Force Change

Baseball’s opening weekend marked the opening of the Washington Nationals brand new green ballpark. The ballpark, built in under two years, for the cost of $611 million, received a LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, for its eco-friendly design. Some green highlights include: locating the stadium close to a metro stop, energy efficient light fixtures, drought-resistant plants, and water efficient plumbing.

While it appears a lot of resources will be conserved throughout the lifespan of this new stadium, an even greater achievement may be introducing the millions of ballpark visitors to the concept of green design. As a municipal facility, the new ballpark will be an example for the city of the benefits of green construction.