Depave kicked off the 2011 season with 45 volunteers at Our Happy Block – who came together in the summer rain to break it apart. This depaving will make way for four large rain gardens and several swales that will treat the stormwater runoff from the parking lot directly on-site. Asphalt removal is just one aspect of this project, which also implemented new street trees (from Friends of Trees), new sidewalks and curbs, a native plant learning garden, and a huge colorful mural. Depaving was funded by The East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and The Portland Bureau of Environmental Services. Many thanks to Terah Beth – the originator of the Our Happy Block project – for all her inspiring work!

• When: Depaved June 18, 2011
• Where: Calvary Church – 8040 SE Woodstock Blvd
• Size: 4,500 square feet
• Project manager: Maia Nativ & Dave Pell
• Read: about the other aspects of this AMAZING community improvement project at the Our Happy Block blog