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Success Stories

REACH Ashland Youth Center

REACH Ashland Youth Center is a state-of-the-art green facility developed and owned by Alameda County. It provides local youth with integrated health services, career development services, and programs to build and express their creativity in a supportive, community-oriented atmosphere.

The Bay-Friendly Rated landscape and LEED Platinum-rated building provide an inspiring, healthy environment for youth and reduce long-term environmental impacts. REACH shares the site with Jack Holland Sr. Park, another Bay-Friendly Rated landscape developed and owned by Alameda County.

LANDSCAPE HIGHLIGHTS

  • At least 85% of stormwater is captured and filtered onsite via a green roof, flow-through planters, bioswales and other permeable surfaces
  • Irrigation needs were reduced through a number of strategies, including selecting California native species for more than 60% of the plants, keeping bare soil covered with mulch, and using drip irrigation
  • Recycling containers are co-located with trash containers throughout the site to reduce waste to the landfill
  • Lawns were minimized, with turf covering no more than 15% of the irrigated area 
  • Maintenance procedures include grasscycling (leaving grass clippings on the soil), use of fallen leaves and other plant debris as mulch, and use of integrated pest management practices

RESULTS

  • 77,500 gallons of water saved annually compared to a conventional landscape
  • 16 tons of local, recycled compost used
  • 19 tons of local, recycled mulch used
  • 89% of plants are low water-using species
  • Bay-Friendly landscape practices reduced greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 6 to 12 tons CO2E 

PROJECT DETAILS

Bay-Friendly Rated Landscape score: 106

Year rated: 2013

Bay-Friendly Rater: Peter Wolfe Landscape Architect

 

 

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