Planting the beds and the bioswale on October 13th went perfectly – a beautiful, clear fall day. Thanks to everyone who helped complete this two year project to transform the playground!

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A stellar crew of dedicated volunteers braved the rain to complete the second phase of depaving at James John. In 2011, in partnership with Adidas, The Timbers Army, AC Portland, and the St. Johns Main Street Coalition, we depaved nearly 4,000 sq ft of the playground for a soft-surface play and spectator area to complement a mini-turf soccer field sponsored by Adidas.

This summer we depaved to make way for planting beds and a great big bioswale that will infiltrate the rainwater that falls on the asphalt playground. Groundwork Portland’s Green Team pitched in to help us create the rain garden and built a rad community kiosk complete with eco-roof! Thanks to Joseph Perky of  Convergence Architecture and to Robin Smith Landscape Design for donating design their services. A big THANKS also to James Creel and the crew at JBCGSI for helping with the heavy lifting on custom angled cutting, concrete work and excavation.

• When: Depaved June 23, 2012
• Where: James John Elementary School – 7439 N Charleston Ave
• Size: 4,000 square feet
• Project manager: Eric Rosewall & Corbin Gentzler
• Funder: The East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District
• Donors: JBCGSI Construction, Home Depot
• Download: Pics from this event and see our other projects – special thanks to guest photographer Natalie Owen