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Grand Rapids, Mich., and Philadelphia — Jan. 19, 2016 — Visitors to Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens, one of eastern Pennsylvania’s horticultural and environmental treasures, stroll along 1.2 miles of woodland paths to enjoy five distinct garden areas.
In September 2015, the Arboretum re-coated 21,000 square feet of the old asphalt paths with Porous Pave XL. An eco-friendly green building product made in the U.S., Porous Pave XL is a highly porous, durable, and flexible pour-in-place permeable paving material made from 50 percent recycled rubber chips and 50 percent stone aggregate with a moisture-cured, liquid binder.
“I knew about Porous Pave from other arboretums and botanical gardens that have used it,” said Harold Sweetman, executive director, Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens. “After talking with colleagues and seeing some installations for myself, I thought the material would be a solution as a topcoat over our asphalt paths, which had become worn and cracked, with pot holes in some spots, heaving in others.”
“Pouring an overcoat of Porous Pave XL on the old asphalt filled in the cracks and holes and created an even surface,” said Dave Ouwinga, president, Porous Pave Inc. “The 50 percent rubber content makes the paths more slip-resistant and more impact absorbing.”
“The project required a pervious material that could be over-poured on the asphalt, provide slip resistance, be installed with minimal site disturbance to protect the grounds and plants, and offer color options to blend in with the landscape,” said Jim Dowd, senior business development manager, Aquarius Supply. Dowd's employer is a regional distributor in Norristown, Penn., that serves landscape and irrigation professionals throughout the Northeast.
Geesey’s Rock & Block Designs, the contractor selected for the project, pressure-washed the asphalt to remove dirt, algae, and moss. The crew mixed Porous Pave onsite and poured and troweled 1 inch over the top of the asphalt. In some sections, the paving material was also installed on some mulched areas extending out from the paths. The crew removed the mulch, installed and compacted a two-inch base of ¾-inch aggregate, and then poured 1.5 inches of Porous Pave.
“Porous Pave is the only permeable paving material we have worked that enables you to achieve a uniform, level, and seamless surface across areas of new installation on a stone base and over coated sections of existing asphalt or concrete,” said Bryan Geesey, owner, Geesey’s Rock & Block Designs, Reading, Penn.
“The winding paths are one of the essential design features of the Arboretum. With their curves, switchbacks, and slopes, the pathways invite visitors into an immersive experience with garden discovery around each bend,” Sweetman said. “Porous Pave gave us exactly the result I had hoped for to renew and improve the paths, and the material’s color and texture harmonize with our gardens’ landscaped settings.”
For technical specifications on Porous Pave, as well as independent lab test results and distributor locations, visit www.porouspaveinc.com.
