HOW TO DEVELOP AND MANAGE A COMMUNITY GREEN IN NEW DEVELOPMENTS

 

How can community greens be designed and created?

Read about three different ways that community greens can be developed.

Characteristics of successful community greens.

How to create a community green on your block. Six steps you can take to create a community green on your block.

Steps to creating a community green on an existing block. This more detailed outline provides an overview of legal and other steps that residents and property owners who want to develop a community green should consider.

What can your city do to encourage development of community greens.

Planning for Community Greens in City Neighborhoods. This Masters Thesis by University of North Carolina graduate planning student Anne Morris covers several areas: history of community greens; case studies of existing greens; and recommendations for developing community greens. (This document may take a couple of minutes to load).

            Assuming zoning codes and ordinances allow for the easy development of community greens, the developer will only need to consider three factors: design, cost, and on-going management.

 

Design Considerations

 

            There are several basic design principles that should be utilized when developing community greens:

 

  1. The community green should be bounded by the dwellings it serves.  It should be enclosed by the dwelling units on at least two if not all four sides.  It is very important that the space feels private and  “defensible”. This encourages a sense of ownership over the green and it gives residents a stronger sense of security.  Homes should overlook the green and windows, balconies, and decks should be located so that family members can keep an eye on those on the green. A community green could also be woven into the fabric of a large community, by creating a green sward throughout the development.

 

  1. Entry points into the community green should be designed to reflect that it is a private space.  A community green should not appear to be a public park.  Openings into the green from the street should signify that one is entering a private space.  Some examples of entry points that do this are: a gate, a gateway or symbolic structure, or a narrow sidewalk.  Residents are likely to know how much security they need between the community green and the public space such as whether a gate should be kept locked or unlocked. If it is locked, keys must be given to local officials, including, at a minimum , police and fire.

 

  1. The dwelling units that abut the community green should have accessible and functional private outdoor space that faces the community green.   It is important for each abutting unit to have a bit of private space emanating from their dwelling onto the green. This space could be a deck, patio, balcony, porch, or small backyard.  If possible, a deck or balcony should have stairs that lead down into the community green.

 

  1. There should be a buffer between the private outdoor space of the dwelling units and the shared space of the community green.  This buffer could consist of a low fence or wall, low plantings, pavers, or a combination of these.  A fence or wall should have a gate in it that provides easy access to the community green.

 

  1. The community green should be human scaled.  Residents will be less likely to use the green if it is too small or too vast. Very large spaces can be made to feel smaller and more private with a careful use of landscaping.

 

  1.  Paths, landscaping, and amenities should encourage uses of the space that the residents consciously want.  Different landscaping designs will encourage different uses of the space.  It is important to have a mix of trees, which provide shade and filter the view of nearby dwellings, along with grass, which establishes a verdant environment and is great for ballgames and picnics.  Flowers, shrubs and sunny vegetable plots will also beautify the garden and ensure varied community usage. For children, it may be important to include play equipment and structures or hard surfaces.  For adults, it is important to include walkways, benches, and tables that encourage interaction.

 

  1. Have a community source of water. Not to be forgotten: the need for well placed water spigots by which plants will be watered occasionally.

 

  1. The greens should be organic and use only native plant species to the extent possible, and they should become mini-habitats for birds, insects and small wildlife. Many of our waterways are in trouble due to the run off of excessive fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. By going organic, using integrated pest management along with companion plantings, you can avoid contributing to this problem. Also, invasive plant species have altered ecosystems throughout the United States. By using only native species you will help curb the influx of these invaders. Birds, insects, and small wildlife have all had their habitats reduced over the years. You can help sustain these creatures by creating mini-habitats for them. For aid in designing backyard habitats, contact ­the Backyard Wildlife Habitat program of the National Wildlife Federation. Click on the web site: http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/). 

 

 Cost Considerations/Where Money is Best Spent

 

There are certain areas where the developer should not try to cut corners. In other instances, some savings can occur.

 

1. Land Costs.  The biggest cost in creating any community green is the land itself. Since most developments provide for backyard space anyway, additional land may not be needed in order to create an aesthetically pleasing space. In fact, smaller private backyards could be allotted in return for larger shared space. In addition, in some instances – because of the topography of the land or the need to capture a certain amount of sunlight in relation to the height of the green’s surrounding buildings - it may make sense to design a larger or more complex community green that weaves throughout the community and abuts every home. Such a large green could become the most pleasing, and prominent, amenity of the development. 

 

2. Professionally designed space. Usually it will make sense to spend some funds on the design of the space. While landscaping may seem “common sense”, a professional landscape architect who understands the concept of community greens and is versant with native plants would be more likely to create a plan that reflects not only the anticipated needs of the residents but one that is beautiful and whose on-going maintenance will match resident’s resources. 

 

3. Proper site preparation. Care must be taken to make sure that the site is properly graded and has the right mix of soils to properly drain. In addition, certain utilities may be routed in such a way as to lessen their negative impact on the site and a source of water will need to be made available.

           

4. Landscaping. In the construction of most homes, sod is used to create instant lawns. In cases where time is available and costs are a consideration, grass seed could be sown. A mix of mature and younger trees should be planted to give a varied look to the space. Also, younger trees also allow for cost savings as well.  Some other items, such as benches or tables should be provided. Residents can always supplement on their own later.  When contracting out to landscaping firms, contracts should allow for free replacements of plants that die within the first one to two years.

 

Management Formats

 

            While some community greens have evolved over time and have been managed quite successfully on an ad-hoc basis, it would behoove the developer to have a formal management plan and management entity in place before selling homes in the development.

 

In a redeveloped blighted area, it may make sense to have a CDC or other non-profit entity that has had experience in managing gardens and groups of residents hold title to the green and/or manage it for the residents. In other instances, a land trust, homeowners’ association, or professional management company may be the best choice. In either case, certain basics must be included in each management plan, including the following:

 

1)      By-laws and elections of officers.

a.       The means by which the title holding entity will be run must be made clear.

b.      Election of officers must occur at agreed intervals and terms must run for a specified period of time.

 

2)      Usage of the green.

a.       Certain spaces may be devoted to adults, or children, or pets – these uses must be agreed upon.

b.      There may be restrictions on the hours of garden use.

c.       Residents who want to hold parties or special events in the garden may have to get approval from other residents, or “sign up” in advance for use of the space.

d.      The types of plantings also need to be agreed upon.

 

  3)      On-going costs

a.       A budget will need to be drawn up for on-going routine maintenance costs such as lawn cutting as well as fall and spring clean ups.

b.      A process must be in place if special one-time assessments are needed to be shared amongst the residents.

 

4) Voting and dispute resolution

a.       Meetings and votes for officers and other matters must be undertaken on a regular basis

b.      In the event that disputes arise, arbitration or mediation should be considered.