rock filled gabion wholesale

'Gabion walls are the perfect fusion of rugged design and contemporary lines 14785. odm expanded mesh  'Gabion walls are the perfect fusion of rugged design and contemporary lines Gabion simply means “big cage” in Italian 4681. temporary plastic fencing posts   Gabion simply means “big cage” in Italian These functional, low-cost walls have been in use for thousands years 19572. africa chicken netting hexagonal wire mesh factory   These functional, low-cost walls have been in use for thousands years Their design concept is simple 6119. timber palisade fencing specification   Their design concept is simple Build a cage like structure out of metal and fill the cage with rocks 11975. security welded mesh fence   Build a cage like structure out of metal and fill the cage with rocks Their design came to fruition while clearing land of rocks and other inorganic materials 13304. best 3/8 inch welded wire mesh   Their design came to fruition while clearing land of rocks and other inorganic materials People would fill the “cages” with these materials for retaining wall, military security and land division 13412. best razor net   People would fill the “cages” with these materials for retaining wall, military security and land division By using the locally sourced materials these walls would address two needs, create division and protection on the land while removing stones from the site, both at a relatively low cost 468. expanded metal walkway mesh for sale   By using the locally sourced materials these walls would address two needs, create division and protection on the land while removing stones from the site, both at a relatively low cost Some parts of Europe have used this system for building walls as well Vineyards in Italy have constructed their winery buildings in this fashion They discovered the thickness of the wall in combination with the passive air movement in the voids of the rock create the perfect temperature and environment to store their wine Over time this idea adapted to continue to meet modern civil engineering needs Some case studies have found that over time as the rocks settle into voids and sediment accumulated in the walls, the gabion wall’s stability would continue to increase In recent years, this utilitarian design tool has evolved to meet current aesthetic desires Gabion walls in modern landscape design consist of a metal cage made of steel square mesh The contents are filled with a medley of material For those looking to remove larger stones from your landscape can use those rocks as fill material This reduces the carbon footprint of bringing in an outside material and incorporate the context of the site in your new landscape Many people do not have enough rocks in their landscape to fill a wall You want to maintain continuity throughout, so mixing fill rocks is not recommended You can use river rock, slate, recycled concrete fragments or old bricks Some have used more unique products such as pieces of pottery or glass for color variation Statement pieces such as plastic or rubber debris have been utilized in a more artistic fashion Adapting their design to meet other needs, such as seating and water features have also been incorporated After creating centralized support poles, you can install smooth finish concrete as a bench top, or finished redwood for a warmer appeal Adding galvanized pipe or trough like fixtures to the wall quickly allows you to adapt these structures to a unique backdrop for a water feature Gabion walls tie the structure of the site to the natural landscape What gives this method differentiating characteristics over walls with a stone veneer is the clean lines the metal crates juxtaposed onto the rocks It makes the stone placed on the interior of the structure become an exhibition piece You stop and notice the natural color, texture and lines because it is showcased in a distinctive way Devon designs for The Gardens at Cal Turf and can be reached at devon@thegardensatcalturfcom Upcoming events at The Gardens • 10 am Jan 17 : Holistic Health Care in the Garden with Gisele Schoniger Learn about simply and organic methods to create a healthy environment in your landscape Free, first 30 people receive a giveaway • 10 am Jan 24 : Rose Pruning Demonstration Bring your gloves and favorite clippers to learn how to prune and maintain your favorite roses Our staff will be here to answer all your rose questions Free, first 12 people receive a giveaway Bareroot trees and roses will be here! • 10 am Jan 31: Tree Pruning Demonstration with LE Cooke Learn how to properly prune your edible and ornamental trees with the experts from LE Cooke Inc Have questions answered about dormant sprays and proper maintenance of your favorite tree Free, first 12 people receive a giveaway Bareroot and roses will be here! The Gardens at Cal Turf , 950 N J St, Tulare wwwthegardensatcalturfcom or 688-2084\n', 'Spring Lake Garden Club’s September Yyard of the Month is in the Forest Hills neighborhood, between North LBJ Drive and Spring Lake Hills, north of Texas State campus The home of Jeff Dell for 17 years, this hillside landscape on West Bluebonnet Drive near the intersection of Mandalay Lane is a dramatic terraced showcase of native plants Jeff, a professor of printmaking at Texas State, noted the yard is “100% my responsibility” but that it needed supplemental watering for two hot months this summer while Dell practiced art and teaching in Sicily Thanks to recent rains, the landscape is now a living collage of greenery on a hillside easel Any hillside landscape involves control of soil and water on a slope, and Dell discovered a new affinity for “walling” or building rock walls, which turns out to be a worldwide community of builders He built the impressive rock “planter” in the front yard, but is now also an advocate of using “gabions” or wire containers for smaller rocks to stabilize a slope Dell crafted his own wire cages at first, but found that kits from Australia were more efficient for using rocks from the property Dell hired a steelwork contractor in 2015-2016 to install metal retaining panels that define major front yard terraces Since then, other metal retainers and plant rings have been added after visits to a used steel outlet in New Braunfels One of the first plantings in the front yard was a Mexican oak sapling, provided by Dell’s father, and a second one added later is almost as tall as the original Both shade the west-facing front yard from afternoon sun Other sun-tolerant plants add to the variety of the uphill landscape, with lime green fronds of bamboo muhly in the rock planter contrasting with dark green leaves of nearby mountain laurel one of Dell’s favorite central Texas plants Dell is an adopted rather than native-born Texan, but has already learned that patience is necessary for gardening here Only six of 70 mountain laurel seeds he collected actually germinated, but the new plants are already adding to the landscape Others are nurtured in pots near the entrance, along with agave pups and other cuttings, as future gifts to friends and neighbors Recycling and reuse — plus pass-along plants — are key factors in Dell’s continuing landscape project Front steps from the street are concrete rectangles salvaged from cutting up a demolished slab at the outlet center in San Marcos Set in gray gravel over a weed barrier, the steps offer visitors an easy climb toward the entry A handsome cactus “shrub” near the curb is descended from one of two cactus pads from a friend in Wimberley, and a pillar cactus near the driveway is also gift from a friend An olive tree lost in the Februar 2021 freeze has been replaced with a hardy vitex, and Dell hopes that a huisache tree at the opposite side of the yard will thrive, a reminder of the similar acacias he admired in Italy Plants filling in the curbside bed on Bluebonnet Drive include more natives — cenizo or Texas Sage with its purple flowers, Mexican bush sage, salvia, lantana and santolina — all growing in a mulch of gray gravel Thick mulch of any kind reduces water evaporation from the soil, so plants such as yucca, salvia and agave require almost no watering between rains With a sustainably-terraced front slope and hardy plants, Dell now turns to landscaping a side yard patio with more shade — still another gardening challenge\n', "Get the best home decor ideas, DIY advice and project inspiration straight to your inbox! Thank you for signing up to Realhomes You will receive a verification email shortly There was a problem Please refresh the page and try again Surround your front-of-house or backyard in a stylish, functional border with defining yet cheap fence ideas that will add another dimension of texture Every plot, no matter how cozy or big deserves a bit of privacy and protection, after all, we need to keep those nosy neighbors at bay, and curious critters out somehow, don't we? Quicker and cheaper to install than a wall, fence ideas come in a variety of styles and materials to suit every scheme and space Whether you're replacing a fence following storm damage, or looking to refresh a tired looking structure, from blend-in hazel screens to color-pop painted panels, there's a good-looking way to screen and shelter every outdoor space, big or small, without breaking your budget Design experts at GardeningExpresscouk (opens in new tab) comment: ‘Creating a privacy screen is the ultimate easy garden DIY project to gain a concealed area Apart from nails and a hammer, the quirky yet functional partition can be made solely out of old doors or wooden pallets Another alternative is wire fencing, as it is quick to install and unbelievably cheap Growing climbing plants like a colorful clematis or ivy up the wire will create a private space and a great place to nature spot’ Divide and conquer your territory – from balcony to backyard, combine cheap fencing ideas with backyard screening to fix up and transform your outside space Give tired-looking timber a new lease of life with a colorful makeover Choose your favorite Sadolin Rainshield paint (opens in new tab) shades (flexible, fiber-reinforced water and crack resistant waterproofing paint that acts as a preventative measure for areas prone to water leaks), paint a wood fence like a pro, and create an ombre effect with tonal colors, and graduate the shades over different sections To keep the illusion of added height, apply the darkest shade at the base, working up to the lightest shade at the top Tristan Sissons, garden buying manager for Homebase (opens in new tab) , comments: ‘Fencing might be a practical feature in your garden, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring! At Homebase, we go for style AND substance Wooden fences have been around for a long time, and you really can’t beat a classic – plus it’s a great money-saving option By opting for wooded fencing, you can easily freshen up your garden look with a lick of paint in on-trend shades, meaning you don’t have to invest in a brand-new fence every time you fancy a change Bright pops of color are a great way to make small gardens feel bigger, whereas trendy darker tones are great for making plants stand out’ Using the same method as above, radiate your outside space with on-trend calming pastel pops Continue these accent colors through coordinated garden accessories, including painted plant pots, outdoor rugs, outdoor cushions , and throws, and marvel at your gorgeous color-pop, garden oasis - come rain or shine Get your pallet-prowess ON with this simple, cheap, and cheerful fencing idea Create an instant garden fence or property boundary with repurposed pallets - the possibilities are endless… Keron Howe, CEO, and co-founder of Property Nation (opens in new tab) comments: ‘The cheapest DIY fencing idea that can look incredibly stylish is creating a fence from old pallets Pallets are used in the distribution industry and are readily available, low cost, and can be remodeled into dozens of different patterns’ Howe continues: ‘Design your fence using multiple sized pallets much like a jigsaw puzzle The pallets themselves have character and a life story Simply stain them with the best fence stains but leave the wood so their history and age shows through’ Mark Osborne, director, Country Hardwood (opens in new tab) , agrees: ‘Using old pallets as a cheap fencing design is a less expensive option Check internet marketplaces, salvage sites, and huge local stores for them, which may often be purchased for a very cheap cost or even for free’ For an easy wood pallet fencing idea to get you started, all you need is a sledgehammer (opens in new tab) from Amazon, and some 4x4 wood posts, not forgetting the pallets of course! Check out Bless my weeds’ (opens in new tab) amazing DIY pallet fence ideas to inspire and guide you all the woodwork (not wayward) way… But why stop there? Try DIY pallet furniture ideas to create the ultimate, upcycled ‘garden lounge’ Summer lounging and loving ahoy there! Stuck in a concrete jungle with an exposed balcony, or in dire need of a transformative small backyard idea ? Fear not, you can create your own little oasis of calm, with functional, flexible, and affordable bamboo This eco-friendly material is an ideal and versatile choice for every type of outdoor space and brings bundles (pun intended) of natural texture and organic pattern wherever it goes Rolled bamboo is a speedy and effective must-try for balcony ideas or porches in particular - adding privacy, without smashing the budget Simply attach a rolled bamboo design, like the bamboo fence panel (opens in new tab) shown here from Wayfair, to railings for an instant fix Keep salad-snackers firmly out, OR keep small animals contained, with an inexpensive chicken wire fence (shop a variety of affordable chicken wire (opens in new tab) options at Home Depot) You can even use it as a trellis for vining plants - bonus! Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love (opens in new tab) , advises: ‘For a dog fence, consider a mix of pine or cedar posts and cross-braces with mesh filling in the remaining spaces Mesh or chicken wire is inexpensive and dogs can't get through it’ If you’re feeling proactive, get out into the fresh stuff, and learn how to build a garden fence with chicken wire (opens in new tab) , at UpgradedHomecom Whether you need a relaxing corner to read a favorite book, or a spot in bloom for alfresco entertaining, zone different areas of your outside space with attractive trellis designs Not only a cost-effective fencing solution, but trellis also marries beautifully with rambling plant species, to create a ‘living fence’ illusion, meaning that your fence becomes part of the natural garden landscape, instead of fighting against it\xa0A DIY trellis with planter boxes is an ideal combo for showing off summer flowers on the porch or patio also Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpresscouk (opens in new tab) comments: ‘Seeing your garden as another room of your home is helpful when zoning Think about what you would like closest to the house Maybe the kid’s area to keep an eye on them, or the dining area so you can get food straight out of the kitchen’ Keep neighbors on the right side of the yard with bright delight picket fencing, that marks your territory with a look of ‘American dream’ wholesomeness Typically open and low, meaning that your green-fingered triumphs can be admired by passers-by, the large gaps between pickets allow wind to pass through without damaging the fence Picket styles are ideal for small low maintenance front yards , and only need to be repainted every few years, meaning that you can get maximum bang for your buck\xa0Find the right fencing pick for your yard at Lowe's (opens in new tab) If you’re still wondering if a picket fence is right for your home, let the fencing experts at Bravo Fence (opens in new tab) , help you decide Andra DelMonico, lead interior designer, Trendey (opens in new tab) , comments: 'A gabion wall is a great option for a solid fence that looks expensive but really isn’t You can also easily DIY this fencing project Choose a fill rock material that fits your budget and final look goal' Chicken wire with wooden supports or wood pallets are the most wallet-friendly and versatile forms of fencing and make easy DIY garden projects Garden experts at ManoMano (opens in new tab) , comment: 'There are many different types of fencing and each comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages To find out exactly what you're after, weigh up the following points:' 1 Planning permission - before making any decisions, find out about any local restrictions that might affect your plans 2 Material - it's up to you to choose the right material based on your tastes and how much maintenance you're willing to carry out 3 Type - flexible or rigid (bearing in mind that flexible fences are easier to fit around the shape of your garden) 4 Height - be sure to check whether you need planning permission before making your final choice and it's always best to consult with your neighbors out of courtesy 5 Installation - depending on the type of fencing you go for, you may need to bury your fence posts or buy a supporting surface for your wire mesh 6 Lifespan - this varies depending on the material of the fence and how well it is maintained Choose your materials wisely to ensure your fence lasts 7 Use - think about why you need a fence; to set apart the land, provide more privacy, etc 8 Length - it may seem obvious but there's a big difference between installing a 20-foot fence and a 90-foot one in terms of both aesthetics and installation (which all comes down to how much determination and ambition you have!) 9 Budget - to calculate according to the full length of the fence plus all the tools and accessories required 10 Design - based on any planning restrictions, budget, material, and installation\n", 'by Loshaun Dixon Following years of flooding at College Street Ghaut the Department of Environment has taken proactive measures to reduce land degradation and excessive soil erosion Dr Halla Sahely, GEF-IWEco St Kitts and Nevis Project Coordinator, explained what is being done to address the problem noting the works began in earnest in January 2020 after a clean-up exercise where excess vegetation and solid waste were removed from the ghaut She said, “The project was aided by the Parks and Beaches Unit and a private contractor The focus of the current works will be on the middle section of the ghaut (approximately 2000 feet) from the bridge adjacent to the Moravian Church up to the bridge that crosses the FT Williams Highway She said the work is halfway completed “The Public Works Department has been working in close collaboration with the Department of Environment to ensure the success of this project” Dr Sahely said that it is vital at this time to ensure that the ghaut is protected and that the impacts of this land degradation are far-reaching and include public health risks due to flooding and inappropriate disposal of liquid and solid waste, as well as the loss of topsoil, poor water quality at the outlet of the ghaut and contamination of the nearshore environment\xa0 “Works to reduce and control land degradation inside the ghaut are a critical first step leading to a more proactive way of managing this important environmental zone\xa0“ She noted that the main land degradation control measures being implemented are gabion baskets and planting of grasses and trees that will be strategically located inside the ghaut to stem soil erosion A gabion is a galvanized wire cage, cylinder, or box filled with materials like concrete, stones, sand, or soil When filled with these materials, gabion structures act as building blocks and become a powerful and cost-effective defence against erosion\xa0Gabion baskets have been utilized in the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis for many years especially in the agricultural sector (notably during the times of sugar manufacturing) as a means of soil stabilization and soil conservation along the banks of major\xa0ghauts” Grasses with deep root systems such as vetiver grass and trees will be planted along the banks of the ghaut\xa0 These plants hold the soil together especially on streambanks where runoff is present They also slow stormwater runoff as trees are heavy drinkers and disrupt the overland flow of water and reduce flooding Dr Sahely highlighted that the public has an important role to play in addressing the impacts of land degradation in the Federation in and around ghauts “We must work together to ensure there is no illegal dumping of solid and liquid waste inside of the ghaut\xa0 These pose major flooding and public health risk and contribute to increased soil erosion\xa0 Also, livestock farmers should refrain from allowing their animals to graze inside or near to the banks of the ghaut,” she said The Department of Environment (DOE) is the lead agency with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in implementing a project in St Kitts and Nevis titled “Addressing Impacts of Acute Land Degradation in the College Street Ghaut in St Kitts and Quarries and Sand Mining Hotspots on Nevis ” One of the major project activities is the installation of land degradation control measures inside the College Street Ghaut St Kitts and Nevis are one of ten participating countries in a 5-year multi-focal regional project termed the Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in the Caribbean Small Island Developing States Project (GEF-IWEco)\xa0 The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the lead Implementing Agency in partnership with The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)\xa0 The United Nations Environment\n', 'By Brevard Zoo //\xa0 March 25, 2022 WATCH: Our Restore Our Shores team is happy to share that we’ve seen some early success in using a plastic-free material called a gabion in our oyster restoration projects BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Our Restore Our Shores team is happy to share that we’ve seen some early success in using a plastic-free material called a gabion in our oyster restoration projects “It’s an important step that the Zoo wants to take to reduce manmade materials from our projects,” said Olivia Escandell, Conservation Manager An oyster’s favorite home is another oyster’s shell, Olivia explained The Restore Our Shores team has used plastic mesh bags filled with oyster shells for a few years now to attract oyster spat, or larvae, to attach to the shells and form reef structure For about a year, we’ve been using gabions, or galvanized metal cages, on select oyster reef builds Recently, we joined our partners from UCF to monitor an oyster project built in March 2021 in Melbourne Beach This is a test site for different restoration methods with a side-by-side comparison between oyster bags and gabions WATCH: Oysters are being used to help clean the Indian River Lagoon and Brevard Zoo Conservation Coordinator Olivia Escandell talks about the process and how oysters help, on Space Coast Daily TV On average, the gabions at this site naturally recruited almost three times as many live oysters as the bags and the oysters were much larger! We believe the gabion’s height and larger holes allow for better water flow and less sedimentation, increasing the potential for oyster spawn to attach to the shells inside The greater water flow could also increase food availability, leading to faster growth rates of the oysters “Containing the shell also allows more time for live oysters and reef structure to form and hold shell together before wave action erodes or flattens how the shell is built up,” Olivia said “Gabions provide a plastic-free way of doing this and may hold up better than plastic mesh bags” While the bags have done well overall, our team believe switching to gabions will help the lagoon by encouraging more oysters to grow on the projects, removing plastics from the waterway, protecting marine life from the potential harm of entanglement and micro-plastics and providing a material that will hold up better in active lagoon areas “Plastic pollution in our marine environment is a growing problem,” Olivia said “Because plastics are not biodegradable, they can persist in the environment and create hazards” Although we haven’t seen wildlife entanglements in our mesh bags firsthand, we have found oyster bags dislodged from projects in very high-energy areas These high-energy areas also have limited success with oyster bags, so we’re hoping the gabions will make our reefs stronger Gabions cost significantly more than mesh bags and take much more time to build, so their use will depend on the project initially, but we look forward to slowly making this transition! “We are so thankful to our many volunteers that have helped us construct thousands of gabions so far (always looking for more),” Olivia said The Brevard County Save Our Indian River Lagoon Project Plan funds our oyster projects because of their ability to remove nutrients from the water column, provide habitat for local wildlife and protect shorelines As we continue to work with gabions, we’re trying another innovative oyster reef building method: gabion corrals Our team recently built a “corral” using gabions in Melbourne Beach, filling the center of the corral with loose oyster shells This method removes even more foreign materials from the lagoon while still adding oyster shells and protecting other habitats and the shoreline “Oyster corrals may not produce oyster densities as high as gabions or even bags because the shell will be more exposed to predators, but if we can produce good oyster habitat with less ‘unnatural’ materials it may be worth the trade-off,” Olivia said “This is the lagoon’s first oyster corral project, but we will be building more to test their feasibility at multiple locations” Other oyster restoration practitioners and programs have used this method with success, so we’re hoping to see similar positive results during future monitoring sessions!\n', 'Basseterre, St Kitts, June 05, 2021 (SKNIS): Environmental conservation is necessary for many reasons including the protection of the ozone layer, the sustainability of food chains for animals and humans, the preservation of drinking water and the proper use of non-renewable resources Against this backdrop, the Government of St Kitts and Nevis and by extension, the Department of Environment has rolled out several initiatives to help conserve, preserve, and protect the environment During his address to mark the occasion of World Environment Day 2021, which is observed on June 05 annually, Minister of Environment, the Honourable Eric Evelyn, touched on a few activities including the implementation of a project in St Kitts and Nevis titled “Addressing Impacts of Acute Land Degradation in the College Street Ghaut in St Kitts and Quarries and Sand Mining Hotspots on Nevis” which the Department of Environment is the lead agency with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Proactive measures were taken to reduce land degradation in College Street Ghaut as it has been exposed to excessive soil erosion and flooding for many years The mainland degradation control measures implemented were gabion baskets and planting of grasses and trees that were strategically located inside the ghaut to stem soil erosion A gabion is a galvanized wire cage, cylinder, or box filled with materials like concrete, stones, sand, or soil When filled with these materials, gabion structures act as building blocks and become a powerful and cost-effective defence against erosion “By protecting and caring for ghauts, the integrity of the island’s drainage system is protected, the special character of our neighbourhoods and villages are preserved, and the value of individual properties is maintained and enhanced,” said Minister Evelyn “Left unchecked, erosion of ghauts can cause significant damage Continued erosion can undermine buildings, roads, and bridges, damage water lines, and can result in the loss of land In extreme cases, erosion can cause a loss of land area resulting in a corresponding decrease in property value We are all responsible for taking erosion control measures and for maintaining ghauts in order to protect our land” Minister Evelyn noted that the activities in Nevis are being implemented in partnership with the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society (NHCS) via the Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management (IWEco) project\xa0These interventions, he said, “aim not only to reduce land degradation at the local level but also to contribute to the broader national environmental management objectives of the Federation” The pilot project officially began in May 2020 and will continue over a period of 2 years One important project is a Coconut Walk Estate (2017-2019) where over 1300 trees were planted\xa0The IWEco project provided a grant of USD 150,000 to the NHCS to continue its reforestation programme at Coconut Walk (over 10 acres) and to reforest approximately five acres of degraded lands at the abandoned quarry at Potworks Estate He added that a variety of forest species and fruit trees will be planted, as well as other species of plants such as vetiver grass and sea grape “These plants have deep root systems which hold the soil together\xa0They also slow stormwater runoff as trees are heavy drinkers and disrupt the overland flow of water and reduce flooding” Additionally, the NHCS also teamed up with the St Thomas’ Improvement Group “to restore the wetland at Nelson Spring by removing non-native invasive cattail reeds and scrub and reopening the beautiful vista to the sea Native wetland species have been replanted but notably many native species have returned naturally after the removal of the invasive reeds\xa0As such, the overall biodiversity of this wetland has seen much improvement with over 30 species of birds identified by a group of birders in April 2021,” Minister Evelyn said Disclaimer This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibescom This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibescom, its sponsors or advertisers\n', 'There are many hardscaping elements that can be added to a landscape design that are both attractive and functional One example of this is the gabion wall Gabion walls can be used in landscapes as retaining walls, decorative site walls, seating walls, accent walls and more Randy Jurgensen, president of Decorative Stone Solutions , based in Escondido, California, says gabion walls are well suited for mid-century modern designs as they tend to be more linear in shape and it’s harder to make organic shapes with gabions This hardscape structure has seen an increase in usage over the past few years and here’s what you should know if you are considering using one in your next landscaping project Gabion is derived from the Italian word for “cage” and is a wire container that can hold any sort of inorganic material They can form flexible, permeable structures that work well in stabilizing shorelines against erosion Originally these cages were wicker and were commonly used for civil engineering and military purposes Leonardo da Vinci even used gabions for the foundation of the San Marco Castle in Milan Gabions should not be confused with bastions, which are gabions lined typically with a geotextile allowing it to be filled with a granular soil fill, instead of rocks “I think the big pros are they’re economic, they have little to no maintenance, they’re easy to install and they are very long lasting, and they can be created fairly quickly,” says Jurgensen The cost of the wall depends on the wire being used as there are various grades and gauges of wire mesh available, but they are typically all galvanized The other determining factor on the cost is the fill material being used Angular rock is the best gabion fill as they lock together and provide a non-moving unit Jurgensen suggests using a heavier gauge wire if your customer wants to use a rounded river rock as the fill material to help it maintain its shape Jurgensen says unskilled laborers can easily learn to erect, fill and close the wire baskets properly “Pilings, underwater drainage systems and excavations are unnecessary,” he says “There’s no need to drain the site or to construct a cofferdam for underwater installation The first layer of gabions can be laid in water or in mud” Jurgensen says there’s no need to create a foundation for gabion walls as they end up weighing so much when you fill them with rock He says what anchors the wall is the sheer mass and weight of the structure The longer it’s there, the more it settles in and the stronger it becomes Any gabion wall 3 feet and under does not require the calculation of loads and stress it might take on, but Jurgensen says if you’re going higher than 3 feet you should get an engineer involved to make sure it’s safely constructed A gabion wall’s lifespan depends on the type of wire used and the amount of salt spray it is exposed to “Something that is very coastal tends to rust out like any metal a little quicker,” Jurgensen says “The further inland you go the longer these tend to last but 50 to 100 years is the typical lifespan” Gabion walls are highly permeable and are able to bleed off any hydrostatic pressure, eliminating the need to install a drainage system Unlike a traditional concrete wall, gabion walls are flexible and are able to move with the earth “Let’s say you’re in an area where you have a freeze thaw cycle and the earth rises and sinks as you go through these freeze thaw cycles,” Jurgensen says “This has the ability to move with it so you don’t have a breakdown, where in concrete walls you’re going to get cracking and eventually collapsing under foundation and internal stresses of movement” Some of the cons are typically gabions are too bulky for smaller spaces and they may provide a home for unwanted flora and fauna “One of the drawbacks, and pro depending on what you’re after, is a lot of windblown and water-carried debris and soil can end up in all the crevices inside the wall so you can actually end up with some vegetation growing in these walls Some people like that and other people don’t want to see that” Another possible con is the industrial look of the gabion wall, which Jurgensen says some like and others prefer a more natural looking wall He says one way to make these walls more attractive is to choose a good fill material “The more attractive stone you use, the better it’s going to look overall,” he says “There’s a couple ways to fill these gabions You can use a very good looking stone as the facing material so that’s what’s actually showing to the viewer and then you can backfill that with a less expensive, more industrial grade stone that’s not going to be visible but still acts a structural component of the gabion wall” The fill material can vary from logs to broken concrete to slag glass “You’ll see various types of landscape glass, big chunks of colored glass, being used that makes a pretty neat design both during the day and night,” Jurgensen says “The neat thing about filling it with something like a glass product is you can use lighting inside, so you can run lighting inside of a gabion wall behind the glass, and then that can be lit up at night”\n', 'A prospective timeline presented to the Winnetka Park Board during its Feb 9 meeting outlines steps toward having the board finalize action on Elder Lane Beach in March with a plan for Centennial Beach to be discussed the following month “The Elder piece we’re trying to get locked down so that we can look at it in March and have board action at the end of March,” Board President Warren James said “(We would) lock in on Centennial’s ADA and dog beach in April and any further discussion of the exchange would be after that We’re not coupling those two things together” James said members of the public have made their desire for Elder to be reopened very obvious Feedback from the Jan 21 lakefront workshop shows that some residents who attended are eager to have access to the beach that has been closed since 2020 The beach initially closed due to high lake levels and in the three years since, damage to the beach’s gabion baskets, which create a retaining wall, has created dangerous conditions James said sharp wires could seriously harm an unsuspecting beach user “We don’t know when the sand moves, but we do know that there are exposed wires that are like pongee sticks that could injure someone if people use the beach, and we don’t know if there’s enough sand cover,” James said “We need to address that We need to get the broken concrete out of there before we can safely open the beach” The board is considering hosting another open house on March 18 to allow residents to see the progress made on Elder renovation plans with hopes to have designs and prospective costs available Feedback on Centennial would be accepted at the open house to guide the board to take action during its second April meeting Thomas Burke of Christopher B Burke Engineering suggested during a design meeting that the curve of the proposed northern breakwater at Elder could be softened for aesthetic purposes Matt Wright of Red Barn Design and Engineering, a firm with tentative plans to work alongside the district, said that the village’s stormwater pipe could curve with the breakwater and turn 90 degrees to extend out into the lake to reduce water velocity Proposed plans for Elder do not require finality on the ongoing controversial land swap with Justin Ishbia, owner of the property at 261 Sheridan which splits Park District property in two The board decided in September to focus on getting Elder open, leaning toward plans for a northern breakwater Some board members wanted to get Elder open for the summer 2023 swimming season, but timelines for permits wouldn’t allow it The board still wants to work with Ishbia along Centennial’s southern border to create a plan that benefits both parties Ishbia has submitted a lakefront design for his property at 205 Sheridan Road to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Army Corps of Engineers The plans include a stone breakwater at the northern end with elevated native plants south of the structure, another stone breakwater parallel to the shoreline with a cable safety railing along the steel connecting it to land and a boating ramp south of the northern breakwater Stormwater discharge would be placed at the northern breakwater The Park Board, as a direct neighbor to Ishbia, submitted its comments to the IDNR and Army Corp on the permits before the comment period ended Jan 2\n', 'There are many hardscaping elements that can be added to a landscape design that are both attractive and functional One example of this is the gabion wall Gabion walls can be used in landscapes as retaining walls, decorative site walls, seating walls, accent walls and more Randy Jurgensen, president of Decorative Stone Solutions , based in Escondido, California, says gabion walls are well suited for mid-century modern designs as they tend to be more linear in shape and it’s harder to make organic shapes with gabions This hardscape structure has seen an increase in usage over the past few years and here’s what you should know if you are considering using one in your next landscaping project Gabion is derived from the Italian word for “cage” and is a wire container that can hold any sort of inorganic material They can form flexible, permeable structures that work well in stabilizing shorelines against erosion Originally these cages were wicker and were commonly used for civil engineering and military purposes Leonardo da Vinci even used gabions for the foundation of the San Marco Castle in Milan Gabions should not be confused with bastions, which are gabions lined typically with a geotextile allowing it to be filled with a granular soil fill, instead of rocks “I think the big pros are they’re economic, they have little to no maintenance, they’re easy to install and they are very long lasting, and they can be created fairly quickly,” says Jurgensen The cost of the wall depends on the wire being used as there are various grades and gauges of wire mesh available, but they are typically all galvanized The other determining factor on the cost is the fill material being used Angular rock is the best gabion fill as they lock together and provide a non-moving unit Jurgensen suggests using a heavier gauge wire if your customer wants to use a rounded river rock as the fill material to help it maintain its shape Jurgensen says unskilled laborers can easily learn to erect, fill and close the wire baskets properly “Pilings, underwater drainage systems and excavations are unnecessary,” he says “There’s no need to drain the site or to construct a cofferdam for underwater installation The first layer of gabions can be laid in water or in mud” Jurgensen says there’s no need to create a foundation for gabion walls as they end up weighing so much when you fill them with rock He says what anchors the wall is the sheer mass and weight of the structure The longer it’s there, the more it settles in and the stronger it becomes Any gabion wall 3 feet and under does not require the calculation of loads and stress it might take on, but Jurgensen says if you’re going higher than 3 feet you should get an engineer involved to make sure it’s safely constructed A gabion wall’s lifespan depends on the type of wire used and the amount of salt spray it is exposed to “Something that is very coastal tends to rust out like any metal a little quicker,” Jurgensen says “The further inland you go the longer these tend to last but 50 to 100 years is the typical lifespan” Gabion walls are highly permeable and are able to bleed off any hydrostatic pressure, eliminating the need to install a drainage system Unlike a traditional concrete wall, gabion walls are flexible and are able to move with the earth “Let’s say you’re in an area where you have a freeze thaw cycle and the earth rises and sinks as you go through these freeze thaw cycles,” Jurgensen says “This has the ability to move with it so you don’t have a breakdown, where in concrete walls you’re going to get cracking and eventually collapsing under foundation and internal stresses of movement” Some of the cons are typically gabions are too bulky for smaller spaces and they may provide a home for unwanted flora and fauna “One of the drawbacks, and pro depending on what you’re after, is a lot of windblown and water-carried debris and soil can end up in all the crevices inside the wall so you can actually end up with some vegetation growing in these walls Some people like that and other people don’t want to see that” Another possible con is the industrial look of the gabion wall, which Jurgensen says some like and others prefer a more natural looking wall He says one way to make these walls more attractive is to choose a good fill material “The more attractive stone you use, the better it’s going to look overall,” he says “There’s a couple ways to fill these gabions You can use a very good looking stone as the facing material so that’s what’s actually showing to the viewer and then you can backfill that with a less expensive, more industrial grade stone that’s not going to be visible but still acts a structural component of the gabion wall” The fill material can vary from logs to broken concrete to slag glass “You’ll see various types of landscape glass, big chunks of colored glass, being used that makes a pretty neat design both during the day and night,” Jurgensen says “The neat thing about filling it with something like a glass product is you can use lighting inside, so you can run lighting inside of a gabion wall behind the glass, and then that can be lit up at night”\n', 'Gabions are rectangular wirework containers that are filled with rock or other materials for use in construction of dams and retaining walls They are often used in places difficult to reach or as a substitute for much more expensive concrete structures Gabions come in compressed folded form, typically in dimensions that are three feet tall, three feet wide, and vary in lengths from three to twelve feet When erected, these wire structures contain several 3x3x3 “baskets”, and require rigorous heavy-gage internal wiring to prevent them from bulging out of shape Special attention must be paid regarding the strength of the surface on which their considerable weight is placed, as well as careful fastening and leveling when stacking them on top of each other Cordova, with its abundance of challenging building sites, as well as easy access to round glacial rock for filling them, is a natural place for the use of these handy baskets A quick drive around town reveals long stretches of them in front of the Little Chapel on Lake Avenue and along the north edge of Davis Avenue above the Sunset View Apartments The first illustrates the success of careful installation, perhaps in no part due to its accessible location, where preparation could be done by heavy equipment, and the rock could be hauled in by vehicle and dumped into the baskets The second illustrates what happens when the subsurface is perhaps not stable and the baskets are not carefully wired together Aging, weathering, and drainage have caused some of the gabions to settle and bulge out of shape Perhaps the most dramatic installation of gabions in Cordova can now be seen from many parts of the city, including the boat harbor At the top of Cabin Ridge Road, located on the old Ski Hill area, Pip Fillingham has been busy installing gabions of various size to stabilize his property, which has a panoramic view in all directions So far he has completed forty-five such rock-filled containers Fillingham is no novice to gabion work Back in the early 80’s, he was hired by city waterworks boss Mac MacMasters to ramrod the installation of these wire baskets and metal pipe for repairs to the remote Heney Creek water system, which had been severely damaged by record rain fall The gabions and pipe were flown in by helicopter, and all the work was done by hand to get water flowing back into the city reservoir above Whitshed Road On that project, the rock was gathered from the surrounding area, which proved to be a very challenging task For his recent work, round glacial “bone” rock has been delivered on site by Wilson Construction, and a small Bobcat front-end loader is being used to move the rock to the baskets But assembling the gabions, placing them in position, fastening them together, using rebar to imbed them into the rock faces and interconnect them, as well as filling them properly, all has been done by hand Which Fillingham has done by himself Beginning in April And he still isn’t finished Fillingham, a gill netter, admits that rare is the day, when not out fishing, that he is not up working on this project Boat names often reveal much about their owner, and his bow picker is named the “Whatever”, which happens to be one of his favorite phrases The story goes that when work on his new vessel was almost complete, the boat builder mentioned it needed a name Pip, of course, replied “Whatever” Surely picking fish is a lot easier than moving all the rock and wire he has handled atop Cabin Ridge Road The gabions he has installed create the appearance of a medieval castle, and provides a great viewpoint of bow pickers heading out to fish on Copper River openers Fillingham’s boat is among them, and when he glances up on the way back to town, even he will have to admit that what he has created on the upper reaches of Cordova is anything but “Whatever”\n'