by Brianna Crandall — August 8, 2014—People waiting to catch a ride at Rapid Central Station in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will now enjoy one of the area’s largest outdoor living walls, as the station’s steel and concrete wall surface has been transformed into a public garden, providing a more pleasant and relaxing experience for customers.
The 500-square-foot planted wall was completed recently by a joint effort between LiveWall LLC and Summit Landscape Management of Grand Rapids. The green wall took approximately four days to install and plant with a selection of colorful, cold-hardy perennials (grown in Spring Lake by LiveWall). Working with a local contractor and a local supplier who uses western Michigan sources also ensured that this investment benefits the local economy, noted The Rapid.
The Rapid is a nationally recognized leader for its sustainability initiatives, including using hybrid buses and having two LEED-certified buildings, both of which feature green roofs. The Rapid’s green roofs help to protect water quality by reducing storm water runoff, restore lost habitat, and save on cooling costs.
The living wall also helps to cool the building and restore lost habitat, but unlike the green roofs, it is very visible to The Rapid’s riders. LiveWall president Dave MacKenzie, who also owns LiveRoof, LLC, the company that supplied the living roofs atop The Rapid’s buildings, is confident that the additional green space will have a positive impact on the community.
“When it comes to the social and environmental benefits of keeping people connected to nature, the evidence is piling up. From lasting positive impacts on mental health, to reduced vandalism and crime rates, to cooler and cleaner air, reintroducing plants lost to development is a very good move for the community. And, with a living wall, beautiful and functional gardens can thrive where no workable land is available.”
The Rapid’s green wall will be the fourth publicly visible LiveWall System in Grand Rapids. Currently there are 1,400 square feet of vertical garden, mostly edible plants, installed at the B.O.B.; the Downtown Market contains an 800-square-foot living wall on the south and west walls; and the John Ball Zoo has a green wall on the chimpanzee house.
