The Rapid and LiveWall Bring Nature to Riders
Grand Rapids, Michigan (PRWEB) July 09, 2014 -- People waiting to catch a ride at Rapid Central Station will now enjoy one of the area’s largest outdoor living walls.
The 500 square foot planted wall was completed last week by a joint effort between LiveWall LLC and Summit Landscape Management of Grand Rapids. The green wall took approximately four days to install and plant with a selection of colorful, cold-hardy perennials (grown in Spring Lake by LiveWall, LLC).
The Rapid is a nationally recognized leader for its sustainability initiatives, including using hybrid buses and having two LEED certified buildings, both of which feature green roofs. The Rapid’s green roofs help to protect water quality by reducing storm water runoff, restore lost habitat, and save on cooling costs.
The living wall also helps to cool the building and restore lost habitat, but unlike the green roofs, it is very visible to The Rapid’s riders. “We’ve transformed a steel and concrete surface into a public garden, providing a more pleasant and relaxing experience for our customers,” said Jennifer Kalczuk, spokesperson for The Rapid.
“We worked with a local contractor and a local supplier who uses western Michigan sources of plants, soil, plastics and aluminum, ensuring that this investment benefits the local economy,” said Steve Schipper, The Rapid’s manager of fleet and facilities.
LiveWall president Dave MacKenzie, who also owns LiveRoof, LLC, the company that supplied the living roofs atop The Rapid’s buildings, is confident that the additional green space will have a positive impact on the community.
“When it comes to the social and environmental benefits of keeping people connected to nature, the evidence is piling up. From lasting positive impacts on mental health, to reduced vandalism and crime rates, to cooler and cleaner air, reintroducing plants lost to development is a very good move for the community. And, with a living wall, beautiful and functional gardens can thrive where no workable land is available.”
The Rapid’s green wall will be the fourth publicly visible LiveWall System in Grand Rapids. Currently there are 1,400 square feet of vertical garden, mostly edible plants, installed at the B.O.B.; the Downtown Market contains an 800 square foot living wall on the south and west walls; and the John Ball Zoo has a green wall on the chimpanzee house.
About The Rapid
The Rapid (http://www.ridetherapid.org) provided over 12.5 million rides last year, a new record in public transportation trips in the greater Grand Rapids area.
About LiveWall
Based in Spring Lake, Michigan, LiveWall®, LLC is the top horticultural science company in the planted wall industry. Exceptional in design and function, the LiveWall System is developed and manufactured in West Michigan and offers the most effective horticultural solution for vegetated walls.
Note to Editors on Project Photos: Dropbox Link for Photos
PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS WELCOME. TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS AND FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT MIKE HAYNES 616.935.1974.
Mike Haynes, LiveWall, LLC, http://livewall.com, +1 6169351974, [email protected]
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