Permeable Pavers: Major League Material

Though rain may delay a Baltimore Orioles game, the picnic area surrounding Oriole Park at Camden Yards can accommodate play even during wet weather.

Though rain may delay a Baltimore Orioles game, the picnic area surrounding Oriole Park at Camden Yards can accommodate play even during wet weather. Formerly paved in stone, a large picnic space located left of centerfield behind the bullpen was renovated recently with permeable concrete units to create a more inviting venue for fans.

The Baltimore Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) jointly retained Beck Powell Parsons of Towson, Md., and WBCM Engineers in Baltimore to design an appealing permeable hardscape for sections of the picnic area. Henry H. Lewis Contractors, Owings Mills, Md., served as construction manager.

The project paving contractor, Baltimore-based Interlock Paving, Inc., elected to install Abbotsford Concrete Products’ proprietary AquaPave Permeable Paving System supplied by mid-Atlantic licensee Nitterhouse Masonry Products, LLC. An environmentally friendly product that helps prevent soil erosion, the permeable system regulates runoff by reclaiming and reusing storm water as it percolates through the hardscape. The installation incorporates a patented geotextile fabric that employs microbial action to remove 99 percent of oil and hydrocarbons as well as up to 87 percent of heavy metals from storm water prior to returning it to the earth. Besides preventing any future storm water run-off issues, AquaPave enabled MSA to use the existing drain system.

Interlock Paving began installing approximately 8,500 square feet of the permeable pavers the first week of March, anticipating completion by month’s end. Red and charcoal matte pavers were used to create distinctive patterns.

The Oriole Park picnic area marks the second permeable paver installation at a Major League Baseball venue. Parking Lot L, opened in April 2008 at Chicago’s U.S. Cellular Field, comprises 265,000 sq. ft. of L-shaped Eco-Optiloc pavers.

PICNIC SPACE

PROJECT PRINCIPALS

Owner
Maryland Stadium Authority
Baltimore

Architect
Beck Powell & Parsons
Towson, Maryland

Engineer
WBCM Headquarters
Baltimore

Construction Manager
Henry H. Lewis
Contractors, LLC
Owings Mills, Maryland

Paving Contractor
Interlock Paving, Inc.
Baltimore

Paver Supplier
Nitterhouse Masonry
Products, LLC
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania