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Large-scale public properties in both neighborhoods have great potential for extensive “green” retrofitting of their facilities, plus planting as many new trees as possible! Two public schools in Petworth – MacFarland Middle School and Roosevelt High School – are candidates for green roofs. Other possibilities include building cisterns and bioretention systems for the school parking lots.
Green Roofs
 A rooftop which is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. Other layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems may be added. Also known as vegetated roofs, green roofs absorb rainwater, provide building insulation, create wildlife habitat, and help lower urban air temperatures and combat the heat island effect. There are two types: intensive roofs, which are thicker and can support a wider variety of plants but are heavier and require more maintenance, and extensive roofs, which are covered in a light layer of vegetation and are lighter than an intensive green roof.
Shade Trees
 Tree planting is simply installing trees in open space. Mature trees intercept and capture rainfall before it reaches the ground and becomes runoff.
Cisterns
 Cisterns are reservoirs such as an underground or above ground tank for storing rainwater. Cisterns generally capture stormwater from rooftop downspouts. The water can then be used to water landscaped areas – helping vegetation and saving money.
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