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Three Groves Ecovillage Completes Design Phase, Unveils Plans
Net zero energy neighborhoods closer to groundbreaking in West Grove
West Grove, PA – October 14, 2011 –
Three Groves Ecovillage has completed the intensive schematic design phase of their project to build a net-zero-energy neighborhood near West Grove. To share images and schematics of their future homes and neighborhood, Three Grove Ecovillage will host an unveiling event at the corporate headquarters of Dansko in Jennersville PA, Saturday Nov. 5 from 2-5 pm. The event is an opportunity for people in the region to learn more and get involved in a project that will likely gain national attention as a model for smart residential development for the 21st century. Those interested in seeing the land are encouraged to join a land walk starting at 1 pm at the corner of State Road and Prospect Ave in West Grove. Homes in the neighborhood are still available.
“Our progress over the last year has been amazing” says Anthony Aufdenkampe, future resident of the Three Groves Ecovillage. “Last October, our proposed ecovillage zoning was unanimously passed by London Grove Township Supervisors, this winter we secured investor funds for the intensive design process, which we are just now wrapping up in preparation for conditional use approval later this fall.” Janet Hesselberth, another future resident, adds “Working through designs this summer with the architectural team and my future neighbors was really exciting and fun. We’re really looking forward to sharing these designs with potential neighbors, and of course moving in sometime early 2013!”
Three Groves Ecovillage is a group of local residents who has partnered with a nationally acclaimed green-building team to build the first net-zero energy neighborhood in the country. “Three Groves Ecovillage is being designed to integrate a smart array of the most effective green building principles and technologies,” says Sandy Wiggins, former Chairman of the US Green Building Council and a principal of Aye Partners. “We want to create beautifully functional and durable homes that produce all of their own energy and sell them at a price that any prospective home-buyer can afford,” continues Wiggins.
Margot Mohr Teetor, the project’s green realtor adds, “With no utility bills and very low maintenance costs, these homes will demonstrate the superior long-term economy and marketability of green design.” Not all homes in Three Groves Ecovillage have been pre-sold. Three Groves Ecovillage will be located just south of West Grove Borough, northwest of the corner of Prospect Avenue (Route 841) and West State Street, and across the street from the new 125 acre London Grove Township community park.
The venue, Dansko’s corporate headquarters (33 Federal Road, West Grove PA), is itself an attraction and educational component for the event. Dansko’s building was designed with many green building principles, and small group tours will be offered from 4:00-5:00 pm. The building was awarded a gold rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the U.S. Green Building Council (www.USGBC.org). Gold is the second highest rating, after the relatively uncommon LEED Platinum rating. Three Groves Ecovillage will be seeking the LEED Platinum rating.
Media Coverage:
Media are encouraged to attend the public event but asked to pre-register by emailing ThreeGrovesEcovillage@gmail.com. Photos of the site and residents are available on request.
Three Groves Ecovillage (www.ThreeGrovesEcovillage.org) is an organization of local people seeking to build and reside in an environmentally and socially sustainable neighborhood. They are actively growing and seeking new members and future residents.
Aye Partners, LLC (www.ayepartners.com), are leaders in sustainable development and green building, and have commissioned Re:Vision Architecture (www.revisionarch.com), a leading green design firm, to head up the plans.
Margot Mohr Teetor, Realtor with Re/Max Town and Country (http://www.margot.your-move.com), has worked as the Buyer’s Agent for Three Groves Ecovillage and will act as Seller’s Agent for Ecovillage homes listed online with the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
Figure Caption (DSC_3575-crop.jpg): Future residents of Three Groves Ecovillage sketch ideas on draft designs with the professionals from Re:Vision Architecture and Aye Partners. Photo Credit: Bonnie Dickson.
"This time next year you'll see an actual park here!" insists Mike Pickel proudly. As chairman of London Grove Township's Parks and Recreation Board he was among the group gathered on a dreary Sunday afternoon, April 25 for Goddard Park's groundbreaking ceremony at Wickerton and State roads.
The rain didn't dampen anyone's spirits though; as they were there to celebrate a goal that was finally realized through the hard work of many and generosity of others. London Grove Township's 125-acre community park, to be known as Goddard Park, will be developed in phases as funding becomes available. The Township received a $250,000 grant from Chester County and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources that must be used before December 31, 2010. It is hoped in the first phase that the grant money will cover walking trails, a parking lot, and a playground. As more funds become available other facilities such as a dog park, amphitheater, pavilion, community garden, and playing fields may be added.
“We want the park to eventually have something for everyone,” explains Pickel. “We decided it should start with the kids. The playground is going to be really big!”
It took more than a decade of the collaborative efforts of community members, London Grove Township supervisors and the Parks and Recreation Board to make the park a reality. “An awful lot of the work was behind the scenes,” emphasizes Pickel.
In his introductory comments, Chairman of the London Grove Township Board of Supervisors David Eckerd acknowledged all those who have worked tirelessly on the project. “The supervisors give it direction, but it’s another group that puts the tires to the road – the Parks and Recreation Board.” He then noted, “But it would not be here if not for the fabulous gift of the Goddards.”
Connie Alegranti, a past Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, gave a brief history lesson on the birth of Goddard Park. Alegranti, who shows promise as both a negotiator and a comedian began, “When we first decided we wanted a park we had great needs, but no money.”
She relayed the story of how Steve and Marna Goddard approached her and another supervisor, Lou Kaplan, with a very intriguing offer. The Goddards promised to donate 40 acres to the Township for a park if they could accumulate another 40 contiguous acres. Alegranti had the crowd chuckling when she added, “Oh, and another thing, they told us we couldn’t tell anybody about it!”
Over a period of time, they acquired several parcels for the park, but ironically the most difficult to acquire was the smallest – a 6.5-acre piece between two of the other parcels. When they finally had the last piece in their puzzle, Alegranti went back to the Goddards who were true to their word and made arrangements to donate 40-acres.
Throughout the process, the Township has had expert guidance from consultants in a number of areas. Present at the groundbreaking were landscape architect Denise Husband, John Gaadt who was responsible for the park site master plan, and David Sweet who was involved with grants for the project.
“We owned land on both sides of the creek,” Marna Goddard explains. “We thought it would be a shame to have houses there and it certainly wouldn’t be a good thing for the creek. That’s when we first thought about offering the land to the Township for a park. But 40 acres isn’t enough for a park, so we came up with our plan.”
Steve Goddard concurs and adds, “One key word in our proposal was contiguous. The land the Township acquired all had to connect.”
