The Excellence in GSI Awards Ceremony is the region’s only award that celebrates green stormwater infrastructure projects and innovations

The Excellence in GSI (Green Stormwater Infrastructure) Awards Ceremony is the region’s only award that celebrates and elevates green stormwater infrastructure projects and innovations.

The Philadelphia Water Department established Green City, Clean Waters in 2011 for an estimated cost of $2.4 billion over 25 years, to prevent stormwater from overwhelming the system by using green infrastructure to complement the traditional infrastructure and reduce the volume of water that enters sewers during storms.

The 2019 Excellence in GSI Awards Ceremony Winners Are:

Public Projects

• Chester Arthur Schoolyard – SALT Design Studio.

SALT Design Studio, commissioned by Friends of Chester Arthur (FoCA), strategically and beautifully implemented green stormwater infrastructure in the school’s playground design, addressing sustainability while integrating STEM curriculum into the school’s physical landscape.

Finalists were:

• Panati Playground – Gilmore & Associates, Inc.
• Andorra Creek Floodplain Restoration Project– T&M Associates

Private Projects

• Nature’s Sanctuary – West Laurel Hill Cemetery.

West Laurel Hill Cemetery created a green burial cemetery as part of its on-going sustainability efforts by coordinating communications, reintroducing stratified vegetation and utilizing the cooling effects of evapotranspiration.

Runner-up was Drexel’s Perelman & Korman Quad –Meliora Design

Innovation (Projects):

• The Kelly Green Project – Asarum LandDesign

Asarum LandDesign Group transformed John B. Kelly schools grounds from a vacant space to a community gathering space with an emphasis on socially engaged design and community process.

Runner-up was the Community Academy of Philadelphia – ISS.

Innovation (Technology)

• WikiWatershed – Stroud Water Research Center.

Stroud Water Research developed the Model My Watershed web-based application to explore human activity on neighborhoods and watersheds, used as both an educational tool as well as a land-use decision tool.

Runner-ups included:

• Climate-Smart Cities – Trust for Public Land
• Green Infrastructure Living Laboratory – PWD/Drexel University

Photo: Chris Kendig Photography courtesy of SBN

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher