Green roof will top it all off at Nicholas Conservatory in Rockford

ROCKFORD The roof of the Nicholas Conservatory will go from gray to green this summer.

The Rockford Park District will cover the flat concrete roof with a living carpet, complete with blooming flowers and plants. The green roof is meant to be a more environmentally friendly canopy that can reduce energy costs, extend the life of the roof, manage stormwater, and provide habitat for birds and insects.

Hundreds of trays with a variety of plants in 4 to 6 inches of soil will be installed atop the conservatory roof from July 2 to 13.

Theyre compact and theyre very heat- and drought-tolerant. Theyre also very colorful year-round, said Dan Erwin, the Park Districts manager of parks and horticulture. There will be vegetation, plant color and interest regardless of what season it is.

A 240-square-foot patio, which can accommodate 25 people, will overlook the roof.

The green roof protects roofing materials from ultraviolet light, cold extremes and heat extremes as well, which can add 20 years to the life of a conventional roof, Erwin said. The natural beauty of the greenhouse will be a definite plus for us, with our patrons being able to view the roof from the second-story observation deck inside the conservatory.

A green roof also helps reduce the heat island effect, because it doesnt absorb heat and release it back into the atmosphere, said Laura Pigatti Williamson, Park District deputy director of capital planning and asset management. It also stores rainwater for the plants on top of the roof rather than flushing it through a downspout, and filters the water before it drains into the Rock River.

District officials say the green roof can reduce heating and cooling costs for the portion of the building it covers by up to 20 percent to 30 percent. The district budgeted about $32,000 for annual utility costs at the conservatory, which is just $1,000 more than the much smaller greenhouse that used to occupy the property.

The Park District hired Christiansen Inc., the roofing company owned by Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen, to handle construction and installation. Commissioners approved the $108,227 contract last week.

The company won the project in open bidding; 56 vendors were notified. Christiansen Inc. bid about $36,500 lower than the next lowest bidder.

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Green roof will top it all off at Nicholas Conservatory in Rockford