If your project has an ample amount of surrounding site area, this may be a straightforward credit for you. This credit encourages projects to not only set aside open space, but to ensure that it’s accessible and promotes outdoor recreation for building users.

An asphalt playground, however, won’t cut it. Teams must dedicate a percentage of the open space to vegetation. There are plenty of great options for outdoor recreation that can help you achieve this credit, so get creative with your site. The idea is to encourage a physical connection between building users and open space.

Vegetated roof spaces can count

If your vegetated roof is physically accessible, you can count it toward the minimum 25% vegetation requirement. Paved areas on the roof that are physically accessible can also count toward credit compliance. This applies to all projects regardless of floor-area ratio.

And wetlands, too!

While certainly a rare feature, wetlands and naturally designed ponds can count as open space too. In order to use this type of space to meet the credit thresholds, the side slope gradients must average 1:4 (vertical:horizontal) or less, and must also be vegetated.

What’s New in LEED v4.1

• Turf grass is no longer called out as noncompliant. Instead, the credit calls for “a diversity” of vegetation.
• Vegetated roof spaces may now contribute regardless of project density.
• The credit clarifies that vegetated roofs must be physically accessible in order to count towards the minimum 25% vegetation requirement.
• The option to count adjacent open space, or open space in another location within a site master plan, has been removed.

Should I Upgrade?

It depends. Some projects may benefit from upgrading to v4.1. For example, a project with turf grass or a lower-density building with a vegetated roof will both find that this credit may be achievable under v4.1. Teams that want to claim open space that’s adjacent to the project or in another location within a master plan development should stick with v4.