The biggest advantage of Grasspave 2 has to do with stormwater management. Using the product can obviate the need for costly stormwater management systems, such as detention ponds, infiltration basins, and stormwater sewers. By allowing rainwater to infiltrate into the soil, groundwater is recharged and pollutant loading to surface waters is reduced. In a Connecticut project being planned, approximately 200,000 ft 2 of the product will be used for paving an overflow parking lot for a shopping mall. Because the primary use will be during the Christmas season when the grass is dormant, the turf is expected to hold up well, even with moderate use.
Porous asphalt has an even smaller open area.
Deacon points out, however, that the potential for greater soil depth with concrete grid pavers provides for healthier grass that will usually cover the concrete grids. The cost of Grasspave 2 is highly variable depending on the size of the project. Landscape architect Al Veri of Albert Veri and Associates in Providence, Rhode Island specified Grasspave 2 for an overflow parking area at a town park. Completed this past April, the paved area is in use already, and Veri is pleased with its performance. Even though it cost more than asphalt to put in, Veri chose it because the high water table would have resulted in run-off problems with asphalt.