Paradise Unpaved
by Franke James
Credits:
Paradise Unpaved copyright 2008, Franke James, MFA
Photographs, illustrations and writing by Franke James, MFA except where noted.
Alice in Wonderland drawing by Franke James, was inspired by illustrator John Tenniel’s 1865 drawing, “She was now more than nine feet high!”
Franke James with shovel photo by Michael Stuparyk, Toronto Star, under license from Torstar
Seeding Photo of Franke James by Lucas Oleniuk, Toronto Star, under license from Torstar
Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell, excerpt of lyrics.
Many thanks to Joan Chadde, author of Understanding the Ecological Impacts of Changing Land Uses published in the Spring 2008 issue of Green Teacher, and her colleague Dr. Alex Mayer, a hydrologist in the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering & Sciences at Michigan Technological University, for their kind assistance with the stormwater calculations.
Articles and Media:
The Green Driveway Articles detail the building of our green driveway step-by-step, including the materials used.
Eco-friendly driveway is rejected by the city Paul Moloney, Toronto Star,
May 5, 2007 Interview by Melissa Grelo, CITY TV, May 6, 2007
Don’t Rip Up Your Driveway in North York, Lloyd Alter, Treehugger.com, May 8, 2007 Franke James wants a green driveway, city says no.
Martin Edic, Burnertrouble May, 2007 Resources: Stormwater Runoff: Understanding the Ecological Impacts of Changing Land Uses by Joan Chadde, Michigan Technological University, Green Teacher Magazine Issue Spring 2008
Toronto Homeowner’s Guide to Rainfall: Riversides 2008 report: Urban Runoff Excellent backgrounder on stormwater runoff and the economic cost of it to the city. Riversides 2008 Toronto Workshops – 5 Things You Can Do Reports referenced by Franke James to City Official
City of Toronto 2005:
Transportation Report on Wet Weather Flow City of Toronto 2005: Impacts of Front Yard Parking on Wet Weather Flow
305 Responses: 157 Comments and 148 Tweets
Twitter: 69 (Showing 148)
Posted \'Paradise Unpaved\', the story of our City Hall tussle for the right to build a Green driveway http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5774 days ago)
@nowsourcing That\'s drought tolerant grass on our green driveway. We unpaved and found our paradise. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5773 days ago)
This is just very, very cool blogging: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98. So refreshing. (about 5772 days ago)
@maxgladwell agree, not only blogging but the story is great example of social change Thx http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98. (about 5772 days ago)
@maxgladwell yes, very cool blogging -- a lot of work and heart went into that post. #retweating http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98. (about 5772 days ago)
paradise unpaved http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5758 days ago)
Paradise Unpaved http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5757 days ago)
Anyone into the environment (or success stories) go here... Lovely visual story: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5757 days ago)
Love this. Unpaving paradise: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5757 days ago)
Grassy driveway - http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5756 days ago)
Oh this is lovely... retweet @kevinoregan Grassy driveway - http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5756 days ago)
North-York\'s first green driveway. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98\n(Nice emotive website too) (about 5756 days ago)
@toddtyrtle Did you see her account of it? Fantastic! http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5754 days ago)
@frankejames I received your story about your garden from 2 friends.Love this synchronicities http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 thanks (about 5723 days ago)
Learning about \"green driveways\"...considering changing my concrete slab to pavers to \"curb\" runoff http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5717 days ago)
@EarthChick Did you see the yard makeover on @frankejames website? http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5689 days ago)
@patl Converting parking to garden. Like this? http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5569 days ago)
@EnviroLawNews Thnx for follow. I think you\'ll enjoy this true story of eco-win against old bylaws: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5477 days ago)
@savvychristine Thnx for tweet on green driveway: Paradise Unpaved. All documented 4 others to DIY. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5477 days ago)
@merejames I enjoyed Sydney garden article [http://bit.ly/Bleso] Thnx for tweet re: Green Driveway http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98! (about 5472 days ago)
@plzfollow Thnx! Check out the visual essay about the green driveway: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5469 days ago)
@waste_diverter Thnx! I spoke to teachers at TCDSB event yesterday about my book & Paradise Unpaved. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5440 days ago)
Paradise Unpaved http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5428 days ago)
this was one of the first illustrative essays i read http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (lovely lovely) (about 5381 days ago)
@RonaMaynard Thnx for the intro! Glad to give @helenspitzer tips on our green driveway: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5377 days ago)
Unpave your driveways, Suburbia!!: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5359 days ago)
Do this if you hard: http://bit.ly/betL4 North York homeowners rip up their driveway to put in a garden :) Good captions (about 5359 days ago)
Un-paving: turning a 4-car driveway into an urban garden. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5359 days ago)
@MayorSamAdams Great urban garden story out of Canada http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5359 days ago)
@jonesrich Thnx for tweets about Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/sZ3Gn Cool to see tweet to Mayor of Portland as it\'s home of Depave.org (about 5358 days ago)
Unpaved a parking lot and built paradise! Check out this great story! http://tinyurl.com/5jls72 (about 5358 days ago)
canadians are so much friggin cooler than us http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5358 days ago)
Thnx! Green driveways are cool! RT @grumplesiggy canadians are so much friggin cooler than us http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5357 days ago)
I love this green driveway story and how it\'s told http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (via @frankejames @grumplesiggy) (about 5357 days ago)
RT @DonnaPapacosta:love this green driveway story and how it\'s told http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (via @frankejames @grumplesiggy) (about 5357 days ago)
@ClimateEd Not surprised. Small link from DailyKos to my green driveway story resulted in giant spike. http://frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5316 days ago)
@craigtimes Just discovered "Paving Paradise." See how we Unpaved our Paradise & kept 10k gal of stormwater out of sewer http://bit.ly/QXEkW (about 5306 days ago)
@craigtimes Plan to read "Paving Paradise." See how we Unpaved our Paradise & kept 10k gal of stormwater out of sewer http://bit.ly/QXEkW (about 5305 days ago)
@Suleymani Thank you! The next one in the series is about us "fighting" for the right to build a green driveway: http://bit.ly/QXEkW (about 5305 days ago)
SELL the SUV! TEAR out the Driveway! PLANT! Plant! Plant! http://bit.ly/QXEkW i like your style of story-telling, too, @frankejames! #green (about 5302 days ago)
RT @gharman SELL the SUV! TEAR out the Driveway! PLANT! Plant! Plant! http://bit.ly/QXEkW @frankejames is too good to miss! (about 5302 days ago)
@kmurray230 Thnx for spotlight & RT: @gharman SELL the SUV! TEAR out the Driveway! http://bit.ly/QXEkW @frankejames is too good to miss! (about 5302 days ago)
Paradise Unpaved http://ow.ly/OqnV ~ via @frankejames (about 5239 days ago)
Check out Franke's driveway: she replaced it with a garden. http://tinyurl.com/5jls72 (about 5205 days ago)
RT @therealdirt: Check out Franke's driveway: she replaced it with a garden. http://tinyurl.com/5jls72 (about 5205 days ago)
RT @therealdirt: Check out Franke's driveway: she replaced it with a garden. http://tinyurl.com/5jls72 (about 5205 days ago)
A great presentation by Franke James today, love the art to spread the environmental message. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5187 days ago)
Thank you! Fun day! RT @rande22 Great presentation by Franke James today, love the art to spread environmental message http://bit.ly/cg6Hoh (about 5187 days ago)
Like wow! This is happy-making.@frankejames, you've made a beautiful presenation and inspiring true life story. http://bit.ly/8ZhLdC (about 5187 days ago)
@molfamily What's the ecoroof made of? Do you have a post about it? See Paradise Unpaved about our DIY green driveway http://bit.ly/cg6Hoh (about 5160 days ago)
Awesome story about how to un-pave your paradise! http://cot.ag/dnTlY2 (about 5156 days ago)
Paradise Unpaved: how one couple fought City Hall for the right to un-pave their driveway. http://su.pr/7O9Idd (about 5128 days ago)
Yes! @nan_fischer Excellent. Have you seen my Green Driveway visual story about changing City Hall rules? http://bit.ly/cg6Hoh (about 5119 days ago)
RT @frankejames @nan_fischer Have you seen my Green Driveway visual story about changing City Hall rules? http://bit.ly/cg6Hoh
Terrific! @DanielLGraham Did you see Paradise Unpaved? It's the visual essay of it + more fun than the articles http://bit.ly/unpaveparadise (about 5094 days ago)
One of the coolest green ideas (I never thought a driveway could be pretty!): http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 @frankejames (about 5094 days ago)
Thx! @LemonadebyLaura Our neighbors tell us we're "lucky" to have a green driveway! I agree. But it's by design http://bit.ly/unpaveparadise (about 5094 days ago)
RT @frankejames: Thx! @LemonadebyLaura Our neighbors tell us we're "lucky" to have a green driveway! I agree. But it's by design http://bit.ly/unpaveparadise (about 5094 days ago)
RT @frankejames: Thx! @LemonadebyLaura Our neighbors tell us we're "lucky" to have a green driveway! I agree. But it's by design http://bit.ly/unpaveparadise (about 5094 days ago)
RT @frankejames: Thx! @LemonadebyLaura Our neighbors tell us we're "lucky" to have a green driveway! I agree. But it's by design http://bit.ly/unpaveparadise (about 5094 days ago)
Paradise Unpaved: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5092 days ago)
@frankejames http://tinyurl.com/5jls72 http://tinyurl.com/2cq2drg Franke & Joni Mitchell r kindred spirits! ENJOY! (about 5034 days ago)
A post worth reading:\nhttp://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5023 days ago)
The illustrated story of a green driveway. They Un-paved Paradise. http://ow.ly/2l9wm via @frankejames (about 5014 days ago)
@GreeningDetroit Thank you! You may enjoy my story of us greening our driveway: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 5008 days ago)
How we tackled stormwater runoff at our home: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (Backgrounder on runoff: http://bit.ly/08runoff (about 4998 days ago)
RT @frankejames: How we tackled stormwater runoff at our home: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (Backgrounder on runoff: http://bit.ly/08runoff (about 4998 days ago)
RT @frankejames: How we tackled stormwater runoff at our home: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (Backgrounder on runoff: http://bit.ly/08runoff (about 4998 days ago)
"Paradise Unpaved"-fun story of one small step from @frankejames - http://j.mp/95Pk8l (about 4989 days ago)
RT @gosner: "Paradise Unpaved"-fun story of one small step from @frankejames - http://j.mp/95Pk8l (about 4989 days ago)
RT @gosner: "Paradise Unpaved"-fun story of one small step from @frankejames - http://j.mp/95Pk8l (about 4989 days ago)
Thnx @gosner + @peninasharon for tweets on "Paradise Unpaved". One decision (to be car-free) has had a big ripple effect http://j.mp/95Pk8l (about 4989 days ago)
Inspiring story from @frankejames "Paradise Unpaved". Deciding to be car-free and regreening the drive http://j.mp/95Pk8l (about 4989 days ago)
This is great! ->"Paradise Unpaved": http://j.mp/95Pk8l (about 4989 days ago)
Rid Yourself of the SUV and Enjoy Paradise Unpaved http://su.pr/1S5OXX (via @FrankeJames.com (about 4970 days ago)
@ReginaTexas Thnx for tweet about Paradise Unpaved! http://su.pr/1S5OXX (about 4970 days ago)
The story of unpaving paradise and creating a green driveway http://ow.ly/2TE5Q ^BiL (about 4943 days ago)
RT @pugetpeople: The story of unpaving paradise and creating a green driveway http://ow.ly/2TE5Q ^BiL (about 4943 days ago)
.@beckrule & @thereisawayjose Follow @Depave from Portland, Ore:\n http://depave.org/ Also, my unpaving story: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 4941 days ago)
.@phoenixkev Yep! It reduces the Heat Island effect as well as Stormwater runoff. My #Toronto unpaving story: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 4941 days ago)
RT @frankejames: .@phoenixkev Yep! It reduces the Heat Island effect as well as Stormwater runoff. My #Toronto unpaving story: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 4941 days ago)
@WayneNH Thnx! BTW, our green driveway was made in New Hampshire by Permaturf. See my story: Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 4932 days ago)
The story of paving a driveway green in Toronto. (grocery banner is odd though) Great idea for the house http://tinyurl.com/5jls72 (about 4923 days ago)
Astounding transformation! http://fb.me/AzeBgces (about 4916 days ago)
Thnx @LisaBorden Here's my Paradise Unpaved true story: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved @sophiahorwitz @arzeena (about 4847 days ago)
Fun story about a North York couple that changed their driveway into something more natural: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 4841 days ago)
@YoungUrbnFarmer You're welcome. See my green driveway story... http://www.bit.ly/paradiseunpaved #toronto (about 4798 days ago)
RT @frankejames: What an inspiring story! => See my green driveway story... http://www.bit.ly/paradiseunpaved #toronto (about 4798 days ago)
RT @YoungUrbnFarmer: RT @frankejames: What an inspiring story! => See my green driveway story... http://www.bit.ly/paradiseunpaved #t ... (about 4798 days ago)
What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW (about 4798 days ago)
What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW #toronto (about 4798 days ago)
Inspiring! RT @greenbeltca: What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW #toronto (about 4798 days ago)
RT @greenbeltca: What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW #toronto (about 4798 days ago)
Interesting : ) RT @greenbeltca: What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW #Toronto (about 4798 days ago)
RT @greenbeltca: What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW #toronto (about 4797 days ago)
Great visual essay on one family\'s challenge in going green at home : Paradise Unpaved http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 4777 days ago)
@NWETC Thnx! See my story about the tussle to build our permeable green driveway: Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 4761 days ago)
@NWETC Thnx! See my story on the tussle to build our #permeablegreendriveway: Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved RT @frankejames (about 4760 days ago)
Thank you to @frankejames for sharing her stormwater story: http://bit.ly/QXEkW Very inspiring! (about 4760 days ago)
@practicallygreen Freecycle is gr8t! We gave away our driveway on it & built green driveway! http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved #practicallygreen (about 4727 days ago)
@practicallygreen Freecycle is gr8t! We gave away our driveway on it & built green driveway! http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved #practicallygreen (about 4727 days ago)
This is so cool! RT @frankejames: Freecycle is gr8t! We gave away our driveway on it & built green driveway! http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 4727 days ago)
@PEIwashington See my #stormwater story: Paradise Unpaved http://www.bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 4721 days ago)
This is great! RT @frankejames: @PEIwashington See my #stormwater story: Paradise Unpaved http://t.co/86vMAdL (about 4720 days ago)
TY! Permeability is Cool! mt: @PEIwashington This is great! RT @frankejames See my #stormwater story: Paradise Unpaved http://t.co/86vMAdL (about 4720 days ago)
I LOVE this! Paradise Unpaved @frankejames is my new hero. http://t.co/Ju1bCvr (about 4658 days ago)
Permaturf is the way to go for a green driveway! via @frankejames http://bit.ly/oieVzO (about 4655 days ago)
Franke James Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/oPx5kp / interesting story of artist who replaced paved driveway w/ green garden. (about 4653 days ago)
@frankejames sold her SUV,removed pavement,planted 10 trees & created 1st eco-friendly driveway in North York.#Toronto\nhttp://t.co/3ZwKpRo (about 4650 days ago)
Great story of unpaving in TO. http://t.co/TVzSRzZ (about 4620 days ago)
@laurelrusswurm Thanks! I appreciate that. It's challenging. Here's my fighting City Hall story (glad it was Miller): http://t.co/4diRXFh8 (about 4553 days ago)
Is this the flip side of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" ? *or* is it @frankejames fights city hall : http://t.co/ifQGdq1U (about 4553 days ago)
TY for help with Paradise Unpaved: http://t.co/4diRXFh8 RT @iamdavidmiller Check out @frankejames re: climate change - http://t.co/HUluwUhl (about 4553 days ago)
Maybe we've learned from you @frankejames ? http://t.co/ogmoD3l9 Do u think they were inspired by http://t.co/DVfFj2Fr Paradise Unpaved? (about 4473 days ago)
TheStar @KarenStintz reveals her master plan: http://t.co/hifnJci0 (Congrats! Thnx for your help as my councillor on http://t.co/4diRXFh8 ) (about 4458 days ago)
Fm @frankejames Paradise unpaved http://t.co/gxXdLRKB Great story! (about 4458 days ago)
TYVM! Nice to see you. It's a Winter Wonderland in TO. RT @thehrgoddess Fm @frankejames Paradise unpaved http://t.co/4hBQ66Rn Great story! (about 4458 days ago)
http://t.co/bHabqmD6 http://t.co/8hi8AVn8 (about 4364 days ago)
TY @RAINProgram My 'Paradise Unpaved' story shows the hurdles we overcame to get our #green #driveway: http://t.co/4diNq57Y #slowrain (about 4259 days ago)
TY @RAINProgram My 'Paradise Unpaved' story shows the hurdles we overcame to get our #green #driveway: http://t.co/4diNq57Y #slowrain (about 4257 days ago)
Paradise Unpaved - eco-friendly driveway! http://t.co/V1eC6GUj (about 4256 days ago)
@HelioCurrent Thnx! See Paradise Unpaved. http://t.co/4diNq57Y (about 4228 days ago)
@HelioCurrent Thnx! See Paradise Unpaved. http://t.co/4diNq57Y (about 4228 days ago)
Franke James Paradise Unpaved http://t.co/C8dkqqUQ (about 4204 days ago)
@RorRedRor: Franke James Paradise Unpaved http://t.co/QtEHQHCm (about 4204 days ago)
Awesome! Paradise Unpaved - http://t.co/znSgturL (about 4197 days ago)
can you unpave your paradise? http://t.co/9ETLNla9 (about 4138 days ago)
http://t.co/K0cA2WVX (about 4108 days ago)
@phdinparenting @blackgirlinmain Thnx! Here\'s my story of ripping up our interlock driveway http://t.co/heR15sXrPR @Cubits @artofdoingstuff (about 4028 days ago)
Great front yard garden story! RT: @frankejames32m\n\"Here\'s my story of ripping up our interlock driveway http://t.co/XWu3cAvF3g \" (about 4028 days ago)
Really cool urban front yard transformation --> http://t.co/x10EREaiiQ (about 4028 days ago)
How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/dIOv6IHCmr @frankejames @DavidSuzukiFDN (about 3940 days ago)
TY! MT @faisal_moola How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/3SvLY0nYlW @DavidSuzukiFDN (about 3940 days ago)
RT @faisal_moola: How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/dIOv6IHCmr @frankejames @Dav… (about 3940 days ago)
RT @faisal_moola: How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/dIOv6IHCmr @frankejames @Dav… (about 3940 days ago)
RT @faisal_moola: How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/dIOv6IHCmr @frankejames @Dav… (about 3940 days ago)
@JulieCayley THX for kind words. Want to read something inspirational on greening the city check out http://t.co/dIOv6IHCmr by @frankejames (about 3940 days ago)
must #follow @frankejames: How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/w3qWMKdFJK (about 3940 days ago)
The story of Toronto\'s 1st green driveway - an interesting true story. http://t.co/b2QoQRQfHT (about 3915 days ago)
The story of Toronto\'s 1st green driveway - an interesting true story. http://t.co/up8c5osfrc (about 3915 days ago)
RT @AGardenersWorld: The story of Toronto\'s 1st green driveway - an interesting true story. http://t.co/up8c5osfrc (about 3915 days ago)
Paradise Unpaved - http://t.co/TsDqk6VS2T (about 3915 days ago)
RT @AGardenersWorld: The story of Toronto\'s 1st green driveway - an interesting true story. http://t.co/up8c5osfrc (about 3915 days ago)
RT @AGardenersWorld: The story of Toronto\'s 1st green driveway - an interesting true story. http://t.co/up8c5osfrc (about 3915 days ago)
@JaredLeeCAN Outstanding! That\'s a yes. You have some great company too - have you seen this? http://t.co/Y3aaXa7GFi (about 3907 days ago)
Reducing Urban Heat Island effect in Toronto a matter of social justice: http://t.co/sALDBlGYc3 Depave TO http://t.co/OLduVPYHt9 (about 3904 days ago)
RT @frankejames: Reducing Urban Heat Island effect in Toronto a matter of social justice: http://t.co/sALDBlGYc3 Depave TO http://t.co/OLdu… (about 3903 days ago)
Fri aft fun (& inspiration): The true story of T.O.s first green driveway by Franke James.http://t.co/hVHhNZoVSY (about 3899 days ago)