Has anyone used grass pavers as a parking spot?

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[Post New]10/01/2015 17:13
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Anonymous
We are thinking of putting in grass pavers in one area so that the kids can park on the lawn without damaging it.
Has anyone seen these before?
[Post New]10/01/2015 23:26
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Anonymous
Yes: https://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_docs/programs/master-gardeners/Howardcounty/Baywise/PermeablePavingHowardCountyMasterGardeners10_5_11%20Final.pdf

Grass pavers or open-celled pavers are what you're probably looking for. They're types of permeable pavers.
[Post New]10/02/2015 11:33
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Anonymous
Pp, have you used them? If so, who installed them?
I am interested in the black plastic honey comb shaped ones.
[Post New]10/02/2015 12:03
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Anonymous
I investigated permeable paver options for my home, but need a pretty flat surface, so if your driveway or lawn slopes too much, you can use them.

I've known a many people who have done the grass pavers which have worked great. I don't know of anyone personally who have used the open-celled pavers. The info sheet came from the Howard County Master Gardner office. They included examples of specific public places in the county that use these permeable pavers, e.g. Centennial Park so you can see what they look like in person. They didn't post a local picture for the open-celled, so it may be that there isn't a public space that has them installed.

I would call the MG office and see if they can let you speak with someone who has actually used them. They'll have a list serve so they can post a question to their members. Or they can track down the person who made the fact sheet. It may take a few days. You can also ask about them from your own local MG office. Just search by zip. It may take a few days.

You could contact the manufacturer directly. Looking at how the cells are made, it might be possible to be a DIY project, but if can understand if you don't want to experiment yourself. It also looks possible that b/c the cells hold grass plugs that they may also be suitable for other ground covers that aren't grass. This maybe the other question you ask the MG office or investigate yourself--ground covers that allow for foot traffic, etc. That may be an alternative to the pavers.

Lastly, b/c permeable pavers are a little off the beaten path--sorry, I couldn't resist, you may want to reach out to groups that have experience in this area. Brookside Gardens offers a Green Matters every year:
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/green_matters_symposium.shtm

I'm sure they've had presenters on permeable pavers and you could contact them. More of a long shot, there used to be called an organization called The Green Building Institute in Jessup, MD. They used to offer classes in subjects like these b/c permeable pavers are energy efficient, save on water usage, and help manage stormwater run off. The GBI closed, but the guy who started it I think still has maintains office in Jessup: http://www.enviro-center.com/index.html
You could try emailing the enviro-center, and see if he could send you the names of a few local experts.
[Post New]10/02/2015 15:57
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I investigated permeable paver options for my home, but need a pretty flat surface, so if your driveway or lawn slopes too much, you can use them.

I've known a many people who have done the grass pavers which have worked great. I don't know of anyone personally who have used the open-celled pavers. The info sheet came from the Howard County Master Gardner office. They included examples of specific public places in the county that use these permeable pavers, e.g. Centennial Park so you can see what they look like in person. They didn't post a local picture for the open-celled, so it may be that there isn't a public space that has them installed.

I would call the MG office and see if they can let you speak with someone who has actually used them. They'll have a list serve so they can post a question to their members. Or they can track down the person who made the fact sheet. It may take a few days. You can also ask about them from your own local MG office. Just search by zip. It may take a few days.

You could contact the manufacturer directly. Looking at how the cells are made, it might be possible to be a DIY project, but if can understand if you don't want to experiment yourself. It also looks possible that b/c the cells hold grass plugs that they may also be suitable for other ground covers that aren't grass. This maybe the other question you ask the MG office or investigate yourself--ground covers that allow for foot traffic, etc. That may be an alternative to the pavers.

Lastly, b/c permeable pavers are a little off the beaten path--sorry, I couldn't resist, you may want to reach out to groups that have experience in this area. Brookside Gardens offers a Green Matters every year:
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/green_matters_symposium.shtm

I'm sure they've had presenters on permeable pavers and you could contact them. More of a long shot, there used to be called an organization called The Green Building Institute in Jessup, MD. They used to offer classes in subjects like these b/c permeable pavers are energy efficient, save on water usage, and help manage stormwater run off. The GBI closed, but the guy who started it I think still has maintains office in Jessup: http://www.enviro-center.com/index.html
You could try emailing the enviro-center, and see if he could send you the names of a few local experts.


Thanks. I plan to go for it. I will use some of your leads. I live in a street that is so narrow that people pull off onto the lawns to park, which is damaging. Some people have put obstacles so that people won't park there, but I would like to just use the pavers and allow up to three cars to park there with out ruining the lawn
[Post New]10/02/2015 19:10
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Anonymous
Makes sense to me. GL and please report back if you end up installing something.
[Post New]10/03/2015 08:19
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Anonymous
One of our neighbors has them and we considered them. It will look like open pavers - not full lawn. If you are ok with that.

There are some that are hard plastic and look more like lawn, but we thought it'd still be hard for kids to play on.
[Post New]10/03/2015 20:26
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:One of our neighbors has them and we considered them. It will look like open pavers - not full lawn. If you are ok with that.

There are some that are hard plastic and look more like lawn, but we thought it'd still be hard for kids to play on.


Did you see these in person installed some where? I'm just curious.
[Post New]10/05/2015 10:59
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:One of our neighbors has them and we considered them. It will look like open pavers - not full lawn. If you are ok with that.

There are some that are hard plastic and look more like lawn, but we thought it'd still be hard for kids to play on.


OP here. I think the plastic ones look better. This is the very front of our lawn where people park anyway and destroy the grass. Yes, it will not be a surface they can play on, but we have a half acre.
[Post New]10/07/2015 19:46
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Anonymous
OP,

another thread made me remember, google "rainscapes" or "conservation landscaping" for your locale. You may qualify for a rainscape rebate, e.g., MoCo and Rockville offer these, basically $ to help you pay for landscaping that is beneficial for water run off, which permeable pavers are. I don't know if this particular project would qualify, but can't hurt to look into it.
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