The scenic Patuxent River is a huge natural attraction, but a portion of the popular Patuxent River Park was a mess.
Rainwater was flowing unchecked into the river, bringing pollutants right along with it.
Old concrete steps dating back to the 1920s leading to a popular boat dock were cracked and crumbling.
“It was unusable space,” says Paul Weaver, construction branch manager at Level Green Landscaping.
But not for long. After painstaking measuring and planning and a month of challenging hand labor by Level Green crews, it’s a whole new place.
The upgrade means Maryland Green Center Award certification for the park — proof that the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission saves energy, reduces pollution runoff and helps prevent erosion along the valuable waterway.
Weaver shares how the transformation happened — and why it was so important.
The Beauty of Patuxent River Park
The Patuxent River was designated one of Maryland's scenic rivers, home to a wide variety of plants and animals.
The park is owned by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and includes a host of recreational opportunities, including camping, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, boating, kayaking, canoeing, archaeology and nature study.
The Patuxent Rural Life Museums, a collection of late 19th century and early 20th century buildings and historic structures, preserve the rural heritage of southern Prince George's County.
It’s a gem of a park.
The Transformation
Level Green crews replaced cracked and crumbling concrete steps, landings and walkways with permeable pavers that allow rainwater to seep through, then be piped away from the river and into a nearby wooded area.
They installed 2,000 square feet of the permeable pavers, Weaver says — all carried by hand up the stairway.
They also installed erosion-control retaining walls on the surrounding hillside and handrails on the stairs for safety.
Stormwater used to flow right into the river, carrying damaging pollutants along with it.
“We stopped all the erosion,” Weaver says. “We stopped all pollutants from going into the river.”
It was a challenge, involving exacting measurements and grading to ensure water falls onto the surface, seeps through the permeable pavers and is carried safely away from the river.
“On every step you do, everything has to be perfect,” Weaver says.
It’s demanding physical work, he says. Each step — 75 in all — weighs 180 lbs. Each one had to be hand carried from the bottom to the top of the hill.
Crews also planted the adjacent hillside with native plants, including redbud trees, native hibiscus, grasses, ferns, dogwoods, black-eyed Susans and purple coneflower.
“It’s a Blessing”
“There aren’t enough words to describe the difference,” says Phil Wilson, assistant director of the horticulture and forestry section for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
“It’s a 100 percent turnaround,” he says. “It’s aesthetically pleasing and friendly for the environment. It’s a blessing. Everybody raves about it.
“Level Green always rises to the occasion,” Wilson says. “They’ve done tremendous work for us.”
About the Maryland Green Center Award
The Maryland Green Center Award is a state government designation that shows the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
saves energy, reduces pollution runoff and helps prevent erosion along the waterway.
It’s an important certification for the Commission, Wilson says.
“We’re conservationists,” he says. “We want to be at the forefront, saving energy, being good stewards of the land. The taxpayers have entrusted us to take care of this land for them, for their kids and their grandkids. It’s the right thing to do.”
Meeting the Increasing Demand For Green Projects
The metro DC area is especially environmentally conscious, Weaver says, which means increasing demand for projects like the Patuxent River Park improvements.
Level Green is the right landscaping company for this kind of work, Weaver says.
“It starts with our company culture,” Weaver says. “We’re a green company.”
Crews have started using electric equipment, replacing gas-powered push mowers, blowers, weed eaters and shears.
Several team members are certified by the Interlocking Concrete Pavers Institute, he says, specifically trained in installing the permeable pavers that redirect stormwater.
“We’re trained to do this kind of work,” Weaver says.
“We’re Doing Our Part”
Weaver loved this project.
“It’s nice to put my hands right on it,” he says. “I can tell my children, ‘I’m working to build you a better future, one piece at a time.’ By the time they’re my age, I want them to have natural areas they can enjoy — not a smog-filled concrete jungle.”
He loves helping clients figure out how to be greener.
“I feel good about this project,” he says. “The clients are happy. We’re happy. We’re doing our part.”
Need Help With Your Green Project? Count Us In
Level Green Landscaping is committed to work that makes the earth a cleaner, safer place.
Need permeable pavers? Stormwater retention ponds? LEED certification? We’re on it.
If you’re not already a Level Green Landscaping client, we’d love to add you to our growing list of happy customers.
Our focus is on commercial properties like offices, mixed-use sites, HOAs, municipalities and institutions in Maryland, Washington DC and parts of Virginia. Contact us at 202-544-0968. You can also request a free consultation online to meet with us one-on-one.
We’d love to hear from you.
