The idea of “going green” and using eco-friendly practices has never been more prevalent than it is now, and the implementation of green methods will only increase. The truth is that green new homes offer tons of benefits, for both the planet and their inhabitants. Good green decisions help preserve our natural environment and lead to a healthier, sustainable earth.
Likewise, those same green decisions lead to happier humans as they promote social connection, active lifestyles and improved mental health. Eco-friendly choices also mean lower energy consumption and thus lower costs, making environmental friendliness good for your wallet too.
It’s important for new communities to create sustainability and conserve the earth’s natural resources, and Rivers Pointe Estates is doing just that. We’re implementing several “green” practices to promote a healthy earth and healthy people.
How exactly is Rivers Pointe Estates going “green”? We’re glad you asked.
Nature Preservation
The master plan for Rivers Pointe Estates includes special protections for the natural environment. Through careful planning, we are preserving nearly a quarter of the 400 acres of wooded areas and green spaces. The design locates residential and retail buildings in areas with less vegetation, allowing for conservation of the community’s woodlands. Careful planning means many home lots will back up directly to these woods, allowing residents to enjoy the beauty and health benefits of our preserved greenery.
Additionally, we’ve included almost six miles of trails for both hiking and horseback riding so that all neighborhood residents can enjoy the beautiful environment. We’re also going beyond the “green” to include the “blue” — we’ve donated more than 10 acres of our streams to permanent wetland preservation.
The developer, John Toebben, has also formed the Boone County Garbage Gophers, a group of resident volunteers who go out along the area roadways once a month and collect trash. John and the group believe it is important to keep the ecosystem free of litter and our streams and rivers clean. Everyone is welcome to join the group, get exercise along the way and give the environment a helping hand.
All of these tactics help maintain the natural environmental balance of Rivers Pointe Estates. These conservation efforts provide residents with better air quality and incentives to spend time outside.
Dark Sky Lighting
We’ve also installed energy efficient LED dark sky street lights to limit light pollution. This kind of pollution results from unnecessary and inordinate artificial lighting, like that found in most street lamps. With typical street light fixtures, light spills up into the sky rather than shining down where it is most needed. Ultimately, light pollution negatively affects people near these lights, disrupting their natural circadian rhythm, lowering melatonin levels and heightening sleep disorders among other health issues. Light pollution also leads to wasted electricity and energy use and interrupts the natural ecosystem.
Dark sky lighting works differently and points the light downward. Less artificial light reflects up into the sky. Avoiding over-lighting means less wasted electricity and better sleeping habits for humans. An added bonus: Outside their green new homes, Rivers Pointe residents will be able to see the stars and take in the natural beauty of the night sky.
Energy Conservation
Rivers Pointe Estates further promotes energy conservation through its design. The roads, paths and master-planned community encourage walking and bicycling. When residents leave their cars at home, they save energy. With a fitness center, general store and other popular amenities planned in the Village Center, residents won’t have to drive to meet many of their needs. Additionally, our location is prime for a bus stop, encouraging people to take advantage of public transit.
Wind Turbines
Our unique location along the Ohio River provides more than amazing views, it also offers high wind velocity. We’re excited about our extraordinary opportunity for wind-generated energy.
Our future plans include installing two 60-foot electric wind turbines to generate power for Rivers Pointe Estates. A grid system will allow any excess wind energy to be fed back to the grid. Wind energy is both a clean and renewable energy source, and these turbines will help create sustainability.
Stormwater Runoff
When it rains, it pours. There is no doubt that rainwater does wonders for plant life: It offers important nutrients that help greenery flourish. But when it’s more than just a little rain, the ground doesn’t absorb all the water, creating stormwater runoff. Concrete and similar materials found in roads and pavement make runoff worse. Stormwater that can’t seep into the ground keeps going, usually until it finds another body of water like a lake or river. Along the way, runoff picks up anything in its path including soil, germs, trash and anything else not firmly rooted. As well as consequential water pollution, runoff also causes erosion and the destruction of natural areas.
As part of Rivers Pointe Estates’ plan to limit stormwater runoff, we have reduced street widths. Less concrete means more soil where rain can be absorbed. Our street designs naturally control vehicle speed to reduce consumption. To further prevent damage caused by stormwater runoff, our community barn will also have a water harvesting system. Rainwater caught and stored in the system can be recycled to water plants and dog walkers.
Even More “Green” New Home Features
The “green” doesn’t stop there.
In addition to the community greenspaces and preserved woodlands, the Rivers Pointe Estates plan also features a primitive family campground. We love to encourage families to spend more time outside, reconnecting with nature and lowering their energy use.
We have also reused boulders dug from the site during excavations. We gathered these big stones into special areas where kids can climb and play.
Your Eco-Friendly Neighborhood
From the start, we envisioned Rivers Pointe Estates as a sustainable community. We’re excited about the impact our eco-friendly practices will have on our planet and our community.
If “green” new homes are as important to you as they are to us, you may have just found your next hometown. Read more about our amenities to see how Rivers Pointe is perfect for you.
Request Information
We’re ready to introduce you to the unique community of Rivers Pointe Estates. We can’t wait to tell you more about it and hear about your next home. Request information.