Wild Rose Meadow

Wild Rose Meadow is OPAL’s largest neighborhood, designed and constructed with emphasis on energy efficiency and aging in place. It is located off Mt. Baker Road, directly across the street from the Orcas Island Medical Center, and less than a quarter-mile walking distance to public schools and town.

The property features a large community food garden, with individual plots and a shared orchard. A pond is integrated into a verdant wetland. To increase the opportunity for storm water to infiltrate into the aquifer under the property, the design includes pervious pavement, gravel-paved paths, and densely vegetated buffers.

The homes maximize southern exposure, capturing daylight for passive solar gain, and include built-in conduit to ease future installation of solar panels for hot water or full-service electrical needs. One homeowner reports having close to net-zero energy use.

“There is something very gratifying about living in a house built by your own community. I know the guys who built this house and the many other community members who made these homes a reality. It’s like a community inheritance that I can eventually pass on to my son and give him a leg up in the world. We are so grateful.”
– Wild Rose Meadow homeowner

Completed 2010

Homes	Total Acres	Common Land and Community Garden	Average Lot Size	Smallest House	Largest House
32	6.67	4 acres	2,604 sq. ft.	740 sq. ft.	1,720 sq. ft.

 

Wild Rose Meadow Construction Costs, 2010

	WA State Grant	Federal Grant(s)	Donations/Foundations	Homebuyer Mortgages	Total
Dollars	$1,390,000	$770,000	$2,482,334	$5,567,602	$10,209,936
Percentage	13.6%	7.5%	24.3%	54.5%

 

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