#nrpa

Serpentine Land Trust.

I was hoping there was snakes but the name comes from the deposits of Serpentine-which release asbestos when harvested- that decorate the trail with their cool green hue. (:

Happy July to each one of my readers. It has been warm and a little stormy here in North Carolina but it means that I don’t have to water my plants nearly as much so that makes me happy. As I always do around the first of the month, it is time to reveal our results for our past month for Comments for a Cause. If you are new here, it is a simple thing. For each comment on any blog post during the…

This May, Philadelphia hosted parks professionals from around the country for a two-day training. The training focused on green infrastructure. 

Types of green infrastructure can include:

bioswales

rain gardens

green roofs

permeable pavement

cisterns

dry wells

The National Recreation and Park Association picked 27 professionals to receive scholarships for this green infrastructure training. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) co-hosted the event.

Training sessions took place on May 14 and 15. As part of the training, a tour showcased Philadelphia’s reputation as a “green infrastructure pioneer.” Trainees saw how the city uses comprehensive, nature-based approaches for stormwater management. They also learned how the city leverages parks and open space to meet federal water-quality mandates. Trainees visited:

Herron Playground

Dickinson Square Park

Ralph Brooks Park

Wharton Square Playground

At each stop, attendees learned about elements of green infrastructure and maintenance requirements from local Parks & Rec employees and members of the community. 

On May 16, trainees took the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP) exam. Those who pass the exam will be some of the first park professionals to receive NGICP certification. Around 500 individuals currently have the certification.

NGICP is a national-level certification program initiated by the WEF and DC Water. The program teaches how to build, inspect, and maintain green stormwater infrastructure. Incorporating green infrastructure in parks can help improve the environment. It can also engage and educate members of the community.