Lilly Sustainable Garden

Indianapolis, Indiana

 

This new Sustainable Garden in the center of the Eli Lilly & Company Corporate Campus, located in downtown Indianapolis, has become the new benchmark for advanced sustainable site development, and was recently awarded the inaugural (re)thINk Award for sustainability at the Monumental Affair Awards for Excellence in Design and Development, sanctioned by the US Green Building Council.

This previously derelict industrial-commercial city block is an evolving urban garden hosting all native plant materials, organic composted soils, recycledmaterials, permeable stone and paver pathways, and solar powered lighting, all exemplifying conservation, reduced carbon usage, reduced storm water runoff, and true sustainability. The first phase was planted by over 500 Lilly volunteers on the Lilly Global Day of Service.

 

SUSTAINABLE BENEFITS:

 

Native Plants: Over 33,000 Native Indiana plants, of 138 different species, and of which 19 are considered medicinal, were planted by Lilly employee volunteers in a single day. Plantings included 98 Trees, 151 Shrubs, 26,000 Forbs & Wildflowers, 88 Ferns, and 7000 Grasses & Groundcovers, all representing the natural prairies, woodlands, meadows, uplands, and savannas of Indiana.

 

Recycling: Over 10,000 glazed bricks from the late 1800’s were salvaged from the site and reused as path edging. Recycled concrete was also used for the base of the garden paths.

 

Solar Lighting: Solar powered pavers and LED bollard lights allow a low glow for nocturnal visibility while producing Zero carbon by-products. The bollard fixtures are also manufactured with 80% recycled materials, and are 97% recyclable.

 

Soils: The garden soils were reclaimed from the site and amended with Organic Compost and Shredded Hardwood Bark Mulch to create a more friable, nutrient rich, and organic base for the plants to sustain and flourish. No manmade chemicals are planned for use in the garden and no active irrigation system was installed to promote and maintain this as a true Sustainable Garden.