New York gets state’s first green-roof resort

The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, in Lake Placid, New York, became the first resort in New York State to install a “green-roof” - a 3,400-square-foot grid of plants and shrubs native to the Adirondack region.

Last week, the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort in Lake Placid, New York, became the first resort in New York State to install a “green-roof” - a 3,400-square-foot grid of plants and shrubs native to the Adirondack region. Each module of the roof is composed of 60% post-industrial recycled material, all sourced from the Northeast region. The green roof will provide a habitat for native birds, bees, butterflies.

One direct benefit to the property itself is that the green roof performs as a natural insulation that reduces the Golden Arrow’s energy consumption - its components help keep heat inside the resort during the winter months and will help to cool it during the warm days of summer. The new installation also extends the life of the roof on which it sits - non-woven geo-textile is placed over the existing roof, giving the plant modules a base on which to grow and protecting the roof underneath from the effects of nature such as precipitation and sunlight. Storm-water runoff will be collected by the green roof, which aids in preventing erosion caused by water runoff.

“We are very proud of all of the initiatives we have put into place to become more earth-friendly,” said Jenn Holderied, owner of the Golden Arrow. “From the limestone beach to the in-room recycling program, we have really come a long way in the last few years.”

The Golden Arrow is the only resort in the United States to have achieved a Four Green Leaves rating from Audubon International.

“We thought the green roof was a unique and fun way to ‘wear our green on our sleeve,’” said Holderied. “Why put up a sign telling people we are green when we could do it in a way that helps the environment as well? We hope people who travel to Lake Placid will see the roof and become inspired.”

Golden Arrow’s other Green programs

Private White Sand Beach: In addition to looking beautiful, the white sand on Golden Arrow’s beach is made of crushed limestone which helps counteract the effects of acid rain: a big problem in the Adirondack Park. Every Spring, the resort trucks in tons of sand to help keep Mirror Lake clean.

Gift Bags: Repeat guests often receive welcome back bags from the resort, all of which have post consumer content and are recyclable themselves. The bags are packed with recycled pens, locally made gifts such as wooden coasters, and soy chap stick. Also included are note cards purchased from The Adirondack Council - moneys go directly to helping preserve the wild nature of the Adirondack Park.

Green Meetings: All meetings & events held at the Golden Arrow use only “real” plate ware/glasses and cutlery to cut down on waste - any waste generated is properly recycled/disposed of, all of the paper goods (including the pens) are made of post consumer content & are recyclable. The resort does not used bottled water. If meals are required, the employ Charlie’s Restaurant to supply organic, locally produced cuisine.

For more information on the resort’s expansive green initiatives, visit the Golden Arrow online.