Description

This green roof in an example of green infrastructure in an institutional setting.  Renovations called for adding a new 1000’ annex to the existing historic brick building.  This was an opportunity to create a green roof, mitigating runoff by absorbing rainwater, providing insulation to the building, helping to lower urban air temperatures by combating heat island effect, and creating a habitat for wildlife.

Site Location

• Site Address: Denning’s Point, part of Hudson Highlands State Park; Beacon, NY
• Town: Beacon
• County: Dutchess
• Owner: Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries, in partnership with NY State Office of Parks, Recreation, & Historic Preservation
• Location on site:  Center for Environmental Innovation and Education (CEIE)
• Land Use on site:  Public Environmental Educational Center
• Can this site be visited?   The park is open daily, dawn to dusk. CEIE is a  ½ mile walk from the parking area. Viewing the green roof requires a staff escort, available by appointment.

Practice Information Details

• Year of installation:  2008
• Stormwater Management Capacity: Not determined
• Intent of design: To protect the water quality of the nearby Hudson River by mitigating roof runoff, to mitigate heat-island effect, and to demonstrate this sustainable methodology.
• Plant Material Used:  A variety of attractive, low-maintenance, and drought-resistant sedums.

Design Construction and Maintenance Information

• Designed by: WRT Landscape Architects
• Maintained by:  Beacon Institute and volunteers
• Costs to design:   Undisclosed
• Annual Operational & Maintenance required:  Undisclosed
• Annual Operational & Maintenance Costs:  Undisclosed

Contact for Additional Site Information

Web Site: Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries (see Links Leaving DEC's Website)  
Email: info@bire.org
Phone: (845) 838-1600