Feature: Green Roof Benefits Outpace Adoption

Although a powerful conservation tool, maintenance and funding limit widespread installationBy Jefferey SpiveyFor more than a decade, green roofs have taken hold in various North American cities, with some serving a purely ecological purpose, while others have grown into major tourist attractions. Despite this track record, many park departments are simply testing them out in lieu of larger plans. Take, for instance, the garden roof in Seattle’s Ross Playground. “The roof project was essentially a trial, an experiment that the Seattle Public Utilities wanted to run with Seattle Parks,” says Redi Karameto, Senior Architect for Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Planning and Capital Development Branch.