BUILDING A COMMUNITY GARDEN IN YOUR PARK - National ...

Material/ProductWood or recycledplastic deckingStabilized soil,crushed stone orbrick (Figure 3.1)Hard-surfacepavementsDescription andProduct ExamplesThese products are recycled wood and/or plastic composite lumber that canbe a substitute for wood lumber. Itcan be used to construct board walkslike traditional lumber. Product namesinclude: PlasTeak, Trex, and Evolve.These are products that are addedto your native soil, crushed stone, orcrushed brick to stabilize the surface.When compacted, the surface is stableand smooth. The availability of stoneor brick will depend on where you arelocated in the country. Product namesinclude: Road Oyl, Stabilizer, Brik-Trak,Poly Pavement, and Top Shield.These include concrete, asphalt, brickpaving, stone paving, and others.Access and MaintenanceConsiderationsA boardwalk made of this materialprovides a stable, smooth, and accessiblesurface. It is also rot-resistant andlow maintenance. These materials aremarketed with the promise that theyare slip-resistant. Review your climateand site conditions to determine ifthis material is right for you. This typeof lumber can be made into almostanything and is volunteer-build friendly.Proper installation and compaction isrequired to achieve an accessible surface.Proper drainage is also important.These surfaces can be easily erodedand destroyed by misdirected stormwater. From an aesthetic point of view,these products achieve a wonderful,natural appearance that blends with thesurrounding of the garden. This is a stepin the right direction when looking toachieve inclusion (i.e., all paths appearthe same and provide access for all).Paved surfaces are the most reliableaccessible materials. Of the materialslisted, concrete is the best accessiblehard-surface material due to itsflexibility and durability. It can be formedinto any shape, colored, and printed,and it has durable edges. Decorativeconcrete, brick, and stone paving optionsare endless and can make a statement ofpermanence and quality for your project.Asphalt is also a good accessible surface,but it is hot and the edges crumble overtime when not installed with edging.Hard-surface pavements tend to bemore expensive, but they are the mostinclusive.C. FacilitiesYour garden should include facilities that can be used by all. Designing for inclusion requiresattention to the details when planning your garden. This effort will ultimately lead to a garden andfacilities that are flexible, well-used by everyone, and easier to program. Your facilities shouldinclude some or all of the following:1. Benches – Places to stop and rest are great for gardeners and very important for those withmobility challenges. Locate them in the shade, if possible, along the accessible route, and18Building a Community Garden in Your Park