St. Paul's church parking lot to be native green space

From Iowa-

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, a landmark place of worship at the corner of Ninth and High streets for 125 years, began a renovation in October that will transform a parking area into a green space reminiscent of its original look.

The cathedral church, recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, began by tearing out asphalt to include gardens, a storm water system, some permeable paving and a public labyrinth.

The church had been involved in 2008 flood relief efforts, and when faced with the long-overdue restoration of their parking lot, leaders looked for options other than concrete. They devised a plan with the aid of a $100,000 IJOBS grant and other financing from the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, the Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District and Trees Forever.

More here-

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20101109/NEWS/11090305/-1/GETPUBLISHEDAUTHOR/St.-Paul-s-church-parking-lot-to-be-native-green-space