Cincinnati Parks Implements Cincinnati's Green Initiative
nnati Parks Implnts Cincinnati's Green Initiative
         
Cincinnati Parks welcomed Mayor Mark Mallory’s Green Initiative announcement early in 2006, and immediately began implementing green projects in our city’s world class parks. "The Park Board is committed to the efficient delivery of basic city services, and our Green Initiative projects generate cost savings to the taxpayers of Cincinnati, as well as environmental benefits for our region," said Willie Carden, Director of Parks.  Over the past two years Parks achieved economic and environmental objectives by installing a renewable energy system, converting 33% of its mowing equipment to soy-based bio- fuel, reforestation and deploying “smart cans” in parks.

The most dramatic Green Initiative implemented by Parks is the solar and wind power pilot at the Park Board Administration building in Eden Park. The Green Building renewable energy project combines a 10 kW (kilowatt) wind generator and a 10 kW array of photovoltaic solar panels to provide 20% of the power to the building. Citizens can view live data monitoring reports via the Internet to see the power output and environmental impact of the project. And visitors are always welcome to visit the Administration Building at 950 Eden Park Drive to see the system in person.  Mayor Mallory was enthusiastic about this first Green Initiative project, stating, "Parks’ innovative project takes our commitment to a Green Cincinnati to the next level. By using renewable energy to help power our city buildings, we can save money on energy costs and make our city more environmentally friendly."

The Eden Park renewable energy system was installed by Third Sun Solar & Wind Power Ltd, a nationally certified installer out of Athens, Ohio.  The six arrays of 90 solar panels were installed in the lawn beside the building in December 2006, and tied to the energy grid by February 2007. The wind turbines were installed on a 120-foot tower erected on April 19, 2007 in a work yard uphill from the building. Parks obtained a $60,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development’s Energy Loan Fund and donation of the solar panels by Duke Energy valued at $45,000 to fund the project.

The Eden Park renewable energy system is “utility grid-tied” which means the power generated on-site feeds directly into the building and to the utility. The Park Administration Building remains tied to the utility grid, eliminating the need for a bank of batteries. The solar and wind electric current goes through special utility-compatible inverters and then is fed into the building’s electrical distribution system.  Any time the power generated exceeds the power needed by the building, the excess flows back through the meter to the utility grid.

Perhaps the most engaging Parks Green Initiative is the deployment of “Big Belly” smart cans!  The Big Belly unit, by vendor Seahorse Power, is a solar-powered, self-compacting trash can.  Automated compacting results in cleaner parks, because animals cannot get inside or spill the contents. Smart cans are cost effective because crews make fewer waste collection trips, reducing fuel and staff costs, and harmful emissions.  Big Belly cans are located in Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park, outside the Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park, and downtown in Piatt Park.  

The Park Board continues its regional leadership, launching a second wave of Green Initiative projects for 2008. Citizens will benefit from a new solar-power system at Parks operations headquarters in Avondale, reforestation of inner city neighborhoods, additional Big Belly units, and rain gardens to filter storm water. The region is invited to join Parks in “Celebrating the Green in our Community” during 2008, at green project unveilings and special events throughout the year.