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)
- Franke James @frankejames
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 5994 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@nowsourcing That\'s drought tolerant grass on our green driveway. We unpaved and found our paradise. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5993 days ago) - Max Gladwell @maxgladwell
This is just very, very cool blogging: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98. So refreshing. (about 5992 days ago) - LaDonna Coy @coyenator
@maxgladwell agree, not only blogging but the story is great example of social change Thx http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98. (about 5992 days ago) - Rowan Hardin Price @roprice
@maxgladwell yes, very cool blogging -- a lot of work and heart went into that post. #retweating http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98. (about 5992 days ago) - Jeff Atwood @codinghorror
paradise unpaved http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5978 days ago) - Charles @leroncier
Paradise Unpaved http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5977 days ago) - FromTheWaist @fromthewaist
Anyone into the environment (or success stories) go here... Lovely visual story: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5977 days ago) - Beyond magazine @Beyondmagazine
Love this. Unpaving paradise: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5977 days ago) - Kevin O'Regan @kevinoregan
Grassy driveway - http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5976 days ago) - Sinéad Cochrane @sineadcochrane
Oh this is lovely... retweet @kevinoregan Grassy driveway - http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5976 days ago) - Christopher J Bush @suthen
North-York\'s first green driveway. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98\n(Nice emotive website too) (about 5975 days ago) - Katherine Matthews @kaymatthews
@toddtyrtle Did you see her account of it? Fantastic! http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5974 days ago) - Ferananda Ibarra @fer_ananda
@frankejames I received your story about your garden from 2 friends.Love this synchronicities http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 thanks (about 5943 days ago) - Jan @FlaGal220
Learning about \"green driveways\"...considering changing my concrete slab to pavers to \"curb\" runoff http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5937 days ago) - Jan @FlaGal220
@EarthChick Did you see the yard makeover on @frankejames website? http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5909 days ago) - hedgesociety @hedgesociety
@patl Converting parking to garden. Like this? http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5788 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@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 5697 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@savvychristine Thnx for tweet on green driveway: Paradise Unpaved. All documented 4 others to DIY. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5697 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@merejames I enjoyed Sydney garden article [http://bit.ly/Bleso] Thnx for tweet re: Green Driveway http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98! (about 5692 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@plzfollow Thnx! Check out the visual essay about the green driveway: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5689 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@waste_diverter Thnx! I spoke to teachers at TCDSB event yesterday about my book & Paradise Unpaved. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5660 days ago) - giclee art prints @giclee
Paradise Unpaved http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5648 days ago) - Ranjani Raghavan @1eagles
this was one of the first illustrative essays i read http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (lovely lovely) (about 5601 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@RonaMaynard Thnx for the intro! Glad to give @helenspitzer tips on our green driveway: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5597 days ago) - scornado @scornado
Unpave your driveways, Suburbia!!: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5579 days ago) - make ready @canopticon
Do this if you hard: http://bit.ly/betL4 North York homeowners rip up their driveway to put in a garden :) Good captions (about 5579 days ago) - Rich Jone-s @jonesrich
Un-paving: turning a 4-car driveway into an urban garden. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5579 days ago) - Rich Jone-s @jonesrich
@MayorSamAdams Great urban garden story out of Canada http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5579 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@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 5578 days ago) - John A Eisele @johnaeisele
Unpaved a parking lot and built paradise! Check out this great story! http://tinyurl.com/5jls72 (about 5578 days ago) - siggy @grumplesiggy
canadians are so much friggin cooler than us http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5578 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
Thnx! Green driveways are cool! RT @grumplesiggy canadians are so much friggin cooler than us http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5577 days ago) - Donna Papacosta @donnapapacosta
I love this green driveway story and how it\'s told http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (via @frankejames @grumplesiggy) (about 5577 days ago) - MichelleGillies @michellegillies
RT @DonnaPapacosta:love this green driveway story and how it\'s told http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (via @frankejames @grumplesiggy) (about 5577 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@ClimateEd Not surprised. Small link from DailyKos to my green driveway story resulted in giant spike. http://frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5536 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@craigtimes Just discovered "Paving Paradise." See how we Unpaved our Paradise & kept 10k gal of stormwater out of sewer http://bit.ly/QXEkW (about 5526 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@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 5525 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@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 5524 days ago) - greg harman @gharman
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 5522 days ago) - Kathy Murray @kmurray230
RT @gharman SELL the SUV! TEAR out the Driveway! PLANT! Plant! Plant! http://bit.ly/QXEkW @frankejames is too good to miss! (about 5522 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@kmurray230 Thnx for spotlight & RT: @gharman SELL the SUV! TEAR out the Driveway! http://bit.ly/QXEkW @frankejames is too good to miss! (about 5522 days ago) - Karen E McKelvey @mygreenbean
Paradise Unpaved http://ow.ly/OqnV ~ via @frankejames (about 5459 days ago) - MetroMasterGardeners @therealdirt
Check out Franke's driveway: she replaced it with a garden. http://tinyurl.com/5jls72 (about 5425 days ago) - Good Causes Portland @goodinpdx
RT @therealdirt: Check out Franke's driveway: she replaced it with a garden. http://tinyurl.com/5jls72 (about 5425 days ago) - Montavilla Market @montavillamkt
RT @therealdirt: Check out Franke's driveway: she replaced it with a garden. http://tinyurl.com/5jls72 (about 5425 days ago) - Tricia Rande @rande22
A great presentation by Franke James today, love the art to spread the environmental message. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5407 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
Thank you! Fun day! RT @rande22 Great presentation by Franke James today, love the art to spread environmental message http://bit.ly/cg6Hoh (about 5407 days ago) - Haydee @macdade
Like wow! This is happy-making.@frankejames, you've made a beautiful presenation and inspiring true life story. http://bit.ly/8ZhLdC (about 5407 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@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 5380 days ago) - SELP @selpgreenstates
Awesome story about how to un-pave your paradise! http://cot.ag/dnTlY2 (about 5376 days ago) - Sonoma Outfitters @sonomaoutfitter
Paradise Unpaved: how one couple fought City Hall for the right to un-pave their driveway. http://su.pr/7O9Idd (about 5348 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
Yes! @nan_fischer Excellent. Have you seen my Green Driveway visual story about changing City Hall rules? http://bit.ly/cg6Hoh (about 5339 days ago) - nan fischer @nan_fischer
RT @frankejames @nan_fischer Have you seen my Green Driveway visual story about changing City Hall rules? http://bit.ly/cg6Hoh(about 5339 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
Terrific! @DanielLGraham Did you see Paradise Unpaved? It's the visual essay of it + more fun than the articles http://bit.ly/unpaveparadise (about 5314 days ago) - Laura Lamond @lemonadebylaura
One of the coolest green ideas (I never thought a driveway could be pretty!): http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 @frankejames (about 5314 days ago) - Franke James @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 5314 days ago) - Doug Symington @dougsymington
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 5314 days ago) - Bonnie Stewart @cribchronicles
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 5314 days ago) - Louise @jeezlouise
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 5314 days ago) - Peter Rukavina @ruk
Paradise Unpaved: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5312 days ago) - Stacy Clark @stacy__clark
@frankejames http://tinyurl.com/5jls72 http://tinyurl.com/2cq2drg Franke & Joni Mitchell r kindred spirits! ENJOY! (about 5254 days ago) - Richard W. Woodley @the5thcolumnist
A post worth reading:\nhttp://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5243 days ago) - Sarah Battersby @fiestagardens
The illustrated story of a green driveway. They Un-paved Paradise. http://ow.ly/2l9wm via @frankejames (about 5234 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@GreeningDetroit Thank you! You may enjoy my story of us greening our driveway: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 5228 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
How we tackled stormwater runoff at our home: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (Backgrounder on runoff: http://bit.ly/08runoff (about 5218 days ago) - Run on Sun @runonsun
RT @frankejames: How we tackled stormwater runoff at our home: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (Backgrounder on runoff: http://bit.ly/08runoff (about 5218 days ago) - Helen Yoest @helenyoest
RT @frankejames: How we tackled stormwater runoff at our home: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (Backgrounder on runoff: http://bit.ly/08runoff (about 5218 days ago) - George Osner, AICP @gosner
"Paradise Unpaved"-fun story of one small step from @frankejames - http://j.mp/95Pk8l (about 5209 days ago) - Randy Richmond @randyrichmond
RT @gosner: "Paradise Unpaved"-fun story of one small step from @frankejames - http://j.mp/95Pk8l (about 5209 days ago) - Penina S. Finger @peninasharon
RT @gosner: "Paradise Unpaved"-fun story of one small step from @frankejames - http://j.mp/95Pk8l (about 5209 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
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 5209 days ago) - Juliet Wilson @craftygreenpoet
Inspiring story from @frankejames "Paradise Unpaved". Deciding to be car-free and regreening the drive http://j.mp/95Pk8l (about 5209 days ago) - Ada Bell @noeticspark
This is great! ->"Paradise Unpaved": http://j.mp/95Pk8l (about 5209 days ago) - Regina Rodriguez @reginatexas
Rid Yourself of the SUV and Enjoy Paradise Unpaved http://su.pr/1S5OXX (via @FrankeJames.com (about 5190 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@ReginaTexas Thnx for tweet about Paradise Unpaved! http://su.pr/1S5OXX (about 5190 days ago) - PeopleForPugetSound @pugetpeople
The story of unpaving paradise and creating a green driveway http://ow.ly/2TE5Q ^BiL (about 5163 days ago) - Julie Webster @jlwmid
RT @pugetpeople: The story of unpaving paradise and creating a green driveway http://ow.ly/2TE5Q ^BiL (about 5163 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
.@beckrule & @thereisawayjose Follow @Depave from Portland, Ore:\n http://depave.org/ Also, my unpaving story: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 5161 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
.@phoenixkev Yep! It reduces the Heat Island effect as well as Stormwater runoff. My #Toronto unpaving story: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 5161 days ago) - Joseph Henry Steig @jsteig
RT @frankejames: .@phoenixkev Yep! It reduces the Heat Island effect as well as Stormwater runoff. My #Toronto unpaving story: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 5161 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@WayneNH Thnx! BTW, our green driveway was made in New Hampshire by Permaturf. See my story: Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 5152 days ago) - CB @djbally
The story of paving a driveway green in Toronto. (grocery banner is odd though) Great idea for the house http://tinyurl.com/5jls72 (about 5143 days ago) - Depave @depave
Astounding transformation! http://fb.me/AzeBgces (about 5136 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
Thnx @LisaBorden Here's my Paradise Unpaved true story: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved @sophiahorwitz @arzeena (about 5067 days ago) - Green Venture @green_venture
Fun story about a North York couple that changed their driveway into something more natural: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 5061 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@YoungUrbnFarmer You're welcome. See my green driveway story... http://www.bit.ly/paradiseunpaved #toronto (about 5018 days ago) - Young Urban Farmers @youngurbnfarmer
RT @frankejames: What an inspiring story! => See my green driveway story... http://www.bit.ly/paradiseunpaved #toronto (about 5018 days ago) - Sherry @growiteatit
RT @YoungUrbnFarmer: RT @frankejames: What an inspiring story! => See my green driveway story... http://www.bit.ly/paradiseunpaved #t ... (about 5018 days ago) - Melissa Fudor @melissafudor
What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW (about 5018 days ago) - Greenbelt Foundation @greenbeltca
What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW #toronto (about 5018 days ago) - Charmian Christie @charmian_c
Inspiring! RT @greenbeltca: What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW #toronto (about 5018 days ago) - MegO! @meglikesbikes
RT @greenbeltca: What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW #toronto (about 5018 days ago) - Sue Holland @suesthegrl
Interesting : ) RT @greenbeltca: What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW #Toronto (about 5018 days ago) - Janice Carson @jrussellcarson
RT @greenbeltca: What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW #toronto (about 5017 days ago) - Christopher Bozek @chrisbozek
Great visual essay on one family\'s challenge in going green at home : Paradise Unpaved http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (about 4997 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@NWETC Thnx! See my story about the tussle to build our permeable green driveway: Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 4980 days ago) - Blue Water Baltimore @bluewaterbmore
@NWETC Thnx! See my story on the tussle to build our #permeablegreendriveway: Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved RT @frankejames (about 4980 days ago) - NW Env. Training Ctr @nwetc
Thank you to @frankejames for sharing her stormwater story: http://bit.ly/QXEkW Very inspiring! (about 4980 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@practicallygreen Freecycle is gr8t! We gave away our driveway on it & built green driveway! http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved #practicallygreen (about 4947 days ago) - DSConstruction Tahoe @tahoecontractor
@practicallygreen Freecycle is gr8t! We gave away our driveway on it & built green driveway! http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved #practicallygreen (about 4947 days ago) - Jeri Dansky @jeridansky
This is so cool! RT @frankejames: Freecycle is gr8t! We gave away our driveway on it & built green driveway! http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 4947 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@PEIwashington See my #stormwater story: Paradise Unpaved http://www.bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (about 4941 days ago) - Pacific Ed Institute @peiwashington
This is great! RT @frankejames: @PEIwashington See my #stormwater story: Paradise Unpaved http://t.co/86vMAdL (about 4940 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
TY! Permeability is Cool! mt: @PEIwashington This is great! RT @frankejames See my #stormwater story: Paradise Unpaved http://t.co/86vMAdL (about 4940 days ago) - Karen Pearson @kshelbypearson
I LOVE this! Paradise Unpaved @frankejames is my new hero. http://t.co/Ju1bCvr (about 4878 days ago) - Andrew | Redtype @redtype
Permaturf is the way to go for a green driveway! via @frankejames http://bit.ly/oieVzO (about 4875 days ago) - R Lackie @rjlackie
Franke James Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/oPx5kp / interesting story of artist who replaced paved driveway w/ green garden. (about 4873 days ago) - DavidSpencer.ca @davidspencer
@frankejames sold her SUV,removed pavement,planted 10 trees & created 1st eco-friendly driveway in North York.#Toronto\nhttp://t.co/3ZwKpRo (about 4870 days ago) - Jean Snow @lakecityfarm
Great story of unpaving in TO. http://t.co/TVzSRzZ (about 4840 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@laurelrusswurm Thanks! I appreciate that. It's challenging. Here's my fighting City Hall story (glad it was Miller): http://t.co/4diRXFh8 (about 4773 days ago) - Laurel L. Russwurm @laurelrusswurm
Is this the flip side of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" ? *or* is it @frankejames fights city hall : http://t.co/ifQGdq1U (about 4773 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
TY for help with Paradise Unpaved: http://t.co/4diRXFh8 RT @iamdavidmiller Check out @frankejames re: climate change - http://t.co/HUluwUhl (about 4773 days ago) - LaDonna Coy @coyenator
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 4693 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
TheStar @KarenStintz reveals her master plan: http://t.co/hifnJci0 (Congrats! Thnx for your help as my councillor on http://t.co/4diRXFh8 ) (about 4678 days ago) - Jane Perdue @thehrgoddess
Fm @frankejames Paradise unpaved http://t.co/gxXdLRKB Great story! (about 4678 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
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 4678 days ago) - MUM SL Dept. @sustliving
http://t.co/bHabqmD6 http://t.co/8hi8AVn8 (about 4584 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
TY @RAINProgram My 'Paradise Unpaved' story shows the hurdles we overcame to get our #green #driveway: http://t.co/4diNq57Y #slowrain (about 4479 days ago) - Slow RAIN @rainprogram
TY @RAINProgram My 'Paradise Unpaved' story shows the hurdles we overcame to get our #green #driveway: http://t.co/4diNq57Y #slowrain (about 4477 days ago) - Paul Bies @paulbies
Paradise Unpaved - eco-friendly driveway! http://t.co/V1eC6GUj (about 4476 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@HelioCurrent Thnx! See Paradise Unpaved. http://t.co/4diNq57Y (about 4448 days ago) - Kyle Sager @heliocurrent
@HelioCurrent Thnx! See Paradise Unpaved. http://t.co/4diNq57Y (about 4448 days ago) - K.R. O'Connell @rorredror
Franke James Paradise Unpaved http://t.co/C8dkqqUQ (about 4423 days ago) - John Hosier @colonialdude
@RorRedRor: Franke James Paradise Unpaved http://t.co/QtEHQHCm (about 4423 days ago) - ManageEnergy @projectblusky
Awesome! Paradise Unpaved - http://t.co/znSgturL (about 4417 days ago) - Jenny @jenandrews3
can you unpave your paradise? http://t.co/9ETLNla9 (about 4358 days ago) - Sandy Cho @phantomkid18
http://t.co/K0cA2WVX (about 4328 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
@phdinparenting @blackgirlinmain Thnx! Here\'s my story of ripping up our interlock driveway http://t.co/heR15sXrPR @Cubits @artofdoingstuff (about 4248 days ago) - Karen Bertelsen @artofdoingstuff
Great front yard garden story! RT: @frankejames32m\n\"Here\'s my story of ripping up our interlock driveway http://t.co/XWu3cAvF3g \" (about 4248 days ago) - Ashley @firsthomedreams
Really cool urban front yard transformation --> http://t.co/x10EREaiiQ (about 4248 days ago) - faisal moola @faisal_moola
How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/dIOv6IHCmr @frankejames @DavidSuzukiFDN (about 4160 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
TY! MT @faisal_moola How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/3SvLY0nYlW @DavidSuzukiFDN (about 4160 days ago) - dllmeredith @dlrmeredith
RT @faisal_moola: How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/dIOv6IHCmr @frankejames @Dav… (about 4160 days ago) - Helena Beca @helenabeca
RT @faisal_moola: How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/dIOv6IHCmr @frankejames @Dav… (about 4160 days ago) - Jessica P. @green_jessp
RT @faisal_moola: How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/dIOv6IHCmr @frankejames @Dav… (about 4160 days ago) - faisal moola @faisal_moola
@JulieCayley THX for kind words. Want to read something inspirational on greening the city check out http://t.co/dIOv6IHCmr by @frankejames (about 4160 days ago) - Karen E McKelvey @mygreenbean
must #follow @frankejames: How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/w3qWMKdFJK (about 4160 days ago) - Whistling Gardens @whistlingg
The story of Toronto\'s 1st green driveway - an interesting true story. http://t.co/b2QoQRQfHT (about 4135 days ago) - Veronica Sliva @agardenersworld
The story of Toronto\'s 1st green driveway - an interesting true story. http://t.co/up8c5osfrc (about 4135 days ago) - Canadian Gardening @cdngardening
RT @AGardenersWorld: The story of Toronto\'s 1st green driveway - an interesting true story. http://t.co/up8c5osfrc (about 4135 days ago) - Rich Auger @augerrhythms
Paradise Unpaved - http://t.co/TsDqk6VS2T (about 4135 days ago) - dave lacombe @lacombebuddy
RT @AGardenersWorld: The story of Toronto\'s 1st green driveway - an interesting true story. http://t.co/up8c5osfrc (about 4135 days ago) - Sunglo Greenhouses @sunglogreenhous
RT @AGardenersWorld: The story of Toronto\'s 1st green driveway - an interesting true story. http://t.co/up8c5osfrc (about 4135 days ago) - Talisman Belgraves @belgraves
@JaredLeeCAN Outstanding! That\'s a yes. You have some great company too - have you seen this? http://t.co/Y3aaXa7GFi (about 4127 days ago) - Franke James @frankejames
Reducing Urban Heat Island effect in Toronto a matter of social justice: http://t.co/sALDBlGYc3 Depave TO http://t.co/OLduVPYHt9 (about 4124 days ago) - Jessica P. @green_jessp
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 4123 days ago) - Victoria BC Gardens @vicbcgardens
Fri aft fun (& inspiration): The true story of T.O.s first green driveway by Franke James.http://t.co/hVHhNZoVSY (about 4119 days ago)
Just found your blog and am so glad I did! It’s fabulous and inspirational! Thank you!
[…] lusting over a home of my own. It fills my dreams, it calls to me, it keeps my budget in line. And the hippie eco nerd in me REALLY wants to do something like a green driveway. On the other hand, the motorcyclist and car nerd in me wants to live out in the country and to […]
We’re hoping more people will do this! We also hope people will start yardsharing to grow food closer to home – so we’ve built hyperlocavore.com – a yardsharing community.
Just about finished building our strawbale house. Last summer we put in the vegetable garden. This year we are putting in a permaturf driveway. Found your site to be very informative. Thanks. We are hoping to open one of Canada’s first stawbale bale bed and breakfasts on June 1st, 2009. So if you are ever in Nelson, B.C. drop by and have a look.
such a great way to go green. lots of work, but considering the heat in the summer there, well worth it. guess what vancouver’s latest green initiative is? allowing people to raise chickens in their backyards in the city!
You are amazing! Thank you for your persistence in the face of stubborn bureaucracy. Have you heard about the effort by Tree Nation to plant 8 million trees in the Sahara Desert in the shape of a giant heart astronauts can see from space? http://www.greenwala.com/Whole_Lotta_Trees
The other important thing, Franke, is that you chose not to treat City Hall as The Enemy. The wars are begun in the conflicts we entertain within ourselves and play out trivially in our environs and locales… I’m so impressed and energized by your way of going about things! Maybe I can become just a bit more like you as me! More positive, creative about how to arrive at the goal. Just a hoot!
[…] Paradise Unpaved Now that is a lovely driveway. […]
I’m not sure I understand the permaturf. The grass grows through this? It looks wonderful. We are in the process of landscaping and I am interested in this. Good job!
Mia,
Yes the grass grows through it. See these two posts for more information on the PermaTurf material we used:
Green Driveway: Playing with Perception and Reality
http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=55
Excerpt:
The technology behind our ‘driveway-free’ illusion is PermaTURF. By using this product, our driveway can look just like a green lawn, but actually be load-bearing. This allows vehicles to drive on it without causing ruts or damage to the grass.
Each plastic paver measures 13″ x 13″, with a depth of 1 1/2 inches. The main concept to understand is that grass seed and soil goes inside each honeycomb cell. (You can place other materials in the cells such as ground cover, or even gravel and pea stones.) The opening on the bottom allows for grass root penetration and development. Once the grass has taken root and grown, the surface appearance is that of any lawn. In addition to driveways, it’s been used for parking areas, access roads, fire lanes and scores of other novel applications.
How to Build a Green Driveway in a Long Weekend
http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=56
Excerpt:
Step 6: Fill panels with 30% sand and 70% loam
But the pretty green PermaTURF isn’t intended to stay visible. So in Step 6, we filled the panels with a mixture of 30% sand and 70% loam (see below). With that mix of sand and loam on top you’d never know the panels were under there.
[in progress photos] The final step in creating the green driveway, is to fill the panels with grass seed. Using sod would create an instant green driveway — and I considered it. But it’s not recommended for our cold winters because the roots don’t go down as far as with grass grown from seed. However the irony is that our summer weather is so hot (forecast today is 91F/ 32C), that it’s recommended that we wait for cooler weather to plant the grass seed.
———
Let me know if you build a green driveway. We are very happy with our decision to use PermaTurf, (quality, availability, customer service) but there are other products that are similar to it. Good luck!
Franke
[…] Starting Somewhere 2009 May 21 tags: Franke James, toronto by chapman Paradise Unpaved […]
Thanks for being such an inspiration, and for being so awesome, Franke.
All we have to do is show what can be done, and people will learn from each other.
There is hope. There really is.
I love the reference to the Joni Mitchell song, I always loved that one .. You should see if she wants to come and make your “paradise earth” at the next anniversary?? http://rapidbeetle.com
[…] GREEN YOUR DRIVEWAY “Philadelphia has 80,963 driveways, totalling 84,500,000 sq ft, or 1,939 acres. Of these, 76,895 are residential, totalling 72,000,000 sq ft, or 1,652 acres (2% of city total).” They pour about 2 billion gallons of rainwater into storm sewers yearly. About half of that can carry raw sewage into our rivers. [thanks to Eric.Werfel at PWD] —There are already several pervious asphalt drives in Philly, such as Vanni subdivision (1125 Southampton Rd) and between 40th, Union, Fairmount, Aspen. And there are many more paved with staggered blocks, gravelled or grass-covered. See also: eco-friendly-green-driveways; http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 […]
[…] “right.” Like what? Well, we sold our only car, an SUV, in February 2007. We built a green driveway despite facing objections from the City. I can feel good about those […]
This is a beautiful story. I love what you have done and would love to do the same when I get out of my condo into a house with a driveway.
More power to you and hope you continue to inspire all who see your beautiful green garden or read your story.
That’s really informative and inspirational — thanks!
If I still had a home in the city, I’d do the same thing :)
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!!!! Made my day.
Sweet!
Nice Job :-)
Chris
Bend Oregon
Hooray. What a great story. I’m sharing it with everyone, and will get to work on my own green driveway.
I just mowed my driveway for the first time.
We had a big surface water problem, and I kept returning to the idea of unpaving the asphalt expanse in our backyard, rather than adding more and more pavement. After our latest basement flood, I decided enough was enough, and we replaced the old bitmeous drive with GrassPav2. So far we have a dry basement, and a beautiful new backyard. The story and pictures are here: http://coonifer.blogspot.com/2009/08/completion.html
Many thanks for the inspiration!
Cate,
Yeah!! CONGRATULATIONS! How exciting to read about the building of your green driveway.
http://coonifer.blogspot.com/2009/08/completion.html
I’m thrilled that we played a part in inspiring you!
Our green driveway has helped with our water issues too. We waterproofed around our house, put in a bigger sump pump, “naughty french” drains ;-) and even new drains to the “stack” (a term I didn’t know until we needed to put the drain to it). Like yours, it’s been quite an adventure!
Thanks so much for sharing your tremendous story. What’s next?
Franke
This is awesome, and most inspiring!
I’ve been interested in rain water reclamation for years. Using this method over a pan that drains into a cistern is just what I’ve been looking for.
I can see using it as a driveway, patio, even in low-lying areas where water runoff naturally collects, then re-using the water for things where municipal water would normally be used.
Thank you so much for posting this!
Patric in SoCal, USA
[…] Michigan Tech Center for Water and Society, who helped Franke calculate the stormwater runoff for Paradise Unpaved, was interviewed for the article. Dr. Mayer comments, “I’d never seen anything like these […]
Very cool way to communicate ideas!
[…] would label as children’s book for grownups. Pictures are always a bonus! Check out Paradise Unpaved for a good example of her […]
[…] James stands on the green driveway, which is a fully functional driveway which can support the weight of cars and […]
Accidentally I dropped into your world. Thank-you for making my day knowing that there really are people that care about…. a lot :O) I wish you enough ! Tom e
Hello,
I came across your website a couple of years back, and really liked your idea of putting down a green driveway. I’ve recently purchased my own house in East York, and I’m hoping to do something similar. We have a mutual driveway shared with our neighbour, and it expands in our backyard into 2 parking spots — but we have no car! I can’t do much about the shared driveway, but I want to replace those paved parking spots with green parking spots — essentially, grass that my visitors can park on. In the past week, I’ve started contacting landscape contractors with experience putting down PermaTurf and similar products.
The one part I’m hoping you can share with me is the part where you contacted City Hall and got a permit for what you did. It isn’t obvious to me which department I’d need to contact to get things going. Was there anyone specific that you spoke to who familiar with your pilot project, so that they’d know what I was talking about when I described my intentions?
Thanks!
Hi,
Great! Eric Jensen is the guy to call. I Googled his name and came up with this info…. * Eric may direct you to someone else but it’s a start.*
Transportation Services, Right-of-Way Management
North York District
Eric Jensen
Supervisor
Tel: 416-395-7112
E-mail:ejensen@toronto.ca.
For in-depth, step-by-step articles on how we built our driveway see my Green Driveway articles:
http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?page_id=66
Good luck!
Franke
This is such an inspiring, real world happening. Small bits really help and you helped the environment twice (once by stopping using the SUV and then by unpaving the driveway).
Very great and full of fruits!
Neil
I love this story! Good for you! What is you next project? Go organic!
This is a terrific story and great project. Very inspirational! From everyone here at Sckoon Organics we say Bravo To You!
I always find myself grinning from ear to ear when I experience your work, Franke! I so hope that Joni sees this. Her timeless lyrics and your progressive vision are the best 1970 and 2010! How can 40 years have slipped by and we still don’t have an energy bill? I loved reading and sharing today your graphic essay and review of Eric Pooley’s NYT best-seller, The Climate War. Simply fantastic! I hope every local, state, and national legislator reads it too. You’re a star!
Stacy Clark
that’s an inspiring story, thanks!
This is a sweet illustrated narration of a Toronto family’s transformation of their driveway into a garden, and the nonsensical bureaucracies they overcame.
Franke,
I really love to see the entire story all in one place and it’s so beautiful !!!
What an example you are !!!
Congratulations on getting approval of your green driveway, and I like finished design. It is both green and inspiring.
This is amazing and I would like to do the same I am just wondering about shoveling the snow off in winter and how it would survive.
Simon,
Thanks for your comment and email re: Winter.
I have a post about our all season driveway. We don’t shovel ours — but we could.
http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=93
“Many people ask us if we shovel our green driveway. We could… but we don’t usually. (See My SUV and Me Say Goodbye) But if you want a green driveway and want to keep shoveling through the winter, go ahead. You can do it! It’s okay to shovel the grass because the roots are protected by the PermaTurf, and cannot be damaged. PermaTurf is located in New Hampshire, which gets lots of snow. They tell me they have many customers who regularly shovel their green driveways.
Of course, grass is not the only way to go. There are other materials which will provide permeability, and allow rainwater to soak into the ground rather than being diverted into the sewers. You will need to research permeable materials that are acceptable in your area as they vary quite a bit.
Our green driveway has met all of our expectations and requirements. The trade-off of more exercise from walking versus shoveling is one we are very happy with.”
The grass was well-established within 5 weeks.
More articles here: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?page_id=66
Franke
[…] Read further Franke’s environmental essay Paradise Unpaved. […]
[…] step by step instructions on how to unpave your driveway, by a homeowner in North York, at http://www.frankejames.com. Gardening, Resources […]
Simply amazing, I am astounded at your efforts Bravo, Bravo!!
ps
My 4yr old son thanks you!
[…] I wasn’t going to listen to them and very quickly things snowballed into lots of media attention. “Paradise Unpaved” explains it all – but long story short, I got my green driveway. The media attention helped, but […]
[…] A short story on eco-paving can be found here. […]
[…] the person who wouldn’t even build a green driveway without getting permission from City Hall! I believe in working with the system to change laws, not […]
Madame James…Face à l’intelligence, à la logique et simplement au bon sens…nos gouvernements et incontestablement, notre gouvernement Harper actuel (le plus idiot et bouché qu’il ne nous a jamais été permis de subir) montre son vrai visage…le visage de l’absurde total. Mon Dieu…!!! s’il existait une baguette magique, même à l’unique pouvoir de faire disparaître les choses ou être vivants…je la pointerais illico vers notre cher Premier Ministre Harper.
Je souhaite que toutes les décisions qui font entrave à votre expositon soient renversées et que vous connaissiez le plus grand des succès…
Bravo Mme James…je vous appuie totalement.
M.Coulombe
Gaspé, P.Québec
Isn’t it funny that the right wing of the political spectrum always claims to be the defender of liberty and freedom?
Franke, you are WONDERFUL! I’ve just stumbled across this! You MADE my day! Big hugs and kudos to you!
[…] Environmental recklessness trumps democracy
It seems Canada is not about to let one of its artists draw attention to the country’s miserable record on environmental issues. The official response to Nektarina’s refusal to cancel James’s show was delivered verbally: “She speaks against the Canadian Government”.
The intimidation did not stop there. Here’s another quote from the Nektarina Web site: “In the past few months we have encountered many difficulties in organizing the exhibitions, usually connected to interventions of the Canadian Government or institutions under Canadian governmental control. We continued to look for ways to collaborate with the home land of the artist, although at times we felt patronized and even intimidated, as a small NGO trying to reach an understanding with a powerful state.”
Apparently the Harper Government is unwilling to allow an artist to be welcomed abroad if that private citizen dares call into question any of its policies. This is totally unacceptable censorship, and it is time for Canadians, and anyone else who believes in free speech, to speak out.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/harper-government-trying-to-silence-canadian-artist.html#ixzz1TWM8IUUp […]
This is pretty much what my wife does for a living. You folks rock.
[…] books, and ponder the mystery why a woman who wouldn’t even build a green driveway without fighting for permission from City Hall, could get on the Harper Government’s blacklist by asking for more pollution […]
[…] pitcher of lemonade. Of course, I shouldn’t have been surprised. Ever since reading Franke’s “Paradise Unpaved” visual essay, I knew she was full of spunk! Her Blacklisting Party simply reaffirmed her […]
Hi Franke,
It is because I referenced Louise Livingston the work that the Puget Coop has been doing for the last 50 years (http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/sc/1202/paleolithic_diets.html) and the fact that Stephan Guyenet PhD spent some time informing the members about a better life style and eating habits, and she sending me a list of speakers for the next couple of months to forward to our members of the NFU, that I learned about your driveway. Don’t ask how I got there. I may be 70 years old but I am sometimes like a kid, when I come across a link, I’ve got to click it to see what’s behind it. And before you know I have produced a horribly long sentence, with so many subclauses that I have to backtrack in order not to lose my way.That’s how I arrived in your absolutely beautiful driveway. We are eagerly looking forward to seeing you here in Belleville on March 30.
best regards, James
Franke, Your driveway and your endeavour is an inspiration for all of us. I teach in North York and we are currently learning about the Tar sands of Alberta. I hope to draw from you graphic essays to show my students all that is at stake. Thank you!
[…] example of the success of this online strategy is a victory in my own front yard. I wanted to persuade my municipal government to overturn an official’s decision, which prevented […]
I am very impressed with your green driveway. I am also very impressed that you went about it without a “fighting city hall” attitude, but chose to approach the challenge of changing the law(s) in a positive manner. As the saying goes, “you can catch a lot more flies with honey than vinegar”. Media attention done “right” can be helpful too, as long as they also approach the problem in a positive manner.
Hopefully more and more people will see the benefit of your efforst and join the tide of people “going green”.
This is so inspirational! We want a bigger space for our 3 boys to play soccer, so making our driveway space into grass is the perfect solution! Sorry- you may say this already somewhere, but where can one buy PermaTurf in the GTA?
Thanks a lot!