank; Dr. Ralph Burnley, School District of Philadelphia South Region Superintendent; Lisa Armstrong and Pat Toy, Co-chairs of the Greening Greenfield Initiative; Denise McKeon, President, Greenfield Home & School Association; David Ade of SMP Architects; Peg Devine, Greenfield School Nurse and Building Rep; Greenfield Science Teachers Joe Bentz, Carolyn Brown, and Faye McCready; Kindergarten Teacher Sarah McCarty; and Kristerpher Henderson, Greening Greenfield Committee. Ribbon Holders at the ceremony were all of the Kindergarten students and teachers Alison Gordon and Stephanie Somers and other members of the Greening Greenfield Initiative. |
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 September 26 was the Greening Greenfield Community Tree Planting Day. 25 trees were planted in the newly constructed Raingarden in the southwest portion of the schoolyard. The Raingarden is the area between the edge of the rubber play surface and the brick site wall. The trees planted by volunteers, and the shrubs and perennials planted by the contractor will all work to absorb the rainwater that now falls on the asphalt playground instead of letting it run into the city sewer.
This community volunteer event was co-sponsored by TreeVitalize, CSX, ACT (Alliance for Community Trees), and the Greenfield Home and School Association TreeTenders. TreeVitalize is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. CSX used Greenfield as a kick-off to their monumental initiative – the planting of one tree for every mile of the 21,000 miles of its commercial rail. CSX in concert with ACT generously stepped forward to donate the 25 trees and sent a group of 35 volunteers to assist the 40 Greenfield Community volunteers in the planting effort. City Year provided logistical expertise in organizing the volunteers; CSX and ACT donated food and drink, while a Greenfield student video team recorded the event. Tree planting was kicked off by a tree planting demonstration by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Greenfield Home and School Association TreeTenders. |
 Construction started in July on Greenfield Elementary School's first phase of greening construction. Preparation for the installation of a rain garden and pervious play area on the west half of the south play yard is already underway. 230 tons of existing asphalt, fill, and catch basins will be removed and replaced with a landscaped swale and porous play surface. The new surface and configuration will capture and divert rainwater from 15,000sf of existing asphalt to recharge the rain garden instead of overflowing into the municipal storm sewer. To shade the remaining paved  playground, 26 trees will be planted. Recycled cut and natural stone salvaged from nearby construction projects at the Philadelphia Art Museum and the Philadelphia Zoo will be landscape features in the rain garden. Four new pieces of play equipment will be installed in the porous play surface. This first phase of construction, not including the plantings, is scheduled to be completed two weeks after school starts.
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 On the evening of Thursday, June 11, 2009, Greenfield school celebrated the start of construction of Phase I of the Greening Greenfield project with a Ground Breaking Ceremony and Family Picnic. Despite the threat of rain, the event was well attended by the project funders who graciously joined Greenfield's community partners, Greenfield student ambassadors, and the design team in raising shovels to kick-off this momentous occasion.
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Read a report about our efforts to make the our playground more environmentally friendly in Friday's (6/12/2009) Philadelphia Inquirer. Read about it here |
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