Park East by the Gardens Condominiums rooftop reception

The rooftop reception is scheduled for Thursday, August 7th (rain date, Friday, August 8th) from 4:30PM to 7:30PM at Park East by the Gardens Condominiums, located at 3502 Dennett Drive in Madison. A short program from 5:30-6:00PM will give guests an opportunity to learn about greening our buildings and our building codes to reduce global warming, while enjoying the plantings on the rooftop in this spectacular lake-view site.

First, guests will hear about the site's transformation from an "eyesore" gas station on Atwood Avenue to a premier residence and vista overlooking Lake Monona. Builder John Sveum, of Yahara Builders, and Ed Linville, architect, will be on hand to talk about their vision for condo residents. Ellen Rulseh will then describe Earth & Water Work's growth as a business from the ground (rain gardens) up. Earth & Water Works’ Susan Priebe, trained in green roof technology by Green Roofs Healthy Cities of Toronto, will briefly describe the green roof function and benefits. Chapter Director Shahla Werner and other Sierra Club members will complete the program with an overview of Sierra Club's Cool Cities program to solve global warming one city at a time and our current efforts to ensure passage of the 30% Solution to improve the energy efficiency of new homes through better building codes. She will also describe how volunteers can “step it up” and participate.

Park East by the Gardens Condominiums is located across from Olbrich Park and Lake Monona on Atwood Avenue. The building parking garage will be open for the event. Street parking and a parking lot across Atwood Avenue in Olbrich Park is also available. Guests are encouraged to walk, bike, or ride share to the event. In honor of John Muir, guests who arrive on foot, by bike, in public transportation or a hybrid vehicle will be rewarded with a free drink!

Hosts for this event, which is free and open to the public, include: John Muir Chapter of the Sierra Club, Earth & Water Works, Yahara Builders, Linville Architects, and local businesses who generously donate refreshments and other support for this event (who will be recognized in a later media release).

Note: RSVP to Shahla Werner at shahla.werner@sierraclub.org by August 4, 2008 is recommended as the green roof and building penthouse have a limited capacity.