Manhattan's Riverside Park took the first step toward its $6 million composting-wildflower-covered public restroom. DNAinfo reports that the park received a $50,000 grant that will pay for 90 percent of the solar panels required to power the whole operation. The area where the toilets will be be built is currently an empty parking lot above the clay tennis courts, but it will be turned into a wildflower meadow fueled by the compost of the bathrooms. In addition to powering the restrooms, the solar system will also power a new tennis office.
Designed by ecotastic architects COOKFOX, the project is called Green Outlook, and it will cost a total of $6 million. Councilwoman Gale Brewer has raised $1.2 million, and the Riverside Park Fund and the Riverside Clay Tennis Association are working to raise the remaining funds. Now that they have the money for the solar panels, COOKFOX will finalize designs next summer and start construction in fall 2014.
· Solar-Powered Toilets in Riverside Park Get $50K Grant [DNAinfo]