October 2009
GR&S, Inc. Builds Garner Park with Green Nature Center
White Deer Park with Nature Center Registered for LEED Certification
RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 29, 2009) – Geo. Raper & Son, Inc. (GR&S, Inc.) is pleased to announce the completion of White Deer Park and Nature Center in Garner. The project is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and intends to pursue certification under USGBC’s LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. It is registered with a certification goal of LEED Silver.
The park’s Nature Center, built by GR&S, Inc., is slated to be the Town of Garner’s first LEED-certified building. According to the Town of Garner, it will be one of 20 existing LEED-certified municipal buildings in the state and one of four in Wake County. The LEED Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.
GR&S, Inc., a local general contractor and member of the U.S. Green Building Council, was selected for the White Deer Park projects in the fall of 2008. The construction team, led by Steve Raper, LEED AP, incorporated minimally invasive construction methods and environmentally sustainable features for the Nature Center and surrounding park amenities including the natural learning playground.
The entire park was built using strategies and principles which minimize disturbance to the natural environment, while using drought tolerant and native landscaping that was developed to work safely and harmoniously with the natural areas around them. Green building features include the use of recycled and rapidly renewable materials, and the incorporation of rainwater cisterns, rain gardens and solar panels. Dedicated parking is also available for low-emission,
fuel-efficient vehicles.
“GR&S is proud to be the building team for such a sustainable resource, and we applaud the Town of Garner for listening to its residents and having the drive to take environmentally sound measures while creating such a town jewel,” said Steve Raper, LEED AP, vice president of GR&S, Inc. “White Deer Park and the Nature Center will hopefully raise awareness in our community and motivate others to make conscientious green building decisions.”
A unique rainwater collection system promises fun with a practical purpose. Kids can interact with a hand pump that sends water from the cistern, where rainwater is collected, down to a river basin area where families can enjoy splashing and water play.
Cisterns were also installed at each shelter, to provide storage for rainwater run-off from the slanted shelter roofs which can be later used for irrigation in different areas of the park. “People are sure to wonder about the slanted design,” said Raper. “It’s unlikely that families will play here without learning and taking away some of the green lessons built into White Deer Park.”
The Nature Center will showcase many environmentally friendly systems and features and include interpretative exhibits about the surrounding natural habitat and the need to protect the environment. The Nature Center’s deck area will provide additional teaching and learning space, as it overlooks the park and wetland areas below.
A natural playground, which was constructed entirely by hand using North Carolina-harvested rhododendron and locust wood, will also provide children the opportunity to play virtually anywhere. Children will enjoy climbing on the rock formations and hills, riding natural log seesaws, and exploring the “sky chamber,” which is a fun play area cut into the hillside that can serve the child’s imagination as a fort or castle. Trails lead to further exploration of the park’s wide open spaces, wetlands, arboretum, and wildflower meadow where families will be able to observe animals and plants in their natural habitat.
The Town of Garner will host a public Grand Opening Ceremony and Nature Festival Nov. 1 from Noon to 5 p.m. Once the park is officially open, all areas of the 96-acre White Deer Park will be open along with its trails, picnic shelters, gardens, playgrounds, and the park’s 2500-square-foot Nature Center and learning deck. The park is located at 2400 Aversboro Road in Garner, adjacent to Lake Benson Park.
The development and design team for the park included Garner Parks and Recreation Department, GR&S, Inc., OBS Landscape Architects, Cherry Huffman Architects, Design Dimension, Stewart Engineering and Consider Design.
To arrange a Green Park Features Media Tour or request details regarding green building features at White Deer Park, contact Anita Blomme at 919-673-9591.
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About GR&S, Inc.
Geo Raper & Son, Inc. (GR&S, Inc.) is an unlimited, unclassified contractor with specialized expertise in water utilities. GR&S, Inc. provides construction and design-build services, including sustainable solutions such as rainwater harvesting systems, metal buildings, and customizable prototypes. GR&S, Inc. is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and an authorized Nucor builder. The family-owned company, which was founded in Elizabeth City in 1972, has corporate headquarters in Raleigh, NC. For more information about GR&S, Inc., please visit www.georaperandson.com
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