MDE Grant Funding For Green Roof
at the Catoctin Creek Nature Center

Submitted by: Sue Putnam
Project Manager, Frederick County DPW
Office of Project Management

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On August 28th the BOCC will consider the Division of Parks and Recreation’s request to apply to the MDE for grant funding to enable construction of a green (vegetated) roof for the Catoctin Creek Nature Center.  The 2010 Trust Fund makes monies available to projects that incorporate innovative water quality features delivering measurable reductions in nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment loads.

While the County is not seeking LEED certification for the nature center being designed by Proffitt and Associates, “green” technologies are being incorporated in an effort to provide the County with an environmentally sensitive and sustainable facility at this largely undeveloped 133-acre parcel of land:  a geothermal HVAC system is being designed; stormwater is being handled via a bioretention pond located in the center of the parking loop; site lighting criteria will be adopted to maintain safe light levels while avoiding off-site lighting and night sky pollution.   The new building, a one-story structure with a mezzanine for mechanical equipment, will be built into the south-facing hillside, utilizing insulated concrete form retaining walls along the east, north and west facades.

Parks desired to roof the nature center with an extensive green roof containing shallow soil and low growing, horizontally spreading plants but learned that the cost exceeded the available construction budget.  Vegetated roofs are costlier than conventional gravel-ballasted roofs because they require more materials and labor for installation, green roof contractors are limited in number, and additional structural support is needed.

While presenting a considerable up-front expenditure, the environmental and economic benefits of green roofs are significant, including effectively managing stormwater, contributing to a building’s energy efficiency, and extending the life of the roof membrane.  At the nature center, the green roof (essentially an elevated ecosystem) will serve as a high profile, aesthetically pleasing teaching tool available to the naturalist.

MDE’s decision is targeted for late October.