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
@nowsourcing That\'s drought tolerant grass on our green driveway. We unpaved and found our paradise. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
This is just very, very cool blogging: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98. So refreshing.
@maxgladwell agree, not only blogging but the story is great example of social change Thx http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98.
@maxgladwell yes, very cool blogging -- a lot of work and heart went into that post. #retweating http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98.
paradise unpaved http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
Paradise Unpaved http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
Anyone into the environment (or success stories) go here... Lovely visual story: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
Love this. Unpaving paradise: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
Grassy driveway - http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
Oh this is lovely... retweet @kevinoregan Grassy driveway - http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
North-York\'s first green driveway. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98\n(Nice emotive website too)
@toddtyrtle Did you see her account of it? Fantastic! http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
@frankejames I received your story about your garden from 2 friends.Love this synchronicities http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 thanks
Learning about \"green driveways\"...considering changing my concrete slab to pavers to \"curb\" runoff http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
@EarthChick Did you see the yard makeover on @frankejames website? http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
@patl Converting parking to garden. Like this? http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
@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
@savvychristine Thnx for tweet on green driveway: Paradise Unpaved. All documented 4 others to DIY. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
@merejames I enjoyed Sydney garden article [http://bit.ly/Bleso] Thnx for tweet re: Green Driveway http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98!
@plzfollow Thnx! Check out the visual essay about the green driveway: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
@waste_diverter Thnx! I spoke to teachers at TCDSB event yesterday about my book & Paradise Unpaved. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
Paradise Unpaved http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
this was one of the first illustrative essays i read http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (lovely lovely)
@RonaMaynard Thnx for the intro! Glad to give @helenspitzer tips on our green driveway: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
Unpave your driveways, Suburbia!!: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
Do this if you hard: http://bit.ly/betL4 North York homeowners rip up their driveway to put in a garden :) Good captions
Un-paving: turning a 4-car driveway into an urban garden. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
@MayorSamAdams Great urban garden story out of Canada http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
@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
Unpaved a parking lot and built paradise! Check out this great story! http://tinyurl.com/5jls72
canadians are so much friggin cooler than us http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
Thnx! Green driveways are cool! RT @grumplesiggy canadians are so much friggin cooler than us http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
I love this green driveway story and how it\'s told http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (via @frankejames @grumplesiggy)
RT @DonnaPapacosta:love this green driveway story and how it\'s told http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 (via @frankejames @grumplesiggy)
@ClimateEd Not surprised. Small link from DailyKos to my green driveway story resulted in giant spike. http://frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
@craigtimes Just discovered "Paving Paradise." See how we Unpaved our Paradise & kept 10k gal of stormwater out of sewer http://bit.ly/QXEkW
@craigtimes Plan to read "Paving Paradise." See how we Unpaved our Paradise & kept 10k gal of stormwater out of sewer http://bit.ly/QXEkW
@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
SELL the SUV! TEAR out the Driveway! PLANT! Plant! Plant! http://bit.ly/QXEkW i like your style of story-telling, too, @frankejames! #green
RT @gharman SELL the SUV! TEAR out the Driveway! PLANT! Plant! Plant! http://bit.ly/QXEkW @frankejames is too good to miss!
@kmurray230 Thnx for spotlight & RT: @gharman SELL the SUV! TEAR out the Driveway! http://bit.ly/QXEkW @frankejames is too good to miss!
Paradise Unpaved http://ow.ly/OqnV ~ via @frankejames
Check out Franke's driveway: she replaced it with a garden. http://tinyurl.com/5jls72
RT @therealdirt: Check out Franke's driveway: she replaced it with a garden. http://tinyurl.com/5jls72
RT @therealdirt: Check out Franke's driveway: she replaced it with a garden. http://tinyurl.com/5jls72
A great presentation by Franke James today, love the art to spread the environmental message. http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
Thank you! Fun day! RT @rande22 Great presentation by Franke James today, love the art to spread environmental message http://bit.ly/cg6Hoh
Like wow! This is happy-making.@frankejames, you've made a beautiful presenation and inspiring true life story. http://bit.ly/8ZhLdC
@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
Awesome story about how to un-pave your paradise! http://cot.ag/dnTlY2
Paradise Unpaved: how one couple fought City Hall for the right to un-pave their driveway. http://su.pr/7O9Idd
Yes! @nan_fischer Excellent. Have you seen my Green Driveway visual story about changing City Hall rules? http://bit.ly/cg6Hoh
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
One of the coolest green ideas (I never thought a driveway could be pretty!): http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98 @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
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
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
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
Paradise Unpaved: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
@frankejames http://tinyurl.com/5jls72 http://tinyurl.com/2cq2drg Franke & Joni Mitchell r kindred spirits! ENJOY!
A post worth reading:\nhttp://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
The illustrated story of a green driveway. They Un-paved Paradise. http://ow.ly/2l9wm via @frankejames
@GreeningDetroit Thank you! You may enjoy my story of us greening our driveway: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved
How we tackled stormwater runoff at our home: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (Backgrounder on runoff: http://bit.ly/08runoff
RT @frankejames: How we tackled stormwater runoff at our home: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (Backgrounder on runoff: http://bit.ly/08runoff
RT @frankejames: How we tackled stormwater runoff at our home: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved (Backgrounder on runoff: http://bit.ly/08runoff
"Paradise Unpaved"-fun story of one small step from @frankejames - http://j.mp/95Pk8l
RT @gosner: "Paradise Unpaved"-fun story of one small step from @frankejames - http://j.mp/95Pk8l
RT @gosner: "Paradise Unpaved"-fun story of one small step from @frankejames - http://j.mp/95Pk8l
Thnx @gosner + @peninasharon for tweets on "Paradise Unpaved". One decision (to be car-free) has had a big ripple effect http://j.mp/95Pk8l
Inspiring story from @frankejames "Paradise Unpaved". Deciding to be car-free and regreening the drive http://j.mp/95Pk8l
This is great! ->"Paradise Unpaved": http://j.mp/95Pk8l
Rid Yourself of the SUV and Enjoy Paradise Unpaved http://su.pr/1S5OXX (via @FrankeJames.com
@ReginaTexas Thnx for tweet about Paradise Unpaved! http://su.pr/1S5OXX
The story of unpaving paradise and creating a green driveway http://ow.ly/2TE5Q ^BiL
RT @pugetpeople: The story of unpaving paradise and creating a green driveway http://ow.ly/2TE5Q ^BiL
.@beckrule & @thereisawayjose Follow @Depave from Portland, Ore:\n http://depave.org/ Also, my unpaving story: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved
.@phoenixkev Yep! It reduces the Heat Island effect as well as Stormwater runoff. My #Toronto unpaving story: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved
RT @frankejames: .@phoenixkev Yep! It reduces the Heat Island effect as well as Stormwater runoff. My #Toronto unpaving story: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved
@WayneNH Thnx! BTW, our green driveway was made in New Hampshire by Permaturf. See my story: Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved
The story of paving a driveway green in Toronto. (grocery banner is odd though) Great idea for the house http://tinyurl.com/5jls72
Astounding transformation! http://fb.me/AzeBgces
Thnx @LisaBorden Here's my Paradise Unpaved true story: http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved @sophiahorwitz @arzeena
Fun story about a North York couple that changed their driveway into something more natural: http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
@YoungUrbnFarmer You're welcome. See my green driveway story... http://www.bit.ly/paradiseunpaved #toronto
RT @frankejames: What an inspiring story! => See my green driveway story... http://www.bit.ly/paradiseunpaved #toronto
RT @YoungUrbnFarmer: RT @frankejames: What an inspiring story! => See my green driveway story... http://www.bit.ly/paradiseunpaved #t ...
What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW
What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW #toronto
Inspiring! RT @greenbeltca: What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW #toronto
RT @greenbeltca: What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW #toronto
Interesting : ) RT @greenbeltca: What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW #Toronto
RT @greenbeltca: What a great story - Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/QXEkW #toronto
Great visual essay on one family\'s challenge in going green at home : Paradise Unpaved http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98
@NWETC Thnx! See my story about the tussle to build our permeable green driveway: Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved
@NWETC Thnx! See my story on the tussle to build our #permeablegreendriveway: Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved RT @frankejames
Thank you to @frankejames for sharing her stormwater story: http://bit.ly/QXEkW Very inspiring!
@practicallygreen Freecycle is gr8t! We gave away our driveway on it & built green driveway! http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved #practicallygreen
@practicallygreen Freecycle is gr8t! We gave away our driveway on it & built green driveway! http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved #practicallygreen
This is so cool! RT @frankejames: Freecycle is gr8t! We gave away our driveway on it & built green driveway! http://bit.ly/paradiseunpaved
@PEIwashington See my #stormwater story: Paradise Unpaved http://www.bit.ly/paradiseunpaved
This is great! RT @frankejames: @PEIwashington See my #stormwater story: Paradise Unpaved http://t.co/86vMAdL
TY! Permeability is Cool! mt: @PEIwashington This is great! RT @frankejames See my #stormwater story: Paradise Unpaved http://t.co/86vMAdL
I LOVE this! Paradise Unpaved @frankejames is my new hero. http://t.co/Ju1bCvr
Permaturf is the way to go for a green driveway! via @frankejames http://bit.ly/oieVzO
Franke James Paradise Unpaved http://bit.ly/oPx5kp / interesting story of artist who replaced paved driveway w/ green garden.
@frankejames sold her SUV,removed pavement,planted 10 trees & created 1st eco-friendly driveway in North York.#Toronto\nhttp://t.co/3ZwKpRo
Great story of unpaving in TO. http://t.co/TVzSRzZ
@laurelrusswurm Thanks! I appreciate that. It's challenging. Here's my fighting City Hall story (glad it was Miller): http://t.co/4diRXFh8
Is this the flip side of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" ? *or* is it @frankejames fights city hall : http://t.co/ifQGdq1U
TY for help with Paradise Unpaved: http://t.co/4diRXFh8 RT @iamdavidmiller Check out @frankejames re: climate change - http://t.co/HUluwUhl
Maybe we've learned from you @frankejames ? http://t.co/ogmoD3l9 Do u think they were inspired by http://t.co/DVfFj2Fr Paradise Unpaved?
TheStar @KarenStintz reveals her master plan: http://t.co/hifnJci0 (Congrats! Thnx for your help as my councillor on http://t.co/4diRXFh8 )
Fm @frankejames Paradise unpaved http://t.co/gxXdLRKB Great story!
TYVM! Nice to see you. It's a Winter Wonderland in TO. RT @thehrgoddess Fm @frankejames Paradise unpaved http://t.co/4hBQ66Rn Great story!
http://t.co/bHabqmD6 http://t.co/8hi8AVn8
TY @RAINProgram My 'Paradise Unpaved' story shows the hurdles we overcame to get our #green #driveway: http://t.co/4diNq57Y #slowrain
TY @RAINProgram My 'Paradise Unpaved' story shows the hurdles we overcame to get our #green #driveway: http://t.co/4diNq57Y #slowrain
Paradise Unpaved - eco-friendly driveway! http://t.co/V1eC6GUj
@HelioCurrent Thnx! See Paradise Unpaved. http://t.co/4diNq57Y
@HelioCurrent Thnx! See Paradise Unpaved. http://t.co/4diNq57Y
Franke James Paradise Unpaved http://t.co/C8dkqqUQ
@RorRedRor: Franke James Paradise Unpaved http://t.co/QtEHQHCm
Awesome! Paradise Unpaved - http://t.co/znSgturL
can you unpave your paradise? http://t.co/9ETLNla9
http://t.co/K0cA2WVX
@phdinparenting @blackgirlinmain Thnx! Here\'s my story of ripping up our interlock driveway http://t.co/heR15sXrPR @Cubits @artofdoingstuff
Great front yard garden story! RT: @frankejames32m\n\"Here\'s my story of ripping up our interlock driveway http://t.co/XWu3cAvF3g \"
Really cool urban front yard transformation --> http://t.co/x10EREaiiQ
How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/dIOv6IHCmr @frankejames @DavidSuzukiFDN
TY! MT @faisal_moola How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/3SvLY0nYlW @DavidSuzukiFDN
RT @faisal_moola: How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/dIOv6IHCmr @frankejames @Dav…
RT @faisal_moola: How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/dIOv6IHCmr @frankejames @Dav…
RT @faisal_moola: How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/dIOv6IHCmr @frankejames @Dav…
@JulieCayley THX for kind words. Want to read something inspirational on greening the city check out http://t.co/dIOv6IHCmr by @frankejames
must #follow @frankejames: How one woman replaced her driveway with green space - creating paradise unpaved http://t.co/w3qWMKdFJK
The story of Toronto\'s 1st green driveway - an interesting true story. http://t.co/b2QoQRQfHT
The story of Toronto\'s 1st green driveway - an interesting true story. http://t.co/up8c5osfrc
RT @AGardenersWorld: The story of Toronto\'s 1st green driveway - an interesting true story. http://t.co/up8c5osfrc
Paradise Unpaved - http://t.co/TsDqk6VS2T
RT @AGardenersWorld: The story of Toronto\'s 1st green driveway - an interesting true story. http://t.co/up8c5osfrc
RT @AGardenersWorld: The story of Toronto\'s 1st green driveway - an interesting true story. http://t.co/up8c5osfrc
@JaredLeeCAN Outstanding! That\'s a yes. You have some great company too - have you seen this? http://t.co/Y3aaXa7GFi
Reducing Urban Heat Island effect in Toronto a matter of social justice: http://t.co/sALDBlGYc3 Depave TO http://t.co/OLduVPYHt9
RT @frankejames: Reducing Urban Heat Island effect in Toronto a matter of social justice: http://t.co/sALDBlGYc3 Depave TO http://t.co/OLdu…
Fri aft fun (& inspiration): The true story of T.O.s first green driveway by Franke James.http://t.co/hVHhNZoVSY