REACH Ashland Youth Center is a state-of-the-art green facility developed and owned by Alameda County. It provides local youth with integrated health services, career development services, and programs to build and express their creativity in a supportive, community-oriented atmosphere.

The Bay-Friendly Rated landscape and LEED Platinum-rated building provide an inspiring, healthy environment for youth and reduce long-term environmental impacts. REACH shares the site with Jack Holland Sr. Park, another Bay-Friendly Rated landscape developed and owned by Alameda County.

LANDSCAPE HIGHLIGHTS

• At least 85% of stormwater is captured and filtered onsite via a green roof, flow-through planters, bioswales and other permeable surfaces
• Irrigation needs were reduced through a number of strategies, including selecting California native species for more than 60% of the plants, keeping bare soil covered with mulch, and using drip irrigation
• Recycling containers are co-located with trash containers throughout the site to reduce waste to the landfill
• Lawns were minimized, with turf covering no more than 15% of the irrigated area 
• Maintenance procedures include grasscycling (leaving grass clippings on the soil), use of fallen leaves and other plant debris as mulch, and use of integrated pest management practices

RESULTS

• 77,500 gallons of water saved annually compared to a conventional landscape
• 16 tons of local, recycled compost used
• 19 tons of local, recycled mulch used
• 89% of plants are low water-using species
• Bay-Friendly landscape practices reduced greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 6 to 12 tons CO2E 

PROJECT DETAILS

• Project owner/developer: County of Alameda General Services Agency
• Landscape architect: Wood Rodgers
• Location: 16335 E 14th St, San Leandro
• Project area: 1 acre
• Landscape accessible to the public? Yes

BFRatedLandscape_logo_Nov_2012.jpg

Bay-Friendly Rated Landscape score: 106

• REACH Ashland Youth Center website
• Alameda County's project fact sheet for REACH AYC