Green Roofs for Stormwater Management
Feature:  Meadow Lane
Eastern Long Island, NY | LiveRoof® Northeast

A Decade of Stewardship in a Fragile Coastal Ecosystem

Some projects stand out not because of their scale or dramatic views, but because of what they quietly protect. Meadow Lane, a 5,900-square-foot LiveRoof® installation along the wetlands of Eastern Long Island, is one of those projects.

Situated in one of the most environmentally sensitive regions on the East Coast—where dense development meets tidal inlets, cattail marshland, and the Atlantic—stormwater management isn’t just a design consideration. It’s a responsibility. And for more than a decade, this coastal residence has demonstrated just how powerful a well-designed green roof can be.

A Vision That Grew Into Stewardship

The project began in 2012 with a simple vision by architects at Sawyer Benson and was realized by Wright & Company’s highly skilled team of builders and subcontractors. Green roof professional Mike DiMezza of Outside Design Build became involved with the LiveRoof® for its maintenance in 2012. Meadow Lane has since expanded and became something more, a long-term commitment to ecological stewardship.

Seven separate flat roof areas, all planted using the LiveRoof® Standard System, form a nearly continuous layer of vegetation—supported by RoofEdge® edging components—helping the property harmonize into its coastal surroundings.

Behind the scenes, LiveRoof Northeast has provided regional growing expertise, with Sales & Product Specialist Sean Faulkner noting the project checks every major box for stormwater benefits:

• Reduce stormwater runoff
• Conserve municipal storm systems
• Improve water quality
• Restore habitat
• Prevent pollution
• Teach and model ecological stewardship

At Meadow Lane, these aren’t theoretical—they’re measurable.

Stormwater Management Where it Matters Most

Eastern Long Island is a place where every gallon of runoff matters. Neighborhoods here sit just yards from wetlands and coastal ponds that support fish nurseries, migratory birds, and the broader Atlantic ecosystem. Even small increases in erosion, nutrient loading, or polluted runoff can have outsized impacts.

This is where the Meadow Lane LiveRoof® green roofs shine.

Retention Capacity

Using the standard LiveRoof module capacity of 1.11 gallons per square foot, the 5,869 sq. ft. of vegetated roof area can retain approximately:

6,504 gallons per rainfall event when starting from dry conditions.

That aligns almost exactly with the amount of stormwater produced by a 1-inch rainfall on the same area—meaning the green roof can capture and hold nearly an entire moderate storm before any runoff reaches the ground.

Long-Term Impact

Over an estimated 14 years of operation, using conservative averages and accounting for weather variability, the Meadow Lane roofscape has prevented roughly:

1.1 million gallons of stormwater from flowing into sensitive wetlands.

That’s more than 1 million gallons of avoided erosion, reduced nutrient loading, and improved water quality delivered straight back into the surrounding ecosystem—simply because the roof is alive.

Why This Matters

Stormwater management is often overshadowed by the aesthetic appeal of green roofs, but in coastal regions like this, it’s the ecological services that matter most.

Meadow Lane demonstrates that a green roof is not just a beautiful amenity. It is:

• A frontline defense against runoff and pollution
• A cooling, insulating layer that reduces energy use
• A habitat for pollinators and birds
• A contributor to reduced carbon emissions
• A quiet, constant provider of ecological benefits—year after year

And importantly, it models what responsible coastal development can look like.

A Project That Teaches by Example

Designer and builder Mike DiMezza notes “The benefits of the LiveRoofs don’t just come back to the homeowner—they are also delivered to the local ecosystem.”

In a landscape where municipal systems are stressed, rainfall patterns are shifting, and fragile habitats are at risk, Meadow Lane stands as proof that thoughtful design can lighten our footprint without compromising beauty or function.

This project illustrates why towns, architects, and homeowners should consider green roofs not just as design features, but as essential infrastructure—especially where the land meets the sea.

About this Series:

This article is the tenth installment in our Green Roofs for Stormwater Management series, where we explore how green infrastructure transforms the way communities handle water, climate, and sustainability challenges.

I’m Jodi Griffin, Business Development Manager for LiveRoof® Global.

Questions? Reach out anytime at jodi@liveroof.com.

Learn more about LiveRoof Northeast.