The Free Library of Philadelphia system consists of 49 branches, three regional libraries, the Parkway Central Library, and the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. With more than six million visits annually, the Free Library is one of the most widely-used educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia.

The Parkway Central Library green roof project was initiated by Fredda Lippes, RA LEED AP, Dept. of Public Property and Mayor’s Office of Sustainability for The City of Philadelphia. On September 29, 2008, Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter cut a green ribbon and officially unveiled the Parkway Central Library?s new green roof demonstration project atop the four story 1927 Beaux-Arts building. The green roof was made possible through generous support from H.F. (Gerry) Lenfest; PECO; the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and Quita W. Horan. ?I want to commend all of those involved in making this vision a reality,? commented Mayor Nutter. ?This project is another example to cities across the country of what can happen when many different sectors ? government, business and non-profits ? work in partnership towards a common goal.?

Encompassing 5,000 square feet on both the east and west sides of the terrace facing Logan Square on the southern quadrant of Parkway Central?s roof, the green roof is proteted by an EPDM waterproofing membrane and includes 100 cubic yards of rooflite growing media and more than 5,400 plants. Sedums include Murale White Stonecrop, Blue Cadet Creeping Sedum, and Blue Spruce Stonecrop along with grasses such as Blue Grama, Feather Reed Grass, Blue Fescue, and Prairie Dropseed. Signage features information on the variety of plants along the publically accessible pathways. The Library?s green roof demonstration represents the first green roof on a city-owned building and is part of the Mayor?s initiative to make Philadelphia one of the greenest cities in the country. The accessible green roof offers a beautiful view of central Philadelphia from the terrace.

Divided into two areas flanking either side of the central roof terrace and resting above the main entrance of the building, “the green roof installation was completed at a cost of $200,000. The green roof is an extensive design with some semi-intensive areas in the 6? to 12? soil depth range with over 5,400 sedum plantings. The summer roof temperature prior to the green roof installation was recorded as 128 degrees on the ballasted areas to 170 degrees on the exposed black EPDM ? the green roof surface would average approximately 30-40 degrees less than the ballasted area,” (Delaware Valley Green Building Council, see below).

The City of Philadelphia offers up to $100,000 in business tax credits for a green roof – download the Business Privilege Tax Application for the Green Roof Tax Credit, Philadelphia Code ? 19-2604(8) here.