This Inspiring Green Parking Lot was Created by Boy Scouts

If you’re considering greening your property, take a cue from Michael Bigness from Boy Scout Troop 11 of  Chittenango, New York.  His recent Eagle Scout project helped transform the parking area at his local library into a  Green Parking Lot — the kind of infrastructure that’s encouraged by the Environmental Protection Agency and Leadership in Environmental Design. As part of the greening process, Michael and Troop 11 worked with Traffic Safety Store to replace deteriorating concrete parking stops with 25 ecologically-friendly, recycled rubber blocks.

The graduating scout worked with fellow troop members and his assistant scoutmaster, Frank Capella, to create a green “welcome mat” for the Chittenango local library complete with stones, flowers and shrubbery. Traffic Safety Store helped them obtain a bulk order of recycled parking blocks, in neutral grey, at a price that fit their budget. Because rubber parking blocks are only 16 lbs a piece and designed for DIY-installation, Michael and his troop were able to install 25 blocks with just a few common tools. They chose lag bolts with anchors, included with their purchase, because lag bolts can be unscrewed and released from the pavement anchors. This will allow the library to uninstall and remove the blocks for snow plowing.  

  The revived parking area invites library guests and improves the environment. It increases impervious surface, in the form of mulch, rocks, and plants, which decreases stormwater runoff. The new vegetation, moreover, can thrive without additional watering. By installing 100% recycled blocks, Michael and Troop 11 helped rescue 400 lbs of discarded tires from landfills. Because the new blocks have improved elasticity, compared to concrete, and have been dyed rather than painted, the library can expect to keep them for years to come.